Happy Homemaker Monday

Good afternoon, friends! It's the first moment I've had time to sit down and post this. It's absolutely freezing (it's below that, actually!) outside, but the sun is shining and it's making it look deceptively nice, ugh. We've all got a touch of the cabin fever setting in (especially Ella, who hates to stay inside). It's supposed to warm up some during the week, so hopefully, my outdoorsy kid won't go nuts before then!

The Weather: Oh, man. Our low tonight is 0. Zip. Zilch. Nada. I may make ice marbles with Ella tonight, because tomorrow, we're not supposed to clear 20 degrees and I'm pretty sure they'll stay frozen. We're supposed to get more snow this week, maybe even enough to build a snowman and to play in. I know Ella will love that, especially since the temps won't be in the dangerous frostbite range like they are today.

Right now, I am: Trying to make a grocery list. A friend and I are braving the temps and going to the grocery store because I'm out of milk and running low on several other staples. Oh, the things I do for my family.

Thinking: That I need to get over this death flu or whatever I have. Apparently, there's something sweeping the US and it's a doozy, and I was the lucky one in our household to get it. Better me than Gabe or Ella, but seriously, this was misery. I'm on the mend now, but COME ON. Also, that I need to get meal planning, because I've cooked only 3 days out of the last 6. BUT, one of those things that I ended up cooking was my first-ever meatloaf. It was delicious! Gabe said he was "hesitant at first" because he was traumatized by a meatloaf as a kid, but he really, really liked it. Cross another food off my bucket list!!!

On my reading pile: My sister Thera and I are starting The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry tomorrow. I finished Burial Rites and cried like a baby. I also read a Depression-Era Murder Mystery called Mr. Shivers and I swear, it gave me nightmares. Besides The Lace Reader, I'll be starting The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani. I love, love, love her books. Big Stone Gap got me through my first stay in Texas.

On my T.V.: Reba and Degrassi. I also promised my Father-in-Law that I would watch "Never Cry Wolf" this week. It's about a scientist sent to find out what's killing the Caribou in a certain area. The going theory is that it's wolves, but the scientist finds out it's not the wolves at all. It sounds interesting, and I'm not one to break a promise.

Things that make me happy: Not running a fever, having a relationship with my Momma at last, making meatloaf that doesn't turn Gabe's stomach, the prospect of our spring garden...

On the Menu for This Week: 
Monday: Breakfast for dinner (one-eyed peppers, bacon, toast)
Tuesday: Winter soup
Wednesday: Crockpot Cheeseburgers, salad
Thursday: Pork chops, spinach, nooodles
Friday: Veggie Pizza
Saturday: Spicy Turkey-Taco Soup
Sunday: Penne Alla Vodka

On my to-do list: Cleaning the bathrooms, general cleaning, grocery store,

What I'm Creating: A pile of clothes to take to the consignment sale ;) Maybe my creativity will return when I'm 100% again.

Looking around the house: I need to tidy up and fold laundry.

From the camera: 

Ella and my Momma!!!! If you look behind them, there's a picture of my parents that Gabe and I had framed for their anniversary many moons ago. Some say that I get my good looks from my Mom :)

On my prayer list: My parents, my father-in-law, some unnamed prayer requests....

Bible Verses, Devotions: 

Have a beautiful week, friends, and stay healthy!!!!