Happy Homemaker Monday~ April 7, 2025

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Happy first Monday of April!

Now if only the weather would realize that it's April and should be warmer. We have been getting plenty of rain, though. It's like the old saying goes... April showers bring May flowers!  

Good morning, dear friends. I'm so glad y'all have stopped by. Grab a cup of coffee and let's chat for a bit.   Last week was a slow week here. I did have a vet appointment for Maddie girl. She hates the vets, so going is always an ordeal. She has to get medication to stay calm.  Her old vet was not great and we found out that they muzzled her so she's a little traumatized by the whole thing. Her new vet is amazing and treats her so much better. They love her and say she's a sweet old girl. There's not a mean bone in this dog's body. The vet says she looks great for an almost 12-year-old lab. Her leg mobility is still good. She does have some arthritis, so they gave her some meds for that. Her blood work showed her thyroid was off, so they are sending it away for more testing. 

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~

It's a cold, dreary, wet, day here today. We need the rain, especially since dear hubby planted some grass seed. I just wish it was warmer. 

Monday~ Rainy, 42*

Tuesday~ Sunny, 43*

Wedenesday~ Partly Sunny, 52*

Thursday~ Cloudy/Rain, 55*

Friday~ Cloudy/Rain, 56*

Saturday~ Cloudy/Rain, 52*

Sunday~ Partly Sunny, 57*

It's not a pretty week here at all. Hopefully, next week has at least some more sunny days. I love sunshine!

As I Look Out My Window~

It's gray and dreary out. It's a light rain, so that's good. We had thunderstorms a few days ago. This is a nice steady rain which will be good for the flowers and grass seed. 

Thinking and Pondering~

I need to get back into a routine. When the kids were younger and we were homeschooling, we had a routine and things worked well. After they started college, my routine became none existent. I really had no clue what to do. Of course, I knew I needed to do all the regular house stuff... laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. It was like I didn't know what now that I was no longer a full-time mom and teacher. Coops ended.  Moms get together ended. Life got a little empty and lonely. Over the years, I've had friends through the kids, but they didn't last once the coops ended or when the kids went to public school. Life got busy with other things. I miss talking to other women and getting together. Why is it so hard for women to make friends at this age?

Right Now I Am ~

I am typing this post up and enjoying my cup of coffee.  I'm sitting on the couch with Maddie. Ruby is on the loveseat all stretched out.

How am I Feeling~

This is day two of a migraine. The meds my primary doctor prescribed don't seem to help much. My gut health is better. I've added more fruit and veggies to my diet. I've cut out most of the junk. I've been exercising more. Last week I walked on the treadmill or took the girls for a walk. I did this on 5 of the days last week. My goal is to exercise 6 days a week and then rest on Sunday!

What's on My Nightstand~  

My Kindle, a bottle of Tums, a wrist brace, and my wax warmer. I currently warming Black Raspberry Vanilla. I just finished reading Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods. It's book one in the Sweet Magnolia series. 

What's for Breakfast~

I'm going to do a protein shake this morning. I'll probably do a chocolate and peanut butter one. 

Looking Around the House~

The house needs to be vacuumed and mopped. With the few days of warmer temps, all the animals are shedding like crazy. I need to clean the bathrooms. I'm going to start spring cleaning for Easter this week too. I'll go room to room and do a deep clean. I'm starting with the kitchen.

On My To-Do List This Week~ 

Wednesday~ Chiro appointment for my shoulder

Thursday~ Bible Study

Plan the Easter dinner menu

Plan Therese's cake

Plan grocery list

Happening This Week~

I finally have a week with not much going on! The only appointment I have is a chiro appointment on Wednesday. 

On My Reading Pile~

I'm currently reading a book I checked out at the library, The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff. 

I'm still reading Hour is Come by Victoria Tait. 

I'm still working through 52 Weeks in the Word and Discovering Our Dignity. We have two more lessons in Discovering Our Dignity before Bible study ends for the year. 

I'm also reading, Eat Fat, Lose Fat by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig. My chiropractor recommended it after I told him about my cholesterol levels. 

On TV this week~

Netflix

The Resident

Call the Midwives

The Night Agent

YouTube

Crochet Videos

Quilting Videos

Exercise videos

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Leftovers- Pulled Chicken

Tuesday~ Stuffed Peppers

Wednesday~ Chicken Stir Fry with Brown Rice

Thursday~?

Friday~ Fish

Saturday~?

What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

I have to mend a dress for Therese we got at Goodwill. I also have two patterns cut out. I just need to decide what fabric I want to use to make the skirts. 

My Simple Pleasures~

I love being outside when the temps are warm and the flowers are starting to fill the world with their vibrant colors. Spring is one of my favorite seasons. 

Lesson Learned this Week~

Good healthy food and exercise definitely make a difference in how you feel. 

From the Camera~

Praying For~

My dad and his health

My Aunt Betty

Pope Francis

My health

My kids

Our country

Friends and family

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

Enjoyed this post? 

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Wonderful Gifts from The Old Schoolhouse Store....and They're FREE

I am very excited to share with you all some wonderful products from The Old Schoolhouse Store.

Last month, we were asked to look over the HUGE selection of products from The Old Schoolhouse Store. They have so much. I found a ton of products I would love to get. I narrowed the list down to my top three and I am thrilled to be able to share with you my top picks.

Better yet....they are free for you!

Keeping the Garden

The Organization Bundle

Molly Green Magazine: Naturally Clean Planner

Can you tell I have a them going for the spring?

