Diary of a Homemaker: The Last of the Year



Saturday:  John and I had such a lovely evening for Christmas Eve.  We watched two of our most favored movies.   We really love the old black and white "A Christmas Carol" with Alistair Sim as Scrooge.  The second movie we watched was "The Bishop's Wife".     We had popcorn and hot cocoa to go with our movies.  

This morning, we had our usual canned orange Danish for our holiday meal.  I was out of sausage of any sort but no hardship to go without.  It's the Orange Danish that's a must!

The Week Ahead: All the Way to the End

 


In my home this week, we are seeing the year through to the end.   I cannot say I'm sorry to see the backside of this year.  It was, in its own way, as difficult as the year that went before.   Just a different sort of difficult than we had in 2020.  

Shabat/Christmas was quiet and lovely.  I enjoyed it very much as did John.  We had a lovely dinner, which was delicious and of which we had plenty of leftovers.  One doesn't go from planning for 4 or 5 and end serving 2 without leftovers.   Never mind.  We added them to our freezer and will make extra meals using those items.

Advent Week 5: Arriving In Wonder



Here we are...The time is here.  The door has opened.  We are through to the other side.

Angels came and spoke to men.  A child was born.  A gift, the Son of Man, came to heal the world and carry its sin.  He came with only a handful to know.  A young girl and a young man, shepherds and wise men.   The world was in darkness and sin.   

The Third Week of Christmas: Chaos Then Quiet



Saturday:  Katie was quite right.  We had enough food and only a few leftovers to deal with.  I made the Ranch Roll ups, BBQed Smoky Franks, the Marinated Sandwiches, Sausage Balls, Chips with various dips and salsa, veggies with Ranch and Hummus, and a Fruit Platter.    The kids ate like they'd never had a meal before.  Every adult had a plate that was fully loaded, too.

The pile of presents under the tree was rather amazing.  Every one of the adult children bought for each other and every child.  Of course, we'd done the same, so it was an impressive looking stash.  Only us girls all knew that many and many a bargain was in those packages.  Katie is queen of Target and Bess excels at CVS ECBs.   Gramma just loves to find sales/clearance items.  We all came well under our budget for spending and none of us will owe anyone after Christmas.   

Advent Week 4: Hope Is Born

 


There are stages in our waiting season.  The moment when we rest.  The moment when we begin to prepare.  The moment when we begin to look beyond ourselves and love one another.  And then, when we have become comfortable in our waiting season, and are thinking perhaps after all it's not such a bad spot to be, we find that anticipation comes.  We begin to prepare with fresh strengths. 

In My Home This Week: Christmas Time is Near

 



In my home this week, we are pretty much done with the holiday as far as family is concerned.  Our Christmas Day will be fairly quiet but that is ahead yet.   This week shall be a lot less hectic and a whole lot more relaxed.  I don't plan to work too hard at all this week.  In fact, I'm going to just cool my jets and I mean it. 

The Second Week of Christmas 2021

 


Saturday:  Our day was very quiet.  No carols, no tuning on the tree lights.   We mostly just did nothing.  I made our usual Saturday lunch pizza.  This week I made Buffalo Chicken pizza.  I don't make this one often, but we really enjoy the change when I do make it.

Late afternoon and evening were a whole different story from our morning and early afternoon. We were just beginning to get ready to leave when the weather blew through with heavy wind and rain.  It poured.  It started getting really dark by 4:30.   We were determined we'd keep our evening as planned but it was tempting to just stay home.   

25th Anniversary: A House Story



John and I began to long for a house of our own about 1994.  It seemed like the right time to look for a house.  We'd been together for two years, had just gotten married and we were ready to establish ourselves as a proper family.   We spent the next year looking first at houses, discounting one after the other, then at home plans and costs and then at mobile homes.  

We were pretty sure we'd go the route of a mobile home.  Financially it made the most sense.  Aesthetically, mobile homes were on the uprise and while they might look like cookie cutter homes on the outside they were often well designed with modern finishes and arrangements inside.   As well, most of the homes on the lots were staged, long before anyone was staging traditional built homes to sell, and that staging could really help you see how well a home could adapt to your own needs and family and furnishings.  

