BLOG 365.40 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ WEEK 6 OF 2026 ~ RECIPE LINKS & MENU

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week at the coast was wonderful weather wise. The area we stayed in is the only area we’d never stayed at before along the Oregon coast. I do now understand why they have deemed it the “Banana Belt” area. BUT, while it was sunny and warm MOST of the time, there was a persistent glarey haze and underlying misty fog that made picture taking REALLY bad at times. It also made sitting on the balcony uncomfortable near sunset 🙁

One of the things we REALLY like to do when we go someplace new n a trip is to go antiquing and we also enjoy trying local mom and pop places for meals. This trip for those activities was a little disappointing in the mom and pop category and downright horrific in the antiquing category. But, it did save us money.:)

Most of the antique stores had either been shuttered, were closed for “inventory”, only open at ridiculous hours or had become tourist traps with cheap souvenir type items. Out of 12 meals I’m only going to tell you about 3 🙂 We had a few more choices on where to eat than we did antiques, but FAT IRISH that came the most recommended by a friend was the biggest disappointment with drab greasy food and a surly wait staff. ZOLAS on the WATER had the best in ALL categories ~ ambiance and atmosphere were both “night out” and “family friendly” all at the same time with a terrific bartender and beautiful bar, great menu selection and delicious food. I would eat there again and again if we lived there. We split the handmade meatballs and homemade marinara sauce with browned butter garlic potato gnocchi, but their wood fire pizza smelled heavenly too! PIRATE CHOP HOUSE was nothing to look at, really just a locals dive, but the food was super yummy. We split the GRILLED ROCKFISH with one of the best baked potatoes I’ve had in a long time.

We spent the Super Bowl at the Eagles with friends, but I thought it was a super strange Super Bowl. The best part was the Clydesdale and Eagle commercial in my opinion. I did win 2 door prizes 🙂 a really nice Pendleton blanket and a pair of noise canceling headphones!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

While last week was warm and sunny, here at home this week is and will be cold and rainy. Bone chilling cold because of the wetness. The forecast also has snow finally predicted for next week with a HUGE dip in temperatures. This week highs in the 40’s and lows in the 30’s so lots and lots of thick socks, UGG’s, hoodies and layers.

ON MY MIND

I’ve been thinking about making one of these soon: I just need to find all the parts. 🙂

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING We got home Friday, but I didn’t start the laundry until yesterday which was probably a mistake. I hadn’t done the last week’s before we left and with beach combing we wore more clothes during the trip and I also have tennis shoes to wash so that will be the bulk of my today and Tuesday chores.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS We did go to the farmer’s market Saturday just ahead of the rain, but I have to get some other groceries, a hair cut, pedicure and an oil change tomorrow.
MAKES ME HAPPY listening to the waves… beach combing for fun low tide finds… sleeping in my own bed… the feel of clean sheets… watching the sunset…
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did find a couple old cookbooks on our travels and want to add a couple recipes into my March meal plan.

READING TIME

I’m reading A HOE LOT OF TROUBLE A NINA QUINN MYSTERY by Heather Webber. Book club chose their new book, DEAR DEBBIE by Frieda McFadden, but I haven’t gotten around to ordering it yet.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	2/9 MONDAY	2/10 TUESDAY	2/11 WEDNESDAY	2/12 THURSDAY	2/13 FRIDAY	2/14 SATURDAY	2/15 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	ONION SALISBURY STEAKS & DUTCH GREEN BEANS	BUTTERMILK CHICKEN CORN PASTA	BROWN BUTTER LEMON CHICKEN PASTA & BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	??	BANG BANG STEAK BITES & SHEET PAN MAC & CHEESE
DESSERT			SOUR CREAM LEMON LIME POUND CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

If you follow me in INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK you’ve seen most of the pictures from our trip, but one of my favorites was this collage of the oddest sculpture I’ve ever seen. It’s made out of recycled metal, primarily a lot of kitchen utensils and car parts.