Happy Homemaker Monday~ May 24, 2021

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 you had a wonderful weekend. I was busy catching up on laundry and some cleaning around the house. I altered my niece's prom dress as well as her friend's dress. I worked on some lesson plans for next year. I sat down and planned out our dinner menu for the next few weeks. Hubby and I planted some green beans and cucumber in the garden. Since it's been getting cold at night, we've held off planting until now. We still have some items to add to our little garden.

So enough about our crazy weekend, let's get in with Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra! Be sure to stop in and visit Diary of a Stay at Home Mom!

The weather~

We finally had to turn on the air for a bit this weekend. Now, it's only going to be 65 today so the air is now off. The windows are opened again and we can hear the lovely mating call of the cicadas. Fun times. We've just started seeing them, so I hope they don't get to bad!

Monday~ Rain, 65*

Tuesday~ Partly Cloudy, 78*

Wednesday~ Partly Cloudy, 86*

Thursday~ Partly Cloudy, 82*

Friday~ Showers, 69*

Saturday~ Showers, 61*

On my reading pile~

When I Was You by Amber Garza

Stories We Never Told by Sonja Yoerg  (free right now with kindle unlimited)

Finding Home by Denise Grover Swank & Christine Gael ...  this is the 2nd book in the Bluebird Bay Series. I definitely recommend it.

Grace for Each Day: 365 Devotions and Prayers

On my TV~

I've been watching Criminal Minds on Netflix and reruns of House on the regular TV. Other than that not much. I'm not a huge TV watcher. I usually end up watching a few shows while I fold laundry. 

What's on the menu for the week~

I'm so proud of myself. I actually sat down and planned the next 2 weeks dinner menu. I'm always late in doing this and then feel rushed! I don't mind doing it, it just somehow always gets shoved aside even though it's an important task. We have to eat.

Monday~ Garlic Lime Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans

Tuesday~ Dr. Pepper Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Potato Salad, and Corn

Wednesday~ Crispy & Crunchy Lettuce Wraps with Rice

Thursday~ Instant Pot Butter Chicken, Potatoes, Salad, and Pita Bread

Friday~ Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, and Salad

Saturday~ Hubby's Birthday Dinner

Sunday~ Whole 30 Unstuffed Peppers and Salad

Gluten Free Carrot Cake from Epicure

It was a hit!

On my to do list~

Lesson plans for science and history

Michael's suit fitting for the homeschool prom

Book a few parties for Scentsy and Tupperware

Finish laundry room

Sell the kid's old school books

Head to the library

Return Therese's dress to Macy's 

Find Therese a pair of shoes for the dance

Carpet clean the rugs at my father-in-law's house

Plan out social media for my businesses

Start working on my placemats

Set up my Cricut

Work on a few homeschool reviews 

Complete a book review

What am I sewing, crafting, or crocheting~

I printed out a few quilting patterns for placemats, so I thought I give them a try. 

I have some Christmas tree skirts that I need to start on and I need to make a few throw pillows to match my new comforter.

I check out a learning to crochet book from the library, so I'm excited to give that a try. Crochet Step By Step is filled with lots of great pictures for reference.

                                                              

Looking around the house~

Does the house cleaning ever end? I honestly don't think so. The dog is now shedding like crazy. Our crazy temps have helped her keep her winter coat and now after 2 days of 90 degree temps, her hair is everywhere.

Vacuum and mop again

Laundry

Clean the bathroom

Organize my bedroom

Paint the trim in the kitchen (it needs a little sprucing up)

Dust the living room and my bedroom

From the camera~

This is one happy kitty. It's hard to imagine, just a few years ago, he was a scrawny kitten that showed up on our doorstep. It took months of feeding him and talking to him before he felt comfortable enough for a few pets. Than one day he crawled into Therese's lap and found a home. He looks pretty comfortably now and definitely relaxed. He's now a fat, lazy house cat that snores!

Something fun to share~

Found this online and thought it was pretty accurate!

Something new with my business~

Tupperware is launching some of their June sales early and they are amazing. I actually want all three!

Want more information or need to order them.... Just send me a message and I'd be glad to help you out. You can also order online on my page, Monique Tupperware

On my prayer list~

Our country and leaders

Israel 

A friend as she gets closer to the due date of her first child

A young girl struggling with life

My niece as she graduates high school and all the other graduates graduating this year

My great aunts that they keep getting stronger and healthier

Bible verse, saint quote, or devotional~

Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday Inspiration~ May 23, 2021

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. 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Really.....25 years already!