Advent Week 3: Angels We Have Heard

 




In days of old, a man entertained strangers often.  Doors were opened and the stranger was welcomed within.  No decent man would turn away a stranger who appeared.  In Biblical times, hospitality was not simply inviting someone to stay to supper.  It was a spiritual obligation as much as a personal one to offer one's home and comforts to a weary traveler.  It was more than entertainment.  Hospitality was something deeper.  It was a reverence for the person, stranger though they might be.  Hospitality was an offering of refuge, refreshment, rest, and restoration.  It was the essence of 'Love thy neighbor'.

The Week Ahead: Double Time




I'm going to skip the room reviews until the end of the year.   

In my home this week, I'm going to be busy, busy.  I was thrown off my preparation plans for the Family Day last week and this week will be hectic as can be as I try to get things ready.  I have gifts to wrap, cards to finish addressing, decorations to finish, cookies to bake, food to prepare and Caleb to keep all week long, as well.   It's going to be a busy week.  

The First Week Of Christmas



Saturday:  When he got up this morning, John lit the tree.  That made me smile.  I usually don't decorate it right away but it's still pretty and very pleasant if one is sitting in a semi-dark room which John was doing.  He didn't open the curtains behind the tree at all, and I left them closed so that he could enjoy the lights.

A Brief Coffee Chat

 


Hello dears, do come in.  There are Snickerdoodles and Hot Cocoa, Coffee and Tea.  Take your choice of hot drinks and come sit with me here near the sparkling Christmas tree which to date has only some inexpensive pinecone ornaments attached.   I plan to do more to the tree, but Caleb...hence the inexpensive pinecones.  I know that his little fingers are so tempted and if no one is the room he must touch and remove something from it as he did this afternoon and who can blame him?  It's asking far too much of a two-year-old who is entranced by this lovely tree that has appeared in the middle of his favorite window, to also say "Don't touch" and think he's going to mind.  Of course, he's going to touch!  and stand and stare and talk to himself before it.

Advent Week 2: Prepare the Way

 



Often enough the waiting season comes on the heels of a hard season, one in which we'd already begun to question the reasons of our own place in life.  There is sometimes a shock when we find ourselves in the waiting zone, but waiting has many purposes.

1.  It's a time for rest.  Our time at synagogue came on the heels of 10 years of intense involvement, work and study within the churches and synagogue.  When John finally agreed to attend church with me, he encouraged us to be active in services, study groups and activities.   We often attended church two or three days a week.  John entered a period of intense creativity and wrote numerous songs, got involved with the worship team at church and became an ordained worship leader for our synagogue.  I started a church newsletter at one church and volunteered for various activities, including church clean up.  John mowed grass.  We planned vacations to fall between church services.

In My Home This Week: The First Week of Christmas



I think this is likely a style from the very late 1920s or early 1930.  I thought it would be fun to share various rooms throughout the house, but I have to say that honestly dining rooms are pretty much classic, aren't they?  I would think the hutch was newish to the era but the buffet at the back is common enough and seen from the 1800's onward.

The Duncan Phyfe style table and chairs shown here were very popular around this period and many reproductions appeared.  I saw this style often in older family homes during my childhood.  The buffet in the room is likely a holdover from Victorian days and probably was a family piece.  But that China hutch?  20th century.  The secretary to the left here might well be another antique, older than the buffet.  This room is a true mixture of modern and antique and yet manages to be harmonious.  

Diary of a Homemaker: New Days Ahead, Part 2

 


Sunday:  Up early this morning as John was off to church and I had Caleb coming so that Katie could work an extra shift.     After John left home, I realized with a start that he'd had no breakfast.  I was so in the Caleb schedule zone that I never even thought of making anything before he arrived.   As for John, I hate he left without eating, but we (including himself) all know that he knows where foods are kept and how to make them.  I like doing things such as that for him but if it's obvious I'm unwell or zoned into a different schedule he can make anything he likes without fuss from me.

Advent Week 1: The Waiting Season

 



Several years ago, we took a sabbatical from synagogue.   During that time of intense personal study and digging deeper, we came to many realizations but most of all we prayed hard for direction in our life, most especially in our spiritual life.   At the end of the time of sabbatical, we were stunned to be told that we needed to step back entirely and leave synagogue.  It was not the answer we'd expected to hear.   

Diary of a Homemaker: New Days Ahead- part 1



Friday:  We are living in changing times and new challenges seem to be cropping up around every corner, but if we take notice, and adjust our homemaker habits accordingly, we can get through this.  Jennifer @ The Homemaker's Heart with Jennifer

I loved this quote on Jennifer's latest post and am sharing it here.  I am in 100% agreement with her in this statement.  I know many of you feel the same.  Let's be the quiet movement and make our adjustments as needed.

