Homemaker's Journal: Monday, April 24, 2017

Last week was busy and productive. This week, I hope to be just as productive but spend less time going from place to place. I am most happy and relaxed when I'm in the comfort of my home.

THE WEATHER THIS WEEK...

Current temperature is 60 degrees and and it will be raining all day. It was in the low 50's when we woke up so I turned the fireplace on for the kids. By the end of the week, the temperatures should be back up to the 80's and 90's.

AROUND THE HOME...

Chaos. We were gone over the weekend and the house did not get tidied up before or after we came home. While I had loaded the dishwasher last night, I forgot to turn it on, so that is now running this morning. Nothing like starting a new week and already being behind.

AGENDA FOR TODAY...

We purchased desks and bookcases from IKEA on Saturday and were able to put them together. Now I have everything piled on to a work table to be put it its proper place. My day will consist of organizing everything in the room while making sure my 7-year-old completes her school work. The television is on to keep the boys occupied.

A PEEK INTO MY WEEKEND...

We took our littlest one with us to IKEA while the older two spent the night with my parents. It was fun to have some quality time with this kid. 

A FAVORITE QUOTE FOR TODAY...

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
—Laura Ingalls Wilder

ON THE MENU...

No meal plan this week as I was unable to make it to the grocery store over the weekend. I should be able to manage a couple of days with what I have in the pantry and the freezer and go to the grocery store mid-week.

I AM READING...

        

PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...

T-ball practice has been cancelled this evening due to rain. Later in the week we have another t-ball practice and dance classes. We were able to plant corn on Saturday evening after we got home but still have more vegetables to plant. I will need to wait for a day that it is not raining so that we can finish planting our garden. This week will hopefully be less chaotic than last week, and I hope to be spending most of our days at home.

LINKING UP WITH...

  

Homemaker's Journal: Monday, April 17, 2017

Spring is in full swing around here. We were able to spend a relaxing Easter with my parents. I feel somewhat refreshed after a two and a half month break from the blog. We moved into a new house at the beginning of February and I've come to terms with the fact that we won't be completely settled for quite a while.

THE WEATHER THIS WEEK...

Current temperature is 65 degrees and we may experience thunderstorms later this evening ans through the night. Temperatures this week are warm, with highs in the mid-80s. There may be more thunderstorms on Friday.

AROUND THE HOME...

The house is more messy than I would like. Easter festivities took over and did not get picked up before bed last night. Today I will need to pack up the Easter decorations and do something with all of the goodies from the Easter Bunny and my parents.

AGENDA FOR TODAY...

Aside from Easter clean-up, I need to tidy up our homeschool room in anticipation for new desks later in the week. I'll be doing this while I homeschool my second grader.

I'm hoping to plant the rest of our vegetable garden this afternoon. One half of our garden is beautiful soil, the other half is clay. It's back breaking work to build rows for vegetables in clay soil, but I've read that vegetables such as green beans and lettuce thrive in it, and that planting carrots and potatoes will do a great job at breaking it up.

I also need to make a trip to a sports equipment store to buy George his own helmet for t-ball, because head lice is not an option.

A PEEK INTO MY WEEKEND...

Last week, the kids and I began ripping up our front landscaping. I did not like what the builder put in and half of it was already dying (what can you expect when you plant shrubs in January?). We purchased plants that we like on Thursday and got to work. We ran into a small problem when we uncovered a pipe that was hidden under the landscape paper the builder put down. The copper ring was not clamped on it properly and it was leaking. The ground was very moist and as we uncovered it further to get a better look, the volume of water increased. The plumber came over and fixed it right away, at no charge to us. We took Friday off from landscaping to allow the ground to dry, and finished our landscaping project on Saturday. Liam helped to water the flowers, the grass, and the sidewalk. 

A FAVORITE QUOTE FOR TODAY...

"He is not here: for he is risen."
—Matthew 28:6

ON THE MENU...

I've been a slacker on meal planning since it has been just the kids and I. With tax season about to end, I'll be able to get back into things. My goal is to have a plan for May. Until then, we'll play it by ear.

Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: Pasta alla Norma with Ricotta
Tuesday: Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans
Wednesday: TBD
Thursday: TBD
Friday: TBD
Saturday: TBD

I AM READING...

        

PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...

While Bridget is off for the week from dance due to the public school systems spring break, George is starting t-ball and will be having two practices this week. After Tuesday, my husband will be around again to help with the children. We're also planning a trip to the "big city" to pick up our homeschool furniture.

LINKING UP WITH...