Happy Homemaker In Texas

The weather
Today it was sunny but windy. It was super nice on Friday I got the front yard done.
I am glad it was really too cool to be out. I needed a days rest to work on the back yard.

Outside my window
Freshly mowed grass. I spent yesterday working in the front yard.

How I am feeling this morning
Tired but I feel Blessed. I am happy the Cowboy seems a little better.  He helped outside pit the line back on the weed eayter and then blew the driveway.  That was a magor accomplishment.

On my To Do List
Craft projects to finish for SWAPs
Mow back yard
Ready the beds for planting
Get the seeds I  already have planted

My Ta Da moments
I prepped a bed for green beans and corn
Weeded and prepped the cucumber and sunflower beds
I prepped the herb garden I hope to plant Swis Chard and Dill next
I have almost completed my craft room redo.  Got  all the shelves out and replaced. Moved the last one out today. Now I just need to finish putting everthing away.

Thought for the dayhing

On the breakfast plate
Today I made breakfast burrito's with patty sausage and cheese.
I am not good at making them. But I wanted to make a few (I made 2)  for
the freezer for an easy breakfast for the Cowboy when I am not home.

A blog I like

I really enjoy visiting Patsy she inspired me to and be a better wife and mother by providing for my family in many ways.  From cooking, to gardening, shopping and much more.  Go by for a visit you will love getting to know her.


I'm reading

On my reading pile
I was super excited to get on this tour. I hope they are good great so I can
give to my grand daughter

I got the chance to read and review the series.     my books came today!

Waitin on the mail man

Author Linda O. Johnson was hosting a giveaway the other day to promote her new book.  It was super easy just leave comments on her promo posts on FB.  I was super excited to win a print copy!

On the menu
No real daily plans anymore. It seems to be better for now to give the Cowboy some choices and then prepare.
This week we will have these options
Mexican Pot Roast
Ground Beef--Goulash, Meat Loaf, Sphaghetti, Tacos
Sea Food--Fried Cat Fish, Seafood Boil (Shrimp, Mussels, Flounder Filet)
From Chicken Breasts--Flauta's, Tortilla Soup, Chicken Dumplings, Chicken Pot Pie
Maybe smoke a Salmon if he feels like it

In the crafting space
Just finished a project for a SWAP.  We were to make 2 scripture cards tags.

Here is 1 on I made.  I ay I'll chose to use a scripture card I purchased then I dwcorated the tag which I made from a mini manilafile which I dyedpink with an avacado peel.

On Tuesday I will be sharing more photos from this project.

A blessing to share
Since my husband has been ill it has been a struggle for me to manage the house, the finances, working and his care. I normally feed our dogs chicken, rice and green beans or peas and carrots.  I make the food myself.  I mentioned on facebook I was worried because I have been giving the dogs dry food I got at a pantry and that Domino seemed to not handle it well.  She has been on the homemade food for 4 years.  My friend was super sweet and made me about a 2 weeks supple of food for the dogs.
I was Blessed that she saw a need she could filled and stepped up and helped us out.

From the camera

An awesome image.  Come back on Wednesday for the story behind this one.  You don't want to miss it!

Happy Trails

I will be linking with Sandra at  Diary Of A Stay At Home Mome for . . .

Character Guest post Feat. Paws for Murder by Scarlett English Great Escapes Tour and Giveaway

Interview with the Character

Veterinarian Dr. Petronella Knight

As a veterinarian, what would you say is the best kind of pet to have? A cat or a dog?

Oh, my goodness, how could I choose? I have two pets myself. A dog named Sherlock and a cat named Pawdry Hepburn. They’re both incredibly sweet and I have to say, pretty cute! Sherlock is a big love, and Pawdry sleeps with me most nights, unless she goes home with our receptionist, Katie. It’s really totally up to Pawdry.

What would you say is the biggest difference between dogs and cats as pets?

The standard answer is to say that cats are more stand-offish, but Pawdry is very affectionate and often follows me from room to room. Cats also like to sleep a bit more—like up to sixteen hours a day. But then again, Sherlock loves a good snooze in front of the fire too. I think cats are more independent, but it definitely depends on the cat. It would be difficult for me to choose between them, because I love them both.

