Happy Homemaker 2025-08-04

Good morning

Only 2 days left for my vacation, I go back to work on Wednesday.  Not missing work at all.

Last week we went to cinema (not a great movie - Menteuse), visited with 2 of dh's cousin (different nights), ran errands, went to an art exposition, and got some relaxation in there as it was hot a few days.

Grandkids came for supper and spent the night on Friday.

Saturday we went to dd's as they had told me Ely had soccer... not true... it was a surprise bday party for my 60th... I did think there would be something to underline the birthday but did not think all my family would be there (nieces and nephews).  It was really fun family time.  We slept over and came back here for supper Sunday.  DH's sis & bil came by for hamburgers.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom . , 

The weather

Mon

23°

12°

Tue

22°

13°

Wed

25°

14°

Thu

27°

14°

Fri

28°

17°

Sat

26°

20°

Sun

30°

21°

Not much rain in the forecast but we did get some last night.

Looking around the house

I see lots to do before going back to work, ah well...

Thinking and pondering

Notary for dad's succession si sucking all the money she can out of us.  sis goes the 6th to court to get guardianship of mom.

Planning for Fall 

TV this week

• Big Brother
• Classé secret (season 2)

Interesting blog I saw this week

None

On my reading pile

L'effet papillon - Jussi Adler-Olsen (tome 5) - rereading as I had not read previous and now following the series.

On my to-do list

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Laundry
• Take a walk - DONE
• Pay cell phone - DONE
• Make cabagge rolls
• Temu order to place
• Place order for running shoes
• 
  

Decluttering

• Recycled tons of drawings from grandkids (box was overflowing)
• 1 Xbox (ds took it home)
• 1 mop and 2 heads (bought the new joymoop)
• 1 scentsy light (dh broke it)
• 1 luggage bag
• Leftover fabric from curtains

Upcoming this week

Back to telework on Wednesday

From the camera

Art symposium

60th surprise birthday party

Thought of the week

Happy Homemaker 2025-07-28

Good morning

Vacation mode - week 2 ... hot!

Had people drop in almost every day last week that we were home and had grandkids all day Wednesday. Sis arrived Friday and left this morning at 10:15.  Friday night we went to the free music festival with them and the grandkids (they sleptover on Friday night).

Saturday we all went to Xavier's baseball game and afterwards the grandkids went home with their dad.  We went to visit La Malbaie and Baie St-Paul with sis and bil. and had supper at la Microbrasserie de Baie St-Paul.

Sunday we had a picnic at la Baie de Beauport (our first time there), a small beach but no swimming allowed because water was not great.  At least we were in the shade!  Left there around 4:45 to go into Vieux Québec at one of our favorite spots in the hot days of summer... La Cale du Vieux Port (water bassins with chairs in them) and then we had supper at a terrasse and took a long walk so sis could see the Parliament.  Got home at 9:30.

Today we all had breakfast outside before they left.

While sis was here we did work a little on the paperwork for mom & dad too.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom . , 

The weather

Mon

27°

19°

Tue

25°

17°

Wed

23°

11°

Thu

22°

9°

Fri

22°

11°

Sat

23°

14°

Sun

27°

16°

Funny it says rain here but no rain is expected today.... way too hot with humidity but at least it'll be cooler mid-week... I am tired of the too hot temperatures.

Looking around the house

DH decided he will paint door at side of the house today so that is a work in progress (he finished all front of the house and garage last week). 

House is ok as we spent almost all of our time outside. 

Thinking and pondering

No thinking and pondering... it's vacation time!

TV this week

• The Handmaid's tale (Season 3)
• Big Brother

Interesting blog I saw this week

None

On my reading pile

Dossier 64 - Jussi Adler-Olsen (tome 4) - rereading as I had not read previous and now following the series.

On my to-do list

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Laundry
• Sis got my old phone transfered to dad's phone (he had iphone 11 and I had a 7).
• Wash and remake basement bed
• .. nothing much as it is too hot

Decluttering

• 1 pair of rubber boots that was mom's
• 1 painting I had done on watercolor paper
• 20 egg crates

All of these were given to a family friend who visited last Monday.

Upcoming this week

Next weekend going to dd's for the weekend.  Ely has a soccer tournament.

From the camera

Quai de Baie St-Paul

Micro-Brasserie de Baie St-Paul

La Cale - Port de Québec

Quai de Baie St-Paul

Baie de Beauport

Fontaine de Tourny - Québec

Murphy's Irish Pub - Vieux Québec

Thought of the week

Christmas in July 2025 - Day 25

 

🎄 July 25 – Merry Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July, dear friends!

Today marks the final day of our 25 Days of Christmas in July — and I just want to say thank you. Whether you stopped by once or followed along every day, I’m so happy you were here.

We’ve shared simple ideas, cozy touches, and fun ways to bring a little Christmas spirit into our summer days. From fairy lights to festive movies, from DIYs to mini reading lists — it’s been such a joy to celebrate with you.

💌 Let’s keep the holiday spirit going — slow, simple, and full of heart — whether it’s July or December.

Wishing you warm days, cool nights, and plenty of twinkle lights ✨

With love,
Lucie

Christmas in July 2025 - Day 24

 

🎄 CIJ Day 24 – Cozy Reading Nook for the Holidays

It’s almost the end of our Christmas in July series, and today is all about creating a cozy holiday reading nook — a peaceful spot to curl up with a book, a blanket, and maybe a hot drink too.

You don’t need a whole room — just a quiet corner with a comfy chair, a pillow, and a few wintery touches.

🪑 What to Include:

• A cozy chair or bench

• A warm blanket or throw

• A small side table or basket for books

• A holiday pillow or soft lighting (like a lamp or fairy lights)

Add a holiday book or your favorite winter novel and you’ve got your very own Christmas reading corner.

It’s perfect now with a summery iced coffee — and even better come December with cocoa and slippers!

📚 Cozy Christmas Reading List

Here are some sweet and festive books to enjoy in your Christmas reading nook — now or during the winter holidays:

1. "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
   The classic tale of redemption, ghosts, and the spirit of Christmas.

2. "Winter Street" by Elin Hilderbrand
   A feel-good family holiday novel set in a Nantucket inn during Christmastime.

3. "The Twelve Dates of Christmas" by Jenny Bayliss
   A charming holiday rom-com filled with British cheer and heartwarming moments.

4. "Let It Snow" by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
   Three interwoven holiday love stories for a snowy day.

5. "The Gift" by Cecelia Ahern
   A magical and touching story about second chances during the holidays.

6. "One Day in December" by Josie Silver
   A moving, romantic story that spans multiple Christmases.

7. "Letters from Father Christmas" by J.R.R. Tolkien
   Whimsical letters written by Tolkien to his children as if from Santa Claus.

Christmas in July 2025 - Day 23

 

🎄 CIJ Day 23 – Natural Centerpiece with Pinecones & Candles

Today’s idea is all about bringing nature indoors with a rustic holiday centerpiece. This fits your theme of cozy and minimal—but still festive!

🪵 What You Will Need:

• A wooden slice or tray

• Pinecones and fresh or faux greenery (twigs, sprigs of pine)

• One or more candles (pillar, tealight, or LED)

✨ How to Style It:

1. Lay the wood tray or slice on your table.

2. Arrange the pinecones and greenery around the edge.

3. Place a candle in the center or group several around it.

4. Light it for a warm, natural glow.

This centerpiece takes little space, is easy to store, and you can keep using it every season by swapping in different natural accents.

Christmas in July 2025 - Day 22

🎄 CIJ Day 22 – Seasonal Candlelight Moments

Today, let’s add a cozy flicker to your holiday decor with simple candle setups—perfect whether you're adding them to trays, shelves, or tables.

🌟 Why candlelight works:

• Creates instant warmth and ambiance

• Easy to update with seasonal accents

• Compact and ideal for small spaces

🕯 Simple ways to style candles:

• Group a few pillar or LED candles on a tray, then add pinecones or greenery

• Use votive candles in glass holders placed on a shelf or windowsill

• Layer on seasonal scents: cinnamon, vanilla, spruce

• Pop a candle inside a hurricane vase with faux snow or beads at the base

Use the same candle holders year-round—just swap fillers according to season. A soft glow instantly makes your space feel festive, calm, and inviting—even in July.

Happy Homemaker 2025-07-21

Good morning

Vacation mode :)

Started it off with a musical evening in next town with neighbors on Friday night.

Saturday was housechores and my brother and sil arrived in the afternoon.  We had a nice supper outside in the gazebo, followed with a musical evening (The Crooners) in next town.  They slept over.

Sunday we went to hiking to the top of a mountain with them... let me tell you I found it Hard.  Going up the cardio was working hard.  Coming down my knees where killing me.  So I've been using voltaren.  Today (If I don't go up and down the stairs is not too bad... I even managed a small walk this morning).  After the hike they left for another town and we visited with some friends... got lots of good veggies from their huge garden too.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom . , 

The weather

Mon

19°

10°

Tue

21°

11°

Wed

23°

17°

Thu

23°

21°

Fri

26°

16°

I'm very happy with lower temperatures than those of the last few weeks

Looking around the house

Quite fine but it needs a mopping.  DH is repainting the front doors ... a golden color quite a difference from the red doors.

Thinking and pondering

No thinking and pondering... it's vacation time!

TV this week

• The Handmaid's tale (Season 3)
• Big Brother

Interesting blog I saw this week

None

On my reading pile

Dissier 64 - Jussi Adler-Olsen (tome 4) - rereading as I had not read previous and now following the series.

On my to-do list

Last weekend

• Vac main floor
• Dust main floor
• Wash main bathroom

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Iron a dress I ordered from Shein.. have washed it but the folds still show
• Wash veggies our friends gave us yesterday
• Laundry
• Mop floors
• Healing my knees ;)... so rest is in order too

Decluttering

• 2 baby bottles

Upcoming this week

Next weekend sis and bil are coming for the weekend.  will find things to do in the area.

From the camera

8,5 km and 480 meters (1575 feet) altitude

Funny of the week