Happy Homemaker Monday 28th July

For more Happy Homemaker Mondays visit Sandra!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::

This morning I had red grapes, banana, yogurt, linseed and oats.  Mmmm.

On today's to do list::::
Today I've done an hours ironing.
Started to clear out the shed.
Taken some stuff to the tip.
Done an hour sorting out paperwork.
Done a little shopping and now here I am. :)

Currently reading::::

They Shall Expel Demons by Derek Prince - sounds a bit intense, I'm reading it because one of the subjects we've covered recently at Bible college is deliverance.

On the TV today::::

Old episodes of Criminal Minds.

The weather outside is::::

Warm, it's been lovely today, but quite a bit fresher than it has been of late.

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::

Read! Yay!



In the garden::::

Just a little weeding and watering.

Favourite photo[s] from the camera::::

Poor pussy-cat.

This is from a few weeks ago. Firemen trying to rescue a cat from a tree on our local field.  The owners tried various ways to try to get puddy out of the tree, but it was having none of it.  They eventually got tree surgeons in. As the man reached the uppermost branches puddy launched herself like a flying squirrel out of the tree, landed in heavy undergrowth and vanished.  Luckily she turned up the next day uninjured.  The owners have 23 cats!  23!  I struggle with just one.  I think that some of them are show cats.


Homemaking Tip::::

Open, deal with, bin or file post as soon as it is delivered, otherwise it builds up and up and ends up a nightmare of paper.

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::

Nothing off the top of my head right now. :)  Read lots of lovely stuff, but can't remember where LOL

Praying for::::

Moving house.  There's so much to do and the process is so slow.  Praying that all will go smoothly and that our new home will be very blessed.

My granddad who's not feeling very well after a recent trip to hospital.

My grandma who's not too good at the moment too, I think it's the hot weather.

Some friends of ours who have asked for prayer.

For Israel and those living on the Gaza strip.


Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::

But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.Isaiah 52:12

Happy Homemaker Monday 21st July 2014

For more Happy Homemaker Mondays visit Sandra!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Well, it's evening now, but this morning I had pear, banana, sultanas and dried cranberries with yogurt, oats, linseed and honey.

On today's to do list::::
Today I've started clearing out the loft ready for moving house - me and the girls had lots of fun with my wedding dress, haha.
Took Mum and Dad to see our two favourite houses to buy.
Viewed another two houses - keeping our options open.

Currently reading::::
They Shall Expel Demons by Derek Prince - sounds a bit intense, I'm reading it because one of the subjects we've covered recently at Bible college is deliverance.

On the TV today::::
At the moment Police Interceptors
Later we will watch the latest episode of 24 (love it).

The weather outside is::::
Warm, it's been lovely today.  But it was like an oven in that loft!

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Do a Happy Homemaker Monday post...oh here I am LOL


In the garden::::
More of my pansies have died!  I just don't understand it. So frustrating!  My geraniums are blooming nicely though.

Favourite photo[s] from the camera::::

The girls playing around in my wedding dress that's been in the loft for 13 years LOL

Homemaking Tip::::

Line the tops of cupboards in the kitchen with paper.  When they get grubby just throw away the paper.  Saves scrubbing away at greasy dirt that you find up there.

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::

Nothing off the top of my head right now. :)  Read lots of lovely stuff, but can't remember where LOL

Praying for::::

Moving house.  We've accepted an offer on our house YAY!  We've made an offer on a house we like, but are still waiting for a response.  An old lady lived there and she's now in a care home.  The estate agents are dealing with her son who is a university professor in London.  It's far too slow! I'm so excited.   We're praying it all goes smoothly and we get the best place.

My granddad who's having another operation on his cancer. He's 95 years old! He's amazing to cope with it.  Bless him.  I'm hoping to see him Weds or Thurs as his op is Friday.

My mum who is still suffering ill health.


Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. ~  Isaiah 32:18

Oooh House Move Ahoy!

Well, we've accepted an offer on our house!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Please, please, pray that this all goes smoothly and also that we choose the right house.  We have two that we love and one that we really like, just looking at figures and seeing what we can afford.  So excited!!

We've put an offer on one house and are waiting to see if it is accepted, but having viewed another we are now in a quandry.  Just want to make the right decision.

