Happy Homemaker Monday July 29

Good morning! Wow, the summer is going by fast. We had such a HOT June and July, and now it has cooled down considerably. So much so that the pool may not get used again this season! Welcome to Happy Homemaker Monday and please see Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, our lovely host, for more posts.

The Weather

Here in southern New England it is nice and cool, 70 degrees with a high of 82, but the humidity is 88%, which means that the air conditioner will be going on as soon as it gets a little warmer. Otherwise I would happy to have our fan going all day, but the humidity is a killer of the pantry items, as everything gets stale and moldy.

Right Now

It is 9 am EDT. My husband and oldest son are at work, my other two sons are at scout camp, and my daughter is home and still asleep. The washer and dryer are running and I need to get some groceries, but my son had to take my van to go to work as his car is broken, which means I have to drive our truck. I don't like getting groceries with the truck because the back is too high. My van is perfect for the job, so I may put it off until tomorrow, when my son is off. We have a new-for-us used car sitting in our driveway right now, but we need to get it registered and the department of motor vehicles is not open today.

Thinking

That I am feeling grateful, and it is a wonderful feeling. The problems have not disappeared, but I am feeling close to the Lord and when I do, I know He is in charge, and I feel safe. I am still grateful it is summer (not sick of it yet) - I have been able to read a lot, and even managed to work some last week and clean the house, how is that possible?! I am grateful my kids have been doing things that fulfill them and give me a break from all of the running around, but I do miss them when they are gone. Last week my youngest was home and we played computer games, watched the Harry Potter movies, talked about books and other things, and it was fun. Now he has left me again but I have my daughter home for all but one week later in August, and we are going to do some lunches with the ladies (meaning my sister and mother).

On My Reading Pile

I finished Gone Girl, which was not my cup of tea. Read The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I am now reading books from a list of the top 100 novels of all time. Some I have read (but not many), and right now I am on The Catcher in the Rye. Next will probably be I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

On My TV

I watched the very first episode of Sherlock, which I really enjoyed, and am awaiting the dvds of Veronica Mars from Netflix. I watched all of the Harry Potter movies and The Hobbit with my son while he was home.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

nothing new this week

On the Menu for This Week

I am not ready with this yet!

On My To Do List

Laundry and a quick vacuum. 

Looking Forward to This Week

I will probably do lunch out once a week with my daughter, so I will say that is what I am most looking forward to!

Looking Around the House

My husband is back from camp so that means his stuff is lying around, but he's not too bad! There are a couple of flashlights and this mysterious bundle of rope that has been in my car all summer that I finally brought in but nobody claimed it. For the most part it is in good shape - just 10 minutes to put things away and it will look great.

From the Camera

My daughter celebrating her 17th birthday with two of her brothers. Not easy to get them to play nice when I am taking a picture.

On My Prayer List

The usual suspects: my kids, mom, in-laws.

Bible Verse

 Genesis 39:9  "There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

We talked about prayer and purity in church yesterday, and I thought of this scripture which we teach to our youth. I have found that when I am on the Lord's side (which I get to when I pray and study the scriptures regularly), my attitude is like Joseph's: I do not want to sin because why would I want to offend God, whom I love and who loves me? As opposed to the attitude of having to stay away from sin because I am supposed to, making it more of a burden to obey. It takes work to have the right attitude and love in our hearts, but it is work worth doing and the most rewarding.

Have a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday July 22

Good morning, it is Happy Homemaker Monday! And I AM a happy homemaker, well maybe more of a happy camper, because it is COOL this morning. The air conditioner is turned off after weeks of constant running and the windows are open. It feels great. Go to Sandra's blog for more Happy Homemaker Monday, and thank you, Sandra, for hosting this and inspiring me every week.

The Weather

Well I already told you about today, but we have cooler temperatures all week (and some rain, which at this point is much needed), and even lower temperatures the following week, which will be lovely for me but not as great for our pool. I have been in my pool more often this year than in the last three or four years combined. Two days ago the water was 91 degrees, but even with our solar cover on it now, it will begin to drop. Right now it is 72 degrees outside with a "real feel" of 82 degrees due to the 82% humidity. I can take 82 degrees, no problem!

