GOOD MORNING everyone!  I hope you had a GREAT week.  Mine was one of organization.  It was the first one since our trek north that I had the downtime with no appointments or such to get serious about organizing our life.  It was also a necessary event with the holidays fastly approaching!

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – It’s supposed to be sunny all week and near 60 degrees, BUT it’s getting down into the low 30’s at night and foggy in the mornings so that sunny 60 degrees ends up happening for all of about 4 hours a day!  I LOVE it though.  I am looking forward to the rain predicted next week. Right now it’s only 35 and super gray out still.

I have on Levis with a red, white and blue tye dyed sweatshirt and my fuzzy blue warm socks. 

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Mixed Berry yogurt, a small banana and Green Tea

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – I began a reverse Advent Box for donation after Thanksgiving.  I’m filling it with items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, bars of soap, shampoos, pasta, rices, canned goods, treats and goodies, homemade jars of jam… I’ll show a picture during BLOGMAS 2018.  I’m hoping you’ll join me for BLOGMAS this year.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – What has been happening in California just during the last week is devastating and I am praying for all of those people in Paradise as well as southern California. Having grown up in southern California I know all too well how devastating fire can be in general, but especially at this time of year with the Santa Ana winds.  I pray the winds CALM down so the firefighters can get a handle on these fires.

Hallmark Christmas movies are here and on my television daily as I work through my day. I’ve made Chunky Applesauce, Pumpkin Butter and Apple Pumpkin Butter so far in preparation for the holidays.

INSPIRATION

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

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing, sheets and towels
  
• LIVING AREAS… really tidy
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much
  
• BLOG… some recipe posts, future post planning and holiday BLOGMAS post planning
• PROJECTS… Christmas cards, Christmas gifts
  
• APPOINTMENTS… nothing this week
  
• TO DO… baseboards, silk plants, carpets, windows
  

I’M READING – Vickie McKeehan’s Indigo Brothers Series

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – I’m trying to coordinate our watch lists on the DVR with the things piling up on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime

WHAT’S IN THE CRAFT BASKET – Christmas cards are in the half made process

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK – I’m trying a few new recipes this week and will post them next week if they are a success. I’m also making an OLD recipe that was originally from my grams, but I have updated over the years.

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY HONEY BBQ CHICKEN LEGS TUESDAY TABASCO CHICKEN & BAKED RICE WEDNESDAY C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night THURSDAY CHICKEN CONTINENTAL & BROCCOLI FRIDAY GERMAN PORK CHOPS with PASTA & PEAS
SATURDAY			DENVER CHICKEN
SUNDAY			CHILI

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CHEESY CORN BREAD PUDDING
• CHICKEN IN OREGANO CREAM SAUCE 

GOOD MORNING!  Personally, I wish they’d just pick one time or the other already and leave it alone!!!  I’m not even sure I care which one!   This time change stuff is for the birds.

Despite the fact that I should be sleeping later I’m up early and will be doing some pre-Thanksgiving grocery shopping today.  My local stores have some GREAT sales on items I’m going to be needing, but the sales are only good until tomorrow so I’m getting a jump start on the week.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – With the fall back of the time this past weekend, we FINALLY hit the cooler weather I’ve been waiting for.  It’s been pretty wet and is down in the low 50’s 😀

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green tea and yogurt

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – I found an OLD frame (it was from a 1934 family photo) at an antique store this past week that just called to me and begged to become a wreath with interchangeable parts.  The slits on the sides are perfect for lacing the parts through.  I spray painted it a teal blue with red and silver sparkle paint and then added some sprayed pine cones. It’s not a GREAT picture, but you get the idea.

INSPIRATION

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

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing, towels and sheets
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty clean, but I’m starting a house wide DEEP clean this week
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean, but I’m starting a house wide DEEP clean this week
  
• YARD… nothing much
  
• BLOG… I’ve been working on some holiday post planning, a few BLOGMAS posts and new recipes
• PROJECTS… I started the Christmas Cards
• APPOINTMENTS…nothing much this week
• TO DO... I’m still working on the photo editing and posts from San Diego, The West Coast for the wedding and our Montana trip.  I hope to get them all done in the next week or two!