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. 

Twenty-five years! How has it been 25 years since I walked across that stage of my college campus. Twenty-five years since I walked arm in arm with my friends as we exited the ceremony that would change our lives forever.  Little did we know, that many of us would never talk to each other again. We would go our separate ways and find our new path on this journey into adulthood.

It's strange how time seems to fly by, but at the same time feels like it was only yesterday we were sitting on the grassy field hanging out in the sunshine. 

As I look back, college was one of the best times of my life. Fun, carefree, exciting, and challenging! Let's face it, I wasn't really an adult.  I still had the support of  my mom and dad. Freedom without all the responsibilities of a working adult. It was the stepping stone before I entered the real world. 

Sure, I had to work hard (scholarship money tied into my GPA), but I had  plenty of fun along the way. Trips abroad, bar hopping, dance clubs, games, shopping, fashion shows, and spring break to just name a few. 

I started to make decisions for myself, whether they were the right or wrong ones. The wrong choices were part of the learning process. My mistakes helped me grow (hopefully for the better). The right choices helped me realize that I just might be able to make in the real world. It wasn't always easy to make those decisions. Thankfully, I had amazing friends that were always there to help me figure it all out. I don't know what I would have done without them.

While at college I figured out who I was (or at least who I thought I was at the time). I made friendships that I will cherish until the day I die. Even if I no longer see or talk to these girls daily, the friendships they offered will always be in the back of my mind and in my heart. They were my sisters. They were my confidants. They helped me through the good times, the bad times, the pretty times, and the ugly times. College isn't always pretty! 

They were there through the tears and the fits of uncontrollable laughter. The midnight runs for pizza and cigarettes (yup, I used to smoke). They were by my side when my first serious boyfriend cheated on me and broke my heart (a few times....bad decision making on that one). They were there when I finally stood up for myself and moved on. When I meet the guy that would show me what trust and true love was, they were there. A few were still there when he broke my heart a few years after graduating college. They cheered me on when I excelled in school or when I created an amazing gown. They encouraged me when things were not going well. Chemistry was not my thing; I only passed from the help of a dear friend. She was my saving grace.

I remember the many all-nighters with this wonderful group of girls. Hours and hours of talking and sharing our hopes and dreams. Days and hours sewing our garments for our fashion classes. Hours in the art lab creating our masterpieces. Walking up and down the gigantic hill to get to town for some Ben and Jerry's ice cream or to head out to the bars for some weekend fun. Piling into one small bed to watch Pretty in Pink and eat microwave popcorn. Using cafeteria trays as sleds when it snowed. Catching the train together as we headed into the city for our internships. So many memories, so many wonderful memories.

“Your memory feels like home to me.

So whenever my mind wanders, it always finds it’s way back to you.”

― Ranata Suzuki

I'm not quite sure why I felt compelled to write all this down, except that it has been on my mind ever since I received notice about my 25 year reunion. It's not actually happening in person thanks to Covid. I guess I just miss the close friendships I had with that amazing group of girls. Over the past 25 years, I've had friends from work, co-op classes, and homeschool groups, but none that have stood the test of time and none that have I felt as close too. Maybe it's the age and all the stuff you go through in college or maybe I just haven't found my set of girls because I've been raising kids. I honestly have no clue. 

Till Next Time,

Monique

Happy Homemaker Monday~ May 17, 2021

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! Summer is almost here and I'm so happy. I love sunshine and warm temps! I hope you all had a fun weekend. I spent mine cleaning and doing laundry. My sewing/craft/office is finally clean. Now, I can start quilting and working on my niece's prom dress alterations. Therese spent the weekend dog sitting a friend's dog. Michael worked on his truck. It's slowly getting there. What exciting things did you do this weekend?

Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday. Don't forget to stop in and say hello to our beautiful  hostess Sandra over at A Diary of Stay at Home. 

❀❀~The Weather~❀❀

A beautiful week is headed our way. Not a lot of sun but definitely warmer temperatures. It's been a little chilly here again. I had to pull out jeans and a sweater again. Not cool in May! I'm hoping to get outside before the cicadas emerge...yucky!!

