Heavenly Homemakers

Encouraging women in homemaking, healthy eating and parenting

Gratituesday: Staying Warm

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I was dreading the day. I knew it was going to be freeeeeezing cold. Keeping our big, old, drafty house warm on a 30° day is hard enough. But on a day that is below zero? I knew I was in for it. Great attitude, huh?

I started my day with a hot cup of coffee, my Bible, and a blanket. Perfection. And warmth.

Matt built a fire first thing this morning and kept it rip-roaring all day. Toasty and comforting all in one.

We had hot meals. I baked bread. I cooked chickens and made broth. Cooking is a great way to keep warm! I had a good 25 minute work-out. I was beyond warm after that. Amazing.

Then, I got a wonderful bonus to my day. I got to go over to a friend’s house and snuggle her newborn for several hours. Not one time did I think about being cold. How could I? Her house was inviting and cozy…and I was snuggling a newborn. MmmmMmmMmmm!

God is just so cool. Warm. Well, you know what I mean.  During our family prayer time last night, we thanked God for our home, knowing that even if we were chilly, we at least had a roof over our heads. Blankets. A fireplace. Hot water. An oven for baking food. And we asked Him to help us remember how blessed we are. As I’m writing this, I’m recalling that prayer. We asked, but somehow I didn’t see how I would stay warm, so I braced myself to be miserable. Even with my pouty attitude, God still gave me warmth today in ways I wasn’t expecting it. I love that He teaches us lessons so constantly.

Hooray for warm jammies, wool socks, slippers, and a God who answers when I’ve forgotten I’ve even asked.

Now your turn. Share what you’re thankful for!  Leave a comment on this post letting us know how God is working in your life. If you’ve written a blog post about what you’re thankful for, leave the link in the comments so we can visit your blog to read about it. We love sharing and reading about God’s blessings!

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Gratituesday: Our Living Room Without Walls

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gratituesday

Never have I been so excited to see furniture in disarray, thick dust everywhere and junk all over the floor. 

Matt’s dad is here for a couple of weeks, helping us tear off our living room walls so that we can insulate them!!! Do you KNOW what this means??? This means that we will not freeze in our own home this winter. This means that we will not fight for space around the fireplace, since that typically is the only warm spot in the house. This means that I won’t feel like telling company to “Come on in…I’d encourage you to keep your coat on and would you also like a blanket?”

As Matt and his dad have torn off the lathe and plaster we were not surprised to see that there was NOTHING on the other side but the siding of our 100 year old house. NO WONDER we’ve been so cold. Woohoo, it’s going to be so nice this winter!!!

Here they are this morning in the very beginning stages.

During the next two weeks or so, we’ll be living in a mess. Matt will be working on the living room in every spare moment he’s home from work and Matt’s dad will certainly be earning his keep. I’ll do my best to feed him well.

Shucks, I guess there is no pressure right now to keep my house clean, huh? I do believe I’ll take the next couple of weeks off from housecleaning.  Sort of.  There are still the bathrooms and dishes.

This picture is a little dark, but take a look at that progress. 
Never before have ugly walls looked so beautiful to me!

I am so thankful that Matt’s dad was kind enough to make a trip here (from California I might add) to help us with this big project. The truth of the matter is…if he hadn’t come…we would not have been able to get this done. What a blessing!

I’ll try to post more pictures of our progress along the way if you’re interested.

What are you thankful for this Gratituesday? Write about it on your blog, then come link up with us here. If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you’re grateful for!

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Grilling? Question #65

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We have decided that it’s probably time to get a new grill. 

Matt was grilling burgers a couple of days ago and announced afterward that enough was enough. Our cheapo propane grill has seen better days. Actually, since it is such a cheapo, it really never saw any kind of great days. It’s always just been kind of mediocre. After a few years of use, there’s now just about one hot spot on the entire grill…and that’s it. Do you know how long it takes to cook burgers for nine people (we have company) on a grill that has one little hot spot?

Looks like Matt may be getting a new grill for Father’s Day. (Or whenever we find a good deal on one that will work for us.)

Anybody have good recommendations for a grill that is reasonably priced and works well? 

And while we’re on the subject of grilling…what are your favorite things to throw on the grill? Steaks? Chicken? Burgers? Dogs? Kabobs? 

Um, when I said Dogs…I meant the long, skinny hot kind that go on a bun…not your pets. You knew that right?

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