Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I’m still playing catch up after our trip, but I’ll get there this week.  We had a good trip and it was informative in the way that it ruled out several places and routes for us for.  I took yesterday to do not much at all other than catch up with my friend and munchkins, prep parts of today’s dinner which is labor intensive, made a Pennsylvania Dutch Apple pie, dishes, vacuumed, organized, laundry… oops I guess I didn’t take yesterday off after all!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s been a tad warm in the afternoons, but with a slight breeze so not really too bad at all… for summer… 😀 This morning’s uniform is cutoffs and a soft t-shirt

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE hot water and yogurt

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… done and clean
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… just a couple
  
• BLOG… still working on some updates and new recipes
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… ?? maybe depends on some other activities this week
  

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH/SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED all caught up and DVR empty – summer makes TV watching just plain weird

I’M READING same book as last week – just came seem to stay awake long enough to get more than a paragraph or two read which kind of sucks since I am enjoying the book.

Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA We’re back and I haven’t yet sorted pictures, but I love this one of Multnomah Falls.  I wish I knew the people in the bottom of this picture, but they gave it context either way 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

I laughed at this much… Just thought I’d share!

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – CREAMY CHILI CHICKEN & BRAISED GREEN BEANS with POTATOES
TUESDAY – ORANGE PEANUT CHICKEN APPLE SALAD
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – CHICKEN ANDOUILLE GUMBO
FRIDAY – MANDARIN CHICKEN BROCCOLI SALAD
SATURDAY – PORK TENDERLOINS & ??
SUNDAY – CHICKEN & WINE SAUCE with ROASTED SALT & VINEGAR POTATOES 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CUCUMBER SALAD
• ASIAN SESAME VINAIGRETTE
• FLOATING FRUIT CAKE
• PORK TENDERLOIN with PEACH BOURBON SAUCE
• CASHEW CREAM AVOCADO RANCH DRESSING
• RICOTTA MEATBALLS & GRAVY
• BROCCOLI PARSLEY SLAW

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• SESAME CHICKEN
• BEEF & BROCCOLI ALA CROCK POT
• BACON WRAPPED MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS

Be sure to join us.  You can 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies.  I hope you had a wonderful week and enjoyed your Independence day celebrations!  Ours was a quiet 4th.  I helped a friend paint her new house and hubby pulled his back so spent it on the heating pad! 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING We’re still trying to narrow down “where” we are going to settle for good and are taking a small trip this week to immerse ourselves into one of the areas we are considering.  And by immerse I mean walk the streets and neighborhoods, talk to the local people and get a true feel for the area.  The weather was predicted to be MUCH warmer when I first started watching it, but a “cool” front has evidently moved in and dropped the temps by 10 degrees!  We’re going to be LOVING it!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE hot water and cheerios

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… pretty tidy and caught up until we get back Friday
  
• YARD…  hubby had to sideline the gate repair with his back and will hopefully get it finished today and if not after we get back Friday
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… nothing but research this week
  
• BLOG… there are a few recipes set to post this week, but I need to get caught up on translations 😀
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I was hoping to get some of the garland done this past week, but it will wait until next week 😀
  

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH in NO particular order

• The Good Witch
  
• The Great American Food Truck Race
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Beat Bobby Flay
• Reef Break
• Elementary
• MasterChef

I’M READING Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I spent the 4th of July helping my friend paint her upstairs in preparation for the carpet installation today.  We got A LOT done!  Her mom and the youngest munchkin made us a foursome for the day until the middle munchkin got home from a sleepover and joined the fun.  My favorite photo was of the munchkins helping paint their brother’s bedroom.  Just look at those smiles – I can NEVER resist them!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – RICOTTA MEATBALLS with SALAD & AVOCADO RANCH DRESSING
TUESDAY – OUT
WEDNESDAY – OUT
THURSDAY – OUT
FRIDAY – OUT
SATURDAY – ??
SUNDAY – CREAMY CHILI CHICKEN & SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• HAM STEAK & RED EYE GRAVY
• CHURCH SUPPER RINGFEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• 4 WINDS S & S SLAW
• HONEY LEMON PEPPER SALMON & SHRIMP
• LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

GOOD MORNING I hope everyone had a wonderful week!  OH NO it’s July already!  The year is officially half over! LEON day (exactly 6 months between Christmases) was last week and we are officially on a downhill road to the holidays!  That said, there is still plenty of summer to go around and I hope you have some fun trips and vacation plans as we head into the long 4th of July weekend.

