Twenty-Six Lists~ Holiday Ornaments and Memories

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Good morning, y'all! Happy Wednesday. December is here! We're in the second week of Advent and Christmas will be here before we know it. It truly doesn't seem possible!

Welcome to another edition of Twenty-Six Lists hosted by "A Fresh Cup of Coffe." 

Today's topic is Holiday Ornaments and Memories. 

Holiday Ornaments and Memories~

I love this topic. Christmas and all the other holidays are so special. Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It's my favorite holiday and season. We decorate our homes with beautiful items from our childhood and children's childhood. For years now, I have been blessed to have my daughter help me decorate the tree and the house. When both kids were little, they both would help, but as my son got older he didn't find it as fun as it once was. He did decorate his "apartment" last year. He has a family room and a bedroom in our basement. It was nice to see him decorate it, but he doesn't help decorate much upstairs. 

My daughter on the other hand helps with everything! The trees, the decorations that go in all the rooms, and even the bathrooms get decorated. She helps with the outdoor lights and the decorations that get put out there. We even decorate the chicken coop. You can say we go all out for Christmas. We start around Thanksgiving and all the Christmas love stays up until February 2nd, which is the Presentation of the Lord. 

Over the years, we changed and added a few items to our Christmas collection. No matter what I do, I'm definitely a traditional Christmas girl. No sad beige, no weird colors, no Grinch Christmas. 

Quite a few years ago, my dad passed down the Nativty that was his mother's. I love placing it out every year. It reminds me of my grandmother and all the special memories of visiting her house at Christmas. She was a small, feisty Italian lady. She always had some delicious cookies to share and a warm cozy hug. We added a new piece to it this year, a vintage angel my husband found on eBay. I'd like to continue that tradition going forward. I know my kids already cherish it. 

My grandfather on my mom's side was a huge train collector. When we were little, he had a whole train village set up in the attic at his home. He would use the ceramic Christmas houses to create the village. When passed, my son inherited a few trains and we got all the ceramic houses, stores, churches, etc. I now use them to decorate the top of my china hutch, Yes, I do have China. Rarely use it, but it looks pretty in my hutch.

I also use the houses to decorate the top of our built-in coat rack and my 3 tiered tray that sits on our breakfast nook. It makes me feel like he's still here. When I was little and after my parent's divorce, we lived with my mother's parents for a few years. Having pieces of their stuff up reminds me of them and all the love they gave us. 

I even added a Victorian-inspired house warmer to the counter a few years ago. I can fun holiday scents and really bring the Christmas feeling to life. 

Our tree is a combination of Hallmark Ornaments, gifts, and handmade ornaments from the years. I even have a few glass ornaments from a classmate from middle school. For a while, I had vintage glass balls my mom gave me when I first started out on my own. Sadly, I have 3 left. They had some help getting broken when a certain kitty climbed the tree and toppled it. 

I have one Hallmark ornament that I collect that I absolutely love. It's the Nostalgic Houses and Shops. My mom got me the very first one back in 1983. I've added the collection most years and a few years ago, I started searching eBay for the few I didn't have. I now have only 2 from years past that I need, a Gazebo and a library. I will admit when they tried to do a few houses and shops in the 50s style, I was not happy. I don't think a lot of people were because they changed the style back. I love the Victorian, classic Christmas style. 

I also collect Mary's Angels and the Puppy collection. Those 2 series, I buy if I think they are cute. 

My wooden angel from Germany

Do you have a special ornament or decoration? I'd love to hear about it!

Merry Christmas!

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ December 9, 2024

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. 

Happy Second Week of Advent! I can't believe that it's already December 9th. I'm still trying to figure out where September, October, and November went. The months seem to be flying by. Oh well, I guess that's how life goes at times. It's been a while since I posted and I apologize for that. Life's been a little crazy with house renovations and a trip to Maryland to see my dad because he was in the hospital. And of course, Thanksgiving fell in all of that too. Busy, Busy, Busy! I hope y'all have been healthy and happy. 

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 hi.

The Weather~

Oh my, it's been cold here. We've had quite a few nights in the teens. During the day, it's been very windy making it feel even colder. We're currently in a little warm-up, but the temperatures will be dropping back down soon. Not as cold as last week.  I guess old man winter is coming to stay. 

Monday~ Rain, 56*

Tuesday~ Cloudy, 56*

Wedenesday~ Rain, 54* 

Thursday~ Partly Sunny, 36*

Friday~ Partly Sunny, 36*

Saturday~ Partly Sunny, 40*

Sunday~ Rain, 41*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's cloudy! The morning rain has stopped for now. According to my weather app, it actually has stopped for the day which is better than a day of all rain. The trees are bare. Now that the rain has stopped, the squirrels have begun to scamper about. 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm sitting on the couch with my two favorite girls typing this up. We are enjoying the pretty lights of the Christmas tree. The house is quiet since I'm the only one at home. 

Thinking and Pondering~

Honestly, I'm trying to figure out how to keep things smooth and happy here at home. Things have been a little stressful here and it's added a lot of stress to everyone in the household. I'm praying that we can find some peace and contentment with what we have and relax a bit. We need to trust in the plans God has for us. I really wish it was easier than it is. Why do we fight it so much? Why do we feel the need to be in control all the time? 

"Pray, hope, don't worry." ~ Padre Pio

How am I Feeling~

My gallbladder has been acting up, so that's not fun. I'm still having some stomach issues. Things really haven't gotten back to normal since our trip out west in September. I keep forgetting to take my enzymes and probiotics so that's not helping I'm sure. I also need to get back into walking and exercising again. I have slacked big time since we've been back. I can tell a difference and I've put back on 5 pounds...ugh! I really do feel better when I'm exercising and eating better. 

What's for Breakfast~

I had a cup of coffee this morning and a mandarine orange. 

Looking Around the House~

I need to vacuum. The dogs are still shedding like crazy, especially Miss Ruby. She also destroyed a toy so there is stuffing everywhere. I need to mop but we're getting more rain on Wednesday, so I'll mop on Friday because I know I'll have muddy pawprints throughout the house. 

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Work on a few new wreaths

Laundry

Clean the master bathroom

Cleanout the fridge

Vacuum and mop on Friday

Head to the store to get a gift for the little girl I took off the Christmas tree at church

Last-minute Christmas shopping

On My Reading Pile~

I'm finishing up Cold Nights, Warm Hearts by Nora Roberts. When that's done, I have the new Nora Roberts book, The Mirror, to start. It came out last month and is part of The Lost Bride Trilogy. It's book 2.

I'm still working through my book for my women's bible study. We are studying the women of the Bible this year. We are currently reading about Abigail. The book is called Discovering Our Dignity and can be found on the Walking with Purpose website. 

I just downloaded a new Kindle book. It was recommended in our Bible study book. From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage by Dr. Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham. I haven't started it yet. I downloaded it this morning, so I'll let you know more later. 

On TV this week~

Lost

Call the Midwives

Christmas Movies!!!!

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Homemade Meatballs and spaghetti, salad, and bread

Tuesday~ 

Wednesday~ 

Thursday~

Friday~

Saturday~

Sunday~

I have to figure out the rest of the week. It's a little crazy trying to plan dinners, I have to see who is working, and who will be here.  I'm going to sit down later this afternoon to meal plan for the next few weeks.

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

Work on two new Christmas wreaths

One of  My Simple Pleasures~

Curling up next to the woodstove with a cozy blanket, a good book, and a warm cup of tea. 

From the Camera~

The girls have matching Christmas bandanas. We got them at LunaPupsCo on Etsy.  If you would like to make your pups as cute as our girls. Head on over and pick out a few. Be sure to use MaddieRuby15 to get 15% off your order. They are well-made and so cute. 

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

James 1:2-4

Praying For~

My dad's health

My family and friends

A joyous, happy Advent season and Christmas

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ October 14, 2024

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. 

Well Hello there! It's been a while since I've been on. Happy October and Good Morning, friends! I hope y'all had a wonderful month and weekend. I hope some of you have stayed dry and safe. We finally have some sunshine. It's been raining here for days. I can't complain we needed the rain and are all safe and sound. It's so sad to see all the devastation that has occurred because of the hurricane. Years ago, I lived in Charlotte and had often visited the mountain region of North Carolina. I worked with a few ladies from that area. Sadly, we didn't keep in touch, but I pray they are all safe. It's hard to see all the destruction. We are praying for all those affected by the hurricane. 

