HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Another Monday is upon us believe it or not. I’ve been so busy that some days I can’t even remember which day it is.  We are trying so hard to get the majority of ALL the little projects done on this nightmare of a house before we set out on our anniversary trip the middle of next month.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
I’d love to tell you that there was a cool breeze and pretty sky, but no such luck.  Unfortunately today is a carbon copy of the past few weeks in the high 90 degree heat and 70% humidity that hits me like a frying pan in the face”!! The air is so thick you can slice it. Plus it is supposed to rain the next several days which will only make it worse.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Oatmeal and sliced orange.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It is pretty straight except for the totes I’m still sorting and the pieces for the upcoming door installation next Monday.

We did get the water closet completed short of a piece of molding and the paint for the door and inside.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • MONDAY – ERRANDS – Grocery and Home Depot/Lowes for parts
  • TUESDAY – finish painting kitchen and start caulking and sealing master bath to prep for final paint. 
  • WEDNESDAY – finish sealing spare bath for for final painting.
  • THURSDAY –  matinee movie and lunch
  • FRIDAY – MORE sorting
  • SATURDAY – laundry & cleaning
  • SUNDAY – ????

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
I finished my last book and have yet to start anything new.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I haven’t started anything new yet. Right now I’m concentrating on finishing the “little” projects on the house and finish the 30 day minimization project that is now on day 94 as I have extended it to a 120 day project.  As of yesterday we re at 5206 items.  I am about to start on actual closets and cupboards for a final go through.

KITCHEN WISHES
I am about to start the minimization on kitchen gadgets and will then reevaluate what goes into this category.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
OVERNIGHT QUICHE
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS
SALISBURY STEAK
C.O.R.N.
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
CHICKEN & CABBAGE BAKE
APRICOT CHICKEN
DESSERT OR SPECIAL
CELERY SEED DRESSING

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
It took me years to learn this trick, but with long fine hair it is a VERY important trick that works like a charm.  Before you use your cream rinse be sure to remove the excess water from your hair and to really leave the conditioner on for 2 FULL minutes – don’t hurry.  Since I started doing this I have had 90% less split ends and my hair just seems to lay “right” increasing my good hair days a lot.

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
COOKING TIP 
I have been binge watching DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES lately and learned a tip about baking that I tried yesterday and it REALLY works!  On the episode that featured FOREIGN & DOMESTIC in Austin, Texas while preparing Gruyere & Black Pepper popovers the chef used a pre-warmed pan (put it in the oven while it is preheating and then spray it with non-stick spray before adding the batter).  As for the batter it should be warm.  The popover recipe the chef was making had no leavening agent and she was depending on the hot pan and warm batter to create a steam process to make the popovers actually rise and boy did the rise and pop over!  The other trick is to fill them to the top instead of 2/3.  Hers looked amazing and the diners were singing serious HIGH praise. I tried this with some biscuits and it worked quite well.

HOMEMAKING TIP
I use mineral oil for my butcher block and my wooden kitchen tools to keep them hydrated.  I also find it is an inexpensive and wonderful way to oil my hardwoods too.  This is my ALL time favorite dining room table.  It’s been in storage for the better part of 7 years so was considerable dry.  It soaked up ALL that oil and is looking pretty good now.  I’m so happy to have our table together again.

Hubby took apart my cousin’s old table and moved it to the garage until my uncle decides its fate.  The one we took apart matches that chair in the background with the gingham check seat but is not my style, color or another project I want to take on as it is in HORRIBLE shape and needs COMPLETELY refinished.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We found a great door at Habitat for Humanity.  They get display items from the local Lowes which is wonderful for us as we got a very expensive door for peanuts, but it is purple.  And while I love the color purple, I don’t want a purple front door.  It is also metal, so right now I’m painting on a “GRIPPER” so it will take the paint well. We are going to do some shade of gray to match the bricks on the outside and the decor on the inside. I can’t wait to show you a finished picture with the stained glass portion that doesn’t show well in this position.

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.

Tamy Bollar

Thank you it's been a productive week.

I was skeptical about the popover one too – until I tried it. Now it's something I wished I'd learned years ago!

Carrie B.

Hello my Friend! I LOVE your tips this week – so many great ones!! I have always been a "leave the conditioner" in my hair gal too (I have long fine hair as well). But all the great kitchen and home tips too! Love it – especially intrigued by the popover one. 😉

Hope you have a great rest of the week! xoxo

Tamy Bollar

Thank you, we are making progress and I'm really happy about it. I think you're right about it being a bit cooler, but it was still a bit stifling for me!

Jean @sonotorganized.com

It certainly seems like you are making lots of progress this week! Since we seem to share weather, I do think we had it a bit cooler this morning because of some overnight thunderstorms. Can't figure out a cure for the humidity though. Hope you have a great week!