HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 13 of 2017

Did everyone have a good weekend?  Ours started out with a violent thunderstorm and tornado warnings, but we woke up Saturday to beautiful skies and warm temperatures.  I’ve been doing a lot of ebaying and organizing while I continue the minimizing and donating so wasn’t too bothered by the warm weather.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

After a beautiful, but warm weekend we are slated for more thunderstorms, warmer temperatures and high humidity as the week progresses – good thing I have a lot of inside activities this week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

I’m having blueberry yogurt with granola and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

The house is in good order despite the activities I have going on.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • A couple doctor appointments – hoping to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • EBAY pictures and descriptions
  • Trip to surprise a friend for her significant birthday.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

Still reading Jan Deleon novels trying to get caught up on all her series books.  This week is Book #3 of the Family Inheritance series.

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
TOASTED FRENCH TOAST
CREAMED CHICKEN ON TOAST
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CREAMED CHICKEN ON TOAST  and SALAD
CAMPFIRE CHICKEN and POTATOES in foil and SALAD
GRILLED TAMARIND CHICKEN SKEWERS with MORITA CHILE SAUCE
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
GRILLED STEAKS and ASPARAGUS
TAVERN CHICKEN and NOODLES
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER

  • ASIAN PEAR and GRAPE CABBAGE SALAD
  • RED, WHITE & BLEU MEATBALLS
  • PAN SEARED CHICKEN with HERBED WINE SAUCE
  • SESAME CHICKEN
  • LEMON CURD CHEESECAKE
  • CHICKEN BOG
  • CHICKEN and SAUSAGE JAMBALAYA
  • CREAMY CRAB DIP
  • NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN DIP
  • CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY and ALMOND RUGELACH
  • MOLTEN RED VELVET CAKES
  • BRAISED TOMATO MUSHROOM CHICKEN
  • TAVERN CHICKEN

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND

2017 has been a rough year so far.  My MIL passed away on the 7th and it has taken me a couple weeks to process this. Mom was 4 days shy of her 97th birthday.  Can you believe she was almost 90 in this picture taken at a family camp out several years ago? She lived a VERY FULL and mostly happy life leaving behind a long legacy of love and family.  While at that age you know it’s natural causes and inevitable, it never lessens the severity of the impact. She had been saying for years that she was ready to go, but I just never wanted it to happen. Just knowing I’ll never be able to hear her sweet voice again leaves me with a heavy heart.

Then on the 21st my favorite BIL, Ray,  entered hospice as his cancer continued to eat away at his body.  He passed quietly surrounded by family on the 25th.  Ray was one of the best men I have EVER known in my entire life. I LOVED talking to him for hours – we have so many beliefs and ideals in common, almost like we shared the same thought process despite the HUGE age difference (hubby is almost 20 years older than me and his sister is 7 years older than him and my BIL was 3 years older than her – you get the picture). He lived a VERY FULL and happy life also leaving behind a long legacy of love and family.

His death is hitting me the hardest I think as we were both diagnosed with reproductive cancers within weeks of each other. He did everything right, just a bit too late for when his was diagnosed. I have had to struggle with moving past the Survivor’s Guilt of a high mortality cancer for the past 6 years and 99% of the time I’m doing well with it, I just wish he was walking that same path with me!

I REALLY MISS THEM BOTH!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

My violets are REALLY going to town in this window!

We had a visitor pop into our yard last Wednesday and couldn’t convince him he wasn’t ours. He had a collar, but no tags.  I tried calling rescues and local shelters and walking him through the neighborhood asking everyone I saw if they knew him.  As for the shelters they were NO help at all, at least by phone. Everyone said I was not in their jurisdiction and were actually quite rude! The last woman told me to just let him go, someone else would take care of him.  Can you believe that? So, we took him to our vet to see if maybe he was microchipped (he wasn’t) or they had any info on him.  They sent us to the nicest no kill shelter where he was immediately welcomed and seemed happy to be there. Bye Jake (that’s what we called him).  I pray you are adopted by a really nice family with 2 little boys and a HUGE yard.

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.

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Heather

I am so sorry to hear of your MIL and BIL. Please give Skip a hug for me and tell him I’m sorry too! Love and miss you both!

Rowana

Oh big hugs to you. your Mother In law is beautiful and I love the story of your relationship with your brother in law. Prayers sent for you and family.
That Dog Jake is adorable, Great job not giving up on him. I hope he finds a home exactly like you described!
That’s so weird how he had a color but no info. Sending good thoughts your way.

Pamela

I’m so sorry to hear your sad news – I love your comment that they both lived full lives and leave a legacy of love. It is that memory that will sustain you, knowing that they will be with you always. I hope Jake finds a forever home.

Stacy N Duncan

Praying for you and sorry for your losses! It’s so hard to lose someone, but so comforting to know that they lived a wonderful full life! Happy homemaker Monday!

QuiltLady

LOL the biggest tip I have is to use the violet pots. The potted part lifts out so it sits in water and draws only what it needs for water when it needs it. I also keep the lower leaves trimmed. Other than that, just leave it alone.

Jean

I’m so very sorry for your recent losses. I hope you find some peace in the coming weeks. What a sweet dog, I’d have been very tempted to keep him. Have fun surprising your good friend!

QuiltLady

Thank you! If things were different I would have kept JAKE in a heartbeat, but I’m just not in the “PUPPY” place right now. They promised a good home for him and he’s so sweet that I believe that will happen. We’re really looking forward to a few days away from it all.

Carrie@northwoods scrapbook

Hi Sweetie!

I’m continuing prayers as you continue to follow up with your health. But also sending prayers of love and support and ((hugs)) over the recent losses of your loved ones. It sounds like your MIL and your BIL were amazing people!! Lives lived well are the best. And I know you’ll see them again one day….and in the mean time I’m sure they’d want you to continue living your life to the fullest!

Bless you for working so hard to get to the bottom of the doggy mystery. It’s so sad that many would act as that one Lady did. Again – God bless you!!

And I saw that you said you may be interested in Blue Apron meals. We’ve been truly impressed with the quality of the ingredients and they’ve been so yummy and lots of fun. You can skip any weeks you want – which is nice too. If you are interested in the “free meal” things they sent me just email me at carrie@bachandgroup.com so I’ll have your email. I can then have the company email the free meal info to you.

Blessings on your week Hon. xoxo

QuiltLady

Thank you my dear friend, you are so right, that is exactly how they would feel if they could say so. My faith helps me through this despite being sad as I know that’s just me being selfish. I am thankful that they are both out of pain.

Thank you for the Blue Apron info! I will email you next.

Have a GREAT week too!

Laura Lane

May God comfort you as you are missing your loved ones.
It sounds like they are wonderful people.
Be blessed,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Happy Homemaker Monday!