I hope y'all had a peaceful weekend. Ours was a busy one here. Friday was spent running errands and going to the grocery store in the rain. That's always a fun thing to do. The weekend before, we went to look at a beautiful solid oak bedroom set. My husband found it online. Our set has been broken for a few years and all the stuff in the stores is either cheaply made, too expensive, or too modern for our tastes and home. We started looking on Facebook marketplace a few months ago. This set popped up so we jumped on it. So that past week, I spent my time emptying the old bedroom set, cleaning and touching up the new set. My hubby spent his time painting our room since it's been about 10 years since we painted last. On Saturday, my son and hubby spent the day putting down some new flooring. On Sunday, I went to Mass and taught my little ones. We learned about Mary and visited the Rosary Garden and the church. How was y'alls weekend?

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~

The temps had dropped considerably this week. It feels like fall. Two weeks ago, we were in the high 90s and now we're in the low 60s to the mid-70s. It even gets down to 34* one night this week. This summer has been so weird as far as temps go. It took forever for the temps to get warm, then it got scorching, and now we're cool again. Just strange!

Monday~ Cloudy, 56*

Tuesday~ Sunny, 52*

Wedenesday~ Sunny, 56* 

Thursday~ Sunny, 64*

Friday~ Sunny, 67*

Saturday~ Sunny, 76*

Sunday~ Sunny, 71*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's cloudy and windy! We had some rain last night. I didn't hear it, but the porch was wet when I let the dogs out this morning. It's quiet outside. I don't hear any birds chirping. We have one lone squirrel that is scampering about burying his nuts for the winter. He has picked my front flower bed and the area around our fire pit to bury his nuts. I guess it will help him find them come winter. I'm really hoping we get some snow this year. 

Right Now I Am ~

I'm enjoying a cup of tea and typing up this post. I've sent out my weekly recap to the parents for Sunday school.

Thinking and Pondering~

All the things have to get done. I need to get the house deep cleaned and catch up on laundry. I need to up my exercise. I was walking daily before our trip and watching what I ate, but that kind of went out the window while we were on vacation. Well, watching what I eat did. We hiked almost every day while on vacation. It was a little hard to watch what I ate since I had to find gluten-free and dairy-free options. I focused on finding safe food options that would send my body into craziness.  

How am I Feeling~

I have a little cold. Therese shared it with me. That was so nice of her. My stomach is finally back to normal since our trip. We've been back 3 weeks now and I just now feel like myself again. I love traveling, but it wreaks my digestive system. 

What's for Breakfast~

I only had a cup of tea this morning. I started organizing the sewing room. My niece needs me to add some decals to some sweatshirts for her. 

Maddie waiting for a waffle

Looking Around the House~

I need to vacuum. The dogs are shedding like crazy, especially Miss Ruby. Labs shed year round it seems. I have to get our room back together now that the painting and floors have been done. I took before and after photos so I'll be sharing them soon. 

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Finish our room

Laundry

Clean the bathrooms

Cleanout the fridge

Vacuum and mop

Work on my niece's sweatshirts

Chiro appointment

Pick out paint for Therese's room and the guest room

Bath the dogs

On My Reading Pile~

I'm still reading Black Hills by Nora Roberts.

I'm still working through my book for my women's bible study next year. We are studying the women of the Bible this year. The book called Discovering Our Dignity can be found on the Walking with Purpose website. 

I picked up A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham at Target the other day. I'll start it this week.

On TV this week~

Lost

Call the Midwives

CSI

Criminal Minds

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Leftover Chili

Tuesday~

Wednesday~

Thursday~

Friday~

Saturday~

Sunday~

No clue yet. I am sitting down tomorrow to meal plan for the next 2 weeks.

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

Work on my Christmas tree skirt. I started this tree skirt years ago. The kids tease me every year if they'll get to see it this year. Hopefully, they will. 

One of  My Simple Pleasures~

Sitting quietly outside on the porch listening to the wind rustle the leaves and looking at the colors starting to emerge.

From the Camera~

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you! 