SO EXCITED!  I think I've said that already, but YAY!

xxxxx

Homemaking meme

Sandra has done a meme - and I haven't done one in years and I've been tagged, yay! :D

The rules are simple: Just copy the meme from my blog and post it on yours, answer the questions, and tag your friends if you wish.  You don't have to tag anyone, if I tag you, you are more than welcome to just play along, but do let me know so that I can come and read yours too :)

Most of my favourite blogs are 'tag free', but if any of my readers do this meme please let me know!

Plus, I just want to add, even though it's a 'homemaking' meme, you don't have to be a full-time housewife or anything to join in, we all have homes and most of us enjoy some aspect of making it nice - whether it's decorating, cooking, family get togethers, some people even like ironing...Sandra!...LOL

Aprons - Y/N If Y what does your favorite look like?
I have aprons, but I don't often wear them.  This is my fave, it's a bit vintage looking :)

Baking - Favorite thing to bake?

Fire! Da da daaaar!  I am renowned for my attention span issues in the kitchen.   Here is a little picture I have in my kitchen, which sums me up nicely! :)

 

I remember baking a cake for Squidge's 3rd birthday, it came out lopsided, and then all the pink icing ran off onto the plate. Haha.  Awesome! :)

Clothesline - Y/N

YES! There is nothing more satisfying than a line of washing hung out.  I love the look of it flapping in the breeze and the smell of it when you bring them in. 

Donuts - Have you ever made them?

No! See note on my baking above. Haha.

Everyday - One homemaking thing you do everyday?

Washing (laundry).  Wipe around the loo. Cooking.  Washing dishes.

Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze?

No.

Garbage Disposal - Y/N

No. Not something many of us Brits have.

Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource?

The internet I suppose and my lists! Lists, lists, lists!

Ironing - Love it or hate it?

I like it when it's done... :D 

Junk drawer- Y/N - Where is it?

Haha, yes we call it a 'man drawer' where all the batteries and screwdrivers and random nuts and bolts end up.

Kitchen - Color and decorating scheme?

Teal flowered wallpaper, blue tiles, white shaker style cupboards, butcher's block style worktops.

Love - What is your favorite part of homemaking?

Making a home for my family.  When it's all done and we have time together to talk and read and stuff!  I also like old fashioned stuff.  I have lots of doilies and my Nan's paintings around the place.  I like wood and natural things too.  I like a home to look comfortable.  I also rather like gardening, I'm not particularly knowledgeable, but I love flowers and watching bees. LOL

Mop - Y/N

Yes, but I don't like it.  Much prefer hands and knees because mops don't get into all the corners. But I do use my mop...it just isn't satisfactory! :D

Nylons - Wash by hand or in washing machine?

Nylons? Are we in the 1950s?  Haha. Well, if I wear tights (as we call them over here) I pop them in the washing machine.  Having to handwash makes my eye twitch. LOL

Oven - Do you use the window to check on things or do you open the door?

I open the door and every time the sudden rush of heat melts my eyelashes. 

Pizza - What do you put on yours?

Mmm, mushrooms, peppers, olives. YUMMY! Oh and mozzarella is the best cheese - stringy!

Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?

Bible study, read, watch Morse.

Recipe Card Box - Y/N

No.

Style of house

Old fashioned. Lots of wood. Woodburner stove. Smells of lavendar and polish. Oh yes, that would be my fave.  Cottage garden. Or a Hobbit hole, I'd love to live in a Hobbit house. 

Tablecloth and napkins - Y/N

Tablecloth. 

Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?

Washing powder, dishwasher tablets, various cleaning stuff...

Vacuum -  How many times per week? 

A few times a week, but not everywhere.  The stairs need a few times a week because they are red and show up every bit of muck.  Downstairs is done regularly because the girls trek in sawdust and hay from the guinea pigs!

Wash - How many loads per week?

At least 7!  I'm a bit obessessed with laundry, I think I've picked it up from my Mum.  I love my wooden pegs too, they remind me of my Nan: Beautiful Simplicity.

X's - Do you make a daily to do list and check it off as you do things?

Listomania!  Oh yes, I am LIST WOMAN!  I have lists for my lists.

Yard - Y/N - Who does what?

Yard? Over here a yard is a small flagged area, but I know this means garden.  Yes we have a garden and I generally do the gardening.  The hubster does mow the lawn on occasion and help with big stuff, like digging up bushes and the like.

Zzz's - What is the last homemaking task you do for the day before you go to bed?

Make sure the kitchen, living room and bathroom are respectable. :) Or, apply - what my dad calls - the 'sod it principle' and fall into bed instead.

Happy days. xx

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 14 July 2014

For more Happy Homemaker Monday posts visit Sandra at Diary of a SAHM

I'm a bit later getting this post up today.  I've been to Grandma's this morning whilst she has a shower and I've done her cleaning and a bit of shopping.  I've been to the vets and picked up Boots' worming tablets, done some washing, put it out - it started raining so I've brought it in, had some lunch and now here I am!

As I look outside my window:::

The clouds are just breaking up.  I've not long since rushed outside to bring in my washing as it was spotting with rain, I've put towels in the dryer and now it's cleared up - typical! LOL

Right now I am:::

Watching Morse.  I've just had my lunch.

Thinking and pondering:::

Where to start with my cleaning.  Probably the kitchen floor, the cat has been eating a bit messily and there is catfood everywhere!

Also about how useless a particular local estate agents is.  Honestly it's like chaos in that office.  We were supposed to be viewing a house yesterday with a member of their staff showing us around.  Well, we knocked on the door numerous times, waited about 20 minutes and no-one turned up.  Their excuse was they were running late and left us a message.  Chuh! There were no messages on any of our phones, I've checked they have the right number and they do - so they must be telling porky-pies!

On my bedside table:::

Lots of books & Bibles in a basket.  My earplugs (I like a good night's sleep, haha). My glasses.

On my tv this week:::

We won't watch all these this week, just a list of things to record or watch depending on time.

Yesterday:

Mock the Week
Have I Got News for You


Tuesday:
CSI - although I don't know why, I'm not enjoying this season at all.
Wednesday:
Kirstie's Fill Your House for Free
Thursday:
The Big Bang Theory
When we (I) get time:
Re-runs of Criminal Minds
Old Inspector Morse episodes
Wuthering Heights (recorded)
Royal Hampton Court Flower Show (& Weds, Thurs)
Bedlam Behind Bars - Panorama
A History of Britain - Simon Schama (recording series)

Listening to:::

Morse on the TV and the rumble of the dryer in the kitchen.

Music I'm enjoying at the minute:
Classic FM radio
Learning Yahweh by Kari Jobe for Music Group at church
Enjoying also, Oceans by Hillsong, Victor's Crown by Darlene Zschech, Arms of Grace by Beth Croft

On the menu for this week:::

Today: salmon
Rest of the week - not sure, need to make a plan!

On my to do list:::

Laundry
Bible study
Give cat her worming tablets - oh joy!
Cleaning

Happening this week:::

Taking the girls to their clubs tonight - Squidge to gymnastics and Chatterbox to her church youth group.
Tomorrow evening we are viewing a couple of houses.
On Friday the girls have some friends sleeping over.  Squidge wants to go bowling or to laser quest.

What I am creating:::

Nothing at the moment

My simple pleasure:::

A nice cup of coffee and some chocolate.

Homemaking tips:::

You can clean white PVC window frames and doors with a damp cloth with washing powder sprinkled on it.

Looking around the house:::

Need to put away the super-hero outfits from church.  We had so much fun!

From the camera:::

Squidge peeping

Up on t'hills

Prayer List:::

Granddad and the discomfort he is suffering after his operation to remove skin cancer on his head - praying for comfort and healing.
Mum for her poly rheumatic myalgia.
My husband for his job, to uphold him when he's under pressure from all directions.
Some lovely friends of ours and some things they've asked us to pray for.

Bible verse, Devotional:::

But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;  ~ Malachi 4:2

Have a lovely day.  And don't forget to visit Sandra for more Happy Homemaker Mondays.

Lazy Saturday

It's lovely to be lazy, to rest and relax sometimes. To have nowhere to rush to, nowhere to go, no-one to see. We've not had much of that recently.

So I've had a nice time this morning.  Done a bit of reading, a bit of praying, a bit of pottering, a bit of gardening, a bit of sitting here typing this.

I've been to Bible college this week, I really enjoyed it.  The topics covered the Cross and prophecy.  I loved it.  I was particularly exercised by the teaching on the historical cross and the 'current' cross and it's effect on our lives.  Christ died once for all and our sins are eternally dealt with, but there is a daily application of the cross to our lives - carrying our cross, etc.  Very good. Lots to think about.

