Happy Homemaker Monday #2015-5 - February 9

The weather outside is:

It's dark but my weather app says it's 48 degrees outside with a 30% chance of rain.  I hope the rain holds off until I've finished my errands.  On a side note, it absolutely poured down last night.  It's so lovely to be snuggled under flannel sheets, listening to the rain outside.

On the breakfast plate this morning:

A cup of Teavana's Peach Tranquility tea and a bottle of water.

As I look outside my window:

It's dark but I'm sure it's the same as last week - puddles everywhere.

Right now I am:

Still in my fleece robe, going through the e-mail, Facebook posts, and blog reading.  Vic's back so he was up at 3:00am to get ready for work.  He leaves at 4:00am so it makes for early mornings for us.

As I look around the house:

Everywhere is tidy - cleaned house thoroughly before Vic got home on Friday so that I could enjoy the weekend.

On today's to do list:

Laundry....Just a white load that Vic brought home after his duty day on Saturday.
Cleaning....In the kitchen....Nothing other than put my coffee cup in the dishwasher.
In the living room....It's all tidy - I'm doing the 15 minute declutter before bed each night.
In the bedrooms....Make the bed.
In the bathrooms....Swipe over the vanity and mirror after I'm finished in there.
Cooking.....Menus done, need to go grocery shopping.

Currently reading:

Still flipping through Army Wives by Tanya Biank when I have a minute.

On the TV today:

Still need to finish up last week's episode of Granchester and watch last night's.

On the menu this week:

Monday - Pork Tenderloin with Smashed Fingerling Potatoes and Carrots
Tuesday - Steak with Mushrooms and Roasted, Herbed Potatoes
Wednesday - Lamb Chops with New Potatoes with Parsley and Brussels Sprouts
Thursday - Chicken with Acorn Squash and Green Beans
Friday - Dinner out for Valentine's Day
Saturday - Spending the day in Seattle so perhaps we'll bring home some fish from the Pike Place Market Fish Company
Sunday - Vic has duty so it will be a snack night for me

What I am STILL creating at the moment:

Still need to adhere a few titles to the Janet Visits New England 2007 album - should get this done tomorrow as it's Craft Day at my house.  Pinning ideas for deployment care packages serves another purpose as it gives me ideas for Sophia's care packages.  I'm thinking a green/St. Patrick's Day theme for March and Easter for April.  Not sure about May; June will be a Surviving Finals package.  I bought the one that the university offered last quarter but she didn't really care for the contents so I need to tailor one to her tastes.  Need to pick up the last few things for the Valentine's Day surprise.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week:

Smashed Fingerling Potatoes - don't remember where I saw the particular technique I want to use so I'll be making it up.  Will let you know how it turns out.

Favorite photo from the camera:

An interesting tree we saw on our outing yesterday - the branches are covered in moss

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals:

• Safety for Sophia as she is away from home at school and during her riding practice sessions
• Safety for Vic at work; wisdom and patience as he deals with a frustrating parking situation

Happy Homemaker Monday #2015-4 - February 2

The weather outside is:

Pouring with rain.  A perfect day to stay inside and get some things done around the house.

On the breakfast plate this morning:

A cup of Teavana's Peach Tranquility tea and a bottle of water - I'm a creature of habit.

As I look outside my window:

Puddles everywhere and the mountains are completely shrouded by fog.

Right now I am:

Still in my fleece robe, going through the e-mail, Facebook posts, and blog reading.  It was a busy weekend so I'm relishing my down time today.

As I look around the house:

Lots to do but I have a list and will work my way through it slowly.

On today's to do list:

Laundry....A load in the dryer to fold, a load in the washer to transfer to the dryer.
Cleaning....In the kitchen....Unload the dishwasher.
In the living room....Vacuum rug, mop the wood floors.
In the bedrooms....Finish unpacking and put my bags away, dust, vacuum.
In the bathrooms....Toilets, sinks and mirrors.
Cooking.....Need to make menus and go grocery shopping.

Currently reading:

Still flipping through Army Wives by Tanya Biank when I have a minute.

On the TV today:

I'll be replaying last night's episode of Granchester because I fell asleep watching it.

On the menu this week:

Monday - Lamb chop, roasted vegetables
Tuesday - Steak, leftover roasted vegetables
Wednesday - Leftover steak, mushrooms
Thursday - Chicken or fish?
Friday - In or out? Not sure yet.
Saturday -
Sunday - 

What I am creating at the moment:

Still need to adhere a few titles to the Janet Visits New England 2007 album - didn't get to it last week.  Pinning ideas for deployment care packages serves another purpose as it gives me ideas for Sophia's care packages.  I'm thinking a green/St. Patrick's Day theme for March and Easter for April.  Not sure about May and June will be a Surviving Finals package.  I bought the one that the university offered last quarter but she didn't really care for the contents so I need to tailor one to her tastes.  Working on a Valentine's Day surprise for my husband.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week:

Need to find a recipe for roasted acorn squash - I didn't write down the method from the last time I cooked it so I need to look for the recommended temperature and cooking time.

