Happy Homemaker Monday

"Mommy! Look what Dad & I found in the garden!"

(In an area known for its tomatoes, the first pick of the season is a very big deal!)

{weather outside:}

Mid 90's expected with low humidity, lots of sunshine, and even a pleasant breeze coming through the windows.

{making me happy:}

Just enjoying summer with my family. 

{menu:}

monday: Slow-Cooker Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, Corn on the Cob & Salad

tuesday: Chef Salad & Sweet Potato Bread

wednesday: Chili & Corn Bread

thursday: 

friday: Leftovers

{around my home:}

All the windows are open so I am enjoying a gorgeous breeze as I sit at my kitchen table, drinking tea and writing while all the boys nap. I can smell the cinnamon ham baking and hear my neighbors outside working in their yard. After a busy Sunday I got a lot of straightening accomplished this morning while my littlest took his morning nap so it feels good to look around at my tidy home while I sit and relax for just a bit. 

{today's to-do list:}

~3 loads of laundry

~prepare dinner

~vacuum

~finish planning menu

{on my nightstand:}

Redemption by Karen Kingsbury

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder (with four-year-old)

{in my craft basket:}

Curtain for our kitchen island to replace the cabinet door that my son broke off. 

{looking forward to:}

Celebrating my younger sister's birthday. I have had her gift picked out for months and am so excited to finally give it to her! She reads my blog faithfully (hi little sis!) so I plan on posting a picture of it after the fact because it's just too cute not to share. ;)

{homemaking tip:}

My Mother-In-Law adds rotini or penne pasta noodles to bulk up a salad when she wants to serve as a main dish. It's a great way to use up leftovers and I know it keeps all my hungry boys full and happy on a hot Summer night when all I want to eat is a cool refreshing salad for dinner.

{lesson learned:}

Totally Mom 101 but wow, I cannot fix everything for my children. I invited a couple of stay-at-home mom friends and their children over for a very small, low-key, two hour birthday party for my now four-year-old son. Both moms cancelled at the very last minute, for extremely valid reasons and my little guy was crushed. (As was I!) I had hoped maybe he wouldn't notice but, alas, he is four and he did. After holding him and letting him cry for about five minutes, I told him how blest he is that at least he has his brother to celebrate and play the games with! ;) In the end it was a great character building experience... for both of us!

{on my mind:}

Birthdays. As I mentioned, we recently celebrated my son's and now I have my sister, one of my very best friend's and my niece's coming up. I just love birthdays!

{quote:}

"If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart!"

I saw this quote on a plaque at a little shop near the beach with my sister and it made me tear up! It just describes my life at this moment so very perfectly. (The only thing missing is my mom but then, that's what heaven is for!)

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Linking up with Sandra today: