Happy Homemaker Monday

Fall bug patrol.
(photo taken before all the rain dumped on us)

November is National Novel Writing Month, where writers are challenged to write 50,000 words in the month of November.  It's been a few years since I participated in this, but I think it's a good year to join again.  I need to brush up on my writing skills.  Although my laptop has gone to laptop heaven, I can still use our desktop or even a pen and paper.

There is another challenge going on, via a website called B hooked.  A challenge to crochet men's gloves and a hat for those in need (Warm Up America).  In the past, I've donated boxes of crocheted scarves to homeless projects.  Just sharing for those who have the time to help out. 

Saturday, our youngest daughter set up a surprise birthday party at our house, for her boyfriend and his friends.  Hubby, who said he'd clean clean, grill and organize, left us high and dry.  He left to make a trip 2 hours to see our SIL.  I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off.  He truly put me in a tizzy.  There were towels to fold and put away, dishes to do, carpets to vacuum, all my crafting supplies on a kitchen table had to be put away, etc.  I could have grilled as originally planned, but took the back up plan to save my hectic day - crock pot chili.

Then....Hubby showed up just before half the football team showed up, and with hot dogs and burgers.  They were fed those as well as chili, and then went out for ice cream.

By the way, the party was poorly planned and with lack of communication.  I was out shopping Saturday morning.  Again.  I didn't get to do a darn thing for myself.

Sunday morning we were back out shopping.  Sigh.  I forgot to pick up chicken feed.  We also picked up a fireplace flooring piece for just $25 to put in front of our wood stove.  We've had a fireproof rug, but now it's much safer.  We got a start on the deconstruction (completed about 80% of it) of the front porch so we could do this....

Wood cutting and splitting was started.  Yay!  We got a good amount of kindling cut and some beams.  Now we have to get the chainsaw blade sharpened to continue.

The coyotes are back.  I heard a large group of them out in the woods over the weekend.


Household Tip: 
Buy reusable bags for gift bags.

They are cheaper, and more resourceful.  Paper gift bags get tossed, but not reusable bags.  They are as low as $.98/each in our area.  I found these red/white and blue ones.  I need two more of these bags.  I'm now putting together a "Christmas Eve" bag for the grand-kids (more on that later).

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

On the Breakfast plate . . .

Not sure what I'll eat this morning, but this is what I had over the weekend.  Hubby's famous omelets with homegrown green peppers, homemade English muffins with home canned strawberry margarita jam and organic coffee.


As I look outside my window . . .
It's pitch dark - 5:22am.


Right now I am . . .
Writing up the Thanksgiving Day meal plan.  I have another gathering the next day too.  I will need Hubby's and Youngest's help, but it'll be an evening dinner, so that helps.  Our 20 year-old will have to work Thanksgiving day, but has the evening off, and for the first time, has all day Christmas day off.


Looking around the house . . .
I have to do dishes before the chimney guys show up.  Daughter left the kitchen a mess from her party (grr!).


On the to-do list . . .
-Laundry
-Dishes
-Dinner Prep
-clean off hearth, chimney sweep arrives today thankfully
-clean the rest of the front porch
-Take stuff to Goodwill
-Stop at the furniture resale store and take a look-see
-work on removing nails from barn boards for more kindling




On the menu . . .
-Chili, cornbread
-PB and J
-Chicken enchiladas, homemade enchilada sauce, Spanish rice
-Flounder, home canned corn salsa, steamed broccoli, baked potatoes

Snacks
-Hot Taco Dip


Currently reading . . .
Nothing


On the TV . . .
Movies from the library


What I am creating . . .

A few "thank you" gifts.  Our 20 year-old daughter is visiting often to help clean when needed, babysits Romeo, and is taking an interest in learning to cook/bake more with me.  I will surprise her the next time she comes over.  I'm making up some small, fun packages, including useful items a broke young adult could use.


I'm also crocheting some items.  I may have a handiwork post soon.


New Recipe I tried or want to try . . . 
Hot Taco Dip (trying it out for potlucks)


Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Prayers . . .
Our SIL (he's still in the hospital), myself (leg), a friend's mother, and other personal requests

Recipe? Shopping Day

I was gifted this large bag of misc. hot peppers.  Does anyone have a good, tried and true, recipe for hot pepper jam?  I have made habanero/apricot that was good, but not a "hot pepper" jam using a variety (that actually has heat in it).  I won't have time to get to the library to look at recipe books, and my ball book only has jalapeno jelly.  I am going to leave all the seeds in the hot peppers and swap out the cold for more hot and hope that helps.

Friday was a big shopping day.  Man oh man.  It was chilly out too.  Like winter chilly.  I went to six stores.  I had to replace my chicken watering unit, so that was one of the stops.  Romeo was not happy with my absence either.  I made sure I picked up an extra bag of carrots, so I could treat him one when I arrived back home.

Three and a half hours later, I was back home to unload.  It was close to 2pm when I arrived home (left at 8:30am).  Whew!  I was exhausted.  I forgot how tiring shopping can be.  The longest visit, was the grocery store.   I have however, stocked up on some baking ingredients for the up coming holidays.

I also picked up a new pair of snow boots.  They are not top of the line, but will keep my tootsies warm up to -5°F.  I got a few stocking stuffers for Hubby and our youngest daughter, wrapping paper, and tape.  I'm gaining.

I didn't want to, but made one last stop at the pet store.  I picked up a light for Romeo's collar.  It's like the one I bought for Jesse.   Now I just need to get a headlamp for early and late outings, when it's dark.

Here's hoping the weather is decent today or tomorrow.  We hope to gain on the wood and other stuff we need to get done.