I’M READING – Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune Series #13 – SWAMP SPOOK

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – We are STILL playing catch up on the DVR from the move and then the trip!

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY VAMPIRE MAC & CHEESE with HOT DOGS TUESDAY OUT WEDNESDAY C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night THURSDAY SPAM & TATERS FRIDAY GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN with CORN-ONION SOUFFLE	PINEAPPLE CHEESE PIE
SATURDAY			SATURDAY PAN SEARED CHICKEN with SHERRY CREAM SAUCE & RICE PILAF
SUNDAY			SUNDAY HONEY BBQ CHICKEN & BAKED BEANS

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BROWN GRAVY MEATBALLS
• MELTING POTATOES 
• BACON GRUYERE SMASHED POTATOES 
• CELERY ROOT CHICKEN MEDLEY 
• SLOW COOKER CRUSTLESS SHEPHERDS PIE
• OMG CHICKEN 

GOOD MORNING dear friends! I’m finally getting back into the swing of things after our trip. It was beautiful – maybe too beautiful because I have way too many images to finish editing. It was also unseasonably WARM for the north so I over packed expecting much cooler weather and for some reason was having trouble getting back into the swing of things here last week. I will have the post about the trip up later this week.  I’m also trying quite a few new recipes this week that will post to the blog later in the week.  My rule is that I never post new recipes until we have definitely decided we’d eat them again and again. 😀

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – A cool fall drizzle though we had some pretty good storms the past 2 nights and got some much needed rain.  Our temps are supposed to be in the 50’s-60’s all week and a bit wet.  As normal I’m wearing a pair of levis and a soft long sleeve t-shirt and matching lightweight sweatshirt.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green tea, a banana and mixed fruit yogurt

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – Beginning the holiday menu planning and organization for gifts and shopping.  I’m also working on some research for our Christmas trip – we decided a couple years back that we’d rather take a small trip as our gift to each other than do Christmas presents, but we do still do stockings for Christmas morning.  I’ve also started working on my blog entries for BLOGMAS 2018 gathering my thoughts and ideas.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA this was from a teeny tiny town in north eastern Oregon.  This abandoned church is definitely on the top of my favorites from the Montana trip. It appears a salvage company came in and stripped it of all the pews, stained glass windows, altar…

INSPIRATION AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing and towels
  
• LIVING AREAS… some dishes to do
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much
  
• BLOG… a little recipe updating and some more BLOGMAS holiday post planning
• PROJECTS… getting back into the swing of getting the Christmas cards made
  
• APPOINTMENTS… one for hubby on Wednesday and me on the Thursday when I’ll also do the pre-Thanksgiving and monthly shopping
  

I’M READING – Vickie McKeehan’s Indigo Brothers Series

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911, FBI, Manifest

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, Dancing With the Stars Adults and Jr.s

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Midnight Texas

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Dessert Wars, Worst Cooks in America, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart, Best Baker in America

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY VEGGIE CHICKEN MEDLEY & MELTING POTATOES TUESDAY OMG CHICKEN & BACON GRUYERE SMASHED POTATOES WEDNESDAY SLOW COOKER CRUSTLESS SHEPHERDS PIE THURSDAY CHICKEN IN OREGANO CREAM SAUCE FRIDAY BROWN GRAVY MEATBALLS & CHEESY CORNBREAD PUDDING
SATURDAY			SATURDAY ??
SUNDAY			SUNDAY C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK – none this week

GOOD MORNING everyone. We’re still traveling for a couple more days so this will be short and sweet today.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – It’s only about 30 degrees, but the days have been warming up to the mid 60’s which has been a truly amazing thing for this road trip.  We packed for the normal here at this time of year (COLD AND SNOW) and are so glad to be over packed and not need most of it! I’m wearing my favorite black levis with my favorite long sleeved gray t-shirt and am ready to travel as we leave here headed home.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green Blueberry Tea with a banana

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There are TONS of pictures from this road trip, but I have edited precious few so far.  This is one of my FAVORITES though so far from this week. I’m working on getting my travel posts together.

INSPIRATION/QUOTE/FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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

• LAUNDRY… EVERYTHING from our trip when we get home
• BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and even some holiday powst planning
• TO DO… will evaluate this when we get back later in the week
  

I’M READING – I’m reading some Carey Heywood series while we travel

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – EVERYTHING from last week while we were traveling

WHAT’S IN THE CRAFT BASKET – nothing til November

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY- FRIDAY ??
SATURDAY			SATURDAY ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala IMMIGRANTS
SUNDAY			SUNDAY PAN SEARED CHICKEN in HERB WINE SAUCE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• DRUNKEN CHICKEN & TOMATOES 
• PEPPERONI & TOMATO BASIL SQUARES 
• CHIPOTLE BBQ MEATBALLS 

GOOD MORNING and happy Monday!!  There are just 10 weeks left to this year and we are only 72 days away from Christmas!  So putting that all into perspective, another Monday feels like a breeze.

We spent the weekend helping my mom with a garage sale that was less than successful – just seems like no one was out and about this weekend – not sure why, but maybe the cold nights and cooler foggy mornings kept people in and just snuggling up with a good book. She was disappointed and says she’ll never have another.  We tooke several car loads to Goodwill and at least she is free of all the stuff hanging out.

Besides that we did watch the NASCAR races and a couple football games while I got the laundry done and packed for our upcoming trip for a memorial and to visit some old friends.  We’re going to take different routes to and from to check out some new areas to research.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – We’re having a bit of an Indian Summer here, but ironically it’s only a few hours a day.  While we are getting to the mid 70’s during the day, we are getting down into the 30’s at night so it takes awhile to heat up during the day and as soon as the sun sets it’s chilly again, especially with the breeze, but I’M LOVING IT!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green tea and a banana – the experimenting will wait until we return from our next little trip.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME WONDER – As you get older you really realize that life in general is a FLUID process.  And that EVERY person that enters or LEAVES your life has an indelible stamp on your ability to live and/function as you continue the journey.  Sometimes it’s a friend who loses a child through a horrific disease or an aging parent that you know is inevitable, but hurts all the same or sometimes it’s a sudden unexpected death that leaves you dumbstruck but every time their laughing face pops up in a facebook memory you relive it all over again… and again.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA 🙁 unfortunately the only pictures I took this week were for my mom and her leftover garage sale items that she’s donating.

INSPIRATION

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

• LAUNDRY… all caught up
  
• LIVING AREAS… need a little tidying
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much
  
• BLOG… some recipes I’m writing for future experimenting, holiday post planning and still editing the pictures from the San Diego Zoo trip, Disneyland and Hearst Castle to finish the posts on those trips and working on Blogmas 2018

• PROJECTS… nothing til November
  
• APPOINTMENTS… doctor for me
  
• TO DO… We have a little trip planned for this week that I’ll tell you all about next week.
  

I’M READING  Book #3 of The FIX series by Carey Heywood

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods,Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race, Dancing With the Stars, American Ninja Warrior,

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Midnight Texas

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Dessert Wars, Worst Cooks in America, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart, Best Baker in America

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY ALOHA RIBS and RED CABBAGE SLAW TUESDAY ?? WEDNESDAY ?? THURSDAY ?? FRIDAY ??
SATURDAY			SATURDAY ??
SUNDAY			SUNDAY ??

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• WHISKEY MOLASSES SHREDDED BEEF
• APPLE CARROT SLAW
• ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala ITALY 
• HONEY GLAZED PORK CHOPS
• CHICKEN DUMPLING STEW

GOOD MORNING dear friends. Can you believe we’re into the final quarter of 2018 with the holidays looming on us?  I notice it so much more this time of year with the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas displays taking over EVERY store! We have another quick trip coming up before we settle in for the winter and start our serious research on where to make a final settlement.

I got caught up on laundry and changing out the spring/summer clothes for the fall/winter clothes.  We watched some football (Rams & Chiefs are both still undefeated), NASCAR racing and helped my mom with some garage sale pricing, but all in all it was an uneventful weekend! 

