HAPPY HOMEMAKER and MENU PLAN MONDAY

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. It always seems so much better to me when Christmas falls on the weekend. We had a quiet weekend with just the 2 of us, football, church and a Christmas party on Saturday.  Christmas day was just us so I made a small Tropical pork roast with Potatoes AuGratin and maple glazed Brussels sprouts with cherry pie galette for dessert. We also watched my obligatory seasonal favorites It’s A Wonderful Life (1946), White Christmas (1954) and the original Home Alone (1990). Our family will be here to celebrate tomorrow.

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel played a YULE LOG with puppies, kittens, and Christmas music for 24 hours which made good background.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Unfortunately it’s gray and warm with thunderstorms. I spent the entire Christmas season missing snow and cold.  I am really looking forward to next year being back in the Pacific Northwest or the North woods or somewhere cooler than here. I hope.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Some spam and scrambled eggs.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m pretty happy.  Just a couple loads of laundry, vacuuming and general cleaning before family gets here for “Christmas”.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
Nothing but enjoy family and help Carlie get settled in.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
I will finish up the Christmas movies on the DVR and hope to start a new book now that the holidays are quieter.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I’m going to start working on the studio in earnest after the first and hope to be “CRAFT READY” by the time we get back from our spring trip in April. This will be our first trip seeking out our final project house so we can leave this HOUSE FROM HELL behind us and settle for a long while.

KITCHEN WISHES
My Kitchen Aid Mixer is starting to give up the ghost.  As sad as that is, I have used it A LOT and for 23 years next month.  I purchased a professional model after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake demolished my kitchen and EVERYTHING in it as well as the rest of the house.  So, I guess I got my money’s worth, I’ve even painted it twice, but I will be sorry to see it go. I’m thinking about this pretty silver one. It’s not the professional model, but I do love the glass bowl! Glass bowls are so much easier to see that things are mixed well on the bottom.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
PUMPKIN BREAD FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
PANCAKES, BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
??
??
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
ALOHA BBQ RIBS, WAGON WHEEL BEANS and CROCK POT LOADED POTATOES BACON & EGGS 
??
OUT
FREEZER SURPRISE
GRILLED STEAKS, BAKED POTATOES and CORN ON THE COB (hubby’s request for New Year’s Eve  at home)
BLACK EYED-PEA CHILI
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
January will be “GET A BACKYARD MONTH” and that is making me very happy!  There are only a few months of the year you can use a patio here, at least in my opinion, and February through April are it.  The backyard was just like the house and garage – completely overrun with a hoarders dream – STUFF.  It also had some structural issues that will need to be addressed first which will require a pallet of sand bags to be delivered to begin leveling it out.  We found this past week that the fence is riddled with termites so hubby has already started changing out the fence board by board.  All in ALL this will be a simpler project in concept, but harder in back breaking effort.  I also found a shade cloth that fits perfectly so we will be installing that too.  I will be thrilled if we can get the shade cloth, sand and fence done in January so we can lay pavers and sod in February.  That leaves March for sealing the garage floor.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I always have a lot of fun doing a long distance version of elf on the shelf for my favorite munchkins.  This year was twin elves, Ralph and Walter (names were borrowed from the show Scorpion). They made their way to Oregon in time for a Christmas surprise visit with their cousin Sam who spent last year with us before making his way to Oregon in time for Christmas 2015.

We had fun opening our gifts and stockings.  I especially love Sammy the owl and my new picture book from my favorite munchkins.

I LOVE my new glass art ornament from my brother and SIL – so cute.
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.

Jean @sonotorganized.com

Home Alone is my youngest son's favorite Christmas movie! Hope you are in the middle of having a wonderful Christmas celebration with your family. I like those glass mixing bowls as well. Hope you have a great week and very happy New Year as well.

Carrie B.

Ruby loved watching that yule log this weekend too! Lol

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family Hon! I"ve loved your elves on insta this season too. 😉

I LOVE that new mixer you have your eye on! I know what you mean about giving up the old one. I've had mine for close to 20 years now and can't imagine giving it up either! Lol

Blessings to you all Tamy. xoxo