Monday at Home

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 01/12/2026 }

Hello its another Monday in Louisiana. 

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Pine Cone Bird Feeder

 

• Pine cones, ideally medium to large ones to give more room for the birds to perch
• Lard or a vegetarian alternative
• Bird seed, prepared in a small tray or dish
• String, wool or garden twine
• Scissors
• A knife

Lay the newspaper onto the surface where you will be working and place all of the items you need close by. I used an old cereal box to cover where I was workCover the pine cone in lard.  I find it easier to cut the lard into small chunks and slight warm it up in my hands before trying to spread it onto the pine cone (vegetarian alternatives are softer and easier to spread). ing. Whilst you have clean hands cut one piece of string per pine cone, Roll the pine cone in the bird seed and press the seed into the lard so it sticks. If you can still see the lard make sure you cover that too by sprinkling the seed over it and pressing it in.Tie the piece of string, wool or twine to the top of your pine cone with a double or triple knot. This might be a bit tricky so ask an adult to help. You might have to remove some of the seeds so you can get to the frond to tie the string aroundTake your pine cone feeder outside and find a good place to hang it, like a tree, a large shrub or a bird table. Now you just need to wait for the birds to come!

Feeding birds in winter provides crucial high-energy fuel (fat/protein) from foods like suet, black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and mealworms, supplementing scarce natural sources to help them stay warm and survive cold nights. Crucially, offer fresh water (heated if possible) and maintain feeders by keeping them clean and full, as food and water become scarce. Provide variety like safflower and millet to attract different species, and place feeders near cover for safety. 

Easy BEEF Vegetable Soup

 

• 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat*
• 2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 3/4 cups chopped yellow onion (1 large)
• 1 1/4 cups peeled and chopped carrots (3 medium)
• 1 cup chopped celery (3 medium)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (4 cloves)
• 8 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
• 2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tsp dried basil**
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 lb red or yellow potatoes, chopped into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups (5 oz.) chopped green beans (trim ends first)
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn***
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

• Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. 
• Dab beef dry with paper towels, season with salt and pepper then add half of the beef to pot and brown about 4 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Transfer to a plate add another 1/2 Tbsp oil to pot and repeat process with remaining half of beef.
• Add another 1 Tbsp oil to now empty pot then add onions, carrots, and celery then saute 3 minutes, add garlic saute 1 minute longer.
• Pour in broth, tomatoes, browned beef, basil, oregano, thyme and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring once or twice throughout, for 30 minutes.
• Add potatoes then continue to simmer, covered, 20 minutes (you can also add green beans with potatoes if you like them very soft).
• Stir in green beans and simmer 15 minutes longer, or until all of the veggies and beef are tender.
• Pour in corn and peas and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and serve warm.

Star CREATIVEfeature 1/12/26

WELCOME to the second week of the January 2026 "You're the Star" Blog Hop!

Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share from my blog:

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WELCOME to CREATIVE feature week of the January 2026 "You're the STAR" blog hop!
Meet your CREATIVE week Hosts 

This week is CREATIVE feature week

Swing by the hosts' blogs:

Colleen @ Butterfly in the Attic

Bev @ Eclectic Red Barn
Michelle @ Moms Are Frugal

Lisa @ At Home With Lisa

Kris @ Kris and Larry . com

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories.  Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month. 
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#2 CREATIVE - arts & crafts, music, writing &/or dramatic arts (this can include sewing, yarn work, dance, art history, handmade jewelry, painting, computer art, fashion etc - anything creative while remaining family friendly)

 (These features were chosen from the December 2025 "You're the Star" blog hop)

The Tourist Hiker Doll Maggie by Lalka Crochetka

History of Fashion- A Pair of Early Victorian Muffatees by My Little Old World

Christmas Crafts by Amy's Creative Pursuits

ART WORK - My Various Phases Over the Years by Cindy's On-Line Recipe Box

If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:

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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.
Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!
It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!
(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog.  We might also share your fantastic posts on social media.  Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though}  Thank You & ENJOY! )

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Teach : my word 2026

Thanks for stopping in this Sunday. I am sharing my word of the year, inspired by my son. Who is student teaching this semester. 

Teach for 2026

Our fellowship cake to share with coffee 

Saturday books and crafts

Saturday at the library 

Our feature book for circle time...

Grab some hot chocolate and treats and join us this morning....

Our Saturday crafts... 

Grab construction paper.glue ,pompom and let's get started. .. 

Here's a cup design 

Have you picked out your book for our book club?

Pastel Hearts

love is in the air with this heart tag and card. Heart chipboard is a feature of both