And I ask pardon for all those who do not believe, 

do not adore, do not hope, and do not love.

Amen.

Praying For~

My family and friends

All those affected by the hurricanes and wildfires

Our country

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Almost an Empty Nester

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. 

The quiet can be deafening. Sometimes it just seems too quiet. It's hard to go from a house filled with so much noise to a home that is eerily quiet most days. Long gone are the days when noise filled every corner of my day.  Laughter, giggles, playing, running down hallways, and the constant talking. I even miss the bickering and arguing. I don't think I'd ever miss the fighting between the kids, but here I am. I remember when Therese had Colic as a baby and it felt like it would never end. She'd cry from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. It felt like torture.  Now, it feels like a blip in the grand scheme of things and I'd take that time back in a heartbeat.

Everyone tells you the days are long and the years are short, but when you're living it, it doesn't seem that way. You're so busy dealing with the ins and outs of daily life that you don't even realize that time is passing by. It feels like I just brought home that sweet little baby boy and now he's almost 21. He's heading out into the real world and making his own path. The years have gone by too quickly. I wish I could just get a few back but I know I can't. There's no rewind button. It's all part of the journey they say. I just didn't realize how lonely and empty that journey would be. 

I miss my little buddies. I miss the cuddles and big grins when they would see me. We spent every day together learning, exploring, and going on new adventures. I'm so thankful we homeschooled and I got the opportunity to be there for so much. But I think that makes this next journey a little harder. It's harder to let go. It's harder to be left behind when they start their own lives. There's an emptiness that appears that no one really talks about. I know we have to let them spread their wings and fly. I get that. I love seeing them grow, but it's still a hard step in this crazy life. My heart breaks just a little with each new step they take. 

When you're 20 and just starting out, you're eager to get going. You're running full force. You're fearless and a little naive. You have everything planned out, whether it goes as you have planned is up to God. When you're 50, it's a little hard to start over. When you've given so much of yourself over the years to kids and family, it's hard to know where to begin. It's hard to know who you are, what you want, and where you're headed. It's a little scary if I'm being honest. It's hard to put yourself first. It seems weird to think about yourself and not have to worry about kids and what they need. It's been so long since I only thought about what I wanted. 

I think it's hitting me a little harder today since both kids are gone. They are both taking exams for their careers. The last few weeks, my husband and I were on a trip out west and we were busy. Crazy busy going from place to place. Now that we're home, the hustle and bustle is gone. The stillness is a little too much. I keep telling myself to keep breathing and things will figure themselves out. 

I need to sit down and pray about my next journey. I need to pray about my new path and where God wants me to head. 

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Monique

Sunday Inspiration- August 25, 2024

Twenty-Six Lists~ I'd Like to Learn

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Good morning, y'all! Happy Wednesday. I still can't believe that August is almost over. Where did summer go? Schools are back in session here, so I guess for many the summer has ended. 

Welcome to another edition of Twenty-Six Lists hosted by "A Fresh Cup of Coffe." Today's topic is what I'd like to learn. 

What I'd Like to Learn~

At first glance, I thought this was an easy one, but the more I thought about it the more challenging it was. When I was younger, I could have rattled off a list of 50 things now I find it hard to come up with just a few, It's funny how time changes things. How it changes your perspective on what you value. 

I did have one thing pop in my head and that was crocheting. I have always wanted to learn how to, but I just have never sat down and attempted it. Years ago, while on bedrest with Michael, I started knitting a baby blanket. I never finished it because he still decided to come a month early. Then when the kids were little, a lady from church was teaching people to knit and I attended that. I learned the basic stitches. I made a few scarves for Therese but never developed the skill anymore. Therese can crochet. She taught herself by watching YouTube videos. I just need to do that. 

I remember my grandmother doing granny squares when I was little. I remember her having blankets on the couch she made. I have a few other blankets my other grandmother made here. It definitely was a skill ladies from that generation learned. I know my mom knows how, but she never passed on that skill to me. 

I've been wanting to learn for years and keep telling myself I will. I just need to actually do it. I've looked online. I've bought books online and the used books our library hosts a few times a year. 

A to Z Crochet is one that I picked up and is easy to follow. 

