happy homemaker monday {on tuesday again}

 

 

Go here to link up with Sandra and read more {since she’s back to blogging after her wise but brief hiatus}.

 

The weather:::

Currently at our high for the day of 54F.  Another freeze warning for tonight.  It looks pleasant enough – sunny blue skies and that prairie breeze blowing strong.  Tomorrow is April 11 – first day for corn planting.  Still hoping for rain for the grass seed.

On my reading pile:::

We are continuing to read a chapter of Proverbs each day.  This month we are also reading Galatians and Philippians {again and again}.

I had to return The Maker’s Diet to the library – unfinished {and without applying any of it}.  : \   I have not been faithful with reading Bonhoeffer either.  The Computer Geek wants me to hurry up since he started reading it at someone else’s house and would like a turn with our copy.

In the fiction section I recently found a series by Denise Hunter –   Healing Places, Saving Grace, and Finding Faith.  The author had some interesting twists that required God’s help in restoring relationships.  {no spoilers!}

 

On my TV:::

Sandra listed a Titanic special from public television – When I’m ready to tackle the ironing, I might look at it online here.

We watched a borrowed copy of Courageous Sunday night.  Oh my.  When we weren’t crying, we were laughing hysterically.  “Snake Kings” had to be one of our favorite scenes!

 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday -  leftovers from Sunday – grilled burgers and turkey tenderloins

Tuesday – Miss Artist is making Cajun Pasta Chicken

Wednesday – the plan was for the Cowgirl to make fajitas from a beef roast (maybe?)

Thursday -  ? - something fast as the kids & I will need to be out the door early to see some friends perform in a Titanic drama {assuming Tim will be on Day Two of eating in the field while planting corn}

Friday -  pancakes?

Saturday -  pizza?

Sunday – Make-ahead spinach manicotti?

 

On my to do list:::

Take Miss Artist to the DOT for her driver’s license.

Buy wheat berries {requires a 40-mile drive}.

Catch up with family accounting records.  And treasurer duties.

Planting at our house: columbine, irises, daylilies, lilac-- and two fruit trees arrived via FedEx today.  More trees and shrubs on order.

I have a list of real life friends I need to get together with… soon.  I keep telling each of them, “You’re on my List!”  {eyes roll}

 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

An order at UNFI just doesn’t quite count as creative here, does it?  Nor clean laundry?

I have jeans to mend for the CG…  and more flannel to sew into baby blankets of course.  (I don’t even know how to crochet or knit.)

{sounding more like a To Do List, eh?  espec when I add VBS crafts… The first week of June will be here soon!}

 

In Homeschooling:::

The Popper and the Cattleman each gave an oral book report last night.  The CG is working on a written book report of Ben Hur.  It’s been three weeks since the Popper was sick on the couch, so it was the Cowgirl’s turn yesterday 

 

Looking around the house:::

pretty flowers on the table {pictured below on the floor in a photo shoot by Kate}; the tomato plants and pumpkins are looking good – hopefully the frosty weather will pass soon, and they can move outside.

 

From the camera:::

        

   

           

Tim & kids planted a couple big blueberry bushes {discarded from the Berry Patch} and about 50 strawberry plants – while the cattle serve as a captive audience.

 

Something fun to share:::

Fun?  Well, not so much.  But a lesson well-learned to not leave a spoon in the vitamix while I look for the next ingredient to add to our smoothie.  ahem.

 

On my prayer list:::

Summer travel plans for some of the kids; college choice for Kate; MIL’s house to sell…

Isaac, a 9yo boy who appears to be losing his battle with a very serious cancer.

Hallelujah! for positively answered prayer in the form of a new job for a friend.