Is it true you have a duck as a pet?

Technically, George is not a pet—he’s a working duck. And he belongs to my best friend Maisie, but does like to spend some time at Lily’s house.

Would you recommend them as pets?

This is harder to answer. First of all, not every community allows people to keep ducks as pets. If yours does, and you should totally check the laws. If yours allows it, then they are little, fluffy bundles of personality, though a great deal of work. This is one reason Garrett objects to Lily duck-sitting so much. George, our little guard duck, has tons of personality, and we call him a guard duck because he always lets us know when someone is on the property. Of course, this can be a passing car or even a fly-by by a bird, but George is ever-diligent and on the job.

So, what are some reasons why you might consider having your own guard duck? Ducks are feathered balls of personality! Each one is different, and it is really fun getting to know them as individuals. But there are definitely things to keep in mind. I like making lists, so here is a short one of things to keep in mind before you think about having your own:

• Females lay eggs, and are more regular about it than chickens.
• They are relatively long-lived pets—it’s possible for them to live 10-15 years when well cared for.
• They produce LOTS of manure. So, they are great pets if you have a garden. They are also less damaging on your yard and landscaping than chickens are. And, they consume lots of insects in the process! But again—the manure!
• Ducks are pretty high maintenance compared to chickens. They need lots of fresh water, which they soil frequently—so that will need to be cleaned quite regularly.
• Did I mention the clean-up? There is a lot of cleanup to be done with ducks.
• Since pet ducks usually are unable to fly, they are a big target when it comes to local wildlife predators. That means that you will need to provide them with hawk covers, which should be placed over their pens. When outside, your pet ducks will also need to be supervised and protected from potential attacks from predators.

So, I think everyone should have a pet animal of some kind. Or more than one! They provide us with so much love and laughter, and who doesn’t need that in their life? Please consider adopting a rescue pet. There are so many who need a good home.

Visit the tour 

To read reviews, guest posts, interviews and recipe posts click here.  

You can enter the giveaway there tour

Lavender Blue Murder by Laura Childs-Great Escapes Tour-Review/Giveaway

About the book 

21th in Series
Publisher: Berkley (March 3, 2020)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 0451489667
ISBN-13: 978-0451489661
Digital ASIN: B07SSQ1X4R

Tea-Maven Theodosia Browning brews up trouble in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

Tea maven Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier Drayton Conneley are guests at a bird hunt styled in the precise manner of an English shooting party. Which means elevenses (sloe gin fizzes), gun loaders, the drawing of pegs, fine looking bird dogs, and shooting costumes of tweed, herringbone, and suede.

But as gunshots explode like a riff of Black Cat firecrackers, another shot sounds too close for comfort to Theodosia and Drayton. Intrigued but worried, Theodosia wanders into the neighbor’s lavender field where she discovers their host, Reginald Doyle, bleeding to death.

His wife, Meredith, is beside herself with grief and begs Theodosia and Drayton to stay the night. But Theodosia awakens at 2:00A.M. to find smoke in her room and the house on fire. As the fire department screams in and the investigating sheriff returns, Meredith again pleads with Theodosia for help.

As Theodosia investigates, fingers are pointed, secrets are uncovered, Reginald’s daughter-in-law goes missing presumed drowned, and Meredith is determined to find answers via a séance. All the while Theodosia worries if she’s made a mistake in inviting a prime suspect to her upscale Lavender Lady Tea.

And I thought 
Grab a cup of tea and settle in for a great cozy read.  I
read every Laura Childs mystery I can get my hands on and I am never dissapointed.
The Shop Mystery series gives the reader some great characters that are apart of the series and some great characters that join the crowd in each new book. 
Lavender Blue Murder is my favorite so far.
But I could say that about each  one they are so good.
And they keep getting better!
Lavender Blue Muder had me turning the pages and it was hard to put down.
I always love Theodosia (what a name) and Drayton the make the story and keeps me interested.

I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a comand plimentary copy.
My review will appear on retail sites Good Reads.
The book and my review will be featured on Social Media.

