Happy Homemaker Monday~ 1/27/2025

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello and Happy Monday!!!!!

And just like that we're on the last Monday of January 2025.

February is going to be bitter-sweet for me.  Yes, we've (almost) made it through January, but on Sunday, February 2nd my little Groundhog Baby turns 18 years old!  Where have the years gone?  The hubby and I will have our 25th dating anniversary in March, Kaylee turns 24 in June and Laken is days away from being 18.  Our little family is grown up and I'm feeling a bit emotional thinking about it...so...

Let's get this show on the road :)

The weather outside is:

A touch warmer than last week.  Actually, a lot warmer than last week...lol!  Schools in our area were either closed or delayed for 3 days last week due to the cold temperatures.  Well, I guess I should say schools were "virtual".

On today's to-do list:

**I'm typing this on Sunday afternoon/evening (for reference).**

I work 10a-5p.  Other than that it should be a fairly normal day of trying to get back into the routine of the week.

Happening this week:

I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10a-5p.

Wednesday is my SIL, Kelly's, birthday.  Any ideas what I can give to her as a birthday gift?

Thursday evening is zoom meeting night for the Good for the Soul Women's Book Club.  I have a whole post about our February 2025 book selection, you can check that out HERE.  But first, I have to finish listening to January's book!

Saturday, we'll be celebrating Laken's birth.  We're thinking of getting dressed up and taking her out to a nice restaurant in the evening.

Sunday, we'll be celebrating Laken's birthday.  I'm not sure what we'll do on her actual birthday other than have cake at Church for her.  Any good ideas?

Currently reading:

I wrote on Friday's "My Weekly Bookishness" post that I've finally discovered listening to audio-books.  "The Librarian of Boone's Hollow" by Kim Vogel Sawyer is my first ever audio-book.  It is the January 2025 book club selection and as I mentioned above, I need to finish it before 8pm on Thursday.  I only have a few more hours to listen to so I "think" I'll make it.  

Listening to:

"Oh Death" by MercyMe debuted on KLOVE radio a few days ago and they played it every hour at the top of the hour.  I love it!  Let me know what you think.  Enjoy :)

Watching:

NFL Championship games.  By the time you read this it will probably be decided what teams will be playing in the Super Bowl.  At this point, 5:06pm on Sunday, it isn't looking good for my nephew's team the Commanders.  They are down 15-27.

The hubby has recommended that I catch up on the past 2 seasons of "Reacher" so that I can watch season 3 with him when it airs.  I've 2 episodes in and look forward to watching more.

In the Kitchen:

I haven't spent much time in the kitchen creating this past week but Laken and Nate made Cookie Monster Cookies.  They, of course, were blue :)

In the Craft Basket:

I've been working away in my "off" time on items for the Spring Fling Vendor show happening in the beginning of April.  Last week I completed all 16 Mabel Chickens that I wanted to get made.  4 Gray Loaf Cats.  1 Ivory Loaf Cat.  And 1 Yellow Peep Bunny.  Shown below are the Ivory Loaf Cat and the Yellow Peep Bunny.  

Let me know what you think of the Peep.  Should I make more as it will be a Spring Fling show a few weeks before Easter.  Or should I just make yellow, green and purple Leggy Frogs?

Picture(s) from the Camera

Prayer Requests

~Winter traveling safety.

~I need to get into a good routine of work, home and self-care.  I've been a bit scattered lately and need to find my self-discipline again.  Pray for me as I work on this.  (continued)

~As always, prayers for the safety and well-being of all school/college kids.  (continued)

~Our Country, our Leaders.  (continued)

Bible Verse

"Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."

James 4:10

Have a great week!

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 9/16/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello and HAPPY Monday.

I had a lovely week of reading, crocheting, blogging and homemaking.

Here's to the week ahead!

The weather outside is:

It was a little bit warmer Sunday but it looks like some lovely temperatures are ahead.  It could stay in the 70F's all year long, in my opinion!

On today's to-do list:

I'm hoping for a fairly uneventful day of homemaking.  I got the floors and laundry done Saturday so it should just be the daily tasks such as cooking and dishes, etc., etc., etc.

Happening this week:

Tuesday is our 24th Wedding Anniversary!  I want to make the hubby a Cream Puff Cake since it is his favorite dessert.

Other than that, it should be a fairly normal week with the usual suspects of daily activities.

Currently reading:

I'm currently reading "One Last Shot" by Susan May Warren who is one of my favorite authors.  This book is my 7th read of September 2024.  To see more about my reading week, please go HERE to check out My Weekly Bookishness post!

I'm catching up on my Goodreads Challenge which is exciting.  Are we friends on Goodreads?  You can find my Goodreads profile HERE.

Listening to:

Every day is a beautiful gift from God!  Enjoy :)

Watching:

Laken and Nate went with Nate's mom, Natasha, to the WVU vs Pitt football game on Saturday.  We don't normally watch college football, but knowing that they were there inspired us to put the game on.  Then Sunday was the Steelers game.

Hallmark-esque movies.

Booktubers that I've discovered recently and also some favorite homemaking/sewing youtubers.

In the Kitchen:

Laken requested Beef Stew for dinner so Beef Stew she got.  While the meat was in the pressure cooker getting tender, the time was spent peeling and chopping potatoes, carrots, celery and onions.  I made biscuits to go along with the Stew.

On Tuesday, I made Banana Cupcakes with some bananas that were getting overly ripe.  I doubled the recipe so I ended up taking what was left to Wednesday Prayer Meeting/Bible Study to share.

I also baked Chocolate Chunk Brownies this week but I didn't get a picture.  This week, I'm planning on making a Spice Cake with Homemade Fluffy Icing.

In the Craft Basket:

I have 17/35 blocks finished for the Japanese Fields Afghan.  Last week I was at 9/35 blocks completed so I've made some progress.  Just half a block away from being 50% complete.

I made it a point to weave in all the ends of the blocks I had already completed and have been keeping up with it as I finish each square.  For some reason, it is always satisfying to see the little pile of ends :)

It is also satisfying to see a nice, tidy stack of blocks.  

I thought I'd see how the blocks would look laid out.  I'll probably join the squares with Ivory and then crochet the border out of all three colors.  I'm still debating what to do with the finished Afghan...

Picture(s) from the Camera

We got two HUGE mums Saturday and got them planted.  We bought them at a little road-side stand and they were only 2 for $15.  Considering W-Mart wanted over $6 for one half the size, I think we got a deal :)  The hubby planted them and they are beautiful.

We celebrated our Anniversary a few days early with breakfast (my choice) at Coal Miner's Diner in Jennerstown, PA.  The portions were big and the food was great.  It was the first time we had eaten there although I'd been wanting to try it for a few years.  It is a bit of a drive to get there but now I'd like to go back and try something other than the breakfast menu.  Their specials look amazing!

My handsome breakfast date :)

I decorated the bookcase above my desk for Fall.  Nothing fancy, but I got a few leaf garlands and a Pumpkin Spice candle.  I can only have the candle burning while I'm sitting at my desk because I'm afraid one of the cats will try to get at it.  It is currently burning while I type this post and it smells delicious.  I think I'll get and Apple candle next.

Speaking of the cats, look how big Oliver has gotten!  He's almost as big as Flynn who is 2 years older than Ollie.  Laken was dangling a cat toy above him so that we could get a picture of him sitting still.  He is a very busy kitten!

Prayer Requests

~By the time you are reading this post, Kaylee should be in Orlando for her work conference.  I'd appreciate your continued prayers for safety and traveling mercies!

~Laken is now taking 4 college courses.  Please pray that she does well with them and that she stays healthy.  (continued)

~As always, prayers for the safety and well-being of all school/college kids.  (continued)

~Our Country, our Leaders and the Election coming in November.  (continued)

~Please pray that I get a start date soon for my new job.  It is a state position and they can sometimes be slow moving.

Bible Verse

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8  ERV

Have a great week!

Colletta

Happy Homemaker ~ 7/23/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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I realize it is Tuesday but I wanted to post about being a Happy Homemaker today.

I used to participate in this linkup on a weekly basis before becoming a working wife/mom.  Working outside the home, that is.  But then, I was feeling a little odd because I wasn't considering myself a homemaker in the traditional sense of the word.  Because I had an outside job.

HOWEVER, I've recently had a change of heart.  For one thing, I'm still a homemaker doing all the homemaker things.  I still have a heart for home.  So here I am.  Writing this post and hoping that I'm welcome.

When I went back to work 2 years ago, I was working full-time in an office.  I had a very rigid schedule and even though I had PTO I still felt very STUCK in my work schedule.  About a month ago, I decided that full-time working wasn't, well, working.  For me, at least.  I decided to resign that very lucrative but time-consuming position and look for a part-time job.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago I started working at my current position of a Customer Assistance Associate (AKA cashier) at a local market.  I know it doesn't sound like the most glamorous job but it is flexible and part-time.  Time will tell if it is the job for me physically, financially and most-of-all mentally!  At this point I'm praying for daily guidance and strength and would appreciate your prayers as well.

Okay!  Enough of that!

Let's get on with today's Happy Homemaker :)

The weather outside is:

It has been SO hot and dry here in Southern Pennsylvania for the past many, many weeks.  The grass is brown and crunchy because it is so dry.  We have gotten a few sporadic showers the past few days but nothing like what we need.

On today's to-do list: 

This is day 2 of a 4-day work stretch.  So far I've only worked 2-3 days in a row.  Standing the whole shift and being VERY busy makes for a long 6 hours with only a 15 minute break.  I actually don't mind working 4 days in a row because I then have a 4 day "vacation"!

~Work 10am-4pm

~Devotions

~Supper

~Sweep floors

Happening this week:

As mentioned, I still have 2 more days to work this week.  I work 7am-1pm Wednesday and Thursday, but then I'm off for 4 days.  I had requested Friday off because we are going camping Thursday and Friday night.  Getting Saturday, Sunday and Monday off were a bonus.  The only thing I'm concerned about is that when I come back from "vacation", I work 5 days in a row.  My feet are going to be killing me!  lol

Other than camping, we'll still have to grocery shop and do laundry probably Saturday afternoon/evening.  Grocery shopping could probably wait until Monday but not the laundry.

I also need to make an appointment with Laken's guidance counselor to make sure everything is in place for ...SENIOR YEAR!  Laken is going to be doing what is called "Senior Challenge" which is basically taking a few morning classes in school and then leaving early to work on college courses.  The college courses are what we need assistance with the most.  Hopefully the counselor can schedule us to see her on Monday as well.

Currently reading:

I've been ever so slowly reading "Living Slower" by Merissa A. Alink.  I'm on chapter 7 and am enjoying the book but it has just taken a back burner to everything else that has been going on.  Chapter 7 is about creating a useful space which we are currently doing.  We took part of the rather large Family Room and built a small Storage Room.  I can't believe the difference it has made.  The Storage Room is still full of bins and boxes that need to be gone through but the Family Room and Our Bedroom are so much more pleasing to the eye.  I don't feel like the clutter is taking over.  The hubby has worked so hard on this project and I really appreciate his effort!

Listening to:

Anne Wilson was actually at a County Fair near me last Wednesday evening.  I really wish I could have made it to the concert.  I haven't been to a concert in YEARS!  Anne's album is named "REBEL" so I wanted to listen to the title track.  I'm glad I did!  Are you a REBEL?  Enjoy :)

Watching:

We finally finished up Season 1 of Tracker and I'm excited that the network has renewed the show for at least another season.

We've been watching a lot of Hallmark-ish  movies on Freevee.  They're actually pretty good.  Maybe even better than Hallmark because there is a bigger variety of actors.

I'm still debating if I'm going to be watching the Steelers play football this year.  Pre-season will be ramping up pretty soon.

Youtube videos from a few favorites

On the menu today:

Salisbury Steak, Noodles, Veggie and Strawberries

In the Craft Basket:

I need to pick a new project to start as I don't have any going at the moment.  I'm open to crochet suggestions!

Picture from the Camera

Oliver is getting so big!

Bible Verse

"The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:9 NASB

Have a great week!

Colletta

Hello Monday ~ 7/8/2024

 

Holly & Sarah

I didn't post a Friday Favorites to highlight the happenings of last week so I'm going to squeeze my Hello Monday and Friday Favorites together today.  Maybe I should call it Monday Favorites and leave it at that :)

I want to make mention that July 3rd was my Dad's 77th birthday!  Happy Birthday, Dad!  He wanted Chinese food for his birthday supper and I made him a Cream Puff Cake with sugar free pudding so that he could actually eat it!  I asked him how it felt to be 77 years old and he said he felt the same as the day before :)

On July 4th, our Independence Day here in the USA, we spent most of the day reorganizing the Family Room, our Bedroom and the new Storage Room that I mentioned we were building in last week's post!  We have the Bedroom pretty much situated and the Storage Room is almost at its max already.  We still have a few totes full of miscellaneous items sitting in the Family Room that we need to go through and purge to finish up.  Once we get done, I think it is going to be a really good transformation.

For our 4th of July Celebration, we went to my Aunt Donna's and Uncle Charlie's house around 7pm.  We were supposed to get there around 6-6:30ish but until we got finished working for the day and cleaned up (remember:  we had no AC) we were the last ones to get there.  Everyone was still eating the yummy picnic food so no harm done!  When it got closer to dark, Uncle Charlie and Brian, my cousin, started setting off the pre-firework fireworks :)  Brian's little girl, Audrey, who REALLY wanted to have fireworks ended up being completely afraid of the loud noises.  The hubby and I volunteered to take her inside to watch the fireworks out the window where she was much happier.  It was fun talking to a little one as she is only 2 years old.  When the fireworks were over, Audrey was sad and wanted more!  We had a fun and enjoyable celebration :)

Friday was orientation for my new part-time job.  It was a long day of watching videos, learning about the company and signing authorizations and policies.

A good thing happened though!  While I was at orientation, our AC unit came!  Whooot Whooot!  A whole week early and I am ever so thankful.  We actually had to turn the AC off last night because it was making the bedroom a little TOO chilly!  What a problem to have :) 

The hubby took Oliver to the vet Friday for his last set of kitten vaccinations.  He had grown so much in the past 3 weeks that the vet tech re-weighed him to make sure she had read the scale right.  He is definitely losing his baby kitten look.

My goal for this week, other than actually training for my new job, is to take more pictures!  I was doing really good for a while and then life started flying by.  I want to try to slow things down a bit.  I'm actually reading a book right now called "Living Slower" by Merissa A. Alink.  It has lots of good information and I'm getting ready to start reading about how organization and routines can help a person live slower which I REALLY need.

Well, I think that is enough rambling for now.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead :)

Colletta

Hello Monday ~ 5/27/2024

 

Holly & Sarah

I want to take a moment before getting into my Hello Monday post to REMEMBER and HONOR all the brave men and women who gave his/her life so that we could be free.  I think sometimes we look at this day only as a reason for a three-day-weekend and don't truly remember and honor the ones who so greatly deserve it.  So make sure to pause for a moment Monday or whatever day you may be reading this and be grateful.

With all that being said, I am super grateful and excited to have this three-day-weekend.  It is Sunday night as I write this post and it feels so good to still have another day off to look forward to!  I'll let you know how we spend our Memorial Day in my Friday Favorites post (make sure you stop back) but for now I'll share our weekend adventures.

I came home Friday from work and was greeted by these two wrestling.  Oliver and Flynn are so funny together!  I couldn't help myself, I had to snap this picture and share it!  It cracks me up :)

Laken finished up her AP Language class which was her last class of Junior year.  Does that mean I have a Senior???

Every year, on the last day of school, we eat out to celebrate finishing up another school year.  This year Laken decided that she wanted Cracker Barrel.  Only my youngest daughter would order a hot chocolate on an 85F day  :)

The hubby likes to play the peg game at Cracker Barrel.  I don't know the technical name of the game, but I do know that the hubby cheats so that he's not a "plain old ignoramus"!

We went grocery shopping Saturday morning and we couldn't pass up these gorgeous orange Dahlias.  The hubby loves orange flowers and something about these really caught my eye as well.

One the way home, we once again saw the geese by the pond near our house.  Look how much the babies have grown just from when I posted about them last weekend!

Saturday afternoon/evening we stopped by Kaylee and Shawn's.  We spent some time looking at their newly planted garden and the flowers that are coming back up from last year.  Kaylee had just got her hair cut and was worried I would think it was too short but I think it suits her and she looks beautiful no matter what!

They have a Mock Orange Bush that reminds me so much of my Gram.  Gram loved plants and flowers and had a Mock Orange off the back porch.  I think the new owners of her house cut it down, which makes me very sad.  Moving on to happier things!

My grandpuppy, Dahlia, hated that we were outside and she was inside the house.  I made sure to say hi to her before we left.  She is a Great Dane and is such a lover!  Sweet, sweet Dahl Baby!

Aunt Donna and Uncle Charlie invited us to dinner that evening so we took corn-on-the cob to contribute to the meal.  It was our first corn-on-the-cob of the season which is always exciting!  What was even sweeter was getting the corn 10 ears for $2 at Weis.  That price is unheard of these days!  I wish we would have gotten more, to tell you the truth.

Aunt Donna had these cute little piggy corn-on-the-cob stickers.  I had to snap a picture of the hubby using them.

When we got home after dinner, we watched 2 epidsodes of Tracker.  We still have 2 more episodes to watch to get caught up.  It might even be over the season.  If so, we'll have to find another show to watch before bed.  Any suggestions?

Sunday morning we got up and the hubby made us cinnamon rolls for breakfast before Church.  He usually either makes us cinnamon rolls or muffins.  They are out of a can or a mix but I appreciate it SO much.  He's a sweetheart and I love him so much.

When we got home from Church it was time to catch up on some housework which included laundry, dishes and floors.  I had dumped the clean clothes in a pile on the bed and came back to find Oliver "helping".  He did not like me moving the clothes and messing up his little cocoon.  I tried to not disturb him, but I really wanted to get done with the housework and sit on my swing for a bit.

Which reminds me...I didn't get my swing painted the weekend...BUT, I still have all day Monday.  I'm hoping to pick up the paint when my hubby goes to Lowe's and get it finished before the rains come.  

Finally, I'll leave you with a picture of the beautiful "blue" rose that is blooming right off the back deck where my swing is.  Isn't it gorgeous?

So those were our weekend highlights.  I can't wait to read all about yours!  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead :)

Colletta

Friday Favorites ~ 5/24/2024

 

We did it!  We made it through another work week!  Well, almost, anyway...  I'm so excited to have a 3 day weekend ahead.  But first, let's talk about the past week.

The hubby was on vacation all week and I enjoyed having him home during the nights.  I slept so much better which is weird because he's been on third shift for a long time and before that he worked swing shift.  I should be used to him being at work while I sleep.  There is a chance that he might be able to transfer to first shift but we have to wait and see.  I'm really hoping and praying that it happens.  I think it would be good for us at this stage in our lives.  We'll find out more when he gets back to work on Tuesday.

Monday evening was Nate's Senior Awards Ceremony.  We won't be able to attend graduation because he only has a limited amount of tickets, so we wanted to be at the Awards Ceremony to show our support.  We're very proud of Nate and feel very blessed that Laken has him as part of her life and that he allows us all to be part of his life.

After the Awards Ceremony, we went to a close by ice cream stand called The Penguin.  While waiting for our ice cream we witnessed the strangest thing.  At first I thought it was a normal traffic stop with a state trooper pulling over a speeding car.  Next thing we knew, it was as if we had stepped into an episode of "COPS" !  The car took off and then about 10 police vehicles went flying after it.  We were witnessing a car chase!  It was unreal and a bit unsettling.  What an interesting way to end the evening!

We had a very cool, rainy stretch which was a bit miserable for us but the flowers loved it.  Especially our little rose bush off the back deck.  It has been pitiful the past few years but this year it is going to town!  There are tons of buds and the roses are rich and beautiful.

Now that I'm getting used to my new phone, I am starting to fall in love with it.  Especially the camera!  It is so good that I was able to actually take a picture of a jet flying over as the hubby and I were sitting on the porch swing Tuesday evening.  It was really neat to zoom in on the picture and see the jet "up close".

Wednesday evening, before Bible Study, the cats were playing in the middle of the Family Room floor.  Flynn and Oliver were going crazy!  I took quite a few pictures of them because my camera is so stinking fast!  I picked this picture out because it shows their personalities off the best.  Oliver thinks he's big stuff and Flynn is telling him he's small potatoes.

Thursday morning I woke up with an ear ache :(  I was able to get into my PCP and it was verified that I have an ear infection.  My appointment was at 5pm and the pharmacy closed at 7pm so I made it just in time to pick up my antibiotic.  My PCP also told me that my ear canals were red which indicates allergies and recommended that I use Flonase as it is really good at keeping the ears clear.  I stopped on the way home and picked some up so hopefully I'll be feeling better in no time!

Which brings me to now, Thursday night.  One more day of work for me and one more day of school for Laken before we can enjoy the weekend and the SUMMER!  I'm so excited!  It is supposed to be nice weather  Saturday and Sunday but rain on Monday.

My goal for the weekend is to get my swing repainted before the rains come again.  I still need to pick up the paint so I'll probably do that Saturday morning after Oliver's vet appointment.  I thought I'd add a "before" picture showing the fine job the hubby did replacing some of the boards on my swing.  Good as new!  Hopefully I'll be able to show an "after" picture Monday.

I also hope that everyone has a wonderful long weekend!  Let me know in the comments if you have any special plans or if you have to work the weekend.  I'd love to hear!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Colletta