Sunday, April 20, 2025

Happy Easter!

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.



“Throughout the Easter season, the Church will make the joyful announcement resound: Surrexit Dominus vere! 
The Lord is truly risen! 

Our prayer rises fervently to the Divine Savior for all and for each of you: for priests and for the souls consecrated to God; for the bold and thoughtful youth, the future hope of the Church; for Christian families, especially for those who in their wombs keep the precious deposit of a numerous sonship with greater fidelity and sacrifice; for those whose advanced age makes the heavenly homeland look with firm hope; for those who study, who teach, who work; especially for workers who do heavy work during the day and night; for the sick, who are so dear to us. We want to assure everyone that not only our particular predilection constantly follows them, but also that their life, even if hidden and humble, is so precious before God.” 

— St. John XXIII, 1959


Wishing y'all a wonderful and very blessed Easter!



Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspriation~ April 20, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.




Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Teaching Tuesdays~ Saint Joseph

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.





 
Happy Tuesday, friends! This week, we had a fun lesson about David and Goliath. The kids always seem to enjoy this lesson. 

We started class with the Our Father and Hail Mary. We followed our prayers with our saint and virtue of the week. 



Our saint was Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph is an important saint to learn about. He is part of the Holy Family and helped raise Jesus. His feast day is March 18th. 

We read St. Joseph's Story by Geraldine Guadagno. This book is wonderful in that it teaches children to love and appreciate Saint Joseph and teaches them about his role in Jesus's life. 

Another good book about Saint Joseph is Good Saint Joseph by Reverend Lawrence G. Lovasik

While reading the story, the children colored a picture of Saint Joseph. You can find it here

His virtue was obedience. Obedience is saying "yes" to the loving will of God and those he has sent to watch over us. 


We played a fun game of St. Joseph Memory Match. I found this years ago for my kids. I found it to be a great way for them to see various images of Saint Joseph. You can find it on Shower of Roses website

After our lesson on Saint Joseph, we added good deeds to our Good Deeds jar. We worked on our next prayer the Guardian Angel. 


Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique

Monday, April 14, 2025

Happy Homemaker Monday~ April 14, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.



Good Morning, friends. Happy Monday! 
Saturday was a bust. I wanted to get outside and work in the garden but it was raining again! Thankfully, it looks like the rain will give us a break this week. I spent the day cleaning and doing laundry. 

I hope y'all have a very blessed Holy Week. This is a big week for us Christians. Yesterday, Mass was packed. We received Blessed Palms and did a procession into Mass. After Mass, I taught Sunday school. We learned about Holy Week and Saint Peter. 


Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in and say hi.









The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

The temperatures are warming up a bit, but they still seem low for this time of year. The constant ups and downs are getting annoying. It needs to get warm and stay warm. 

Monday~ Cloudy, 75*
Tuesday~ Partly Sunny, 58*
Wedenesday~ Partly Sunny, 53*
Thursday~ Sunny, 59*
Friday~ Cloudy, 68*
Saturday~ Rain, 80*
Sunday~ Partly Sunny, 66*

I'm just glad we have a few days of the sun coming out. It's been a while since we have seen it and I'm like a cat. I need the sunshine to feel good. 






As I Look Out My Window~

It's gray and dreary out, right now. The sun is supposed to make an appearance later today. Well, see. 


Thinking and Pondering~

All the things I need to get down for Easter dinner. I'm cooking and we'll have my parents and my sister's family over. I think it'll be about 14 people. Even though I have a lot to do this week, I want to find time to sit and read the bible this week and really reflect on Holy Week. 

Right Now I Am ~

I am typing this post, enjoying my cup of coffee while I sit at the dining room table. I love looking at the tree in the front yard when it's in full bloom.




How am I Feeling~

I had a migraine yesterday. It has dulled some. I think it's weather-related. My stomach was bothering me a few days ago. I got a half-sweet/half-unsweet tea from Dunkin and it was really sweet. I diluted it but my stomach didn't like it. I hadn't been eating sugar lately, so I think my body revolted against it. 





What's on My Nightstand~  

My Kindle, a bottle of Tums, a wrist brace, and my wax warmer. I currently warming Lilac and Violets. 





What's for Breakfast~

I'm going to do a chocolate/peanut butter protein shake this morning. 



Looking Around the House~

The house needs to be vacuumed and mopped. I'll vacuum today but will wait until Thursday to mop. I have a few things to pick and put away. Overall the house is pretty tidy. I just need to dust, vacuum, and mop before Easter. 


On My To-Do List This Week~ 

Tuesday~ Baby's shot at the vet for her arthritis
Wednesday~ Grocery store
Thursday~ Mop and Dust
Friday~ Make Therese's Birthday cake and the other desserts for Easter
Saturday~ Make the sides for Easter dinner
                  Attend the Easter Vigil Mass






Happening This Week~

This week will be a busy one with it being Holy Week and Easter (and Therese's birthday) the following Sunday. Lots to do. I will be a busy, busy little bee. 


On My Reading Pile~

I finished The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff and I highly recommend it. 



Last night I started Here to Stay by Mark Edwards. Aso far I'm enjoying it. It's a suspense thriller. 
I'm still reading Hour is Come by Victoria Tait. 

I'm still working through 52 Weeks in the Word and finishing up Discovering Our Dignity




On TV this week~

Netflix
The Resident
Call the Midwives
The Night Agent

Hulu
Good American Family

YouTube
Crochet Videos
Quilting Videos
Exercise videos


On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Sunday Dinner Leftovers
Tuesday~ Tacos, Rice, and Corn
Wednesday~ Stuffed Peppers I didn't do them last week)
Thursday~Korean Beef with Brown Rice
Friday~ Fish
Saturday~Something easy


What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

I started a new wreath for the kitchen door. I have a few finishing touches to add to it.




