HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Captains Log-DAY 255, Week 1, Month 8 – It has been an interesting, sad and strange 7 months. This past week we have helped my uncle several days as he is SO SO close to the flooding area.  We also started cleaning out my aunt’s closets. I have always believed you end up where you are supposed to be in life for whatever reason and even though we were not happy about the condition of this house we initially thought we landed here to help my uncle with the house because he had his hands so full with my aunt and her Alzheimers.  Now I believe it was to be here to help him through her passing and dealing with the house, floods, etc…  God really does work in mysterious ways.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We still have a small chance of thunderstorms for a few days and then they are predicting 2 FULL days of sunshine before we go back to potential thunderstorms.  Thus is the life in hurricane season.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I see a small break in the clouds and the sun is actually trying to make a glorious appearance for the first time in what feels like months, but I know is only a few weeks.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Maple Brown sugar oatmeal with golden raisins and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/HOUSE PROJECTS
I’m beginning to feel more at home.  We still have a ton of “little” projects and a few big ones, but ALL and ALL, it’s looking and feeling like a real home.

Once we finish the painting of the doors and baseboard we will order the carpet for the living room and atrium.  The living room is a great size (22×18), but these pictures make it look small.  Oh well, at least we got some shelves up and I was able to get some of our favorite things unpacked and even got a few quilts hung. The randomness of the shelves was based on the stud locations for mounting.  At first I didn’t think I would like it, but now I really love it.

 After the carpet is in we will order the matching loveseat and oversized chair to match the couch. Even the dogs are feeling more at home in their new plush beds made especially for thei old bones.
Did I mention I can’t wait for carpet?  
If we keep on momentum this month I think we can be ready by July!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Caulk and paint!
  • Lay floor in studio closet.
  • Sort 2 dozen big totes for donations or ebay sales.
  • A couple loads of laundry.
  • Vacuum.
  • Play one of the sunny days just to get out for a while!

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing new this week as I’m still working on getting the studio organized so I can work on one half of it while playing on the other half.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK


MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
OUT
SANDWICH
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CARNITAS & SALAD
C.O.R.N. or RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT
RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT or C.O.R.N.


DESSERT




PINEAPPLE POUND CAKE


SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I did get through several of the magazines that my uncle brought over from my aunt and have cut out quite a few interesting recipes. I only hope to live long enough to try ALL the recipes I cut out!

  • Pineapple Pound Cake – I will be trying this one later this weeks for a neighbor’s birthday.
  • Apple Cheddar Quinoa Muffins
  • Broken Dumpling Soup
  • Sour Orange Coconut Cakes
  • Pan Seared Chicken with wine and herbs
  • Creamy Chocolate Eclair Cake
  • Slow Cooker Pork and Tomatillo Stew aka (Guisado Verde)
  • Braised Beef with Sun-dried tomatoes and White Beans
  • Picnic Fruit Punch
  • Apricot Brandy Slush
  • Salmon Party Spread
  • Lemon Grilled Chicken 
  • Chili Chicken
  • Banana Beignet Bites
  • Aunt Murna’s Jam Cake
  • Lime Angel Food Cake
  • Buttermilk Scones
  • French Onion Salisbury steak

ON MY MIND
DRIVERS! and their RUDENESSI swear I’d rather be driving in New York City.  I have never seen so many drivers run red lights, weave in and out of traffic at VERY high speeds and the road rage is off the charts around here AND on a daily basis!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
The PROGRESS on the 30 day, er 60 day minimalist project is going along extremely well!  We are up to 1946 items and that’s before I start the 2 dozen totes in the atrium OR the studio boxes. I am hoping to finish by 60 days, but if not I WILL extend to 90!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I have an oak room screen that needed new panels made.  I also didn’t really have a good place to put it so I stood it out of the way.  Then the light bulb went off and I thought, “What a great place to store my antique quilts.”

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

Carrie B.

Everything is looking so great Tamy!! LOVE your beautiful quilts!! I think you're so right – in that God put you right where you were meant to be. You're such a blessing to your Uncle.

WE've had some wacky weather too! Hope it calms down now – for you too!!

I love those recipes you keep clipping! They sound so good! I hope you can try them all too! Lol

Love your inspiration too. 🙂 Thank you so much for linking me today – you thoughtful dear wonderful Lady! My goodness, not like you don't have enough to do!! Truly so sweet of you. xo

Blessings on the rest of the week ahead my dear Friend. xoxo

Schotzy

Whew… you are one very busy lady yet you still get so much done and seem to realy enjoy the process! Love your blog… bookmarking it for the great food ideas… I need motivation!!!! Love the antique quilts… so glad yua re enjlying them on the walls.. Too gorgeous to pack away!

Jean @sonotorganized.com

Love your quilt display! Hope the weather improves and the flooding area doesn't reach your uncle-scary stuff. Apricot brandy slush sounds like something my late mother-in-law used to make at holiday time. Hope you have a wonderful week.