HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 4 of 2018

Can you believe we’re entering the last full week of the 1st month of 2018? Didn’t we just have Christmas and New Year’s? Now Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away.  Where does the time go these days? This year is already 1/13th over!  I’ve been so bored with not able to really do anything so you would think time would be dragging! I hope everyone had a GREAT week.

Be sure to join in and link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather has been ALL over the place!  This week though is supposed to be in the low 60’s with cloudy skies and rain on and off ALL week. It’s bringing back the humidity, but at least it’s not as noticeable in the bad way with the lower temperatures.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Honey Nut cheerios with a banana and milk

CRAFTS / PROJECTS

No real projects going on, but trying to sort though piles and piles of recipes, receipts and misc. paperwork.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

Just 10 more days until I can start working out to regain my muscle tone and LOL 😀 hopefully find my energy. I’m actually excited to be able to do this. Theoretically more exercise will make the food issues better too.

I’ve been pretty good at sticking to the no lifting, pulling or pushing part of this plan, but I am really looking forward to being the one to get a DEEP clean done as well as the vacuuming that needs to be done.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We’re about 50 miles from the coast as the crow flies so I think this guy is a little lost.

INSPIRATION

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

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads AGAIN this week, towels, bedding and clothing – hopefully soon I can quite washing every other day
  • LIVING AREAS… plan on doing a psuedo deep clean today and tomorrow now that the cold snap appears to be all but over
  • KITCHEN… pretty clean, but needs some organizing and a pantry and freezer inventory for next few weeks menu since we are trying to anticipate a spring move and I want to have this all cleaned out before then
  • STUDIO… is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARD… nothing much after the weekend storms and continued rain into this week, just too wet to do anything
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

COMEDIES

  • BIG BANG THEORY, YOUNG SHELDON
  • THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  • BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, LIFE IN PIECES

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, WISDOM OF THE CROWD, S.W.A.T.
  • MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM, BLINDSPOT, MACGYVER, SCORPION
  • LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0, ELEMENTARY
  • CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED, 911

DRAMAS

  • THE GOOD DOCTOR, THIS IS US, THE RESIDENT starts later this week

SYFY

  • Z NATION, the WALKING DEAD, FLASH, SUPERGIRL, DC LEGENDS
  • ORVILLE, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE X-FILES, THE ALIENIST starts later this week

COOKING

  • GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, BAKED IN VERMONT
  • KID’S BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, WORST COOKS IN AMERICA, GIADA

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
This category continues to be a sore subject for me though it is getting better day by day. I will be continue working on combining blogs with older recipes and developing newer recipes that encompass ALL the new requirements.

My new plan is to cook for 4 days and then have a C.O.R.N. weekend!  That way we start the new week fresh every Monday. Saturday and Sunday mornings will be my “do anything needed to make me happy” mornings.

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
2 times a day
B-FAST
4 ounces PROTEIN and GREEN Tea
4 ounces PROTEIN and GREEN Tea
4 ounces PROTEIN and GREEN Tea
4 ounces PROTEIN and GREEN Tea
4 ounces PROTEIN and GREEN Tea
 SHIRRED EGGS
 BANANA PANCAKES
2 times a day
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 cup 1% MILK  or PROTEIN DRINK
1 time a day

LUNCH

2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
2-4 ounces PROTEIN or yogurt
DINNER 3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR small salad

HOT CHICKEN SALAD with SWEET & SOUR TOMATOES

3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR small salad

TIPSY CHICKEN with CHARRED POBLANO CREAMED CORN

3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR small salad

SWEET GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS with ROASTED HONEY CARROTS

3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR small salad

SPLIT PEA SOUP with HAM

PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH PIE

3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR SALAD

C.O.R.N.

3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR SALAD

C.O.R.N.

3 OUNCES PROTEIN with VEGGIE OR SALAD

C.O.R.N.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 47 of 2017

I hope you all had a great week and weekend.  Mine was so so – just getting things done that will help hubby while I’m down, but I’m not expecting much excitement until after surgery.

This can be a stressful week for many, so let’s start it with a laugh! Just remember that a turkey is JUST a BIG chicken. I’m going to do my Thanksgiving shopping this morning and then won’t eave the house again!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We finally got a bit of a “COLD” front (at least for here) through yesterday that has lowered temperatures to the fall level finally.  I don’t have many hopes for a real winter here, but would like it if the temperatures at least get down to the 60’s for a high and stay there for more than 4 days!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

A banana, tangerine and coffee

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

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing – doctor has me washing things much more often trying to eliminate infection possibilities. I have to say washing the linens every other day is getting tiresome.  I never wear clothes more than one day, but sheets and towels usually get 3-4 days or so before changing them.
  • LIVING AREAS… plan on doing a deep clean today and tomorrow for Thanksgiving
  • KITCHEN… pretty clean, but with starting Thanksgiving prep tomorrow that WILL change! I do the veggie chopping and making the croutons for the stuffing on Tuesday and baking on Wednesday so I’m not doing it all on Thursday – makes it so much more stress free!  That way I can watch the parade and enjoy my coffee!
  • STUDIO… is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARD… nothing much for hubby and nothing for me at all
  • BLOG… still doing some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday posts scheduled, I’m also working on my ideas for Ava the elf

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY and the new YOUNG SHELDON
  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, S.W.A.T. ??
  • MADAME SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED
  • BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM
  • LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0
  • MACGYVER, SCORPION, BLINDSPOT, ORVILLE, WISDOM OF THE CROWD
  • Z NATION, WALKING DEAD, STRANGER THINGS, FLASH, DC LEGENDS, INHUMANS
  • THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  • THIS IS US, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE GOOD DOCTOR, LONGMIRE
  • GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, GUY’S RANCH

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
FRUIT & COFFEE
WAFFLES & BACON
SHIRRED EGGS
PANCAKES
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP
MEAT ROLL-UPS
SALAD
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
DINNER
SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN and SCALLION RICE recipe will post soon
PORK MARSALA recipe will post soon
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE recipe will post soon  and SALAD
SEE MENU BELOW
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT
 MOLASSES CRINKLES recipe will post soon
 REINDEER NIBBLES recipe will post soon

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

Only more 16 days until surgery and I can’t be happier!  I need to get this behind me and on the road to recovery! I ended up with yet another infection this past week and have been put on house “isolation” for the most part until surgery. Primarily I’m staying away from school children and elderly that may be sick or contagious, washing my hands A LOT, showering A LOT and am on 3 new eye drops to combat the latest issue. I’ve already been in for 2 weeks other than doctor appointments and am looking forward to get out and doing the Thanksgiving shopping this morning and after that will only leave the house on the day of pre-op at the hospital and then on the day of surgery.  It’s getting old being so sequestered, but has become a necessary evil.  We even had to cancel our trip to Santa’s Wonderland. 🙁 There’s always next year. 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I got hubby a new stocking this year and it is really cute. Mine is an UGG red, white and green plaid that I really like too.

Then, there is Gunner, at 15 3/4 he’s still trudging along, but spends most his time chasing rabbits in his sleep in his favorite bed these days.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 46 of 2017

GOOD MORNING. I can’t believe it is Monday already again! It really seems like the weeks go faster the closer we get to the end of the year. We had a quiet weekend at home except for the few hours I was out with the girls for a yearly craft fair jaunt and lunch.

There are some friends of a friend that are becoming shut-ins for health reasons so at lunch we discussed who would make what for the Thanksgiving meal that is being taken to them. I got cranberry sauce YUMMY and then started the who is making what list for Christmas Eve at Patty’s house after church. I got veggies which I actually like to make, but no one else wants to sign up for. I’m going to make my southern green beans and seagram’s honey glazed carrots. All of these recipes will be posted after Thanksgiving as I’m making them then also and need new pictures.

I made the cranberry sauce this weekend and froze it so it will be easily transported in this horrible heat we are still having.  I also got my Thanksgiving menu together (it’s only 10 days away) so we could get the shopping done later this week before the crowds.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather is better than it has been, but NO WHERE near where it should be for mid November. I am so over the 80 degree temperatures!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Fresh fruit and coffee

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

Between now and Thanksgiving I’m working hard every day to get as much manual labor done as possible and super stocking so hubby doesn’t have to do much shopping, something he REALLY hates to do and is really not good at LOL. He will be able to do the laundry, vacuuming, dishes etc… with little effort, but I want to make it as easy as possible on him.

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… plan on doing a REALLY deep clean today and tomorrow
  • KITCHEN… pretty clean really
  • STUDIO… is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARD… nothing much
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning
  • ERRANDS… blood work and EKG for surgery – never got them done last week with getting sick

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I finally finished reading the Bridge to a Better Life by Ava Miles in her Dare Valley Series.  I will finish her series as I’m enjoying it, but for a bit of change I switched over to Jana Deleon’s Happily Everlasting series and am on book #2, Once Hunted, Twice Shy.

The Holiday Baking Championship started this past week and I’m enjoying that.

  • BIG BANG THEORY, YOUNG SHELDON
  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, S.W.A.T.
  • MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED on the 21st
  • BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM
  • LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0
  • MACGYVER, SCORPION, BLINDSPOT, ORVILLE, WISDOM OF THE CROWD
  • Z NATION, WALKING DEAD, FLASH, DC LEGENDS, INHUMANS
  • THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  • THIS IS US, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE GOOD DOCTOR
  • GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, GUY’S BIG PROJECT

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
PANCAKES and BACON
HAM and EGG OMELETS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP
MEAT ROLL-UPS
SALAD
MEAT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
??
DINNER
OLD FASHIONED TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
BURGERS with GREEN TOMATO MAYO
DEVILED BEEF TENDERS and PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES
BRANDING IRON MEATBALLS
 SMOTHERED STEAK TIPS and ROASTED ROOT VEGGIES  SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN with SCALLION RICE  PORK MARSALA with BUTTERED EGG NOODLES
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

I’m doing a countdown to surgery.  Just 23 days to go.  It will be a LONG 23 days though.  I ended up with laryngitis and bronchitis last week and the doctor and I agreed upon a self-imposed “isolation” to keep me healthy enough for surgery. We had been out of town the week before a few days and she believes coming back here with the higher humidity was what did me in. Then last night I discovered new eye infection similar to the last and put in for an emergency referral last night and am waiting on the call to go in to the specialist.  It wasn’t this bad last time and he almost put me in the hospital so I am a little scared this time. Something I’m allergic to or exposed to is biting me maybe.  Since the last time I have been washing the towels and sheets every two days as it is.  Hubby is convinced that I picked up something working on this HOUSE FROM HELL that I have just never been able to get rid of because of my compromised immunity.  I’m beginning to think he may be right.