Right Now

It is 11 am and I still haven't eaten breakfast. That is one thing about the hot weather we had been having, it has killed my appetite and I've dropped about 8 pounds. Now if it will only stay off... . 

Thinking

About how comfortable I am! I know, on to another subject, but really, it has been so oppressively hot. Now I know some of you live where it is even hotter, but it is also really humid here, and that is what makes it unbearable. That and the fact that we only have one window air conditioner... . I actually might accomplish something today because I am not dying of the heat.

On My Reading Pile

I devour books during the summer, because I really don't have the brain capacity to read during the school year. But I read them so fast that I do not always remember everything I read. I read The Paris Wife by Paul McLain. I liked it but I hated it. I liked the book in general, and loved the feel of it - the intelligent voice of the writer - but I did not like the betrayal of her husband in the end, that was hard to take. But it was interesting and worth the read, just not something I would pick up again. Now I am reading Gone Girl, and the ONLY reason I am reading it is to unravel the mystery. Otherwise I hate it. I hate the characters, the common language, the awful way they treat each other, everything about it, but I HAVE to find out what happens (and see if my theories are correct), so I will finish reading it. Felt the same way about the Twilight series - only read it to see what everyone was talking about and then finished it to see what happens.

On My TV

I finished all three seasons of  Downton Abbey. Fortunately a friend warned me that I would be really mad at the season finale, so I was aware of something awful and not as disappointed as I would have been. We have two Netflix movies that we haven't watched, and I think I will send them back today and get something else.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

Nothing new this week.

On the Menu for this Week

I think I will be winging it this week. Half of the family is away and one is only here half the time. That leaves me and my youngest so it may be a high fast food intake week, or lots of macaroni and cheese, who knows.

On My To Do List

Pretty much everything. Laundry, of course, although I am doing SO much less laundry with kids out of the house. However, this weekend, when they all come back - well that's another story. I also have to vacuum and mop and dust, but I am really hoping to tackle my bedroom - which means purging a lot of stuff, as it becomes the catchall for the rest of the house. I do have some bookkeeping work to do this week though.

Looking Forward to this Week

A quiet house! My husband, foster son, and daughter are all at camp until Saturday. My oldest is working at least two days this week, and my youngest is like me: we like to keep to ourselves and do our own thing. He writes, reads, goes for hikes in the woods.

Looking Around the House

I have the signs of picnics past on my counter: hot dog rolls, paper plates, and soda. I have bags of the personal belongings of kids in our scout troop whose moms have dropped off because the stuff was forgotten and they heard my husband was going up tonight. There is a lantern and a fan that people took out to bring with them and then did not for some reason, leaving to me to put away. And lastly, there is a can of beans that was never used for dinner the other night that needs to go back downstairs on the storage shelf. Oh, and laptops on the table. Always laptops on the table.

From the Camera

My lovely daughter, leaving for her last year at camp.

On My Prayer List

The usual suspects: my kids, mom, in-laws.

Bible Verse

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

I have been thinking a lot about prayer lately, how bad I've been about it, and making it an area of study to help me improve my communication with the Lord.

Have a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday July 8 2013

Good morning everyone! I am hoping that Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom will be hosting today, but since she is waiting to get internet service, it may not be possible. But go and visit her anyway. She is such an inspiration!

The Weather

It is hot, but not unbearably hot, and the humidity has dropped to about 50%, so we have been given a perfect summer day. The sky is blue, and although it is warm (90 degrees), the pool is glorious and waiting for us!

Right Now

I am writing this as I wait to pick up my son from summer school. He is one lucky kid, all of his teachers passed him but one, and he is able to make that up this week so he can start next year fresh. It meant he had to take a week off from camp, and his boss was not thrilled, but I am glad he is experiencing some consequences. Hopefully he will step up his game next year.

Thinking

About The Book Thief, which I just finished this morning (which is why I am a little late writing this post). It was a marvelous book; I highly recommend it. What I liked most about it was that it was about human beings, flawed human beings, who made mistakes and did hurtful things, but also did things that didn't seem like much, but made a huge impact on the lives of others. It celebrates the goodness of humanity, in spite of the horrors of it.

On My Reading Pile

First I read The One I Left Behind, by Jennifer McMahon, but to be honest, after The Book Thief, I cannot remember much about it, other than I liked it. But The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, is one that will stay with me forever. I don't know what is up next, I will let you know next week.

On My TV

Well, Netflix is too quick for me, so before I was able to cancel my dvd subscription, they sent me the next two, which will probably sit on my tv for forever, especially since my husband and I started Downton Abbey. We are almost done with the first season. The Netflix movies are Gandhi (which I saw many years ago), and X2: X-men United. my boys are still watching Dr. Who.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

This was a friend's link on Facebook, but this most likely will be where my next book comes from:

14 Books to Read Before They Hit the Big Screen

On My Menu for This Week

Monday Leftovers for the husband, pasta and salad for the rest of us (don't worry, he won't mind!)

Tuesday 

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday family picnic celebrating July birthdays (of which there are 5): hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled corn on the cob, beans, potato salad, fruit salad, vegetable platter, cupcakes and ice cream (people are bringing some of this stuff, it is not all me!)

Sunday 

As you can see I do not have my menu done yet, that is this afternoon's task. I had to finish The Book Thief first!

On My To Do List

Peruse the sale flyers, create a menu, and make a grocery list. Grocery shop if I have to today. But first, pick up my son from summer school!

Looking Forward to This Week

Seeing my daughter again! She will have been gone for 10 days, on vacation with her best friend, and I miss her a ton. I know I am getting a sneak peak of my life a year from now when she goes off to college, and it is going to be HARD. If you asked me a couple of years ago, when she was 14 and had major ATTITUDE, I would have felt differently, but she has matured, and has become a wonderful young lady whom I really, really like.  Also seeing my youngest when he comes home for scout camp, I miss him tons too!

Looking Around the House

On Friday I gave my self a birthday present, and thoroughly cleaned the kitchen, foyer, mudroom, and bathroom on the main floor. There was not one thing out of place, and a couple of days before I was able to clean the refrigerator. So, when everyone came home, they saw a perfect kitchen. It is not so perfect now, as there are things strewn around, but it is manageable, and it is still clean of dirt. Next are the upstairs bathrooms and then the basement, which is a MAJOR project, but neither have air conditioning, so I am procrastinating.

From the Camera

My self-made birthday present: the perfectly clean kitchen (if you don't count the papers on the door and fridge, which, why count them?!)

On My Prayer List
My kids, mom, in-laws, and girlfriend's son who is battling a serious brain tumor.

Bible Verse
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Have a great week!

Monthly Menu Planning - July

I am actually posting this a year later. I used to keep my monthly menus in a planning calendar. Before I throw out last year's calendar, I thought I would post the few menu plans that I actually did!

Sun
Mon
Tue  BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, zucchini, rice
Wed  pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw
Thu  London broil, steak fries, broccoli
Fri    leftovers?
Sat    Family birthday party: hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, fruit, veggies, cupcakes, ice cream
Sun  from the freezer
Mon  pasta salad
Tue  pork tenderloin, green beans, coleslaw (probably didn't make it the week before)
Wed  hot dogs, hamburgers
Thu  fettuccine alfredo, salad, garlic bread

Chocolate Lasagna from CenterCutCook.com

This recipe was being shared on Facebook, but I went to the original source to give credit where credit is due. Here is the link to the original page:

CenterCutCook.com

Chocolate Lasagna

I made this for my church potluck yesterday, and it was a hit. It was cool and refreshing, but not heavy at all.

Here are the instructions:

Chocolate Lasagna

INGREDIENTS

1 package regular Oreo cookies (Not Double Stuff) – about 36 cookies
6 Tablespoon butter, melted
1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons cold milk
1- 12 ounce tub Cool Whip, divided
2 – 3.9 ounce packages Chocolate Instant Pudding.
3 1/4 cups cold milk
1 and 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my Manual food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.

2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.

3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk, and sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the oreo crust.

4. In a bowl, combine chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.

5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

Happy Homemaker Monday July 1

Good morning everyone! I as I am writing this I am eating a combination of cereals to use them up before they go stale because my kids are all away. Well this wasn't the best combination, but I will endure it. Oh well! There are so many exclamation points today because I have the week ahead of me full of possibilities: get the house clean, go shopping, go out to eat, whatever I want without interruptions! And what I want to do most is clean. I know you all understand that. Clean and purge. I cannot wait.

Meanwhile, see Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday posts!

The Weather

Ugh. It is a beautiful 74 degrees here, perfect, right? But we have 94% humidity, so it feels like you are sweating because you just feel wet (and like you cannot catch a breath), and everything in your house is wet if you do not have central air conditioning. Oh why, oh why did we not get it when we built this house? I do have an air conditioner downstairs in the window, and it is doing the job of taking the humidity out of the air, so the main floor of the house is comfortable at least.

We have thunderstorms predicted for this entire week which means the humidity is not clearing out of here. No wonder I love the fall so much!

Right Now

I have white clothes getting an OxiClean soak in the washer, my dog is sleeping downstairs, the cat is outside somewhere, my husband is at work (and will be extra busy since so many people will be out this week), my  oldest is installing and/or repairing mechanical pool covers for Coverstar, my other two boys are working at boy scout camp, and my daughter is in Cape Cod having loads of fun with her best friend and her family, who happen to be our neighbors.

Thinking

about how content I am right now. My kids are all doing things they like to do, and I am where I like to be: at home, getting ready to organize my house, which I love to do. 

On My Reading Pile

Finished War Brides by Helen Bryan (really liked this one - better than The Sisterhood for me) and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which, ugh, was hard to read because of its content. It is one that my daughter chose to read for her summer requirements for AP Literature (she had a short list to chose from and she chose this because it was female oriented). It was definitely thought provoking and I anticipate my daughter and I will have some interesting discussions once she reads it, but it is not light, summer reading or uplifting in the least. Next is The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon which is one that popped up on my kindle for $1.99 and looked interesting (but not the least bit light or uplifting either!).

On My TV

My husband and I finally watched What Dreams May Come, and boy was it weird. I hope the afterlife isn't that confusing! The woman who played the wife, Annabella Sciorra, is absolutely beautiful, and she did a great job. Then we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with my youngest when he came back from trek. Summer isn't summer without Harry Potter.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

Another food blog to check out (just the name has me intrigued)

Gonna Want Seconds

On My Menu for this Week

This week is going to be fun. We will be eating from the freezer a lot, since there is just the two of us, plus we have a holiday and my birthday, so I am looking forward to eating this week!

Monday ham, pasta, rolls, beans, coleslaw (don't laugh, this was what was served at every party in my father's family, and I loved it, and we have all but the coleslaw already made and in the freezer)

Tuesday chili over baked potatoes, broccoli salad

Wednesday pasta with meat sauce, salad

Thursday Independence Day!, cookout with barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, chocolate lasagna, and whatever else anyone brings

Friday my birthday - dinner out - not sure where I want to go yet - and a movie

Saturday Cheesecake Factory for lunch with my mom and sister for my birthday! Woohoo! Probably pizza for dinner (and I can eat my leftovers)

Sunday breakfast: bacon, omelets, biscuits, fruit

On My To Do List

Washing whites, cleaning kitchen, grocery shopping (not much to get, should be easy)

Looking Forward to This Week

Dinner and a movie with my husband. I cannot remember the last time just the two of us saw a movie in the theater. It's been years. I hope there is something good playing!

Looking Around the House

There are things that have been sitting on this kitchen table for weeks. It is not as bad as it has been, but today is the day they will be put away! 

From the Camera

My youngest, before and after his trek, which, by the way, was a remarkable experience for him.

On My Prayer List

My kids, mom, in-laws

Bible Verse

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."  Philippians 2:3

This is what I opened to when I opened my bible. Can you imagine what kind of world we could live in if we all could do this?

Have a great week!