Category: HOMEMAKING TIPS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Good Morning! I had a fairly SLOW and VERY WET weekend and have a very early appointment this morning so I’m getting going early.

I’m one of those people who unfortunately tends to remember dates and today is the anniversary of the Sylmar earthquake, my first one when I was quite young. LOL, I hate that I remember these things. I found this documentary video that I’d never seen.

Join in with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Be sure and stop by to see what it’s all about!

BREAKFAST: A big cup of green tea and a banana and a tangerine for the road.
TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
  • Dr. Appointment
  • Errands – Oil Change and tire rotation

CURRENTLY READING:

ON THE TELEVISION:

Just the same old, same old until a few favorites start again next week.

WEATHER:

January was REALLY foggy and damp, but still warmer and drier than most so I got really spoiled and wasn’t ready for the February temperature drop and rain, but here it is!

     Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


    		 DATE BREAKFAST
    		DINNER
    MONDAY 2/9 FRUIT
    		Snapper Wrappers
    TUESDAY 2/10 BAGEL & CREAM CHEESE
    		Smokey Navy Bean Soup
    WEDNESDAY 2/11 YOGURT
    		Pink Lemon Chicken
    THURSDAY 2/12 FRUIT
    		French Onion Soup with Mac & Cheese Croutons
    FRIDAY 2/13 CEREAL
    		Croque Madames
    SATURDAY 2/14 Luau Benedicts
    		Grilled Steaks & Baked Potatoes with Cheesecake for Valentine’s
    SUNDAY 2/15 Farmer’s Breakfast 
    		Caribbean Pork Steaks 

    I actually found (made) some time to do a DIY project.  Every year at Christmas time I go looking for decorative Christmas ornament hooks. They are always so expensive when you can find them!  Then recently I found some “country” ones in a catalog as a Christmas close out and they were 80% off!  

    The only problem was the color, but a can of silver spray paint fixed that!  The other problem is that Christmas hooks tangle up so much.  So, after these were dry I lined them up and used tie wraps to keep them in group ready for next year’s ornaments. 
    Next year before adding the ornaments I think I’ll add some red beads to each one.
    LAST WEEK’S RECIPE EXPERIMENTS
    THIS WEEK RECIPES TO TRY 
  • FRENCH ONION SOUP with MAC & CHEESE CROUTONS will post tomorrow.

      The storm broke in just the perfect spot to the west as the sun set Saturday night and then it returned to the regularly scheduled rain followed by a thunderstorm and heavier rain!

      As I rotate out my worn out (at least for my face and body) loofa wash cloth and back scrubbing cloth I use them as cleaning rags.

      I found a new blog this week to challenge my thinking outside the box while cooking and creating recipes, The Food in My Beard.

      I had a horrible week dealing with my primary care doctor’s office.  They are horrible, they don’t return calls, have an excuse for everything, promise and then never follow through, always send my referrals to the wrong insurance company… I’m PRAYING that common sense prevails with some medical issues and the imbeciles, idiots, ignorant, clueless people handling the paperwork and appointments dealing with it.

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER AND MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a fairly busy and productive weekend as well as the SUPERBOWL game and have a very early appointment this morning so I’m getting going early. Join in with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Be sure and stop by to see what it’s all about!

        • A big cup of green tea and a banana and a tangerine for the road.
        • Physical Therapy
        • Errands
        • Groceries

        A few new shows start this week and we’ll clean up the DVR from the past couple weeks.

        January was REALLY foggy and damp, but still warmer and drier than most so I got really spoiled and wasn’t ready for the February temperature drop and rain, but here it is!

