Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I'm so missing the hot tub right now.  Hubby is actually looking for one to buy now, but I doubt we will.  It takes lots of electricity to run one, and we have the highest electric in the county.

It's been a nice break in busyness, and we are all ready to tackle the week.  Lots to do. 

On the breakfast plate . . .

Farm fresh eggs over easy, organic toast with organic butter and home canned candy apple jelly, and of course organic coffee.  I'll admit, it felt weird cooking after not cooking for almost a week.  Hubby did all the cooking over the last week.


The weather . . . 
It's cold out and windy.  Rain is in the forecast. Currently 34°F and 46-48mph winds are expected.  I emptied my ash pail very early to avoid that blowing everywhere.


Right now I am . . .
Listening to the radio station as I zip around the house.  They are doing a contest to help pay bills.  They are giving away $1,000.00 to each winner when they announce to enter via text.  Wouldn't that be nice?  To win $1,000 to pay off some bills?


Thinking . . .
Ugh.  I have been so relieved to have the holidays behind us, but I got a message there will be another on my side of the family.  I'm thinking I am not up to cooking in mass amounts and do not want to make one more cookie recipe.


On the reading pile . . . 
Lots and lots of library books that I have had before the Christmas gatherings.  I really need to take time to look through them and check return dates.


On the TV . . .
The Ranch


On the menu this week . . .
Have no idea.  I have to clean out the fridge first, but I know I have asparagus and brussel sprouts that need cooked.



On my to-do list . . .
-clean out the fridge
-empty ash pail
-make garlic powder
-start organizing the Christmas totes
-clean bathroom
-start crocheting 11 "f" bombs
-put ceramic Christmas tree away
-sort mail that arrived while gone
-write two thank you notes
-pack up nativity set
-make dog food
-send a reminder to daughter to return my paper cutter
-wash bedding
-finish other laundry
-vacuum
-sweep kitchen
-put away dry dishes
-empty dishwasher
-post items for sale on my other blog
-organize office area
-dinner prep of some sort (wish me luck)
-unpack totes we took on the trip
-unpack our bags from the trip
-clean off tables and wash Christmas tablecloths



What I am creating . . .

Lots of stuff.  I got an order for 11 "f" bombs so that's first on the list.  I'll have photos soon of the other items


Looking around the house . . .
Hm.  Not sure where to start first, but I'll get started.  One thing at a time.


From the camera . . .

My favorite (one of them) photos from our 20th anniversary honeymoon.  


On my prayer list . . .
Our kids.

Home again.....home again.....

One of the last stops on the way home from our honeymoon trip.  Best chicken yet.

There were two things that we didn't like at the cabin.  One - the money game.  The first cabin we ever stayed in did this and we first found it fun, but it took much of our time looking for the hidden money, hiding it again, and leaving clues in a journal.  This cabin had the money hidden so we could see if without hunting for it.  We didn't re-hide the money, just left one or two and wrote down the clues.  We wanted to spend our time with each other and taking off on adventures.

Two - they could use another large skillet.  We almost bought one, but when we return we will take one for this cabin.  I guess not all people cook a homemade meal like we do.  Breakfast time we had difficulty (or should I say Hubby) in getting eggs, french toast, bacon, fried potatoes all done for one meal.  I have however, learned how to cook my bacon in the oven now.  Saved so much time and space cooking too. We found a grocery store like ours, but it was very limited with organic food.  I forgot to take rosemary and cinnamon, and found that, but it was very expensive.  Next trip, I'll remember to take my herbs and spices.


Back to homesteading and self-sufficiency, I got another quart jar of 4 thieves vinegar started...

...and another jar of sage tincture.  We ran into so many people who said their spouse was sick or someone they knew.  We of course shared our remedies, but had the oddest looks given back to us.  I swear by them.  

During that time, Hubby fired up "Big Red" and brought me a load of wood for the wood stove.  The old barn "rubbish" has supplied us well.


It's taking a bit of adjustment to get back to reality at the homestead.  I will be working on responding to comments now that I'm back home.  We rarely had phone service (relying on road signs and maps), so I couldn't access my blog via the internet on my phone either.  To be honest I sort of liked not having service most of the time (ha ha!).

With the trip right after Christmas, our Christmas trees remained up.  Those have to come down this week, along with outside lights.  I have lots on my hooks and needles and will post photos soon I hope.

I'm excited to try new things in 2019, and can't wait for more 20th celebrations with Hubby.  Of course I'm looking forward to more new motorcycle rides as well, a bountiful garden year, hoping we can raise meat birds and new homesteading experiences.  Time (and money) will tell, but I'll give it my all.

Here's to a new year, and lots of new experiences.  And finding yarn sales (ha ha ha!). I am very relieved for the holidays to be over now, and the baking and cooking back to normal at the homestead.