Buy the book 

Amazon   B&N  Kobo  

 Google Play  IndieBound

Visit the tour

Giveaway

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Wednesday Filled With Words-Waiting

Welcome to Wednesday.  Today I am sharing a repost.  I have a lot of new followers and maybe one or two regulars that haven't seen this story/post . . . 
 
                                                                      Waiting
                                        

Momma said when I'm bigger I get to ride in a show.  

            So I'm waiting.   And waiting. And waiting. 

                           Someday I'll be bigger. 

I'll get to ride on that paint horse waaaaaaaaaaay over there. 
Well I already get to ride him with a real Cowboy hat. 
But I'm not big enough to ride in a show. 
I sit real tall in the saddle just like momma says.  And I click my mouth to make him go.  
But today I have to stand by this fence and watch everyone else ride.  I counted 10 horses.  And there are alot people.  Like maybe a thousand!  
After the show when everyone is done riding they are going to cook hot dogs on a fire.  I'm waiting for that too.
             Boy a boy sure has to do a lot of waiting around here!

Happy Trails

Tuesday 4 a Blog MeMe Party

Joining a new party today.   

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

1.  You're having a lovely dinner party for friends and family.  What will you serve for appetizers, main course and dessert?

Hmm.  Lovely.  What comes to mind is not so much lovely but kind of festive, fun and easily prepared for the cook.  I'll be making a Seafood Boil Crawfish, Mussels, Crab Claws

Shimp/Avacado Salad for our appitizer and let's just run over to CheeseCake Factory and get a ymmy chocolate CheeseCake...this is fantasy isn't it?

 2. Snow storm!    You've got house guests and you're all stuck inside for the night. What do you prepare for dinner.  Will you  watch a movie? Which?

A big 'ole pot of chili(not beans we're in Texas) crackers and grated cheese. 

We might watch Home Alone #1 or a good 'ole Rambo flick.  Or maybe play a few rounds of our new favorite Millionaire Monopoly

3. We are going into New York City for the weekend. Where do you want to go?

Isn't Bobby Flay in NYC?  Dinner with Bobby

4. You are going to night school.  They offer courses in writing short stories, painting,   piano  or guitar lessons,simple home repairs,baking, and gardening.
Which do you pick  ( or make up one of your own)  and why?

Piano.  I always wanted to play!

Click here to go over and join the party!

Menu Monday

Don't you just hare when you schedule a post 

for a certain day and you look at calendar wrong!

Menu Monday 

on Wednesday backdated.

Menu plans for our week.  I am trying to stay on track with menu's and with cooking what I have planned.  It's a challenge.  But here are this weeks  Menu plans and prep for batch cooking.

Monday

Pot Roast with Potatoe's and Carrots, Green Beans

while I peel the potatos' I am planning and prepping extra's and boiling for Mashed Potato's.

Tuesday

Tacos 

Prepping ground beef for Sphaghetti

Wednesday

Fried Catfish, French Fries, Cole Slaw

Thursday

Sphaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Friday

A cup of Gumbo made over the weekend and frozen in batches,

Mixed Seafood Grill, Mashed Potatoes, Cole Slaw

It's gonna be a yummy week!  Do you have Yummy plans?

Simple Sunday

Happy Homemaker In Texas

Hello! Welcome to the blog.  Today is the day I share a few plans for my week and highlights from last week.  

I am joining Sandra for Happy Homemaker

Sandra provides the prompts.  I add some of my own.

The weather

Winter finds it's way to Texas.  We have had some consistantly cold (for us) days.  And rain.  We have felt we need a boat.  

Outside my window

I have a new flower bed.  A dandelion garden.  I have given up trying to get rid of them. The bumble bee's love them. 

Something fun to share (my prompt)

I joined a new FB group and I am talking to the administrator about helping with events.  I am excited to plan fun SWAP's for my new peeps. 

A new shopping place

I have 'fallin In Love' with Tuesday Morning.  Yesterday I bought

my new muffin pan there.  I looked at all they had on the shelf and picked the least expensive one.  And then went to check out clearance and what did I find.  The bigger better for a bit less than the cheap one I had in the basket!

