Happy Homemaker Monday~ October 15, 2023

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Good Morning, friends! It's been a hot minute since I got on here and blogged. I honestly debated giving it up, so I took a short break (OK maybe not a short break... 5months!) and decided I missed it. I've been trying to figure out what comes next. After homeschooling and being a mom for the last 20 years, life just seems different. Sure, I'm still a mom, but the dynamics are a little different now. I'm now a mom to two adult children who don't need me like they used to. It's exciting and sad at the same time. I miss the little stages of their lives but am so excited to see the journey they are on. 

I hope you all have been well! We'll catch up some more as the days go on. 

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

 Happy Monday, dear friends! I can't believe it's already the middle of October. I miss the warm days and loads of sunshine of summer, but I'm happy fall has arrived with the cooler temps and beautiful colors. 

Did you all have a wonderful weekend? Our weekend was a bust. It rained all day on Saturday. I'm not complaining we needed the rain after the drought this summer. Neighbors were worried that wells would start to dry up. It was bad. On Sunday, we went to Mass. After Mass, I headed to the hall to teach my little ones. I'm once again teaching 1st grade Sunday school. Therese is no longer my aide, so it's a little different this year. I have a small class this year...only 7 children!

The Weather~

It's really starting to feel like fall at least it was last week. I had to pull out gloves for the drive into church yesterday! This week, the temperatures are a little warmer, but we won't see much sunshine.

Monday~ Cloudy, 55* 

Tuesday~Partly Cloudy, 61*

Wedenesday~ Partly Cloudy, 63*

Thursday~ Partly Cloudy, 69*

Friday~ Mostly Cloudy, 66*

Saturday~ Showers, 58*

Sunday~ Partly Cloudy, 58*

As I Look Out My Window~

The sun is shining through the leaves on the trees creating the rays of light that remind you that God is there and will always be there. It's a good reminder with everything that is going on in the world today. A few deer are on the hill eating some grass. The stray cat we feed is sitting in the driveway watching the deer.  

Right Now I Am ~

I'm typing up this post and working through some laundry. After this post, I'll send out my email for Sunday school, plan the next two weeks of meals, and start cleaning. I downloaded the FlyLady app and I'm loving it. It breaks down the house into zones. I love checking off the boxes and seeing the lists get smaller.  It also has daily chores and a weekly chore list. It's helping get back on track!

Thinking and Pondering~

The world and the future. I worry about my kids and what may happen during their lives. It's days like today that I'm glad I have my faith to fall back on. God never promised us to be happy here on earth. He promised us Heaven. It's days like today that I fall back on that. 

Meet Ruby

How am I Feeling~

Tired!! We got a puppy in August and she is quite the handful. She loves to wake up early. With her waking up at 5 and my lack of sleep thanks to perimenopause life is good. My right shoulder has been acting up. Some days it's really sore and then others it's ok. I've been doing some exercises to help strengthen it. It feels like my left shoulder did a few years ago. The last thing I want is another torn rotator cuff. I've done that once and I don't want to do it again. No, thank you. 

What's for Breakfast~

 I had coffee and an egg and cheese sandwich.  That reminds me, I need to go out and collect the eggs from the girls. We now have 24 hens and 1 rooster. 

Looking Around the House~

I vacuumed on Saturday but it needs to be vacuumed and mopped after the rain. Two dogs can make for yucky floors. I won't even mention all the pet hair.

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Finish my hutch...I just need to add the knobs and then put away the china!

Drop off donations

Clean the bathrooms

Laundry

Used book sale at the library

Clean out the basement

Finish organizing the craft room

Start sanding the dining room chairs

On My Reading Pile~

Fascinating Womanhood: Vintage Edition by Helen B. Aldelin- I need to start over at the beginning again, It's been too long since I started it.

Catechesi Tradendae On Catechesis in Our Time by St. John Paul II (This is for Sunday school)

Remade for Happiness by Fulton Sheen

I joined the women's bible study group again at church. We are reading Beholding His Glory by Lisa Brenninkmeyer. You can find out more about it on the Walking With Purpose website. 

For fun, I'm reading Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole

On TV this week~

Netflix

The Good Witch

The Sinner

Sweet Magnolias

Virgin River

Hulu

CSI: Vegas

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Baked Ziti, Salad, and Cheesy Rolls

Tuesday~ ??

