Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama - April , 2016

I haven't had much time (and truth by told ENERGY) to do much blogging lately, or even reading all the wonderful things you all blog about. My life is blessed! I simply want to enjoy every day that God has given me with my loving husband and zany kids, the new experiences, the adventures, and even the challenges.I miss writing though, and this link-up. Perhaps starting it at the beginning of the week and posting the following Monday will work...

CLOCK READS
2:48pm

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Although we've had some days of steady, cool rain, the weather has warmed up. We are enjoying more and more sunny days. Some days we don't even have to wear jackets!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN
All the snow is gone. The leaves have been raked off the lawn. The downed tree branches have been gathered and stacked to burn in the fire pit. The grass is green and growing. Cate's perennials have popped up as well as the Bleeding Hearts under the crabapple tree. The brook is swollen with melted snow from the mountain. Decidious trees are leaf buds. And the birds and spring peepers are back filling the woods with songs.

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
After a busy morning filled with learning and errands, I'm resting in the livingroom. The windows are open and I can hear the hens clucking. Another egg? Sam is making homemade peanut butter cookies and watching Netflix. The dogs are napping on the other end of the couch.

TODAY'S TO DO
Laundry
Grocery Shop
Bank
Band Practice
Homeschool
Dishes
Vacuum
Scrub Toilets

DINNER MENU
Monday: Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza
Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Steamed Peas
Wednesday: Leftovers - Baked Beans and Hot Dogs or Spaghetti and Meatballs and Baby Carrots and Celery Sticks
Thursday: Breakfast Pizza with White Pepper Gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Bacon and Pineapple Chunks
Friday: Chicken Alfredo and Steamed Cauliflower/Broccoli
Saturday: Chinese Take-out
Sunday: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

WHAT'S ON TV
I usually catch up on "Survivor", "The Amazing Race", "The Voice", and "Big Bang Theory" on Hulu or CBS sometime AFTER they have aired. We haven't had cable or local TV in several years now (nor Netflix). I do miss some of the shows on cable, but it's convenient to watch shows when it works for me through Hulu or CBS.

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

Most of you probably don't know that 3 1/2 years ago I attended the birth of my nephew Ayden. I was also there with my family when he died 50 minutes later. Ayden, the first child of my sister, arrived at 22 weeks due to an incompetent cervix. He was perfect in every way, but too early. It's been on my heart for a while to use my crochet to create special hat and blanket sets for Moms and Dads who's babies never go home through prematurity. These parents have only a few special items from their babies so they are treasured. I took a break from my 2 temperature blankets to make 2 sets for hospital donation. (If you are interested in also donating Project Robbie is a great place to start.)

The left set is for a baby about 1 pound. The hat is approximately 8" in diameter and 3 1/2" from top-to-bottom. The blanket is 17" x 17". The right set is for a baby about 2 pounds. The hat is approximately 10" in diameter and 4" top-to-bottom. The blanket is 18" x 18".

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER

A BLESSING

It's truly been a blessing to spend a couple of overnights a month with my husband boondocking in our little camper. We've had wonderful times together: fishing, exploring waterfalls, seeing new areas. The simple pleasure of a homemade breakfast sitting near a rushing river or reading our bibles before it gets too dark at night with the ocean waves lapping the shore nearby and a campfire are special times together.

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays.

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: March 21, 2016

CLOCK READS
2:04pm

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Springtime in Maine is fickle! Yesterday we had bright, sunny, high 30s in the mountains. A lovely spring day! Only a few lingering piles of snow.  And today? Snow! Schools cancelled due to slippery conditions. White instead of brown and green.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN
Yesterday at this time I was in New Hampshire with my husband. We decided to do an all day road trip in the new-to-us campervan, heading north in Maine then over to New Hampshire and making a loop back home. About 2:30pm yesterday, I was looking at this:

Today, I am home. It snowed steady this morning, heavy, wet snow.

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE

It's quiet. Cate and Sam are visiting family this week, enjoying time with grandparents, aunts and cousins, and watching cable. Jake is in his bedroom, watching something on his TV. The dryer is running. Baked beans are in the oven slowly soaking in that molasses. And I'm crocheting.

