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

COOKING THURSDAY ~ HAWAIIAN CHICKEN BOWLS ~ BLOG 365.260D

Think beach side island vibes in paradise and this recipe will take you there! There’s something so enticing about feeling that ocean breeze and the scent of grilled chicken mixing with the tangy sweetness of pineapple dancing in the air to make you think and feel tropical warmth no matter what time of year you make this dish.

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN BOWL adapted from WEEK NIGHT DISHES 

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon avocado oil

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
  • Add the chicken and cook3-4 minutes per side until browned on all sides and fully cooked through.
  • Remove and set aside.

1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained and juice reserved
1/2 red onion, sliced thin, divided
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

  • In the same skillet, add a splash of the reserved pineapple juice and toss in the pineapple chunks, half the red onion and the red bell pepper, sautéing 3–4 minutes until slightly caramelized and softened.

2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the liquid aminos, honey, garlic, ginger, 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice and cornstarch until smooth.
  • Pour this into the skillet with the pineapple and veggies, stirring constantly 2-3 minutes until thickened.

2 cups cooked jasmine or brown rice
Reserved 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
Thinly shredded carrots, for garnish
Chopped parsley, for garnish
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish

  • 
Return the chicken to the pan and stir to coat with the sauce.
  • Simmer for another minute or two, letting all the flavors come together.

  • Scoop warm rice into bowls.
  • Top with the chicken-pineapple mixture.
  • Sprinkle with green onions, reserved red onion slices and sesame seeds if desired.

NOTES:

  • I often substitute Yakisoba noodles for the rice.
  • I also like to use tenders and cook them before cutting into chunks.

COOKING THURSDAY ~ HONEY LIME CHICKEN with MANGO SALSA ~ BLOG 365.260B

Quick, flavorful and juicy chicken dish perfect for warm-weather meals. Marinated in a zesty honey lime marinade and then grilled or baked to complete perfection before being topped with a refreshing mango salsa that adds a spicy sweetness.

HONEY LIME CHICKEN with MANGO SALSA adapted from BETTER HOME BASE   
CHICKEN
2 LARGE boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 LARGE limes, juiced and zested
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, lime zest, oil, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Place the chicken in a resealable bag and pour the marinade over it.
  • Let it marinate for AT LEAST 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours for maximum flavor.

MANGO SALSA
1 LARGE ripe mango, diced
¼ cup red onion, FINELY chopped
1 small jalapeño seeded and minced, +/- for heat, optional
FRESH chopped cilantro, for garnish
Juice of 1 LARGE lime
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper ,to taste

  • In a medium bowl, combine the diced mango, red onion, jalapeño (if using), and cilantro.
  • Squeeze in the fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir well and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

ASSEMBLE & SERVE you can grill, pan sear or bake this chicken easily.

  • While the salsa is resting preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  • Grill the chicken 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Slice the cooked chicken and place it on a serving plate.
  • Spoon the fresh mango salsa over the top.
  • Serve immediately with rice or tortillas.

NOTES: Alternative methods.

PAN SEARING
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through.
Remove from heat and let it rest before serving.

BAKING
Preheat the oven to 400°.
Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

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