Wednesday~ ??

Thursday~ ??

Friday~ ??

Saturday~ ??

Sunday~ ??

I'm working on the next two week's meals today. I got out of the habit during the summer and I really need to get back into it. It makes it so much easier especially with the kids having classes. 

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will~

Pray the Rosary

Paint my toenails and do my nails

From the Camera~

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

"It is the Lord who marches before you, He will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you, so do not fear or be dismayed."

~ Deuteronomy 31:8

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ May 1, 2023

Please Note~ This post 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 Monday, dear friends, and Happy May! I can't believe it's already May. I'm not complaining though. I am ready for sunshine and warm temperatures. They seem to be taking a little while to get here though. We are in for a few chilly days here. 

Did you all have a wonderful weekend? Our weekend was filled with rain, so not too great. We couldn't do too much outside. Hubby did get to burn our brush pile. On Sunday, I had Mass and Sunday school. We only have one more class for the year. 

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

The Weather~

We've had a few rainy, dreary days and now we have cooler temps. We are in the high 40s this week. I am not liking this weather. I'd really love to see some sunshine, but it doesn't look like we will for a few days.  Mamma Kitty and I are ready for some sunshine. 

Monday~ Scattered Showers, 49* (Way too cold for me)

Tuesday~Cloudy, 46*

Wedenesday~ Cloudy, 46*

Thursday~ Partly Cloudy, 52*

Friday~ Mostly Sunny, 57*

Saturday~ Partly Cloudy, 59*

Sunday~ Mostly Sunny, 65*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's gray and cloudy outside. The rain has stopped at least for a bit. They are calling for some afternoon showers. After three days of rain, I'm ready for a break.

When I went out to feed the girls, the birds were singing and chirping away. I think they were happy to have a reprieve from the rain too. 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm typing up this post and working through some laundry. I got a little behind because our dryer broke. Some my dear, sweet hubby bought me a new set! We got a front loader this time. This is the first time I've had one. I like the set. The washer seems to wash the clothes better and the dryer actually dries the clothes!

Thinking and Pondering~

Flowers, Flowers, and Flowers! I can wait to get some new flowers this year and plant them. So far the flowers I bought last year have not returned. They were supposed to so I'm definitely disappointed.

I'm also thinking about baby chicks. I'm eagerly awaiting Marigold, our broody hen, to go broody so we can swap out her eggs with babies. She did great last year. 

How am I Feeling~

I'm feeling pretty good. I had a few weeks of bad allergies. Now all I have are itchy eyes. Not too bad, so I'll take it. I think we all had a little cold a few weeks ago but we're better now. 

What's for Breakfast~

 I had coffee and eggs I collected from the girls this morning. I have to collect the eggs regularly because I have a hen that is eating the eggs. I've caught the little thief red-beaked so now I have to break her of the habit. 

Looking Around the House~

I vacuumed and mopped on Saturday but it needs to be vacuumed again. With all the pets losing their winter fur right now it's crazy around here. I need to put clothes away and straighten up the master bedroom. Everything else just needs a little cleanup. 

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Make Mary's crown for the May crowning

Drop off donations

Clean the house

Laundry

Sand and prime the hutch

Weed the flower beds

Make a few wreaths

On My Reading Pile~

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

Fascinating Womanhood: Vintage Edition by Helen B. Aldelin

When Never Comes by Barbara Davis

On TV this week~

Netflix

The Good Witch

Manifest

Ginny and Georgia

Ozark

The Best of Me..... I watched this on Saturday. It was a book by Nicholas Sparks. Now I want to read the book. 

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Tuscan chicken, zucchini, pasta, and salad

Tuesday~ ??

Wednesday~ ??

Thursday~ ??

Friday~ ??

Saturday~ Son's of Italy dinner with my parents

Sunday~ ??

I'm working on meals today

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will~

Pray the Rosary

Paint my toenails

Start my May bible study

From the Camera~

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

~ Joshua 1:9

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Teaching Tuesdays~ Palm Sunday and Holy Week

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Our Saint~ Saint Kateri Tekewitha 

Saint Kateri was our saint this week. Her feast day is July 14th. She is one of the few American-born saints. She was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior. The kids were excited when they heard she had been born in what is now New York.  The girls thought she was a very beautiful saint. 