This Week In My Home: Winding Down


Years ago, my mom acquired metal beds for my brother and I from family members.   I remember those beds fondly and during Katie's childhood she also had one.   I have the headboard of an old Simmons bed in my guest room right now.   I adore them.  

I first discovered that Simmons (famous now for the Beauty Rest line of mattresses) originally made metal bedframes when I acquired a vintage 1928 Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  

A few weeks ago, I was looking at various vintage room decor and I found this old Simmons color ad.  I thought it was such a pretty room and wanted to share it. 

Diary of a Thankful Homemaker

 

Friday:  I said I wouldn't make a post this week but I thought I'd jot down a few thoughts each day of things for which I am thankful in this weekend and week leading up to Thanksgiving.

Today I am grateful that Caleb was feeling better.  I am grateful to have seen Josh and Isaac for a few moments.  Surprise of the day was to hear Isaac READ the first page of his new book!  He's just in pre-K so this was a very pleasant surprise indeed.

Lastly, Katie was given time off an hour early tonight so we were able to finish up our day and have Shabat on time this evening.  Lovely!

Diary of a Homemaker: Thankful Every Day

 


Saturday:  I woke after 12 hours of sleep this morning and felt so much better.  I'd followed Lana's advice of using the Lavender Oil on the soles of my feet, took myself off to bed and went right to sleep and there I stayed all night long.  I felt 90% improved this morning and felt better as the day went on until late afternoon when I started to flag.  I plan to continue to take it easy these two days I have off and hopefully will be right back to my usual healthy self Monday morning.

How To Survive The Current Season




I can't help but notice that of late there are a great number of headlines.  They are everywhere.  I don't watch news programs but I see and hear a few news items that slip through on search engines or ads on the side of a blog.  Equally as bad are Instagram post headers, vlog episode titles and blogger post headings.  I do realize that some are more interested in getting a view and so their headlines are meant to be clickbait, a lure to draw you in.   I say they are fear mongering.

I admit that after the past two years  we have good reason to be watchful at stores for outages.  Lana and I both noted fewer trains coming through our communities.  I don't live near a seaport as Lana does but I do live near a major portion of railroad line and multiple trains daily travel that line.   In winter especially, though I live 3 miles out of town, I can easily hear the train whistles.  I've heard far fewer of late than I normally have been hearing.  This tells me that shipping has slowed down.

In My Home This Week: Get Ahead



So often when watching English decor programs or YouTubes, etc. I see these narrow little rooms, often referred to as 'box rooms' and wonder, "How on earth do you call this a bedroom?!"  Well this room kind of answers that question and in a lovely way I think.  It's a design plan for a room that I believe was made about turn of the century.  Not how long and narrow it is.  It's meant to be a bed sitting room and I think it's made the most clever use of the space.

Let's start all the way at the window end.   Note the table in front of the window with the vanity mirror set upon it.  I think that table could double as a desk for the room as well.  To the right of that window is a doorway.  And then beyond the door is a wall hung bookshelf above a small chest of drawers.

Coffee Notes: November Is My Favorite

 


Hello all,

November is my favorite month.  In Georgia, it's when we get our first tastes of really cooler weather and the month when frosts comes and leaves begin to change color.  Oh there are a few cooler nights in September and more in October, but it's more consistent in November.  A few leaves will jump the gun and change with the blooming of the golden rod but it is after the golden rod is mostly done and only a few fresh stems remain that the frost begins the annual color change in our area.  This week we had our first frosts and now we've got the most lovely colors all about us.  

Diary of a Homemaker: Glorious November



Nov.6, 2021:  Last night just before we had Shabat, I stood at the windows and admired the most glorious and colorful sunset.  It had been a grey and dreary looking day with no sunshine and was plenty cold but the day ended with a warming sunset determined to chase away dreary clouds and color the world.  It was just beautiful and well worth taking the extra time to stand and watch it intensify and then fade before we officially ended our day and week with candle lighting.

This morning we slept in until nearly 9am.  It was mighty good sleep, too. 

In My Home This Week: Start With a Bang!



In my home this week:  I have no room photo to share this week because I am behind.   It is late and we've had two very full days.

