Good Morning!

I had hoped to do a post on Friday before our company came, but it got rather crazy around here.  My dad ended up in the hospital with a very bad bout of pneumonia last Wednesday and I've been rather preoccupied the past few days with that and our company.  I did manage to get to a few blogs but that was all.

The weather in my neck of the woods... 

Right now it's 19 degrees out, the sky is cloudy and overcast.  Wonder if that means rain or snow.

Right now I am...

 Doing this post and watching a taped episode of Heartland Table.

Thinking and pondering... 

That life is just so short.

On my bedside table... 

I've not had time to read this past week so the books from last week are still on my table.

Are We Walking To Alaska?

The Runaway Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel

On my tv tonight... 

 Still my House episodes, re-runs that I've taped.

NatGeo Wild Channel.

Heartland Table episodes

As I look out my window...

 I'm seeing light in the sky a few birds flying high in the sky going back and forth.  I'm thinking they are going about their day.

On the Menu for this week... 

 Not really sure yet.  With my dad being a diabetic I need to sit down and go through my recipes and find ones that will work for all of us.

On my to-do list...

Laundry

Clean up the sugaring mess before the next round.

Happening this week... 

 Taking my dad to his doctors appointments.

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating:

My sewing and knitting is on hold for the moment until sugaring is over.

Looking forward to this week...

 The few days off from sugaring until the next run starts.

Lunch date with my hubby.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon...

 Sandra also has a food blog and I've made some of her recipes and this is one I want to try.

Turkey Pepper Jack Meatballs

Lessons learned the past week...

If my gut is telling me something is wrong...believe it.

Looking around the house...

 I see piles of magazines and books that need to be looked through and weeded out.  I'm also seeing a few reminders that the grandchildren were here.

From the camera... 

Prayer list... 

Friends of ours who's house burned, thanking God that no one was in the house and all are safe.

 My dad.

Bible verse, devotional...

Consider it all joy my brethren,

when you encounter various trials.

James 1:2

 Linking with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Good morning!  It's Monday and I thought I would try and get back into doing Happy Homemaker Monday that Sandra hosts over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom blog.  I had a wonderful weekend.  How about you?  We had our annual corned beef and cabbage yesterday, I didn't make it this year we went out for it.

The Weather...

Right now it's 15° outside and it's 3 days to spring.

Right now I am...

Doing this post, looking out the window as my computer desk is right next to it.  Seeing that it is starting to get lighter outside.  The quiet of the morning is gone, Mr is up from the office on his way out to get milk from the Amish, the parents are starting to stir and venture out into my quiet morning.

Thinking and pondering...

I have a few things on my to-do list this week that need to get done.

On my bedside table...

I have a couple books going right now.

Are We Walking To Alaska?

The Runaway Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel

On my tv tonight...

Trisha Yearwood's Southern Cooking

House episodes,

other than that not too much.

As I look out my window...

I see snow still on the ground.  I see sap buckets on the trees.  I see a beautiful day beginning.

On the Menu for this week...

Not in any particular order as we are sugaring this week and I never know what I can make on what particular day.

Meatballs and cheesy potatoes

Italian beef

Shepherd's pie

Crock-pot Beef and Broccoli

Taco ring

Bacon Chicken ring

Sloppy Joe's

On my to-do list...

Clean

Laundry

The usual Monday stuff.

Happening this week...

Getting ready for company.

Making maple syrup.

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating:

Some UFO's that I need to get done.

Looking forward to this week...

When our daughter and the grand-kids come.

My simple pleasure...

The smell of babies.

Lessons learned the last week...

I need to keep butter next to the stove when I'm finishing off syrup, on the off chance it boils over, and it did ☺

Looking around the house...

I see a quiet cozy home, a few lights on but not enough light to brighten it up any.  I love sitting in the quiet morning with the lights low and blog and just have time to myself before the day gets going.

From the camera...

Eggs separating for the homemade waffle batter I made the other day.  I thought it made a neat shot.

On my prayer list...

My cousin's brother-in-law who was in an accident.

Bible verse, devotional...

 Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.

Ephesians 4:2

Good Morning!  It's another great day starting, and another day for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Sandra from  Diary of a Stay at Home Mom is hosting Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather....

 Is 35 degrees and finally starting to warm up a bit.  It's still rainy, foggy and wet, but it feels a whole lot warmer now than it has for a few days.

Right now I am....

Relaxing with my feet up enjoying a cup of coffee.  Jim just came in from taking Sadie out. 

Thinking....

Of all the things I need to do to get ready for my parents arrival.  Jim has started on my sewing room that will be down in the basement.  I am so excited for that.

On my reading pile....

 I received a book in the mail from a friend...The Story.

On my TV.....

Now that "spring" is here or at least it's supposed to be.  I'm not watching too much T.V.  but I do like The Incredible Dr. Pol on the NatGeoWild channel.

