Homemaking Mondays: Frost and Focus

 

Hello!
I hope your homemaking day 

is going smoothly. 

It's a gentle morning here as the light 

slowly creeps into the sky. 

It's cloudy and we have a fresh dusting of snow.

I have a candle burning to give 

a touch of soft light to the room.

The curtains are now opened and

even through it's partway through the morning

the light begs to be noticed.

Such are winters in the north.

When you can wake up at a reasonable time

and still see stars shimmering in the sky.

A lovely part of winter here

is when the ice freezes before the snow comes.

This year it has frozen really hard and is very safe.

My children and I have been out enjoying 

skating all around the lake.

The one morning it was super foggy

and added a kind of cozy feel.

It just lightly touched you as you glided through it.

The ice wasn't clear anymore but like frosted glass.

I made it around the lake just a couple times

more then I used to so that was a win for me.

With this diet I'm finding I can physically do more and that is nice.

I'm 50 lbs down at 25 weeks on Carnivore.

Then while I waited for my kids to go around a couple more times,

I snuggled under a blanket and enjoyed the sounds 

of the lake as there was movement over it.

There was a grey jay that came down to keep me company.

Fresh and peaceful.

The day before the sun shone bright in a blue sky.

I took the chance to take some pictures of the frost in the sunlight.

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord Jesus

has created such an intricate masterpiece

that stays for just a short season.

The snow crystals often blowing apart with a breeze

or melting in the brief sunshine.

I have added a couple more plants to my home.

Yes, I killed the one plant that was in this pot.

I love plants and have quite a few...but I can't keep them all alive.

I have learned that it's ok to fail at some things and to just move on.

This time I found a lovely ivy and tucked it in a new space in the house.

I have this lovely red table and added a large plate to the bottom supports.

Then I put a doily on top of that under the pot so it wouldn't slip around.

I hope it thrives here.

The other plants I added to my kitchen windows for now.

As the seasons change the kitchen windowsills change.

No more cut flowers from the garden.

Time for something a bit more green as the world outside turns white.

My violets are blooming purple and pink 

and they add a wonderful pop of colour as well.

It's been a week and just the bare minimum 

of household jobs have been done.

We've been out of the home more and then enjoying the outdoors.

So this coming week I'll need to focus on getting corners 

that had been neglected last.

If we leave some things too long it just builds up to 

a bigger job then need be.

An effort a day keeps failure away.

With homeschooling I have a stack of books 

that need to be looked through to decide on study projects.

I have that alongside my knitting so I can take breaks 

from one task and do the other. 

Very convenient so there is no excuse not to get it done. 

Sometimes I find I have to be more focused 

on managing my time. 

That is a challenge of being home.

We must be the ones to set our limits/boundaries

and then stick to them.

I hope you have a lovely 

homemaking day! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Needing a Touch of Warmth

 

Hello!
I hope you are cozy on this Monday.

Here winter has come and the temps are dropping.

I'm enjoying the brightness the snow is bringing 

to the landscape.

At night the northern lights have been dancing

bringing colour to the night sky.

Even though we are heading into a season 

with lots of darkness

there are touches of light at special times

to help dispel it.

Inside it's cozy with the heavier woollen blankets 

set out and I was blessed to find

one of those weighted blankets at the free store

for us to snuggle under.  

I actually found two, but one has been 

gladly accepted by my daughters for their home.

I myself love to go barefoot in the house

and now have a pair of warm socks tucked into

the tops of my boots to slip on when going outside.

I've been working on a new pair of wool socks for myself.

the bright cheerful yarn was a gift from a dear friend

and it's quite fun to knit with. 

Along with the new season

comes the need for new outdoor wear.

The entry way has now been filled with warm coats,

big boots and lots of hats/mitts/& scarves.

This past fall my son painted the frame for this mirror for me.

It's an old mirror from my husband's grandmother.

The plastic had yellowed more with age and needed a refresh.

Then I wanted to add some colour to the plain empty wall above

where the boys keep all their "accessories". 

My daughter had left this big beautiful picture of wildflowers

and then I printed off some pictures from the internet I loved.

One day I'd love to have a real copy of them...but that is for future.

For now they are just tacked up...I have yet to find a frame for them.

Then I when I put away the summer hats needed a place

for a couple hats that I didn't want squished in a box. 

I picked up a couple little hooks and installed those on the wall

so the hats will hang all year and be out of the way, yet accessible. 

The morning after the lake froze

dawned bright and filled with sunshine!

It was glorious to see the yellow light spread 

about the lake and into the trees 

as the sun came above the mountain.

There has been one brave soul 

out skating thus far...but it was not me.

I shall wait till the ice is a lot thicker

before I venture out. 

