Happy Homemaker Monday

Good morning from Iowa! I used the "wrong" photo for this link up - sorry, Sandra! But, figured I'd leave it today...because it's so pretty and it's already there. :) My husband is doing a local domestic missions trip with some of our middle school students this week - I'm hoping to post some of what they are accomplishing later on this week. They are right down town working with low income children, providing food and fun to kids who don't have much of either. We are praying for IMPACT on the students serving! We really do have so much!

The weather:::

79 is supposed to the high today. Then back to high 80's and 90's for the rest of the week! Summer is fully here. We are loving our free splash park down the street :)  

 
On my reading pile:::  
"Strong Women Soft Hearts" by Paula Rinehardt
"Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst
1 Kings 

On my TV:::

3 year old and I just finished "Mad Hungry" with Lucinda Scala Quinn! It's our favorite cooking show. I still don't get why she likes it. She's 3! But, it is entertaining and Lucinda an excellent host! 



Also...Is it super nerdy to admit that I'm PUMPED about the Hallmark Fathers Day movie marathon coming up?! They all look uber cheesy, but, hoping to watch a few {maybe even with daddy}.

On the menu for this week:::

Monday -   Seasoned steaks on the grill, grilled and marinated zucchini :) 
Tuesday -   Artichoke Chicken Pizza w/ Greek Romaine Salad
Wednesday -  German Style Hamburgers & peachy glazed carrots
Thursday -  Orange Pork Stir Fry over rice 
Friday - Spinach Tortellini and sliced sweet peppers
Saturday -   7 grain pancakes!!! 
Sunday - Fathers Day. We'll probably take daddy out for his choice :) 


*all these recipes you can find at Taste of Home's website, as I'm cooking my way through their cookbook right now.     

On my to do list:::

Lots of laundry today. Baby woke up...in a pukey bed. {gag}
General tidying.
Would love to work on our bedroom during nap time. 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

This weekend I finished up my big girls nite stand. :) I think it looks fab and it's already in her room. Just need to find some girly drawer knobs and we'll be set! I might distress the drawer as it already has some brush strokes.  Not bad considering I used leftover pink paint from big girls room and 1 1/2 cans of spray paint :) 

 

Summer Fun:::

We'll.... we ventured downtown to the Farmers Market this weekend. It was HOT and way overcrowded. But, we did score some yummy pancake mix that we fell in love with last year. The girls love seeing all the dogs people bring, too. My fave was trying one of the fruit tarts from a local vendor. It was...delish! 

Looking around the house:::

Pretty well cleaned up. We had a birthday party to go to on Saturday night, so the house was all clean for the babysitter. {blush} Just need to vacuum again.

Ava is playing Polly Pockets constantly these days. Out of nowhere its like she learned how to play independently.

From the camera:::

Sad day. My little ol' Kodak is officially DEAD. :( I'm secretly hoping I get a ton of money in the mail some year so I can buy a decent one. 

Something fun to share:::

Our church is hosting our annual Backyard BBQ and car show this weekend. It's always a great time of food, fellowship, and...acting like you know a ton about antique cars. {of which I do not} We have some men who own several and know lots and lots - they are good at explaining things. :) 

On my prayer list:::

Hoping Augs isn't really sick. Dr checked her out today and says her tonsils were a little big - could just be a virus. I feel like I hear that A LOT.  

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

1 Kings is awesome. I'm loving going back through the early days of Solomon...before all those wives and mischief! :)