TUESDAY

October is moving right along.  20 days into this month.  Our weather is chillin' making long sleeved clothing comfortable to wear.  Out the Kitchen window, I can see many leaves have landed on the ground carpeting the lawn with AUTUMN's orange, yellow and red leaves.  

Puts a smile on my face as I try to embrace this time of year.  Try.  I know cold weather is on her way and I am not quick to accept.  I know it's a reality, but I am not wanting the cold to show up.  She will and I will have to accept the reality of NATURE.  Brrr and brrr again.

AUTUMN has FALLen.  Chilly winds will blow in and make me snuggle inside the house praising God for the HOME comforts that we have.  Like warmth, heat, running water, a refrigerator and stove.  Blankets and throws.  Natural gas and electricity.  Coats and gloves.    

HOME WORKS:

Inventory to help me keep track of what I do have on hand.

CHANGE is happening.

Trudging along on the KITCHEN reorganizing.  Slow but steady.  As I handled each piece of Cookware and Bakeware, I had thoughts of being very BLESSED to make a mess while dealing with change.  Some have nothing and manage to make a place to call their abode.  I have a HOME filled with treasures.  Thank you Lord.  Thank you.  I can downsize once again and still make delicious meals and create a loving HOME environment.

I am working on it as I can go.  

My tiny PANTRY has been changed twice already since I got the desire to rearrange the KITCHEN.  I had a change of heart with it.  Switching out the cabinet to the right of the stove.  I had lovingly arranged this cabinet about a year ago.  Was very HAPPY with how it turned out.  Enjoyed it.  BUT I wanted to rearrange the cabinets.  SO change has taken place and it's taking a toll on the neatness.  Things get messy before there is order.  

Taking the BAKEWARE out of here is causing some different challenges as to where do I now go with these beautiful pieces of BAKEWARE?  It shall be seen how this turns out.  Where I had the Baking Staples moved across the room into the Pantry, stayed a few days and has been moved again.  Lord help.  

Now, the Baking Staples are to the right of the stove AND I know I will get use to it rather quickly.  It's a fit.  Convenient to get to.  I like it. 

Later, I will downsize the dishes to where there are fewer in the cabinet with less glasses.  I have plans to modify this and have less on hand.  Different drinking glasses will appear as I box up the BOOPIE GLASSES to sell.  LATER.  Maybe after Christmas.  

 

DRAWERS got some attention.

Better than what I had.  Still not picture perfect, but workable.

The fridge.  Cleaner and better organized for now.

I used $1 placemats from Dollar Tree to line the shelves.  

I like the looks of it.

ONTO finishing organizing the cabinets, pantry, dishes, cookware, etc.  WISH me luck and a bunch of needed energy to make this task easier and coming together faster.  Hello ORDER.

I continue watching videos on organizing.  What a wealth of information is out there.  Next comes the craft hacks and ways to decorate on a dime.  Amazing things to do for little money.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d  

MONDAY

PLEASE HAVE MERCY.  The week-end was a good one, but...there's that  b u t  word.  I didn't make as much progress as I had imagined in my head I would.  A HOME BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN was pictured in my head.  Still hasn't happened.  

I moved way slower than I ever thought possible.  Many time out breaks to rest up my back. THE KITCHEN reboot was what it was and I will continue on this week in hopes of making it a reality.

I'd do what I could while sitting.  Still it isn't the same as physically being in full body motion mode working on the Kitchen.  After resting I'd return to the Kitchen for another round of work before my back was screaming go sit down again.  Repeat.  Repeat.

GOT THROUGH THE COOK BOOKS.  Which was entertainment for me because I get a thrill looking at the pictures.    

The bump out area of the Kitchen is almost completed.  The fridge about done.  I hit a snag though.  The WONDERFUL clear acrylic fridge bins that I felt victorious finding are too long for my GE MONOGRAM flush mounted in the wall FRIDGE.  These fridges are not as DEEP as a standard fridge.

It has taken me 3 and a half years to get use to this smaller fridge interior.  When I bought the bins, I did not take into account that this fridge does not have the depth than what a standard fridge has.

Repurposing the fridge bins toward other places.  Back to the store to find bins that fit the fridge so I can have something like this:

If I can find bins to fit.  This may take some doing as we have NO CONTAINER STORES in the area to where I can waltz in and find the perfect container to make HOME a happier, neater place.  

I'll try Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Perhaps they will have the magic ticket.  Then there's TARGET.  Both of these stores will be more expensive for sure.  An outing in the works.  

The Pantry is coming together.  I have more morphing to take place until things are so so.    

The week is off to a great start.  Cooler weather is coming.  Hot chocolate and pumpkin pie time.

