Happy Spring! I’m so happy it is finally here. I really do try my best to embrace fall and winter. Recently, I’ve even come to appreciate those seasons. However, spring and soon to follow summer just fill my spirits with such happiness.
I’ve already done a few chores and run a few errands this morning and now am taking a break to put up my post for Happy Homemaker Monday, hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. These posts really do help me stay on track and I enjoy very much visiting all the other bloggers who join.
The Weather 
After a beautiful and warm (!) sunny weekend, rain is supposed to start this afternoon and be here the next couple days. I don’t mind. We need the rain (Still a fire ban/red flag warning until March 23). It’s supposed to dip down into the 30’s a few days. Then, the sun and warm weather returns. Probably with a lot more green grass and flowers on the ground!
As I Look Outside My Window
Grackles taking over my bird feeders, squirrels chasing them away, tiny bits of green and spring flowers pushing through the ground. Also, a pretty sunrise this morning. 
Right Now
Laundry in progress, wondering when the boys are going to get out of bed (soon, hopefully, as it’s noon), and working on this post.
Thinking and Pondering 
Spring always puts me in get healthy mode. Probably because as I switch out clothing I realize it’s all a bit snug (understatement). Trying to figure out the best diet (ugh) to work with the family (making 2 meals at a time is not for me). Noticed there is a new gym going in about a mile down the road, might look into that when they open. Just need to do something. Have a few ideas that I’m “thinking and pondering” in my mind.
Homemaking Tips
Not sure it’s a practical tip but I found the best way to clean a ceiling fan. Two ways really. One: Just get rid of it! Two: take it down off the ceiling and clean it. 
Also, the old adage of shop your house first goes in here as well. Spring cleaning the kitchen a tiny bit on Saturday led to us taking down the ceiling fan over the kitchen table, replacing it with another led light and then, taking down the rather dated ceiling fan in the living room replacing it with the white one from the kitchen. Made a huge difference. And the Dawn Spray Dish Soap is great for cleaning off the blades (if the fan is down off the ceiling).
How I Am Feeling This Morning/Afternoon 
Optimistic and in the mood to get things done.
On The Breakfast Plate
Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal, coffee, apple cider vinegar tabs, vitamins, water.
On My Reading Pile
Mainly just reading through the David Baldacci series with Amos Decker, I’m on book 6 titled Walk the Wire. Though my library hold of The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel just came through. Probably going to DNF (did not finish) most other books on my pile, the Joshua Becker one, the memoir of Hillary Clinton’s aide (just wasn’t holding my attention), and some other random library books included.
On My TV
Masked Singer, still trying Outlander but it’s losing me a bit in season 3, and for fun, I watched Highlander (you know have to go through all the “lander” shows) last night. I did enjoy it, probably more than the Outlander series to be honest. If I can get the AMC+ app to work, I might catch up a bit on Walking Dead while folding laundry.
On The Menu 
Always a bit tricky to plan during spring break weeks. Just throwing ideas here and then, if I have to move them around, I’ll still have the stuff to make dinners another time.
MONDAY: Chicken sausage, broccoli, and orzo skillet (found this while browsing a magazine last week) *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: Chili (By request), also planning to make a vegetarian chili and freeze in individual portions for my lunches *J has an appt at either 2 or 3pm*
WEDNESDAY: Pulled Pork in crock pot *I work 8:30-5*
THURSDAY: Hamburgers/hot dogs and French Fries
FRIDAY: Fish, coleslaw, asparagus
*Probably be some OUT meals in there somewhere since it is spring break*
From The Camera
Looking Around The House
I’m in spring cleaning mode so it’s a bit frustrating to look around the house as I keep seeing things I need to do. It needs cleaned before it can even be spring cleaned. Hard to do with people underfoot but eventually, it’ll get there.
On My To Do List
- This post
- Grocery Store *DONE*
- Laundry *In progress*
- Cut up fruits/veggies for week
- Wash kitchen cabinets with Murphy’s Oil Soap (Floor as well if I have time)
- Start the cat grass seeds I picked up yesterday
- Take back library books (cringe, yes, the overdue ones from last week)
- Send a couple letters
On My Prayer List 
A good friend having knee replacement surgery this week, all the spring break people to have safe and fun ones, the people of Ukraine as well as those of Russia who oppose the war but are unable to speak out for fear of repercussions against their families, family, strangers.
Happy Spring Jean! Your post sounds so optimistic! Love the flower pics. I hope you have a great spring break week. Ours is next week and I am so ready, but we have to get through this week first. Lol
Happy Spring to you as well! I am so excited to see flowers in the yard once again. We’re not doing anything really special for this week but it’s nice to not have to get up and be on the go super early (I’m still getting up super early thanks to a cat who can’t read a calendar, ha). Hope you have a great week!
Hello my Lovely!
Love all the Spring flower pics and the motivating talk and hopeful wonderfulness of your post! 😊 🌸
We had such a beautiful day here this past weekend and it felt like true Spring and so much snow has melted, so I’m feeling very motivated and happy too. ☀️
If you’re looking for a plan I think you could stick with – I recommend checking Weight Watchers out. On my plan almost all veggies and fruits are free. Whole grain pasta is free (just count what you put on it). And potatoes are free (just count what you put on them). So that makes for more family friendly I think. Also, you can basically eat what you want – you just have to stay within your points. So it makes you accountable. Have what you want – but you may use up your points and need to only eat fruits and veggies rest of the day. Lol Also, you earn points in each if you eat enough veggies and you exercise. The app keeps track of all of it for you and has all the points info on all the food you could ever hope to find on there. Or you can scan a bar good on packaged meals. Just wanted to share because it’s working well for me.
I sort of remember there being a phase of Outlander I didn’t like as much too. But then it got better again. Understand if it’s just not your thing though 😉
Have a blessed week Jean. xo
Thank you for sharing. That is one program I’m looking into trying. Do you just use the app? Hope you have a wonderful first week of spring!
Spring is in the air… in your area! still have snow in the forecast for 3 days here this week… uggg.
Hope you have a great week and enjoy the spring break.
Oh no, I hope the snow melts quickly if you get it. We’re supposed to possibly see some flakes later in the week though nothing serious thankfully. Hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Hello! Happy spring! Your photos are beautiful. And when you mentioned Murphy’s Oil Soap I had to smile. My mom always used that and I still do too. The smell reminds me of my mom and her kitchen. Hugs, my friend.
I think my mom probably used it as well and that’s probably why I picked it up. Love those clean scents. Hope you have a wonderful first week of spring!
Beautiful flower photos – love that purple.
I LOVED Highlander the first time through. I’m feeling the same way about Outlander – too easy to get lost in the story, and not in a good way.
I agree about ceiling fans. The rooms we do have them in have the most simple of designs from the flush body to the ceiling down to the plain globes to make them easier to keep clean.
Have a GREAT week.
Thank you. I couldn’t remember what color crocus bulbs I’d bought so was pleasantly surprised by both the purple and white flowers. Only watched the Highlander movie, still need to check out the series. Both of our boys have them in their bedrooms and I’m dreading the cleaning that’s needed for those. Maybe I’ll try and talk them into getting rid or or replacing their fans as well. Hope you are feeling much better today and having a great Tuesday!
I feel the same about Spring. I try to enjoy each season, but Spring just renews my soul. Love it.
I adore Outlander, but I understand what you mean. Season 3 and Season 4, were a bit hard for me to get through, I think they kind of went a bit off track and I wasn’t sure I would keep with it, but I’m enjoying the new Season 6. It’s definitely one of those you either love or hate, shows.
Hope you have a fantastic week.
There really is something about every thing coming back to life after the dull drabness of winter isn’t there? I might give Outlander a couple more episodes but I don’t think it’s going to be my thing most likely. Hope you are having a great week and not getting hit too hard by all the storms. We’re just getting lots of rain (and maybe snow!?) around here.