Happy Homemaker Monday 11/21/2016

Hello all! How is everyone? I apologize for my very long absence. As you all probably know I have been active on some of my social media just not all. We have had a lot of changes in the previous months, and a lot has kept me very busy. We moved, the kids have been more active in school, school has been more demanding than usual, and the hubby's work schedule has been quite a mix. So I finally feel like I have the chance to breathe again! Sometimes we just have to unplug for awhile to get our bearings, get back in touch with ourselves and family, and just refresh.

I do want to start my first blog post back with a Happy Homemaker Monday. This is Thanksgiving week and while I will be trying to play catch up I will also be very busy this week. As I'm sure you all will. I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving! If you would like to join in Happy Homemaker Monday go on over to Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and link up your post on Sandra's linky.

Photo Credit: Sandra @ familycorner.blogspot.com

::As I look outside my window::

It is sunny but cold. There are leaves on the ground, one of the kids chair's looks like it has blown off the patio so I will have to get that right after this post.

::Right now I am::

Sitting on the couch typing up this post real quick before I get started on my evening duties.

::Thinking and pondering::

About how life can be so very hectic and demanding. We get so caught up in all the demands plus the day to day that before we know it the days have passed, our children are getting older, we are getting older, and we are stuck wondering where in the world the time went. I have felt there a little lately. As I said the last few months have been a tad crazy. I'm determined to slow down no matter what and just enjoy more than I have been.

::On my bedside table::

Nothing at the moment but some adult coloring books. All of my books are still packed up waiting to be unpacked.

::On my TV::

Gotham

Jane the Virgin

Gilmore Girls

Vlogs

::Playing on the radio::

Not playing the radio at the moment.

::On the menu for this week::

Monday- Grilled Cheese, Broccoli, and Fried Apples

Tuesday- Spaghetti & Cheesy Toast

Wednesday- Oven Baked Chicken, Salad, and Apple Slices

Thursday- Thanksgiving Dinner (I will not be making the entire meal this year for Thanksgiving. We are only making a few things and we will be going to my mom's to enjoy this year's Thanksgiving with family. I will list the things I will be making first, followed by the other things we will have on the menu. We have a lot of people coming this year so it will be a big dinner and others are bringing some stuff as well.

What I'm making: Ham, green bean casserole, oreo truffles, deviled eggs, BBQ Smokies, stuffing.

What else we will be having which others are bringing and my mom is making most of it: Oven Roasted Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, veggie, cheese and cracker tray, fruit salad, Pecan Pie, and Pumpkin Pie. 

There will also be an assortment of homemade candies. My mom makes candy and cookies every holiday and packs up little goody bags for everyone to take with them when they leave. It's something that I'm going to start doing when we host and let the kids help. We usually always have made cookies to give others, but I haven't done the candy except maybe once or twice.

Friday- Leftovers

Saturday- Family movie night we will be having a Goonie Themed Movie Night and ordering pizza, having Lay's Potato Chips, Pepsi, Baby Ruth's, etc. Definitely not the healthiest meal, but a lot of fun for the kids.

Sunday- Homemade Cheeseburgers and Fries

::On my to do list::

At this point in the day I have mostly done everything. I am joining in with this post very late in the day. I am about to help the kids with their homework, and do the lunch dishes left in the sink (our dishwasher is on the fritz and so I have had to hand-wash everything and we can't get it fixed until the week after thanksgiving. Speaking of hand-washing dishes does anyone out there still hand wash their dishes? If so do you prefer sponges or dish cloths? I'm just curious I have used both before, but so many say that dish cloths are a lot better and more sanitary.  I need to start dinner, and re-organize a few things in the living room to get ready for the Christmas Tree. I'm hoping to get that up the day after Thanksgiving.

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

I have been coloring with colored pencils in my adult coloring books. I find it VERY relaxing and therapeutic. I also need to sew my son a cape for his Grover Stuffed Animal. 

::My simple pleasure::

Playing board games with my family.

::Lesson learned this past week::

Age doesn't measure maturity.


::Looking around the house::
The kids have strewn their backpacks wherever so I need to have them put them in their place. They are revved up this week in anticipation of the holiday. :)


::Prayer list::
Some family and friends that are going through a tough time right now. Especially this time of year. As much as we all look forward to the holidays remember there are a lot of people out there that find this time of year a real struggle. Especially when it comes to finances. I know we have been there ourselves and could very well be there again at any given time. Regardless of the reason just think of all those out there that could be having a tough time and pray for them.


::Bible Verse / Devotional::

A Heart Most Certain

::From the back of the book::
While Lydia King's reasons for joining the Teaville Moral Society might be suspect to some members, her heart is in the right place. Because of her father's debts and her mother's persistent illness, her best chance at a secure future and curing her mother is to impress the politician courting her. Her first task--to ask the town's wealthiest man to donate--seems simple enough . . . until he refuses.

Despite appearances, Nicholas Lowe wants to help others, but prefers to keep his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, but Nicholas still intends to do things his own way. Neither predicts what they'll learn about true charity or foresee the complications their actions will bring to the town, forcing Lydia to decide where her beliefs and heart truly align.

::My Thoughts::
Typically it takes me a few chapters into a book to become really immersed, but this book had me from start to finish! I was captivated! It is very well written, the characters are very well put together, and the writing style will sweep you away.
This isn't your typical written historical romance fiction book. It holds so much information, and really a great look at how some people are, good and bad. Thought provoking doesn't even begin to describe this book.
At first I was so annoyed by Lydia. I know her background isn't great, but her way of thinking and going about things got on my nerves. It didn't last throughout the whole story thankfully, and without giving too much away I will leave it at that.
It isn't just a great read, but rather a book that will make you think. Particularly about judging others without knowing them, about love, compassion, charity, beliefs, etc.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. It's like a roller coaster ride if I must be honest. Definitely not in a bad way because I can't sing enough praises for this book. I definitely recommend this if you like historical fiction novels, especially Christian ones. I do have to say it has some sensitive topics, and some characters that young readers shouldn't be introduced to. There are prostitutes in this book, but it does talk about how sometimes women back then had little option.
Despite prostitutes being in this book it is a clean romance novel so no worries there if you don't like to read more in depth on that topic.
This is book one in this series, and I cannot wait to read book two. There are some secondary characters that I would love to learn more about as well.
If you would like to check it out, just click here.


::Product Description::

• Series: Teaville Moral Society
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 2, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764217518
• ISBN-13: 978-0764217517

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.