I have plenty of yarn already. I'd buy it when I saw colors I liked. I just have never sat down and actually taught myself. I need to make it a priority this fall. 

Do you have any hobbies, you'd like to learn?

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Till Next Time,

Monique

 

Teaching Tuesdays~ The Lord is Our Shephard

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Good Morning and Happy Tuesday! It's hard to believe that summer is almost over. Schools are back in session and Sunday school starts on September 8th. Summer sure did go by quickly. 

I spent a few days last week cleaning and organizing my room. Yesterday with the help of Therese, I worked on getting all my displays and decorations up. I can officially say that my room is done!

After teaching for 15 years, I have decided to recycle my very first theme, The Lord is My Shephard. My little ones will be greeted by a door filled with cute little sheep with their names. They can look over the door and search for their name. 

Every year, they are so excited to find their names. The older students that I have taught tend to stop by to see what this year's theme is. It's become a tradition in our hall. 

I continued the theme on our classroom bulletin board. 

I went really simple this year and purchased a pre-made bulletin board set. It came with Jesus, all the lambs, the fence, and bible verse posters. It was easy to put up and I can save it for another year!

For our prayer wall, I went with frogs. I actually found the package of frogs and logs at my local thrift store for $1.00. I couldn't find them online, but here is a similar set. 

I made the lily pads out of construction paper. Each lily pad has the prayers were are learning this year: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Guardian Angel. As the students learn them, I place a sticker by the prayer to mark it off. At the end of the year, the students get a special goodie bag for all their hard work.

I added a new bulletin board to my wall this year... When Should I Pray?

This year I want to really encourage the children to pray more and rely on God for help. I think if we learn more about prayer this will help.

So far I have 11 students, I usually pick up at least 2 before the start of class, so it should be a good size this year, Last year, I had 6 students. This was difficult on days when half the class was sick. I'm excited to meet my new little sheep and help lead them to Jesus!

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ August 19, 2024

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.

Good Morning, friends! I hope y'all had a wonderful weekend. We had a busy one here. Friday night we went to the county fair to watch bull riding. Saturday, I made a gluten-free strawberry cake for my niece's birthday. Sunday, I had Mass and a meeting for Sunday school teachers. I worked on my classroom for a bit and then headed to my sister's house to celebrate my niece's birthday. It'll be nice to relax a bit.

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~

The temps had dropped considerably this week. Two weeks ago we were in the high 90s and now we are in the mid 70's. This summer has been so weird as far as temps go. It took forever for the temps to get warm, then it got scorching, and now we're cool again. Just strange!

Monday~ Partly Cloudy, 77*

Tuesday~ Sunny, 74*

Wedenesday~ Sunny, 74* 

Thursday~ Sunny, 78*

Friday~ Sunny, 83*

Saturday~ Sunny, 86*

Sunday~ Sunny, 88*

As I Look Out My Window~

 It's dreary outside! We had storms last night and more rain coming in later today. There's a mist that is lingering in the trees. I'm sure it's foggy over the river. It's quiet outside. No birds chirping and no squirrels scampering about.

Right Now I Am ~

I'm enjoying my cup of coffee(which I probably shouldn't have had) and typing up this post. 

Thinking and Pondering~

All the things have to get done. I need to get my classroom finished, the house deep cleaned, figure out what to pack, meal plan, etc. The list is never-ending it seems. I don't have much on the schedule this week, so I should be able to get a lot accomplished or at least I hope so. I need to up my exercise. I've been walking daily, watching what I eat, and doing weights here and there. I need to start doing weights daily. I've lost 5 pounds, but still have 20 to go. 

How am I Feeling~

A little better. It's been that time of the month, so I've had migraines and stomach issues. It's been a few months thanks to perimenopause, but it's still never fun. The migraines have been almost every day. Everything I eat has gone right through me and to top it off my gallbladder has decided to act up the past 2 days. Peppermint tea has been my best friend. Thankfully, I feel a little better this morning, so I'm hoping everything is winding down. It's fun being a woman!

What's for Breakfast~

A simple protein shake. It doesn't bother my stomach. 

Looking Around the House~

I need to vacuum. The dogs are shedding like crazy, especially Miss Ruby. Labs shed year round it seems. I need to organize a few rooms. I want the house nice and tidy before we leave for our trip that way I come home to a clean house.

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Finish classroom set-up

Laundry

Clean the bathrooms

Cleanout the fridge

Vacuum and mop

Decorate for fall

Chiro appointment

Send out my welcome email to my kids

On My Reading Pile~

I just finished reading, Identity by Nora Roberts. It was a suspense-filled thriller. I loved it, but I'm a huge Nora Roberts fan. 

I'm just reading Black Hills by Nora Roberts.

My niece gave me It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. She told me to read it in two days, so we can all go to the movies to see the movie before she heads back to school. 

I also started my book for my women's bible study next year. I started it early. I'll miss the first 2 weeks. We are studying the women of the Bible this year. The book called Discovering Our Dignity can be found on the Walking with Purpose website. I'm on week two, so we are learning more about Eve. 

On TV this week~

Lost

Call the Midwives

CSI

Criminal Minds

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~

Tuesday~

Wednesday~

Thursday~

Friday~

Saturday~

Sunday~

No clue yet. I am sitting down today to meal plan for the next 2 weeks.

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

Read the book, my niece gave me. 

One of  My Simple Pleasures~

Sitting quietly outside on the porch listening to the rain hit the roof.

From the Camera~

My sweet, old girl, Maddie

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pasture: he leadeth me beside the still waters."

Psalm 23

Praying For~

My family

For the repose soul of my great-aunt, Maryann (she passed away a week ago)

All the kids heading to college and their parents

Our country

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspiration~ August 11,2024

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. 

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 Till Next Time, 

Monique

Friday Book Review~ Moonlight Over Florence by Peter Palmieri

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Moonlight Over Florence 

Author: Peter Palmieri

Format: Kindle Edition

PaperBack: 256 pages

Synopsis~

Fifteen years ago, David had the perfect summer fling as a young college student in Florence, Italy. No, he's a best-selling author who is divorced, alone and has a bad case of writer's block. When a shocking discovery brings him back to Florence, David is determined to find the love of his life. The woman he could never forget!

Sleepless in Seattle meets Under the Tuscan Sun in this funny, yet heartfelt tale of love and family!

My Thoughts~

           I fell in love with Moonlight Over Florence within the first chapter. I immediately connected to the characters and wanted to learn more about them. The way the characters interacted with each other was fantastic and well-written. They felt authentic and real. The characters were witty, charming, and funny. I could easily imagine myself being friends with them.  Their relationships felt natural and genuine. The dialogue between the characters was natural, didn’t feel forced, and often was hilarious. There was a strong sense of family and the importance of having loved ones around us. I fell in love with all the characters and wanted them all to be happy in the end.

The setting of the story takes place in Florence, Italy. Florence is a wonderful setting for a romance story. Who couldn’t fall in love in Italy? The author’s descriptions are so stunning that I felt I was back in Italy. I could picture everything perfectly. I suddenly wanted to go back for a visit. The descriptions are very detailed, but not so much that you feel like they are dragging along, and you get bored.

The story is not just a simple romance. There are a few twists and turns along the way. Some are part of the romance theme, while others are not. It definitely surprised me along the way. I thought I had the story figured out, but I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twists. I honestly didn’t see most of them coming! The story was so well done that I didn’t want to put the book down. I finished the book within a day.

Moonlight OverFlorence is a beautiful romance story with a few plot twists. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance story. The beautiful setting of Florence makes this book perfect for readers who love to travel. Readers who love to experience a new place and a new adventure will love reading this story. I give Moonlight Over Florence five stars!

Thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Peter Palmieri for providing me with a copy for this review.

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Monique

Twenty-Six Lists~ Summer Playlist

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Good morning, friends! Today, I'm joining Kym over at A Fresh Cup of Coffee for her Twenty-Six Lists link-up. I've been following Kym for a while now, a fellow homeschool reviewer. I would read her posts and mean to jump on in but just never did. So here I am. 

Today's list is all about our summer playlists. When I first read her post, I chuckled because I had just seen the meme she was talking about. It basically said we Gen Xers were a little grouchy because we had to keep replacing our music collection. The meme wasn't wrong! We experienced a huge change in how we listen to music. 

