Homemaker Happenings #3 (8.01.25 – 8.07.25)
Welcome to Homemaker Happenings! I am so happy you’re here.
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During this last week, things took a turn. My husband’s grandfather passed away. He lived a long life and wasn’t doing well, so it was pretty expected. We are so happy he is with the Lord, now! But of course, we will miss him dearly. He made such an impact on many lives. My husband deployed to Korea in June (He’s in the Army), so I planned a few trips to go home. I wasn’t slated to go home until August 16, but with his grandpa’s passing, I’ll be heading out to Ohio this upcoming Tuesday and a few days later will depart for Pennsylvania. On top of that, I have some other strange things that have been happening in my life that are affecting me more than I thought they would.
This week, I’m focusing on giving these unexpected turns and twists to the Lord. When life gets out of control, it can be so easy to find yourself in a tailspin on despair. Whether it’s something significant or something small, it’s hard to not want to get upset and frustrated when things don’t go your way. This week, try to remember that you can only control so much. God has a funny way of throwing us curveballs to remind us He’s the one who’s ultimately in control. Give you cares to Him and let Him take the worry out of your life.
Weekly Menu
It’s officially August, which means it’s still summer but it’s the time when we start to get excited for fall. Yeah, I am that girl, the one who gets too excited maybe a little toon son, but I don’t care. This week, we are going to highlight some transitional recipes that will remind you it’s still summer but give you just a hint of the season to come.
Breakfast:
- This farmers’ market frittata sounds like just the right balance of late summer and early fall.
- I’m thinking this cheesy ham, corn, and grits bake will perfectly highlight local corn.
- Maple pecan baked oatmeal is definitely giving me fall vibes without needing pumpkin.Peach cobbler cinnamon rolls, anyone??
Lunch & Dinner:
- Chicken corn chowder uses summery ingredients but it’s soup, which makes me think of fall.
- Ratatouille is a comforting dish that highlight beautiful summer ingredients.
- Grilled cheese and tomato soup are two dishes that can handle the heat of summer but also make it feel like fall.
- Back home we call this chicken pie because pot pie is entirely different.
Sweet Treat:
I love apple crisp because it’s warm and comforting, but pairing it with vanilla ice cream makes it feel a little bit lighter.
My Weekly Agenda
The Weekend
I wasn’t expecting to leave so soon and basically lost two weeks to prepare. Nonetheless, I’ll be prepping and packing to go home. However, on Sunday after church, I’ll be meeting up with my friends at Red Leg Brewing Co., a brewery here in Colorado Springs. I think it’ll be a nice way to say goodbye since I’ll be gone for six weeks!
Monday – Wednesday
Monday is the day I’ll be making sure everything is ready to go. I’m a fanatic list maker, but as detailed as I make my lists, it always seems I forget something. It’s about a 20 hour drive to Ohio, so this will be a two-day trip. I will leave before the sun rises on Tuesday and drive for about 12 hours. The next day will be about eight. Thank goodness for Audible because I can only listen to so many podcasts!!
Thursday – Friday
Grandpa’s services are on Thursday and Friday, so it’ll be time spent with my husband’s family. Unfortunately, since he’s in Korea, my husband won’t be attending, but I’ll be able to get to know some of his family more. I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about his grandpa as we celebrate his life and legacy.
Books of the Week
Fiction Recommendation: A Bakery in Paris by Amie K. Runyan
This book has been on my to-read list for a while. I’m a sucker for all things baking and I love a dual timeline. I feel like this book is a perfect (almost) end-of-summer read.
Synopsis: 1870: The Prussians are at the city gates, intent to starve Paris into submission. Lisette Vigneau–headstrong, willful, and often ignored by her wealthy parents–awaits the outcome of the war from her parents’ grand home in the Place Royale in the very heart of the city. When an excursion throws her into the path of a revolutionary National Guardsman, Theodore Fournier, her destiny is forever changed. She gives up her life of luxury to join in the fight for a Paris of the People. She opens a small bakery with the hopes of being a vital boon to the impoverished neighborhood in its hour of need. When the city falls into famine, and then rebellion, her resolve to give up the comforts of her past life is sorely tested.
1946: Nineteen-year-old Micheline Chartier is coping with the loss of her father and the disappearance of her mother during the war. In their absence, she is charged with the raising of her two younger sisters. At the hand of a well-meaning neighbor, Micheline finds herself enrolled in a prestigious baking academy with her entire life mapped out for her. Feeling trapped and desperately unequal to the task of raising two young girls, she becomes obsessed with finding her mother. Her classmate at the academy, Laurent Tanet, may be the only one capable of helping Micheline move on from the past and begin creating a future for herself.
Both women must grapple with loss, learn to accept love, and face impossible choices armed with little more than their courage and a belief that a bit of flour, yeast, sugar, and love can bring about a revolution of their own.
Nonfiction Recommendation: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
Gilmore Girls is my absolute favorite TV show of all time. I’ve watched it ten times through and begin to rewatch it every year on September 1st. I adore the storyline and characters, so Kelly Bishop’s book has made the cut. I’m so excited to hear her perspective and insights into the show.
Synopsis: “Come for the Gilmore Girls anecdotes, stay for the revealing truths about what it takes to build a lifelong career in and out of Hollywood” (The A.V. Club) in this candid and captivating memoir from award-winning and beloved actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business from A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more.
Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.
Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.
Full of witty insights and featuring a special collection of personal and professional photographs, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.
On the Hunt
This week is all about items I’ll need on my trip from Colorado to Pennsylvania, so many of these are travel-related items.
(Health) Tip of the Week
Prioritize getting exercise. Whether you love to run, walk, hike, swim, or bike, now is the perfect time to start while the weather is still nice. Movement is really important for keeping our bodies healthy. If you’re a big picture thinker like I am and the whole “30-60 minutes a day” suggestion seems overwhelming, then tweak it just a little. Aim for 120-150 minutes of intensive exercise that gets your heart rate up and your body sweating.
