Snow!

We woke up to our first snowfall yesterday. Just a light snowfall; about an inch.




Just enough to make one little girl very happy!

I hear more is on it's way... Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Cold. The high will be about 35* and there is snow in the forecast. Yeah!

One of my simple pleasures:
To snuggle under a warm blanket on a chilly night.

On my bedside table:
Summer by Karen Kingsbury

On my TV:
Some Disney or PBS this morning, then nothing.

On the menu for tonight:
Tacos

On my To Do List:
Laundry
Clean Kitchen

Schooling
Babysit
Wrap presents

Order a few things from Amazon
Finish some homemade gifts

New Recipe I tried last week:
None

In the craft basket:
Finish scripture & photo coaster gifts

Make a garland with homespun trees

Looking forward to:
Having all of the Christmas shopping finished this week.



Homemaking Tip for this week:
Keep stain remover close to the hamper. That way you can treat a stain as you put the item in the hamper and not have to remember to take the item to the laundry room.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
This post from Heather about a Simple Christmas.

Favorite photo from last week:


Lesson learned the past few days:

I don't do well with chaos. I need to have a to list and have things in order. Flying by the seat of my pants just doesn't work for me. It really causes me stress.

On my Prayer List:
My husband and daughter
My brother-in-law Brian. He is serving in Afghanistan.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
For I know the thougts that I think toward you, says the LORd, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Please stop by and visit Sandra to see what other Happy Homemakers are up to. Have a great Monday!

Christmas from the Heart: Photobooks

I wanted to share with you another personal and inexpensive gift idea. I made this photo book through Snapfish. I titled it the 12 Months of Megan.


I choose a handful of pictures from each month for the last year.

I then went in and created a page or two for each month.

I hope you are able to tell that there is a variety of layouts you can choose from.

I started with December of last year and then moved forward. This book is a gift for Megan's grandma & grandpa (Chuck's mom & stepdad). I keep that in mind while making the book and tried to include photos of them with Megan. I know without a doubt that they will love this gift. The best part is that it cost less then $8.00 to make this.

How many of you Coke drinkers are doing the my coke reward program? If not, I would encourage you to. We have been trading in our points for snapfish products. We are able to print 4x6 photos for free and then I think we were able to print two photobooks this year. There are some limits of what you can do, but to only pay shipping I am willing to jump through a few hoops.

I am off to start my day with a trip to the grocery store. I want to beat the Arctic cold front that is on it's way. I am not quite ready to shop in 20* weather yet. Brrrr! Have a great day.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Rainy and cool.

One of my simple pleasures:
Listening to Christmas music with only the Christmas tree light shining. So peaceful!

On my bedside table:
Nothing. I just finished a book and haven't picked out a new one yet.

On my TV:
Some Disney or PBS this morning, then nothing.

On the menu for tonight:
Chicken & Noodles

On my To Do List:

Laundry
Sweep Kitchen
A little Christmas decorating in the kitchen
babysit
Hopefully crafting

New Recipe I tried last week:
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

In the craft basket:
Fabric Trees

Looking forward to:
Having all the decorating done this week so I can sit back and enjoy Christmas.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Double check that you have all of the ingredients needed before starting a recipe. Don't ask me why I know this is a good thing. lol

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I don't think I had a favorite post last week.

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:
How wonderful it is to have family to spend the holidays with.

On my Prayer List:
My husband and daughter
My brother-in-law Brian. He is serving in Afghanistan.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
I thank my GOD everytime I remember You! Philippians 1:3

Please stop by and visit Sandra to see what other Happy Homemakers are up to. Have a great Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving

Freedom from Want by Norman Rockwell

Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1943

May you enjoy the blessing of being with those you love and want for nothing. Have a wonderful, long weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hanging on to Fall

As much as I love the Christmas season I am not quite ready to let go of fall. We have been having some mild days and maybe I am just dreading all of the cold and snowy days that will keep us inside. As I was looking out my kitchen window today I noticed these trees. They are at the very back of our property and the only trees that still have leaves on them.


It looks to me like they are holding on to them for dear life. Maybe I am not the only one not wanting to let fall go easily.

I have been preparing things for Thanksgiving. I have two dinners to attend this year. We will be going to by mother-in-law's on Thanksgiving and then to my father-in-law's on Saturday. I found a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake that I am planning to make for both places. It called for store bought chocolate chip cookie dough, but I couldn't see spending the money on it. I made my own instead and have it waiting in the frig until Wednesday morning.


It really disappointed my family that I baked a couple dozen cookies for them! I'll let you know how it turns out.

I have also been trying to clean. Things like my oven, making sure there is limited clutter and I really need to shampoo the living room carpet. I am trying to have things as ready as possible for Friday. Megan is over excited about the fact that the tree will be going up. Enjoying the holidays through the eyes of Megan should make things really fun.

Time for me to start my day. I will be doing some babysitting today and am hoping that I can make a few more things off of my list. Have a great day!

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Not bad considering it is the last week in November. It should be close to fifty and sunny. For today anyway. I hear that is changing very soon.

One of my simple pleasures:
Hearing Megan and Daddy laughing while out in the garage. Makes me smile everytime.

On my bedside table:
Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury. It is the first book in the Sunrise Series. I hope I can finally finish this book.

On my TV:
Some Disney or PBS this morning, then nothing.

On the menu for tonight:
Beef & Noodles, Green Beans, Rolls

On my To Do List:
Laundry
Sweep Kitchen
Wipe out oven
Get Christmas cards ready to mail
Schooling
Babysit
Crafting

New Recipe I tried last week:
None

In the craft basket:
Garland

Looking forward to:
Thanksgiving with family

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Make sure the snow shovels are handy, you have plenty of salt/sand and that the snow boots still fit. It is frustrating to have the first snowfall (while hubby is at work) and you can't find the shovel.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I don't think I had a favorite post last week.

Favorite photo from last week:

My nieces with Megan.

Lesson learned the past few days:

I can't make everyone happy.

On my Prayer List:
My husband and daughter
My brother-in-law Brian. He is serving in Afghanistan.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Please stop by and visit Sandra to see what other Happy Homemakers are up to. Have a great Monday!