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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Monique

Blog 365 #4~ Rainy day

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It's a rainy, dreary day here. The temperatures have dropped and the sunshine is nowhere to be found. It's the perfect day to stay inside and curl up with a book, a cup of tea, and a warm fire. 

I heard the rain hitting the roof this morning and didn't want to get out of bed. 

The pet-a-pet farm had other plans for me though. They were up and waiting not so patiently for their food. I was pounced on by Bandit, a 16 pound cat. He decided to sit on me for some lovin. Maddie girl, then jumped up and was a little jealous, so then I had a 75 pound black lay cuddling in for her own loving. She's a jealous girl. 

So reluctantly, I climbed out of bed and fed all the animals. Now I get to spend the dayt doing laundry and meal planning!

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Monique

Blog 365 #3~ Laundry Room Makeover

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Good Morning, dear friends, and Happy Thursday! Do Y'all know what that means? The weekend is almost here. 

Ok..so I'm finally getting around to sharing our laundry room makeover. We finished most of it in 2021, but we still need to add the knobs to the cabinets. I kept waiting to get good pictures of the room without all the mess and clutter. But let's face it, I live in the real world and my house is not the picture-perfect showhouse you see so often on Instagram. That's OK. though, our house is loved and lived in. 

Adding walls...

We kept our old washer and dryer since they were still good.

If ain't broke don't fix it. 

A folding table my husband built for me.

A new cabinet and a new sink coming.

We added a new pantry cabinet to hold laundry soap, spare rags, and old towels.

And the finished room...

My beautiful folding table with stone backsplash.

All my decorations are from Hobby Lobby, Walmart, JoAnns, and Amazon.

Sink and cabinet with stone backsplash. 

Overhead drying rack.

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Monique

Blog 365 #2~ Tranquilty

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Good Morning! Now that things are a little settled down, I'm going to join Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom on her Blog 365 challenge. I'm starting a little late, but hey better late than never!

“The ocean stirs the heart, 

inspires the imagination 

and 

brings eternal joy to the soul.” 

~Robert Wyland

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Monique

Blog 365 #1~ Happy Valentine's Day!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

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Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ February 13, 2022

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Good Morning, dear friends! Happy New Year and Happy February! I hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas. It has been a while since I blogged last. I think I just needed a break to regroup and figure out this new path in life. I needed time to think about what I wanted, needed, and desired in this next phase of life. I'll be honest, I don't think I have it all figured out just yet, but I do seem to have an idea of what I want. 

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~

In the mid 50's today and will get in the 60s this week. Unseasonably warmer than it should be in February. I'm not complaining though. The hubby and I got back from a mini vacation in the Florida Keys last week, so I've been a little cold here since we got back. It was in the 80s while we were there and I loved the warm weather and the sunshine. 

Monday~ Partly Cloudy, 55*

Tuesday~Partly Cloudy, 56*

Wedenesday~ Partly Cloudy, 68*

Thursday~ Rain, 62*

Friday~ Scattered Showers, 54*

Saturday~ Sunny, 50*

Sunday~ Cloudy, 57*

I'll be getting outside on Wednesday to get the Christmas lights down since it will be warm. My fingers won't freeze, so it's a good day for that. 

As I Look Out My Window~

It's overcast, but the sun is trying to peak out. The birds have been flying around and chirping away. They have been enjoying the warmer temps. The cats are enjoying the show the birds have been putting on. Lots of chattering has been going on. 

 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm typing up this post. I already sent out my weekly email to the parents for Sunday school this morning. I attempted yesterday, but the internet was horrible...maybe because of the Superbowl. 

Thinking and Pondering~

I'm glad to be home and getting back into my routine. I do miss the beautiful sunrises and warm temperatures. I need to catch up on my Bible study lessons for Thursday. 

How am I Feeling~

Pretty good right now. Allergies have kicked back in. While I was in Florida, I didn't have any! It was so nice. 

What's for Breakfast~

Two eggs scrambled and two cups of English Breakfast Tea. I gave up coffee back in December. My stomach has been a lot better. I still miss it at times. 

Looking Around the House~

It needs to be vacuumed and mopped. I need to organize again. I started a deep cleaning notebook. I have a page for each room and my plan is to go room by room spring cleaning the entire house. The house always feels stuffy in the winter so I'll be glad to open up the windows this week to air it all out. 

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Clean and sanitize the house

Laundry

Start deep cleaning each room

Take down the outdoor Christmas lights

Library

Grocery store

Thrift Store

On My Reading Pile~

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

Fascinating Womanhood: Vintage Edition by Helen B. Aldelin

Never Meant to Meet You by Alli Frank

I'm still working through Opening Your Heart for my weekly bible study class. We only have a few weeks left. I am so behind since I missed a few classes since our trip. You can find more about this bible study and the others offered at their website, Walking with Purpose.

On TV this week~

Netflix

The Good Witch

Dead to Me

Manifest

Ginny and Georgia

Vikings: Valhalla (hubby's pick)

Amazon Prime

Reacher

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Stuffed Peppers

Tuesday~ ???

Wednesday~ ??

Thursday~ ??

Friday~ ??

Saturday~ ??

Sunday~ ??

After being gone for 2 weeks, I need to sit down and plan the next few weeks' menus. I plan on doing that next while I work on some laundry. 

If I Have a Few Minutes to Myself, I Will~

Catch up on my bible study lessons. I missed 3 classes and I need to figure out where we are. Read a few pages from one of my books. 

One of  My Simple Pleasures~

Sitting outside and feeling the sunshine on my face and toes.

From the Camera~

We spotted this little (not so little)guy hanging out while we walked along Bahia Honda beach. So many people walked right by him. 

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

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Monique

10 Children's Books to Celebrate Valentine's Day

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I loved curling up on the couch and reading to my little ones. Even though those days are behind me, I love to reminisce about those special moments.

During the month of February, I would create a window display in our front bay window. This was our schoolroom, so it worked out perfectly. Every morning, the kids could find a new book to look through or read. I loved changing out the window every month. February was always one of my favorite months to prepare for. we had plenty of books in our house, but I'd also pick up a few titles we didn't have at our local library. If you're tight on cash, your local library is a great place to find books.

I decided to ask the kids what a few of their favorite books were that they remembered. I thought I'd share a few of theirs and a few of mine!




1. Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond





2. Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink (Gilbert the Opossum) by Diane de Groat





3. The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steve Kroll





4. The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting and Jan Brett (a holiday classic)





5. The Berenstain Bears Valentine Party by Jan & Mike Berenstain
    The Berenstain Bears' Funny Valentine by Stan & Jan Berenstain
    The Berenstain Bears' Valentine Blessings by Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bear books were a favorite of mine as a child and I was more than happy to pass that love down to my children. We have a wonderful collection packed away for when I have grandchildren. Far off into the future!





6. Franklin's Valentines by Paulette Bourggeois

Franklin was a well-loved character by Michael. He would spend hours reading his Franklin books.





 7. Snowy Valentine by David Petersen





8. Pinkalicious Pink of Hearts by Victoria Kann

Oh my! When these books came out, Therese fell in love with them. She wanted them all and would read to dolls. I remember sitting on the couch with her and reading for hours. I think these books helped her fall in love with reading.





9. The Story of Valentine's Day by Nancy Skarmeas


and finally #10! Who doesn't love Curious George?


10. Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George! by N. Di Angelo

Do you have any favorite Valentine's Day books that you read to your kids?

I'd love to hear about them!

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Till Next Time,

Monique