Homemaker Happenings #9 (10.3.25 – 10.9.25)
Welcome to Homemaker Happenings! I am so happy you’re here.
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Welcome to October, my friends, sweet, sweet October. It feels like such a big milestone has been reached for a multitude of reasons. If you’ve read this week’s post, you’ll already know why, but let me reiterate. First, it’s my favorite month of the year. Second, my husband is currently deployed to South Korea and October is the halfway point until his return. YAY!!! Third, I get to experience the second half of October in the Northeast. There is simply nothing like it. If you have never experienced fall in the Northeast, it’s an absolute must.
On a slightly somber note, the last few weeks have been stressful and tumultuous and I’ve noticed a difference in my body. My stress levels have skyrocketed and I haven’t been sleeping well at all. I can’t really control this beyond practicing healthy habits and eating well, so it’s a great reminder that I can only find true rest in the Lord. Matthew 11:28-30 tells us, “‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” If you are struggling as well, I hope you find comfort in these words and can know that Jesus is the only answer for true peace. I hope that October is off to a great start. I’m so excited to share my week with you!
Weekly Menu
We are in full fall swing now. I am continuing to enjoy all the tastes and smells that the season has to offer. Check out these delicious recipes that are all about the cozy fall vibes.
Breakfast:
- This fall glow smoothie bowl was on the menu last week, but it’s so good I’m including it again!
- These apple cider cinnamon rolls may be more dessert than breakfast, but I think they’re worthy for sure.
- Apple oatmeal breakfast bake sounds delightful on a chilly morning.
- I love making this sausage crescent roll breakfast casserole during chilly months.
Lunch & Dinner:
- I make mine slightly different, but this apple cider braised chicken with caramelized onions is on a regular rotation in the fall.
- In my opinion, cheeseburger soup is the epitome of fall!
- These Italian breadstick twists sound like a great addition to any soup.
- This pumpkin beef Bolognese has my mouth watering with its unique flavors.
Sweet Treat:
Tomorrow is my Gilmore Girls’ party, and one of the treats is pumpkin donuts. To me, pumpkin donuts are another food that is the epitome of fall. They go so perfectly with a cup of coffee. I have fond memories of going to Dunkin’ Donuts and getting an Almond Joy hot chocolate and a pumpkin spice cake donut. These homemade ones are so much better, though, and I know exactly what’s in them.
My Weekly Agenda
The Weekend
Tomorrow is going to be a wonderfully busy day! A few of my friends from book club and I are running a 5k at 7:30 in the morning. Then, I’ll be finishing any prep and set-up for my Gilmore Girls’ party, which takes place at 6. This is a tradition I began last year and it was such a blast. We dressed up, played games, ate great food, and of course, watched Gilmore Girls. You can check out all the fun here. After church on Sunday, I plan to do a reset and begin to prep for my trip back East.
The Week
It feels like I just returned to Colorado, only to turn around and go back home! Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for the opportunity to visit my hometown and see the beautiful foliage and landscape. As always, I probably overcommitted, as I have lots of plans. Monday night I’m having dinner with a friend, Tuesday I have a staff meeting, Wednesday is book club, and Thursday I’m going to a wonderful German restaurant with another friend. Friday, I will devote entirely to packing and making sure my house is ready before I leave for the Northeast!
Books of the Week
Fiction Recommendation: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
This is our October book club book. It definitely has A Series of Unfortunate Events vibes to it with a good mix of quirkiness, melancholy, and childlike whimsy. It’s a little dark, definitely mysterious, and an incredibly fun read.
Synopsis: “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” Dozens of children respond to this peculiar newspaper ad and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children—two boys and two girls—succeed. Their challenge: a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it, they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they’ll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you’re gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help.
Nonfiction Recommendation: The Inviting Life: An Inspirational Guide to Homemaking, Hosting and Opening the Door to Happiness by Laura Calder
Are we sensing a theme yet? Yes, this is the second week in a row that I am featuring a book on homemaking. It’s the perfect time of year to start hosting and this book will give you plenty of inspiration and ideas to hosting loved ones.
Synopsis: Far more than a guide to homemaking and being a fine host—although it is definitely all that too—The Inviting Life is about how to live each day with a desire and determination to turn the ordinary into something lovely. It’s also a book about why we should bother. Whether the subject is décor, ambience, shopping, feeding weary travellers, mixing cocktails, planning dinner parties, or getting yourself motivated for spring cleaning, Laura Calder affirms the value of our everyday activities and shows how beauty, creativity, and delight have the power to change the world. This one-of-a-kind book is both a page-turning narrative about Laura’s own hosting and home-making adventures and an invaluable work of reference. It’s a spur to ideas for everything from creating a welcoming living space and making a respectable salad, to putting guests at their ease and writing a thank-you note worth receiving. Written with candour and humour in Laura’s inimitable and engaging voice, The Inviting Life offers empowering guidance for anyone looking to take more pleasure in their life and home.
On the Hunt
This week, I am featuring some really fun items that will take your fall hosting game to the next level. Check out these fun items!
Tip of the Week
Enjoy every second of the fall season that you are able to. Fall is an incredible time of year but it passes us by too quickly. Go leaf peeping, drink apple cider, pick pumpkins, bake an apple pie, cook a cozy fall recipe, listen to acoustic music, sit by a bonfire, tell scary stories, watch Hocus Pocus, attend a Halloween party. Enjoy it all before November hits and the holidays sneak up on us.
