Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME – Page 3 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 365.176

MARINATED CUCUMBER, ONION and TOMATO SALAD ~ BLOG 365.175

MARINATED CUCUMBER, ONION and MOZZARELLA TOMATO SALAD

1/2 cup olive oil (or avocado)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 LARGE cucumber, sliced or chopped large
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2 LARGE tomatoes, chopped
1 cup marinated mozzarella cheese pearls, drained
1/4 cup FRESH parsley, chopped

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Add the sliced cucumber, red onion, chopped tomatoes and mozzarella cheese pearls to the bowl and gently toss in the marinade until evenly coated.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, sprinkle the chopped parsley over the salad and toss lightly.
Serve chilled and enjoy.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 25 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.174

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

I’m still trying to play catch up from the past couple of months, but feel like I’m getting further behind. I’m just so exhausted all of a sudden! I’ll do what I can to get ahead of the game this week!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Friday and Saturday brought a bunch of rain AND cold! I actually wore a sweatshirt for the first 3 days of summer! But, that is going away this week as the regularly scheduled sunshine is back and we’re supposed to hit low to mid 80’s ALL week.

ON MY MIND

I’m thinking about where we go from here. What does my mom need?, the estate sale at the end of July, the memorial in August, the reception food and accommodating all the out of the area people…

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m actually up to date, but wonder how long that will last…
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m trying REALLY hard to clean out the freezer and pantry…
PROJECTS & TRAVELS everything is put off until the end of summer after the memorial and estate sale… EXCEPT for a class with girlfriends on Wednesday night 🙂
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING looking for recipes that utilize what is on hand…

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

I’ve been watching the Librarians on Paramount +
Catching up on cooking shows – BBQ Brawl, Duff Goldman Cake competition, Guy’s Grocery games…

READING TIME

I just started the 3rd Rose Landgreen series book, BONE FIRE by Sigrid Holm.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

	6/23 MONDAY	6/24 TUESDAY	6/25 WEDNESDAY	6/26 THURSDAY	6/27 FRIDAY	6/28 SATURDAY	6/29 SUNDAY
DINNER	HAM HOCKS AND BEANS	FREEZER MYSTERY BOX (the label fell off and I can’t remember what it was even though it’s only a couple months old!)	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN WINGS AND BBQ BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MISSISSIPPI CHICKEN and APPLE BROCCOLI SALAD	ROOTBEER CHICKEN SLIDERS AND POTATO SALAD
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My girlfriend just spent 10 days in Germany, Switzerland and Prague having the time of her life. I was so honored she brought me the cutest glass blown German Christmas ornaments because she knows it’s my favorite holiday and some chocolates and the prettiest book mark from Switzerland and the Prague!

The past couple years I have been buying my seedlings at the Feed CO-OP and they have been growing like they are on steroids! I’ve already had tomatoes this year from 2 tiny seedlings despite the cold! And my clematis is growing like it’s radioactive!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

GREEN PEA CASSEROLE
MEATBALLS in BUTTERMILK SAUCE
MARINATED CUCUMBER, ONION & TOMATO SALAD

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 365.173

SATURDAY COFFEE ~ BLOG 365.172

TGIF ~ BLOG 365.171

LOADED TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE ~ BLOG 365.170

Twice baked potatoes loaded with crispy bacon, lots of cheese and FRESH garlic turned into a cheesy potato casserole pleases EVERYONE at the table!

Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 45 minutes Total Time 55 minutes

LOADED TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into cubes
4 cloves garlic, FINELY minced and mashed
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup sour cream
1/2 – 3/4 cup heavy cream or milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup FINELY chopped green onions

Add potatoes and half the garlic to a large pot filled with water to completely cover the potatoes.
Bring to a boil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain WELL.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Mash potatoes.
Stir in butter, sour cream, remaining garlic and as much heavy cream necessary to get desired consistency.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese, and bacon (reserving some for topping).
Spread into 13×9 in baking dish.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese and reserved bacon.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Sprinkle with green onions before serving.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 365.169

CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE ~ BLOG 365.168

I have a NEW toy and I LOVE it! I’m updating many of my instant and crock pot recipes and getting rid of ALL my old appliances!

Corned beef and cabbage isn’t just for St. Patrick’s Day!

CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE

3 Pounds Corned Beef with spice packet
6-8 LARGE carrots, rustically cut
1 head of cabbage, quartered
6 Red Potatoes, quartered or baby red potatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups Beef Broth

Place rack in the pot.
Place rinsed corned beef, fat side up on rack.
Sprinkle spices and minced garlic over meat. Pour in beef broth.
Slow cook 4 hours until JUST about tender.
Plate corned beef.
Remove rack and add the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
Return meat on top of the vegetables. Slow cook 2 more hours.
Enjoy!

SEASONING

1 tablespoon mustard seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon trim-colored peppercorns
1/2 – 1 teaspoon anise seeds
8 whole cloves
4 cardamom pods
4 LARGE bay leaves (crushed)
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Heat a medium sized heavy bottomed skillet or pot over medium heat.
Add the mustard seeds (if using), black peppercorns, anise seeds, cloves, and cardamom pods.
Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are fragrant.
Pulse the toasted seeds and bay leaves in a spice grinder a few times.
Add in the ground coriander, red pepper flakes and ground ginger.
Use as you normally would when making corned beef.

NOTE: Despite appearances, DO NOT USE METAL utensils in your NINJA pot.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 24 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.167

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

It’s been a super long, busy, sad, confusing, frustrating week, but when all is said and done it will all be okay.

My stepdad passed peacefully last Thursday at home in hospice. My stepsisters were both here with him. His cancer “journey” was aggressive and fast, a mere 8 weeks from beginning to end.

I do have to say that fortunately the hospice arm of the ONLY health care service in the county was made up of VERY caring nurses that helped make his last few days peaceful.

My stepsisters live many hours away and there is a lot to get done so hubs and I are doing what we can to help mom get through this.