On the breakfast plate

It's Saturday.  Brunch day for us.  Scrambled eggs, bacon and blueberry muffins.  I bought a new muffin pan yesterday and I am excited to use it

My Ta Da moment

I managed to clean out the file cabinet in my craft room and put everything on shelves I brought in from my green house.  

I also cleaned out one other wood shelf in the room that just didn't function for me.  I was planning on putting both of them and another shelf at the curb after the trash pick up.  We have lots of traffic and people always pick up things.

But my daughter thinks they can use them at my grandson's school.

A few plans for the week

Packing to move. Cleaning.  Cutting and playing with glue in my craft room.  I signed up for a couple new easy SWAPs.  I'll be working on today 

On the menu 

With my husbands illness it is hard to cook these days it seems. 

This week I plan to cook. 

Rotisierre Chicken (I have legs/thighs I bought on sale that had some barbque seasoning on them.  I'll add more and make them super yummy

Seafood Gumbo we bought some fish a piece of Andoullion and some Venison Sausage.  We will add some of the chicken that I am planning on cooking and some soft shell crab we found on sale and some shrimp.

Pot Roast we wound a super buy.  I have 4 for the freezer.  They are all big so I will cook one for this week and put half in the freezer.

Salad and Veggies  I am planning on making some individual salads in mason jars for the fridge for the Cowboy to take out and have for a snack.  I need to buy some verggies to cook.  Greens are good for him.  So I'll try to get some Mustard Greens today.

In the craft space

A huge mess right now.  I am packing up what I am not using daily to move and get rid of the shelf units I am not planning on taking. 

What I am working on 

I am finishing a few Altered Paper Clips for a SWAP.  

Some stamped images for a SWAP and I will be starting some 

Junk Journal Embellishments for another SWAP.

From the camera

My desk at Christmas time making cards

Scipture/Devo

Thanks for coming by. Please visit Sandra for the party on Monday

Wordless Wednesday

In the Craft Room

Good Morning.  I hope your week has started Amazing!  

Over the weekend I was in the crafting room.  I had some plans to complete some projects.  

First up I needed to make Sewing Theme ATC's (more on that in a minute).  

I went to Pinterest for some inspiration.  Here's what I found.

I am not sure exactly what this is.  I think it might be a greeting card there was not a discription. But I was only looking for inspiration for my ATC's. 

     

O.K.  I know you are itching to know 'What the heck is an ATC?'

Here are a few to give you an idea . . . 

On the left are coins.  These are small.  I have never made these and don't intend to try.  Too tiny for me.  The cards are small too.

Artist trading cards is a conceptual art project initiated by the Swiss artist M. Vänçi Stirnemann in 1997. He called it a Collaborative Cultural Performance. Artist trading cards are 2 ¹⁄₂ by 3 ¹⁄₂ inches in size, the same format as modern trading cards. Wikipedia

As you can see by the Wikipedia definition the cards are small too.  A mere 2 1/2 x 3 1/2.  And the back is signed!  Here is an example.

The back is the hardest part for me.  I love this example though.  It will help me step out of my box.  I don't like my writing.  Also included on most cards is if they are part of a collection they are #. 
Like if I am making 4 for my project I will # them 1of 4,  of 4 etc. 

This is another example.  Remember how small they are?  2 1/2 x 3 1/2.  This one is a beautiful example.  There are usually a few layers.  My project requires at least 3 layers.  

Book pages are often used.  Notice how the creator above positioned the book page to see the words: horse, dreaming. Many 

times the words are painted over almost hidden. 

Paper Crafting is a fun hobby for me.  Do you have hobbies? 

Going back to the craft room to create.  I am inspired now!  

Have a great day!

Happy Homemaker Monday-Making Home

Good morning 

 I am so happy to be with you today.  It is so great to be able to write a post to maybe give you a smile today. 

Today I wanted to share with you my thoughts on house and home.

I am not even sure how long I have been blogging.  But it has been a lot of fun filled years for me. 

During those times I've shared photo's from my home.  I've shared table scapes, my mantle, my desk top, books and many more things that surround me here and make me smile.  

Let's look back at a few of my favorite moments captured here on the blog . . . 

