Homemaker Monday ~ 7/15/13

Come join Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.

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The Weather...

A sunny 72F and promising to be a beautiful day!

Right Now I Am...

Trying to get some umption in my gumption to get some work done today.  Need more caffeine....

Thinking...

Of my to-do list.

On My Reading Pile...

I started this book last night and easily could have stayed up until I finished it if I hadn't been so tired.  There are two more books by Karen Witemeyer on my shelf so I think I'll read them in a row.

On My TV...

On my DVR, waiting for me to watch it :)  Still...

What I Found While Surfing the Net...

BEST DEBBIE COOKIES

1 c. butter-flavored shortening or margarine 
3 c. brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3 c. quick oats (uncooked)

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one is added. Beat in vanilla. Sift together salt, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour. Add the flour mixture and quick oats to the creamed mixture. Bake at 350 9-11 minutes. Do not allow cookies to get golden brown. Bake cookies until they look set on top. This is an easy cookie to over bake so be careful.

Filling:
3 egg whites, beaten stiff
4 teaspoons flour
3 teaspoons vanilla
6 Tablespoons milk
1 c. shortening
4 c. powdered sugar

Beat egg whites until stiff. Add milk, flour, vanilla and 2 c. of the powdered sugar. Beat and then add shortening. Add the remaining 2c. powdered sugar and beat really well. 

On the Menu This Week...

Monday:  Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs
Tuesday:  Pork Chops, Buttered Noodles, Broccoli, oranges
Wednesday: Fellowship
Thursday:  Ham, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans, apples
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Out
Sunday:  Fellowship

We went way off menu last week, so I'm able to keep it almost same for this week.

On My To Do List...

Today:  Laundry
Tomorrow:  Get craft items together for VBS
Wednesday:  Take the girls to the lake
Thursday:  Bills and grocery list
Friday:  Grocery shopping

In the Craft Basket...

Nothing started at the moment.

Looking Forward To This Week...

Going to the Lake and watching the girls swim while I read a good book.

Looking Around the House...

I see piles and piles of laundry.  Other than that it isn't too bad right now.  Amazing!

From the Camera...

We went camping Friday along the Potomac River.  We're hoping to go again in a few weeks.

Doug, Kaylee and Laken relaxing in the hammock.

Our tent

A cute little cabin we saw while walking along the river.

On My Prayer List...

Motivation and determination to get healthier, VBS that is coming up soon, to have the commitment to read my Bible more as challenged in Church yesterday.

Bible Verse, Devotional...

"I do not consider that I have made it on my own; but this one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press o toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:13-14

Sunday Scripture ~ Every Good Thing ~ 7/14/13

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"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up the other."
Eccl. 4:9-10

Have a blessed week!

     

Austenland Trailer!!!!!! Coming 8/16/13

COMING FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013!!!

JUST HAD TO SHARE!!

Victory ~ 7/11/13

Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exulted in my God...I rejoice in my victory.
1 Samuel 2:1

Victories--both bit and small--are sweet when they come from You, God.  Promotions, honors, breakthroughs, discoveries, answered prayers...it's fun to savor them and know that your gracious hand has provided them.  Help me remember to thank You when I taste victory today and to give You praise in all circumstances.  My greatest reward in this life is Your abiding presence with me.

"There are no losers in the Kingdom of God.  Christ has secured victory for us over sin and death by His own death and resurrection.  We are forever winners in Him!

Excerpt from:  A Woman's Daily Prayer Book

WWW Wednesday ~ 7/10/13

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'll be starting this book today.  It is rainy and dreary outside which makes it a  perfect day for reading :) 

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• What did you recently finish reading?

I read this book as part of the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon.  It was a very sweet romance and I really enjoyed it.

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• What do you think you’ll read next?

I've finally collected all three books in this series (Archer Brothers).  I may read them next.  This is the first in the series.

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Have a great Wednesday!

Chats on the Porch ~ Bacon or Sausage ~ 7/9/13

This week's questions are:

1. Bacon or sausage? If vegetarian, what do you have for breakfast?

Bacon all the way!

2. Do you take time to "smell the roses"?

I literally stop and smell roses as often as I see them.

3. What's your favorite stone fruit? (Peaches,nectarines,plums, apricots, and cherries are i n the stone fruit family.)

Hmm....  I'll have to go with cherries on this one.

4. What is the thing people notice most about your personality? ( quiet- outgoing- polite-funny-etc.)

I used to be painfully shy but I've worked through that over the years.  I hope that now they would say I am kind.

5. Is there a hobby that you have wanted to do, but haven't started yet?

I crochet but I'd love to learn how to knit as well.  I even have the knitting needles, books and everything to learn but just haven't taken the time.


Let's chat and get to know one another!

Homemaker Monday ~ 7/8/13

Come join Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.

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The Weather...

Currently a rainy 69F with strong thunderstorms predicted for this morning.  Again...

Right Now I Am...

Cooling down from my 2 mile morning walk.

Thinking...

That I need to get in the shower...

On My Reading Pile...

This is the first book in the Chatam House series and the first book I'm reading as part of the the 2013 Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

On My TV...

On my DVR, waiting for me to watch it :)  Still...

What I Found While Surfing the Net...

On the Menu This Week...

Monday:  Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, apples
Tuesday:  Pork Chops, Buttered Noodles, Broccoli, oranges
Wednesday: Fellowship
Thursday:  Ham, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans, apples
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Out
Sunday:  Fellowship

We went way off menu last week, so I'm able to keep it the same for this week.

On My To Do List...

Read, read, read!  Then some laundry, dishes and general housework.

In the Craft Basket...

I have 2 of these berets to make.

Looking Forward To This Week...

Getting back on some kind of schedule with housework, etc.

Looking Around the House...

I'm so excited that we finally got a new dishwasher!!!!  yay!!!!

From the Camera...

Nothing this week.  Must. Take. More. Pictures.

On My Prayer List...

Motivation and determination to get healthier, my family, VBS that is coming up soon.

Bible Verse, Devotional...

"For through Him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father."  Ephesian 2:18

Once Upon a Read-A-Thon 2013 ~ 7/8-7/10

This Readathon is hosted by Angela & Loretta at Reading Angels, Candace at Candace’s Book Blog and Pure Imagination. It runs from 12:01 am on July 8th to 11:59 on July 10th.  Click above to go sign up.

My Goals:

1.  Read every day.

2.  Participate in the mini-challenges

3.  Complete 3 books

My Books:

1.  Eye of the Storm by Hannah Alexander

2.  An Accidental Mom by Loree Lough

3.  Anna Meets Her Match by Arlene James

Wish me luck!

DAY ONE CHALLENGES:

Mini Challenge

For my mini challenge I would like to know...

1. Which book you are most excited to read in the coming year? It can be already released or coming soon.

2. Which book would you re-read if you had the time and weren't so busy reading ALL of the other good thing?

3. and lastly, If you could meet any fictional character who would it be and why?

Mr. Darcy and it should be self-explanatory :)

Spiritual Sunday ~ Bless the Lord ~ 7/7/13

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This week I wanted to share my oldest daughter, Kaylee, singing in Church last Sunday.




For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away; everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Him.
Acts 2:39

Have a blessed week!

     

High Five for Friday ~ 7/5/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  Fireworks!

2.  Watching my kids get super excited about fireworks!

3.  I got my hair done :)

4.  I'm already done with all 5 of my Read-a-Thon goal books :)

5.  Smores ;)

What made you smile this week?

Freedom ~ 7/4/13

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17

Lord, how blessed we are to live in a country where we are free to worship as we please.  Help us to never take such freedom for granted.  Today we ask You to bless any believers who are being persecuted for living out their faith.  Draw especially near to them, Lord.  Surround them with Your mighty army of angels.

"Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light; 
protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!" 
--Samuel F. Smith

Excerpt from:  A Woman's Daily Prayer Book

Hodgepodge ~ Freedom ~ 7/3/13

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list? 

Stay up late reading and then sleeping in :)

2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions regarding the immigration debate in your home country? Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.

My only thoughts on this is that it should be done legally.

3.  What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?

Each summer I get one of the cheap ($3.88) patriotic t-shirts from Wal-Mart.  They are some of my favorite comfy clothes.

4.  Is your house set up for a party?

If we can make it a cleaning party...

5. What one never-before-visited city in America, would you most like to see?

I've always wanted to travel to Williamsburg, VA to see the historic town and sights.

6. Your favorite red food? White food? Blue food?

Red-  Twizzlers
White-  Potatoes
Blue-  Blueberries (really, what else is there?  lol)

7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?

Freedom of religion.  There are so many countries where persecution for religion in horrible.  I am thankful that I have the right to be a Christian freely.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The hubby is on vacation this week.  Yesterday we had a Movie-Theater-Marathon.  It actually started Saturday when we took the girls to see "Monsters University".  Then yesterday we went to see "Man of Steel" and then decided to stay for an early showing of "The Lone Ranger".  Out of all three, "The Lone Ranger" was my favorite :)

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Let's get hodgepodgey!

Chats on the Porch ~ Houseplants? ~ 7/2/13

This week's questions are:

1. What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

DO NOT rack up your credit cards.  Wish we would have listened :(

2. Do you have houseplants?

Very few and those are ones that are hard to kill.  I sometimes forget to water them.  ahem...

3. Do mosquitoes bother you or leave you alone?

They usually leave me alone but I have a big old bit right be my elbow that woke me up this morning!

4. What's your favorite charity? If you have one.

I don't have a favorite one exactly but anything that benefits children or breast cancer awareness/research are at the top for me.

5. Do you like mint? Which variety is your favorite?

Yes, I do like mint.  Fresh mint is amazing!


Let's chat and get to know one another!

Homemaker Monday ~ 7/1/13

Come join Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.

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The Weather...

Currently a rainy 69F with strong thunderstorms predicted for this morning.

Right Now I Am...

Reading introductions to fellow participants in the "Summer Lovin' Read-a-Thon".

Thinking...

That my husband is wonderful for washing the dishes for me :)

On My Reading Pile...

I finished the first book of the Starfish Bay series late last night as part of the RAT.  My goal is to read 5 books this week!

On My TV...

On my DVR, waiting for me to watch it :)

What I Found While Surfing the Net...

RED VELVET CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

1 Duncan Hines Red Velvet cake mix
3/4 cup butter, after melted
1 egg
1/2 cup water
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix first 5 ingredients & pour into 9 x 12 glass baking dish.

Filling:
4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Pour this over & across the brownie mix. Take a knife & swirl through mix making a marbled design.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool completely.

On the Menu This Week...

Monday:  Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, apples
Tuesday:  Pork Chops, Buttered Noodles, Broccoli, oranges
Wednesday: Fellowship
Thursday:  Ham, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans, apples
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Out
Sunday:  Fellowship

On My To Do List...

Read, read, read!

In the Craft Basket...

I have 4 Cabbage Patch hats to make.

Looking Forward To This Week...

The hubby is on vacation so I'm looking forward to taking some days trips this week.

Looking Around the House...

Once again cleaning up after the weekend...

From the Camera...

Nothing this week.  Must. Take. More. Pictures.

On My Prayer List...

Summer safety, motivation and determination to get healthier, my family, the Lord's Church.

Bible Verse, Devotional...

"Show yourself in all respects a model of good works." Titus 2:7