I remember my parents listening to music on 8 Tracks. I never had any myself, but I do remember them. My first music collection was my kiddie collection of records. I had a Muppet soundtrack, Disco Mickey Mouse, Strawberry Shortcake, and Annie the Movie. Boy, did I listen to that one and I'm sure the neighbors could hear me belting out ALL THE SONGS. Of course, we had tons of books on records! Around middle school, I got my first cassette tape. I think it was the Go Gos. My first CD was New Kids on the Block. I got tons of CDs in high school and college through companies like BMG Music and Columbia House. Remember those ads where we could get 10 CDs for $1.00. I'm pretty sure most of my CDs were purchased that way. I skipped a few ways. I never had an MP3 player. I went straight from CDs to listening to music online. I currently have Amazon Prime Music and that's how I listen to most of my music now. I still have my CD collection though!

So what's on my playlist this summer? Mostly country, 90s music, and classics. Funny thing... the other day I clicked on a classic rock playlist from Amazon and my 90s music was there. I was a little offended. How did I get that old already?!?

Country Playlist~ Zach Bryan, Sam Barber, Luke Combs, Kenney Chesney, Koe Wetzel, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman

90s Playlist~ Honestly that list is all over the place. It depends on what I feel like.

Classic Rock~ The Eagles, U2, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, Don McLean, 

I have a wide range of music tastes. It really depends on my mood and what I feel like listening to.

I have to admit that I've never listened to a Podcast! After reading Kym's post, I may have to check out a few!

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Monique

Teaching Tuesdays~ August 6, 2024

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Good morning or afternoon depending on when you're reading this post. I'm typing it up after my morning chiropractor appointment and a few errands I ran this morning. Schools have yet to officially start here, but the counties will begin heading back next week. It seems crazy that summer is basically gone for the kids. Our county has 2 more weeks of summer break left. They don't go back until after the county fair. Small, rural county loves their fair.  Thankfully, we don't head back so early for Sunday school. CCD, or Sunday School, starts for us on September 8th. 

This will be my 15th year teaching 1st grade Sunday school. It doesn't;t seem like I've been doing it that long, but I guess I have. I started when Therese was in 1st grade. Boy has time flown by. 

I'm currently working on my lesson plans for next year. I've had to change a few things around. We got a new director of religious education a few years ago, and he's been slowly trying to get things set up in a different direction. He's been extremely flexible with all of us old teachers. I love the direction he's taking us in and honestly, I see why. The kids have changed quite a bit over the years. Sadly, I see fewer small children who know anything about their faith when they come to class. Many of them don't even know the basic Bible stories. Our new direction is changing that. The kids seem younger to me. Their attention span is less and their comprehension skills are not as strong as children in previous years. I have had to adapt and change how I approach the class. So some things have changed, but I definitely kept things that worked. 

This year, I'm breaking class up into segments of 10-15 minutes. Keeping them engaged and active will help them learn. I've switched out a few of my longer books to shorter ones to keep their attention. I've added a craft and a game to each lesson. Getting them up and moving helps eliminate those wiggles from boredom. I want class to be fun but I also want them to learn more about their faith and God.

So What am I Teaching?

Prayers~

We will work on the Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Guardian Angel Prayer

Saint~

We will learn about a new Catholic saint each week. We will read a brief summary about their lives and the children will each get a coloring page of the saint to color and take home. 

Virtue~

We will learn a new virtue each week that goes along with our saint of the week. We will talk about how to practice that virtue in our everyday lives. Years ago, I found an online virtue program for my kids. I have kept it and now use it with my class. It is called Virtues in Practice from the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecelia in Nashville. 

Old Testament Lesson~

We will start at the beginning and work our way through most of the main Bible stories. I tried to focus on the ones that are fun for kids to hear and learn about.  We will be using The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. Each student will be given their own children's Bible to take home and read.

Catechism Lesson~

We will learn about the basic beliefs of our Catholic faith. I'll use the Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism. I used it with my kids and it was perfect for little ones. 

Each week, we will do a craft, play a game, and have a snack that goes along with one part of our lesson. Next Week, I'll share about my classroom layout and what my theme this year is going to be!

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 God Bless and Till Next Time, 

Monique