This was the mantle at Christmas.  Super simple.  I did add some candles and left it all up through the weekend for Valentines Day. 

Not a great pic but I wanted to share the super sweet flowers one of my clients left on my porch in December when my husband was in the hospital.  They sat on my desk for a few weeks.  I keep flowers as long as I can snipping the stems and cleaning the water every couple of days. 

Hot Cocoa says Cozy on chilly days . . .I made a Cocoa station and featured mugs and gifts from my children.  The hand print box was when my now 18 year old grandson had smaller hands!  The pot holder (which I don't use) was given to me by my daughter a few years ago. 

A favorite Cozy place for a tall glass of ice tea in the summer.  I love this space.  I like to pretend it is a sleeping porch.  The little vintage love seat is actually a 'pull out' I've never tried sleeping in this space.  But it is Cozy for an afternoon read.  I can see the dogs play outside.  It is a good place to come in and rest after working hard in the garden. 

My goal is to make my home a Sanctuary for my family.  Today my family consists of me and My Cowboy and our two spoiled dogs.  

They make me smile.  Many days they are what keeps me going. 
My husband has terminal Liver Disease.  The days are up and down.  

Making our home a Cozy Sanctuary is important to his health and attitude.  

For me it just makes me happy.  I love my home.  It may be a house in the city, a house on land in the country, an R.V., an extended stay motel or an apartment.  But everywhere I/we've called home I tried/try to make Cozy.  

How do you make your home Cozy?

Wishing you a Blessed Day

Simple Sunday

Have A Blessed Day

Happy Homemaker In Texas

Good morning friends.  Today's plan is to journey Sandra at Family Corner.  This may be a short post because my computer is giving me fits . . . please forgive I didn't spell check.  My computer shuts down on a whim...I wanted to get this post done!

The weather....one word Brrr!

Outside my window ...The beginnings of a sunny day and weeds.

Calling a lawn service this week.

What I am reading

I have a couple of authors that write clean Billionaire romances and they have a couple new ones on my list to read and promote.

Check out Sophia Summers and Jewel Allen for some great quick sweet reads. 

And I just finished

The 3rd in a series by Robin Patchen.  I just finished Legacy Reclaimed it was a 5 star read.  She was kind enough to send the first two so I'll be reading them next.  My review was posted a couple of days ago.

On the menu

Our menu planning has gone by the wayside for the time being. 

Because of my husbands disease and all that goes with it we eat what we can pull together.  I still have a 'plan' in mind but many days he doesn't eat after I have cooked and so it becomes leftovers for the next day.  

In my crafting room

I had full intentions to mail Valentines Day cards and tiny gifts.

But life got in the way.  I did join a couple SWAPS in Janurary and got them completed and mailed. I joined a couple for this month that I am working one.  

On simple one mailing my partner Lace and Fibers to use in a journal. 

Another one is to make 3 Sewing Theme Artist Trading Cards. 

That is my project this weekend.  

Plans for the blog

I hope to get back to regular blogging.  And also writing scripture. 

And maybe sharing that here. 

I hope to talk more about my paper crafting and Junk Journaling. I have had a few comments about it and some folks have so imterest. 

I'll share my garden projects and plans.  

I plan and hope to blog more and have less about books here. 

But lately I have had to add more book reviews and interviews to have something posted here.  

I would like to get back to blogging. 

From the camera

My daughter posted on FB.  This was such a sweet memory for me.  He is 11 now!

Prayer request

My husband has terminal Liver Disease.  Please pray for me as I navigate the waters of helping him as he progresses.  It is really hard because some days he is just like he's always been and other days he is really sick.  

Scripture/Devo

This was shared on FB the other day.  I needed this reminder. 

Maybe you do to. 

Have A Blessed Day

Thanks for joining me today.  Stop over at Family Corner for 

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Valentines Day-Sharing A Memory

My daughter shared this on FB

That dinner was one of our best memories.

Hope you make some memories!

Happy Valentines Day

Legacy Reclaimed by Robin Patchen-Book Review/Spotlight

About the book

She’ll risk anything to save the company her parents built. He’ll risk anything to save her. Someone will stop at nothing to make sure they both fail. 