 

Bible verse, Devotional:::

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim --
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain --
He washed it white as snow.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.   Isaiah 53:4-5

multi-tasking {& it’s APRIL!}

 

It’s 11am, I have laundry and bread started.  {Kids sound busy with school and piano practice.}  Do you think I can write a blog post at the same time?  : )

I am {We are} so thankful to have the grain mill back.  I had to send in the motor for repair after it went CLUNK and gave up the ghost a couple weeks ago.  I can’t say it’s as good as new however; it still seems slower than it should be, but I’m content if it will just keep working.  I am also thankful we had use of the Vitamix to do a few cups of flour here and there, but the grain mill returned in time to bake bread earlier this week ~ yay!

 

It is GOOD FRIDAY!  I must be getting old or just too busy with trivial things?  I struggle to feel ‘ready’ for any holiday.  Our weather has been so wacky this spring, I’d like to lay a little blame there too – And our menu for Sunday will reflect the idea that I’m more ‘ready’ for Memorial Day than Easter!  {crazy?!}  We are planning to host a couple homeless college students for a casual dinner ~ Tim will grill burgers and turkey tenderloins. 

 

 

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

We had our Easter cantata this last Sunday evening {Palm Sunday}.  Tim and I were asked to read the scripture passages chosen, so our entire family was involved! 

This Sunday we are having an Easter breakfast, so we will need to be out the driveway by 7am.   

 

 

The crucifixion did not become common in art until all who had seen a real one had died off. -CS Lewis   {quoted here}

 

…Let’s think on that while I switch laundry and shape the bread loaves…

 

~ + ~ + ~ + ~

 

In other trivial news this week…

        

I have been dreaming of a green lawn while ordering plants and trees ~ and even put a few things in the ground!  {just in time for a return to freezing temps – oops!}

I was reminded how much I love to draw stuff on graph paper!  I guess I was slightly burned out on sketching floor plans back before we build the house… ahem.

This was my view this morning from the treadmill ~ love those gerbera daisies!  And I’m so eager to put most of these plants back outside!       

 

  

 

I stitched a few flannel blankets… then wrapped them up before I thought to take pictures!

  

 

After a phone call one evening from my aunt, it occurred to me that IT’s APRIL!  and I needed to finish our bzillion tax returns [and then remove that pile of paperwork from this desk!]  I’m happy to report that they are signed, sealed, delivered... Well, not quite, since I won’t send the IRS or the State of Iowa any money until I have to!  But the paperwork is done for this year and ready to mail.

And finally ~ since it’s LUNCHTIME ~ a quick look at some of our industrious students who are just thrilled to be featured on the blog…

   

 

Here’s another boy, who was busy observing and chatting with the yearling calves…

 

…much more to catch up with… another day!

resolved

... to finish our tax returns.  Today. 

I know, I know.  I have another 12 days.  What's the rush?

we {heart} cows

 

And so does our Popper.  The birthday girl has requested a real party this year {sorry to say this might be her first with several friends to invite?}

Her 5th birthday was memorable for other reasons…

We’ve been brainstorming this morning.  {school?  taxes?}

Thankfully, her big sister is a willing Artist…

Maybe we’ll even craft a Boris the Bull?

Maybe.  You would not believe some of the parties other parents apparently host…  Lots of cute ideas out there on the ‘net – some not quite so overboard.  The Popper says I don’t need to spend thousands of dollars {or even a hundred}… Whew.

 

And then there’s her birthday buddy brother… Maybe his friends would like to come for a belated bash when the creek is running this summer?

Decisions?

 

Tim is reading Everyday Battles by Bob Schultz.  If you are unfamiliar with his books, you need to look them up!

Tonight's chapter was about making decisions.  {or not}

Here's an excerpt:

The answer to how do I make decisions is the same as the answer to how do I fight battles.  Don't.  Instead ask God, "Would You make this decision for me?"  And then add this very important part, "Would You show me what You're doing so I might follow You?"

And another:

Making decisions in life is not the goal.  You want to learn to see God, to discern what He's doing, and have a heart to follow.  That's why you should read your Bible, memorize and meditate, not to get knowledge to make decisions, but to understand the heart and ways of the One you want to follow.  He is God.  He makes the decisions.  We are people, we follow them.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1