Something fun to share....

{source}

Blog hopping (newly discovered blog)....

 This blog isn't newly discovered, it's re-discovered.  I found this blog way back when we lived in Illinois, Stacy has the most beautiful photos and she also does falconry.  This is a blog I had lost along the way and I'm so glad that I have found it again.  Head on over to check it out, you will not be disappointed.

A "Focus" in the Wild.

On the menu for this week....

 I am such a bad girl in this department this week.  I haven't sat down yet to make a menu plan.  Tho, I do know we will eat :)

On my to do list....

Laundry (then again when isn't it on everyones to-do list, right?)

Make that menu plan for the week :)

Head to town to do some errands.

Continue to rake all the rocks that ended up in the grass from plowing the snow this winter back into the driveway where they belong.

p.s. it's great exercise and I hope to tone up my arms some in the process.

In the craft basket....

I don't have too much going on right now.  I do have to finish putting the Tossed Nine Patch together.  I have the top done, it's just a matter of getting on the floor to do some pinning.

Looking forward to this week....

 Heading to Illinois to see our granddaughter in her school program.

Helping my dil with some curtains for their home.

Looking around the house....

 I'm watching the birds flying around and landing high up in the trees outside.  Birds at the feeder probably happy that it's not raining at the moment.  I can tell the sun is shining as it's rays are finally making their way inside my home.

From the camera....

 Taken this morning.

On my Prayer list....

To all the men and women in our Armed forces who serve our country.

Bible verse, Devotional....

Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul,

and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

Good evening!!!  Wow, I can't believe Monday is almost over and I didn't do Happy Homemaker Monday.  Well, I'd say better late than never.

The weather...

It's 35 degrees out, the sun has gone down and the temperature is dropping.

Right now I am...

Doing this post.

Thinking...

That I would love to really say what I'm thinking right now, only I don't know what or who it would benefit, other than maybe, just maybe, make me feel good, and really does it make me feel good?  No, not really, so I'll just hold my tongue :)

On my reading pile...

I just hate to say that I just haven't had time to read.

On my TV...

Not really anything right now, too busy.

Favorite Blog post this week {mine or other}...

Vicki from Turkey Feathers.  Seeing her daffodils was something I needed to see, especially with all the snow we still have on the ground, it was a Breath of Spring :)

Something fun to share...

On the Menu this week...

Monday-Oven Baked French Toast with pork sausage and Maple Syrup from the 2013 batch.

Tuesday-BBQ Style Pork Chop, Roasted Potatoes--Bobby Dean: From Mama's Table to Mine.

Wednesday-Chicken Pot Pie--Bobby Dean: From Mama's Table to Mine.

Thursday-Slow Cooked North Carolina Style and Oven Cheese Fries--Bobby Dean: From Mama's Table to Mine.

Friday-Sloppy Joe's

Blog hopping (newly discovered blog)...

I love vintage things and Amy's blog  with a Vintage Twist has just that.

On my to-do list...

Getting things ready for this weekend.

Making more syrup this weekend.

Clean the house.

Laundry

In the craft basket...

Quilt top to finish.

Continue to work on the socks I'm knitting.

Looking forward to this week...

Get to see family and making more maple syrup.
 

Looking around the house...

The lights are down low casting shadows all around.  I see Mr relaxing with his feet kicked up after being outside ALL day in the cold yesterday.  I think he needs the rest.

From the camera...

On my prayer list...

To all who are victims of abuse.

Bible verse-Devotional...

For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

For I am about to fall,

and my pain is ever with me.

Psalm 38:17

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Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather...

Right now it's 26 degrees and snowing.  It's a winter advisory today, with snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour.  Isn't spring a few days away?...sigh...

Right now I am...

I'm enjoying a cup of coffee with cream while watching the snow fall.

Thinking...

That yesterday was such a wonderful day.  We took a drive to the Mississippi River to see some eagles and have a corned beef and cabbage dinner.  When we got home we hiked down the lane and into the woods where snow shoes would have been a help.

On my reading pile...

A new book on my Kindle...The Comfort of Lies, by Randy Susan Meyers

On my TV...

Nothing at the moment.

Favorite Blog post this week {mine or other}...

Sandra who does this fun meme also has a food blog, and her post Fat Flush Water really caught my eye.  It looks like something that would also be very refreshing in the summer months.

Something fun to share...

I saw these on Facebook and thought they were so cute! 

I want them :)

Source

On the Menu this week...

Monday-Ham shank, potatoes and carrots

Tuesday-Chicken fingers w/honey sauce and cheese potatoes

Wednesday-Cowboy Lasagna (Trisha's cookbook)

Thursday-Cordelia's Roast Beef with garlic mashed potatoes (Trisha's cookbook)

Friday-Roast Beef hash over rice from the leftover Roast beef (Trisha's cookbook)

 Also I plan to make a healthy soup to have for lunches during the week.

On my to-do list...

Laundry...I think this is a given not only for me but for most people.

Get some cleaning done so that I can get in my sewing room.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or creating...

I'm trying to finish up a quilting UFO that's been hanging around for far too long.

Homemaking tips...

When making meatballs...always dip your fingers in water before rolling the balls.  This will prevent stickiness. 

Heloise's Housekeeping Hints

Looking around the house...

I see my Christmas cactus with the blooms wilting now on the plant, thinking that I did NOT take a photo of it.  It was in full bloom while I was gone to Illinois.  I see my coffee cup needing a refill.  Tho I don't see Jim, I know he's down in his office working.

From the camera...

On my prayer list...

Praying that my mom's health continues to improve.

 The father of a blog reader from Connecticut who contacted me through e-mail.  Her father is very ill and in the ICU.

Bible verse~Devotional...

Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

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Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather...

Today is cloudy, with no sun out, with temps being 20 degrees, and a severe storm predicted for later tonight heading into tomorrow.

Right now I am...

Trying to finish up this post and head out the door to town to get a few things before the predicted snow hits.

Thinking...

That I'm so not happy at all how Downton Abbey ended the 3rd season!!

On my reading pile...

Nothing new added just the ones I'm still reading.

On my TV...

Some Hallmark movies I had taped.

Favorite Blog post this week {mine or other}...

Rachel over at A Romantic Porch.

Something fun to share...

96% of the U.S. population lives within 20 miles of a Walmart.

On the Menu this week...

Monday-Country Pork Skillet

Tuesday-Veg Jambalaya

Wednesday-Saucy Pork Chop Skillet

Thursday-Speedy Chicken Marsala

Friday-Last Minute Tuna Casserole

On my to-do list...

Laundry as always.

Clean the house.

Head to the store to get some items before the storm hits.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or creating...

A quilted wall hanging.

Homemaking tips...

I love microfiber cloths. 

Store a couple of microfiber cloths in these locations because they will clean and shine the chrome, spiff up mirrors and are great for wiping off the sink. When the cloths become dirty, toss them into the washing machine.

Helpful Heloise

Looking around the house...

I see a cold dreary day out my window...my Christmas cactus in full bloom...though the sun is not shining the room is full of light.

From the camera...

On my prayer list...

A friends son who is dealing with some health issues.

Bible verse~Devotional...

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

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Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Now I'm off to get ready for my trip to town.  I hope Y'all have a wonderful day!

Hello All, it's Monday again and time for Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather...

Righ now it's cloudy and 26 degrees outside.  It hasn't snowed for about a week now, but we still have snow on the ground.

Right now I am...

Multi-tasking, I'm blogging, and watching Trisha's Southern Kitchen, an episode that I had taped.

Thinking...

About life and how precious it is.

On my reading pile...

The same as last weeks, I haven't done much reading this past week to finish anything up.

On my TV...

The same as last week too, Trisha and Downton Abbey.  I'm catching up to season 3.

Favorite blog post this week {mine or other}...

Amy over at Homestead Revival:Must We Have Politics Served As a Side Dish to Homesteading?

Something fun to share...

It is impossible to hum if your nose is plugged.

{I bet you tried it too didn't you?  I did...lol...}

On the menu this week...

Monday...Pasty

Tuesday...Meatloaf and Cheesy Potatoes

Wednesday...Baked Rice with Sausage

Thursday-Sunday...I'll be gone and Jim will be eating leftovers.

On my to-do list...

Cleaning and laundry of course.

Getting my sewing things and quilting projects together and packed up and ready to go for the quilt retreat I'm going to.

Making pasty.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating...

I'm knitting new dish cloths and I hope to get a chance to sew a curtain for one of the windows in our livingroom.  I found the idea in a Flea Market Style magazine, and thought it would work for that window.

Homemaking tips...

Skip the feather duster – it just spreads dust around. For fast dusting, use multi-surface cleaning wipes to pick up dust from furniture and electronics. When you dust, work from the top down.

Looking around the house...

I see my plants that are healthy and starting to bloom.  Though the sun is not out it's light enough to cast shadows.  I see my knitting on the end table that I'm going to pick up later and looking out the our patio door I see the snow covered hills that I simply love.

From the camera...

On my prayer list...

The family and friends of Mindy McCready.

Bible verse~Devotional...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

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Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather...

It's snowing right now and it's 28 degrees outside.  I'm wondering how much snow is going to accumulate.

Right now I am...

Well blogging of course doing this post.  But I'm having a cup of coffee with my usual splash of real cream, visiting with my hubby, and checking out some websites that are freaking me out.  One site talked about "The 11 Scariest Things in Your Food".   The one that got me was the vanilla and raspberry flavoring.

Thinking...

That I need to head out today to the co-op to get some vanilla beans and other ingredients to make my own vanilla.  I better start now because it takes about 6 months until I can use it.

On my reading pile...

This one is on my Kindle, it's a PDF download that I got from the Women of Faith website.  It's Amish Christmas, and there are 4 short stories which I am really enjoying.

On my TV...

Downton Abbey and more of Trisha's Southern Kitchen {I tape them all}

Favorite Blog post this week {mine or other}...

Buttons over at Buttons Thoughts did a post titled 'Choice!'.

Something fun to share...

A lemon contains more sugar than a strawberry. 

No wonder water tastes so good with a slice of lemon in it.

On the menu for this week...

I ordered Trisha Yearwood's Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen, and I'm so excited.  So, that's what my menu for the week will be focused on.

• Monday...Gwen's Old Fashioned Potato Beef Casserole
• Tuesday...Chicken Noodle Soup & Buttered Rosemary Rolls {The Pioneer Woman's}
• Wednesday...Pork chops and Everyday Mashed Potatoes
• Thursday...BBQ Pork Ribs and the canned beans from Texas
• Friday...Chicken Pie
• Saturday...leftovers
• Sunday...leftovers

On my to-do list...

Laundry as always, and since we were gone to Illinois for the weekend babysitting our grand-kids we have a couple of loads.  I did do laundry there but I had left a load here not done before we left :( 

Also on my to-do lis, tho it is really on my hubby's list, I bought a radio/cd player that will be mounted underneath one of our cabinets.  I've been wanting one for a long time and finally found one on clearance over at Farm and Fleet in Janesville.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating...

I'm late on getting it started but I'll be working on my February monthly mini quilt, and new dish cloths that are so badly needed for my kitchen.

Homemaking tips...

 I have a tip and you may or may not already do it.  When I make my meal plan out, I always write it on paper and post it on my fridge, so everyday when I'm wondering what to make for dinner it's right there.  I don't always make my meals excatly how I wrote them down I may mix up the days, but as long as I have them down and posted I'm good to go, and I never wonder what I'll be making for that day.

Looking around the house...

I see my empty coffee cup that needs to be filled :)

My dishes drying in the drying rack {whew, and it's only 8:05 a.m}

Jim here on the upstairs computer printing out our Wisconsin Maple Syrup Association Membership form that we need to fill out and send back to them.

I'm also looking out my window seeing the Juncos and a Red Bellied along with a Downy Woodpecker at the feeders.

From the Camera...

On my prayer list...

My cousin who is going to have gallbadder surgery.  I pray all goes well and her health will continue to improve.

Bible verse~Devotional...

Since you are my rock and my fortress,

for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalm 31:3

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Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather...

The sun is shinning and it's 21 degrees.  My husband and I plan to take a walk this afternoon.

Right now I am...

I am sitting on the couch with my feet up, enjoying a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee with a splash of cream, relaxing after having gone to town to do some errands.  I love Dunkin' Donuts coffee and I can find it in the coffee aisle in the store in town.

Thinking...

That after this cup of coffee I need to pull out my knitting as I have a ufo I need to get done.

On my reading pile...

Almost Amish: One woman's quest for a slower, simpler, more sustainable life, by Nancy Sleeth

On my tv...

A few episodes of Trisha's Southern Kitchen and Nora Roberts' Northern Lights

Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)...

Super Bowl commercials over at The Farmer's Daughter.

Something fun to share...

If you mouth the word "colorful" to someone, it looks like you are saying "I love you".

On the menu for this week...

Monday...The Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwich

Tuesday...Leftover homemade pizza from Sunday.

Wednesday-Sunday...Not sure what the menu is going to be as we'll be in Illinois babysitting for our grandchildren.

On my to-do list...

Finish up the laundry I started this morning, go for a walk with hubby this afternoon, make dinner.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating...

Knitting a hat, and weaving a rug that is 1/4 of the way started on the loom.

Homemaking tips...

I buy cilantro and usually end up throwing it out because it doesn't keep.  Now when I buy cilantro I put the bunch in a large coffee cup with cold water and put it in the fridge with plastic covering it.  I told my dil this trick but she forgot to put it in the fridge and cover it, but left it out on the counter and it looked great.  So, next time I'm going to try that and see if it lasts longer.

Looking around the house...

I see the tulips I bought in town, clothes drying on the drying rack that I bought at the Amish store, and looking around I see the sun streaming in the windows warming our home up.

From the camera...

On my prayer list...

A blogging friends husband.  I just found out he had cancer and is now cancer free, and I'm praying that he continues to be cancer free.

Bible verse~Devotional...

To you, O Lord, I called;

To the Lord I cried for mercy...

You turned my wailing into dancing;

You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

Psalm 30:8,11

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For the first time I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

for Happy Homemaker Monday.