Chelsea Hamilton spent her life preparing to run the international clothing business her parents started, but she’s still caught off guard when she learns of her mother’s untimely death. Chelsea returns to New Hampshire, buries her mother, and prepares to take over the floundering business. When a stranger attempts to kill her, she realizes somebody doesn’t want her to inherit her legacy.

Private Investigator Dylan O’Donnell spends his time searching for lost teens. He doesn’t know what to think of the beautiful woman seeking his services. Hers isn’t the kind of case he’s accustomed to handling, and she isn’t the kind of client he quit his steady job to help, but something about the woman pulls at him. She’s in danger, and he can’t turn her away. But if he blows this very public case, his floundering business might not survive.

Together, they dig into her family's secrets. The closer they get to the truth, the closer they grow to one another. Can Chelsea save the legacy her parents fought to leave her? Can Dylan save Chelsea from the enemies determined to see her dead? 

And I thought
A fast paced page turning ride.  Legacy Reclaimed was hard to put down.
I love romantic suspense and read any that I can get my hands on.  I love a good thriller/ suspense. 
Robin Patchen gives the reader a romantic suspense with a twisting plot and with main characters that have faith in God and trust in him.
The main characters Chelsea and Dylan each have had bad experiences and sorrow in their lives but have faith to overcome and allow themselves to fall in love.
The only problem is staying alive and a step ahead of the bad guy(s) and figuring out who is out to sabotage her family company and kill Chelsea. 
If you love fast paced suspenseful and believable thrillers you'll really enjoy this one.

I received a complimentary.
My review will appear on retail sites, Good Reads and social media.

Buy the book 

Amazon

Book Spotlight/Recipe Great Escapes Tour-The Great Iowa Caucus Casserole Mystery

Today I am joining Lori at Great Escapes to Promote a new book 

My tour stop includes a yummy recipe!

From The Great Iowa Caucus Casserole Mystery  by Rae Katherine Eighmey

The book is set in the small north Iowa town of Lake Livonian and centers on the community of the Potluck Paradise Café owned by Susan Stewart.

 

 Photo provided by the author

Butterscotch Cookies

This recipe for “refrigerator cookies” is an all time Potluck Paradise favorite for youngsters of all ages. Well-wrapped rolls of cookie dough keep in the refrigerator for a few days, and for weeks in the freezer. So easy to have on hand and bake off for a quick, delicious treat. 

2 cups brown sugar, light or dark, firmly packed

1 cup melted butter

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 cups all purpose flour

1 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional

You will also need:

Plastic wrap for cookie logs as they chill

Butter or cooking spray to grease baking sheets

In a large bowl combine the sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix together until well blended. Add the dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Stir in the walnuts. Divide the dough in half and then form each half into a log about 1 inch high and 2 inches wide. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and chill at least two hours.  Plastic wrapped dough may be put in a freezer bag and kept frozen for up to two months. 

About the book 

The Iowa Presidential Caucus is a casserole of finest ingredients—policy ideas, active candidates, determined local politicians dedicated political activists, and hard-working Iowans. Every four years citizens across the state meet to hash out their differences and make a selection. Seldom is one candidate an overwhelming caucus choice. Instead, several winning candidates combine into a single dish of patriotic participation, ready to share with the rest of the nation.

In Lake Livonia, with holiday season fast approaching and the Iowa Presidential Caucus soon to follow, Susan Stewart’s fledgling Potluck Paradise Cafe is humming with the creation of new and delicious dishes to please the appetites of her community.

But then, a mysterious note included in a Christmas card from her friend and mentor, Hazel Romer, who skipped town in the middle of a July night, raises important questions. What was the skeleton in Hazel’s closet that caused her to run away from the town she loved? And why had she left the restaurant to Susan?

When a blizzard traps strangers in town overnight, the stage is set for a series of life-changing events for Susan, her teenaged children, and her friends, as the Presidential Caucus brings Iowa and Lake Livonia into national prominence.

With 30 Family and Potluck Pleasing recipes for main dishes, vegetables and desserts.

Buy the book 

Amazon

Visit the tour

Find more recipes, guest posts, interviews and reviews over at the tour.  Click here.