  

THINGS TO DO LIST:

1) Clip the coleus plants to make starters for wintering.  I did this last year and the coleus did beautifully when planted in urns.

2) Deliver Halloween treats across the river to my kiddos and Grands.  Mail some to another kiddo and Grand in another state.  Smile with contentment when this is completed.

3) Continue on the KITCHEN and PANTRY reorg.

4) Work on the TV room clean-up until the KITCHEN/PANTRY is further along.

5) To be seen.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

The Kitchen will be completely organized and tidy.  Very soon.

Next comes the TV room.  This will be a major project with laying new sub flooring and wood floor.  I have boxes to go through to decide what to do with stuff.  Recliners relocated upstairs will be a major effort, but well worth the effort.  I hope.  Curtains hung.  TV hooked up.  Etc. Etc. Etc.

After the TV room is up and going, the Living room will be rearranged.

The Dining room, Entryway and Breezeway painted.  Ceilings included. 

Sewing started.

Work on wardrobe.

Work on exercising.  Which reminds me what we saw when driving about town.  Ladies exercising.

NEVER and I mean never leave HOME without the camera.  Some have phones with a camera, but I don't have a smart phone.  Just a dumb one. You never know what you will see in a small town.  These Ladies were taking Belly Dancing Lessons and the looks were free.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

Happy Homemaker Monday

(at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom)

Weather: Currently cloudy and 46 degrees.

Feelings at the moment: Tired and needing a nap.

On my mind: Getting organized.

Breakfast plate: Peach Yogurt.

Right now: Organizing.

Reading pile: Cook Books.

To Do List: General.

On my TV: Nothing.

On the Menu this week: Cheesy Bacon Potato Soup.

From camera: Belly Dancers.

Looking around the house: Tis a big mess.

Relax: Take a nap.

Something to share:

Prayer List: I will spend time praying.  Much going on.

SUNDAY PRAYER

 

Blessings to you,

d

AUTUMN SURPRISES

WE WERE SURPRISED BY RE-BLOOMING IRISES IN AUTUMN.  I had completely forgotten that we had several re-bloomers.  It was a huge treat to see 3 different irises in bloom. Irises are a Spring flower unless they are re-bloomers and then they BLOOM twice.  Once in the Spring and again in the Fall.

I LOVE IRISES.  We have not had re-bloomers until this year.  2020.  Thrilled to have them brighten up our flower beds.  Makes me think about SPRING.  Lovely SPRING.  

Immortality

Glazed Orange

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

HAPPY IN PRAIRIE PARADISE

Sitting here with my feet propped up on the recliner with bags of frozen peas on the backs of my feet.  I walked a great deal yesterday and when doing so I pay for it with achy feet to the point it is extremely difficult to walk.  Twice a day, I should ice the backs of my feet.  Deliberately I rotate them as I sit when not icing them.

Calling this a foot treatment costing only a few dollars for the frozen peas.  Over a year and a half ago my left knee was causing me extreme pain so I did the frozen green pea treatment and it took care of the pain.  I was down and out for three months.  I treated the knee a couple times a day.  This helped and I am better in this department.  That's been almost two years ago in January 2019.  Hallelujah.  

My feet has been a whole different issue for 14 months.  I get better than they flair up again.  I wish I had been doing the frozen peas much, much sooner.  Slow to catch on.  Between being hypothyroidism, arthritis and Plantar Fasciitis.

Thinking on yesterday.  I had a fantastic afternoon and evening.  Beautiful FALL weather.  Deliberately took a drive in the FLINT HILLS and admired the colorful landscape.  I have to get outside and soak in the sun rays and breathe in the AUTUMN smells.

It was so lovely, I wanted to bask in it.

Watched a Cross Country Meet in which a Grand ran.  She did well.  She came in second place.

Thrilling to see her run.  

The walk back to our parked car played heck with my feet.  I pray I get better.

Afterwards, we shopped!  I was on a hunt to find clear acrylic storage bins for the fridge to help make my fridge completely organized 

and gorgeous on the inside.  haha.

DOLLAR GENERAL did not have them.  WHAT?  I was stunned.  Off to FAMILY DOLLAR in a different community.  They had some!  4 small clear refrigerator bins and 4 large ones.  After comparing the storage bins on the internet to what I paid, I felt pretty good about it.  $4 for the small skinny ones and $5 for the large.  Internet prices were in the neighborhood of $12 and up per container.

After being VICTORIOUS on finding more clear refrigerator bins, I was satisfied.  It was a relief to locate some and leave the store with these items.  HaPPy HomEMaker.  Off to Starbucks to celebrate with a cold Green TEA.  Then Sams to shop.  Wish I could have the three meshed deers they have in their Christmas display.  We'd have to have a huge storage area for the deer to summer in.  Gosh they are pretty.  $$$ I can admire them for free.  $$$

I think about how to decorate throughout the year. 

I can see it in my head.  Not sure I can create in real, but will give it a go.  If I start now, by December 1st it just might be a go.  The Nativity Scene comes out first then wreaths on the front doors.  Decorate around the front doors then move inside with a Tree and Nic-nacs.  Nut Crackers in the Dining room.  Santas in the Living room.  Garland on the handrails.  Enough.  Christmas Cards done and in the mail.  Cooking/Baking.  Fudge, chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint patties, cookies.

BUT FIRST comes Halloween and Thanksgiving!

No candy hand outs this year.  Fixing goodies for Grands.

Not sure how we will celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Shall pray and see how this goes.

Come what may.

We drove HOME after shopping SAMS.

Had a quiet night without a movie.

Put some groceries away and rested.

Missed the TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

Welp, tis FRIDAY.

THIS WEEK-END I will finish sorting the cook books.  Then clearing out the junque underneath the church pew that held my cook books.  Organizing the few shelves I do have in a book case that is being used for a Pantry.  

I have some head scratching to do to figure out how to pull this all together.

The built in Kitchen cabinets that I do have are too high for convenient food storage.  They are great for dishes, bakeware and vitamins, but the top two shelves in the cabinets are more for storing things seldom used like antique dishes, vases, extra dishes.

THIS KITCHEN PROJECT is ongoing and morphing along.  This month is ORGANIZE the FRIDGE and PANTRY.  Take inventory of canned goods and such to see if our supply will get us through the WINTER.  This could be a very different WINTER with the outcome of the election.  The Coronavirus will have been around for a year.

What a year it has been.  Changes in cleaning habits, social distancing, doing more outdoors instead of inside.  The economy has been hit hard.  Many people have taken ill and have died.  Prayers.

Please stay safe and respect one another.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

P S A L M  46:1

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

ON THE CHURCH PEW THAT SITS IN MY KITCHEN my cook books sat.  The pew sits in a bump out area which use to be a Breakfast Nook.  Benches and table are long gone.  I put the church pew in this area under a window, placed my cook books on the seat and called it good.  BUT as things go this soon became a catch all and a MESS was born.

To clean up this area, I am temporarily boxing the majority of my cook books.  I had to go through each one to name it-claim it or get rid of.  Most of the books I want to keep, but will have to find a place to shelf them.  Maybe under the pew?  No that won't do.  

Maybe in the basement for now?  Questioning that.  Still working on this as it takes a minute or so to go through each book to decide if it's a yay or a nay.  

As I go through some of the cook books, I became sentimental as many of the people that have recipes in these books have gone on to Heaven.  Sigh.  Pause.  Sigh again.  

A sweet memory of days gone by with friends and family.  I am willing to try some more recipes and be  s e n t i m e n t a l.  When I read the people's names I get somewhat nostalgic.  Takes me back to a different time.  Way back.  Tear up.  

I came across the childhood recipe for PIZZA.  This is the recipe my Sister and I used as girls to make HOMEMADE PIZZA for our family.  Usually for a week-end meal.  Remembering when we would compete to see who made the better looking PIZZA.  grins.  Who was the judge on this one?  Ourselves of course.  They tasted the same as we used the very same ingredients.  I win. Blue ribbon winner goes to us.  

Gosh, I guess I'm going to try it out in 2020 as a elderly patron instead of being a Kansas teenager.  This is funny to think that after all these years I will try this recipe out again to see if my HUBBY approves of it or not.  I don't think I ever made this PIZZA for my children when they were growing up.  Boggles the imagination as to why I didn't.  

My CLEANING JOURNEY continues and is taking longer than originally thought it would.  A week turns into two.  A month to complete this deep cleaning project?  Probably.

Oh well.  Time for a NAP to help refresh me for the rest of the day.  Laundry is in the forecast and tidying over at RETIREMENT COTTAGE a must.  A trip to DOLLAR GENERAL for storage bins. My Kitchen here will wait for me a little while longer.  It's not going anywhere.  It'll be there when I come HOME for the evening.  That is the sweet part.  HOME awaits.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d   

DESSERT ON THE PRAIRIE: Dump Crumb Cake

Ingredients: 21 ounce can of cherry pie filling, white cake mix, brick of cream cheese, stick of butter.

Spray baking dish.

Empty cherry pie filling in baking pan.  Spread out.

Top filling with half of the cake mix.