Be sure to join us and 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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING Last week we had some fast moving and fantastic thunderstorms that brought in much cooler weather too.  This week not so much, we’re supposed to get quite warm again and be sunny all week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE The new doctor has at least assigned a name to my newest health issue.  Retroactive hypoglycemia.  Unfortunately, it does not have an easy fix, instead it puts me into a vicious never ending cycle of low blood sugar and needing to eat, but being unable to do so.  He has said the same thing as the gastroenterologist – there just isn’t much data for patients that ended up with this procedure when they didn’t need to lose weight to begin with and we’ll just have to experiment.  So, breakfast is back to hot water and baby food again most days with 2 hour grazing of a bite or 2 here and there. 🙁

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… I hadn’t done laundry all week and needed a distraction after we were finished Saturday so I got all caught up at once as well as some tidying up after the weekend
  
• YARD… hubby is working on updating the gate repairs
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… paperwork, phone calls to set up new appointments
• BLOG… still working on some recipe work ups on new recipes and a few updates and new pictures on some older ones
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I have been working on a plan for the garland I’m assembling and actually got the pieces together all in one place AND got a picture taken.  Now just to get it started finally.  I’m going to be making this in 8 foot lengths that will get clipped together as needed with some decorative star clips.
  

I’M READING Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH in NO particular order

• The Good Witch
  
• The Great American Food Truck Race
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Beat Bobby Flay
• Reef Break
• Elementary
• MasterChef

FAVORITE and SADDEST PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA We spent last week helping our friends and neighbors move to their new house, which BTW we can drive to in 2 minutes time, but it was still SUPER bittersweet.  They lived in this house for 13 years and had brought each and every munchkin home to this house as a baby so there was A LOT of sentimentality attached. Needless to say Saturday was a bittersweet day for EVERYONE and many tears were shed.  We’re super sad to see them go, but ALSO super excited for them in their new home and can’t wait to see how they make it their own. The munchkins have even picked out their room colors and painting will begin soon 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – CHURCH SUPPER RING & SALAD with BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
TUESDAY – PORK TENDERLOIN with BOURBON PEACH SAUCE & BROCCOLI
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N. & PEACH COBBLER
THURSDAY – BBQ
FRIDAY – CREAMY CHILI CHICKEN & VEGGIES
SATURDAY – RICOTTA MEATBALLS with NOODLES and GRAVY & CUCUMBER SALAD
SUNDAY – HAM STEAK with RED EYE GRAVY & SALAD with ASIAN SESAME VINAIGRETTE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• LOOSE MEAT BACON CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS
• SLOW COOKED COUNTRY CHICKEN & GRAVY
• OVEN BBQ CHICKEN
• HERB SALAD with BROILED TOMATO & CREAMY CUCUMBER VINAIGRETTE

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN
• BANANA NUT ROLL
• FRENCH ONION SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS
  

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  It’s been a busy, but productive week here with pretty nice weather too.  We spent Saturday and Sunday helping our friends who are moving.  We’re not thrilled to be losing them as neighbors, but are excited for them and their new adventure in their bigger house that allows ALL the munchkins their own rooms and a pretty view too!  Personally I’m just excited they’ll have a place for the ellipitcal machine LOL 😀  Right now they have to put it where the skyilght is so hubby doesn’t hit his head on the ceiling.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING I’m wearing levis and a comfy short sleeve t-shirt for today.  It does look like a GREAT week, but there is evidently a cool front moving in with the mid week storm as the temperatures are supposed to drop quite a bit on Thursday especially.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE This category has become a bit of a challenge again.  I’m 18 months post surgery and there is now a new specialist, an endocrinologist who is changing up my meds yet again to attempt to fix the new issues.  Unbeknownst to me, hypoglycemia is a common issue after bariatric surgery.  The issue here is that I only became a bariatric patient by default when the stomach was unsalvageable during a repair.  The doctor said that I’m having issues that normally happen to people after a decade or so after they have lost hundreds of pounds. But, since I DIDN’T HAVE hundreds of pounds to lose and fight to keep weight on now, my body is reacting differently and causing me problems now.  It really is uncharted territory for him and me too 😀  So, anyway I’m back to hot water and squeezable baby food in the mornings as we begin the experimentation process all over again.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up as of yesterday 😀
  
• LIVING AREAS... pretty clean, but need to vacuum
  
• KITCHEN… did a good clean yesterday after making lunch
  
• YARD… hubby is going to finish the gate repair
  
• BLOG… pretty caught up on recipes, but want to get back into a better blog routine
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… still haven’t started that Christmas garland, but want to get started on it as we’re into the last half of the year now and it will go by quickly.
  
• APPOINTMENTS… nails one day and dr. one day
  
• TO DO… help our friends move this week into their new house, look for some paperwork in storage, research
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We watched Law Abiding Citizen with Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx one night and I Am Mother with Hilary Swank, got caught up on Nascar racing and tried another episode of a new binge series Dead to Me with Christina Applegate, but aren’t sure if we’ll stick with it.

I’M READING Seaside Hearts Love in Bloom by Melissa Foster

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH It’s summer so the DVR is relatively empty most the time as we wait on the new fall scheduling.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There is a bunch of wildlife over near our friend’s new house and this guy stopped and posed for me.  The homeowner’s association has a serious rule about feeding ANY wildlife on or near your property.

And here is a picture of a new restaurant in a converted Victorian home that we tried last week to make up for last week’s favorite photo. The open sign looks so out of place in the cupola that it’s actually kinda cute. 😀

INSPIRATION & FUNNY

It’s funny because it’s true 😀

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – OVEN BBQ CHICKEN with HERB SALAD & CREAMY BROILED TOMATO and CUCUMBER VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – SLOW COOKED COUNTRY CHICKEN & GRAVY & VEGGIES
THURSDAY – BAKED SOUR CREAM CHICKEN with RICE & SALAD
FRIDAY – BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE & VEGGIES
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – LOOSE MEAT BACON CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• SPICY PIMIENTO BURGERS
  
• HONEY LIME COLESLAW
• HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
• ROAST PORK with GARLIC ONION GRAVY
• HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER
• ROOT BEER FLOAT BROWNIES

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• TROPICAL GLAZED PORK LOIN
• CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
• ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a WONDERFUL Father’s Day weekend full of family and FUN.  Ours was quiet and we had brunch out for father’s day at a fun new place (to us) – a restored Victorian home turned restaurant, watched a couple movies and made a few tentative trip plans.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This week is looking like it will be GORGEOUS!  We’re taking the day to play and run errands in a neighboring town so I’m dressed for comfort in my favorite Levis and a navy flowing blouse with sandals.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE was weak coffee and peach yogurt

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up or at least as caught up as you can be while you’re breathing, wearing clothes, using towels…
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  
• KITCHEN… pretty good
  
• YARD… pretty good
  
• BLOG… some more recipe updating and need a plan to get back into daily blogging beyond recipes
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I did get the garland supplies down and in arm’s reach, but have yet to start
  
• APPOINTMENTS… a few Tuesday and Wednesday…
  
• TO DO… hubby is going to do some repairs to the new gate, paperwork, research
  

I’M READING I need to start a new book, but have yet to figure out which one!

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We watched a cute and fun  Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston movie, Murder Mystery , an episode of Dead to Me with Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as well as started season 3 of Jessica Jones.

• Beat Bobby Flay
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Hailey Dean Mystery Prescription for Death
• Good Witch
  

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I have to get some pictures this week!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD with HERB TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN with RICE & PEAS
FRIDAY – CHICKEN and GRAVY with MASHED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS
SATURDAY – LOOSE MEAT BURGERS and SALAD
SUNDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT with  SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BLUEBERRY LIME CHEESECAKE
• BACON WRAPPED SPAM BITES
• POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE
• PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE KOLACHES
• PEPPERED COLE SLAW
• MALASADAS – PORTUGUESE DONUTS

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• PORK MARSALA
• BUFFALO CHICKEN PINWHEELS
• PINEAPPLE RAISIN TAMALES with ORANGE BLUEBERRY JAM

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING everyone!  How was your weekend?  Ours was quiet mostly.  We did BBQ with the BEST neighbors we’ve ever had on Friday night and they let me use them as guinea pigs for some new recipes 😀 Unfortunately they are moving soon and while I’m really happy they will be getting a bigger, better house I am really going to miss having them around!  We were also able to celebrate the munchkins getting out of school Tuesday, which should have been Friday except for those pesky snow days 😀

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING The weekend WAS fabulous, this week NOT so much!  We went from 64 degrees Saturday to 90 degrees today and a predicted 101 degrees tomorrow – GO FIGURE!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peach Yogurt, weak coffee and a banana

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty clean and tidy
  
• KITCHEN…  deep cleaned
  
• YARD… flower box is now pending to fall
  
• BLOG… a few experimental recipe updates
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I may start that garland Tuesday when I don’t plan on leaving the house or even opening the blinds due to the excessive heat
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… keep researching new areas, organizing
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We started NOS4A2 this past week. We like the SYFY supernatural kind of shows and haven’t seen a new good one in awhile so are hoping this show is good. It was supposedly suggested by Stephen King as a NEW kind of Vampire story.   We also saw a bit of a strange movie, Electric Mist on Amazon, but I think?? I liked it with Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman.

I’M READING nothing at the moment

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH DVR is empty, but NetFlix, Amazon and Sling are available 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA WOW I can’t believe I didn’t take anything but food pictures this week 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS
TUESDAY – CHICKEN NORMANDY & BROWNED POTATO LOAF
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT
FRIDAY – CROCK POT CHICKEN & GRAVY
SATURDAY – GRILLED ?? & HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
SUNDAY – BBQ RIBS, COWBOY BEANS & STREET CORN

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• TEXAS BBQ BEANS
  
• CHICKEN BACON APPLE STRATA
  
• PIRI PIRI CHICKEN
  
• PEPPER PASTA SALAD
  
• COWBOY BURGERS
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• MEYER LEMON TARTS
• CHICKEN & CHEESE ENCHILADAS
• PAN ROASTED STREET CORN
  

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you had a lovely week.  Can you believe it’s June already??  Where does the time go these days.  Time is moving so fast that I’m still trying to get caught up on comments and blog visits from last week. 

Kids will be getting out of school  next week (they should have gotten out this week, but those darn snow days made it a pain for all) for the summer later this week here and it’s time to make those summer plans.

I got a lot of organization done this past week as well as a few other projects, but don’t really feel well accomplished – just that time of year!!  We also watched a couple movies and NASCAR over the weekend.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s going to be a BEAUTIFUL week in the neighborhood.  We had some mid 80’s over the weekend, but there was a nice breeze.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and dried fruit with hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a load of towels and sheets
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  
• KITCHEN… LOL never all caught up 😀
  
• YARD… flower box re-do
  
• BLOG… as always working on some new recipe postings
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… LOL I still haven’t started the garland, but all the parts are ready 😀
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… feed the peacocks, finish organizing a few files, pay some bills, make some phone calls
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED ??

I’M READING Seaside Dreams – Love in Bloom #1 by Melissa Foster

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Actually all caught up!  Wen finally finished getting caught up on Amazing Race and American NINJA Warrior.  I have been watching some super old game shows on cable also.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Spent some time drinking ice tea and sitting outside soaking in the sun with my friend and munchkins as they attempted to fly kites in the breeze.  Also LMBO 😀 as Heather “tried” to show the girls how to do it!   Unfortunately the breeze just wasn’t enough to do more than cause some frustration 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – ITALIAN TOMATO MEATBALL SOUP with GRAN’S HONEY MUFFINS
TUESDAY – SUPPER STRATA
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – GARLIC BUTTER GRILLED PORK CHOPS & SALAD
FRIDAY – BACON WRAPPED SPAM BITE APPETIZERS, BBQ BURGERS, POTATO SALAD, BBQ BEANS & POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE and MALSADAS
SATURDAY – BACON ASPARAGUS FRITTATA & UPSIDE DOWN APPLE HONEY CAKE
SUNDAY – HOMEMADE NOODLES with MEATBALLS BOLEGNESE with CORN & CUCUMBER SALAD and KOLACHES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CREAMSICLE CHEESECAKE
• STUFFED BALSAMIC CHICKEN
• ROAST LEMON CHICKEN
• SAVORY FRIED CABBAGE
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
• GARLIC CREAM CHICKEN
• MAPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL CAKE with OOEY GOOEY COCONUT TOPPING

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I’m still traveling and for the most part having a GREAT trip.  We had a bittersweet family reunion. One of my SIL’s (hubby’s baby brother’s wife – SIL #4) had a major stroke from a brain aneurysm and passed away earlier last week just prior to the family reunion. 🙁 We also found out that SIL#2 is not doing well at all and will need to make a special trip for hubby to be able to see her.  SIL#3 is a whole other story not worth my time or effort to fill you in if I want to keep this positive (HA HA)!

I had no internet for 5 days this week so feel like I’m really behind, but I will be back to normal Monday posts by next week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s been alternating rain and sunny since we got home to SIL#1’s  house yesterday afternoon, but it’s cool enough for a light jacket or sweatshirt and cloudy still with rain predicted for tomorrow.  I won’t mind though since we don’t leave here for home until Wednesday.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… will have several loads later in the week after we get home.
• APPOINTMENTS… several scheduled for early next week that may need to be changed depending on funeral arrangements for my SIL#4.
  
• TO DO… 🙂 everything.
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We did watch a couple movies with SIL#1 last week, The A Theory of Everything about Stephen Hawking and The Silence with Stanley Tucci that were quite good.

I’M READING My friend Heather loaned me 3 books for the trip – Diane Chamberlain’s Summer Child and The Midwife’s Confession as well as Kristin Hannah’s Night Road. With everything that’s been going on I’ve yet to get anything read and will probably do them all next week afterI get home.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH will see when we get home

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There were a ton of favorites from the camera this week, but most still need edited so I chose one at random.  This is my nephew, Tyler consoling his young son, Rigley. Tyler is not only a fantastic person, but a truly wonderful father.

And then we have 5 generations here!

The hot dog vendor was nice enough to come take a group shot of us! And we’re only about half here!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• MIMOSA ROAST CHICKEN
• BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE
• PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DROPS

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you have all had as great a week and weekend as we did.  The weather has been PERFECT and even though I haven’t gotten everything accomplished I wanted to, I did get enough done for now. 🙁

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year here and unseasonably dry too, but after such a wet winter I’m not complaining. 

That said, I’m glad we leave on our trip later this week and the temperatures will be cooler which I soooooo much prefer. Note the 29 degree difference on Thursday.

We’re going to take the last trailer full of wood to the re-cycler (there’s a local guy who will chip up all the cedar pickets into mulch) so I have on old Levi’s, a t-shirt and pops. Then I’ll change to head into town for errands.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peach yogurt, hot water and a banana.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… one load before we go
  
• LIVING AREAS… a bit of tidying
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… YAY! hubby finished the fence!
  
• BLOG… nothing much for a couple weeks while we travel
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing at all for a few weeks
  
• APPOINTMENTS… Tire rotation, fill up on gas, pedicure, mammogram
  
• TO DO… last minute errands, pack…
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY We leave later this week for our family reunion trip later this week and we’re REALLY getting excited!  We have a side trip planned on the way there AND on the way back besides visiting with hubby’s elderly father.

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We rented Serenity with Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jason Clarke and Diane Lane.  Such a different part for MATTHEW!

I’M READING Kristin Hannah’s Night Road that my friend Heather loved and recommended I read.  It will be perfect for vacation 😀

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH things will build up while we’re on our trip so I’ll sort it out later 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Hubby finally finished the fence!!! What a feat.  This was the last leg of the 300+ linear feet.  Fortunately the 100 feet to his right was done 4 years ago by our neighbor.   His feet are killing him from working in the rocks so our vacation is well timed.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – TACO CASSEROLE & SALAD
TUESDAY – C.O.R.N.
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – ??
FRIDAY – ??
SATURDAY – ??
SUNDAY – ??

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BAKED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES
• GRANDMA DOLL’S POTATO SALAD
• BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
• ORANGE CHICKEN PANDA EXPRESS COPY CAT
• BAKED HAM with CHERRY SAUCE
  FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK
• FIRECRACKER PORK CHOPS
• REUBEN PINWHEELS
• HONEY CARAMEL MACADAMIA TART

Be sure to join us and 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you had as nice a week and weekend as we did.  The weather has been wonderful and allowed us to catch up a bit after the less than stellar winter we had!  Hubby has been working on the fence and I’m trying to get caught up on a shelf that he built me, but it’s been too cold to paint before now.  Hopefully I’ll get the shelf finished later today.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING We have another BEAUTIFUL week predicted with no rain in sight!!! YAY!!!! It’s starting to finally feel like spring.  I’ll have on my usual uniform 😀 Levi’s, a comfy t-shirt and my gray pops.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Carrot and Apple baby food squeezer with hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… all done for the moment 😀
  
• LIVING AREAS… need a bit of tidying
  
• KITCHEN… needs a bit of tidying
  
• YARD… fence repairs continue and a bit of gardening
  
• BLOG… updating a few recipe posts and planning for some trip posts
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing this week or probably the next couple of weeks either, but then I’ll get started on the wool ball garland so I can get a picture posted for you to see
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple this week which will give hubby a bit of a break from fence building…
  
• TO DO… errands, groceries, paperwork and a few phone calls
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY Our family reunion trip is coming up and we’re looking forward to catching up with those we haven’t seen in a few years.  We always have such a GREAT time together.  I recently found this image that TRULY depicts our group.

We’re also going to spend some time with hubby’s elderly father while we still can.  He’s still sharp as a tack, but his body isn’t cooperating 🙁  

While we’re gone we’re also going to tour the Winchester Mystery House, a story and place that has always intrigued me!  Right now they have a “Mansion and More” package that also tours areas that have been previously closed for more than 90 years AND as a bonus you can now take pictures!

I’M READING Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series is always a fun read.  I’m finishing up Fortune Furlough book #14 and then beginning Kristin Hannah’s Night Road that my friend Heather loved and recommended I read.  It will be perfect for vacation 😀

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We are still getting used to the new system and with it being the end of the season for most shows I’m really glad there isn’t an overwhelming list of things to catch up on 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I always find it amazing how others do things.  And while this was an older builder grade fence, it still amazes me that they installed parts wrong and didn’t even bother securing the frame pieces to each other.  Hubby is doing a GREAT job of updating AND securing the pieces together.  He even built himself a template for spacing the boards evenly 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – C.O.R.N or TAVERN for sandwiches
TUESDAY – SESAME CHICKEN SALAD
WEDNESDAY – BAKED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES with SALAD
THURSDAY – BAVARIAN MEATBALLS & BOSTON BAKED BEANS
FRIDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN
SATURDAY – CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE
SUNDAY – TROPICAL LIME CHICKEN BITES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
• FRENCH ONION MEATBALLS
• PORKY PIG FARMER’S MARKET SALAD
• BALSAMIC POMEGRANATE CAPRESE CHICKEN
• CHILI GLAZED MEAT LOAF
• THYME ROASTED POTATOES

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• KENTUCKY HOT BROWN CASSEROLE
• FARM STYLE MEATLOAF & GRAVY
• SPICY CHICKEN POT STICKERS