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

1st QUARTERLY UPDATE 2025 ~ BLOG 365.91

I’m back for 2025! And I’m doing great so far!! Deciding to find purpose and intention in EVERYTHING has made all the difference in conquering my lists.

After I wrote my first post Jean pointed out that breaking the tasks into categories made it easier for her. I LOVE that idea and decided to try it myself. I wasn’t exactly able to break it down into 5 things into the 5 categories, but I tried 😀

A “Word of the Year” sets your intention or theme for how you want your life and year to flow.

In my case I decided a single word just wouldn’t work. There are still too many things I want to accomplish so I chose a few, well actually 10. I even tried to make an acronym out of them, which didn’t work 😀 My words are:

BALANCE all my responsibilities with more fun and adventure
BREATHE before making a decision to get involved in ANY project
EVOLVE from the rut I’ve been in to a new lease on life with a Passion Project
SIMPLIFY by continuing to downsize all the stuff in our life and de-clutter most of it
HEAL or AKA continue to stay healthy and work on dietary issues
INSPIRE my own creative outlet and as many others as possible
PERSEVERE through all of my health issues and life itself
THRIVE despite the medical and dietary issues
PASSION for getting back to more of my favorite pass times – reading, quilting, painting
GRATITUDE for everything and EVERYONE in my life

In the end, I realized I’d be extremely happy if any one of these words would happen for me on any given day 😀

My list for 2025 is (some are holdovers, okay MOST are):

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Follow a nightly skincare regime DONE
Learn YOGA or Pilates or both! I’ve been trying some chair yoga just because I can do it at night.
Take at least a 3 mile walk daily. I’ve been getting in close to 5 miles a day.
Avoid gluten and fats to help keep my body happier. DONE most days, BUT it’s really hard to give it ALL up!! The cravings are killers.
Eat at least 1 piece of fruit daily and more nuts for protein. DONE

ADVENTURE & FUN

Complete 4 quilts – at least 1 for each quarter. I’m not done, but I have some pillow fronts started.
Finish as many already “started” projects as possible. I finished two Christmas jewelry trees that I started back in 2023. And I’m working on a jewelry “forest” with an old frame.
Read at least 48 books or 4 a month. Hopefully it will be more, but I think this is a realistic goal. I did join a local book club and that is helping me read new authors I might not have chose otherwise. Books read to date are:
- Society of Lies Lauren Ling Brown – BOOK CLUB CHOICE
- The LAST ONE at the Wedding Jason Rekulak – BOOK CLUB CHOICE
- The Rose Code Kate Quinn – BOOK CLUB CHOICE
- Lilac Ink, The Knocknashee Story by Jean Grainger
- A Certain Kind of Starlight Heather Webber
- The Book Charmer – Dove Pond #1 Karen Hawkins
- Cup of Silver Linings – Dove Pond #2
- The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove Pond #3
- The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams Dove Pond #4
- Blue Waters – Caribbean Adventure #1 Eric Chance Stone
- PICTURES OF YOU by Emma Grey – BOOK CLUB CHOICE
- NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell – BOOK CLUB CHOICE
- The Boyfriend by Frieda McFadden – BOOK CLUB CHOICE
- That’s NOT my name by Megan Lally – BOOK CLUB CHOICE

FAMILY & FAITH

Do 1-2 devotionals every day – I really need to get better at this, spare time has just been so scattered. I did start The Bible Recap
Make a better effort to reach out and connect with friends and family more regularly. I’ve been doing well on this one. Sometimes too well! I’m not getting all my chores done for the play time.
Do a date weekend once a month – exploring a new place we’ve never been before. We’ve always done pretty well on this topic, but we’re running out of ideas in this small town. We did find a great new little restaurant, The Atom, when we went to the river in January to see Colliding Rivers with all of our flooding. We’ve been back every other week or so because their menu is amazing!!

DAILY PROGRESS ~ NO PROCRASTINATION! I’m developing a notebook that works in conjunction with my calendar for lists and tasks that make my life operate in a smoother daily operation.

Do a Happy Homemaker Monday post each and every week. This keeps me more on track and organized about my home life. Doing Happy Homemaker Monday so extensively helps keep me on track as it summarizes the past week and lays out a fairly concise plan for this week. I haven’t missed a day in years!
Finish indexing the recipes on my food blog, Savory Kitchen Table. LOL I’m working on it.
Finish indexing the recipes on Chasing MY Life blog. When I merged my old blogspot blogs into this single blog it duplicated many things and added an “ALL” category that I am having to eliminate one by one so it’s taking a LONG time. LOL still working on this too – spare time… is fleeting…
Continue to downsize and declutter EVERYTHING. I think this will be an ongoing effort for the rest of my life.
Clean out photo files that date back almost 15 years! This too will be an ongoing effort for the rest of my life.
Create shutterfly photo albums for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and then delete the photos from ALL my devices. Working on it.
Go through scrap recipe tote and eliminate all the recipes I will never try – they’re just not worth saving. Partially done.
Do more drawing and painting – at least one per month. I did this fun Paint-N-Sip in February with friends at the Eagles as a fundraiser for the local Cancer center.
Focus on rewriting more recipes to work for only 2 with no leftovers. The NEVER ending chore. I’m trying to only work on recipes that stand out in our memory as superb.
Clean out old files and recycle or destroy old papers. I spent MOST of February re-working these files and LOVE the progress I made.
Clean out craft cabinets and donate craft parts no longer needed. DONE

RANDOM ACTS

Do at least 1 random act of kindness every time I leave the house whether it’s just a wave hello to an elderly neighbor, a meal for a sick friend, holding a door open, putting my cart in the designated spot… 😀 DONE
Volunteer at least once a month for a community project. DEFINITELY DONE!!
- I proofread the newsletter and I manage the kitchen (keep it staffed, do the shopping for the kitchen and bar each week as well as keep it organized and well stocked with whatever is necessary) for the Eagles, do random maintenance as well as donate at least one auxiliary fundraiser meal each month and bake for the bake sale. I’ll be taking over as editor for the newsletter on June 1st.
- I also do the Costco shopping for the bar and grill a friend manages.
- This quarter I prepped, manned, cooked and donated meals for January 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th. In February I donated a cooking/baking raffle basket full of so many fun things, helped organize the Paint-sip on the 8th, Superbowl party on the 9th, Valentine’s dinner on the 14th and Valentine’s dance on the 15th and then filled in for the lady who cancelled on February 28th. In March I began organizing and managing the Friday night dinners as a whole and I cooked on the 21st as well as worked the cribbage tournament for 3 days. I also reconfigured the storeroom and hung shelves for storage and tool racks for brooms and mops this past month in preparation for the new refrigerator that the senior center gifted us.

What do you think? Do you want to join in with us also?

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 13 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.90

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

That said, this week is starting off better than the rest recently. I’m going to have time to breathe as well as visit everyone and even relax a bit!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE…IS CRAZY!!!!!

That’s the only way to describe it! We’re back down into the low 40’s during the day and 30’s at night with crazy winds, a little hail and some snow on the mountains. Oh and did I mention we’re ALREADY several inches of rain over the YEARLY average and it’s not even April yet? I’ve set aside the spring clothes I hauled out last week and brought the flannels and hoodies back into play this week.

Monday thru Thursday ~ Rain and thunderstorms with highs in the 40’s.
Friday thru Sunday ~ morning showers and mostly cloudy with highs in the 50’s (maybe??)

