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!

Happy Homemaker Monday June 24

Good morning! Today is the last day of school - late, I know, thanks to hurricane Sandy and the blizzard of the century back in February. My two high school boys had to go in for one final exam. My daughter did not have to go in at all. She is still upstairs asleep and the boys will be waltzing back in the door within the next 15 minutes. I have another boy asleep on the couch whom I am taking to scout camp along with one of my sons. They are both working there this year. Tomorrow I bring my youngest son to start a five day adventure with our church called trek. They live as the pioneers that crossed the plains to settle in Utah. He will be pulling a handcart and wearing period clothing and eating the appropriate foods and bathing in a pond somewhere. Saturday my daughter leaves for Cape Cod with our neighbors and we have to pick up the boys from their various locations, just to bring them all back to camp on Sunday after church.

Let summer vacation begin!

Join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday!

The Weather

Ugh, it is muggy and gross. Today we have a high of 91 with 70% humidity. Could not wait to turn on air conditioner when I came downstairs. The rest of the week will be hot and humid with a chance of thunderstorms, which is typical summer weather here. And my three boys will be outside all day.

Right Now

My couch guest is up and getting his things together. I am waiting for the sound of the bus driving by and the next sounds of two excited boys walking into the house while the dog starts barking and running up the stairs from the basement. Then I get to start barking orders, he he.

Thinking

That the air conditioner is making the house comfortable and that I will hopefully be able to catch up on housekeeping this summer with two of the boys gone most of the time. Thinking that maybe the living and family rooms will stay clean once I clean them? I have a LOT of stuff to go through. Every closet needs purging.

On My Reading Pile

Finished Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and I really liked it. Now I am reading Helen Bryan's War Brides.

On My TV

Nothing. Watched What to Expect When Expecting on Amazon this weekend. Some funny parts, certainly parts that were very relatable, but kind of silly. Worth watching once, at least if it is free.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

Nothing new

On My Menu for This Week

I have less mouths to feed, so I have to think about who will be here and who will not as I plan...

Monday last school day dinner out 

Tuesday grilled Italian chicken, zucchini, potato salad, carrot sticks

Wednesday turkey burgers, baked beans, cucumber salad

Thursday hot dogs, macaroni salad, corn

Friday goulash, salad

Saturday salmon, coleslaw, green beans

Sunday steak, baked potatoes, broccoli (just me and hubby!)

On My To Do List

Believe it or not, laundry did not make the list! I managed to keep up with it this weekend, including oxi-soaking my bedding to give it a good cleaning.

So, since it is the last day of school and everything always has to happen all at once, here it is:

take one son for a haircut

take same son and friend to scout camp (a one hour drive) with all of their stuff

gas up cars

take other son and daughter to Barnes and Noble for summer reading books

take son to Walmart for items needed for trek

take son to high school to play in band for graduation ceremony

pick up son from high school (My daughter is going to be there too - she has to drive herself because she has to be there an hour earlier than my son to hand out programs as part of the National Honor Society - but she cannot drive my son for the first six months of her license because we have restricted licensing here. I understand the reasons behind it, but it is not the least bit practical!!!)

take son and daughter out to dinner (meet up with husband along the way)

Looking Forward to This Week

Um, not driving anywhere? Unfortunately, I think I have at least one place to go every day this week. So what I am really looking forward to is next week, when (almost) everyone will be gone and my husband and I can go out to dinner and a movie for my birthday. Woohoo!

Looking Around the House

My 14 year old is across from me, drawing in a journal he just bought at Barnes & Noble, there are still papers piled on the table, and various things piled on the counters and chairs. I need an afternoon to put everything in its place (or in the rooms of the people responsible), but today is not the day.

From the Camera

This is a photo taken by my oldest. I downloaded it and printed it and hung it on his wall to welcome him back from the hospital.

On My Prayer List

My kids, mom, in-laws.

Bible Verse

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15

The youth in our church spoke on Sunday, including my daughter and one of my sons. Their talks were impressive, as are they. They know the gospel, they know how to apply it to their lives, they know how to live it, and what not to do, and they know how to lead others. They amaze me, I am so proud of them.

Have a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday June 17

Good morning everyone. Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shining at it is currently 68 degrees. It looks like we might finally get treated to some nice weather. It was another busy weekend visiting my in-laws on Saturday, a Father's Day pancake breakfast fundraiser on Sunday along with a farewell party for a member of our church who is about to serve a mission. I am attempting to enjoy my last two days of peace and quiet, as the kids start finals this week and starting Wednesday they will be coming and going (and I will be driving) but all will be home by 11:30. Not that I don't enjoy having my kids home, because I do. But I enjoy my peace and quiet too!

Please join Sandra at Diary of a Stay-at-home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday and lots of inspiration!

The Weather

As I said it is beautiful today. The high will be in the low 80's, but there is a chance of an afternoon shower. (Always when it is time to fire up the grill for dinner. No matter, we have the track and field awards banquet tonight.)

Right Now

The washing machine is running and so is the pool filter. Everyone is either at school or work, the dog is sleeping downstairs, and I am thinking about catching up on some much needed sleep.

Thinking

...more like hoping, that I do not get a call from the school to come and pick up my son. He developed red spots on his face - mostly around his mouth - yesterday which we think is an allergic reaction to something he ate. I had him take some Benedryl last night and this morning they were still there but seemed to have faded a little. They were not any worse at least. He was not thrilled about going to school like that but I told him most people will think they are pimples; he is at that age anyway.

On My Reading Pile

I finished The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan, which I enjoyed, but it was not a cannot.put.it.down experience. Then I read One Pink Line by Dina Silver which is a young adult genre about a woman who gets pregnant just as she is finishing college and decides to keep the baby, and about her daughter's discovery that she was born out of wedlock and her pursuit of her biological father. It was a cute, quick read. Now I am working on  Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. That's funny, I grew up with a Kris Kline.

On My TV

Finally finished The Iron Lady, and let me tell you, Meryl Streep deserved that Oscar! Now we have What Dreams May Come to watch and then I think I am cancelling our dvd Netflix subscription. We have had those dvds for EVER. Now that summer vacation is almost here it will be time to break out the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings dvds.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

Just a couple of recipes this week. Tell me, doesn't this look delicious?

On My Menu for This Week

We have a few leftovers crowding the refrigerator, so I think we will take care of those first

Monday Banquet food

Tuesday leftover smorgasbord (including pizza and Brazilian rice and beans)

Wednesday pasta and salad

Thursday ham, sweet potatoes, green beans

Friday chicken and yellow squash skewers, rice, salad

Saturday maybe a Cheesecake Factory trip, finally

Sunday pot roast over egg noodles, broccoli

On My To Do List

Laundry catch up, clean upstairs bathrooms, sleep (couldn't sleep last night - maybe got 4 hours total)

Looking Forward to This Week

Well last week it was the academic awards night, and my daughter received Excellence in Algebra II (highest grade), Excellence in Humanities (high grades and enthusiasm for the subjects of History and English), and her academic pin (last year she received her letter), and my son received Excellence in French II (highest grade) - he is not eligible for a letter until next year. I am one proud mama.

This week, tonight, actually, is the Track and Field banquet and I am anticipating that our foster son will receive a letter. He lettered in Cross Country and Swimming this year and his goal is to letter in every sport he plays for every year of school. 

Looking Around the House

The summer reading books are starting to pile up. Mostly what I see are the items I bought at Walmart on my way home from the high school this morning and a bit of mail. Other than that it is fairly neat around here.

From the Camera

On My Prayer List

My son.

Bible Verse

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."  Psalm 23:1

Have a marvelous week!