Favorite photo from the camera:

This was the bottom layer of Sophia's birthday package - it's a selection of beauty items that I picked up at Ulta for her to review on her blog.

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals:

• Safety for Sophia as she is away from home at school and during her riding practice sessions
• Safety for Sophia and her roommate as they drive to the city for a concert
• Safety for Vic at work

"This is my beloved and this is my friend" Song of Solomon 5:16
Can't wait to have my best friend home.

Happy Homemaker Monday #2015-3 - January 26

The weather outside is:

Clear and 48 degrees.  It's going to get up to 63 today so it should be a gloriously sunny afternoon.

On the breakfast plate this morning:

A cup of Teavana's Peach Tranquility tea and a bottle of water.

As I look outside my window:

Still some low cloud cover/fog over the mountains but I suspect it will burn off soon.

Right now I am:

Still in my fleece robe, going through the e-mail, Facebook posts, and blog reading.  Working my way through Grow Your Blog 2015 posts and I've just put up my Blogging from A to Z April (2015) Challenge entry.  There are links on my sidebar if you are interested in joining in.

As I look around the house:

Vacuum and mop still needed, these wood floors can be a pain at times.

On today's to do list:

Laundry....All the laundry from my weekend away awaits.
Cleaning....In the kitchen....Unload the dishwasher.
In the living room....Vacuum rug, mop the wood floors.
In the bedrooms....Finish unpacking and put my bags away.
In the bathrooms....Toilets, sinks and mirrors.
Cooking.....Lamb chop thawing in the fridge; need to go grocery shopping.

Currently reading:

Army Wives by Tanya Biank.  I've read it before but it's a quick and easy read when I feel like picking something up.  It's actually an autographed copy that Sophia picked up when we heard her speak at a Joint Services Luncheon in Virginia.

On the TV today:

I'll be replaying last night's episode of Granchester because I wasn't really paying attention when it was on.  Love the On Demand feature on our cable.

On the menu this week:

Monday - Lamb chop, roasted vegetables
Tuesday - Steak, leftover roasted vegetables
Wednesday - Leftover steak, mushrooms
Thursday - Haven't thought that far ahead!
Friday - Heading out of town so dinner is to be determined
Saturday - At the horse show
Sunday - Coming back from the horse show so who knows?

What I am creating at the moment:

Still working on the care package and album I mentioned last week.  The portrait sleeves came in over the weekend so I might get the album finished off today.  I need to call Target - I sent a letter at the beginning of the month to see if they would be willing to donate some items for the horse show this weekend and I need an answer.  I"m also finalizing my topic for the A to Z Challenge and working on the lists of daily posts.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week:

Nothing this week - too much going on and I'm out of town over the weekend.

Favorite photo from the camera:

It was an amazing horse show weekend and Sophia is only four points away from qualifying for the Regional competition in February.  I'll be a bag of nerves at this weekend's show (or maybe not, * see below).

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals:

• Safety for Sophia as she is away from home at school and during her riding practice sessions
• Safety for Vic at work
• Travel mercies and safety for all those attending this week's horse show
• Safety for New England friends as Winter Storm Juno bears down on them.

Courtesy of http://www.turnto10.com/story/27941079/southern-new-england-preparing-for-major-winter-storm

* "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" - Philippians 4:6 

Happy Homemaker Monday #2015-2 - January 19

The weather outside is::::

Very foggy and 43 degrees.  Weather forecast calls for it to be partly to mostly sunny with temperatures rising towards the low 50s.

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

A cup of Teavana's Peach Tranquility tea and a bottle of water in front of me for now, probably a banana with almond butter later.

As I look outside my window:::

The mountains are shrouded by fog/clouds - if it clears, the view is spectacular.

Right now I am::::

Still in my fleece robe, going through the e-mail, Facebook posts, and blog reading.
 

As I look around the house::::

Vacuum and mop needed, these wood floors can be a pain at times.

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....Just one delicates load left, I did all the rest this weekend although most it still needs to be folded!
Cleaning....In the kitchen....Unload the dishwasher, ugh, it ranks right up there with cleaning toilets.
In the living room....Vacuum rug, mop the wood floors.
In the bedrooms....Dust and move a few things around now that I have a shelf free.
In the bathrooms....Toilets, sinks and mirrors.
Cooking.....Pork chop thawing in the fridge, need to roast some vegetables.

Currently reading::::

Nothing.

On the TV today::::

Midsomer Murders, hoping that the British programs will stay on Netflix.

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Pork chop, roasted vegetables
Tuesday - Lamb chop, leftover roasted vegetables
Wednesday - Steak, mushrooms
Thursday - Will probably eat Mexican for lunch as I'm having a day out with a friend so it will be a salad for dinner to make up for that!
Friday - Heading out of town so dinner is to be determined
Saturday - At the horse show
Sunday - Coming back from the horse show so who knows?

What I am creating at the moment::::

I decided to make a beauty blogging sample care package for my daughter.  I'm going to look for some products that she can review on her blog.  I'm also only four Cricut titles away from finally completing my "Janet Visits New England 2007" scrapbook although I need one portrait sleeve to hold a brochure and it's in the mail, should be here Wednesday.      

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

Nothing this week - too much going on and I'm out of town over the weekend.

Favorite photo from the camera::::

I didn't use the camera this week so here's one from a while ago.  It's our tiered tray from the Christmas Tea event we attended at a local tea room.  It was a lovely afternoon.

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals:::

• Safety for Sophia as she is away from home at school and during her riding practice sessions
• Safety for Vic at work
• Travel mercies and safety for all those attending this week's horse show

"The family and home are meant to be the environment where human beings can find shelter, warmth, protection, and safety in each other". - Edith Schaeffer, Author and Speaker

Happy Homemaker Monday #2015-1 - January 12

I'm making Happy Homemaker Monday from Sandra's Diary of a Stay at Home Mom my regular Monday morning post because it's quick, easy, and fun.  Click on the photo above to join in.

The weather outside is::::

Cloudy, 45 degrees, a typical Pacific Northwest day and I love it!

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Planning to go back on the Whole 30 this morning after being lured away by Carl's Jr. this weekend.  It's not hard to stay on the plan when you travel; it just takes a bit of planning and there just wasn't any planning last weekend.  Right now, I have a cup of Teavana's Peach Tranquility tea and a bottle of water in front of me.

As I look outside my window:::

The mountains are shrouded by fog/clouds - if it clears, the view is spectacular.  

Right now I am::::

Still in my fleece robe, sitting at the desk catching up on the e-mails and Facebook posts from the weekend.  

As I look around the house::::

It's pretty tidy but the floors need major attention.  I finally got all the Christmas decorations put away but they are, unfortunately, all stacked in the office awaiting organization. 

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....One load should do it.
Cleaning....In the kitchen....Just a quick swish with the cleaning cloth should shine everything up. Need to clean out the fridge.
In the living room....Ditto Sandra's vacuum rug, mop the wood floors.
In the bedrooms....Make the bed, open blinds, vacuum.  
In the bathrooms....Toilets, sinks and mirrors. 
Cooking.....Hard-boiled egg, tomato, and lettuce for lunch.  Steak and mushrooms plus whatever veggies are left in the crisper for dinner.  Need to make menus, grocery list, and go shopping. 

Currently reading::::

Nothing.
  

On the TV today::::

Game of Thrones.  I could do with a little less nudity and throat-slashing, but the storyline is good.

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Steak and Mushrooms
Tuesday - Probably leftover steak and mushrooms
Wednesday - More steak and mushrooms (can you see a pattern here? Cooking for one is boring.)
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday -

What I am creating at the moment::::

Does an idea in my head for a February care package count?  Trying to come up with a cool idea for Sophia.  So far we have had: October = Halloween, November = Movie Night, December = 12 Days of Elf on the Shelf at a Distance, and January = Frozen.        

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

It's not really a recipe but I'm going to create the bread-less version of the open face egg, tomato, and lettuce sandwich that Mom and I used to eat at the Fornebu Airport in Norway.  Dad was stationed there and the airport and the base must have been close together because I can remember going to meet him and having lunch at the airport. Something like this:

Photo courtesy of http://worldcupoffood.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/danish-cuisine-smorrebrod-open-faced-sandwiches/

Favorite photo from the camera::::

The fun shot of the team after the formal photo

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

• Wisdom and focus for a young man, Justin, who is taking a test tomorrow that has a huge role in his career path
• Safety for Sophia as she is away from home at school and during her riding practice sessions
• Safety for Vic at work

Today's devotional "Don't Expect Appreciation" from The One Year Women's Friendship Devotional wasn't very inspiring but it did make me think that although we shouldn't expect appreciation, it sure is nice when you get it.  So, express your appreciation to someone for something today.  I'd like to thank the equestrian team's trainer, Kim, for all that she does for the team.  It was a long weekend of travel and she left her family and work responsibilities to coach the team through a very successful show.  Thank you, Kim!