Happy Homemaker Monday

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

It's time for Happy Homemaker Monday! Sandra starts us off each week at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to hop on over to find out what Sandra's been up to. 

The weather...48 degrees (F) and partly cloudy. Looks to be another really nice day in February:)

Right now I am...Sitting in my rocking recliner, drinking Yerba Mate tea with a touch of raw Canadian honey, finishing up this post. 

Thinking...how I have a couple of really cluttered areas that need to be dealt with. I think I will make that my February project! 

On my reading pile...Just started Jubal Sackett by Louis L'Amour as our read aloud book; started reading Happiness Key again and hoping to make it through this time! 

On my TV...Downton Abbey! I like this show enough to get it on DVD!!!

Favorite blog post this week (mine or other)...Pay it Forward by Elizabeth Farrar at Bella Vita. 

Something fun to share...I rarely pay more than $2.99 for an iPad app but this week I took the plunge and bought the Home Routines App for $4.99. I have only had it a couple of days but LOVE it! It is like a daily, weekly, monthly "to do" list that resets at intervals YOU set. Whoo Hoo! It even goes along with the cleaning zone that the Fly Lady program has. Check it out!

On the menu this week...I don't have anything planned for this week yet.

On my to do list...I didn't get much done last week so have to use the same list AGAIN:( It's starting to get embarrassing!

• Thank you cards--make and send--Hmmm...starting to think I should just BUY the cards and get them mailed!
• Laundry--stayed up on the laundry all week
• The Cupboard Trilogy DT project--finished and submitted
• Get February Card Swap organized and emails sent--Tada! Got this one done too:)
• Walk on the treadmill 3 x this week
• Clean out the refrigerator
• Send one handwritten note via snail mail:) I am going to try to send one per week--missed last week so will try to send two this week. 
• Finish editing short story for friend and get it sent off to her. Almost finished with this; plan to get it in the mail today or tomorrow.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or crafting...Still have the same projects:( Haven't been working on them lately but want to pick them up and finish them! I am the Queen of Unfinished Projects!

Homemaking tips...This isn't really a homemaking tip; more of a personal care tip but gotta share it anyway. I read on Pinterest about using a mixture of baking soda and coconut oil to wash your face twice a week and the other days just use coconut oil to wash your face. Your face will feel a little oily for about 15 minutes but then will just be soft and smooth! If you do this before you get in the shower, your face will be ready for makeup when you get out. It only takes about 1/2 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of coconut oil. Super inexpensive and effective!!! I am loving this!

I should save this one for next week but I was sooo excited about it!!! Did you know that you can put vinegar (full strength) in a spray bottle to kill weeds? My son is going to put it in his 4-wheeler sprayer to spray the driveway!!! It will also kill your plants so be careful but it won't destroy your soil; in fact, it's good for the soil.

Looking around the house...Looks pretty good:) The dogs haven't taken many toys out yet this morning! I am working on doing 15 minutes of pickup before I go to bed and it sure makes a difference. I did this regularly when the kids were little but got sloppy in my old age:(

From the camera...

My very huge Christmas cactus is in bloom. This one is called
"white" but it's actually a very pale pink. These blossoms are so pretty!

On my prayer list...Jenny's grandmother, Michelle's cousin and Kelly

Bible verse; Devotional...
"For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 (HCSB) 
This verse was part of the devotional this morning from Proverbs 31 Ministries called The Joneses are Overrated. This devotional address so well the topic of Sandra's post from last week, Chasing Simplicity.

Have a great day!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Welcome to Happy Homemaker Monday! Sandra starts us off each week from her blog over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to hop on over to see what Sandra's been up to! So let's get started!

Weather...At 12:30 pm it is 36 degrees! Our snow is gone but it we have had lots of ice!

Right now I am...Watching The Chew on TV. I just finished walking on the treadmill while watching the first half of The Chew so wanted to finish up their Meatless Monday episode:)

Thinking...of some great dishes to cook while watching The Chew!

On my reading pile...We are reading The Warrior's Path by Louis L'Amour as our read aloud. I am just starting The Covenant (Abram's Daughter book 1) by Beverly Lewis and am also continuing my 21 day journey through The "Do What You Can" Plan by Holley Gerth.  I am also still reading Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey.

