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

The Good Stuff ~ Before and After Master Bedroom ~ 9/23/2021

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We're getting ready to do a deep clean and decluttering in our Bedroom and Family Room.  The hubby bought us a new bedding set as part of our Anniversary gift and I couldn't wait to put it to use.

Here's the before:

And after some decluttering of the headboard and changing of the bedding, here is the after:

I just love our new quilt and shams!

I can't wait to crawl and and sleep tonight  :)

What has you thankful/smiling/exited this week?  Tell me all the good stuff! 

Colletta

September 2019 ~ Goals

I know.  I know.  September is almost over.

But, I saw someone post an "Autumn Goals" and remembered that my new planner has a Goals page for each month.  At the beginning of September, I jotted down a few goals so I thought I'd share them here each month as well.

Without further ado:  My September Goals!

~Have a Daily Devotion Time
~Lose 8.4 lbs for the 3% Challenge
~Celebrate our 19th Anniversary
~Finish Brian and Rachel's Wedding Afghan
~Finish Layna Bee's Baby Blanket
~Make an appt for an Eye Exam and get new contacts
~Start growing hair out
~Get a new Planner


I'll be back next week with some updates and some October Goals.

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 9/20/18

~Happy 18th Anniversary to the Hubby and me!  Monday was 18 years since we said our vows.  We didn't do anything special to celebrate.  We had dinner with the family, made a quick trip to Wal-Mart and did homework.  But the Hubby took the day off work and we spent the whole day together.  Wasn't that sweet?  It was a very good day!

~Laken finally got to cheer at her first Flag Football Game on Saturday!  The rain held off for a while and she had so much fun.  We always enjoy watching her cheer and it was interesting to watch my first ever Flag Football Game.  Laken also had a Pep Rally at school and got to watch the 7th and 8th grade Cheerleaders do a dance routine and cheer.  She is more in love with Cheering than ever and can't wait until  next year to be on the official school squad!

~The new Fall shows start next week!  There are so many new shows that I want to set up to DVR so that I don't miss any.  I'm also looking forward to watching some of the older shows that I love.  Speaking of TV, did anyone catch the Pittsburgh VS Kansas City Football game last Sunday?  I hope things start looking up soon!

~I wrote my 3000th blog post!  I've been blogging for 9 years and have written over 3000 posts.  Thanks for tagging along!

~Kaylee's is writing a new blog to journal through her Gap Year.  I'd love for you to check it out and give her a follow :)  Kay's Gap Year

~Finally, I need some advice!  For my long-time followers, you might remember that we built an addition with a Family Room and a Master Bedroom.  When we were painting the walls, I just wanted it done and we painted everything white with chocolate brown trim.  Now I'm thinking I want to paint our Bedroom an actual COLOR!  I'm debating between a pale yellow, a calm/cool/fresh gray or maybe something entirely different.  Any suggestions?

What are you thankful for today?

 

Colletta



15 Years Ago ~ 9/16/15

15 years ago, today, I was still a young, unmarried woman.

 

15 years ago, tomorrow, these pictures were taken.



 

It was the happiest day of my life.

 

 

Then we went to Disney World!



 

Then, we had two beautiful girls.

 

 

My life is complete :)

 

 Here's to 15 more, Babe!

Also linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday .

 

LIsticles ~ Happy Anniversary Babe! ~ 9/17/12

I am so excited about this week's theme "10 Things Wedding" because today just happens to be mine and the hubby's:

 12th Wedding Anniversary!!!!

Whoot, whoot!

"Top 10 Reasons I Married My Man"

1.  Wuv, Twue Wuv!  (Shout out to one of my favorite movies of all time: "The Princess Bride"!)

2.  His sweet, velvety kisses....sigh...

3.  His chocolate brown eyes...swoon....

4.  He treated me like a queen.  (And still does.)

5.  He lived 3 hours away and I only got to see him on the weekends.  So sad...

6.  I was miserable when we were apart.  (Just ask my parents about the phone bill.)

7.  I knew he'd be a great dad.  (And I was right!)

8.  I don't believe in pre-marital sex and it was just getting plain too hard to resist!  lol

9.  I wanted to be with him forever.  (And still do!)

10.  I knew deep down in my heart that God had picked him out just for me.

Now I feel all sappy and gooey inside :)

And for your viewing pleasure:



Happy Anniversary, Babe!