Happy Homemaker Monday

My husband and I, along with Daughter E, took a week long vacation.  It was much needed.  We are sick of feeling like prisoners in our own state.

Six states have lifted restrictions now, including mask mandates.  It should be that way across the states.  Anyway, we vacationed mask free!!  Best feeling in the world.  Our first stop in TN to gas trucks up, was the best feeling too - no mask required to enter the gas station.

When we ate out, we ate local and shopped local (other than a visit to a Harley store in St. Augustine, Florida). Even coffee shop stops were local.

While I was gone, I left my seedlings in the hands of Daughter K.  How did it go?

Pretty good I'd say.  I'll be getting the heat lamps on some of them today.  

I can say it wasn't the best overall bike week vacation for us.  

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

(will link when she posts)

The weather outside is . . .

42/36°F, right now feels like 17°F

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Happy to be home, other than not happy the Governor hasn't lifted restrictions here.  I do have a messy house to tidy up, but overall glad to be back in our own home.  I got a good nights sleep despite two days of driving (about 16 hours).

On my breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing right now.

On my TV . . .

To be honest, nothing much.  Hit the hay early last night.  I will have to find something new to watch.

On the menu this week . . .

-Spaghetti, green beans

....have no idea until I check my freezer/pantry stock today

From the camera . . .

I thought it was funny to see a palm tree and barn together.

St. Augustine, Florida.  We ate at local here and the grouper was so good.  We can't get grouper up here and it was worth the stop.

Our lake view at Ponoma Park, FL. Worst location to pick for bikers.  We were not allowed to use the garage so the bikes were unloaded and loaded to the trailer every night, and it had a 1/4 mile sand road access, so the bikes had to be driven thru a hilly yard to a neighbor's long drive that had less sand.

Alligator Farm we visited (like a zoo).

Flagler Beach, Florida.   I think if we return next year, we'd like to be here instead.  We ate at a local restaurant called the Funky Pelican and tried their mahi mahi.  Very good too.  They had no grouper on the menu here, but we had beachside seating and could keep an eye on our daughter.

Looking around the house . . .

Oh boy, oh boy.  I knew that Daughter K works every day and didn't expect much done, so it's housework, laundry, dishes etc this week.  We also need to finish the hallway flooring and trim.

To relax this week I will . . .

Honestly, just chill with my husband.  He was so mentally stressed that just getting home was a mental relief.

Something I want to share . . .

I have nothing today.  First day home from vacation.

Devotional, prayer, quote . . .

Making Tea Bags

 

To make tea making a bit quicker (and travel friendly), I made some homemade medicinal tea bags.  Chickory root works great in these.  Anyway, I tried out my new smaller (travel size) iron for this job.  A hair straightener will work to seal them too.  I bought my bags for the teas from Mountain Rose Herbs.  I can easily put these in my husband's or girl's lunches when needed.  I have amber glass jars to store extra pre-made teabags in.