Gardening, cleaning, and getting organized!

Just head over to The Old Schoolhouse Store add the items to your cart and use the coupon code

MGCREW16

The items will be yours for free!

Wishing you all a wonderful spring.

 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. Make sure you don't miss a thing! 

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With a Chick Chick Here and a Chick Chick There.....

We have 6 more baby chicks in our flock of growing chickens.

With two mama hens, no one is going to mess with these fuzzy little babies!

We have 2 black chicks, Skunk and Satin.
There are 4 golden chicks, Peanut, Lilly, Rosebud, and Daisy.


                                                   

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A New Addition to the Flock

Cute and Fluffy!

Till next time, 

~Monique

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The Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up

In my life this week....a new puppy to heal the pain of a lost friend. We have been busy training this sweet little girl.

Lego Man turned 10!! Where have 10 years gone. It seems like yesterday that I held that sweet baby in my arms singing him to sleep. Time goes by way too quick. We had pizza for dinner and a homemade yellow cake with butter cream frosting for dessert. He will be having a party to celebrate the big 10 in a few weeks. He is so excited to be celebrating with his friends!

In our school this week....playing catch up. After last weeks tragic event, we are a few days behind in our school work. So we headed back to the daily grind. I ordered All About Spelling to see if it will help Princess P with her spelling. She has been struggling with it, so I wanted to find  program that might help her out. We have finally finished up our Massachusetts state study! This past month has been so hectic that our state study has been forgotten about.

What I am reading....  Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

                                            

What the kids are reading at bedtime...... Lego Man has started the 2nd book in the series Guardians of Ga'Hoole The Journey

Princess P is reading the American Girl Molly books. She is reading these all by herself. I am so proud of how much her reading has improved this past year! 

What we have been working on.....we are almost done with our thorough cleaning of the house. We have cleaned ceiling fans, baseboards, pulled furniture out to clean behind it, etc. My goal is to leave no stone unturned in this house. Next week, we move to the basement...ugh. We really had to organize things that way the puppy didn't eat everything...which is is set on doing. This will take all week. I really want to get it organized , so that I can set up my sewing machine and start sewing. my goal is to start making little girl skirts and dresses. I definitely post about when I get my "shop" going!

On our little homestead.... the pig is finally gone. The slaughter house called and said she weighed a whopping 372 pounds! No wonder she scared me to death when she chased us. Two of the girls are still molting. Those two girls look so pathetic.

The others are done. We are getting about 2-3 eggs a day now. 

What I am praying for....my grandfather. 

My granddaddy with Princess P

 Hospice has been called in and they are saying 6 months or less. He's 92, so we know the time is near for him to return home to Heaven. I think he is ready. He is wheelchair bound now and on oxygen. I know he doesn't want to live that way. It's been 24 years since my grandma passed and I know she is waiting for him. I think I am slowly coming to peace with the fact that his time here on earth is almost done. It will be hard when he dies, but I know he will be happy in Heaven.

Linking up with....The Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, 7 Quick Takes, Friendship Friday, No Ordinary Blog Hop, Homeschool Review, Family Fun Friday, and Live and Learn

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter
{pretty} These pictures are not from this week, but last week was a little hectic, crazy and sad around here. Now when we look out the window, the trees are bare thanks to some cold, windy days. The colors and landscape were so beautiful that I wanted to share the beauty God created.

I have lived a few other places in my life, but so far this area is the most beautiful. I love the view of the mountains. The fall foliage was at the end of their peak this weekend but it was absolutely stunning!

A patch of delicate purple flowers along the hiking path we took.

I would love to have a house nestled in this quaint, little valley. It looks so peaceful down there.

While standing at the time, I could easily picture the children and the dog running around.

{happy} Out of tragedy comes something wonderful and awfully cute. 

After losing their beloved puppy last week, the children were obviously saddened. Lego Man, whose birthday is this week, asked for a new puppy for his birthday. So we sat down and discussed it. We knew a new puppy would be a lot work, but it would help heal the pain we all were feeling. 

After picking up this sweet bundle of fur, we saw smiles and even heard a few giggles from the backseat as they received puppy kisses.

{funny} Well, our pig got out 3 times this week! Being chased by a 300 pound pig is not funny.  At least, I didn't think so!

I'm sure if the neighbors could hear us or see us, they would have been rolling on the ground laughing! Thankfully, we no longer have to worry about her getting out since she has been taken to be slaughtered. She has been a fun pig to have and we are grateful for the food she will provide for us. 
{real} A tough week.  A week I wish I could do over and change fate.  Last Wednesday our beloved dog was hit and killed by a car. 

He was only 5 years old, still full of life.  We miss our furry little friend!

Linking up with....

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Thankful Thursdays

 Proverbs 31 Thursday

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~Capturing the Context of Contentment in Everyday Life~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty} Mountains...

I love the view from the valley. The mountains add a beauty to the skyline that can compare to nothing. After living near the mountains for 10+ years, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Except maybe the mountains out west.

{happy} The kids were thrilled to make caramel popcorn balls. 

We popped some popcorn and drizzled some caramel over the it.

The kids buttered up their hands and pressed into balls.

Of course, they couldn't wait to eat them!

{funny} Cats love boxes! Mama cat was climbing up on the box, the lid flipped off and in she fell.

{real}
The girls are molting, so we are down to 1 or 2 eggs a day and some of those eggs have been stolen by our egg stealing dog!

Linking up with....

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Thankful Thursdays

 Proverbs 31 Thursday