We had a lovely evening with G's mom and dad on Thursday, eating out at a local Tapas restaurant. Lots of fun.

Last night we had a couple view our house.  They live on my mum and dad's street. It seems a strange move to us, but we don't care the reasons LOL. Hopefully someone will buy soon!!

Today I've been pottering in the garden.

My hydrangea bush is blooming nicely...LOL amusing shot of my toes too.

Even a horrid fly is made beautiful by its surroundings :) (Click on the picture to see better)

My gorgeous dahlias - it's a constant struggle to stop the slugs devouring these.

I love my garden, but I am no expert.  The bare patch below was full of gorgeous happy pansies.  They were healthy and beautiful, but then one by one they started to wilt and die, so did a number in my pots.  I watered them regularly.  But no, they still wilted.  So I researched and found out that it could be a number of things.  Digging discovered a number of tiny worms - some tiny white ones and also some slightly bigger brown ones.  I then researched how to deal with them, but our local garden centre didn't have what I needed. 

So I dug them out, rinsed the roots (which were eaten up), removed the top few inches of soil and repotted the pansies with some rooting powder in new compost in a couple of pots.

As you can see above, some have revived, but some are just brown sticks.  My pansies failed last year too, it's very frustrating.  But IT'S OK TO FAIL! :)

My other plants are doing well (ignore the tall grass, haha).

Happy days. x

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 07/07/14

For more HHM posts visit Sandra's blog

As I look outside my window:::

It's a bit grey outside.  I can hear the guinea pigs squeaking as it's getting near their breakfast time.

Right now I am:::

Sitting watching the news with G, he's been checking the traffic news because part of the motorway is shut after an accident.  He has a 30 mile trip to work and nearly every day there is some kind of hold up.  Boots is on my knee drumming her tail because I am not being still enough, haha.

Thinking and pondering:::

The super-hero outfits I want to sort out for the family.  Next Sunday is a family focused service at church.

On my bedside table:::

Lots of books & Bibles in a basket.  My earplugs (I like a good night's sleep, haha). My glasses.

On my tv this week:::

We won't watch all these this week, just a list of things to record or watch depending on time.

Yesterday:
The Tour de France as it went through our township.
Mock the Week
Have I Got News for You
Wuthering Heights (recorded)
Monday:
Royal Hampton Court Flower Show (& Weds, Thurs)
Bedlam Behind Bars - Panorama
Tuesday:
A History of Britain - Simon Schama (recording series)
CSI
Wednesday:
Kirstie's Fill Your House for Free
Thursday:
The Big Bang Theory
When we (I) get time:
Re-runs of Criminal Minds
Old Inspector Morse episodes

Listening to:::

Right now:  Person on the news talking about the Tour de France going through Cambridge.  I can hear the tumble drier rumbling in the kitchen.

Music I'm enjoying at the minute:
Classic FM radio
Learning Yahweh by Kari Jobe for Music Group at church
Enjoying also, Oceans by Hillsong, Victor's Crown by Darlene Zschech, Arms of Grace by Beth Croft

On the menu for this week:::

Today: Quiche
Tuesday: Paella at Church Home Group
Wednesday: Tuna pasta bake
Thursday: Salmon
Friday: Sausage, mash and Yorkshire puddings or pizza!

On my to do list:::

Laundry - Chatterbox has just come back from an adventure weekend with church, so there is PLENTY of laundry!
Getting things for super hero outfits for church.
Get well card for Granddad - he's had more surgery on his skin cancer, poor thing.
Collect the last of Squidge's sponsor money for the walk she did with school for the NSPCC.
Get some cleaning done as I am at college later this week.
Make a start on my long overdue household filing, honestly any longer and I'm going to have bats nesting in my filing box!

Happening this week:::

On Tuesday - Meeting up with an old friend visiting from New Zealand; Squidge's Musical Evening at school where she will be playing flute; social evening at our Church Group where we will be having paella and fun.
Weds-Friday - Bible College where the topic is The Interior Christ.
Thursday evening we are going out for a meal with G's mom and dad as it was his 40th birthday recently.