Cut up cream cheese into pieces and place on top throughout the cake mixture.

Dump the rest of the cake mix.

Top with pieces of butter.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for about an hour until golden and bubbly.

Easy to fix and easy to eat.  I believe if you wanted to leave the cream cheese out, the dessert would still taste great.  

Also in the archives.

https://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2013/05/life-just-little-easier-crumb-cake.html

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

PAUSE

Rest a bit, think on it, get psyched up and away you go...

SOMETIMES you have got to PAUSE in the PRESENT to make peace with the past.  Put it all to rest and be a new you.  Let loose and absorb a new person.  There is nothing like having wisdom and experience, yet there are times that the past swallows us up producing a very dull person and not able to breathe in fresh experiences.  Not able to move forward and be comfortable with a different person.  

I'm talking about myself.  After our devastating 2016 house fire, I did not quickly bounce back.  Even though it was an emotional thing to go through, I had the opportunity to replace some furniture, appliances, domestic ware.  I wasn't an excited shopper.  

I was super cautious which made me almost a  RIGID DOMESTIC HOMEMAKER.

Throwing off the shackles has been a work in progress.  I have refreshed my ideas of how to decorate our HOME and am rebooting.  How to organize everything.  This is still ongoing as I revamp the pantry, the Kitchen cabinets, etc.  Sounds flaky huh?  Well that's the way it is.  I am feeling better about getting better organized and stream lined in every room.  Turning loose of so much has been a labor of LOVE. 

2016 was.   My daughter married.  My Mother in Law got extremely ill.  Our house had a horrible house fire where items that were hard to come by were ruined.  My Daddy had a devastating stroke and would die 11 days later.  2016 ended but not without lasting effects. January 2017 started out with my Mother in Law dying as we were still getting back on our feet from the fire.  We bought a different house in May and preceded to move in.  Continued shopping to replace lost items.  Waited for the furniture to return from a restorer that refinished pieces of furniture that were refinished and repaired.

2018 proceeded with the death of my Father-in-Law.  2019 Hubby retired and we slowly adjusted to no paycheck and 6 months of elevated Health care Insurance expenses.  2020 the death of a Brother-in-Law.  COVID shut down.  Stay at Home.  Etc. 

Perhaps the newness I'm craving has something to do with all of this loss.  Hug your loved ones a little longer.  Say I love you more.  Be kind.  Stay well as possible and be willing to be real.

On the fast track to the here and now...reappearing into the PRESENT.

I have tried to continue working on the KITCHEN.  Making headway.  Still I have to PAUSE and rest so much.  Trying to not get discouraged.  Sit a while, work a bit.  Repeat. It is in the pausing that I watch YOUTUBE VIDEOS about organizing.  Thinking about the possibilities that are doable.  DOABLE.

ORGANIZING and turning loose of the messes.  My new CRUSH.  I am amazed at the talent out there in the world of the internet by women that have the magic touch when it comes to cleaning and creating ORDER.  Amazing and I'm in awe.

I can learn from these young women that are willing to share their ideas for free on the internet. I am in awe.  AWE.  Instead of getting the 'oh woe is me' attitude, I am getting set free from it.  I know that not all like the pale grey and bright whites in the HOME, but I do.  I wonder if I'd get tired of it after a few years?  Not sure, but I love the freshness of it now.  

Not sure.  Instead I will take the organizational tips and sort out which to try or which to let go.  I like what I see in the fridges and am working at making that happen in mine.  I need a few more acrylic storage bins to make this become a reality.  The FRIDGE is like my thing.  MY TERRITORY.  My baby.  There have been times that my house may not be the cleanest, but for some reason my fridge was.  Without hesitation I would clean her without even thinking about it. A robot came to life.  Auto pilot emerged with ease.

These days when it starts getting wonky, I do as well.  So if my fridge is really clean and sparkly inside, I am usually a HaPpY CAMPER sort of speak.  

Today I worked on getting the fridge inside fit.  I also worked at clearing off the Kitchen countertops and placing some items on a metal cart.  This is a temporary fix.  Morphing along.

I moved my huge mixer over to a metal cart.  The toaster rest beside her.  The Crockpot sits on a different shelf.  Mixing bowls are grouped in a nest.  There's the rolling pin.  Cleaners will be under the sink in plastic baskets.  Later after I get better caught up, I will reduce the number of dishes in the cabinets.  I will sell my vintage BOOPIE Drinking GLASSES and replace them with something else.  Moving right along into the PRESENT, I will PAUSE and THANK GOD this is completed.

Wanting to be refreshed is a desire.  Pause and think about this.  Rest a bit and carry on.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d    

1 Corinthians 14:33

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”