Even if the doctor hadn’t suggested it, hubby was going to impose an isolation because of my compromised immunity.  I did go to a favorite craft fair on Saturday and came home with a slight fever and coughing, so have acquiesced to hubby and agreed to a more stringent “isolation”.  Insert BIG SIGH here! At this point I will do whatever is necessary to get me through surgery with no more delays.  I AM READY TO RECLAIM MY LIFE!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We haven’t had much rain, but sure have had pretty skies!

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 45 of 2017

I hope EVERYONE had a GREAT week. Ours was busy with several days of traveling while we explored where to go from here. We’re pretty sure we have decided on our future home town, there are just a few things that need to fall into place first!

It’s really hard to make a move, but it’s even harder when you’re trying to check everything off your list to meet your needs.  We’ve been struggling with this decision. One of the things I finally ended up asking hubby in every new place we have looked is “If we won the lottery tomorrow would you still want to live here?”. We both have some bucket list places we’d LIKE to live, but when reality shines in we use a more practical check list, things like churches, grocery stores, restaurants, weather… So, we’re still pulling it all together, but pending any major changes are 90% decided.

We have to get through my surgery and recovery, sell the house, finish packing… but have faith everything will fall into place the way it is supposed to.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Unfortunately, we are starting the week out miserable here – high 80’s and humid.  It is supposed to be in the 70’s after Wednesday and the humidity will go down a bit.  Have I mentioned I HATE heat AND humidity!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Apples and blueberries with coffee

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

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… plan on doing a deep clean later this week
  • KITCHEN… right now is pretty clean
  • STUDIO… is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there. I do have some correspondence to catch up on along with some cathartic letter writing.
  • YARD… nothing much
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning
  • ERRANDS… blood work and EKG for surgery

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I’m still reading the Bridge to a Better Life by Ava Miles in her Dare Valley Series. Just can’t seem to stay awake long enough to finish a book.

The Holiday Baking Championship STARTS ON THE 9th.

  • BIG BANG THEORY and the new YOUNG SHELDON when it returns later this week
  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, S.W.A.T. starts this week
  • MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED later this season
  • BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM
  • LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0
  • MACGYVER, SCORPION, BLINDSPOT, ORVILLE, WISDOM OF THE CROWD
  • Z NATION, WALKING DEAD, FLASH, DC LEGENDS, INHUMANS
  • THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  • THIS IS US, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE GOOD DOCTOR
  • GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, GUY’S BIG PROJECT

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
QUICHE LORRAINE
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
MEAT ROLL-UPS
SALAD
MEAT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
??
DINNER
TOMATO BOURBON SOUP
BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN SKEWERS
7 LAYER SALAD
CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE
BAKED ORANGE CHICKEN
PORK MARSALA
CHICKEN POT PIES
DESSERT
 GOOEY CARAMEL GINGERSNAPS

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

 

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

I was very excited when the doctor and scheduler told me surgery would be in 2-3 weeks, probably November 17th.  So, I was VERY disappointed when the scheduler called back last Tuesday and said that because of the length of the surgery scheduling was proving difficult with the hospital and doctor’s schedules and that surgery was now December 6th. So on the one hand I won’t miss Thanksgiving, but now I will miss Christmas dinner.

The worst part is that I have to avoid crowds and children especially between now and surgery and then again after for a couple months because of my compromised immunity and too high a risk for infection.  I’m sick now and going in to see the doctor later today as it is and can’t even tell you where I picked it up.  It really sucks when you have a compromised immunity and have to fight so hard just to make it day to day without getting sick. My neighbor, a nurse, has the theory that my body just wasn’t built for humidity and that things will get better after we leave here. I pray she’s right.

We have a super old dog and I recently had to start grinding his dry portion of food into smaller pieces so he could eat better.  At first it was weird and made me think of that old Charlton Heston movie, Soylent Green as I ground the chunks into powder, but then a light bulb dawned over me and I realized my NINJA is about to be my best friend as I recover.  After I am allowed to eat semi soft foods I will still be able to cook for hubby and get my flavor too by running my meals through the NINJA!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I took several photos while we were gone, but many didn’t turn out as well as I’d liked. This first one was the sky when we got home.

These Oklahoma cotton fields called to me A LOT. I didn’t even realize cotton grew in Oklahoma.

I just LOVE old architecture and this old building on the town square was really neat.  I just wish the sun had been shining.

I did get one for Sandra though 😀

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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