HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPES & MENUS week 44 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.306

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING friends! Can you believe we’re in November already?? I hate to be the one to tell you this, but we’re only 56 days until Christmas.

I hope your week was absolutely blessed with good weather and productivity. Mine was busy, as always of late, but at least we got an hour back yesterday LOL.

Saturday night’s Halloween party was my last co-chair BIG event for the Eagles. WHEW, glad that’s over! It could have gone A LOT better, but it also could have gone A LOT worse too. Attitudes still seem to be changing and not for the better so when my duties are done I will be donating my time to other causes. As my dad used to say, “You can’t teach common sense and you can’t have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.” Both sentiments apply here, but it’s more like too many people set in their ways of procrastinating and not open to new ideas or other ways of doing things efficiently. So, for now I’m just glad it’s over.

I’m the chair for the Christmas donations for children, but that is a JOY to do and very close to my heart.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather here never quite lives up to the forecast and can literally change at the drop of a hat, so I tend to multi-layer this time of year with cozy flannels and fluffy socks. I’m going to update this daily since the weather is so unreliable!

11/2 Monday ~ 55° / 40° ~ Clouds followed by a brightening sky
ACTUAL 47° and is now going down without the sky ever brightening, PLUS it’s been misting ALL day
11/3 Tuesday ~ 61° / 37° ~ Sun and areas of high clouds
ACTUAL 50° The sun did come out for an hour or two, but quickly turned cloudy and foggy.
11/4 Wednesday ~ 62° / 41° ~ Some sun, then turning cloudy
ACTUAL 54° and just the reverse – foggy and cloudy until late afternoon and then very little sun
11/5 Thursday ~ 61° / 44° ~ Mostly cloudy
ACTUAL 63° and cloudy until late afternoon
11/6 Friday ~ 62° / 41° ~ Mostly cloudy
ACTUAL 67° and sunny all day 🙂
11/7 Saturday ~ 61° / 46° ~ Intervals of clouds and sun
ACTUALLY this was the only day that came even close to the forecast! Then it all fell apart with conga line of atmospheric river storms that started hitting the Pacific North West.
11/8 Sunday ~ 61° / 44° ~ Sun through high clouds
ACTUAL

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a little ironing to do, but otherwise things are looking good.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS We we’re planning to go away for a few days after the craft fair and bazaar next weekend, but that’s now been pushed out a week so will try and cook out of the pantry and freezer.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m finishing up my centerpieces, snowmen, wreaths and “bark” for the craft fair and bazaar on Saturday so it’s going to be a VERY busy week. It’s also that time of year when I crave some indoor creativity and these 2 painting classes caught my eye. I will be signing up this week for the snowman on the 14th and the covered bridge on the 29th. I’m hoping hubby will go with me for one or both 🙂
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY time to myself for honing creative juices… curling up in a cozy blanket with a book on a cool fall evening… simple meals… laughing with friends… date nights with hubby…

READING TIME

I’m reading THE BAKER and THE BODY, BLYTHE RIVER MYSTERIES #1 by Jesse Leigh Murray

“A poisoned landlord was just the beginning. If Maddie wants to survive, it’s going to take more than cupcakes and croissants.

Maddie Dixon, proprietress of the Blythe Spirit Bakeshop, is not interested in being a detective. Despite her love of mystery novels, and her penchant for solving them before the book ends, Maddie is content with her little bakery in her placid little hometown of Blythe River.

But when Maddie finds the resident landlord, Otto St. James, dead in his home, the victim of a vicious poisoning, she becomes mixed up in the mystery, setting out to find who killed Otto before they can strike again. When her bakery is targeted, however, Maddie finds that she’s in over her head, and she’s not going to be able to bake away her troubles.

Maddie is going to have to either solve the mystery of who killed Otto St. James, or be the murderer’s next victim.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	11/2 MONDAY	11/3 TUESDAY	11/4 WEDNESDAY	11/5 THURSDAY	11/6 FRIDAY	11/7 SATURDAY	11/8 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	BLACK EYED CHILI & CORNBREAD	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	CHICKEN with CAJUN CREAM SAUCE & FIESTA CORN SALAD	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	CHILI RUBBED RIBS & POTATO SALAD	ROOT BEER CHICKEN & GOLDEN BREAD PUDDING
DESSERT

	11/9 MONDAY	11/10 TUESDAY	11/11 WEDNESDAY	11/12 THURSDAY	11/13 FRIDAY	11/14 SATURDAY	11/15 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	TACO TUESDAY and then a short trip	OOT out of town	OOT out of town	OOT out of town	TUSCAN HERB CHICKEN & CHEESY BAKED POLENTA	PAD THAI CHICKEN
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

It always cracks me up how my girlfriend can literally stack 20+ pounds of frozen chicken jenga style in her crock pot when she’s getting ready for Taco Tuesday! She layers it all with all the seasonings and it cooks down into complete deliciousness!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

ROASTED GREEN BEANS
MEMPHIS CHOPPED COLE SLAW
CPK COPY CAT SMASHED PEA & BARLEY SOUP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 43 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.299

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

And in the blink of an eye October is almost over! Don’t forget to change your clocks next weekend! And for those going out on Halloween, you might want to do it BEFORE you leave on Saturday night or you’ll be late for everything on Sunday 🙂 And for those that need to hear it Christmas is in 60 days.

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a productive and happy week. Mine was super busy, but productive. A girlfriend and I went shopping for “craft parts” for our various projects that we’re making for the craft fair and bazaar. I helped another friend with her Costco shopping for her new business, helped hubby with a fence problem, cut out several large sections of wild blackberry behind the fence that backs up to the county highway because it was starting to overtake the fence and grow through it, did some outside projects and winterizing on the faucets and hoses before the rain began yesterday, cleaned out dresser drawers and hope chests…

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The rain finally returned to the Pacific North West yesterday! We are forecasted to have rain all week with temperatures in the low 50’s during the day and some 30’s and 40’s at night.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING up to date other than what we wore yesterday…though this is the place for my new favorite funny
GROCERIES & ERRANDS not too many this week, but I’ll do them when I go to town for my hair cut on Thursday and do the shopping for my girlfrien
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY comedy TV shows that make me laugh… completed projects… crafting with friends… fresh sheets and cozy blankets…

READING TIME

I’m still working on the Alice Hoffman book at night.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

I started to do a 2 week menu calendar to make my life easier and it’s working! 🙂

	10/26 MONDAY	10/27 TUESDAY	10/28 WEDNESDAY	10/29 THURSDAY	10/30 FRIDAY	10/31 SATURDAY	11/1 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	6 CHEESE GNOCCHI	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HALLOWEEN PARTY	ONE PAN CHICKEN & NOODLES
DESSERT

	11/2 MONDAY	11/3 TUESDAY	11/4 WEDNESDAY	11/5 THURSDAY	11/6 FRIDAY	11/7 SATURDAY	11/8 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	ULTIMATE CHICKEN CASSEROLE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN with CAJUN CREAM SAUCE & FIESTA CORN SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	ROOT BEER CHICKEN and GOLDEN BREAD PUDDING
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I received the hay bale and scarecrows from my secret pal, and started on some fun crafts for the craft fair and bazaar on November 7th. And I love the Rochester one lane bridge near our house, especially during the fall season when the colors start changing.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

DREAM SQUARES
SMOKED SAUSAGE SKILLET

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 41 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.285

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

I’m still REALLY into the “BER months mindset and can’t believe that SEPTEMBER is over and it’s already half way through OCTOBER!! I’m REALLY glad you’re here Pumpkin month 🙂 And I’m old school enough to say Happy Columbus day, without him making a wrong turn we may not be here on this continent.

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING sweet friends! I hope you had a wonderful week and even better weekend! Ours was quite good.

MONDAY~SUNDAY On Saturday I deep cleaned our closet to set aside a few items for a bazaar table my girlfriend and I are doing at a craft fair and bazaar in November, I changed the bedding for new season, washed all the fall jackets and sweatshirts as well as bleached the whites and did 5 other loads to play catch up. Sunday was spent prepping food trays for the going away party as well as watching some football.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It finally rained quite a bit on Friday and we received our first frost advisories this weekend. The temperatures came down over 15 degrees overnight. This week is supposed to be in the 60’s during the day and high 30’s at night. It’s definitely flannel layer weather most of the time! But, we also have a couple high 70’s forecasted this week and then back to the regularly programmed frost warnings and layer weather.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING ALL done and caught up…
GROCERIES & ERRANDS not sure yet
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Things are still up in the air for many reasons, but we have high hopes…
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY family and friends laughing and having fun… seeing old friends and making new memories… experimental recipes that work out… cozy blankets and good book with a cup of hot tea on a cold frosty evening…

READING TIME

I started Alice Hoffman’s THE PROBABLE FUTURE. It reads a lot like Practical Magic, which I just rewatched and am looking forward to watching Practical Magic II soon.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	10/12 MONDAY	10/13 TUESDAY	10/14 WEDNESDAY	10/15 THURSDAY	10/16 FRIDAY	10/17 SATURDAY	10/18 SUNDAY
DINNER	TERIYAKI CHICKEN STIR FRY with BLACK PEPPER YAKISAOBA NOODLES	Heather’s first official TACO TUESDAY as the new POC/OWNER	ON THE ROAD? or TBD	ON THE ROAD? or TBD	ON THE ROAD? or TBD	ON THE ROAD? or TBD	ON THE ROAD? or TBD
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This was an interesting camera week. 🙂 Yesterday we had a going away party for David, the now previous owner of The Offyce where we spend a good deal of time and I do some of their shopping. My girlfriend, Diana has managed the place for 15 years for him as he lives out of town and only came down every 2 weeks. It really has become a “family” hang out in this small town. David may be retiring, but the “new” owner, Diana’s daughter, Heather is even more like family to us. So while we are losing David, we are gaining Heather… Diana had this rendition of the building and layout framed for David to remember it all by.

We had to go to the “BIG” city last Friday and stopped by a favorite recycling place to see what was new. I did like the humor about falling nuts in the back area They really were BIG nuts and might have actually hurt someone. On the way we stopped in a neighboring town for lunch and I found this old Packard showroom and gas station that I had never noticed before in all these years.

You may remember a few weeks ago I posted pictures of a VERY OLD dilapidated hotel in a neighboring town that was red tagged due to a lack of structural integrity (I mean most of the roof is literally in the basement!) as well as the big sign that was erected to have the mayor removed. Well, both have become a real source of MAJOR debate in the community. Someone has made yet another political statement about the town leadership. While the “KKK” reference is eye catching, it is inappropriate I believe and no direct reference to what is happening here.

On Wednesday some girlfriends and I went to town for lunch and made the mistake of taking a side road where we were held up by the train for 30 minutes as it hooked up multiple cars headed to Timber Town. I did get a couple great pictures of a golfing Pink Panther and the KoolAid man though 🙂

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

ZUCCHINI CRISP aka MOCK APPLE PIE CRISP
NELLIES’S ROAST CHICKEN aka GRAM’S TRASH DAY ROAST CHICKEN

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 40 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365. 278

It’s Monday morning!! Be sure to start your week right and join us at Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I’m in EVEN MORE INTO the “BER months mindset than I was in September, so HELLO OCTOBER!! I’m REALLY glad you’re here. 🙂

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I barely had time to think and put two thoughts together last week. There were A LOT of last minute changes to the newsletter and calendar that I write for the Eagles as well several flyers to be created. It’s the one job I enjoy and want to keep doing – love doing the graphics and layout work.

We helped an elderly friend with a water heater leak and a few other errands and chores because she couldn’t use her hand much after a reaction to a bug bite sent her to urgent care when her hand swelled up to twice its size and put her in pain. I’ve been cat, house and garden sitting so have been busy doing end of the season things for both us and them. I also deep cleaned the BIG garage 🙂

I actually took a day for myself and went shopping for some fall clothes, got the car washed, roamed around Costco for some Christmas ideas…

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We ended up with an unplanned bit of a “warm” spell that brought along its friend, humidity this past week. At least for 2 hours a day 🙂 After the sun went down the nights were nice and cool so the mornings were also quite nice. It was just the 2-4 PM time that got too warm and humid.

We have a couple days left of that “warm” spell and then we’re supposed to return to out normally scheduled fall weather in the high 60’s or low 70’s with lows in the 40’s. We really need rain so hope next week brings us better news.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING YAY all up to date!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ve been doing a detailed inventory of the freezer and pantry to build my menus. I’m also putting together a box for the food pantry.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Still hoping to leave late next week for our trip.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY cool mornings and evenings… sunny days with fluffy clouds… new episodes of old favorite shows for the fall season… fresh linens for the new season…

READING TIME

I’m still about to finish THE BAKING GAMES by Rachel Hannah. I usually like her books, but this one is dragging for me. Still not sure what I’ll read next.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	10/5 MONDAY	10/6 TUESDAY	10/7 WEDNESDAY	10/8 THURSDAY	10/9 FRIDAY	10/10 SATURDAY	10/11 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	PORK RIB STEW & SALAD	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN CROQUETTES & TOMATO FRITTERS	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	POT ROAST, MASHED POTATOES & GLAZED CARROTS	YAKI SOBA TERIYAKI CHICKEN
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I’m cat, house, garden sitting for my neighbor while their off on a bucket list trip! The cat is fat and happy with where I moved her favorite chair to catch the sun. I gleaned the last of the garden yesterday for making another batch of Sunday sauce to put in their freezer. He grows beautiful roses and she loves colorful flowers. She likes to make gum drop cookies every year. I ran across an antique recipe for her to make her own gumdrops.

