A Homemaker's Journal | February 15, 2021

After careful thought and consideration, I've been stepping back from mainstream social media sites and am really going to make an effort to blog more. While I enjoy blogging, it often takes a backseat to social media posting. I've already said what I needed to say there, so why say it again here? Well, I'm not saying much there anymore. 

I figured the best way to jump back into a blogging routine is to pick back up on my weekly homemaker's journal posts. I'll again be joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday!

THE WEATHER THIS WEEK...

Oh, we have had so much rain! Our backyard is a soggy mess and any preparations for our spring garden have come to a pause. At the moment the rain has let up, but thunderstorms are expected tonight and into tomorrow. Wednesday is supposed to be sunny, but I may need to stay indoors for fear of sinking into the mud. More rain is predicted for Thursday and Friday, with sunshine over the weekend. 

AROUND THE HOME...

My oldest son woke up bright and early this morning and came downstairs to watch Bob Ross paint. The fireplace is going and the baby has made a mess of her toys and blankets in the living room. My younger son is in the boys room playing with legos. My oldest daughter is working on a new cross-stich handicraft I got her for Christmas. I have dinner in the crockpot, which will be ready by 6. I'm also working on this weeks grocery list. 

AGENDA FOR TODAY...

We have a lot of housework to get done and I am slow moving today. If I can get the laundry done, the kitchen cleaned, and the floors mopped, I'll be satisfied. 

A PEEK INTO MY DAY...

I haven't taken any pictures today, but this is a picture from last weekend. My oldest daughter made the blanket (pictured front left) for her baby sister. My mom helped her with the sewing machine, but Bridget cut and pinned it mostly on her own. She couldn't decide which material she liked best so she made it reversible. She also added extra padding to make it super soft. Baby sister has had nearly every nap on it since. Bridget also stitched by hand two small matching pillows. 

A FAVORITE QUOTE FOR TODAY...

“I have one desire now—to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.” 

-Elisabeth Elliot

ON THE MENU...

Monday: Crockpot Spaghetti

Tuesday: Blackened Tilapia with Jambalaya

Wednesday: Tofu Luau w/ Brown Rice

Thursday: Chickpea Noodle Soup 

Friday: Baked Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Salad, and Challah

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Vegetarian Cheeseburger Wraps w/ Sweet Potato Fries

I AM READING...

 

PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...

My oldest daughter has dance twice this week and my oldest son has baseball evaluations this weekend, as they were postponed last weekend due to the rain. I'll continue working on lesson plans. I need to order new handwriting books for the children which I have been putting off for an embarrassing amount of time. My daughter also asked me to order more dresses for her. She loves wearing dresses but wants them to be comfortable for everyday use and it's a bit of a struggle to find them at a good price. I'd love to be able to get out into the garden this weekend, but that will depend on weather conditions. 

LINKING UP WITH...

A Gentle Kind of Love

I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day but as our children have grown, my husband and I have started celebrating it more. We don't go out to eat and he doesn't buy me jewelry or things like that, but he does give me flowers. Some years he has given our oldest daughter flowers as well, and the children often cut out and decorate paper hearts to give to one another. This year, my husband bought each of our children a little box of chocolates, which was a first for them.

This year, my husband gave me a small planter box of sweet pink miniature roses. He said he wanted to get me yellow roses because they were so pretty, but thought they meant "friendship" and therefore didn't match his intentions. I've never known what all of the rose colors mean, so I looked up what pink roses symbolize and this is what popped up: 

"Pink roses symbolize gratitude, grace, and joy. Overall, pink roses suggest a gentleness compared to the typical bright red rose." 

Other words that popped up in the search were admiration, elegance, and innocence. (In case you were wondering, red roses symbolize love, passion, and desire.)

We're not the romantic type, and while we absolutely love one another, our love is kind and gentle. Our marriage is one of joy and gratitude for one another. He supports my role at home with the children, and I support, encourage, and admire him as our provider. I think the pink roses are perfect to symbolize our marriage and how he looks at me as his wife. I can think of no better man that I would want to go through life with.

"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."

 -Ephesians 5:33  (KJV)

Am I Doing Enough?

Am I Doing Enough?

It's a question I often ask myself as I reflect on my children and the current state of our country. They do not see a lot of what I see, and we're doing our best to keep it that way. Children should be children and not have to worry over adult problems. It is my goal to prepare them to lead a good and moral life. We pray often, read our scriptures together, and talk about what is right and wrong. Overall, they're good children so I think I'm doing something right in that aspect. They're kind to others and for the most part get along with one another. But I do still wonder if I am doing enough. My heart is in constant prayer as I navigate motherhood. Only time will tell if I've succeeded in bringing goodness into the world. 

Curry Artichoke and Rice Salad

Curry Artichoke and Rice Salad

Ingredients

1 box chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni

1 jar of marinated artichoke hearts

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1 tsp. curry powder

Directions

1. Prepare Rice-A-Roni as directed on the package. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk juice of artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, and curry powder. 

3. Meanwhile, chop the artichoke hearts into small bite sized pieces.

4. Combine Rice-A-Roni, artichoke hearts and mayonnaise mixture together.

5. Chill in the refrigerator.

Note: My Grandma's recipe calls for 2 c. of chopped chicken in place of the artichokes (you still need the juice from the jar). It's delicious, but I love the artichokes.