Happy Homemaker Monday

Click here to return to our hostess, Sandra!

The weather outside is::::

Our temps are  much milder, but a weekend  rain melted the 15 inches of  snow cover we had and now the ground is super saturated.. thankfully we have no  leaks,  but many do!!!  We are looking  forward this week to a quiet  mild  period..  but again heavy rain by next weekend..  

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

My  delicious coffee with salted caramel creamer, yum!!...  
fruited yogurt,  and later a marmalade  toasted  small bagel...  I'm set now to take on the day!!!

As I look outside my window:::

Last week!

This morning!

Right now I am::::

Thinking how happy I am that I  went ahead a bought the Christmas Cactus I saw last week... I don't have the best success holding them over,  but my sweet granny did..  Her  ancient  cactus was her Christmas tree  over many years  in her limited  space in her small parlor...  Granny lived  deep in the country and her home was mostly  farm kitchen.. with a wood burning stove and   she did have a wood burner in the parlor as well..  That room was so toasty warm we often left the front door ajar..thankful for the screen door, of course!  Anyway,  the many buds on my cactus are blooming out now and I just love the wonderful memories they elicit!

As I look around the house::::
I am loving the  splashes of red everywhere!!!!

 the dining table

the corner in the dining room

the hutch

 the mantel

the small seasonal tree  by the arch going into the dining room...  the  decor  reflects and black and red of the dining table! 

On today's to do list::::

I need to work on Community Bible Study work.. We are doing two weeks  due to the snow last week..Isaiah chapter 38-40 the topic is Prophecy and History part I.. then  part 2 .... I have  about 2/3 of  it all done.... but it  is  very  inclusive of many others  chapters we've studied and how they relate so  it does take time!!
Last week  we were  working hard on our  Christmas program,  but,  also ,due to bad weather we had to postpone  the second performance so I opted to   sit  it out with  several of Hub's cousins who joined us from out of town.

Lynn is upstairs  vacuuming  and so I need to get my dust  paraphernalia together  and  then also put  several loads of
clothes  that are  folded on my bed away in drawers and  closets... Following this day of putting things to order,, I have  Bible Study tomorrow  then a meeting with a financial  advisor, 
One day this week  we prayer sistas  will get together of our Christmas brunch and   prayer session... I  need to make my Christmas scones for that event...see recipe below!

Currently reading::::

Bible~Isaiah for various Bible studies I am doing. Oracles of Grace book by Wanda Alger...highly recommended!!

On the TV ::::

If you haven't watched The Christmas Chronicles on netflix, you must... it is  wonderful!!!

Looking forward to this week:

Just having some quiet contemplative time before  Christmas...  we have a very quiet weekend ahead!!  Perhaps another fire in the fireplace....  that would be  lovely!!

On the menu this week::::

Monday -taco salad

Tuesday - chili soup

Wednesday - breakfast for dinner

Thursday -pizza

Friday - no idea

A Favorite recipe I tried or want to try this week:::

Cranberry  Walnut Scones

3 c  Virginia’s best  self rising flour

1 T baking powder

½ c sugar

¾ c butter…slice in  tablespoon  slices  to make  working it in  easier

1 c fresh cranberries… I added golden raisins to make a cup

½ c chopped  English walnuts.. I used pecans

1 1/2 T orange zest

1 c buttermilk  I used  clabbered milk  ( 1 cup milk  with 1 table of  white vinegar)

To top  unbaked scones.

1 T cream or milk

1 T sugar mixed with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Stir together all dry ingredients at top  of list..   Rub the butter  slices into the mixture until  only coarse crumbs form…   Like  cornmeal….  Incorporate the butter evenly.. no large  chunks….Stir in cranberries, nuts, and  zest. Add buttermilk and mix with a fork until evenly moistened.  I  didn’t  mix  it too much  and  as soon as I saw it coming together  I  poured it out on a floured surface and  shaped it into a  ball.   Pat the ball into a  ¾ inch thick circle.    Don’t work the dough too much…   it should be  fairly easy to  work with ....  you will have a lot on your fingers 

   as it will be moist. So  incorporate just enough flour     so not quite so sticky

   But  keep it   pliable and soft.

Cut  rounds with a biscuit cutter and place on a greased sheet. Brush tops with the cream or milk and  sprinkle the sugar mixture on top.    Bake at 400 for 14-16 minutes or until  golden…  if you desire  lightly sprinkle with  powder  sugar.

 Cream topping:

8 oz  cream cheese.  I used mascarpone and thought it was much  better.  But  it is  much more expensive

  1 T  zest

  2 T honey  but I didn’t have honey so I used 1 T of orange Marmalade  This is a fine  spread for any  specialty bread!

Favorite photo from the camera::::

My handsome hubs  singing  in his delightful baritone voice!!!

Prayers:::

The President and his family, and the administration, Pray for godly wisdom to flow as they make difficult decisions in the current climate of our country.. that the word "impeachment" will evaporate from the political scene

Pray that all the scandals and investigations will finally be resolved and justice meted out on both sides of the aisle.

Pray that the opposing party members with their hate filled motives and their "end justifies the means" tactics will become so conscience ridden they will turn to the light and make a personal stand for what their believe in their heart and not be led by their wicked party leadership

For the God's will to work its way through our Congress to promote a healing and a functioning environment

Pray that the scales that delude the electorate will fall off and that they will find peace, truth, and salvation

Pray against ignorance, self indulgence, and gratification of our youth and young adults who do not think on their own, do not know the history of our nation and many cannot even name a book, but are so easily led into a mob rule mentality by wicked people. Also, the many who are turning to cults like witchcraft in order to wreak havoc over our nation.

Pray against division and the hatred that is spewed forth by the media, and academia.

Please, God, take back our institutions of higher learning

Pray for the sick that they might be healed

We pray for compassion and mercy to reign among God's people to serve, help, and provide for those who need so much,, showing the love of Christ to the world

Pray for our service men and women overseas who put their life on the line everyday to protect our freedoms.

Pray for the lost who are bewildered and lost... they are hopeless in need of a loving savior!

Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::