And my favorite is this 1950’s Waterfall hope chest I found for a steal on Saturday. It’s in excellent antique shape with the serial number and even the original tags in lid.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

SWEDISH MEATBALLS aka SVENSKA
MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE
GRAMS OLD FASHIONED APPLE CRISP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

COWBOY STEAK & WHISKEY BUTTER
FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS with MASHED POTATOES & ONION SAUCE

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 39 of 2026 with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.271

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

And just like that the first “BER month is almost over 🙁

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I had a SUPER busy, but very productive week and feel like I’m finally getting back into the swing of things 🙂

MONDAY~THURSDAY I finally got all the shopping done to restock the kitchen and we had several appointments that all seemed to be at weird times of the day so I felt like I was running back and forth A LOT!!!

FRIDAY~SUNDAY

Friday was one of my closet friends birthday. She also happens to manage a bar and grill. So what better way to celebrate than having a 9-2-5 Dolly Day party? We had a lot of fun. She did up baked potatoes and fried chicken. I made banana pudding from Dolly’s own recipe and banana nut muffins. We did a baked potato bar with the chicken and fixin’s, played Dolly’s music on the juke box all night and just had good clean birthday fun for her. I even won the Dolly dress up award. YEP, we even dressed up right down to my pink cowboy boots. We had a few Dolly’s and even a Burt Reynolds 🙂

Saturday was another story as we are getting to the end of September it was time to clean up the garden! Hubby and I spent most the morning cleaning out the bed and covering them for winter. I then prepped all the food for Sunday, baked a cake and cleaned the kitchen, prepped 12 quarts and 4 gallons of “SUNDAY sauce” for the freezer, as well as got 5 loads of laundry done. It was time to change the bed linens over to cooler weather and wash the blankets etc…

Sunday was a true day of rest and football! We also had a dinner for another friend’s birthday. September is certainly a month of birthdays.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This will be an absolutely beautiful week of days in low to mid 70’s with nights in the 40’s and lots of sun.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Up to date 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Just a few things this week that I’ll work into other appointments.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS working on plans for the trip later in the month.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY smiling faces… laughing with friends… helping friends with projects… crisp evenings and full moons.

READING TIME

I’m about to finish THE BAKING GAMES by Rachel Hannah. I usually like her books, but this one is dragging for me. Not sure what I’ll read next.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	9/28 MONDAY	9/29 TUESDAY	9/30 WEDNESDAY	10/1 THURSDAY	10/2 FRIDAY	10/3 SATURDAY	10/4 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN CROQUETTES & TOMATO FRITTERS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN MADEIRA, POTATOES AU GRATIN & SPOON BREAD	GREEN CHILE PORK & BEANS with CHEESY CORN PUDDING	CHICKEN POSOLE
DESSERT		APPLE CHERRY CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I’m still trying to figure out WHY? this snail crawled all the way up to the top of the arch. The arch I fear won’t make it another season with all the rust I discovered when we pulled down the clematis vines, but we’ll see. We also had a pretty dramatic skyline Friday night. I’m also trying to figure out why the Azaleas are blooming.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

COWBOY STEAK & WHISKEY BUTTER
FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS, MASHED POTATOES & ONION SAUCE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 38 of 2026 with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.264

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I feel like I lost a HUGE chunk of time with this last trip. Coming back to a busy week was NOT ideal!! I did manage to get the laundry done and was “forced” to glean the garden with the weather change, not to mention the massive amount of rain they had while we were gone. If I hadn’t done the tomatoes immediately I would have lost them to rot 🙁

I’m really sorry I didn’t get around to visit everyone last week, but am hoping to get caught up this week with you all.

Hubby and our neighbor were finally able to complete a garage lighting project that makes life easier. We had some old fluorescent lights that the ballasts went out in and needed replaced because we could no longer buy bulbs for them so we decided to replace them with LEDs, but the electrical was screwy trying to hard wire in the new fixtures so they had to run new wiring etc… and it turned into an all day project. What a nice thing it is to be able to use the wall switch again instead of a pull chain and have such bright light!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s official! As of tomorrow Fall is here! Our lows are already down to the 40’s and the foggy “moist” mornings are making for a seriously early late fall feel. Don’t get me wrong, I’M LOVING IT! It just changes up my chore list quite a bit.

They’re predicting an EL NINO winter for us which could hit hard and fast so we’re trying to get all the outside chores done as quickly as possible. This first week of fall should be beautiful. Highs in the mid 70’s, lows in the 40’s with some morning fog and even some rain rolling in around Friday. I’ve already pulled out some flannels for the evenings.

Here’s a handy chart for the rest of the year! You’ll notice the time change is listed as November 1st. For those of us partying on Saturday, Halloween night, might I suggest changing your clocks BEFORE you leave for the party? 🙂

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m actually caught up – for the moment anyway 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I need to sit down and do a new freezer inventory and menu plan
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We won’t be leaving until around the middle of October again so I’m trying to get that trip planned.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY empty laundry baskets… empty dishwashers… finished chore projects… crisp fall mornings… snuggle weather…

READING TIME

LOL I’m still right where I was this time last week, MAYBE a page or 2 ahead of that, but probably not! I’ll work on progressing on THE BAKING GAMES by Rachel Hannah this week.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	9/21 MONDAY	9/22 TUESDAY	9/23 WEDNESDAY	9/24 THURSDAY	9/25 FRIDAY	9/26 SATURDAY	9/27 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS with SAUTEED BALSAMIC GREEN BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MEATLOAF, FRIED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS	9-2-5 PARTY AND my friend’s birthday at the OFFYCE ~ how fun that she’ll have a permanent holiday for her birthday	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	NEW ENGLAND CORNED BEEF & CARROTS
DESSERT					Di asked me to make Banana Pudding in honor of Dolly. I found Dolly’s very own recipe that they serve at Aunt Grannys in Dollywood 🙂

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I’m still working on cleaning up physically and virtually around here after the trip. I didn’t even get to the pictures from the trip yet as fall is hitting fast here and I needed to glean the garden before I lost what was still there. I spent Friday and Saturday doing that and making “Sunday sauce” for the freezer. We will have plenty for some yummy winter meals.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

SMOKEY BAKED BEANS
BLUEBERRY BOUNTY CAKE
GRILLED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 37 of 2026 with RECIPE LINKS & MENUS ~ BLOG 365.257

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING We’ve been away at the family reunion and are headed home today, probably as you’re reading this 🙂 so it will be quick. We always do a shared photo album for all family members which currently has over 200 pictures in it and is still growing! I will pick just a couple for today and do a bigger post recapping our journeys later in the week.

Tomorrow is my birthday and what will I be doing? Traveling. Hubby and I try to plan trips over our birthdays, but for some reason mine always gets waylaid or messed up somehow like with this year’s family reunion that I now need a vacation from ~ it’s been a LONNNNNNNNG couple weeks. Oh well, we’re planning another trip to celebrate both our anniversary and my birthday next month.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We are starting the day in the mid 90°’s, but it will be around 70° when we get home. We are really ready to get rid of the excessive heat we’ve been dealing with on this trip. It was 107° the day we got to the family reunion AND REALLY humid!!! We were not very happy campers, but it did cool down to the high 80°’s eventually and the humidity decreased a bit so it was tolerable for the rest of the trip. We actually had to grab jackets on Friday and Saturday evenings once the sun went down.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll have 2 weeks of road trip laundry to do on Wednesday and Thursday.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS At some point I’ll have to head to town for a few groceries and will check the calendar for any appointments when we get home.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS no projects this week and the travels will be over for a few weeks. 🙂
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Seeing the smiling faces of my littles nieces and nephews… family time… BIG hugs from loved ones I haven’t seen in a while…

READING TIME

I tried to read during the trip, but kept falling asleep as my head hit the pillow. I’ll work on reading THE BAKING GAMES by Rachel Hannah this week. We did listen to and AUDIBLE book on the way down 2 weeks ago and will start another one on the way home.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	9/14 MONDAY	9/15 TUESDAY	9/16 WEDNESDAY	9/17 THURSDAY	9/18 FRIDAY	9/19 SATURDAY	9/20 SUNDAY
DINNER	on the road	FISH TACO BOWL @ BLACK-BLEU for birthday dinner	DONKEY BOWLS	CORN/YOYO I’m going to dinner and a play with my girlfriend whose birthday is next week so we celebrate together between our special days 🙂	BRAISED BEEF STEW & HERB BISCUITS	CORNED BEEF SANDWICHES with SMASHED PEA & BARLEY SOUP	SUNDAY SAUCE & MEATBALLS
DESSERT					HOW TO CATCH A HUSBAND CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

There are SOOOOOOOOOOOO many to edit yet, but here is a picture of me and some nieces. They are older than I am, but still call me auntie! Sometimes, it really freaks people out in public places 🙂 My one niece Toni is always great about doing something special for all our littles. This year she became the pied piper of spun sugar! She made regular and root beer flavored, both of which were HUGE hits!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN BOWLS
HONEY LIME CHICKEN with PINEAPPLE MANGO SALSA

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 36 of 2026 with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.250

Be sure to join us at Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra

at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I’m in the “BER months mindset so HELLO SEPTEMBER!! I’m glad you’re here. 🙂

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING dear friends,

We arrived at SIL’s on Friday just in time for a wonderful lunch on the patio of a family favorite restaurant. It was a LONG drive (600 miles which in California traffic feels like 1200) and rained ALL of Thursday.

