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Another Monday is upon us believe it or not. I’ve been so busy that some days I can’t even remember which day it is.  We are trying so hard to get the majority of ALL the little projects done on this nightmare of a house before we set out on our anniversary trip the middle of next month.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
I’d love to tell you that there was a cool breeze and pretty sky, but no such luck.  Unfortunately today is a carbon copy of the past few weeks in the high 90 degree heat and 70% humidity that hits me like a frying pan in the face”!! The air is so thick you can slice it. Plus it is supposed to rain the next several days which will only make it worse.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Oatmeal and sliced orange.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It is pretty straight except for the totes I’m still sorting and the pieces for the upcoming door installation next Monday.

We did get the water closet completed short of a piece of molding and the paint for the door and inside.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

• MONDAY – ERRANDS – Grocery and Home Depot/Lowes for parts
• TUESDAY – finish painting kitchen and start caulking and sealing master bath to prep for final paint. 
• WEDNESDAY – finish sealing spare bath for for final painting.
• THURSDAY –  matinee movie and lunch
• FRIDAY – MORE sorting
• SATURDAY – laundry & cleaning
• SUNDAY – ????

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
I finished my last book and have yet to start anything new.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I haven’t started anything new yet. Right now I’m concentrating on finishing the “little” projects on the house and finish the 30 day minimization project that is now on day 94 as I have extended it to a 120 day project.  As of yesterday we re at 5206 items.  I am about to start on actual closets and cupboards for a final go through.

KITCHEN WISHES
I am about to start the minimization on kitchen gadgets and will then reevaluate what goes into this category.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• TBY’s Monster Cookies

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
It took me years to learn this trick, but with long fine hair it is a VERY important trick that works like a charm.  Before you use your cream rinse be sure to remove the excess water from your hair and to really leave the conditioner on for 2 FULL minutes – don’t hurry.  Since I started doing this I have had 90% less split ends and my hair just seems to lay “right” increasing my good hair days a lot.

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
COOKING TIP 
I have been binge watching DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES lately and learned a tip about baking that I tried yesterday and it REALLY works!  On the episode that featured FOREIGN & DOMESTIC in Austin, Texas while preparing Gruyere & Black Pepper popovers the chef used a pre-warmed pan (put it in the oven while it is preheating and then spray it with non-stick spray before adding the batter).  As for the batter it should be warm.  The popover recipe the chef was making had no leavening agent and she was depending on the hot pan and warm batter to create a steam process to make the popovers actually rise and boy did the rise and pop over!  The other trick is to fill them to the top instead of 2/3.  Hers looked amazing and the diners were singing serious HIGH praise. I tried this with some biscuits and it worked quite well.

HOMEMAKING TIP
I use mineral oil for my butcher block and my wooden kitchen tools to keep them hydrated.  I also find it is an inexpensive and wonderful way to oil my hardwoods too.  This is my ALL time favorite dining room table.  It’s been in storage for the better part of 7 years so was considerable dry.  It soaked up ALL that oil and is looking pretty good now.  I’m so happy to have our table together again.

Hubby took apart my cousin’s old table and moved it to the garage until my uncle decides its fate.  The one we took apart matches that chair in the background with the gingham check seat but is not my style, color or another project I want to take on as it is in HORRIBLE shape and needs COMPLETELY refinished.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

Be sure to 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.