         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 2/2 FRUIT
        		Black Bean “Kitchen Sink” Steak Chili
        TUESDAY 2/3 BAGEL & CREAM CHEESE
        		Layered Tortilla Pie
        WEDNESDAY 2/4 YOGURT
        		Hot Chicken Salad 
        THURSDAY 2/5 FRUIT
        		Texas Red Chicken
        FRIDAY 2/6 CEREAL
        		CADILLACS – Parmesan Roast Beef
        SATURDAY 2/7 Waffled French Toast 
        		Piquant Chicken with Charred Tomato Sauce
        SUNDAY 2/8 Shirred Eggs
        		Pan Seared Chicken with Lemon Garlic Green Onion Tahini Sauce

        Do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

        I also tried several other successful new recipes recently and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.  I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        I have a few favorite photos this week.  We headed out on Saturday to trek all the way around the pond since it was actually sunny and fairly nice out and because we are now 2 days into a 10 day rain stretch.  These ant hills were the most unique picture I took, but seeing the beaver below was one of the rarest.  Too bad I forgot to put my long lens on before we left.

        Buried under decades of blackberry brambles and moss is an old foundation and from the looks of the construction it was probably from the early 1900’s.

        This Robin jumped from tree to tree as we walked along, but I finally caught him in this pine tree.

        There’s a farm on the other side of that gate, but this road truly leads nowhere, well except into the pond.

        Take a good look, the sunny, cloudy sky is rare this time of year and the thistles made a perfect forefront. 

        And if your shoes don’t look like this when you get home, you did something wrong.

        I tend to eyeball some measurements because that’s the way I was taught, but often, especially with a new recipe, I’m exact.

        There are 2 different types (many people don’t realize this) – dry and wet measure.

        • Liquid measure tend to be glass or plastic with a pour spout.
        • Dry measures are your nested cups and spoons.
        basic MEASURE EQUIVALENTS to get you started – I’ll let you do the rest of the math
        1 cup = 8 ounces liquid or 16 tablespoons dry
        1 tablespoon = 1/2 ounce liquid or 3 teaspoons dry

        Common Sense to prevail with some medical issues and the imbeciles, idiots, ignorant, clueless people handling the paperwork and appointments dealing with it.

        RECIPES, LIFE & ALL THAT GOES WITH IT

        Good Morning!  It was a lazy weekend around here. It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

        • A big cup of Green Tea and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins.

         

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST
        • Grocery Shopping
        • Get oil changed on car
        • Appt. to get windshield molding fixed
        • Laundry

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

        Catching up on the DVR from last week:

        • Good Wife
        • Mentalist
        • Law and Order SVU
        • Forever
        • Sleepy Hollow

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

        Foggy and dreary, but with a promise of sun later in the day.

        ON THE MENU
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie

         

         

          DATE BREAKFAST   DINNER
        MONDAY 1/26 OATMEAL   Steak Tacos and Tomato Salsa
        TUESDAY 1/27 YOGURT   Chinese Orange Beef
        WEDNESDAY 1/28 OATMEAL   Sausage Bread Pudding
        THURSDAY 1/29 Y.O.Y.O   Spice Rubbed Pork Chops with Pineapple Relish
        FRIDAY 1/30 C.O.R.N.   Teriyaki Glazed Steak Tips
        SATURDAY 1/31 French Toast   Crab Cakes & Remoulade
        SUNDAY 2/1
        Bacon and Eggs
        		   New Orleans Chicken and Biscuits

         

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY

        I also tried several other successful new recipes recently and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.

        I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN
        Nothing this week.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
        We went out to dinner and then to the Bullriding event Saturday night at the fairgrounds and I snapped this picture as we were heading into the restaurant.  It just doesn’t so justice to how beautiful it really was.
         

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK

        Start your spring cleaning in January and do a different room each month so it isn’t so overwhelming.  See this post and chart for help eliminating clutter.

        ON MY MIND LATELY

        Trying to understand why someone who asks for advice, ignores it and then gets mad at you for giving it thinks.

        INSPIRATIONAL

        SPRING CLEANING & ELIMINATNIG CLUTTER

        I hate to wait for spring cleaning and groan as I think about it. While I found the chart below over at SCRIBBIT a while ago when I read her spring cleaning post a few years back, I’m more of a perpetual monthly cleaner, but the chart is pretty spot on.  I have a corner in a closet with a box that I toss things into until full and then start over with a fresh box.

        I start in January with a new thin spiral notebook and label it with the new year.  Here I list all the donations throughout the year and file the receipts in the back so that come the end of the year, the list and all the coordinating receipts are ready to toss into the tax file.