On my TV...I am enjoying watching Cash Cab while I walk on the treadmill and sometimes my workout goes into The Chew which I also enjoy:)

Favorite blog post this week (mine or other)...I hope you don't get tired of me always listing one of Elizabeth Farrar's blog posts as my favorite of the week but her posts have really been speaking to my heart lately. This post actually appeared on the Bella Vita blog in September, 2011 but was reprinted on Heartspoken on December 20. The post is about sending handwritten "love notes"! LOVE it!!!

Something fun to share...I just read this quote today and love it! "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." --Dr. Seuss

On the menu this week...

Monday--Baked potatoes and butternut squash, green salad
Tuesday--Spaghetti, green salad and french bread
Wednesday--Stamping Club so no cooking:)
Thursday--not sure for rest of the week

On my to do list...I thought I didn't do very well on last week's list but when I looked back I decided I was just being hard on myself--like that's something new?!!! So for this week I have to do those things I didn't get to last week

• Thank you cards--make and send (it's starting to get embarrassing)
• Declutter 25+ items 
• Bake Cinnamon Raisin bread to send via son to daughter's this week
• Get ready for Stamping Club
• Clean apartment after brother's recent visit
• The Cupboard Trilogy DT project
• Happy Stampers Swap card

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or crafting...I finished the lime green cowl I was working on but am still working on the socks. I really want to make a granny square afghan this year but should probably finish at least one of my unfinished afghans first!

Homemaking Tip...I don't have anything today but have been using vinegar for EVERYTHING!!! I use it in the laundry, to mop the floor, to rinse my hair--wow! love it!!! And it is so super cheap!

Looking around the house...Kitchen floor needs swept and mopped; need to put the down comforter back in the duvet after washing; load of clothes needs to be folded.

From the camera...I don't have anything this week:(

On my prayer list...

• Friends who have been married for 30-40 years are getting divorced so I am praying for my married friends.

Bible verse/Devotional...

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:40

Have a great day! I hope I have something crafty to show you tomorrow:)

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Homemaker Monday "button" from Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I totally LOVE Sandra's new Happy Homemaker Monday "button"! She does an amazing job with her photography! Sandra kicks off the Happy Homemaker Monday from her blog at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop by and tell her Kat says hi!

I am still struggling with Prednisone withdrawal but according to all I've read on the internet, I should be near the end:) I felt better today but after doing oh so little, I was exhausted! I will try for more tomorrow!

So on to the first Happy Homemaker Monday of 2013!

The Weather...It really warmed up here today (didn't check the temperature) and the snow is nearly melted:) Old snow is really gross! Happy to have it go and perhaps get some fresh in a week or so.

Right now I am...relaxed in my chair with the dogs at my feet--all three of them! They didn't get the memo that I AM NOT a dog person!!!

Thinking...about how far behind I am on my goals for the month:( Tomorrow is another day...

On my reading pile...We are starting The Warrior's Path by Louis L'Amour in our read aloud journey through the Sackett series. I just downloaded The Covenant (Abram's Daughter book 1) by Beverly Lewis and am also reading The "Do What You Can" Plan by Holley Gerth and Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey.

On my tv...Not sure what's on. I am in a reading mood again:)

Favorite Blog Post this week (mine or other)...
So Long 2012 Elizabeth Farrar at Bella Vita. All for the last sentence..."may you be surprised by joy"! That is my new favorite phrase for 2013! Thank you Liz:)

Something fun to share...

I am totally LOVING the new book/magazine I got for Christmas! I have been marking projects I want to make and hopefully will be able to get started on some next week. This week I have a list of projects I want to make that have been on my list for awhile. If you like to sew, quilt, craft, be sure to check out this book!

On the menu for this week...I don't really have a menu for the next week. Just flying by the seat of my pants. With the food allergies it is easier for me to just take one meal at a time this week. I should get the hang of this soon! Tomorrow we are having Penne pasta with Marinara sauce and a big green salad!

On my "to do" list...

