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: February 15, 2015

CLOCK READS
6:21am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Absolutely frigid. Not just cold, but miserably cold. We're sitting at -15 right now, but we're supposed to be up to 18 degrees for a high. That's quite an improvement over yesterday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm staying cozy in bed with my husband (who has the day off from work) and lots of blankets. It's early. Our kids are still sleeping. The only sounds are the heat coming out of the vents and my husband talking nonsense to me. (He's being silly already this morning.)

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
TBD

WHAT'S ON TV
It looks like the new season of "Amazing Race" has started. I'll be catching in free on-line at some point. (We don't have cable.) When does Survivor and The Voice start?

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

You'll see a lot of my anniversary and daughter's temperature blankets in the coming months. I don't plan on starting any new projects at this point. I finished May 10th-August 7th, 2015 on my anniversary blanket, and I'm loving the colors and stitch. It's going to be a heavy, cozy and huge 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
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

My husband and I were blessed with the provisions to start a dream of ours, to RV and camp. We thought we would have to wait years, but everything seemed to fall in place over the last month, and on Valentine's Day we purchased our first new-to-us Roadtrek campervan. Not only does it have all the stuff we need to camp, but it can be used as a back-up vehicle if needed due to its small size. I'll be starting a blog just for our camping adventures when we decide on a blog name...



DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD and whose hope the LORD is. (Jeremiah 17:7)

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

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: January 18, 2011

CLOCK READS
10:00am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
The WHITE STUFF has arrived! 11 inches of snow fell this past week, and another 1-3 inches are predicted for today. High temperatures hover just below freezing with lows dipping into the single digits. Winter has settled in.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
Lounging on the sectional with Rosie and Winnie, our "golden" age dogs, sipping hot cocoa in my PJs and slippers, wondering when my boys will emerge from their slumber.

WEEKLY TO DO (FROM LAST WEEK & WEEK BEFORE BECAUSE I JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THEM)
☐ Fix Toilet Leak
☐ Fix Sink Leak
☐ Organize the Container Cupboard

BREAKFAST, LUNCH and DINNER
Breakfast: Leftover Hawaiian Pizza
Lunch: Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs
Dinner: Something with Beef, Potatoes and Frozen Veggies

(And yes, breakfast and lunch are flip-flopped, but why not?)

WHAT'S ON TV
Again, nothing as I'm waiting for February and premieres of my favorite shows on Hulu: "The Voice", "Survivor", 'The Amazing Race", and "The Big Bang Theory". Less TV viewing means more time for home improvement projects reading and crocheting!

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

Call me CROCHET CRAZY, but I not only have 2 WIP afghans, an earthy-toned moss green, yellow and white ripple with fans (that I might just keep for MYSELF) and a temperature blanket that my daughter wants, and 3 WIP toddler beanies for my pastor and his wife's grandkids, but I think I might just start another temperature blanket based on high temperatures during my first year married. Wouldn't that be a great afghan to snuggle under together? But Tom and I still have to decide on colors and pattern...

Ripple Blanket Pattern
Temperature Blanket Facebook Group
Basic Beanie Pattern and How to Make a Pom Pom Video

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).

READING

A BLESSING
Provision. In so many utterly amazing ways.

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION
I will both lay me down in PEACE and SLEEP; for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in SAFETY. (Psalms 4:8)

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

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: January 11, 2016

CLOCK READS
8:39am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
The super soggy weather of the weekend blew through. The weird winter weather continues. Instead of snow, we got 2 inches of drenching rain. But today the skies are mostly clear, the sun is shining, and the temperatures are just below freezing.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW and IN THE GARDEN

WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW and AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm sitting on the couch, in comfy, cozy cottons, slippers and a fleece jacket, listening to the washer run and Sam make his egg, sausage and cheese breakfast sandwich in the kitchen.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST
☐ Fix Toilet Leak
☐ Fix Sink Leak
☐ Organize Entry Closet and Throw Away Stinky Shoes
☐ Organize the Container Cupboard

BREAKFAST, LUNCH and DINNER
Egg, Sausage and Cheese on English Muffins and Orange or Banana
Leftover Chop Suey and Apple or Peach
Cheese and Salsa Nachos

WHAT'S ON TV
Nothing until February premieres, although I have been watching camping videos on You Tube, dreaming about warmer weather, camp fires, and seeing new places.

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

Have you seen the Temperature Blanket Yarn-Along on Facebook? Assigning specific yarn colors to certain temperatures, you crochet or knit a row of stitches using the high temperature of the day. I thought it was a great idea, and despite already having an afghan started, I jumped right in to create one. I chained 250 with a size 3.5mm hook in black, which will be my border, and will continue on with my blanket doing FLO SC. You can use any stitch, but keep in mind that you will have 366 rows...Even with SC this one will certainly cover a queen-sized bed!

I chose "amethyst" for under 20, "delft blue" for 30s and "paddy green" for 40s. I haven't needed "navy" for 20s yet.

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).

READING
The Story of Beautiful Girl (Rachel Simon)

A BLESSING

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL and INSPIRATION
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)

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

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: January 4, 2016

CLOCK READS
8:56am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
The "white stuff" arrived with the shivering cold temperatures. One day we were enjoying unseasonably high 60s, and then a few days later shivering 20s. What's Maine without winter?

IN THE GARDEN
We're snow-covered until, oh, April.

LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE

I see a mountain of dirty dishes that need attention, but I'm hoping someone else will attend to them.

TO DO
☐ Fix Toilet Leak
☐ Fix Sink Leak
☐ Is Anything Else Leaking?

DINNER MENU
Beef & Barley Vegetable Stew with Fresh Baked Bread Boules

WHAT'S ON TV
Most of my shows have ended, so waiting for premieres in February.

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET

With many wonderful afghan patterns pinned, I simply couldn't decide which one to crochet. My sweet husband mentioned he liked this one, the Cool Breeze Baby Ripple, and it became my latest project. Guessing the multiple count to enlarge the pattern was tricky (and I never did get it right), but I made it work. I'm loving the "earthy" green and yellow colors with the white contrast.

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
I sometimes complain about the snow, ice and cold temperatures, but I can't imagine living where there aren't the changing of seasons. We are blessed with the "rest" winter brings, the slowing down of schedules, the cozy days and nights inside a warm home with family.

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL

And let the peace of God rule in  your hearts...(Colossians 3:15)

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

Happy Homemaker Daybook: Journal of a SAHM

The Clock Reads...

7:18am

Weather in My Neck of the Woods 

Another rainy overcast day. The difference? It's supposed to be a steamy day too, warming up to the mid-80s. I'm thankful that the sun won't be shining. I think.

In the Garden

I harvested most of the green beans. Unfortunately the last batch went uneaten and the hens will get to enjoy them. Next time I'll freeze them. I'm excited to see that the cucumbers have taken off and are going like weeds! I just wish my peas would...

Looking Around the House

The carpets need vacuuming, but the dishes are done. The floors need a mop, but the laundry is caught up. We're getting there. (Notice I said WE'RE?)

Menu for this Week

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Rice Pilaf and Veggies. Crockpot Beef au Jus on Homemade Crusty Bread and Veggies. Grilled Hot Dogs with Baked Beans and Veggies. Scrambled Eggs with Pancakes and Fresh Fruit.

What's on my TV Today 

I grabbed Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2 from the library. Perhaps we'll actually watch them today...

What I'm Creating from the Craft Basket

Do you have a craft basket? or bag? I found a "clam basket" at a yard sale recently for $1.00. It's perfect to carry my crafting and books along with me to the lake or doctor's offices or wherever I go to help pass the time.

I'm Reading

Things that Make Me Happy and Thankful

Lots and lots of blowing fans.

I'm Wondering

When my van will be repaired and ready for pick-up? Tomorrow? Wednesday?

Devotional

I've recently gotten into scripture journaling. Some do the journaling and drawing right in their bibles, but I've chosen to do it in a small hardcover notebook. Some have fancy-dancy supplies, but I just use a few Sharpie pens, a mechanical pencil and Crayola erasable colored pencils. It's a great way to focus on specific scripture!

 I'm linking up to The Simple Woman at The Simple Woman's Daybook and to the Diary of a Stay At Home Mother at Happy Homemaker on Mondays.