Monday~ Partly Cloudy, 69* 

Tuesday~ Mostly Sunny, 74*

Wednesday~ Partly Cloudy, 81*

Thursday~ Partly Cloudy, 84*

Friday~ Partly Cloudy, 84*

Saturday~ Partly Cloudy, 85*

Sunday~ Cloudy, 85*

❀❀~How I'm feeling this morning~❀❀

I a little rushed this morning. I headed out first thing this morning. I had to do an errand for my hubby, then head to Costco and Walmart. I filled up my gas tank. If you're on the East coast, you know gas has been crazy here. The price shot up to $3.00 a gallon. Thankfully, I was able to find gas and get it for $2.85. I sure miss the cheaper price of gas we had a few months ago. 

❀❀~What I'm wearing~❀❀

T-shirt, shorts, and my favorite pair of flip flops. They are from Vionic and the arch support is amazing. They're expensive, but last a long time. I've had mine for about 5 years now and need a new pair....that may be next splurge!

❀❀~What I'm doing right now~❀❀

I'm typing this post up while waiting for the washer to get done, so that I can switch over the clothes. I have bathroom rugs to wash next. I may wait until tomorrow, so I can hand them out on the line. I don't like leaving clothes out on the line at night. Do you have a clothes line? Do you leave clothes out overnight? 

❀❀~ What's on my mind~❀❀

I'm looking forward to the end of the school year. I think the kids and I are ready for this year to be over. Not that it was a bad year, it just seems like it's the never ending year. There were no field trips, no co-ops, and very limited outside activities. I joked with my husband the other day that I'd love to go back to 2019 and start over and never have 2020 happen. No one could predict what a disaster 2020 was and is still. 

❀❀~What they kids are up to~❀❀

They are currently working on their lessons. Therese ran errands with me this morning, while Michael worked on his truck. He's been making steady progress and now is waiting for a part to come in on Wednesday before he can do anything else. I've been taking a few pics, so when he's done I'll share a before and after photo.

❀❀~What's for breakfast~❀❀

I had a protein shake. I really need to loose the 20 pounds I've put on. I need to start walking again, get back into yoga, and eat better. I always feel better when I am doing all those things.  

❀❀~My current reading pile~❀❀

I just finished up Finding Tomorrow by Denise Grover Swank and Christine Gael . It's currently free on Kindle Unlimited. I loved this story about three sisters finding their way after life threw them a few curveballs. I've already started the second book in the Bluebird Bay, Finding Home.

❀❀~What the Kids are Reading~❀❀

 The kids are reading their last big novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, for history for this school year. 

❀❀~What I'm Watching on TV~❀❀

I just finished up the first season of Sweet Magnolias. Now I have to wait until season 2 is available. I did read that it is coming ack to Netflix. Now, I have to find something else to watch.

I'm currently on season 5 of Criminal Minds.

New Father's Day collection from Scentsy

❀❀~What I'm working on~❀❀

I'm hemming and doing a few alterations to my niece's and her friend's prom dresses. In a few weeks, I'll have to hem Therese's dress for the homeschool formal she and her friends are attending.

I bought some fabric while on our trip to TN to make placements for the kitchen bar and table. They have chickens on them. I saw the fabric, loved it, and had to get it. I can't wait to get started!

I'm currently working on next year's lesson plans. I think this will be the last year I'm doing it. Therese is planning on attending the local community college for her senior year and Michael will be in college then, so this is my last year homeschooling. It's bitter sweet.

I have seven eggs in our small incubator. I'm praying s few chicks hatch. If not, I guess I'll have to order some new baby chicks.

I'm also planning and dreaming about my Irish cottage garden I want to put in the back yard. I found the picture below and I'm in love!

Source-Pinterest/Unknown

❀❀~Looking around the house~❀❀

Cleaning- same old same old

Organizing- I need to thin out some of the junk that we inherited from my father-in-law's house

❀❀~This weeks to do list~❀❀

Alter/Hem Prom dresses

Clean Kitchen

Laundry

Plant my rose bush

Clean the bathrooms

Vacuum and mop the floors

Head to the Library  for the used book sale

❀❀~Funny Quote/Meme for the Week~❀❀

So true, my friends, so true

❀~What's for dinner this week~❀❀

Monday~ Chicken, Pineapple, & Peppers Kabobs with Rice

Tuesday~ Tacos (because it's Taco Tuesday and the kids have practice)

Wednesday~ Honey Mustard Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, and Green Beans

Thursday~ Pork Chops, Scalloped Potatoes, and Veggies

Friday~ Chicken Fried Rice

Saturday~ Burgers, Potato Salad, and Salad

Sunday~ ???

❀❀~ From the camera~❀❀

My cute little turtle

I added this sweet fellow to the garden. Of course while I was planting, I stumbled upon a not so cute critter....a snake. My first sighting for the year.

❀❀~What I'm praying for~❀❀

My dear friend and her family. She's still struggling with the loss of her mother

A easy end of the year for the kids as far as school goes

Our country

A friend who is pregnant with her first baby

My niece as she graduates high school

A friend's daughter who is struggling

My great aunts who have been in the hospital

❀❀~Inspirational thought for the week~❀❀

Source~ Unknown

Wishing y'all a wonderful week. 

Stay happy, healthy, and safe!

Till Next Time,

Monique

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Sunday Inspiration~ May 16, 2021

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.

Till Next Time,

Monique

Review~ Heroes from History Ronald Reagan: Destiny at His Side from YWAM Publishing

Disclaimer~ I received a complementary product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Recently, the kids and I were given the opportunity to review a wonderful, informative book from the Heroes of History series from YWAM Publishing. We have read and reviewed a few of the other book titles offered from YWAM Publishing. We've enjoyed all the books we have read over the years. They make a wonderful addition to a family's home library. 

YWAM Publishing is an amazing company that offers families a fantastic collection of books. Two of their most popular series are Heroes of History and Christian Heroes: Then & Now.  The first series is about heroic tales of important people from history. The second series is tales from the missionary fields about daring, faithful Christians. There are 50 titles to choose from in the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series. Heroes of History has 29 titles to choose from. I love how these two amazing series provide readers strong, faithful, determined, and patriotic men and women to learn about and look up to. True heroes to look up to.

For this review, we received  a physical of  Ronald Reagan: Destiny at His Side from the Heroes of History Series. This extraordinary book tells the story of Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States. From his humble beginnings in rural Illinois to his greatest role in the White House, "Dutch" was always looking at the future and trying to figure out to achieve his dreams. Whether he was helping his family through difficult financial times, pursing opportunity after opportunity, or leading our great nation, Ronal Reagan, used his skills and knowledge to achieve his dreams, to better the world around him, and to finally leave his imprint in the world that would last forever.

"I know in my heart that man is good, 

that what is right will always eventually triumph, 

and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life."

~ Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan: Destiny at His Side is recommended for readers ages 10 and up. The paperback book is 221 pages long. It's well written and easy to read. I love how the book brings to life the personality and ethics Ronald Reagan had. The book draws in readers of all ages. It's not a difficult read, so kids will have no problem reading it. It works great as a read aloud for younger readers and works just as well as an independent read for older readers. It's a great, engaging biography.

~Unit Study Guide~

To accompany the book, the company offers a unit study guide to use. This is a great way to use living books in your history lessons. We received the digital download of the unit study to accompany the book. We chose not to use the unit study guide for this book, but have used a few of the others in the past. Next year, Michael and Therese will be studying year 2 of United States history, so I may use pieces of the study guide then. 

"I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves."

~Ronald Reagan

The Unit Study Guide is meant to go along with the book. The unit study guide is meant to be used by the parents and teacher as a way to help reinforce learning and focus on the information being presented in the book. These books with their unit study guides are perfect for a living history style of teaching. We love and have enjoyed this style of learning. There are no boring textbooks! It always amazes me what the kids retain about history when they learn this way.

The unit study guide offers curriculum that covers geography, history, bible verses, reading comprehension, vocabulary, creative writing, essay writing, art, and drama. Parents and teachers can look through the study guide and use what they like or they can use the entire study. One of the nice things about homeschooling is parents get to pick and choose what they want their students to work on and what works best for their families.

If a family chose to, they could use all the history titles offered from YWAM Publishing and create an entire class using the books and study guides!

Over the past few years, we have been blessed to reviewed a few of the other titles offered from YWAM Publishing. 

Be sure to check them out too!

Heroes of History: Corrie Ten Boom

Heroes of History: Douglas MacArthur

Heroes of History: Theodore Roosevelt 

Heroes of History: Davy Crockett

Heroes of History: Abraham Lincoln

Christian Heroes, Then and Now: Betty Greene

Learn more about YWAM Publishing and all the great books they offer.

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Want to learn more about the other great titles YWAM Publishing has to offer?

Just click the image below and read a few more reviews from the other crew members.

Till Next Time,

Monique

 

Sunday Inspiration~ May 2, 2021

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. 

Till Next Time,

Monique

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