My Simple Pleasures~

Sitting outside in the sun and reading a good book. Therese and I went to the library's used book sale last week. We got 2 bags full of books for $20.






Lesson Learned This Week~

Don't lose sight of what's important. We never know when our last day will be. Say I love you. Appreciate everything around you. 


Something Fun to Share (a blog, video, or tip)

I saw these on Facebook and thought they were too cute. I'd like them without the feet.






From the Camera~











Praying For~

My dad and his health
My Aunt Betty
Pope Francis
Our priest, Father Paul
My health
My kids
Our country
Friends and family



Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~





Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique








Sunday, April 13, 2025

Sunday Inspiration~ April 13, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.







Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Traveling Thursday~ Hello Arizona

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.






Well, hello there! It's been a while since I've shared a Traveling Thursday post. We've traveled a bit since my last post. I figured I'd start sharing some of our recent trips. A few things have changed from when I posted last. We have officially completed our homeschooling journey. Both Michael and Therese have graduated high school and both have earned an associate's degree from the local community college. They are both currently working on the next step in their journey. Therese is continuing her education, while Michael is currently in the hiring process as a firefighter/paramedic. Life goes by so quickly!

So what does that mean as far as our traveling journeys? 
It means the last few trips have been just my hubby and I. It's been a little weird to travel without kids again. It's nice but completely different. There have been many times during our trips that I stop and think how much they would love to see what we are exploring. I miss experiencing new adventures with them, but I am loving the time with my hubby.

So first up... Arizona! This past September, we traveled to Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. We spent 2.5 weeks exploring this beautiful area. We had never been to Arizona or Utah before so it was amazing to see these stunning states. We both had been to Colorado as children, so it was a different feel for both of us.

The last time I flew anywhere was when we went to Disney World when the kids were 3 and 4. So it had been a while. Security is crazy now. The airport in Virginia was better and quicker with its security line. Phoenix was not good!




My gf free meal on the plane. 
I got sick so I didn't eat my meal on the return flight.



We flew into Phoenix, Arizona. It was hot, hot, hot! It was a city. Not a city like New York City, but still a city. Nothing too spectacular to me. 



I tried to get the Welcome to Arizona sign but as you can tell I missed it. I missed quite a few along the trip. Oh well! We did see Sequia cactuses alongside the ride though.



We picked up our rental car...a Jeep!


It was a fun ride. It was great to take the top off when we were sightseeing. 




The pictures don't do the sky justice. Coming from the east coast it always amazing me how blue the sky is out here. The difference is drastic. 

From Phoneix, we drove straight to the Grand Canyon! 
Stay tuned for our adventure there!




Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Wednesday Hodgepodge~ April 9, 2025

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.






Hello friends!  I'm joining Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday's Hodgepodge. Each week, she hosts a weekly link-up that is a collection of questions for bloggers to answer. It's to help bloggers get to know each other better and have a little bit of fun! It's a great way to hang out with friends. So grab a cup of coffee or tea if you prefer and join in on the fun. 




So, what is a hodgepodge? A hodgepodge is an unorganized mixture of various things, a jumble of items that don't seem to belong together. 

Here are this week's questions and my answers for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge~



1. What's a lesson you learned from a mistake?

Wow, where to even begin. There are so many mistakes I've learned from over the years. Every mistake I've made while cooking has helped me become a better cook. When sewing all the little mistakes (and big mistakes) I've made have made me a better and more confident sewer. The mistakes I've made as a parent have helped me grow as a parent. I know during our homeschooling years, I felt like I was making tons of mistakes when planning my children's education, but I now see how successful they are as college students and I know I did my best and it worked. 

But one of the biggest lessons I've learned from making mistakes is to love myself. When I was younger, I doubted myself. I didn't love myself enough. I didn't believe I deserved to be loved for who I was. I felt and believed that I had to be what everyone else wanted me to be for me to be loved. Sacrificing myself and my beliefs didn't help me or the people who were in my life. They never got to know the real me because I never allowed them to see the real me. I was too afraid that they wouldn't love me. Over the years, I've struggled with this and still do at times. I now try to be myself and if people don't love me for me then that's their loss, not mine. 


2. Do you salt food while you're cooking or let dinners add their own? What's a food you think must be salted? Do you like pepper?

I use salt when cooking. Salt brings out the flavor in so many foods. The amount I use depends on the recipe. I don't over-salt either though. Mashed potatoes need salt (and butter). Without salt and butter, they just taste bland. I do use pepper, but not a lot of it. I don't like it too much. 



3. Your favorite shade of purple? What's your favorite purple flower?

I love purple! All shades of purple. In the summer, I love the lighter shades like lilac. I'm also a huge fan of the pinkish/redish purples like magenta. 

My favorite purple flower would have to be lavender. I love the smell!




5. Share a favorite spring travel memory.

We don't travel too much in the spring. During the Covid lockdown, the kids and I went on a little day trip to an Iris farm. It was one of the only things open. It was outdoors so no masks were required. It was so wonderful to get out of the house and see something new. 








6. My own random thought~ 


Source~ Pinterest


I love cottage gardens! I dream of creating a stunning and enchanting Irish cottage garden in my backyard. I'd love a white picket fence, but that won't happen since we already have a fence up. That's okay though. My plan is to add flowers each year until I have a beautiful garden along my fence and porch. I want to be able to sit on my back porch and relax while looking at all the pretty, colorful flowers. I've added daylilies, irises, roses, and gladiolas so far. I have a box of seeds my hubby ordered for me. I can't wait to add them to my garden. 



Enjoyed this post? 

Never miss out on future posts by following us


Till Next Time,

Monique





Instagram