Happy Homemaker Monday

It's Monday and I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  You know, many years ago, when I attempted to do the cleaning routine from a book author, I revised my own routine.  I can't remember the book, but I signed up for the daily emails and it was very overwhelming.  I got tons and tons of emails on what to clean and organize.  I deleted the program she offered and simply made up my own routine.  

Monday became my "attack it with gusto" day so my week would start out fresh and clean.  So far I've managed most of the my list on Monday.  

Also, here is a cleaning tip:  if I'm taking off for a weekend getaway (which doesn't happen often enough), I clean the bathroom the day before we leave, and finish up laundry.  I I also make sure the kitchen is cleaned up, dishes washed sink empty etc.  When I return, I don't feel like I have jumped back into reality too fast, or add more stress from a chaotic home.


On the breakfast plate . . .

One easy over egg (fresh out fo the coop) on top of cooked steel cut oats, coffee.


The weather outside . . .
Sunny and a possible high of 41°F today.  Yesterday it was a high of 56°F, and Hubby and I stole off on a motorcycle ride before and after the musical.  


What I'm pondering . . .
I've been asked if I'd like to rent a table at another craft show, but I believe I will decline. It's at the same place I did one back in December, and traffic is not that great.  Makes a long day for little sales.  And we are entering gardening season.  I think it's best to just work on items for the fall shows and get my garden in order.  


My to-do list . . . 

Deep Clean:  
Clean out both refrigerators completely (still not done yet)
kitchen bathroom (the kids have not kept it like it should be kept and it's out of control).
wash one more kitchen window (woodwork)
entire front room - top to bottom
...not adding to the list until these are done.

Outdoor on-going work:
rake pine cones and pick up branches (we are getting masses of black birds that are eating the pine cone seeds and I can't have that with a clothesline)
work on barn wood debris
sweep off front porch and get rockers out
muck coop
cut and split wood


Regular to-do's for the week:
yoga/exercise
make a nettle tea infusion
laundry
dishes
vacuum/sweep
mop
master bath
water plants
boil eggs/pickle some
dust
finish up the other radish seeds (sort of forgot about it)
write up a list of items needing restocked in the freezer



What I'm reading . . .
nothing right now


On the TV . . . 
Free local channel movies, free DVD movies from the library


On the menu this week . . .
Baked Mac n' Cheese, steamed broccoli
Cauliflower Chowder 
Roast, potatoes/carrots/onion
Cabbage soup or something with cabbage
Salmon, roasted rosemary asparagus 
Leftovers


If I have a few minutes I will  . . .
Take a nap?  Write?  I know it won't be crocheting.  I'm burned out right now.



What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or creating . . .
Current projects:
A knitted dishcloth
A set of pot holders
Embroidered dish towels for one daughter's hope chest
The second granny square baby blanket



New recipe I tried or want to try this week . . .

I made a new salad - Chickpea/Beets/Feta Salad.

It's from "The Better Bean Cookbook" and it is very good.  The photo was taken before I added the beets.  I simply diced the beets and kept them in another bowl to toss on top when we eat it.  That way the salad didn't turn entirely pink.  
It contains:  red onion, red wine vinegar, olive oil and garlic, chickpeas, sesame and fennel seeds, parsley, baby spinach, organic feta cheese, and cucumber.  I cooked the chickpeas a day ahead.  


From the camera . . .

A photo from the musical our daughter played Morticia (The Addams Family) in on Sunday.  They did a great job and it was pretty funny at some points.  I'm told it was the only night they got a standing ovation.  


Bible Verse, Devotional, Quote. . .
"Your worst day can be your best day."  ~ Unknown author, and I am skeptical that this could be true, but you never know.