• laundry
• clean off my desk
• declutter kitchen counters
• finish lime green knitted cowl
• thank you cards (still not done)
• Declutter 25 items this week

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

• I should finish the lime green knitted cowl tonight:)
• Knitting a pair of socks
• Need to put ideas on paper for thank you cards

Homemaking tips...I like to put a dryer sheet between the waste basket and the plastic bag to make it smell fresher. I use the Meyers dryer sheets so they're not too perfumey.

Looking around the house...Dogs, dogs everywhere! Them and their toys!

From the camera...

Fingerless mitten I started last year

I think I will try to finish the fingerless mittens I started last year when I finish the socks I am currently working on.

On my prayer list...

Friends who are having varying health issues right now. 

Bible Verse/Devotional...

"In the morning sow thy see, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." Ecclesiastes 11:6 (from The "Do What You Can" Plan)

Thanks for stopping by to check out my Happy Homemaker Monday. 

Kat

Happy New Year...2013

Photo from www.dreamstime.com

I have spent most of the day thinking about this post as I was cooking and cleaning. I wanted it to be something profound and memorable but alas all I can give you today is my best wishes for a New Year filled with God's blessings! Elizabeth, the author of one of my favorite blogs, Bella Vita, quoted her friend, Connie as saying, '"May you be surprised by joy" in the New Year!' I loved this so much that I had to share it with you and will probably be sharing it with everyone ALL year long! I pray that each one of you will be "surprised by joy" around every bend and turn in the New Year!

I will be back tomorrow with some goals, pictures of handmade Christmas cards I received (oh so cute) and I want to show you the new scarf I am making! 

Have a great evening!

Kat

P.S. Be sure to check out Bella Vita; her blog posts really are profound:)

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's Christmas Eve and time for Happy Homemaker Monday! Today I will be traveling home from my darling daughter's so hoping for some good weather on the passes!

Happy Homemaker Monday is initiated each week by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. So be sure to check out her blog to see what she's been up to!

The weather...Cold and rainy! Hoping for snow on Christmas Day!

Right now I am...Sitting with a cup of Teavana tea I received for Christmas from daughter and family:)

Thinking...About what I need to buy on my way home. We live nearly two hours from the nearest Costco and 1 1/2 hours from a supermarket so will get what we need on the trip home; probably in Yakima.

On my reading pile...

• Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber (Christmas gift)
• When Christmas Comes by Debbie Macomber
• 101 Patchwork Projects + Quilts (Christmas gift)
• Mail Order Holiday Brides by Jillian Hart and Janet Tronstad (on iPad)
• Four Week Financial Turnaround by Derek C. Olsen (on iPad)
• Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey (on iPad)

On my tv...I would like to watch a few Christmas movies on SpiritClips. We just signed up and I am looking forward to watching the 50+ Hallmark Hall of Fame movies plus other Hallmark Channel movies:)

Favorite Blog Post this week (mine or other)... Finding the Words by Elizabeth Farrar at Bella Vita! 

Something fun to share...My granddaughter, age 7, went Christmas shopping with her dad to buy gifts for my daughter. Then my granddaughter said to her mom, "Do you have a puff, Mom?" My daughter said she didn't have one so my granddaughter said, "Well, don't buy one before Christmas!" We laughed so hard. Now, every time we see a bath puff we say, "Don't buy one before Christmas!" Kids are truly wonderful creatures!!!

On the menu...I am flying by the seat of my pants this week in the food department! Haven't made a menu and just plan to use what we have which is plenty:) 

On my to do list...

• Travel home from daughter's 
• One more Christmas gift to purchase (for hubby)
• Laundry when I get home
• Sewing while the guys are skiing on Sunday

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

• Just finished sewing Eternity Scarf together 
• Crocheted potholders
• Some sewing projects yet to be determined

Homemaking tips...Don't have one today.

Looking around the house...I am at my daughter's house and as I look around I see a puzzle we were working on, Christmas decorations, her piano with Christmas music she was playing, some Christmas presents laying around from our opening party on Saturday evening:) I love spending time with this special family! 

From the camera...I don't have anything today.

On my prayer list...A family who lost their dad recently plus still praying for those who lost loved ones in CT shooting. 

Bible Verse; Devotional...

"Think too of all who suffer as if you shared their pain." Hebrews 13:3 (JB Phillips translation) 

Well, need to get on the road so we can get home at a decent time. Have a great day! Hug the ones you love today!

Kat