Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/31/16

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

 Unseasonably warm.   We're supposed to have highs in the 80's this week.  Ugh!

On my breakfast plate:
 

Slim Fast Shake.
 

As I look outside my window:::

 

I see that the garden has been pulled out and cleaned up ready for the next planting season.

 

As I look around the house::::

 

Sickness has hit again!  I'm going to try to get Laken into the doctor today to check her ears and throat :(

On today's to do list::::

 

Call Pediatrician.
  Clean house.
Schedule Kaylee's ortho appt.
Order more checks.
Work on Demelza.

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday....Dr., Clean, work on Demelza.
Tuesday....Me Day, Work on Demelza, watch Poldark and Timeless.
Wednesday... Baking day with Mom, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday.....Menu and grocery list, laundry, work on Demelza (a new part is released).
Friday....Grocery Shopping
Saturday....Schedule for next week, bedrooms, maybe a movie??? .

Currently reading::::



I've been waiting for some Christmas reads to arrive so I was holding out on starting something new.  However, since they didn't arrive before the weekend, I thought I'd go ahead and start it and hopefully my Christmas books will come this week.  I also LOVE this author!

 

On the TV::::

 

I have 3 episodes of Poldark to catch up on and also an 2 episodes of "Timeless".

I'm so behind on all my other shows, that I've decided to just give up on them!

 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Weiner Winks, French Fries, Peas, Grapes
Tuesday - Pork Chops, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, Apples
Wednesday - Chicken with Stuffing, Corn, Peaches, Apple Cobbler.
Thursday - Dan's Day (My brother will bring something home, so no cooking!)
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Toast- Breakfast / Grilled Cheese, soup- Dinner
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

I "FINALLY" finished Steph's Afghan.  I've been working on it off and on since about August.
 

 

 

I made it in the colors of her Living Room.

 

 

It has already been gifted and was greatly appreciated :)

 

The flower pattern is the Primavera Flower from Ravelry.

 

I don't know why, but I always like to see how they look folded up all nice and neat!

 

 

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB
 

 

Linking up to :What Are You Reading,   Yarn Fanatic, Art of Homemaking, Make Your Home Sing,  Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Yarn Along, Keep Calm Craft On, Linky Ladies, Pieces by Polly , Homemaking Linkup, Homesteader Hop.

Songs on Sunday ~ Chain Breaker by Zach Williams ~ 10/30/16

 He IS a Chain Breaker!

Amen!

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday and Counting My Blessings , Faith And Friendship , Grace And Truth , Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace .



Stacking the Shelves ~ 10/29/16

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

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This week I added the following to my shelf:

As a young woman visiting Alaska, Bryn Bailey--cousin to Trevor Kenbridge (Torchlight)--found love in the arms of Eli Pierce. But when she rejected Eli’s faith, the two sadly parted. Ten years later, Bryn is back in Alaska for a summer of humanitarian aid, where she is dependent upon Eli, now a bush pilot. To her surprise, Bryn discovers that not only is she still in love with Eli, she’s also drawn to the glorious country he loves--and the God he serves. Then one night, during a sudden storm, their small plane goes down in the wilderness, leaving Eli injured and fighting for his life. Can Bryn find Pathways back to civilization, to God…and to love?

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Ever since her days as an undergrad student at Harvard, where she roomed with Bryn Bailey (Pathways)--nautical archaeologist Dr. Christina Alvarez has been obsessed with finding her ancestor’s sunken treasure ship and striking underwater gold. Determined to achieve her goal, Christina has traveled to the Caribbean island of Robert’s Foe, where treasure hunter Mitch Crawford--the one man who can assist her--refuses to help. But Christina’s fight to win Mitch over may lead them both to a Treasure more valuable than either one of them ever dreamed.  
 

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The girls also picked up these books at the School Book Fair:

Also linking up to: The Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday



 

Happy Reading!

Feature and Follow ~ Creepy Covers ~ 10/28/16

 

 

Q: What are some of your favorite creepy/twisted/dark covers?

I'll be honest.

I don't like creepy, twisted or dark reads.

They spook me and have me looking over my shoulder for days, so I tend to stay away from them.

I know, not a very exciting answer...

Have a great Friday!

Tea Time ~ Book Fairs and Tea Cups ~ 11/28/16

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~I "needed" to go to Hobby Lobby this weekend, so the whole family made the 1 hour trip including my cousin's little boy, Dex!  It made me smile to see them all peaceful and sleeping :)

~My walking route with the mountains that cradle our little valley town!  Isn't God's handiwork beautiful ? :)

~Laken carved her pumpkin Tuesday evening!  She's such a ham :)

~I got a new tea cup!  It is Pioneer Woman :)

~The school book fair was this week with family evening on Tuesday!  The top books are Laken's and the bottom are Kaylee's.  You can definitely tell they have different interests :)

 

What made you smile this week?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Diary of a Real Housewife and Love Made My Home , Friday's Fave Five.

 

Book Review ~ Twice Promised by Maggie Brendan ~ 10/27/16

 

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Blurb:

 

Greta Olsen arrives in Central City, Colorado, as a mail-order bride, expecting to marry Jess Gifford, the man she's come to know through his tender letters. But when she meets Cora Johnson, she discovers she's not the only bride waiting at the train station for Jess.

Already shocked to find they must compete for Jess's affection, the young women can hardly believe it when not Jess but his brother Zach picks them up from the station--and reveals that Jess knows nothing about any mail-order bride, let alone two. Will either bride make the match she hopes for?

Filled with surprises, misunderstandings, and tender romance, Twice Promised is the story of how two unlikely women become twice blessed.     

My Thoughts:

 

I first met Greta Olsen in "Deeply Devoted" the first book of the "Blue Willow Brides" series.  She was young and a bit of a brat.  I was very interested to find out how she "turned out" as she grew up and matured.

 

This book had me hooked from the time I found out that there were two mail-order-brides for one man.  I couldn't wait to read how things would transpire.  After all, there were two brides and two brothers!

 

I admit that I had to turn to the back page to see how it turned out.  I know, bad girl!  Even though I knew who would end up with who, I was delighted to continue reading to see how the author would bring about the ending.

 

I especially loved the last third of the book but I can't really tell you why without giving too much away.  Let's just say that the two brides turn the tables on the brothers!

 

 The third book in the "Blue Willow Brides" series is about Anna, the youngest sister.  I can't wait to get my hands on it!

 

 Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

  

Linking up to:  Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation, Booknificent. Party at My Place , Saturday Review of Book , Book Nook

Hodgepodge ~ 10/26/16

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. Besides your very own house, describe a place where you feel most 'at home'?

Right now my brother's house is our home.  We are in the process of selling our house and will be building onto my parent's house next Spring!  I can't wait to get started.

 

The other place I feel the most "at home" is Church.  I've grown up in the same Church I attend now.  I've been there my whole life and it feels like "home".

 

2. When did you last 'hit a home run' with something? Explain. 

 

We have a wonderful fudge recipe that my Mom makes.  I tried to make it 2 Christmases ago and FAILED!!!  A few weeks ago, I decided to give it another try.  NAILED IT!  Home Run, Baby!
 

3. Tell us about something you love in your house or kitchen that is 'homemade'. 

I love the aprons that I made.  I've also made a few afghans that I kept for our use.

 

4. 'A man's home is his castle'...which of the world's ten most captivating castles (according to The Travel Channel) would you most like to visit and why-

Mont Saint-Michel (France), Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Glamis Castle (Scotland), Windsor Castle (England), Chateu de Chambord (France), Hampton Court Palace (England), Prague Castle (Prague), St. Michael's Mount (England), Leeds Castle (England), and Swallow's Nest (Ukraine)

 

ALL of them!  I couldn't pick just one but I REALLY want to go to Scotland!

 

5. What's a recent or upcoming plan or project that's required you do a little homework before getting started? Did the homework cause you to abandon your plan or adjust it in some way?

The "great build" mentioned above has had us doing quite a bit of homework.  It is very exciting but is constantly being adjusted...

 

6. In your opinion, is homework an unnecessary evil or a valuable practice? Should schools be done with homework? Why or why not? 

 

Necessary evil!  I love evenings when my girls don't have any homework and we can just relax and have family time.

7. Share a favorite memory of your childhood hometown. 

 

I still live in my childhood hometown.  One of my favorite memories is going for walks with my Grandmother to get the mail at the Post Office.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm very proud to call our little town home and to be raising my children where I was raised.  I wouldn't want it any other way :)

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I'd love to return the visit!  Please leave a comment and a link!

WWW Wednesday ~ 10/26/16

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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• What are you currently reading?

 

I'm only a couple chapters into this book and I'm not sure if I'm going to continue with it or switch up to a different book.  It just isn't grabbing me the way I was hoping.

 

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• What did you recently finish reading?

 

 

This was the second book in the "Full Circle" series.  It was a sweet read but I really wanted more depth.  My review will be going up shortly.

 

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• What do you think you’ll read next?
 

This is the 3rd book in the "Full Circle" series.  I have high hopes for it!
 

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Have a great Wednesday!

Teaser Tuesday ~ Veil of Pearls ~ 11/25/16

 

My teaser for this week is from:

 

 

~"If Althea got caught, Sir Walter would whip her to death.  It was why her heart hammered in her chest and her breath seized in her throat.  It was why she stood at the top of the stairway unable to move.  Darkness coated the main corridors of the house like molasses, so thick it nearly forced her backward down the long hall to her chamber.  Where she belonged.  Where she was usually locked behind a bolted door.  But not tonight.

Not ever again."~

 

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/24/16

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

 Very Fall-like!  And I'm loving it :)

On my breakfast plate:
 

Slim Fast Shake.
 

As I look outside my window:::

 

Beautiful Fall colors:

 

As I look around the house::::

 

The dishes are washed.  Many thanks to the girls for getting them done for me :)

On today's to do list::::

 

  Clean house.
Schedule Kaylee's ortho appt.
Order more checks.
Decide on our health insurance for the new year.

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday....Clean, work on Demelza, watch Poldark.
Tuesday....Me Day, Work on Demelza.
Wednesday... Baking day with Mom, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday.....Menu and grocery list, laundry, work on Demelza .
Friday....Grocery Shopping
Saturday....Pancake breakfast at Church, Schedule for next week, bedrooms.

Currently reading::::



It was time in my reading rotation to read a historical novel so I picked this one off my shelf to read next.  I haven't started it yet, so I'll have to let you know what I think later on.

 

On the TV::::

 

My cousin's little boy stayed with us on Friday night and we had to watch "Descendants" AGAIN!  He wants to watch it every time he's here.  Even though it has been on the TV many times, I found myself seeing parts that I hadn't seen before.  I guess I hadn't really sat down and watched the whole thing before.

 

I have 2 episodes of Poldark to catch up on and also an episode of "Timeless".

I'm so behind on all my other shows, that I just might give up on them!

 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Spaghetti, garlic bread, green beans, grapes
Tuesday - Baked chicken breast, cheesy potatoes, corn, apples
Wednesday - Pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas, pears
Thursday - Dan's Day (My brother will bring something home, so no cooking!)
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Pancake Breakfast at Church
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment:::: 

 

Part 5 of the Demelza CAL, came out last Thursday.  This part is for the panels that go alongside the middle square.  I need to make four of these.  One down; 3 to go!

 

 

 

  BTW, this CAL is going on in the Pippin Crochet Club group on facebook.  Come join us!

 

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2 NASB

 

 

Linking up to :What Are You Reading,  Art of Homemaking, Make Your Home Sing,  Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Yarn Along, Keep Calm Craft On, Linky Ladies, Pieces by Polly , Homemaking Linkup, Homesteader Hop.

Songs on Sunday ~ Never Been a Moment by Micah Tyler ~ 10/23/16

This is a fairly new song that I heard recently for the first time.  Have you heard it yet?  Let me know what you think!

 

And remember:

 

There's never been a moment when we were not loved by Him!

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday and Counting My Blessings , Faith And Friendship , Grace And Truth , Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace , Sunday FUNday and The Weekend Brew and Social Butterfly.



Stacking the Shelves ~ 10/22/16

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week I added the following to my shelf:

When Rachel Johanssen dared Beth Morgan to answer a personal ad in The Rancher’s Journal, she never thought her citified friend would become a bona fide rancher’s wife. Now Rachel, too, is falling in love with the glorious valley…as well as with Dirk Tanner, a rugged rancher who makes it his home.

Rachel isn’t the only San Franciscan newly drawn to the Elk Horn Valley. Jake Rierdon, son of a San Francisco client, has taken a shine to ranch life too--and to beautiful young Emily Walker. But will threats from the present and the past destroy any chance the couples have to build a future?  

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After inheriting her family’s lighthouse and mansion, heiress Julia Rierdon--sister of Jake Rierdon (Refuge)--travels to the coast of Maine to restore the estate and turn it into a lavish inn. Temporarily separated from her wealthy fiancé, Julia turns to a mysterious stranger for assistance.

Motorcycle-riding handyman Trevor Kenbridge is gorgeous, infuriating…and just the man she needs to help her prepare her inn. Could he also be the right man to claim her heart?
 

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Also linking up to: The Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday



 

Happy Reading!