        I regularly get to a point where something snaps in me and I go on a cleaning binge for a week and do everything from the ceiling fans down to the baseboards, working room by room, until everything is completely clean and fresh again. 

Happiness TRULY is a clean house for a Type A Virgo personality. Part of the key to that happiness is something that might hurt a bit but that’s nonetheless necessary – THROWING THINGS AWAY. Now by saying, throwing things away, I don’t mean the trash necessarily (though that truly is the case many times) but I mean recycle it to somewhere or someone else. I’m a big believer in throwing things away for these simple reasons:

        • Organization, order and cleanliness are mandatory to keep me sane.
        • It helps you not be so attached to too many material possessions.
        • It benefits other people.*

        As I work my way through closets, shelves, cupboards, sheds and the garage (don’t forget to do your glove compartments and door panels on the car too) I consider whether I should get rid of each object I find by asking myself the following questions:

        You may find something that it kills you to throw out, so sure that someday you’ll need it or that someday it’ll justify the spot you kept for it in your home all those years but trust me, just throw it out. And by throw it out I mean donate it to someone who can use it today.  I’m learning to relish the extra clean space by having less to clean and keep track of! And strange as it may seem when you throw out more and keep less you end up buying less because you realize you need less to be happy.

        Last year I donated a ton of things, but I also kept a pile of many things and put garage sale tags on them as I went through the year and put them in totes in the garage as I went having a garage sale in the spring then.  Do you know what sold the best?  The empty totes!  That alone convinced me that other people save way too much “stuff”.  The one thing I learned best is that a tote holds a ton of things and you have no idea what is on the bottom so unless storing the holiday decorations, precious childhood memories for the kids to have later or you’re putting everything into storage to travel like we did, why are stuffing that tote?  Now when the garage sale was over we had enough for a nice little trip for hubby’s birthday, but considerably less that we originally paid for the items and still had to donate a truck load each to the rescue mission and women’s shelter.  There really is nothing as liberating as not needing something to survive and nothing so precious as extra closet and counter space.

        *No matter where we are living I do my research and try to find the most in need rescue mission.  They are always in need of basic necessities like towels, sheets and daily needs items and usually have a thrift store to help them survive so they LOVE donations.

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a pretty good weekend – hope you did too.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

        • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 with a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST
        • Grocery Shopping

        • Errands

        • Laundry

        • Cleaning

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

        Catching up on the DVR from last week:

        • Good Wife

        • Mentalist

        • Law and Order SVU

        • Forever 

        • CSI

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        YEAH!! Sunny for a change! Or at least it started that way and is now getting foggier by the minute.

        ON THE MENU
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 1/19 OATMEAL
        		Salmon in a Blanket
        TUESDAY 1/20 YOGURT
        		Artichoke Fritters
        WEDNESDAY 1/21 OATMEAL
        		Chicken Divan
        THURSDAY 1/22 Y.O.Y.O.
        		Cajun Corn Chowder
        FRIDAY 1/23 C.O.R.N.
        		Watergate Salad
        SATURDAY 1/24 French Toast
        		Huevos Rancheros
        SUNDAY 1/25
        Bacon and Eggs

        		Baked Cod

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY

        I’m still posting the successful new recipes from December and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.  I’m also back to trying a few recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN
        Nothing this week.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
        We have had A LOT of foggy, rainy and cloudy days lately with the sun making an appearance only for some interesting sunset pictures.


        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK
        Sorry nothing this week 🙁

        ON MY MIND LATELY
        Trying to understand the world and what is going through people’s minds with all the senseless violence that is happening everywhere.

        INSPIRATIONAL

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend. ALL the Christmas decorations are organized and put away and I’m ready to do some deep cleaning.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        I need some help!!!  I need ideas for a bread an butter gift (a gesture of gratitude for hosting) for my SIL on an upcoming trip. I always look for something I know she’d like, but probably doesn’t have, but I’m honestly out of ideas.  She loves “frogs” but think I’ve done those a little too much over the years.  What do you get or make for someone who has everything or the money to buy what they want when they want it?

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

        • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 wit a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST
        • Grocery Shopping
        • Errands
        • Laundry
        • Cleaning

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

        Catching up on the DVR from last week:

        • Good Wife
        • Mentalist
        • Law and Order SVU
        • Forever
        • Sleepy Hollow

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        Rain, fog and dreary.

        ON THE MENU
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        		 DATE BREAKFAST
        		DINNER
        MONDAY 1/12 OATMEAL
        		Tomato Pie and Pan Seared Chicken with Peppercorn Sauce
        TUESDAY 1/13 YOGURT
        		Chimichurri Chicken
        WEDNESDAY 1/14 OATMEAL
        		Pork Chops & Rice Bake
        THURSDAY 1/15 ??
        		Old World Chicken
        FRIDAY 1/16 C.O.R.N.
        		Winter Soup & Pineapple Upside Down Cake
        SATURDAY 1/17 French Toast
        		24 Hour Salad
        SUNDAY 1/18
        Bacon and Eggs

        		Cheesy Corn Bake

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY

        I also tried several other successful new recipes in December and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.

        I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN
        Nothing this week.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
        While our son and DIL were visiting for New Year’s we had many dreary days, but this one wasn’t one of them. We had a great lunch and despite the cool weather got some great pictures.

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK

          As I put up the Christmas decorations each year I save the tissue paper to reuse as stuffing in shipping boxes and then as I put away the Christmas decorations each year I use new tissue paper to wrap them in.  The new tissue paper has a stronger tensile strength to protect the ornaments and decorations.

          ON MY MIND LATELY

          Trying to understand the world and what is going through people’s minds with all the senseless violence that is happening everywhere.

          INSPIRATIONAL

          MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

          Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend. NOW I am ready for CHRISTMAS and a great new week!   I hope you are too.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

          ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

          • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 wit a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

          TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
          • Phone Calls
          • Cleaning
          • Baking

          CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

          TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

            Christmas Movies

            WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
            Rain, rain and more rain, but there is a slight chance of Snow for a white Christmas.

            ON THE MENU:
             Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


            		 DATE BREAKFAST
            		DINNER
            MONDAY 12/22 OATMEAL
            		Chicken in Sabayon Sauce & Upside Down Potatoes
            TUESDAY 12/23 YOGURT
            		Vegetable Barley Soup & Grilled Cheese & Bacon
            WEDNESDAY 12/24 OATMEAL
            		Prime Rib, Garlicky Cheese Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
            THURSDAY 12/25 Farmer’s Casserole
            		Baked Ham with Apricot Pineapple glaze, Scalloped Potatoes, Coconut Rum Carrots, Caramel Apple Cheesecake
            FRIDAY 12/26 C.O.R.N.
            		C.O.R.N.
            SATURDAY 12/27 French Toast
            		C.O.R.N.
            SUNDAY 12/28
            Bacon and Eggs

            		Chimichurri Chicken & Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

            NEW RECIPES TO TRY:
            Nothing this week.

            IN THE YARD & GARDEN
            Nothing this week.

            FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
            Ominous sky during storm last week.

            HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

            • Add a dry paper towel to your salad spinner and it will help absorb ALL the moisture.
            • If you’re like me at this time of year, you have batch after batch of goodies going into the oven.  To save time, line your pan with heavy duty foil before adding your recipe.  After cooling, you can lift the foil out with the goodies and start over with the next batch without having to stop and wash the pan.  Plus the foil gives you an easy, flat cutting surface. 
              ON MY MIND LATELY:

              Hoping everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year.

              INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

              MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

              Good Morning! I had a VERY productive weekend getting my BLOGMAS posts ready and now I am ready for a great new week! So productive that I almost forgot to do this post.

              It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

              • A big cup of coffee and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins.
              • Paperwork
              • Phone Calls
              • Cleaning
              • Laundry
              • Post Office

              Christmas Movies that I have DVRed through the season.

              Cool, gray and drizzly today – glad I have no where to really go.

               Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


              		 DATE BREAKFAST
              		DINNER
              MONDAY 12/15 YOGURT
              		Chicken Pot Pie Turnovers 
              TUESDAY 12/16 BAGEL& FRUIT
              		Roasted Tomato Soup w/ Cheddar Crostinis
              WEDNESDAY 12/17 OATMEAL
              		Smothered Chicken Breasts
              THURSDAY 12/18 FRUIT
              		Farmer’s Casserole
              FRIDAY 12/19 CEREAL
              		Chimichurri Chicken
              SATURDAY 12/20 Luau Benedicts 
              		Chicken White Bean Soup
              SUNDAY 12/21 Chicken Chile Corn Custards
              		Creamy Ranch Pork Chops & Rice

              Everything on the menu (except the inks) is an experiment this week, though I’m sorting through my HUGE pile of recipes to try and re-evaluating each and every one.  It’s time to get a little more routine.

              Empty and clean aluminum soda cans make lightweight and effective packing material to ship Christmas presents.

              Safe travels this holiday season for everyone who will be away from home.  The weather is wild this year, please travel safe.

              MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAER MONDAY

              Good Morning! I had a SUPER Thanksgiving and a VERY productive weekend. NOW I am ready for a great new week!   I will finish my Christmas shopping today and ship by the end of the week.  This way I will be able to enjoy the Holiday season without tearing my hair out.

              It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

              ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

              • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

              TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
              • Phone Calls
              • Errands
              • Christmas Shopping (store and online)
              • Grocery Shopping 
              • Christmas Tree

              CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

              TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

              • Good Wife
              • Mentalist
              • Scorpion
              • CSI

              WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

              Partly Cloudy

              38°F High
              Partly Cloudy
              Chance of rain: 0%
              Wind: NNE at 8 mph
              Clear

              28°Low
              Rain moving in

              ON THE MENU:
               Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


              		 DATE BREAKFAST
              		DINNER
              MONDAY 12/1 OATMEAL
              		Italian Baked Potatoes
              TUESDAY 12/2 YOGURT
              		BBQ Pork Loin
              WEDNESDAY 12/3 OATMEAL
              		Roasted White Fish with Citrus Butter Sauce
              THURSDAY 12/4 YOGURT
              		Chicken Croissant Pies
              FRIDAY 12/5 CHEERIOS
              		Stuffed Chicken Breasts
              SATURDAY 12/6 French Toast
              		Cream of Asparagus Soup
              SUNDAY 12/7
              Bacon and Eggs

              		Lemon Chicken

              PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

              As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

              NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

              Everything on this week’s menu is an experiment LOL

              IN THE YARD & GARDEN

              Replanted the Christmas Cacti and they are thriving. 

              FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
              Ominous sky during storm last week.
               

              HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

              As you wrap your holiday gifts, set the ones to be shipped in piles by location so it will be easier to chose a shipping box.

              ON MY MIND LATELY:

              Oh so much – way too much to put into words quite yet. JUST TRYING TO STAY ORGANIZED and do prep for the holidays.

              INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

              THE PERFECT “OVER MEDIUM” EGG

              Do you love eggs?  I do and there is nothing better than a perfect over medium egg for me.  I like my whites done and my yolks runny so I can sop them up with my toast. So many times the yolks break trying to flip the eggs, but I have finally figured it out and it is soooooooooooooo simple!
              THE PERFECT “OVER MEDIUM” EGG
              per egg:
              1 teaspoon butter
              1 teaspoon water
              salt and pepper to taste
              • Melt the butter in your pan over a medium high heat.
              • Crack eggs into the butter.
              • Salt and pepper to taste.
              • When whites begin to solidify add the water and cover.
              • The rest of this is a matter of watching closely.  When the whites are done they will no longer jiggle.  Turn off the heat immediately and your yolks will be perfect.
              • Serve with your favorite toast.

              HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

              Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend getting settled after the first leg of the move as well as watched the race and football, but now I am ready for a great new week!

              It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

              ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

              • A big cup of coffee (maybe 2) and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

              TODAY’S TO DO LIST:

              • Cleaning
              • Laundry
              • Errands
              • Phone Calls
              • Grocery Shopping

              CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

              Not much this week

              TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

              Catching up on the DVR!

              WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

              Cloudy and cool (60’s) with a chance of rain – YAY!!!!!! I’m loving the shift in temperatures since the move north!

              ON THE MENU:
               Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


              		 DATE BREAKFAST
              		DINNER
              MONDAY 11/3 OATMEAL
              		Glazed Stuffed pork Chops
              TUESDAY 11/4 YOGURT
              		 Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Chicken with Melted Strawberries
              WEDNESDAY 11/5 OATMEAL
              		Sweet & Sour Pork Roast
              THURSDAY 11/6 YOGURT
              		Rueben Cubans
              FRIDAY 11/7 CHEERIOS
              		Beef & Bacon Chili
              SATURDAY 11/8  Shirred Eggs
              		Chicken Noodle Salad with Chile Scallion Oil
              SUNDAY 11/9
              OUT

              		Ham & Gruyere Stratas

              PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

              As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

              NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

              Making a couple of new desserts this week – Cheesecake Egg Rolls and Chocolate Rum Banana Empanadas.

              IN THE YARD & GARDEN

              Rake leaves and cut back bushes for winter.

              FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
              We followed this truck for a couple hundred miles of mountain road. Hubby says I need to send him a Christmas card and thank him for being a good leader through the fog before we reached this beautiful area of the trees changing colors.

              HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

              Also as we head into cooler weather Menu Planning is a great way to save some money as well as trips to the store in the cold weather.

              EYE CATCHING BLOGS WORTHY OF A DEEPER LOOK:

              Still trying to get organized from the move so have not done as much blog hopping as I’d like.  I promise I will be so much better soon.

              ON MY MIND LATELY:

              Oh so much – way too much to put into words quite yet.

              INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

              MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

              Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend as well as watched the race and football, but now I am ready for a great new week – lots of last minute projects to finish as the BIG move is now closer.

              It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

              ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

              • A big cup of coffee and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

              TODAY’S TO DO LIST:

              • Dr. appointment
              • Packing
              • Errands
              • Phone Calls

              CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

              TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

              Now that the FALL schedule has started there so many new shows and we are STILL trying to work out our new fall choices.

              WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

              Still really warm here during the day despite the 10-15 degree drop in temperatures during the day, but evenings are feeling fantastic with a slight breeze also.  I keep reminding myself that it’s only for a very short time more as I really look forward to the much cooler temperatures and rain. 

              The temps were supposed drop an additional 10 degrees this week, but changed last minute and are still in high 90’s and we have to finish painting no matter what so we can leave here – that’s my big project for the week.

              ON THE MENU:
               Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


              		 DATE BREAKFAST
              		DINNER
              MONDAY 10/13 OATMEAL
              		Hot Wings
              TUESDAY 10/14 YOGURT
              		 Chicken & Tomato Spinach Salad
              WEDNESDAY 10/15 OATMEAL
              		Bean & Bacon Rolls
              THURSDAY 10/16 YOGURT
              		BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad
              FRIDAY 10/17 CHEERIOS
              		Tortilla Roll-Ups
              SATURDAY 10/18  Shirred Eggs
              		Chicken Empanadas
              SUNDAY 10/19 Baked Ham Cups
              		Grilled Cheese & Chili

              PLAY TIME (if I can find any ~ yeah right)

              As always do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

              NEW RECIPES TO TRY:

              Not trying anything new the next couple of weeks since I’m on the countdown clean out so we don’t move any food!

              IN THE YARD & GARDEN

               YAY! NOT A THING until after the move in a few weeks.

              FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
              We finally took my birthday trip this past week (I’m working on that post now), but this is one of my favorite pictures from that trip.

              HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

              Start at the top of a room (fans and light fixtures, etc…) when you’re cleaning.  That way the dust settles at the bottom and you vacuum it all away.

              Also as we head into cooler weather Menu Planning is a great way to save some money as well as trips to the store in the cold weather.

              EYE CATCHING BLOGS WORTHY OF A DEEPER LOOK:

              Still trying to get organized for the move so have not done as much blog hopping as I’d like.  I promise I will be so much better after the move.

              ON MY MIND LATELY:

              Sorry for last week’s rant, I’ll just keep it to myself for this week. 😀

              INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: