Happy Mail

Oh my, do I ever love Happy Mail! And this came to me all the way from Cindy at Just North of Wiarton and South of the Checkerboard in Ontario Canada! I am beginning to think they have the very nicest people in Ontario!!!

Last fall, Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily, had a Secret Sister Swap! I was very excited to be a part of it and purchased lots of goodies to send off to my Secret Sister! Well, long story short, I didn't get a package from the Secret Sister who was supposed to send to me:( Honestly I was okay with that because "it's more blessed to give than receive" but Carla decided that she would send me something herself (it's on its way) but told me that someone else wanted to send me something as well. That someone was Cindy. Her note was sooo sweet telling me that she was my "substitute secret sister":) So, what did she send???

Check out this adorable cross stitched towel! Oh how cute!

How about this magnet for the refrigerator with a picture of three of her four Aussies?

You ought to see the yummy recipes in this book! And she slipped a recipe for Caramel Corn inside--can't wait to try it!

I think this is the first recipe I will try! Ginger and Lemon go sooo well together!

These Macaroons will have to be the second one to try! 

I was in such a hurry to get this list pad on my refrigerator that I forgot to 
take a picture with its cover on! 
Even my son commented on what a great list pad it is because
it has the "To Do" and "To Buy" perforated in the middle
do you can tear off one side or the other!

Last but certainly not least, this Paderno Garlic Press!
Check out the right side of the photo...the cleaner
stores right in the handle! What a beautiful shade
of blue:)

All I can say is a HUGE thank you to Cindy for her thoughtfulness and these well chosen gifts:) 

Have a great day! Not sure about blogging while I am on vacation but will try to get a few in anyway! 

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's Monday! What does that mean?!!! Happy Homemaker Monday, of course:) I was really lazy over the weekend and didn't even do the Sunday Night Chit-Chat last night:( Happy Homemaker Monday is hosted each week by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I love reading Sandra's blog because it reminds me of my life when my children were growing up...homeschooling, reading the Bible and Bible stories to the children before bed, cooking from scratch, reading cookbooks, crocheting and sewing...sometimes I miss those days; get a little teary thinking about them. But now I am on the Gramma side of things and have waayyy less energy to accomplish a day's duties so I guess the Bible is right, "To every thing there is a season..." Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Happy Homemaker button courtesy of Sandra @ Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

So, let's get started with our Happy Homemaker Monday!

The Weather...45 degrees (F) today with blue skies and bright sunshine:) 

Right now I am...Sitting in my chair, sipping Yerba Mate tea, blogging, listening to my hubby talk to his brother and sister-in-law about our coast trip tomorrow:)

Thinking...About about our fun trip to the coast this week.

On my reading pile...I am on the second book in the Happiness Key series, Fortunate Harbor by Emilie Richards. The first book in the series finally got my interest about chapter 18. The fact that I hung in that long is amazing but I am looking forward to this next book in the series.

On my TV...Downton Abbey was wonderful last night but was not expecting two hours! Guess that was a bonus! Next Sunday is the season finale! How long are we going to have to wait till Season Four?!!!

Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)...
A Really Big Morning by Cindy at Just North of Wiarton and South of the Checkerboard! I really related to this post.

Something fun to share...I'm coming up with a blank for today!

On the menu for this week...

Monday--Spaghetti, salad, garlic french bread
Tuesday--Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant in Clackamas, OR on our way to the coast:)
Wednesday--Restaurant in Lincoln City, OR
Thursday--Valentine's Day dinner at a restaurant in Seaside, OR
Friday--most likely Sweet Tomatoes on our way home
Saturday
Sunday

On my "to do" list...

• Pack for our trip to the Oregon Coast
• Visit a yarn/craft store in Seaside
• Shop at the Outlet Mall in Lincoln City
• Peruse at least one used bookstore
• Peruse at least one Thrift store
• Take pictures while at the coast to share with YOU!

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or crafting...

I purchased this book from Annie's Attic as a digital download (on my iPad) to take with me to the coast. Crochet thread projects are easy to transport:) Looking forward to making some pretty doilies! Pineapples are my favorite!

Homemaking Tips: Since I am packing and getting ready for our trip, I will share an old packing tip. Fold your clothes and then roll them to get more in your suitcase. I pack a wool sock to put my curling iron or hair straightener in just in case it's hot when I'm packing to come home.

Looking around the house...The dogs are sprawled out across the living room floor, in front of the wood stove, with their toys (as usual). Things look pretty good around here today:)

From the camera...

A box of Happy Mail! I will share more in a post later today!

On my Prayer List...
Friends with health issues; friends trying to sell their business to be able to spend more time with their children; friend preparing for move this summer to Japan (military family); 

Bible verse; Devotional...

To everything there is a season,

And a time for every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; 

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to week, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; 

A time of war, and a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

Have a wonderful day! I will be back a little later with my Happy Mail post:)

Kat