Happy Home Monday

If you want to see more HHM posts go on over to Sandra's blog to read more.

The Weather...I am listening to the wind howling outside as I type this up.  We are expecting 70 mph wind gusts here.  

How I am feeling this morning...anxious, worried and everything that goes along with this.  My grandmother was diagnosed with COVID-19 and is in the hospital.  It really stinks she is there without family.  We are all taking turns video chatting her and calling her on the phone.  Seems to lift everyone's spirits.

On my mind...my grandmother, my dad as he has had to go take care of my grandfather, my aunt and uncle who had to be quarantined because they had contact with my grandmother.

On the breakfast plate...just had coffee this morning.  Have not really felt like eating this morning.

On my reading pile..."Spencer's Mountain" the book that The Walton's is based one.  I've also been reading a lot more of my Bible, finding comfort in this crazy world.

On my TV...The Walton's, Wartime Farm (off YouTube), Bringing Up Bates.

On the menu this week...

Monday~ Sloppy Joes on Buns for my family and over Spaghetti Squash for me.

Tuesday~ Ham and bean soup using the ham bone left over from Easter Supper.

Wednesday~ Ham Tetrazzini with Spaghetti Squash

Thursday~ Chicken 

Friday~ Usually order out

From the camera...

Looking around the house... I have candles lit, I am enjoying the peacefulness of home.  Especially with all the chaos going on outside. 

Chore I’m not looking forward to today, or this week...cleaning the bathrooms.  Really, does anyone really enjoy that task?  I find myself cleaning our bathrooms daily now.  

To relax this week, I will...grab my camera.  I am really starting to reconnect with things I enjoy doing.  Life is way too short to neglect what you enjoy.  I really wish I could stay home all the time.  But my job requires me to go into the office.

On my prayer list...My grandmother, dad, grandfather, aunt and uncle. 

Devotional/Bible Verse...

Psalm 94:19

19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.

Cinnamon Bundt Cake in my Grandmother's Pan

With all of this virus pandemic going on around us I have felt the urge to create comfort in my home.  When the raging winds outside blow I want my family to know they can always come home and feel safe.  My Grandmother gave me a bunch of her kitchen items before she passed away.  One of my treasured items is this Bundt pan.  No matter the season my Grandmother made EVERYONE feel comfortable and safe.  Maybe that is why I love making her recipes.  Something about the smell of this cake that just transports me back to her kitchen, standing on a stool helping her make something.

Cinnamon Bundt Cake

1 cup softened butter
2 3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 teaspoons Vanilla
4 eggs
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sour cream or Greek Yogurt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 walnuts chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and 2 cups of sugar until fluffy. Add in the vanilla.  Add eggs in one at a time and mix until each is incorporated.  In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Add the dry mixture into the egg/sugar mixture alternately with the sour cream / yogurt.  Mix just enough so it is incorporated and the batter is smooth.  Mix the cinnamon, nut and remaining sugar in a small bowl.  Spoon 1/3 of the batter into the pan.  Sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture.  Then add more batter, then cinnamon mixture.  Continue doing this until the batter and cinnamon mixture is used up.  Bake for 70 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

What kinds of things bring you comfort in times of trials? 

Happy Homemaker Monday

It has been in FOREVER since I did one of these posts. Thank you Sandra for hosing this so faithfully! I certainly have missed it.  I really miss being home on a regular basis.  Seasons change as does our lives.  Just because I work outside of the home does not mean I am not still a homemaker.  I am looking forward to reconnecting with my blogger friends.

Lets get started shall we....

The Weather.... is typical NY spring weather.  We have temperatures in the low 60's for much of the week then we are back into cold/snow towards the end of the week. 

How I am feeling this morning.... pretty sore.  We worked outside all weekend cleaning up getting ready to plant our gardens.

On my mind... probably exactly what everyone else has on their minds.  This virus, the country, the world, how will our world look once this virus runs its course.  So many uncertainties lie ahead of us.  One thing is for certain, God is already there.  He has already gone ahead of us.  We need to just keep pushing on through.  Not easy I know.

On the Breakfast Plate... I made a coffee cake yesterday.  So I am having a slice of that with my coffee as I catch up on blogs.

On my reading pile.... magazines mostly.  Country Woman, Back Woods Living, Mary Janes Farm.  I am also reading Attitudes of a Transformed Heart by Martha Peace.

On my TV.... we are watching a lot of The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie.

On the Menu this week...

• Monday - Roast
• Tuesday- Chicken
• Wednesday- Lasagna (kids will all be here to decorate Easter eggs)
• Thursday-Stir Fry- Beef and Broccoli
• Friday- Most likely order out someplace.

 From the Camera....

I have been in such a baking mood lately.  It brings me great joy when I am able to create these goodies for my family.  I made some cinnamon rolls.  I used the recipe my grandmother gave me years ago.  Funny how simple recipes can really help you connect with loved ones who are no longer with us.

Looking around the house.... I see the remnants of the weekend.  Boots left by the front door, coats draped over the dining room chairs, dog toys on the floor. 

Chore I am not looking forward to today, or this week....Cleaning out our backroom.  It really needs to be done.  We just keep putting it off.  Now that we cannot go anywhere after work, or on the weekends we have no more excuse.  Garbage day is Tuesday so I usually try to get a few items tossed before then.

To relax this week I will...BLOG!  I cannot tell you enough how much I have missed this.  I really don't even care if anyone is out there reading this.  Something so therapeutic about putting my thoughts down on a daily basis that will really help me relax.

On my prayer list.... our country, President, family to not catch this thing!  My grandparents who are not doing well health-wise and my Aunt who is caring for them.

Devotional / Bible Verse...."Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you. ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong....those words are so difficult this day and age.  The past few weeks I am tired of being strong.  I do not know what the future holds, heck I don't even know what tomorrow holds!  As we head into Easter this week we must remember that no matter how dark it seems outside, the Light is coming!  Our church's might be empty this Sunday, but so is the Tomb!