Monday, October 12, 2009

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Its 48 degrees, and cloudy.


One of my simple pleasures:
I finished reading On Her Own the 2nd book of The Brides of Webster County Series by Wanda E. Brunstetter and I am now reading the 3rd book in the series Dear to Me.


On my bedside table:
The same as last week tissue, lotion, candle, lamp, a glass bowl that holds chapstick and hair ties. An Upcycled candy sprinkles contained that now contains chocolate and a fabric placemat.


On my TV:
Nothing


On the menu for tonight:
Sausage, Scalloped Potatoes, and Corn

If you would like to see what our menu this week is you can check out our menu plan.


On my To Do List:
My daily cleaning schedule such as laundry, dishes, and cleanings up the kitchen.

My focus room for this week will be the bathroom. I plan to clean, reorganize, and restock supplies including medication for cold & flu season.

In the basement I need to organize the Farmers Market supplies now that we are done for the season. I also need to take pictures and uploads them of my finished projects such as cleaning and organizing my extra kitchen storage and organized gift, cards and wrapping center that I have in the basement.

In the yard and garden this week I have to clean the window wells, pull up vegetable plants, pick vegetables and cut herbs for drying. I also need to plant the packages of 50 Tulip bulbs and 50 Daffodil bulbs that I bought a couple weeks ago. I still need to plant the 7 Paperwhites bulbs in pots to force for Christmas.

I am also working on my seasonal plan for fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving along with some Christmas prep. I will share more later this week.


New Recipe I tried last week:
none


In the craft basket:

I am participating in “The Halloween Blog or Treat” and “Noel: A Sister’s Shoebox Swap” so I am making a couple projects for my partners along with some goodies that I am purchasing. I am also going to give some of the extra crafts away to homeschool leaders and teachers of our co-op and my sister. I have collected a lot of books from the library to look through to give me ideas of what to make. I will share about the crafts later since some have not been decided upon and I still need to make them and take pictures.

I am also looking for project that I can use for a possible class I will be teaching for 10 weeks starting in March. The class will be for 12-13 year olds. It will be on token gift and letter of kindness or notes of appreciation. I am going to use “The Children's Book of Virtues” as well.

I am still working on the Mary Engelbreit embroidery project called “Sentiments in Suede” from her book “Wrap It Up Gifts to Make Wrap and Give”.


Looking forward to:
My 37th Birthday this Wednesday.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Collect cold & flu medication and comfort items now so you will be ready when the time comes.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
The Homespun Hearts post on Gentleness.


Favorite photo from last week:
Harvest Tablescape


















Autumn Kitchen Decorations























Lesson learned the past few days:
That my husband and I and agree on what we want for our teens and young adults as they become independent living in our home and are prepare to live on their own. Such as the transition to us financially supporting them to them supporting themselves and what we will or will not do for them and how to make them be responsible for themselves. But we do not always agree on how to go about dealing with it or the specific details of the rules we want. We are trying to set a standard now so that we can all feel comfortable and know where the lines will be drawn.


On my Prayer List:
My husband and children
My family
Our homeschool
Our homeschool groups activities & co-op


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

To see other Happy Homemaker Posts please visit Diary of a SAHM.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

October 12- 18 Menu Plan






We did not make any of the meals planned for last week except for 1, so they are on the menu again this week. From our garden this week we have yellow squash, winter squash, broccoli, green peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant.

Our menu this week:


Monday:
Sausage, Scalloped Potatoes, and Corn


Tuesday:
Chicken Broccoli Lo Mein


Wednesday:
Crockpot Lasagna


Thursday:
Maple Pork Loin Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Broccoli


Friday:
Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms


Saturday:
Chicken Cordon Bleu, Baked Potatoes, and Green Beans


Sunday:
Breakfast Casserole and Biscuits w/ Sausage Country Gravy


So, what's on your menu this week?

Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie to see more menu ideas.


Spiced Tea Mix


2 to 3 cups of sugar (depending onyour sweet tooth)
2 packets orange kool-aid mix
1 or 2 packets lemon kool-aid mix (depending on your sour tooth)
1/2 cup instant tea
1 or 2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Get out a large dry bowl. Measure the sugar into the bowl. Open up the kool-aid packets and add them to the sugar. Stir well with a wire whisk or a clean dry fork. Add the instant tea, cinnamon and cloves. Stir again to mix well. This makes about 4 3/4 cups of mix. Store it in a well sealed container.

To Prepare: Combine a tablespoon of Spiced Tea Mix with hot water in a cup or mug. Stir to dissolve. Serve hot.

Homemaking e-book

Free e-book download of  the book
The Pantry Principle: For a prepared, family-centered, God-loving, debt-free, organized, happy, healthy home

Description: This is your complete reference for improving your health and your meals, organizing your home, bringing joyfulness to your chores, and developing meaningful leisure time to encourage more family togetherness and happiness. It will transform your home, your health, and your family life.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Harvest Tablescape


Submitted to:

Autumn in the Country
















Autumn chill is in the air,
Golden leaves are everywhere.

Apple trees with bright-red fruit,
Scarecrow has a brand-new suit.

Fields of pumplins, orange and green,
Children everywhere thinking Halloween.

Haystacks standing staight and tall,
Waiting for the Harvest Ball.

Picking berries, making jam,
Baking pies, baking ham.

Busy days full of cheer,
Oh, how I love this time of year!


Patricia Wyatt, Ventura, California
(Poem from Country Woman Magazine, Sept/Oct '06)