TODAY'S TO DO

• Vacuum
• Sweep Floors
• Dishes - In Progress
• Laundry - Drying
• Make Baked Beans - Baking
• Shovel
• Gather trash

DINNER MENU
For a while I searched for a traditional bean pot to bake up some Boston Baked Beans. It's really the only right way to make them. Crockpot beans just aren't the same. My sister gifted me a one on Christmas, along with some adorably cute little bean pot serving dishes. I found my sweet husband's late father's baked bean recipe in the family cookbook. So, dinner tomorrow is salt pork and molasses baked beans with hot dogs and salad.

WHAT'S ON TV
"Amazing Race". Are you watching?

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET
I took a break from my 2 temperature blankets to make a towel holder for the campervan. (Be sure to check out our camping blog HERE.) It was a super quick and easy project! You can find the instructions HERE. I used worsted weight Super Saver and a 3.5mm hook. No more towels on the floor!

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER

A BLESSING
There are people who are put in our lives to teach us something. We may not want the lesson or the stress that comes with it, but it grows us spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. As hard as it is sometimes to see, those challenging people in our lives are a true blessing.

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every  men. (Colossians 4:6)

Thanks for stopping by! I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays. Why not join in? Have a WONDERFUL week!

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: March 14, 2016

CLOCK READS
2:22pm

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS

Overcast, high 30s.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN
Piles of dirty, dingy snow have dwindled in the warmer temperatures. Scattered twigs, pine cones and leaves dot patches of brown grass. A trail of frozen mud marks the walk to the coop. The swollen brook rushes by behind the chicken run.

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm resting. I was quite ill yesterday, vomiting. :sigh: I don't usually get more than a slight cold, but this belly bug hit Cate first, then Jake, and settled on me this weekend. Thankfully my wonderful husband willingly took over household tasks and caring for the kids while I spent the day in bed. But it's Monday and there's things to do...

TODAY'S TO DO

• Laundry
• Dishes
• Jazz Band Practice
• Homeschool
• Vacuum
• Salvation Army Donation Drop-off
• Bake Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Work on Camping Blog (LINK)

DINNER MENU
Chop Suey and Peas

WHAT'S ON TV
I catch most of my favorite shows, "The Amazing Race", "The Big Bang Theory", "Survivor", and "The Voice" on Hulu and CBS sometime during the week after the newest episodes air. Tonight? I'll be watching "The Amazing Race" and "The Big Bang Theory" from last Friday.

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

I haven't been sharing updates on my daughter's temperature blanket. It's done in Red Heart Super Saver yarn in red, orange, yellow, spring green, green, blue, navy, and purple with a FPO SC. I started with a chain of 250 using a 3.5mm hook. It's interesting "reading" the blanket for weather! It's definitely obvious that spring has sprung!

Purples are temperatures under 20 degrees, navy 20s, blue 30s, green 40s, bright green 50s, and yellow (up top) 60s.

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER

A BLESSING
Our camper is finally home! We bought it February 13th, but it's been at the RV Center for repairs. It was finished over a week ago, but we weren't able to arrange a time to fit everyone's schedules to have a "run through" of all the systems with the RV tech until this weekend. It's been such a blessing to have the provisions to purchase the campervan and have everything repaired! I've started a blog for our camping and fishing adventures if you'd like to see what we're up too (LINK).

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION

But my God shall supply all of your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19)

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays.

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: Leap Day

CLOCK READS
9:16am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Bright, sunny, high 30s.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN
Snow and ice continue to melt. More and more patches of brown, but turning green grass. Branches and a lone flip flop peek out of the diminishing snow. Water flows rapidly down the brook.

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
Light cleaning while Sam completes a math test. 

TODAY
Jazz band practice for Cate. Grocery shopping. Catching up laundry. Free ranging the flock.

DINNER
Spaghetti and Meatballs and Tossed Salad

WHAT'S ON TV
"Amazing Race"

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET
Continuing to work on my anniversary temperature blanket. Completed May 10-September. Half way through October. Anxious to finish for our camper van bed! (Camping blog link) 

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER
Need a trip to the library. Book-less.

A BLESSING
Changing of seasons

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays.

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: February 8, 2016

CLOCK READS
1:17pm

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Another snowstorm is blowing in this afternoon. It's overcast and 20 degrees. And a 3rd storm in less than a week is following tomorrow. Here comes the white stuff!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm able to take a breather finally. It's been a whirlwind morning with getting husband off to work and son off to school, taking care of the flock, dogs and cat, starting homeschool, making an important phone call, running to jazz band for daughter and the groceries store for grub while juggling getting son from public transportation as school closed early (even though we haven't seen a flake of snow yet). :: sigh :: I need to make another call, bake 2 chocolate chip banana breads, finish homeschool, check the flock, vacuum, and finally make dinner before calling it quits for the day.

TO DO
☐ Fix Leaks (that Never Got Fixed in January)
☐ Declutter and Organize Utility Room
☐ Clothing, Linens and Blankets Purge
☐ Bring Donates to Salvation Army

DINNER
Soft Shell Beef Tacos with Diced Tomatoes, Shredded Lettuce, Chunky Salsa, Mexican Shredded Cheeses, Sliced Black Olives, and Sour Cream

WHAT'S ON TV
Who has time?

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

I started a 2nd temperature blanket just over a week ago. I'm excited as this blanket will represent the high temperatures during our first year married. A special homemade momento on our first anniversary! 

I'm creating this one in the trinity stitch. I love this stitch! (I would recommend it for a SOLID color blanket though.) It's going to make a thick, cozy queen-sized afghan.

I've made quite a bit of progress already. I finished up May 2015 and June is almost complete. I figured out that I will complete 91,250 stitches (without a border) by the time I have 365 rows completed. Phew!

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER
This month I will be doing a LOVE STUDY from Time Warp Wife. I'm excited about learning and applying the 4 types of love - storge, philia, eros, and agape - through bible scripture, on-line discussion, a study guide, and Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. I'll be jotting down prayers and reflections in the SWEET "Quiet Your Heart" journal. (For info on this study, click here.It's not too late to join in!)

A BLESSING

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION

And let the PEACE of GOD rule in your hearts...(Colossians 3:15)

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook, Darling Downs Diaries, and Happy Homemaker are Mondays.

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: February 1, 2016

CLOCK READS
7:41am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Warm weather ushers in February. Cloudy and drizzly, but we may reach 50 degrees. Where are the shorts? flip flops? A sneak-peak of spring!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN

Bare patches of ground and grass are showing through the snow to the coop as the mid-winter thaw continues. The hens have been able to explore the yard again, pecking and scratching where they can, and the ducks have been swimming in the brook, preening after a dip in the icy water.

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm in my cozy bed with a cooling cup of green tea sweetened with honey beside me. I hear Cate stirring in her room. Wonder how she's feeling? She's had a low grade fever since Saturday.  And I think she's shared with me...

FEBRUARY TO DO LIST
☐ Fix Leaks (that Never Got Fixed in January)
☐ Declutter and Organize Utility Room
☐ Clothing, Linens and Blankets Purge
☐ Bring Donates to Salvation Army

MEAL PLAN
Monday - TBD
Tuesday - TBD
Wednesday - Fend for Yourself Night
Thursday - TBD
Friday - TBD
Saturday - TBD
Sunday - TBD

(Yeah, I don't really have a plan...)

WHAT'S ON TV
Nothing! It's been a while now since I've watched TV, but I think the new seasons of The Amazing Race, The Voice, and Survivor start something this month. I catch them the day after for free on Hulu as we don't have cable.

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

Isn't it a cute pillow? It didn't work up as big as I thought, but it's a perfect accent pillow to go with my rippled fan afghan. (Pattern)

And here's a look at the progress on my temperature blanket for January. Color key? Purple is for under 20 degrees, navy for 20s, light blue for 30s, and green for 40s. It was a mild month for us. I didn't think I would need green yet! The random pattern based on temperatures is going to create a unique blanket.

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER

A BLESSING
This month I will be doing a LOVE STUDY from Time Warp Wife. I'm excited about learning and applying the 4 types of love - storge, philia, eros, and agape - through bible scripture, on-line discussion, a study guide, and Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. I'll be jotting down prayers and reflections in the SWEET "Quiet Your Heart" journal. (For info on this study, click here. It's not too late to join in!)

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer all men. (Colossians 4:6)

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook, Darling Downs Diaries, and Happy Homemaker are Mondays.