What I am creating:::

Superhero outfits for the family for our Superheroes Sunday at church.  I'm going as CatWoman (of course!), G is going as Batman, Chatterbox is going as Violet from the Incredibles, Squidge is going as a Ninja Warrior.

My simple pleasure:::

Sitting in the sun reading.

Homemaking tips:::

Here is how I keep up with my 'Things to Do' - I have a master list for the month on one side of my binder, which I transfer from my diary and calendar, and daily 'To Dos' on the other side.  It's so helpful to have them next to each other.  I'm very forgetful, so this really helps!

Looking around the house:::

Chatterbox's 'crown' she made which is signed with all the names of the children who went away on the adventure weekend with church.  G's 40th birthday cards.

From the camera:::

Playing around with Picasa - I like it, it looks like a 1980s postcard. :)

Prayer List:::

Granddad and the discomfort he is suffering after his operation to remove skin cancer on his head - praying for comfort and healing.
Mum for her poly rheumatic myalgia.
My husband for his job, to uphold him when he's under pressure from all directions.
Some lovely friends of ours and some things they've asked us to pray for.

Bible verse, Devotional:::

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. ~ John 10:10 (The Message)

Have a lovely day.  And don't forget to visit Sandra for more Happy Homemaker Mondays.

Yay! I Won Something!

I've won a copy of Ann Voskamp's book  'One Thousand Gifts' in the draw at the lovely Elizabeth's 'Cornish Cream' blog.

Thank you Elizabeth! :)

Sunday beauty

Well, it's 7am here.  I've fed the cat, had my morning coffee, pondered what a hard verse Luke 14:26 is, prayed a little, and now I thought I'd do a little bloggeroo.

It's beautiful outside, the grey skies are clearning a little sun is starting to break out.  The house is quiet.  Squidge was briefly woken up when I switched off the house alarm,  but has obvioulsy gone back to sleep.  Chatterbox is away with the church youth on an adventure weekend.  Praying she's had lots of fun!

Well, that's it for now.  I'll just share a recent picture of Squidge on a local walk, we are so blessed to live near such beauty:

You laid the foundation of the earth, 

And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

~Psalm 102:25

What's goin' down?

I've really been missing blogging. So, I'm hoping to get chance this week to blog a bit more.

So what've I been up to?

Helping mum look after Grandma - mum has been diagnosed with poly rheumatica myalgia, it's an inflammatory disorder.  She's on steroids, but hopefully should be off them in a year or two.  Keep mum in your prayers, she's been through so much health wise with her stroke and migraines and then this.

Keeping up with the Bible College summer programme.  We've done about Job and suffering, and Fear. Next week it's the Interior Christ - which should be interesting.

I gave a message at church a few Sundays ago.  That was great and I loved it - despite huge nerves!  I did about Life in Abundance.  I'll perhaps share my notes on here if anyone is interested :) People were so encouraging.

Our house has gone up for sale, we've only had one viewer though and he was a landlord who wanted an investment property and didn't want to offer anywhere near the asking price.  PLEASE pray!  We need near full asking price to afford to buy the house we want. I long for a house with nice neighbours with a nice garden and enough room for our family.  I don't even mind a house that needs work, we can make it pretty. But it's in God's hands, He knows best.

We've viewed a few houses, one that we loved and could afford has gone already, one that we LOVE but can't really afford needs a miracle LOL.  I covet your prayers.

Here are some pics of our house (if you're like me, nosying around houses is just the best).

Love my garden.  We've never had money for landscaping, so it's all just what we've done.

Boots tried to get in on every photo.  Had to put her outside LOL

Hallway

Living Room

Living Room - it's lovely to overlook the garden, very private. The picture to the right of the window was by Squidge.

More living room - the pictures over the lamp are by my girls, the one to the right of the door was by my nan.

Kitchen - where the magic...erm fire...happens.

Diner end of kitchen - one day I'll have a dining room...without a tumble drier in it!! Haha

Birds eye view of our tiny bathroom - but isn't it pretty?

Our bedroom.

Chatterbox's bedroom

Squidge's bedroom

Well, that's the tour of our house...it's a lovely little house, but it's time to move on.  Here's my wish list:  nice garden, not too overlooked, space to have people over for meals, near church/schools (I don't have the car during the day), nice neighbours, and if we are very blessed a place that I can study and space for the hubster to practice his music, and a utility room!

Hope you're having a soooooper weekend!