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Author: jehdld

Happy Homemaker Monday, May 1

If the calendar didn’t tell me otherwise, I’d be tempted to think it’s the first day of March around here. Chilly and windy out there! Still, lots of blue skies, sunshine, and flowers blooming so that’s nice. 

Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the weekly Happy Homemaker Monday link up.

The Weather

Guess I already mentioned it a bit. It’s 59 degrees out but so windy out there that it feels much cooler. Supposed to be in the low 60’s today and tomorrow and still in the 40’s overnight but warm up later this week. Then, we’re due to be in the mid to upper 70’s with lows in the 50’s at night. Someday, maybe my summer plants can move back out there and stay for a while.

As I Look Outside My Window

I see cardinals and house finches at the bird feeders. And of course, the horde of house sparrows. A few woodpeckers. And crows! Can’t see their nest any more but I can certainly hear these birds when they get upset over things.

Right Now

Doing a bit of laundry and working on this post. A little later than normal, just taking a bit of a slower pace today.

Thinking And Pondering

Trying to determine a polite response to a teacher who asked me to work for 1 hour in the afternoon next week. One hour is not really worth my time. Sometimes I don’t mind but usually only for the early morning shifts, ie if someone is running late or I’m already planning on being out that way. And since I’m human, I’ll admit sometimes the person asking impacts my answer.

Once in a while requests for short shifts are different than constant requests for short shifts.  I want to be helpful but at the same time I don’t want to set a precedent. Constantly asking me to cover 1-2 hours shifts feels a bit disrespectful of my time and efforts and I don’t like it.

How I Am Feeling

Happy. J decided he’s going to walk at graduation. It’s a bit of a scramble for some things but I’m so glad he’s going to get the experience (and let us have it as well). Either way would’ve been okay but this is the outcome I was hoping he’d choose.

On The Breakfast Plate

Coffee. Half of a cinnamon raisin bagel.

On The Lunch Plate

Payday for me so I treated the boys (and myself) to Backyard Burger.

On The Dinner Plate

Grilled chicken legs, asparagus, coleslaw, and strawberries

What I’m Wearing Today

Long-sleeved black tee shirt (in May!!), jeggings, tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

All my hold books came in at once! Had to let the next person in line have one of them (they’re all e-books). Finished reading Fairytale by Stephen King. Was kind of surprised to see a few negative reviews as I enjoyed it. Not quite as scary as some of his previous works, more of a fantasy type novel. Now, I’m reading The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell. I’ve already read the sequel of sorts so I’m glad to find out the original story.

On The TV This Week

New episodes of Barry, Dr. Who, The Spring Baking Championship, and The Big Door Prize. Then, with my husband, I’ll watch Masked Singer, Ted Lasso, and Wayward Pines. Also, The Last Thing He Told Me (by myself, husband wasn’t interested). Might watch the Ghosted movie though I’ve heard it’s not that great.

On The Menu

A bit of a slower paced week so far. No baritone lesson for J.

MONDAY: chicken legs, asparagus, coleslaw, and strawberries

TUESDAY: French toast, bacon, and broiled tomatoes

WEDNESDAY: Sausage and zucchini skillet, maybe pasta salad on the side

THURSDAY: Hawaiian pulled pork sandwiches, sweet potato fries *J has an appt at 11* *I work 3-5*

FRIDAY: Homemade pizza on the grill (or OUT) *I work 8:30-5*

Looking Around The House

It’s a mess but I’m struggling to find motivation to do anything about it today.

On My To Do List

  1. Take J to take his end of course exam in history at 7:15 *DONE* (And yes, he was done but oops, they missed this requirement. Done now)
  2. Email regarding a couple graduation questions. DONE
  3. Grocery store DONE
  4. Laundry IN PROGRESS
  5. This post IN PROGRESS
  6. Pay bills
  7. Garden chores/looks like I’m going to need to at least water plants
  8. Figure out graduation announcements/party plans. YAY!
  9. Look for or order some new summer clothing. Probably the only person to say this but I actually miss K-Mart. They were my go-to for cheap yet somewhat nice looking work clothing.
  10. Whatever else I’m not thinking of at the moment

From The Camera

I actually found a hanging basket of blue lobelia yesterday. So happy that I don’t have to try and make my own this year. Plus, it was a bargain price! And of course, I’m still enjoying the orange tulips though some are starting to fade a bit. 

On My Prayer List

Friends, family, strangers. My boss and her family as she just lost her husband to cancer. Another teacher whose father had a heart attack last weekend and was in the hospital (probably still there but I didn’t work today so I haven’t heard any updates). Peace, health, and kindness for the world.

Quote For The Week

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.  (Psalm 37: 4-5)

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A Few More Flowers

Today didn’t go exactly as planned. No recycle event trip for us. A bit of a miscommunication this morning (code for argument) so I went flower shopping instead. Started in on getting the front porch ready for summer sitting. 

Of course, now the wind’s picked up and there’s a cold front moving in overnight. At least no freeze/frost warnings!

First, I went to a little garden event they were having locally. Picked up some pepperoncini peppers for the garden, a bit of mint and lambs ear for the front porch. And this fun little pot made by a friend.

Then, I went over to Tractor Supply, not a place I usually go to buy my flowers but they had lemon and olive trees on sale. So, I am trying again with a lemon tree. Hopefully, this one won’t suffer the same fate as the other one.

Finally, I went to my favorite local garden spot. I’ve been waiting impatiently for them to open for the season! Inspired by my fairy garden pot, I decided sweet asylum made the perfect topping for my cup planter.

And picked up my usual pink petunias. Except, don’t shop for pink petunias while upset. I bought the wrong ones! Now, I’ll need to go back and get my usual bubblegum pink “super” petunia ones. However, petunias are never a bad buy so I just planted the wave petunias in a different pot.

Three Last Things

I added a bit to my herb wall between purchases at all three places. It’s not finished yet but getting closer. Peppermint and lemon thyme pictured below.

Plus, I didn’t forget about a certain little cat that likes to sit out on the front porch with me. Bought her some catnip. In typical appreciative cat fashion, she’s ignoring it.

And I bought my hummingbirds a fuschia for whenever they finally get here. The feeder is also hanging up and ready. Hopefully, it will get warm and I’ll see my fun little birds soon.

Do you have certain plants/flowers you must have for each season?

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Weekend Plans

This is going to be one of those quick no photo posts. It’s raining now so no going out for a quick picture. And I really don’t see anything too photo worthy inside at the moment. Could just be I’m tired after working 7-3:30 today.

Happy Friday! We’re having a low-key night around here. J is off with a friend to an event at a local game store. G just got home from work. My husband and I were watching Top Chef: World All-Stars before I took a break to order million dollar Chinese food for dinner (Husband’s idea and that’s just my nickname for our local delivery restaurant. It is very good, however).

No huge plans this weekend, the electronics recycle event is actually tomorrow (I thought it was last week) so we’ll do that. Then, maybe the local farmer’s market for a garden/arbor day event. I’ll buy a few plants somewhere I’m sure.

And I started a new book, Fairytale by Stephen King. Very promising so far. Plus I have a few streaming shows to watch yet.

Sunday is wildly free as J doesn’t have band practice. Not sure what I’ll do without my Sunday night Target run!

Can you stand all our excitement over here? Do you have big weekend plans?

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Slowly Changing

Isn’t strange how the rest of the world seems to be moving so fast and yet, the spring season so slow this year?  It almost feels like the tortoise and the hare story with spring around this area.

We got off to a rocket start and everything started blooming super early. Then, it’s as if, oh wait, let’s take a nap. SIGH.

Seems things are starting to shift back to the spring and summer pace again at last. Just a few photos to share today. (I’m back to working this afternoon and tomorrow, then I get the weekend and maybe a few days next week to myself).

Orange tulips are still going strong:

However, the next flowers are preparing for their time in the spotlight:

Do I see some purple getting ready to burst through?

Maybe I’ll be sharing the full flowering purple alliums by next week. And look, here comes an Easter lily as well! Planted from a store plant many years ago.

Last one to show, a rose bud! Thought for sure this rose bush had given it up after last summer’s drought but surprise! Here it is again.

Today, I must go into work around noon. So, not as many garden plans as I’d hoped. Probably just a trip to a small local place to see if she’s open yet. And if so, perhaps, a herb or too for the backdrop for the purple alliums. It’s usually done by now.

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Happy Homemaker Wednesday

Well, instead of wordless Wednesday, it’s going to be a Wednesday full of words around here. I’m finally getting to my Happy Homemaker Monday post!

I made it one of the items on my 23 for 2023 list to join in with every Happy Homemaker Monday hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. So, a Wednesday posting it shall be. Plus, these posts really do help me get my weeks organized, even if it’s mid-week.

The Weather

local kite festival we drove by on Sunday

 

It’s nice out but I feel like we could be warmer! It’s currently 52 and sunny outside. Chilly enough in the mornings for jacket but warm enough to go without by the afternoons. I didn’t wear a jacket at all yesterday though I did wear an elbow length sleeved shirt. Slight chance of rain tomorrow into Friday but otherwise, highs in the 60’s and lows in the upper 40’s. Next week looks warmer. I’m glad as I really want to move my hibiscus and monstera outside to their summer locations.

As I Look Outside My Window

I need to fill the bird feeders. And put out the hummingbird feeder! I’ve not seen any yet but want to be ready.

Right Now

Trying to focus on this post and wondering if I should go check on the cat. I left her outside a little bit ago when she came with me to take out the trash.

Thinking And Pondering

The stuff I need/want to do and get done in the next few days. My thoughts are little jumbled this morning so I’m hoping this post can help me sort things out a bit.

How I Am Feeling

Tired and a little overwhelmed. Not feeling bad though.

On The Breakfast Plate

Coffee, more coffee in the form of a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, toast with strawberry jam

 On The Lunch Plate

No idea, maybe leftover pizza. Or a sandwich. Or nothing.

On The Dinner Plate

Giving G his choice when he comes back from class. Either: pepper steak (chicken for him) and rice or ham steaks, corn on the cob, and fresh pineapple.

What I’m Wearing

Marching band tee shirt from G’s senior year of high school, jeggings, and leopard print slip on shoes.

On My Reading Pile

A stack of April magazines (a first/last glance through and then, recycle bin). Trying to read The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone but struggling to get into it.

On My TV This Week

It’s Masked Singer and Ted Lasso night! Dr. Who (just one episode), Barry, The Big Door Prize are all things I’m watching by myself. Oh, and The Spring Baking Championship. My husband and I together are watching: Top Chef, season 20 plus Last Chance Kitchen as well as Wayward Pines. We also watch the first two shows mentioned together.

On The Menu This Week

This week starting off so busy kind of threw my menu planning off a bit.

MONDAY: We had Backyard Burger (fast food restaurant) *I worked 7-4* *J had a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Papa John’s Pizza (husband ordered this while I was at work but I was glad not to worry with dinner) *I worked 7-4*

WEDNESDAY: Pepper steak/chicken and rice OR ham steaks and corn/pineapple

THURSDAY: Pepper steak/chicken and rice OR ham steaks and corn/pineapple

FRIDAY: I was just looking at this goulash recipe here. Or I might make spicy potato soup. Or ???

Looking Around The House

It’s bad. I should be picking it up and cleaning instead of writing this post.

On My To Do List

  1. Grocery store *DONE*
  2. Probably some laundry
  3. Clean the house
  4. Check that I paid all the bills
  5. Take J driving
  6. Look into getting some new spring/summer clothes
  7. Outside chores: mow the lawn, add some flowers, work on the garden
  8. Other stuff I’ll remember later

From The Camera

On the phone camera, a couple more shots of the kites at the kite festival.

Real camera: more flowers, of course.

On My Prayer List

Friends, family, strangers. My boss and her family as her husband passed away from cancer over the weekend. Peace and kindness to overtake the world.

Quote For The Week

Not a quote exactly but this song has been in my head ever since driving by those kites on Sunday:

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A Second Delay

The teacher I worked for yesterday missed her flight home so it’s another 7 to 4 day for me. And part of that is helping with school picture day (not a relaxing job).  It looks like my Monday post is most likely going to happen hopefully on Wednesday.

Here’s at least a photo. This was on Sunday afternoon as we were driving over the Missouri River.

Thank you for all the kind comments the past few days as well! I’ll reply as soon as I have another few minutes.

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Delayed

This is my short and sweet post for today. Happy Homemaker Monday is delayed for me until Tuesday. I work 7-4 today and then, J has a lesson at 6:30. Somewhere in-between or after I have to go grocery shopping (need to get my gas discount!). So I doubt I’ll be in posting form later tonight. See you all on Tuesday!

Stuff I’ve Been Reading And Watching

Did I mention I seemed to have lost my blogging mojo? I do have some mojito mint, haven’t lost that. Yet. We are under a freeze advisory for tonight (I can’t remember the last time it felt this cold this late in April).

Anyway, I did promise a post a few days back about what I’ve been reading and watching so here it is.

Reading

I really need to be doing more of this! If you want to follow along with what I’m reading, I do have a Goodreads profile. Usually don’t write too many book reviews unless I absolutely love or hate a book. And I tend to be generous with my star ratings.

Lately, I’ve been on a Chris Pavone kick. Honestly, I’m not sure why. His books aren’t all that great but they do entertain me. Something about them is just complicated enough I can’t breeze through them. That said I sometimes skip big chunks of them as well. Not a great endorsement and yet here I am currently reading his book titled The Travelers.

Just finished one called Finders Keepers by Stephen King, well-written as always. This is the second in the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. So far these books are more real world type scary than monster under the bed type scary.

When I need a light escape type reading, I turn to Donna Ashcroft, Daisy James, or Alison Sherlock. And Alison Sherlock’s new series start Heading Home To Lavender Cottage did not disappoint me. I’m ready to move to the Cranbridge/Cranfield area.

TV, Too Much

Been watching too much tv lately. I go through spells. Hardly watch it and then, THEN. So much viewing. Too much viewing. Doesn’t help that we have too many streaming services! So, that’s how I’m dividing things.

Sort Of Regular TV

Regular TV: Masked Singer always, Next Level Chef, most of the time, and Just Call Me Kat, The Voice, FBI, and Animal Control, when I happen to catch them

Peacock App: My husband and I have been watching Top Chef, season 20 and Last Chance Kitchen. I’m enjoying this season as it’s chefs from around the world. He also watched  Cocaine Bear on there. I caught the very end. (We also watch Saturday Night Live on this sometime on Sundays as we can rarely stay awake long enough on Saturday nights)

Streaming Services I Watch Rarely

AMC+: Decided I was ready to face the zombies again. Over the past 2 days, I binge-watched Walking Dead, The World Beyond. (Direct quote from our house: I can call my show stupid, but you can’t call my show stupid while I’m watching it!). Also watched a short one called Fear The Walking Dead: Dead in the Water. I think it would’ve made a better prequel series than the actual Fear The Walking Dead. (Still need to catch up on that one)

Discovery+: (Have you heard they are merging this with HBO max? And renaming it MAX? Bad marketing name but I’m excited to have one less streaming service to worry with). Each Monday, I watch The Spring Baking Championship on this one. And last night I started watching one called Ciao House.

Regular Streaming Services

Netflix: We recently watched both Night Agent and The Recruit. Good fairly short bingeable tv shows. Husband liked Night Agent better but I preferred The Recruit. 

HBOmax: My one episode a week of the David Tennant series of Dr. Who, I’m up to Martha Jones as his companion. And I’m excited that my favorite dark comedy has finally returned for its season 4, Barry. It’s so good but definitely not for kids!

Apple TV plus: Ted Lasso, of course! And then, I’ve watched the Tetris movie, so good. Highly recommend for any gamers but even as a non-gamer I really enjoyed it. The Big Door Prize is different, a bit more drama than comedy or rather perhaps it needs its own absurd category. Also, watching Shrinking a bit, struggling to get into it. And finally, I started watching The Last Thing He Told Me. Read the book a while back and loved it. So far, the show is true to the book so very good. And I’m waiting for the release of Lessons in Chemistry, another show from a book I read and absolutely loved.

Today, since it’s a bit too cold to do outdoor things, I’m probably going to watch the Ghosted movie on there although I think it looks a bit dumb.

Oh how I need the weather to turn warm and sunny again!

Have you read/watched anything interesting lately?

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No Mojo

Seem to have lost my blogging mojo a bit. And missed another day in the Blog365 challenge. So, here’s yet another place holder on a missed day. Hoping I get it back this week!

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