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – I’m in Heaven! It’s still in the 50’s again this morning and we’re supposed to be in the mid 60-s to 70’s ALL this week with a touch of rain here and there. I’m wearing Levis, a blue embroidered long sleeved tee and my favorite flannel shirt.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Breakfast is atill kind of boring so I’m going to start experimenting a little bit soon I hope.  As for today, it’s blueberry green tea and black cherry yogurt.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I’m still working on the photos from our trip here, but this was probably my favorite beach area that we stopped at.INSPIRATION AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… All caught up yesterday! 😀
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty clean
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much, but will be building a flower box for my mom soon
  
• BLOG… putting together a few new recipes for the future and some holiday post planning – Christmas is my FAVORITE holiday and I’m starting to get it together by working on Christmas lists, gifts and my BLOGMAS posts for 2018 – won’t you join me?
• PROJECTS… getting together some great new recipes for neighbor gifts and Christmas gift lists
  
• APPOINTMENTS… not much this week
  
• TO DO… helping my mom get her garage sale together for Friday and Saturday.

I’M READING – Book #3 of The FIX series by Carey Heywood

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – STILL playing catch up of all the new shows starting and with all the traveling many sling and Netflix shows are just piling up 😀

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK I’m trying to get back into the swing of things so this is a work in progress category!

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY CHICKEN DUMPLING STEW & SAUTEED CARROTS TUESDAY ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala IMMIGRANTS & SALAD WEDNESDAY TOMATO BASIL SQUARES & SALAD THURSDAY DRUNKEN CHICKEN & TOMATOES with GREEN BEANS FRIDAY SLOW COOKER SHEPHERD’S PIE with CUCUMBERS & ONIONS
SATURDAY			SATURDAY CHIPOTLE BBQ MEATBALL HEROES & SALAD
SUNDAY			SUNDAY C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• PEANUT BUTTER CUP BROWNIES
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with HERB WINE SAUCE 
• CARAMELIZED FRENCH ONION CHICKEN 

GOOD MORNING dear friends. We are done traveling for a bit and beginning to settle in for winter. I have to say I am LOVING the crisp fall mornings and reasonable temperatures here in the Pacific North West – such a vast change from the desert!!

We’re settling into a better routine and I will be a better blogger for it!  I know I missed visiting a few people last week, but will definitely get there this week!

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – I’m in Heaven finally! It’s still in the 50’s this morning and we’re supposed to be in the mid 60-s to 70’s ALL this week, with a touch of rain here and there. I was up super early today for an appointment so am already dressed in levis, a gray long sleeved tee and my favorite sweatshirt.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green tea and mixed berry yogurt

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – nothing this week, BUT November will be my month 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We came around a bend in the road and there was just a HUGE herd of Tule Elk – so pretty!  This guy seemed to be in charge and was quite vocal about it!!

Saturday night’s sky was GORGEOUS as a storm moved in while the sun was setting.

Hubby said I should come with a warning – a Tsunami warning LOL 😀 But in reality I was freezing.

INSPIRATION

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

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads later in the week
  
• LIVING AREAS… still getting organized, but that will happen this week
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much, but will be building a flower box for my mom soon
  
• BLOG… some more recipe updating, future post planning and some holiday post planning – I’ve made up my BLOGMAS list for 2018 – won’t you join me?
• PROJECTS… getting together some Christmas gift lists and recipes
  
• APPOINTMENTS… hubby dentist twice this week, me blood work and dr.
  
• TO DO… help mom get garage sale together for next week.
  

I’M READING – The FIX series by Carey Heywood

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – have been playing catch up of all the new shows starting and with all the traveling many sling and Netflix shows are just piling up 😀

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK – still getting into the swing of things so the menu is a work in progress

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY PEPPER JELLY PORK CHOPS TUESDAY WHISKEY MOLASSES SHREDDED BEEF WEDNESDAY C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night THURSDAY HONEY GLAZED PORK & HONEY ROASTED CARROTS FRIDAY ??	PEANUT BUTTER CUP BROWNIES
SATURDAY			SATURDAY ??
SUNDAY			SUNDAY ??

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• SPICED PORK CHOPS with ROASTED APPLES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS 
• PORK CHOPS with PEPPER JELLY SAUCE
• MONGOLIAN BEEF

GOOD MORNING everyone. I hope you had a GREAT week and weekend!

Well it’s official! FALL is here! YAY!!! 😀

We spent last week first at Disneyland, California Adventure and then at the central coast visiting Hearst Castle, Cambria and Big Sur area while relaxing a few days before a BIG family wedding at Avila Beach on Saturday night.  Hubby’s side of the family is HUGE and we ALWAYS have a GREAT time whenever we all get together for anything, but especially the special events like weddings.  We have fallen in love with Lindsay, our nephew M.J.’s new bride and look forward to getting to know her better.  SIL treated us to a FANTASTIC suite for the night so I felt like a princess!

It was also a SAD time as we spent time with Lola (in the pink hat), a LONG time “friend” of the family HA HA, nope more accurately she became actual family many years ago and is my sister from another mother and my SIL’s BFF of MANY years.  Unfortunately, LOLA has decided to move away to Texas since that is where her kids now are. So her presence will be sorely missed! We have already made tentative plans to meet in Vegas though 😀

SIL posing for silly pictures.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – I’m at my SIL’s house so the weather is PERFECT! 😀 It is still in the 50’s and a bit overcast, but we’re supposed to get up 65 and sunny today.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – yogurt, green tea and a banana

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY THINK – our bank called last week while we were on a HEARST CASTLE tour and told me they had been informed by MasterCard that my card had been compromised in a data breach at a retailer so they needed to close it and were issuing me a new one. That alone ticked me off since we’re traveling, though we could use hubby’s card. But, when I asked where the data breached occurred so I could avoid that retailer in the future, I was informed that they could NOT give me a retailer’s name because it could potentially damage the retailer’s reputation and that they didn’t even actually know who it was!  They did give me a date range though.  Are you ready for this?  The date range was Feb, 1st, 2018 – June 15th, 2018.  So this tells me that my information has been out there and has been at risk for a good 6 months now! Plus we were still in Texas at that time and on our way to the west coast – so where did I use that card that became an issue – inquiring minds want to know!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I took this one last Thursday as we sat on the beach after dinner and just watched the sun go down. I’m really glad I got this picture since Friday night was all fogged in and overcast.

And I love this one from Disney’s haunted mansion.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS – We’re still traveling this week so no real time table till hubby’s dental appointment later and then we’ll get back into a routine.

I’M READING – nothing this week – have been enjoying the scenery too much and am too tired at night to even bother.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – The new season starts tonight, but we’re still on the road this week so not sure what we’ll catch or not.  I’m still on the fence about the Magnum P.I. remake, but we’ll give it a chance. We are looking forward to a few of the new shows like New Amsterdam, The Rookie, God Friended Me, A Million Little Things and then of course our old favorites:

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Designated Survivor (yes it was canceled, but has been picked up by Netflix), Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911 – I like that they have moved the Chicago series to all on the same night. Sadly Scorpion one of my favorites has been canceled 🙁

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race, Dancing With the Stars, American Ninja Warrior, Ransom, Instinct

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, Midnight Texas

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart, Best Baker in America

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	MONDAY ?? TUESDAY OUT WEDNESDAY ?? THURSDAY ?? FRIDAY ??	??
SATURDAY			SATURDAY ??
SUNDAY			SUNDAY ??

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BACON MUSHROOM CHICKEN 
• RUSTIC CHICKEN with GARLIC GRAVY 
• PARMESAN HERB MUSHROOM CHICKEN 
• OVEN BAKED CHICKEN & RICE with SAUTEED MUSHROOMS

GOOD MORNING sweet friends. I have come to really love these Monday mornings to recap my week and plan the new one.   I hope you had a GREAT weekend.  Ours was quiet, but SUPER productive as we cleaned, packed and started to close up this house. Closing the house is simple as long as you follow a logical check list, but I also did a deep clean (things like pulling out the oven, refrigerator and washer dryer to clean behind them, window sills, and under the bed…the dust here in the desert finds its way in no matter what you do!!!!) since my mom will be here in a month.

Packing was the hardest part since this is a multi leg journey.  I’ve organized the bags according to location, but there is also the garment bag with the dress clothes for the wedding which is an awkward piece. We will be leaving here soon after this post 😀

We did work in a visit with my favorite uncle and his family who live nearby for my birthday on Saturday and we did also get all 3 NASCAR races watched in between and even a little football. My birthday dinner (at least on the real day) ended up being 5 GUYS BURGER and FRIES which lasted me 2 meals so I was good.  I did miss having cake – probably the only day of the year I really eat it and LOL now I cannot ever have it again 🙁 Hubby gave me a trip to Disneyland and my favorite Disneyland restaurant for my birthday so we will be eating at Blue Bayou tonight after we get checked in.

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday to visit with a great group of ladies.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – It will hit triple digits before we actually leave today, but YAY this will be the LAST time I EVER say that 😀 I have on gray capris and my favorite tye dyed off the shoulder top with sandals.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Mixed Berry yogurt, green tea and some grapes

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY 

• I’m praying for the safety and well being all those in Hurricane Florence’s path as they deal with their clean-up and rebuilding.  I have serious empathy after surviving Hurricane Harvey last year.  It takes a community working together to survive and rebuild stronger.
• While I’m NOT 100%, I AM stronger than I was when we got here and have more stamina MOST days so I’m very thankful for that. I know this will be a work in progress and not happen overnight after my body has endured so many traumatic things the past 7 years.
  

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – My old neighbor sent me a surprise birthday gift that is perfect for the fall season I’m craving! Fortunately, we will be north by the end of the month.

INSPIRATION

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

This is a completely free week as we begin our trek north via Disneyland (Hubby’s birthday gift to me), Hearst Castle, our nephew’s wedding and visiting with friends and family along the way!

I’M READING & WATCHING – Three Sisters Catering Book #1 Pinch of Salt

We found a new to us series on NETFLIX that has been fun. Death in Paradise.

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK – on the road this week so really unsure except for my birthday dinner on Monday 😀

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	??	MONDAY dinner at the Blue Bayou TUESDAY ?? WEDNESDAY ?? THURSDAY ?? FRIDAY ??	??
SATURDAY			SATURDAY Whatever they are serving at the wedding 😀 LOL I cannot remember what we signed up for 😀
SUNDAY			SUNDAY SIL’s choice

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CARAMEL APPLE SLAB PIE
• SUMMER SALAD WITH PEACH VINAIGRETTE
• ORANGE BRAISED CHICKEN
• CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
• SAUSAGE BRUNCH PIES

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  I hope you had a GREAT week.  Mine was busy, but productive. We attended hubby’s airborne picnic on Saturday.  It was SUPER hot and I didn’t do very well with the combination of the heat and the food, but am glad he got to go. I spent most of yesterday recuperating.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – Only 2 more Mondays in this horrid triple digit heat.  I’m already in my swimsuit this morning and ready to get my workout done.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green Tea, yogurt and banana

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – nothing until after our migration

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

It’s Ovarian Cancer and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I didn’t get any good pictures this week.

INSPIRATION – I can’t believe it’s been 17 years since this horrific event.AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing and towels
  
• LIVING AREAS… I’m doing a deep clean today
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much, but hubby is giving the BBQ a serious deep clean
  
• BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning
• PROJECTS… nothing till after our migration
  
• APPOINTMENTS… dentist, nails
  
• TO DO… we’re going to go to the county fair for my birthday and to see Peppermint with Jennifer Garner this week.
  

I’M READING – Murder at Merisham House

A mansion, a title and marriage to a wealthy Lord – Lady Eveline Cartwright has it all. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to prevent her being bludgeoned to death one night in the study of Merisham Lodge, the family’s country estate in Derbyshire. Suspicion quickly falls on her ne’er-do-well son, Peter, but not everyone in the household is convinced of his guilt. Head kitchen maid Joan Hart and lady’s maid, Verity Hunter, know that when it comes to a crime, all is not always as it seems. With suspicions and motives thick on the ground, Joan and Verity must use all the wit and courage they possess to expose a deadly murderer who will stop at nothing to achieve their aim…

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – we’ve been watching NASCAR (when it’s not rained out). This is the last week before the CHASE play offs.  Football has started and while we are watching we are not as diligent as years past because of all the political stuff.  We did binge watch Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime and Iron Fist on Netflix.

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP – I tried this yesterday and it not only works, but the bacon was tastier and crisper too.MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER	DESSERT
MONDAY – FRIDAY	GREEN TEA, BANANA & YOGURT	CHICKEN, TUNA or GREEN SALAD	MONDAY CHICKEN DUMPLING STEW TUESDAY ORANGE BRAISED CHICKEN & RICE WEDNESDAY  C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night THURSDAY  HONEY ORANGE CHICKEN & STIR FRIED VEGGIES FRIDAY DRUNKEN CHICKEN & TOMATOES	PINEAPPLE CHEESE PIE
SATURDAY			SATURDAY  ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala IMMIGRANTS
SUNDAY			SUNDAY C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BOURBON CHICKEN & HERB BISCUITS 
• BEEF RAGU 
• SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD with POPPY SEED DRESSING 
• SLOW COOKED SWEDISH MEATBALLS 

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies.  I’m so happy September is here!  That means fall is right around the corner along with PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING! 😀 I hope you had a great weekend and are having a great holiday too!

Ours is quiet and we are getting some honey do’s done before we call our time here over.  Hubby replaced the hardware (wheels and guides) on the sliding screen door and I cleaned out the tracks with a toothbrush – the dust and dirt from the wind beats the door all up.  We watched the NASCAR races, did some pool time and binge watched some Jack Ryan on AMAZON too.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – We’re still running in the triple digits, but we leave here in 2 weeks so I can handle anything at this point. 😀 It’s supposed to be a gym day, but with being a holiday we’re just doing pool time and avoiding the crowds at the gym so I’m wearing a swimsuit and cover up.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – A banana and green tea with some honey nut cheerios

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Fall is almost here and it’s my favorite season
• It’s almost comfort food season full of soups, stews, cinnamon and spice 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – From our trip to San Diego last week.  I’m working on a post for the rest of the pictures. We fit a lot into just a few days, so it is taking me a while to get them all edited.

INSPIRATION AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing, sheets and towels
  
• LIVING AREAS… nothing, I did a deep clean yesterday
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… nothing much
  
• BLOG… some recipe updating and future post planning
• PROJECTS… Christmas cards
  
• APPOINTMENTS… nothing much this week
  
• TO DO… lunch with friends
  

I’M READING -Nothing this week but I need to get organized

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – The fall schedule starts soon so we have just been watching some Netflix, Hulu and Amazon

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	BREAKFAST	SNACK	LUNCH	DINNER	SNACK/DESSERT
MONDAY	GREEN TEA & YOGURT	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	PORK CHOPS with ROASTED APPLES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS	PROTEIN SHAKE
TUESDAY	GREEN TEA & YOGURT	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	PINEAPPLE CASHEW CHICKEN	PROTEIN SHAKE
WEDNESDAY	GREEN TEA & YOGURT	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night	PROTEIN SHAKE
THURSDAY	GREEN TEA & YOGURT	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	GRILLED HULI HULI CHICKEN & SALAD	PROTEIN SHAKE
FRIDAY	GREEN TEA & YOGURT	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	VENETIAN CHICKEN & RICE	PROTEIN SHAKE
SATURDAY	??	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	LEMON CHICKEN PAILLARD & SALAD with HONEY BUTTERMILK DRESSING
SUNDAY	??	PROTEIN DRINK	CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD	CHICKEN IN OREGANO CREAM SAUCE with PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES	PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• HONEY RANCH BBQ PORK CHOPS
  
• SPICY ORANGE CHICKEN 
• COCOA MERINGUE KISSES 
• CAJUN CREOLE CHICKEN THIGHS 
• SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN WINGS