Fortunately, Friday was beautiful the further south we went. We’ve had a busy few days here at SIL’s doing some honey do’s for her, along with lots of visiting and catching up as well as getting ready to head out for the family reunion on Wednesday.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s going to be a great start to the week, but a warm ending before we head home to better weather!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING A couple loads to do Tuesday night before we head out to the actual family reunion.
GROCERIES & ERRAND Wednesday we’ll go to the grocery store near where we stay to pick up everything we need for the week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS we’ll leave SIL’s house on Wednesday and drive 1 1/2 hours our niece’s house to pick her up before having lunch with another niece at a family favorite, Paso Robles Inn and then head another couple hours further south to the actual reunion.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY plans coming together… fresh sheets… squishy pillows that feel just right… old movies…

READING TIME

Last week was busy and I kept falling asleep before I get very much read, so I’m still reading I’m reading the Baking Games by Rachel Hanna and Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale. 🙂 We’re about 7/8 through our audible book and will finish it on our way home.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	9/7 MONDAY	9/8 TUESDAY	9/9 WEDNESDAY	9/10 THURSDAY	9/11 FRIDAY	9/12 SATURDAY	9/13 SUNDAY
DINNER	out to CHAMISAL	out to ANGELINOS	FAMILY REUNION dinner out at SIDEWAYS	FAMILY REUNION PIZZA PLACE NIGHT	FAMILY REUNION STREET TACOS	FAMILY REUNION POTLUCK	on the road somewhere
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

There are way too many so far, but here a few I’ve already edited.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

NO BAKE LEMON STRAWBERRY DELIGHT
MEXICAN STREET CORN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
PINEAPPLE SALSA CHICKEN VERDE ENCHILADAS
TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE RICE STUFFED PEPPERS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 35 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.243

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday by visiting our host, Sandra, at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I know it’s STILL August “technically”, but I’m already in the “BER” months mindset so HELLO SEPTEMBER!! I’m glad you’re here. 🙂 time to start checking things off the bucket list. Ironically I saw that Carrie used this same list last week. I knew we are kindred spirits!

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I had a busy week, but am REALLY looking forward to getting out of town and leaving for the family reunion later this week. I did get all the shopping done for the Eagles and Offyce, had a pedicure and haircut as well as do my own grocery shopping in amongst everything else.

I’ve been cat, house and garden sitting for a neighbor, tending my own garden for sauce makings and actually making ALL DAY Sunday sauce from all the veggies before we go on our trip. I also did a lot of cleaning, sorting and donating – taking 5 BIG boxes to St. Vinnies and cleaning my corner of the garage in the process.

I also did a lot of pruning of many overgrown bushes and trees. I completed the Eagle’s newsletter and calendar for distribution tomorrow. I made up a flyer for an upcoming fundraiser. A local family here in town suffered a tragic loss of their 13 year old son in a head on accident and the father is in need of major medical. I also started the flyer for the upcoming Halloween party.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather at home and the weather at SIL’s house will overlap a bit. We’re supposed to FINALLY get some much needed rain here. I’m sure glad I ran across some hoodies to take on the trip while cleaning closets this weekend. The evenings around the fire will be chilly.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll do a load on Wednesday night of anything we need for the trip, but most things will wait until we return.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS A couple doctor appointments on Wednesday and we’ll work in the Eagles shopping while we are in town.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re FINALLY going to be able to get away and go for the family reunion. While it sounds like a fun trip, it’s actually A LOT of work for me and I’ll need a vacation from the vacation, but that’s next month’s problem 🙂
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY sunny days… fluffy clouds… heart warming rom-coms that make me smile… toddlers discovering things for the first time…

READING TIME

Last week was busy and I kept falling asleep before I get very much read, so I’m still reading I’m reading the Baking Games by Rachel Hanna and Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale. 🙂 We’ll start an audible book for the trip on Thursday.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/31 MONDAY	9/1 TUESDAY	9/2 WEDNESDAY	9/3 THURSDAY	9/4 FRIDAY	9/5 SATURDAY	9/6 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN & HOMEMADE DUMPLINGS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	TRAVEL to SIL’s & FAMILY REUNION	TRAVEL to SIL’s & FAMILY REUNION	SIL’S CHOICE	SIL’S CHOICE
DESSERT		CINNAMON STREUSEL COFFEECAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

It was a slow photo week. I have been busy picking tons of tomatoes every day and making batches of Sunday sauce hours on end for the freezer. Winter is coming 🙂

The friend I’m cat, garden and house sitting for has a deck that overlooks the pond directly and this is so sad to see this year – almost completely dry!

Another friend just returned from a multi state road trip and brought me this adorable bag of San Francisco sourdough bread and these adorable cowboy boot Christmas tree ornaments!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHILE con CARNE QUESO CUPS
STREET CORN CHICKEN RICE BOWLS
CHICKEN VEGETABLE SHEPHERDS PIE
GREEN CHILE CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE with HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 34 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.236

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I had a busy week that seemed to speed by faster than a NASCAR race! I did manage to take yesterday off and sort some recipes, binge watch a little Matlock and sort some fall clothes. I’m jumping right into today’s HHM so I can get going early and get back early.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We REALLY need some rain!!!! This drought is so dangerous here for fire season.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Just towels and bedding to do. I got everything else done over the weekend. I cleaned out dresser drawers yesterday and organized by season.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m headed to town in a bit to pick up a few things. I want to get everything done before the heat gets too unbearable. I have a pedicure later this week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Hoping to get word on the car today or tomorrow so we can plan the family reunion trip.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY happy endings to books I love!… finding new authors that I LOVE as much as my favorites…a good hair cut… finding a new recipe that tastes better than it sounds…

READING TIME

I’m reading the Baking Games by Rachel Hanna and Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/24 MONDAY	8/25 TUESDAY	8/26 WEDNESDAY	8/27 THURSDAY	8/28 FRIDAY	8/29 SATURDAY	8/30 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN MADEIRA & RICE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN CROQUETTES & TOMATO FRITTERS	SAUSAGE PENNE & SALAD	CHICKEN POT PIES	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT							CHERRY DREAM SQUARES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My hierloom tomatoes are finally starting to redden up, but my grape and cherry tomatoes are YUMMY and make the perfect evening snack bites!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BLUEBERRY BOY BAIT
FRIED MAC & CHEESE BITES
SMOKEY CARAMELIZED BALSAMIC CHICKEN

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 33 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.229

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope you have all had a GREAT week.

MONDAY~THURSDAY We’re entering the last couple weeks before school starts back up. I’ve been hiring my friend’s teenage son to help get a few projects done around the house before he goes back to school and help him earn a few bucks too!! He helped last week one day with a HUGE project. There were also a few medical appointments as well as the standard shopping and every day chores.

FRIDAY~SUNDAY The Blackberry Festival was in full swing! Friday I made the Blackberry jam for the BRISKUITS we made for the early morning breakfast we’ve been doing the past few years at the Offyce. Dan made the briscuit this year and Diana the biscuits. Saturday morning dawned with a line of people for breakfast and it was a GOOD day. Our word of mouth is getting better EVERY year.

After breakfast we went to the festival which was bigger than it had been prior to COVID, so it’s great to see it recovering well. Lots and lots of classic cars, vendors galore and Food trucks lined up around the corner of the park. Saturday night was the BIG street cruise. There was also a chili cook off, BMX race for kids, Blackberry dessert contest, dog pie eating contest, mud races, mud volleyball, community groups and even a dog pie eating contest.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We survived the excessive heat and red flag warnings a couple weeks ago and then last week was almost perfect. This week is going to be an almost carbon copy of last week in the low to mid 80’s with lows in the 50’s with cool ocean breezes. Now, I REALLY think the DOG DAYS of SUMMER are truly over.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Yesterday I got caught up with the laundry.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I did a menu and grocery list for the week that I’ll get picked up today after the eye doctor. There’s a different appointment Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so I’ll work the errands into each day. One of my besties and I are trying to take either Friday or Saturday as a “play day” for shopping and lunch.
CELEBRATIONS Hubby and I are celebrating a BIG anniversary tomorrow. WOW 25 years already. He always says we’re not perfect, no one is, BUT we are perfect for each other! And he is so right! Tomorrow will be 9,132 days of wedded bliss (MOSTLY) 🙂 10,143 days
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m looking into maybe trying a new hobby, KINUSAIGA, Japanese fabric art piecing or “silk picture” making that began in the 80’s as a way to use old kimonos.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY folded laundry… empty laundry baskets… organized drawers… organized closets… clean windows… empty dishwasher…

READING TIME

I’m halfway through book #4 EVERYTHING WE FOUND by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/17 MONDAY	8/18 TUESDAY	8/19 WEDNESDAY	8/20 THURSDAY	8/21 FRIDAY	8/22 SATURDAY	8/23 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	TRUE KITCHEN out for OUR ANNIVERSARY	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STREET CORN CHICKEN RICE BOWLS with CUCUMBER SALAD	4 CHEESE BAKED GNOCCHI & ROASTED GREEN BEANS	PARMESAN CHICKEN, AU GRATIN POTATOES & HONEY THYME ROASTED CARROTS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT			BLUEBERRY PUFF PASTRY

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I LOVE the old cars and creative vendors.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

Fall is right around the corner! And I LOVE these ideas. Ironically I usually do MOST of them too!

DECORATE with natural elements ~ straw, pumpkins, apples, gords, buckets, etc…
SIMMER pot with apples, cinnamon and other favorite spices as well as burning CANDLES…
SEASONAL WARM DRINKS ~ YES PLEASE!!!! hot toddies, hot apple cider, hot chocolate…
COZY OUTDOOR SPACE ~ blankets and pillows on the porch with one of the seasonal warm drinks 🙂
GRATITUDE JOURNAL ~ fall always seems like the time to begin a new one, but I try to keep one year round…
PICNICS up at the lake or BONFIRES at a friends house…
NEW SEASONAL RECIPES ~ I never met a recipe I didn’t want to try once (USUALLY) 🙂
HOST A SOUP & BREAD NIGHT ~ I’ll have to try this one!! And ironically I had already decided to try a new craft before I read this and COZY BOOKS are a must year round.

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

FISH TACO BOWLS
COOKIE MONSTER COOKIES
PEACH GLAZED BBQ CHICKEN
BEAN SALAD with SMOKY SUN-DRIED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CHICKEN FAJITA COBB SALAD
CRUNCHY PEANUT CHICKEN SALAD
OLD SOUTH SODA SAUCE PORK LOIN
CHOCOLATE ROOT BEER CAKE with CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 32 of 2926 ~ BLOG 365.222

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope you’re having a GREAT beginning to the week.

Last week was busy with my FINAL catering gig for a private party the Eagles hosted for an 80th birthday YESTERDAY that had been on the schedule for a couple months now. They had a great time and everything turned out beautiful, but I’m glad that’s over! My email resignation from the kitchen has been written and SUBMITTED. WHEW what a relief.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We survived the excessive heat and red flag warnings last week. It was actually the smoke that made outside life the most unbearable. We even had to skip the last music in the park event due to REALLY unhealthy air quality. This week is going to be much better in the low to mid 80’s with lows in the 50’s. I think the DOG DAYS of SUMMER are over.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING all caught up! BUT, you know how that goes.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS need to put a list together for Wednesday
PROJECTS & TRAVELS still waiting on the car to make decisions on the trip. A friend’s teenage son is coming to help us with a big project on Thursday. Blackberry festival is this next weekend and I need to finish the Jalapeno blackberry jam for the Briskuits for Saturday breakfast at the OFFYCE.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fluffy clouded skies… birds chirping, children laughing… silence while I have my coffee…

READING TIME

I keep trying to read, but have been falling asleep REALLY FAST almost ever night but I did finish STATE OF UNREST First Family series Book #11 by Marie Force and started book #4 EVERYTHING WE FOUND by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/10 MONDAY	8/11 TUESDAY	8/12 WEDNESDAY	8/13 THURSDAY	8/14 FRIDAY	8/15 SATURDAY	8/16 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STUFFED PORK CHOPS & TWICE BAKED POTATOES	COWBOY STEAK with HERB BUTTER & CORN on the COB	SWEDISH MEATBALLS & NOODLES	WHITE WINE BRAISED CHICKEN & TOMATO FRITTERS	BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL BRISKUITS with JALAPENO BLACKBERRY JAM	SWEET & SOUR MEATBALLS & RICE PILAF
DESSERT			BLUEBERRY BOUNTY CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I didn’t get many pictures, but did see this lizard lounging in the heat of the patio the other day. He’d lost the tip of his tail – I wonder how? And the last time we visited our favorite Italian restaurant I saw that they had put up this funny sign and little fence to prevent people from crossing in the the very place they should have put a walkway!! What you can’t see is that there really is no “crosswalk”, just a sidewalk at a busy intersection entrance to a strangely shaped driveway.