The Housewife Journal ~ February ~

 ~ February 2025 ~ 

Valentine's Day roses😊

February has been a full and busy month. It began with the end of Christmastide. Since then we've been getting our life back in order, still rejoicing, while anticipating the season of Lent which is nearly upon us! We had some really warm and sunny days early in February. After another week on freezing cold, it looks like we're on our way back to Springtime weather! We've stayed home, starting lots of little home and garden projects as well as went out to visit with and celebrate others. 

It's so nice to reflect back on the month and write some thoughts down. Even if they are meaningless to anyone who reads this blog, I think I'll be grateful in the long run when I can go back and read about what I was doing and thinking about in years past.💕

 ~ Out And About ~

The outing that stood out most to me this month was the wedding of a young couple from church. It was a beautiful Solemn High Mass! I think the second one I've been to so far. Weddings (especially ones in the Traditional Rite where the Propers are always the same) always make me think of my own wedding a year and a half ago. We've grown so close even in this short amount of time, I can't imagine how close we'll be in 10 years! 

Another thing I love is seeing how unique each wedding reception is. Its fun to compare them to my own reception. Although I see a lot of new and fun (sometimes expensive) ideas, I always appreciate how I did my own wedding and reception. Don't get me wrong, there are some things I would do differently now...but they mostly pertain to my attitudes towards things and my idea of what a wedding should be like. A post for another time maybe? 

~ In The Home ~

Our biggest projects have been outside this month. As of right now I don't have any completed pictures to show. However, in our front yard, where the majority of our two acres is at, my husband cleared a large spot for a garden. I helped him put down some landscape fabric to create rows. I honestly have no idea what I'm doing in the garden but it's fun to help him out! 

My husband and my father in-law have begun building our chicken coop (YAY😃) So far, all the walls are up and the frame of the roof is in place! I plan to write up a Spring projects post later on, as I really want to do some Spring cleaning inside and out, as well as get some more home projects completed! I will definitely be showing a photo then. 

~ Kitchen Happenings ~

Now that my sourdough starter is cooperating, I've been addicted to using it. Mostly for things that aren't typical sourdough bread. Pictured below is a blueberry cobbler, using a Farmhouse on Boone recipe, linked here! I was a little hesitant to make the biscuit like topping, which is very different from my traditional cobbler recipe. However, I thought it turned out wonderful!! Lots of my family members liked it too. 

They didn't know it then, but that was just the beginning of my family's new job; testing out different sourdough recipes! Since the cobbler, I've also tried discard pretzel bites, discard brownies, crepes, and pizza crust! Yum!!

[update: since writing this, I've made the cobbler again. The first time I actually made it wrong, mixing up all the topping ingredients before letting it sit. The second time I made it correctly, only mixing the starter with the room temperature ingredients, letting it sit, and then adding everything else. I found that the wrong way of making it turned out better...The second time it was crumbly and dry. I'll be making it wrong from now on. Just thought I'd share]

~ My Spiritual Life ~

 There have been multiple Sunday mornings in the past couple of months when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed... Maybe there is a reason from the night before or maybe I just wake up grumpy for no apparent reason. I've found that the "cure" for me has been going to Mass. Here is how I've noticed it in action:

Each part of the mass plays a role in ridding me of my selfishness. Of course, I have to realize I'm in a bad mood in order to ask for the grace of getting out of it. 

Once I'm ready to quit being miserable, God grants me some humility through the prayers at the foot of the altar and the Confiteor. It makes me realize I'm just as much of a sinner and the person who sinned against me and just as annoying as the person who annoys me. I then have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness... Regardless of whether or not we go to the Mass as a way to rid ourselves of a bad mood, I think realizing our own sinfulness is crucial. In fact, in my own experience, thinking too highly of myself seems to be the reason for my bad moods...

Then there's the Gloria, where I can give thanks to God for His forgiveness. The readings and Gospel are a call to action to amend my life, forgive others, and retake up my mission to be cheerful in all that I do. And then the offertory and consecration help me unite my sufferings to Christ, so I can gratefully receive the gift of His body in the Eucharist. 

By the time I leave, past wrongs towards me are forgotten, or at least left in the hands of God. That is all we can do with them after all. My mood is better and I'm refreshed for the week ahead! What a gift!

~ Other Random Things Worth Mentioning ~

Well, I was trying to come up with some other things I wanted to add here but I think I've documented this month enough. It is the shortest month of the year, so It's only fitting that It should be a shorter journal. I have high hopes for next month, as it will be Lent which means Spring is just around the corner! I wish you a blessed last few days before the Great Fast begins!

Gina💕