Yesterday began slow and relaxed.  I received my new book for the current Bible Study at church and found the introduction video and a zoom class held by another church a year ago on the first chapter.  My morning was spent sipping coffee and enjoying the start of the new study.  I am currently working on Finding I Am by Lisa TerKuesrt.  (This link is an Amazon Affiliate link.  It will open in a new tab.  I receive a small commission from Amazon on qualifying orders that is in no way reflected in cost to you. You can do any shopping through this link.  You do not just have to buy this item to help me make a small amount of money.)  

Diary of a Homemaker: Only The Best

 



Saturday:  Not every day is perfect.  In fact, if you scratch the surface of most days there will be an upset, a hastily spoken word, a neglectful or thoughtless moment.  It might color the entire day.  It does, at the very least, tarnish a perfectly beautiful and blessed day otherwise.

I'm learning still, to navigate around these moments and not worry them to death while I examine them over and over again.  It's a difficult lesson, one I've needed to learn for quite a long while, but I'm trying my best to take each day as it comes, leave those single moments behind me and dwell long and hard upon the loveliest parts of the day. 

November Goals and Plans

 


I reviewed my October goals the other day and I was ambitious in many ways.  There wasn't nearly enough time to do many of the tasks I'd listed.  It rained often enough that buying mulch was completely out of the question.   Well one way or another, I didn't get a thing done on the October list.  Period.  And here I'd thought I was being so moderate in my goals!

Well here we are about to enter November and there are things I simply MUST do this month.  I must finish Christmas shopping for one thing.  I have four more gifts to buy that require thought.  I have two or three more that I can fill in with various things I can find most anywhere.  But yes, Christmas shopping is priority.

In My Home This Week: The Best I Can

 


Another living room that dates to the 1920's.  The room is so calm looking and so well balanced that I just had to share it.

I really like the green on the walls, the warm brick on the fireplace picked up b the brick color in the rugs.  It appears that this room is lit by windows on both sides and that the main doorway leads to the dining room perhaps or an entry hall.  I don't think it's actually a living room though I've called it such.  It might well be a sort of den or a 'morning room' or even a 'keeping room' since it does have that fireplace.   While it is beautifully lit by the windows, I see that there are candles, sconces and lamps for ambient lighting in the evening. The rugs and curtains and the upholstered furniture lend color and laers of warmth and coziness.

I Wonder As I Wander: Gathering In October

 

I said I shouldn't make a daily diary for the rest of this week and I shall not...but I am going to add in snippets here and there of thoughts, random and purposeful over the next few days if I have time and inclination to write.

I'm writing this evening because  I was gazing out the living room window thinking that this month is drawing to a fast close.   October has gone by in a blur of weariness and not quite enough sleep and too much to do while at the same time not getting very much done at all.  It's been a month in which I might have been mightily frustrated and irritable and perhaps a bit worried.  But it was not.  I was tired, yes, but I made up my mind after the debacle of the summer babysitting that I wasn't going to spend my time fretting and regretting.  I was going to do my best to embrace the season in fullness.  And I think I have...

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Please Note...




Foolish on my part, but in a moment of inattention last night, I sent out the Diary post for the week.  I could have recalled it and updated through Friday but I decided to just let it stand as published.   I'm trying to cram in a little bit extra housework and get my hands in dirt with plants and while it's all taken in bursts and odd moments, I'm finding that the little bit extra feels like a LOT extra.  

So I'm going to take the rest of the week off from the blog.  I'll see you all with a fresh post on Saturday or Sunday evening.  I know you all understand that my current life season is both highly rewarding and taxing all at the same time.  

Have a grand rest of the week...and I'll see you again in a few days!   

Diary of a Homemaker: Going Apace

 


Saturday:  Caleb stayed last night with us.  He woke at 7:21...I'd just looked at my clock and heard him cry out that's how I know when he woke.   I got him up and changed, warmed his cup of milk slightly and put him on John's lap wrapped in an afghan and took myself off to shower.  Before I'd stepped into the shower, I heard Kate come up in her car and walk across the back porch.  No she doesn't walk that heavy.  Our master bath wall is also the back porch wall.

In My Home This Week: All Routine

 


Most of the rooms I'm sharing now are from the late 1920's early 1930's.  I'm always amazed at the elaborate designs I find online from various porcelain/plumbing/tile manufacturers for bathrooms.  This bath, as you can see is quite elegant and probably unlike a thing anyone average would have had in their homes.  I say this because, having watched multiple restoration programs, period bathrooms were tiled but most usually in black and white and fixtures overall were rather plain.  

Diary of a Tired Homemaker: Long View

 


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Saturday:  We were meant to be away from home early.  I might as well have saved my breath in asking.  We left, as we almost always do, at 10:30.  I'd cited it being Saturday and crowds coming in to shop but John considered it his day off and therefore we worked on his time schedule.  Never mind. It wasn't as bad as I feared it might be but it was busier than a weekday for sure.  He went into Publix to get the cat food I wanted there and we went into Aldi together.  

Over the Fence: Mid-October


How about a morning playlist?  I've been especially enjoying the videos of music that Jake Westbrook posts.  He has the loveliest vintage ads included on the screens of each.  This particular playlist is called "Morning Coffee".   Two songs that I love are the very first one by Bing Crosby which is just cozy and heart warming as can be and a peppy one a little further on called "Java Jive".  I like that one so well that John and I both tend to sing it when we're working about the house!

Hello there dears...Yes, I do realize it's really past the mid-point of October but never mind.  I have been up each morning well before dawn and have watched the gentle awakening of each day.  I can tell the moment the natural life around us wakes to the second because the dogs suddenly go nuts barking every morning.  I am sure it's because deer and squirrel and birds begin to rustle about in the dry fallen leaves and mice start scurrying about, and rabbits, too.  The dogs stop barking shortly after the world is alight and then they simply dash repeatedly into the woods or down the yard.  The deer no longer cause them to bark like idiots.  They reserve that for strange dogs and neighbor's cats who find our grounds better hunting than their own.  The deer and squirrels just generate the mad dashes now.  It's as though, in the dogs' minds at least, they don't count as highly on the danger list as the stranger pets that come to hunt or sniff about and leave their lingering scents in place of their own.  

In My Home This Week: Not Ready, But Let's Go

 


This week I thought I'd share this lovely bedroom.  I looked at so many images from the 20's including a children's nursery, sunrooms and even a sleeping porch but it was this sunny lovely room that spoke to me most.    Again it's an ad for a linoleum flooring product but the room is so sunny and pleasant that I just had to share.  I could imagine taking my morning coffee in that chair with the sun streaming in and my Bible in hand.

Admittedly at this point in my Saturday, it's the bed that draws my attention.  I'd like to be lying down in that feathery softness right now...Bliss!

Diary of a Homemaker: Making Choices

 


* Designates a leftover or gathered fragment that I've used to prepare a main dish or side for our meal.

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Saturday:  John mentioned the fair again today and after discussing the three weeks ahead and the obligations before us in the coming months we've determined we'll skip the fair altogether.  Yes, we'd love to go, but we've been making choices since we got married and determined we'd be debt free.    Well, you might think skipping the fair will hardly put a dint in any of the obligations coming up and that's true.  We seldom spend more than $20 when we go to the fair but it's $20 more than we want to spend at the moment.  I could pay for so many other things with that $20: a Christmas gift for someone,  for instance, or it could be set aside and saved towards next month's propane tank rental fee.  Never fear, we do treat ourselves and we like to do so but we don't choose to do it with every single thing that comes along.

Over the Fence: The Blessing of Now

 



Hello dears.   Isn't it lovely outdoors?  We had a wet sort of summer, with frequent rain and then our usual lull between where we didn't get rain for a couple of weeks.  It was rather nice but you certainly start to notice that the ground is looking dustier than it had all summer long.   Well it poured last Sunday and rained gently off and on all day Monday and then it came down by gallons on Tuesday morning.  Tuesday afternoon, I walked across the yard and the ground didn't squish under my feet even once.  In fact, all the great swells of puddles that surrounded the house were completely disappeared and there wasn't even mud left behind.  

The Week Ahead: Fourth Quarter of the Year

 


Isn't that a lovely living room?  Would you believe it's a room designed for Ladies Home Journal in 1912?  Yes, it is.  Aside from the lack of television or radio, the room appears almost modern.  The room is uncluttered, one might almost say minimalist and yet it is really a lovely room.

First let me share the blurb beneath the picture:  "The first requirement of a living room is to give a feeling of cheerfulness and hospitality."

Diary of A Busy Homemaker: October Blue Skies




Saturday:  I meant to sleep late.  I woke at about 7:30 this morning and yes, that is an hour and a half later than I've been getting up, so technically I can say I slept late but I really thought I'd sleep until 9 or even 10.   I'm not in the least sorry I was up early.  No sunrise to watch this morning through the fog but I created a special weekend brew of coffee and that made it seem special.

I used a dark roast k-cup, some French vanilla dry powdered creamer that Bess kindly left here last week, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a healthy splash of whole milk.   This is such a warming, wonderfully scented and flavorful cup of coffee!   The perfect fall weekend morning treat.  It's so good, that I like my frugal version quite well enough to put off looking for a flavored coffee to purchase.  I plan to savor this every autumn weekend and then I'll see what I might come up with for a winter weekend brew and then a spring one.  I like the blueberry cobbler one for summer quite well.  I think it would add to my simple pleasures list to have a seasonal weekend coffee treat.  

In My Home This Week: New Month Hopes

 

Lana suggested last week that bathrooms from the past would be of interest to her when I asked you all last week what you'd like to see.  I've decided to just keep sharing things from the 1920's-1940's era.  Hazel Dell Brown did living rooms and baths, basement rec rooms, studio apartments, sun rooms and bedrooms for Armstrong.   I've collected a lot of images over the years of the main living/dining rooms of houses from the 1920's and '30's that I admire greatly.   For one thing they are such a nice mix of old and new and for another they often are calm but cozy looking images.    After thinking it over, I've decided I'd share some images of all rooms and I'll tell you why I like them so well.  I am not going to share rooms I don't care for...I find if I don't like them I can't tell you what about them I DO like so I will stick to what I like!

This week's image:



This bathroom design was made up by Kohler Manufacturing in 1929.    I encouraged you strongly to open this image in a new tab.  It comes up much larger and the details are well worth seeing!

Goals for October 2021

 


I've just been reading over my September list and all in all...I did some things but not all.  I didn't get ALL the mulching done.  I bought six bags and laid those out and I put down more weed mat, but time has not been on my side, nor has weather.  We had rain, lots and lots of rain and that meant that the mulch at the diy stores was soaking wet and I just don't want to haul it wet in my car.  I don't have any other means of getting it home but even with plastic in the back covering the trunk flooring, it leaks, and it stains.   So, I didn't even bother to ask.  We've had roughly a week dry now.  So, buy and lay some more mulch at town house cycles onto this month's goal list.  I doubt I can get it all and if I do buy it I can't see how I'd get it laid out, but I'll keep doing the little bites method.

Diary of a Busy Homemaker: September Went Fast



Saturday:  John commanded me to make today a child free day.  I didn't argue with him.  I needed the break.  

He planned a date to Buc-ees.   That might not sound like much of a date, but it was lovely.  The air was cool enough to ride with the windows down. Golden rod was blooming absolutely everywhere.  The sun was shining.  It was a lovely ride over to the place.

Once there we looked over our menu options and ultimately decided on the Chipped Brisket sandwiches, RC colas, and some dill pickles.  We drove home along the familiar backroads and highways and admired the views and ate when we got back here.  It wasn't cheap but it was delicious, and it was a nice respite for me.   

Gathered Fragments: How I Actually Used Foods This Week

 



I shared my list earlier in the week and my menu plans.  I thought I'd continue with a second post of how I actually used foods each day, in case anyone else needs inspiration.

Sunday:  I divided the remaining roast and braising sauce into two portions.  I put a larger 4 serving size portion into the freezer.  I'll love having a handy meal to pull from on a day that has been busy or when I'm not feeling well.

Gathered Fragments: Last Week of September

 

Grits

Roast with plenty of broth I just put half this in the freezer as a future entree.

A few mashed potatoes

Some green beans 

In My Home This Week: Autumn Dreams

 



In my home this week:  I'm going to take a break from the vintage kitchen photos for a bit.  I've shared almost all of my most favorite ones and I find myself now sharing those I don't really like at all. I can't do them justice with my dislike of them so I'll hold off for a while.   If I come across an especially pretty design I'll be sure to share it with you.

In the meantime, what to add to this post to add a little extra interest?  There are so many things I can't trim them down.  Armstrong designer Hazel Dell Brown did more than kitchens.  She also designed basements and bathrooms.   Kohler's vintage bathrooms can be rather stunning, too.  So I'll look for some of those to share with you as time goes on.  Or a pretty set of vintage house plans.  I'll keep my eyes open and add something in but for this week, we'll go plain and simple old weekly routine post...

Diary of A Homemaker's Week: Fall Arrives

 


Saturday:  I promised John pancakes this morning, since I have no bagels on hand for our more usual Saturday morning breakfast.   Though I am the one who insists on a constantly changing menu, on Saturday's we eat two things routinely: bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter for our breakfast and at some point during the day on a Saturday we have pizza.   I started that bit of habit this year and it's easy enough that I can make a pizza from scratch in under two hours start to finish.  I've developed quite a repertoire of different pizzas.  I make Buffalo Chicken, a Bbq Chicken with Pineapple, Taco pizza, Sausage, Supreme, Veggie and Cheese, Four Cheese.

Over the Fence: Fall At Last

 



Well hello to you...and to Fall!  Isn't it lovely to finally be officially in a brand new season?   Yes, even though it mightn't feel like a new season just yet, at least not the days...But the mornings!  Jacket wearing mornings.  Snuggle into sweaters mornings and late evenings.  Nights cool enough to pull up all the covers and snuggle together under them.  I'm so glad to have it so!

Shall you join me for coffee?   I'm full of random thoughts today and I am so ready to share a few of them.  Have a seat, won't you?

I'm contemplating apple options...Shall I bake them, make a Brown Betty, or a pie or an apple cake?  Or do I want a lovely spice cake with a broiled frosting?  Oh the possibilities!  What sounds good to you?  I love to cook this time of year.  I like to bake more often, something I really miss in summer when I really don't want to add unnecessary heat to the kitchen.  I like slow cooked dishes, not just those I put in the slow cooker, but those simmered on stove top and the ones I cook in the oven for a long time.  I like that they are often budget friendly and find them comforting and satisfying.  There's just something homey too about having the house filled with the scent of good food.

In My Home This Week: What Will I Do?



Here's another Armstrong kitchen by my favorite designer.  This kitchen is bright and sunny but I was puzzled by why so little space even by the 1930s or early 1940s standard.  Well in the enlarged picture I can see that the window's view is a city scape with skyscrapers.  Obviously this must be a city apartment kitchen but how cleverly done with that glass brick wall!  And then again...Is it safe?!

Well it's most certainly filled this tiny kitchen with light and I love natural light in any room but most especially my kitchen work space.  Of course, you know the yellow kitchen drew my attention easily, especially combined with that orange toned wood cabinet and trim.  

Diary of a Homemaker's Week: Cozying Season



Saturday:  As I lay awake last night I realized some thing and it was a little bit startling to me.  I've always felt I operate best on about 7 hours of sleep.  I've always felt I was behind on sleep and that's the truth.  But in figuring up how long I sleep last night I realized that I'm nearer 7 hours than I'd been thinking.  It might be broken sleep but it generally averages around 7 hours total.  On some occasions I don't get that much sleep and I feel dragged out and worn down but then I'll slip back into my more usual broken sleep pattern and I get about what I need to function through the days.

Shoebox Supper #2: Bbq'd Spam and Beans




For my second shoebox supper attempt, I chose to make Bbq'd Spam.  I use the Turkey Spam  but certainly you might choose any flavor Spam which suits you.   I'd seen this idea in one of the vintage magazines ads and thought it looked rather good.  I mean if a recipe from 70 years ago still looks tasty, hadn't I ought to try it?

Menu:  Bbq'd Spam and Beans, Coleslaw and Cornbread   

I opted to do coleslaw because it's hot outdoors and I felt the cool slaw would offset the heat of the beans and meat.  Honestly as a true Shoebox supper, I would have chosen fruit and gelatin or even applesauce as a dessert, any of which also might be a cool and refreshing item to go with this meal.  

In My Home This Week: Slow Fall



Even though you can't see the whole of this kitchen we can most certainly see enough of it to get a feel for the space.  This is a late 1940's design from Armstrong floors.  Armstrong kitchens can almost always be earmarked by the dramatic statement floors at this period.    

The color scheme overall is unusual.  A mix of green, yellow-green, black, pale baby blue, deep rusty brown in the open cupboards...I'm thinking the fabric at the windows might have been the inspiration for this color scheme rather than the flooring which we've seen used much more often as the jumping off point for color combinations.