Category: HOMEMAKING TIPS

Well after 3 delays for various reasons, we really are finally on the road to our new home.  This has been a complicated move with multiple legs, but at last we are moving forward.  We will be there on Wednesday and then the fun begins.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Tonight is supposed to be quite cold where we will be staying on the northern route in mountains, but after that it should be good weather for several days.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Get there and get started on a thorough cleaning, paint prep and a project list!

CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been loading up my kindle app with lots of books for the trip.  Right now I’m finishing up the Barbara Freethy Series – The Callaways – I’m on books 8 and 9.

• The Sweetness of Honey by Alison Kent
• Where the Heart is by Darcy Burke
• The Guest List #5 by Melissa Hill 
• The Heartbreak Cafe #1 by Melissa Hill
• Winter in Sweetwater County by Ciara Knight
• The Seacrest: A Love Story by Aaron Paul Lazar 

TELEVISION / DVR
LOL Whatever is on the motel televisions at night. I know we’ll be doing some on demand later in the month to catch up on our favorite shows.

KITCHEN WISHES
LOL, My biggest wish is that the appliances work well enough to get us started.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
On the road this week, but hoping to have a good menu next week.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• New Beginnings
• Safe Trips
• Happy Campers

FAVORITE most disgusting PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
One of the things I have always hated here were the snails and slugs!  I took the dog out last night and was horrified to see this! I had NO idea that they congregated like this. YUCK!!

I’ve been in a holding pattern for so long now with our impending move next week in 2 weeks (I hope – it’s been postponed twice so far for various reasons) that I feel like I’m just going through the motions each day and there is no real “Homemaking” going on right now.  So this week while we wait to leave next Monday (please cross your fingers and toes for us) I’m making a detailed list of what needs to be done when we get there.

We’re buying my grandparents old place (40 years old) which has been sitting vacant for almost a year and hasn’t had any real improvements in the 20+ years before that.  So, we know it’s a serious fixer and definitely needs a kitchen update, but we love remodeling and projects and our aim is to change the dated kitchen into a farmhouse style, but also make it a 21st century kitchen.

Oh, and did I mention we’re doing this from across the country?  Hubby has never even seen the house and I haven’t been there in many years since my cousin was living there.  We are also transporting 3 animals with a multi stop move gathering the things from storage in 2 different states from the last 6 years along the way?

WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weather was warm over the weekend again, but cooling back down into some more fall like temperatures as the week moves on.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
A little of this and a little of that, but nothing horribly specific.

CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been loading up my kindle app with lots of books for the trip.  Right now I’m finishing up the Barbara Freethy Series – The Callaways – I’m on books 8 and 9.

I’m also reading Fatal Frenzy by Marie Force.

TELEVISION / DVR
A good deal of the new shows begin this week as well as some of the old favorites. As always though we’ll DVR them.  We just don’t have as much leisure to watch them with the move about to happen so we’ll have to .

• BIG BANG
• CASTLE
• LAW & ORDER SVU 
• NCIS
• NCIS LA
• NCIS NEW OELEANS
• SCORPION
• THE PLAYER
• THE BLINDSPOT
• QUANTICO
• SCANDAL

CRAFTS, PROJECTS & HOUSE PROJECTS
We will probably need to move a few pieces of furniture for my aunt and uncle when we get there, but after that we’ll spend the first 2 days doing SERIOUS cleaning.  I love my cousin, but she was not a “homemaker” per se and didn’t tend to notice the dust and such.  On one of these days we’re hoping to get the cable and internet hooked up.  We have also set a STOP time for each day of 6PM.  On one of our prior moves we didn’t do this and we were just SOOOO exhausted all the time that we thought it was for our sake of sanity that we begin doing this.

On the 3rd day we plan to do the shopping.  The lists are about 95% made.  I even have the store, addresses and mapquest ready to make the day go smoother.  Pizza and fast food will be fine for the first couple days, but after that we have to get some real food in the house as well as buy the paint for the next project.

We know the house needs paint from top to bottom, ALL flooring and new appliances, but we’re going to start with the easy (but hubby’s least favorite) part, painting.

Day 4 we plan to paint the bedroom, master bath and walk in closet.  We’re going to go with a bright white for the ceilings and and more of an eggshell for the walls.  We prefer to add color with things other than the paint so it easily changed if we so choose. There are a couple of door changes going to happen in this room as well as closet organization, but I’ll wait to show you that later.

Day 5 we plan to paint the living room and dining room area, but it may take 2 days with the cathedral ceilings and size so we’ll add day 6 in here also. Right now the dining room is separate from the kitchen which is small with limited storage, but when we get done the kitchen dining will be a large open air farmhouse like all in one.  The kitchen dining is also just off the living room so when we are done our aim is a to have a grand room effect for a more cozy, homey family style room.  The old dining room is where we will start with adding the new cabinets so when we unpack we have a place to put things.  I also have some serious plans for redoing the laundry, adding a laundry chute from the master bedroom area and updating the pantry.

Day 7 the trucks are supposed to arrive.  We will have already cleaned the spare rooms and our plan is to put the boxes in each of these rooms so we aren’t living in a sea of boxes ALL the time. We hired guys to empty the trucks and that will certainly make life a lot simpler.

Once the master bedroom and living room are done, the rest will seem much simpler.  Having a place to relax at the end of the day, whether it is watching football in the living room or going to sleep at the end of a long hard day makes any remodel so much easier. Stay tuned for pictures and the tweaks to make this place our own, functional, homey and part of the 21st century.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• HARVEST CHICKEN

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Whiskey (my dog) sleeping curled up around my feet
• Cool Autumn breezes
• Watching migrating geese

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

My favorite birthday gift started with 4th of July pictures.   I can’t believe they all kept it a secret for so long! Thank you!

INSPIRATION
As we start this move, I know there are going to be VERY stressful times during the next 10 days while we do a multi stop cross country move.  But, I am REALLY trying to remember that we are going to a good place for all the right reasons and we ARE going to VERY happy after the move part is ALL over.

I was having a productive week, and then WHAM! I got hit by the flu.  For once in my life and because it hit so hard and fast that I didn’t have a choice I napped and did virtually nothing for 3 days.  Fortunately dinner was already in the slow cooker on the worst day.  Hope you had a better week!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s been gorgeous this past week, but now we’re inching back up into the 80’s and 90’s, look’s like we may be heading to an Indian Summer with warm days and cool evenings.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• 2 Physical therapy appointments for hubby
• cleaning
• laundry

CURRENTLY READING

• Christine Ha’s Recipes from my Home Kitchen: Asian and American – she’s a really inspiring blind chef.
• That Summer Night – Callaway’s #6 by Barbara Freethy
• Shore Lights – Paradise Point NJ #1 by Barbara Bretton

TELEVISION / DVR

• Football starts this week!
• Cedar Cove
• A few movies we have on the DVR

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Everything is on hold until next month after the move.

HOME PROJECTS
Can’t wait to get there and have a long list for this category.  We planned this move well though.  We will have an entire week to clean and paint the new place before the trucks get there which will hopefully make unpacking go much more smoothly.
 
KITCHEN WISHES 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• Slow Cooker Barbacoa
• Spicy Pork & Green Chile Verde

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
SHHHH, don’t tell hubby, but I cut out a few more this week.

• Creole Coleslaw
• Slow Cooked BBQ Beef Ribs 
• Banana Walnut Buttermilk Muffins
• Cornmeal Souffle
• Sour Cream Pound Cake
• John’s Breakfast Bowl
• Ernestine’s Company Meal

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

• By all accounts, FISH OIL is the solution to many things not the least of which is preventing a middle aged spread by helping to increase your metabolism  and prevent muscle mass shrinkage as you age. Eating tuna and/or salmon several times a week or a fish supplement with both EPA and DHA daily.

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

• Microwaving lemons, limes and oranges 10-15 seconds before squeezing yields more juice.
• Always bring your eggs to room temperature before baking.  They cream with the butter better that way.
• Always keep your kitchen knives sharp.  They are of more use and actually safer tat way.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
This poor guy startled me as I almost stepped on him barefooted, but then realized he must have been a victim of the lawnmower.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Plans that come together the way they are supposed to 
• Crisp evenings 
• Leaves beginning to change colors
• Warm Meals
• Smiling Faces

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.

We’re moving in a few weeks so I’m in this horrible LIMBO mode around here. We’re going to have a quiet week before the chaos ensues and I plan to get a lot of reading done as well as try a few new recipes and dessert.  Though, I am really prepared for this move I think and it may not be as bad as we originally thought.  I spent yesterday even making up the individual morning and night pet food bags and separated them into different boxes for the legs of the trip.  I’m also using up EVERYTHING I can in the pantry, fridge and freezer which has made for interesting menu planning.  I’m planning on there NOT be enough left to worry about.  I’ve even got the basic grocery list made for the other end!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Summer is coming to a close here as the kids go back to school and the weather is finally cooling down a bit. We’re supposed to be in the mid 70’s ALL week YAY!  We’re even supposed to get some MUCH needed rain.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• A couple of follow up appointments to hubby’s surgeries.
• Transferring medical and VA records
• Breaking down a storage unit and wrapping it for the move.

CURRENTLY READING
I’m working on loading up the kindle for the trip with a few extra books.

• Love After Dark by Marie Force
• The Kenneston Roses by Kathleen Brooks

TELEVISION / DVR
Trying to finish up the shows on the DVR before the new season begins.  We’re going to get a late start with the new season with the move, but we’ll adapt – it’s just TV.

• Rookie Blue
• Hell On Wheels
• The Strain
• Dark Matter
• Devious Maids
• The Last Ship
• Falling Skies

HOUSE PROJECTS ON THE BLOCK
I’m doing quite a few draw ups for the renovation work on the new house, but not going too horribly in depth until we actually get there.

KITCHEN WISHES
My birthday is coming up and here are a few of the things on my wish list.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• HOBO Chicken Casserole
• Strawberry Baked Beans
• Beef & Bean Burgers

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIPS

• Are you going to be painting soon?  We are late next month – THE ENTIRE house from floor to ceiling.  With the rainy cold weather moving in we may not be able to open the windows.  One of the BIG tips I’ve learned over the years is to set bowls of vinegar all around.  The vinegar will literally absorb the paint fumes overnight!
• A dish towel under your cutting board will do 2 things: 1) it will keep it from sliding around too much and 2) it will catch any drips when slicing juicy food.
• When searing meat DO NOT OVERCROWD your pan.  The meat needs room on all sides to get an even sear!
• When bananas are starting to get too ripe, peel and freeze them for smoothies or breads. For smoothies you can add them to the blender frozen and get a colder drink that’s extra smooth.  For breads, just let them thaw 20-30 minutes.
• Do you like your cookies moist and chewy?  Store an apple wedge in with the cookies to keep them from drying out.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Getting closer to our final move and gathering all the parts of our life into 1 place.
• Summer, my least favorite season is drawing closer and closer to a close and bringing in my favorite season, Autumn.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Saturday night’s SUPER Moon was made so much better by the colorful play of the clouds that were moving in for our rainstorm.

SUPER MOON RISING around 9PM

SUPER MOON ON HIGH around midnight

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.

I had a busy week and got quite a bit done, but I never seem to have enough hours to get it ALL done! I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a great new week.

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.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s still in the mid 90’s, but that horrible smoke is back in the air making life, or at least breathing difficult.  I AM SO READY for fall!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Grocery Shopping
• Physical Therapy appointments 
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Paperwork

CURRENTLY READING

• Beekeeper’s Ball – Bella Vista Chronicles by Susan Wiggs

TELEVISION / DVR

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Hell On Wheels
• Complications
• The Strain
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• Devious Maids
• The Last Ship
• Falling Skies
• Under the Dome
• Rookie Blue

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• Beef and Potato Hand Pies
• Garlic Herb Sesame Orange Roast Chicken
• Chili Colorado
• Fiesta Chicken Lasagna

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
A few more from the “I promised myself NO MORE recipes until after the BIG move, but couldn’t resist these” pile (I promise the last before we move):

• Southern Chicken Salad
• Crab and Corn Cakes with Lime Sour Cream
• Tomato Jam
• Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes
• Mudslide Cupcakes
• Pina Colada Cupcakes
• Sweet Tea Vinaigrette
• Pumpkin Crumb Cake
• Bacon Caramel Rolls
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Gingerbread Cinnamon Buns
• Caramel Hummingbird Cake
• Butterscotch Marble Cake
• Apple Cake with Butterscotch Frosting
• Gooey Cinnamon Tugs
• Lemon Foldover Coffee Cake
• Apple Pull Apart Loaf
• Roasted Drumsticks with Chipolte Raisin Sauce
• Chocolate Glazed Creamy Pumpkin Pie

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

• Don’t cut open meat to check doneness.  Use an instant read thermometer instead.  That way you don’t lose all the juice.
• ALWAYS use a paper towel to pat dry meat before adding to oil to get a better searing.
• You can bake bacon at 400° on a cookie sheet to get a nice crisp doneness without the hassle of multiple batches in a skillet.

CRAFTS/PROJECTS
I can’t wait for autumn so I can make one of these:

My nephew recently made this pantry for their house and I love it so will do a version of it for our new kitchen.  It’s made with black gas pipe which makes it virtually indestructible.

And I AM GOING TO FIND a way to do this in my new kitchen!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Time to sit and read undisturbed
• Finished Projects
• Looking forward to adventures.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA