Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 11/25/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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

Hello and HAPPY Monday.

I want to take a moment to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving (here in the U.S.A.)!  It is going to be a short, but busy, week for me and I wanted to let everyone of you know how thankful I am that you've taken a moment out of your day to stop by and visit :) 

Now, here's to the week ahead!

The weather outside is:

We had our first snow on Thursday/Friday of last week!  It didn't stay long but it made it's presence known.  I'm not sure if I'm ready for the cold/snow/ice..I better get ready, I guess :)  The 7 Day Forecast is starting the week off with weather that doesn't look too bad but by the end of the week, we're going to feel the COLD!

On today's to-do list:

I don't work at my part-time job today so I'm planning on being a homebody.  I have bills to send, laundry to fold and Christmas market prepping to do.

Happening this week:

I only work Tuesdsay (CPR Training) and Wednesday this week.  My job seems to be going well and I'm getting settled in and more familiar with my daily tasks.  I want to shout-out to my wonderful co-workers:  Janice, Julie, Bridget, Sydney and Kay!  I truly believe that the people you work with make the job either pleasant or unpleasant and so far it has been great.  I'm a bit nervous about the CPR training on Tuesday, but I guess I'll be alright...  Hopefully!

THANKSGIVING!  We're having dinner at my brother and sister-in-law's house as we've done the past several years.  Kelly (my SIL) has been working crazy hours so I hope she can enjoy the time off of work.  

BLACK FRIDAY!  Laken is really looking forward to going to Altoona shopping on Black Friday and braving the crowds.  I doubt we'll go at the crack of dawn but probably head out around 8am.  Hopefully we'll still get some deals.  

Currently reading:

***I'm going to be starting to read "Better Watch Out" by Natalie Walters for a book club that will be meeting on November 21st.  It is described as "a suspense that happens at Christmas-time".  I'm looking forward to diving in!***

Thankfully, the book club meeting has been moved to November 27th, as I didn't get the book read yet.  I'm still going to do my best to read it and join in with the discussion.

Listening to:

While market prepping, I listened to this video on how to Bible journal.  Enjoy!

Watching:

The hubby, Laken, Nate and I actually went to the movie theater Saturday night!  We saw Gladiator II.  It was a good movie but I'm not sure if it beats out the original Gladiator with Russell Crowe.  We went to Chik-Fil-A afterward.  We had a good time.  Next we want to see Moana 2.  It comes out on Wednesdsay, but I don't know if we'll make it back to the theater so soon to see it this coming weekend.

In the Kitchen:

I've been very mediocre in the kitchen lately.  I've not created anything out of the ordinary to share.  The hubby did pick up a 1/2 bushel of apples for $5 at the farmers market, so we're planning on making apple dumplings sometime soon.

In the Craft Basket:

As mentioned, I've been working on items for the Christmas vendor show coming up on December 14th.  I've made about 25 ornaments and have been making some crocheted toys as well.  Some of the items I've made are kittens, octopuses, snowmen/women, turtles, frogs, and granny square chickens.  I'll add a picture if I get the chance. 

Picture(s) from the Camera

A painting Kaylee created to sell at the vendor show.

Prayer Requests

~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.

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

~Our Country, our Leaders.  (continued)

Bible Verse

"The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.  LORD, Your faithful love endures forever; do no abandon the work of Your hands."  Psalm 138:8

Have a great week!

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 6/6/2022

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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

Hello, and Happy Monday!

The weather outside is:

Another gorgeous week ahead :)

On today's to-do list: 

We had a busy weekend full of great family time.  That means not much got done around the house.  I'll be doing my normal weekly cleaning or as the Fly Lady calls it "Home Blessing" :)

Happening this week:

Thursday is the hubby's 54th birthday!  He took Friday off work so we'll probably be going to see the new Jurassic World movie that comes out that same day.  First, though, I need to watch the 2nd movie of the Jurassic World series or I'll probably be lost!

Next week is Church Camp, so I don't know how much I'll be posting next week.  I'm helping with the Youth and also with the cooking.  I'm going to be busy, busy, busy!

Currently reading:

"The Rose Garden" by Susanna Kearsley is the Kindred Readers Book Club selection for July.  I started reading last week but didn't get very far yet.  I'm enjoying it but I'm finding that I am reading slower when I'm trying to come up with discussion questions.  I'm hoping to finish up before Church Camp.

Watching:

We watched "The Lost City" with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum.  It was hilarious!  I laughed out loud many times.  I think we watched it on Paramount.

I set up y DVR to record a show on HGTV called something along the lines of "The Beach Project" (????).  I'm looking forward to watching it soon.

Listening to:

This week for "Songs on Sunday" I featured "The Healing" by Blanca and Dante Bowe.  I hope you'll check it out :) 

On the menu today:

Creamed Chipped Beef, Biscuits

In the Craft Basket:

I've been working on Sunny Blue Hawaii 2 and have made some progress.  I have two rows all tied off and crocheted together.  Only 49 squares to go!  Whooohooo :) 

Picture from the Camera

Memory Verse

"Rejoice in the LORD always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The LORD is near.  Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:4-7

#P31OBS

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 6/2/2022

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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

~We went to the theater Friday afternoon to see the move "Top Gun Maverick".  While I'm not a huge fan of Tom Cruise (personally), we LOVED this movie!  It was so good.  I even think it might have been better than the original "Top Gun".  Yep, I said it :)

~Saturday, we went to a local-ish amusement park called Delgrosso's.  My brother and sister-in-law got us all season passes for Christmas!  It was only about 66F, so the water park section was bare and it actually wasn't as busy at the ride's as I thought it would be for Opening Weekend.  

Afterwards,we stopped by the mall and Laken got her ears pierced.  She's been wanting her second piercing for a while now and we promised that if she got her school work done on time, she could get them.  She is one happy camper :)

~Sunday we had a graduation party to go to at Shawnee (our local state park).  It started at 4pm but we decided to go up right after morning Church to spend some time together by the lake.  It was such a gorgeous day, weekend really!

~The girls did some tie-dyeing on Memorial Day (I'm actually wearing my new shirt right now ;)  They had each gotten a large kit of tie-dye supplies for Easter and finally had some time to spend creating :)

~I promised last week that I would get some pictures of Kaylee's house with her flowers.  Here they are :)

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 5/30/2022

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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

Hello, and Happy Monday!

The weather outside is:

This weekend was BEAUTIFUL and Memorial Day is supposed to be GORGEOUS!  I don't even mind the thunderstorms here and there :)

On today's to-do list: 

We're having a cookout at my brother's house.  He's been working so hard to get their pool ready and even got a heat pump for the pool!  It is going to be lovely :)

Other than being Memorial Day, we are celebrating my nephew getting into the Tech Center for his first choice of Graphics and celebrating Laken finishing up her school work!  They both worked so hard!

Happening this week:

Proberbs 31's Summer Online Bible Study, "Fighting Words", starts Tuesday, May 31st.  It isn't too late to join in!

Wednesday, June 1st, The Kindred Readers Book Club will be starting to read and discuss "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel.  Come join us!

Currently reading:

"The Rose Garden" by Susanna Kearsley is the Kindred Readers Book Club selection for July.  I like to read ahead and get the discussion questions ready.  I'm just getting ready to start reading this.

Watching:

We went to the theater to see "Top Gun Maverick" and it was AMAZING!  If you get a chance (and liked Top Gun) you really should go see it in the theater.  Great movie.

We recently got Paramount Plus so I think we'll probably be watching "1883" soon.  If you have Paramount Plus, is there anything we should watch?

Listening to:

This week for "Songs on Sunday" I featured "Let the Light In" by Joshua Micah.  I hope you'll check it out :) 

On the menu today:

Burgers, Hotdogs

In the Craft Basket:

I've been working on Sunny Blue Hawaii 2 but don't have any updated pictures.  I have probably 10-15 squares completed so far.

Picture from the Camera

Memory Verse

"But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them."

Psalm 103: 17-18

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 5/26/2022

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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

~The hubby got the cats a new toy :)  They LOVE it!  All night long I hear the little bells inside the balls jingling!

~My Mom and I went to a Ladies Tea hosted by a sister congregation about an hour from home.  It was nice to spend some time together and with other like-minded Christian women.  After the tea, we stopped at Eat-n-Park for dinner.  We haven't gone out, just the two of us, in YEARS!  We did get Laken some Smiley cookies to bring home to her :)

~While Mom and I were at the Ladies Tea, the hubby, Laken and my Dad went to see the new Dr. Strange movie.  (Not my cuppa tea!)  Afterwards, they went to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Laken sent me some hilarious pictures of her Pap.  This is my favorite:

~I missed Church Sunday due to a stomach bug.  The hubby had it first and then passed it on to me!  Something I'd rather he hadn't shared!  Not a fun thing but I am feeling better now :)   I'm just hoping I was the end of the line for it in the family!

~Laken is DONE with 9th GRADE!!!!  It was a rough year of cyber schooling full medical tests and being sick which put her VERY behind by January.  After getting some relief by limiting Lactose and using Lactaid, she had a lot of work to catch up on.  I am so proud of the late nights, weekends and holidays that she worked on her schoolwork instead of having fun.  I am so glad that summer is here and I bet she is 10X as glad as I am!  Time to PARTY :)

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Blogging Challenge ~ Best Book, Movie or TV Show from 2021 ~ 1/26/2022

This week's topic is:  

Best Book, Movie or TV Show From 2021:

I think I'm going to pick Best MOVIE from 2021 to share about today.

And that would be...

ENCANTO!

Here's the trailer for your viewing pleasure and in case you aren't familiar with this Disney movie:

Since this move came to Disney+, we've watched it countless times already.

The music is tremendously addicting!  I even read somewhere that "We Don't Talk About Bruno" has surpassed "Let It Go!" from Frozen.  Don't know if this is true but it is pretty catchy!

I also love the family aspect of this movie.  They have to work together as a family to accomplish their goals.  Great life lesson!

What do you think was the best movie of 2021?  

Colletta

Tuesday 4 ~ The Wild West ~ 9/7/2021

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

Let's talk about The Wild West!

1. Do you have a favorite TV western you enjoyed? Tell us about it.

I remember really liking the "Young Riders" about, well, young riders who rode for the Pony Express.

2. Lots of western movies... which was one you enjoyed? 

I think one of my favorites was "Young Guns 1, 2, and 3".  Ohhh...also "Maverick" with Mel Gibson and Charles Gardner!

3. John Wayne was in many westerns and had many fans. What actor is your favorite?

John Wayne does come to mind as a favorite actor in westerns.  I especially like "McClintock" with Maureen O'Hara and also "North to Alaska".

4. You are going to have to move to a western state that has cowboys! Which state will you choose and why?

I have no idea!  I'm pretty satisfied with my place in the world with my very own redneck :)

Colletta

Tuesday 4 ~ Entertainment ~ 6/29/2021

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

1. Do you have an actor or actress whose movies you hate to miss?

Not really anymore although I do enjoy Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway.

2. Is there a movie or TV program you could watch over and over again?

"The Sound of Music", "Braveheart", "The Patriot", "King and I".  All good ones!

3. Do you have a list of books or magazines you are hoping to read over the summer? Would you share it with us?  Bonus: do you make a cuppa something or a snack when you read?

I have a full Kindle Unlimited account of 10 books that I'd like to get to if I ever find time to read this summer.  We've been so busy that I've not even picked up my Kindle in weeks!  Diet Dr. Pepper is my drink of choice :)  I try not to snack when I read because it can become mindless eating and before I know it I've gone overboard.

4.  What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

I mostly listen to Contemporary Christian music, but when the mood strikes I do enjoy Country.

Colletta

Blogging Challenge ~ Most Romantic Book or Movie Ever ~ 2/10/2021

This week's topic is:  

Most Romantic Book or Movie Ever:

I seriously didn't know how I was ever going to write about this topic.  I mean, I've read so many romantic books.  After all, my favorite genre is romance!

So, I decided against trying to narrow my choice down to one book and instead decided to write about the "Most Romantic Movie Ever".  The fact that it was a book first isn't lost on me.  However, I haven't read the book, so I'm going to be focusing on the movie.

Without further ado my choice for this topic is:

The Longest Ride 

Released:  2015

Rated PG-13

When I was brainstorming romantic movies, my husband actually suggested "The Longest Ride".  If a man thought it was romantic, it must be romantic!  (He then went on to suggest "The Water Boy", but I digress...  lol)

After thinking about this movie for a few minutes, I had to agree that it was extremely romantic.  But, for more reasons than what you may think.

Yes, it stars Scott Eastwood and he's a cowboy!  (oh, baby!)  Yes, it is based on a Nicholas Sparks book (instant romantic hit).  Yes, the main characters, Sophia and Luke, fall in love (it wouldn't be very romantic if they didn't).

However, the part of the movie that really drew me in were the scenes with Ruth and Ira.  I don't know if it was the time period, the costumes or the love letters but their story was so very romantic!

I loved the dual timeline of the movie.  I loved everything about this movie!  The fact that it is a tear-jerker makes it all the more spectacular.  And the ending!  Ah, the ending was such sweet sorrow.  I loved every minute of this movie.

If you haven't seen "The Longest Ride", I suggest watching the trailer below and then finding some way to stream the movie because you're going to want to watch it!

Honorable Romantic Movie Mentions:

The Lake House

The Notebook

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

So, what do you think is the most romantic book or movie ever?  

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Tuesday 4 ~ 3/17/20

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

This week is just some odds and end type questions..

                                 

1.   Ever been to a Drive In Theater? Would you like to see Drive In Theaters make a come back?   

I can remember as a child going to the Drive In Theater.  I can see them coming back during this time of "social distancing".

2.  Should towns provide community entertainment like 
bands in the park, fireworks on the 4rth, community picnics or is the cost just too much?

I think these things are very good and worthwhile.  It builds a sense of community that is being lost.

3.  What would you change about your town if you had the power?

I wish we had a gym instead of having to drive 30 minutes to a larger town to go to their Planet Fitness. 
4. My  little high school offered 3 courses of education:  Business, University track and General education where you could also major in shop , carpentry, home economics and metal working, etc.
 
Would you like to see schools bring back business courses, shop classes and home
economics?

My daughter's middle school still provides all these courses, although I know it is not the norm anymore.  I think these courses are essential to a student's education, because most don't get the instruction that they need at home.

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 1/9/20

 

Here are some things that made me smile this week:

 

~Little Women!  Laken and I went to see the new Little Women movie at the theater.  Little Women is one of my all time favorite books and I loved the older version of the movie.  This newer version comes in a close second but that might be because I'm partial to the older, more-to-the-book version.  This new movie has flashbacks and moves at a totally different pace.  I loved it :)

~Goodreads Challenge 2019!  I finished up the Goodreads Challenge 2019 on December 30, 2019 with 26 books read.  I was cutting it down to the wire!  For 2020, I'm once again setting my goal at 26 books but I've already read 2 books toward my goal and am "secretly" hoping to read 52 books this year:  1 a week :)

~Christmas Cleanup!  I love Christmastime, don't get me wrong, but when all the decoration are put away and everything cleaned up I truly feel like a New Year is upon us with all things clean and fresh :)

~Skipbo with the Hubby!  I was bored one evening during break and talked the hubby into playing Skipbo with me.  Just the two of us.  The first hand I dealt 30 cards and the hubby one ruthlessly!  The second hand I only dealt 10 cards and I won ruthlessly!  It was fun to spend some quality time :)

~Back at It!  I'm full speed ahead on my health, fitness and wellness goals.  I'm tracking my food and getting in the exercise.  Tuesday was so pretty that Kaylee and I went outside to walk.  It was still a bit chilly but the sun was shining and I was soaking in the Vitamin D!  When the weather doesn't permit a walk outside, I've been using the new-to-me treadmill that I got for $50 :)


What made you smile this week? 

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 12/26/19

 

Here are some things that made me smile this week:

 

 

~Christ!  I read through the Book of Luke during December and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  It definitely helped me to remember the real "reason for the season".  The Messiah was born in a lowly stable to grow up and die for the forgiveness of my sins.  I couldn't be more thankful!  Merry Christmas, everyone!  :)

~Candyland!  Laken decided to make up candy bags for her school friends.  That meant a trip to Candyland.  Do you have a Candyland near you?  If not, it is row upon row of bulk candies of all types.  It was fun to dig my hands into the candy and then watch Laken as she divvied it up into gift bags.  I'm so glad that she has made so many good friends at her new-ish school :)

~Christmas Books!  I've been in a fiction slump for months but decided to get a Love Inspired Suspense Christmas book at Wal-Mart to read.  I think I found my love for fiction again!  The hubby and I stopped at Goodwill to kill some time one day this week and I found 2 more Love Inspired Christmas books for $0.99 each!  I'm enjoying my Christmassy reading time :)

~Christmas Caroling!  Our Church always goes Christmas Caroling the Sunday evening before Christmas.  This year was no different.  I thought it was going to be warmer this year as it was in the 40F's when we left our house.  Nope!  We froze our noses and toes just about off!  We had so much fun walking around the neighborhood near the Church and then going back to the Church to have Hot Chocolate and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.  Oh, and don't forget the cookies!  :)

~Frozen 2!  Everyone had the entire week off for Christmas Vacation.  We decided to take advantage of the Monday Special a our local theater to go see Frozen 2!  I have to say that I think I enjoyed it more than the original movie.  Just a bit.  I may do a review sometime soon :)


What made you smile this week? 

Colletta