Hopefully we won't get much snow before we

have a chance to skate about on it.

It is so nice to be able to go all the way around the lake

and at times be able to gaze through the ice 

to the world below.

The lake as it's freezing

has come back to life with it's "sounds".

At times cracking, moaning, or just sounding like whales

calling to each other. 

Very interesting to listen to at night.

What kinds of things have you 

added to your home 

to add a touch of warmth to it?

I pray you have a blessed day!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Something For Those Special People In Our Lives

 

                             

Hello!
It's a heavy fog kind of day here

and the lake is completely obscured. 

The fog is brightening up the outdoors and even though

the sun is not yet up it is cheerful out.

The grey jays are flittering about

waiting for their morning 

nibble.

We now have four of them

and I love how they sit on the branches around the feeder

saying hello.

For some reason I find their conversation

very sweet.

I joined my husband for his morning walk

and it is so lovely and crisp

with the frost

having spread about the leaves

and needles on the evergreens.

This past week I finished up making some cards.

I know there are many ways to tell others

that they are important to us

and that we're thinking of them.

For me creating cards is a special way to do this.

In all of our busy lives...we need to make time 

to let others know that they are not forgotten or unseen.

To give them something small

just to let them know they're special to us.

Do you know someone that may be encouraged

to know that they are thought of?

I put together a couple little baskets

simple soap/candles/washcloths.

Something practical and lovely.

For those that the Lord has put in my life

that I see often.

Their smiles uplift me and brighten my days.

It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary

this past week.

A wonderful milestone in marriage.

Praying for them as they continue on this 

journey of life together.

This past week we also 

splurged and bought a new carpet.

No it's not very big. I was hoping for a larger size

but it is a nice

cozy spot in the middle of the room.

Our dog is quite delighted with it

and readily sprawls out to sleep...in the sunlight.

It is not too thin so that your toes can sink in as you walk across it.

We have also been blessed with finding some 

nice curtains at the free store. 

We picked up a simple curtain rod at Walmart

and my son installed it for me.

Now we'll have an extra layer of protection

from the cold on winter nights.

Thanks for dropping by today!

I'm so thankful for each of you that take

time out of your days 

to pop by!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Do You See The Details

Hello! 
This past week we got our first snow. 

Of course it never lasts.

It was lovely to see the snow melting on the leaves.

Like little globes magnifying the details on each leaf.

The snow brightened up the colour of the fallen leaves 

just as it brightened up the forest

even in the wee hours of the morning

when the light of dawn had been previously dim.

I really enjoy leaves.

All the shades of colour from just one tree.

With all the sizes and vein patterns.

It reminds me of fingerprints and snowflakes.

All of them unique and beautiful.

How many times do we stop to actually look at the details?

Do we just flatly think...oh leaves?

Or do we seek out their uniqueness? 

Then as the temperature dropped in the night

the little droplets froze and held their little 

lenses clearly.

Sometimes I wonder if we look at our lives this way to?

Like taking little portions of it

and putting it under a clear globe to notice the tiny details. 

If you do...what do you see?

Do you see the beauty or the flaws or the quirky details?

Each has it's place and part in the bigger picture.

After the snow came more rain.

The low lying clouds and fog over the lake are so pretty.

The snow is gone and puddles and squishy ground remain. 

I find myself very quiet, watching the season change

and taking in the details.

The wind blowing leaves and water droplets from the trees.

The birds coming back to check on the feeder.

Soon I will be putting out some seeds for them

but for now I'm holding off because of the hungry bears.

I do go out and feed the grey jays from my hand

as they are super friendly.

There have been some beautiful swans that have

stopped over to rest on the lake, 

waiting out some of the bad weather.

It is fun to also watch the squirrels scampering about

storing the last of what they can find.

They are getting their thicker fur 

and that makes them look even chubbier then before.

There is one that likes to come up on the windowsills and peek in.

I think it would love to be invited in but that won't be happening.

Soon it can enjoy the bird feeder 

and that will help it to 

keep warm.

I saw a tip to use bacon fat mixed with oatmeal

to make feeders for the birds for winter.

So...I have some of that started and after it 

gets really cold out I'll put some out for the birds

and who knows...the squirrels might like bacon to?

We got a new rug for our living room 

which is off gassing in our spare room for now.

We had to get rid of our old one due to mold.

This new one will add a new layer of comfort to the room.

Then next item I need to find is a curtain rod for the big window. 

I found curtains at the free store, so next is to get them up.

Another layer for winter to help keep out the cold at night.

I haven't had curtain in the living room for a few years

so this will be different.

This weekend I was gifted this lovely tea cup.

The lady no longer had need of it and I was delighted to give it a new home.

It has such a nice handle on it.  