Our Virtue~ Piety

Piety is the quality of being religious and reverent. This led to a discussion on how we behave when we enter the church and how we behave during Mass. We bless ourselves when we enter the sanctuary and pay attention to the Mass. We don't talk, yell, or run around. 

The students colored in a coloring page of Saint Kateri of Tekawitha. You can find here it here. 

Here is another option and you can find a lesson on how to draw Saint Kateri at Catholicicing.com.

Our Lesson~ Palm Sunday and Holy Week~

We had a busy week this week. We learned about Palm Sunday and made our own palms to take home.

We used green construction paper and pipe cleaners. We then wrote the word, HOSANNA on the front of the palm. 

While learning about Holy Week, they colored in a picture of Jesus entering Jerusalem. 

I thought I had found it on the Saint Annes Helper website, but I don't see it anymore. They have quite a few others available. I may print out a different one for next year. You can check it out here. 

We learned about Holy Week. We talked about each day and the events that occurred leading up to the crucifixion of Our Lord. 

Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday(Spy Wednesday), Holy Thursday(The Last Supper), Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

The kids worked on a worksheet that helped them put the Holy Week timeline in order. 

We also had a picture of the Last Supper for them to take home. 

I used The Way of the Cross by Charles Singer to help the students learn the Stations of the Cross. 

I don't think it's available anymore, but here are two similar books that would be great to use with younger students. 

The Way of the Cross for Children

OSV Kids Stations of the Cross

Way of the Cross for Children

I had a parent donate an Easter egg wreath craft. Here is a similar wreath about Holy Week.  The students worked on that while I read the story, A Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Tale by Angela Elwell Hunt. 

I have a lesson plan I use to go along with the book. I've had for it years. I went searching for it but can no longer find it. 

And with that, it was time to go! We actually ran out of time, but as the students reminded me we are also 5 minutes late. They are not wrong though, we always are. At least they have fun while learning!

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Monique

Blog 365 #9~ Happy Homemaker Monday April 3, 2023

Please Note~ This post 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 Monday, dear friends! Happy April! Can you believe March is already gone? It seems crazy that summer is almost here and Easter is this weekend. I hope you all have a very Blessed Holy Week!

Did you all have a wonderful weekend? We had a relaxing Saturday. I had Mass and Sunday school on Sunday. We had a hectic class. We learned about Palm Sunday, the Stations of the Cross, Holy Week, and did a few fun crafts. 

It's a busy week here this week with Easter coming up. I have family coming in for Easter. I have grocery shopping to do, food to prepare, a house to clean, and a guest room to prepare. I also want to sit outside and enjoy the 80-degree temps were are supposed to get this week!

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

The Weather~

After a few rainy, dreary days with cooler temps, we have sunshine! The temperatures are nice and warm, at least for a few days. I'm so excited.

Monday~ Partly Sunny, 70*

Tuesday~Sunny, 78*

Wedenesday~ Cloudy, 80*

Thursday~ PShowers, 74*

Friday~ Mostly Cloudy, 56*

Saturday~ Showers, 62*

Sunday~ Scattered Showers, 64*   Easter~ Alleluia, Jesus is Risen~

As I Look Out My Window~

The sun is shining. The birds are singing and happily dancing around the yard. They are enjoying the warmer temps. Of course, since the birds are flying about, the cats are sitting near every window watching them and chattering away. A few deer have wandered into the yard, so that caused some excitement for the dog. 

 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm typing up this post and working through some laundry. I started washing the blankets and sheets since I can hang them out on the clothesline. I love the fresh scent of clothes hung out on the line get. It brings back childhood memories. 

Thinking and Pondering~

I'm thinking about springtime, the garden, and all the flowers I want to plant. I can't wait to work on the flower beds I started in the backyard last year. We need to finish the porch, it's halfway done. I can't wait to just sit on the porch swing and read a book. I love the summer.

How am I Feeling~

I'm feeling good. It's been a nice, relaxing weekend. My allergies are acting up slightly since things have been blooming here. 

What's for Breakfast~

 

Coffee and a chocolate protein shake,

Looking Around the House~

 It needs to be vacuumed and mopped. Everything needs a little cleanup. It's not too bad, since I spent the past few weeks cleaning each room thoroughly. I do need to finish changing out my winter/summer clothes. I was waiting for some skirt hangers and pants hangers I ordered from Amazon. I needed some hangers that could help me get more space in my closet, so I found these online.

  

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Wash the blankets

Wash the dog

Clean the house

Laundry

Grocery shopping

Drop off donations

Desserts for Easter dinner

Prepare the guest room

Do my nails

On My Reading Pile~

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

Fascinating Womanhood: Vintage Edition by Helen B. Aldelin

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings from C.S. Lewis

I finally finished Never Meant to Meet You by Alli Frank and The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews. I loved both stories. I definitely recommend them. I really enjoyed spending time with the characters. 

I'm still working through Opening Your Heart for my weekly bible study class. The weekly meetings have officially ended, but I fell behind since so I am playing catch up. My goal is to be done by Good Friday! You can find more about this bible study and the others offered at their website, Walking with Purpose.

I'm also reading a few books about traveling to New England. It's one of the trips on our bucket list to visit. We are hoping to visit during the fall so we can see the wonderful fall colors. 

On TV this week~

Netflix

The Good Witch

Manifest

Ginny and Georgia

Ozark

Amazon Prime

Reacher

Paramount+

1923

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Chicken Piccata with Pasta

Tuesday~ Smoked sausage with rice

Wednesday~ Lasagne

Thursday~ Buffalo Chicken with corn chips

Friday~ Shrimp and grits

Saturday~ Leftovers

Sunday~ Easter Dinner

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will~

Pray the Rosary

Paint my toenails

One of  My Simple Pleasures~

From the Camera~

Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

“The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon himself the death that he found in us, he has most faithfully promised to give us life in him, such as we cannot have of ourselves.”

~St. Augustine

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Holy Week~ Palm Sunday

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Hosanna!

Jesus enters the town of Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week begins.

“In the passion of our blessed Savior, six things chiefly are to be meditated upon. First, the bitterness of his sorrow, that we may compassionate with him. Secondly, the greatness of our sins, which were the cause of his torments, that we may abhor them. Thirdly, the greatness of the benefit, that we may be grateful for it. Fourthly, the excellency of the divine charity and bounty therein manifested, that we may love him more fervently. Fifthly, the convenience of the mystery, that we may be drawn to admiration of it. Lastly, the multiplicity of virtues of our blessed Savior which did shine in this stupendous mystery, that we may partly imitate and partly admire them.” 

~Saint Peter of Alcantara

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Monique

Blog 365~ Post 8~ Hello April

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Source~Pinterest

Good afternoon, dear friends. O.K. I will admit, I am not very good at this daily blog thing. I was much better at blogging when the kids were being homeschooled and I was spending my time sitting at a desk teaching them, going over work, and waiting for them to complete assignments. So my goal is to try to blog every day this month. I figure let's take some baby steps and maybe I'll get the hang of this. 

Happy April! Are you ready for spring? I know I am. Today started as a rainy, dreary day, but actually turned into a bright, sunny day. The temps reached 71 degrees today. I spend some time outdoors cleaning up the chicken coop, checking on the flowers that are coming up, and getting some of the flower pots ready. Hubby finished up the taxes and then headed out to check out some fishing gear with Michael. They recently purchased a Jon boat to use on the river this summer. I think they are both a little excited about it. Me, I don't fish, so it's not that exciting to me. 

Of course, tomorrow the temps drop back down, but I know warmer temps are right around the corner, so I can deal with it. 

So, I hope you're having a wonderful first day of April and I'll chat with you all later this week!

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Monique

Blog 365 #6~ Sunday Inspiration

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Monique

Blog 365 #5~ A Much Needed Vacation

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A few weeks ago, my hubby and I took a much-needed vacation. We spent 10 days in Florida. It was so nice to get away. The temperatures were amazing. It was in the high 70s and low 80s the entire time we were there. Our days were filled with relaxation and sunshine. 

We started our trip to Orlando.

From there, we headed down the gulf coast. We stopped in Siesta Key and Marco Island.

We traveled across the Everglades and then headed to one of our favorite places... The Florida Keys. The Keys hold a special place in our hearts. We got engaged there and we have so many memories of my late father-in-law from when he lived there. 

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Till Next Time,

Monique