ON MY MIND

My aunt used to always say P.U.S.H. an acronym for PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS. Well, it works! MANY of my EAGLE’s woes are finding answers. I have revamped the Friday night fundraiser program in the past 2 months and we’re better than we were. My friend is currently the Auxiliary president, but when her term ends in June she wants to stay connected so I will be turning over the Friday kitchen duties to her, YAY! I’m currently the newsletter proofreader, but will be stepping up to be the copy editor and designer which is more up my alley and I’m excited about this change!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING & AROUND THE HOUSE I was able to do 2 loads yesterday, but didn’t get them folded and put away yet. I’m dog sitting this week so will hold off the rest of the deep clean until next week. I’m hoping to be able to plant some flowers by the weekend.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m up to date on our grocery shopping and only want to make a run to Costco and maybe the nursery for some plants. Wednesday will be shopping day for the Eagles and whatever my friend needs for her bar and grill.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m researching a few new recipes I want to make for spring and have the menu set until we leave in May for the family reunion. I’ll figure out the rest when we return.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING We’re in season 4 of the GILMORE GIRLS and I just started MY LIFE with the WALTER BOYS
CABLE The DVR is actually cleaned out and up to date! March Madness allows this to happen every year. 😀 TOURNAMENT of the CHAMPIONS, SPRING BAKING, TRACKER, NCIS, NCIS ORIGINS

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	3/31 MONDAY	4/1 TUESDAY	4/2 WEDNESDAY	4/3 THURSDAY	4/4 FRIDAY	4/5 SATURDAY	4/6 SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN in SHERRY CREAM SAUCE	SMOKED BAKED TACO POTATOES ———— EGGSQUISITE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE	BEEFY BEAN & BISCUIT BAKE	GREENS with HOT BACON DRESSING	CHICKEN FRIED STEAK & FRIED POTATOES	DIVINE CHICKEN SALAD	CAITLYN’S CORNED BEEF & POTATOES
DESSERT				GRANDMA HIER’S CARROT CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Life is still quite cold and wet with lots of standing water.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

SLOW COOKER BBQ BRISKET with SWEET KICKIN’ BBQ SAUCE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 365.89

SATURDAY COFFEE TIME ~ BLOG 365.88

TGIF ~ BLOG 365.87

ITALIAN PASTA with SAUSAGE in SPINACH, GARLIC & WHITE WINE SAUCE ~ BLOG 365.86

ITALIAN PASTA with SAUSAGE in SPINACH, GARLIC & WHITE WINE SAUCE

Super simple and quick makes this an easy, yet tasty weeknight meal ready in under 30 minutes!

Servings: 4

8 ounces uncooked Orecchiette (ear) pasta, prepared al dente
16 ounces QUALITY ground Italian sausage (see notes)
1/2 medium onion chopped
1 LARGE carrot, small diced
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped basil
FRESH ground salt & pepper, to taste
FRESH grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

 In a large skillet saute’ sausage over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until it’s cooked through and nicely browned. Add onions and carrots about half way through.
Drain all 1-2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet.  Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the garlic and Dijon mustard if using, cooking for 30 seconds.
 Pour in the wine and cook 2-5 minutes until reduced by half.
Add in the spinach and basil tossing with tongs until the spinach has wilted.
Add in the drained pasta and toss again.
Season to taste with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

NOTE:

If need be, remove meat from prepackaged casings.
I often add grape tomatoes and blister them for added flavor.
Truly any size pasta will work, but a small pasta is best so it is well coated in the sauce.

PRETTY IN PINK TRES LECHES (3 MILKS) CAKE ~ BLOG 365.86B

You can make the cake a day ahead before poking it with holes and storing it tightly wrapped at room temperature. The cake benefits from sitting in the refrigerator to absorb all of the milk. It needs at least 1 hour but can sit in the fridge overnight before frosting and serving. The longer it sits, the more it can absorb, making the cake better and better.

CAKE
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 – 1/2 cup freeze dried fruit powder, optional
5 LARGE eggs, separated
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/2 cup WHOLE milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Preheat oven to 350°.
Grease a 13″ x 9″ baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and freeze dried fruit powder if using.
In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg yolks and 1 cup sugar until stiff ribbons trail behind beaters.
Beat in vanilla.
In another large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
Add yolk mixture to dry ingredients and beat to combine.
Add milk and butter and beat until combined.
Gently fold in egg whites until just combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake cake until a tester inserted into middle of cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
Let cool.

FILLING
1 (14 ounnce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1/2 cup WHOLE milk
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, whisk condensed milk, evaporated milk, whole milk and vanilla until combined.
Using a fork, poke holes all over cake, then pour milk mixture over cake.
Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until milk mixture is absorbed, AT LEAST 1 hour, BUT PREFERABLY OVERNIGHT.

WHIPPED CREAM & ASSEMBLY
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cinnamon-sugar
Sliced FRESH strawberries (or fruit of choice), for serving

In a large bowl beat the heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
Frost cake with whipped cream.
Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
Serve with strawberries alongside.

NOTES:

The trick to this recipe is in the egg whites. Be sure to beat them until they hold STIFF peaks and then fold them ever so GENTLY into the cake batter. The goal is to avoid deflating them while folding, so that the cake bakes up nice and tall with lots of lift.
Egg temperature matters! You’ll get the most stable whip and tallest sponge cake by using room temperature eggs. Make sure to let the eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before using.
To make this flavored I add freeze dried powdered fruit flavors to the sifted dry mixture. 1/4 – 1/2 cup is all it takes.
DO NOT rush the soaking step. A longer soak results in a deeper flavor AND a moister cake.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 365.85

RASPBERRY TRUFFLE BROWNIES ~ BLOG 365.84

Rich dark and delectable chocolate scratch-made brownies with a layer of creamy raspberry truffle topping. These are SUPER rich! A small square goes a long way.

RASPBERRY TRUFFLE BROWNIES
BROWNIES
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 LARGE eggs
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee crystals
2 tablespoons water
3/4 cup AP flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate chips over low heat until melted and blended well. Cool 15 minutes.
Dissolve the coffee crystals in the water. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar together until blended.
Add coffee mixture and melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing well.
Sift together the baking powder and flour into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated.
Spread batter into a well greased 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch baking pan.
Bake at 350℉ 30 to 35 minutes until the brownies are set.
Cool completely.

RASPBERRY TRUFFLE FILLING
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 ounces package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam

In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips. Cool 30 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese 1 to 2 minutes until fluffy.
Add powdered sugar and raspberry jam, beating until JUST combined.
Stir in melted chocolate until well combined.
Spread filling evenly over the cooled brownies.

CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE
1/8 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon shortening

Place chocolate chips and shortening in a small zip-top plastic bag.
Seal the bag and set the bag in a bowl of warm water to soften the chocolate.
Gently knead the chocolate with your fingers until melted and smooth, placing back in the warm water for a minute or two as needed.
Snip a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag.
Drizzle chocolate over the truffle filling.

NOTE: These are extremely rich so I usually skip the drizzle unless I’m taking them to an event.

Chill brownies before cutting.
Cut into small 1 inch squares to serve.
Store brownies in the refrigerator.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPES week 12 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.83

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

WHEW, am I glad last week is over! I know I missed getting by to see most of you, but I REALLY didn’t have a minute to myself. I promise to get by this week.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent dealing with the shopping and prep to lay in the necessary ingredients for the 3 day CRIBBAGE Tournament being held at the Eagles. They rent the hall from us, but my girlfriend and I do all the meals for all 3 days for 50+ people. I spent ALL day Thursday preparing the soups, breakfast bakes and biscuits for our Friday meals. On Friday, while we were working, Annette’s hubby smoked all the pork to be pulled for the Saturday sandwiches and she prepped the baked beans between breakfast and lunch. I did the dessert baking.

Our days begin at 6AM and this particular event also fell on my auxiliary dinner night on Friday so I had an extra event to plan and work. Friday I left home at 530AM to go to the Eagles and didn’t leave there until almost 9PM to come back home and still managed to do over 23,000 steps.

Then I had to be back at 6AM Saturday to start all over! On Sunday morning when we arrived we found the kitchen refrigerator died during the night. Fortunately our middle name is PIVOT so we emptied the fridge and moved it outside while moving our storage room fridge to the kitchen. Unfortunately we had to throw out most everything which will only make this week’s shopping so much more!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

“The Northwest will stay soggy as multiple systems take aim mid-to-late week. Here’s what we’re watching this week.” This is never the way I want a weather report to start.

Yesterday was pretty nice, today and tomorrow are supposed to be great with highs even closing in on 70, BUT (and there is ALWAYS a BUT at this time of year) Wednesday brings back the cooler temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s and you guessed it, MORE rain!