Some tea cups are awkward to hold, but not this one.

The pattern is simple and elegant.

There is a stain on the inside that I've yet to be able to get out.

I tried baking soda, which usually works for me.

Do you have another suggestion?

I tried to find out how old it was but couldn't...yet.

No matter...I enjoy it and will use it and that is what it's all about.

As seen above... I enjoyed a pot of tea.

I like this tray because I can sit it on the couch next to me 

and not worry about spills. 

Our little moveable end table is in use at the moment 

holding a board with a puzzle in progress.

My one son and I are enjoying puzzle building and this is our 

third one in a row.

The first two we glued and put up in his room

although I'm not sure the third one will have that same purpose.

I find that doing puzzles really helps 

to problem solve and makes one focus on details.

Helps with memory and fine motor skills.

Those things in our days

often have more purpose then just entertainment.

On the yarn front... I have finished a pair of socks for my niece

and those will be popped in the mail soon. 

Next I'm going to knit some socks for me as I could use another pair.

The "mens" socks are still serviceable at this point.

I found another wooden tool at the free store that is 

like a darning mushroom.

I looked it up and it's a wooden massager from the Body Shop.

Called a Thai wooden relaxer

that is much cheaper then getting an actual darning mushroom.

If you wanted a cheaper option for that tool.

Lightbulbs do work but I like the unbreakableness of the wood.

That will get good use keeping those socks useable. 

I think that homemade or store bought knit or crocheted items 

are so wonderful this time of year. 

The dampness of the changing seasons seems to call for wool.

A dear friend of mine is making a sweater...and that sounds like a great idea to try! 

I love how wool is so warm even if it's wet.

I have ideas for some wool mittens this winter as well. 

I love those nordic patterns but that is beyond my skill level.

What style of mittens do you enjoy?

Well...time to go strip the sheets on the beds and get them in the laundry.

Even without having the option of the clothesline anymore

it's a necessary change up.

Time for some warmer sheets....something flannel I think.

I hope you have a lovely homemaking day! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

 

Homemaking Mondays: Time for Cozy Feet

 

Hello! 
Yes, it's time for cozy feet again.

Freely going barefoot outdoors has come to an end.

It's time for cozy socks and warm sturdy shoes.

What better way to welcome this next season

but with some new wool socks?

I have a lovely variety of yarn that I have 

plans for...some for friends and some for family.

I love the worsted weight wool yarn for these

as they work up faster and I just have to admit

I enjoy the size of the yarn to work with more then

with the fingerling/small sock weight.

That said...I finally finished up a scarf that I've 

been working on for yes...a long time.

It's a delightful delicate scarf with a lovely drape to it.

So, there is a lovely effort to be made with the smaller yarn.

If any of you were wondering--- it's a pattern called Birch Trees.

This week I also finished up re-doing 

the cushions for our camper.

The foam needed to be washed so I took the covers off

and then washed those as well. 

I must say that I will never wash foam in such large 

sizes ever again!

It was so hard to wring out and then also took 

forever to dry.

Anyhoo...it is done and the covers are sewn on snugly again.

I used the ladder stitch and it closed up the seams so nicely.  

A fun project that I finally got around to 

is tidying up this cute little basket I had found.

It is broken a bit in spots...like along the right side of the lid.

I glued down the wooden pieces that were hanging

and then glued on this leather belt I found

around the edge of the lid to add more stability 

plus I thought it was kinda cute.

Oh another fun find this past week was this 

light-up art for my son.

It's a bottle cap look with some little lights.

Something fun for his wall in his new room.

It has been at the one store for a long time and I've 

thought about it for awhile...so being on sale I splurged.

Along with the warm socks,

cozy warm blankets 

and soft lighting

that comes along with the fall.

Time for some tea. 

Yes, each season has it's special tea tastes.

Well at least for me.

As the weather cools I have a hankering for black tea.

I am not having sugar at the moment

so I added a couple drops of stevia along with some cream.

It mades for a lovely cup of tea.

Just to sit and sip

while watching the leaves outside

swirl and fall in the wind from the trees.

I do miss the leaves on the trees...but oh the beauty of them falling!

This week we spotted this funny scene 

out the kitchen window.

There was our neighbourhood fox sitting quietly

watching the fat shed squirrel having a meal 

at the corner of the roof. 

After finishing up his cone he tossed it down at the fox 

and then scampered off across the roof.

The fox then proceeded to trot around the building

looking to see where it was off to.

I have to say that little fox left without a meal.

Sad for the fox, but I do really like that 

chubby squirrel who is so friendly.

Thank you for dropping by!

What kind of cozy have you been adding to your homes

as the seasons are changing?

I hope you have a beautiful day

keeping your home.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer