BREAKFAST TIME & MAKING MY TO DO LIST

TV SHOWS THIS WEEK
A few new TV shows start this week, but it will mainly be whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts for real though Haven did begin this past week and the fall season is getting close enough I should start programing the DVR.

WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
Hot as usual! New hurricane warnings for Mexico and it is still monsoon season so the humidity is really high and making it miserable as we wait for the next round of thunder storms. COME ON FALL! COME ON MOVE to cooler climate!

ON THE MENU
Hubby is taking me on a little getaway next month for my birthday.  Yeah, I know today is my birthday, but I really didn’t want to go while the weather was still so warm, so we compromised on October.  Now in the meantime he wanted to take me out for dinner tonight, but it’s football!  He’d skip football, but I don’t want to and am really looking to grilling at home and watching the game.  He thinks it’s silly for me to be cooking, but like I told him, at least I’ll be able to get EXACTLY what I want.  I’m tried a new recipe for a carrot cheesecake too that so far looks great and smelled amazing as it was baking – can’t wait to cut into it.  So here’s a sneak peek at tomorrow’s dinner.

I made the marinade yesterday so all the flavors would meld together.  This is one of our favorite grill meals.  I’ll share the recipe tomorrow.

 

 PLAY TIME (if I can find any)
I’m hoping to do a little photography this week to get caught up with some Instagrams and 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 
As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.  This week is Red Neck Tacos – Corn Pancakes topped with Pulled pork, tangy crispy coleslaw topped with Dixie BBQ sauce.

In the meantime I’m trying to concentrate on some football food for tailgating time which starts on Thursday.  Be sure and stop by to link up.

IN THE GARDEN
Absolutely nothing until the end of the month!

HELPFUL HINTS FOR FRUITS & VEGETABLES

• Never store carrots and apples together. Apples release a gas that gives carrots a bitter taste.
• Don’t slice onions for soup. Peel and put onion in whole to make a sweeter soup.
• Always slice tomatoes vertically so they retain their shape and keeping the pulp together.
• Add a potato to soups or stews to reduce saltiness.
• To get more juice from your lemons (or any citrus) roll the fruit between your palm and the counter top to soften before cutting to squeeze.
• To clean fresh mushrooms just add 3-4 tablespoons flour to a medium bowl of cold water.  Wash the mushrooms in the water and the dirt will adhere to the flour particles.  The mushrooms will come out clean.

I’m finding that more and more of my favorite blogs are posting less and less, if at all, but I have found a few new ones that I’ve added to my feed.  Check out A Beautiful Mess.  They have some great food photography, everyday life, interesting crafts and recipes.

Continued guidance as we work on the research on our new adventure and home search.  We are having so much fun just researching via the internet and can’t wait until we do it in person.

• Dr. appointments
• Errands

• In the Mirror by Kaira Rouda
• Coming to Rosemont by Barbara Hinske

Whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts for real.

Hot as usual! It’s only supposed to be in the 90’s with thunderstorms today but with monsoon season and the thunderstorms the humidity is really high and making it miserable.

 

I’m hoping to do a little photography this week to get caught up with some Instagrams and 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.

As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.  This week was Pepperoni Pizza Dip.

In the meantime I’m trying to concentrate on some football food for tailgating time which starts on Thursday.  Be sure and stop by to link up.

Absolutely nothing!

 

And found this great corrugated tin dog.

Want to get a jump on holiday baking?  Make your drop cookie dough now.  Use a small ice cream scoop to form your balls of dough.  Place them on a cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes or so.  When dough is frozen Place the individual balls in a freezer bag.  Just thaw and bake when you’re ready.

I’m finding that more and more of my favorite blogs are posting less and less, if at all, but I have found a few new ones that I’ve added to my feed.  Check out This Silly Girls Life.  They have some really beautiful food photography and interesting crafts and recipes.

Guidance as we work on the research on our new adventure and home search.  We are having so much fun just researching via the internet and can’t wait until we do it in person.

 

• Cleaning & Laundry.
• Groceries & Errands.

• Living with Gusto by Elizabeth Day 

• Castle Cay (Julie O’Hara Mystery Series Book 1)

Whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts.

Sunny and hot as usual! It’s only supposed to be 109 today but it’s now officially monsoon season so the humidity is really unpredictable so we will see how the day shapes up.

 

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.

As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.

In the meantime I’m trying to concentrate on some football food for tailgating time which starts on Thursday.  Be sure and stop by to link up.

Nothing really – too hot to do much!  Though I am thinking of making one of these this week:

 

Or Whiskey and Gunner napping on a really hot day.

Produce Codes and their meanings:
4 digits = conventional
5 digits beginning with an 8 = GMO (genetically modified)
5 digits beginning with a 9 = organic or non GMO

YAY! Martha from SEASIDE SIMPLICITY is back to blogging just in time for tailgating time which we host each year for the football season.  Go by and say hello.

Wondering why people do not read labels and pay more attention to what they are putting in their shopping carts for their families to eat.

Guidance as we start the research on our new adventure and home search.

 

• Pool in time and then the gym to avoid the warmer water from the humidity of the recent storms.
• Laundry
• Groceries & Errands.

• Living with Gusto by Elizabeth Day 
• Re-reading Invite God to Your Wedding

Whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts.

Hot as usual! It’s only supposed to be 100 today but it’s now officially monsoon season so the humidity is really unpredictable.

 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 have a list of tons of recipes I want to try.  Stay posted for the results.

As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.

WONDERING who stole my mosaic memorial lights for Dicken’s grave and better yet WHY?

On a positive note though I really want to make one of these:

 

I’m finding that more and more of my favorite blogs are posting less and less, if at all, but I found that one of my baking blogs is still around.  LICK THAT SPOON is still around.  She has some really beautiful food photography and interesting recipes.

I’m still looking for that perfect coffee as I must start my day with coffee and then more coffee, but for now this is my signature blend.

I open all 3 and pour all of the Dunkin’ donuts original blend and Folgers Morning Cafe in. Then I add 1/2 of the Millstone caramel truffle! YUM! Do you have a favorite coffee?

Guidance as we start the research on our new adventure and home search.

Good Morning! We had a lazy weekend and today is our anniversary so I am ready for an even greater new week.  

• Play day with hubby for our anniversary – a little antiquing, eating out and just having fun.

• Equilibrium by Lorrie Thomson

Whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts.

HOT & HUMID! YUCK!! But, we’re heading over the mountain towards the coast and 20 degree cooler weather.

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 have a list of tons of recipes I want to try, but I’m trying to go with the most unusual first.  So this week it is PB&J Pancakes & Krabby Chicken Casserole.  Stay posted for the results. I did rework an old recipe this weekend for a fun new recipe of Apricot Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes.

As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.

Nothing special as it is monsoon season and unbearable to be outside except to go to the pool.

So what will you be making with this new knowledge?

I’ve been trying to clean out my feedly and so many of my favorite blogs are just gone – so sad.  But I ran across Cooking Classy that used to be one of my favorites and found she’s still cooking up a storm. I just love the layout of her blog and the clean fresh look.

Still wondering why Acronyms and Avatars have taken over the world! People no longer speak (or write) in whole sentences and are obsessed with images of themselves!

Good Morning! I had a great weekend and am ready for an even greater new week.  It’s Monday morning and I’m really enjoying getting back into a regular routine here at my new and improved blog. I join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  Be sure and stop by to see what it’s all about!

• Pool first to avoid the warmer water from the humidity of the recent storms and then the gym.
• Fix the washing machine.
• Chores, shopping and doctor appointment.

• Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods
• Still Life with Murder by P.B. Ryan

Whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts.

Hot as usual! And humid to boot.

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 have a list of tons of recipes I want to try, but I’m trying to go with the most unusual first.  So this week it is MOINK balls.  Stay posted for the results.

As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.

The garden is finally finished! Rock terrain with heat resistant and drought resistant plants and a special corner for Dickens.

Now for something fun and easy – cleaning the silver. Yep, you heard me right, cleaning the silver. FIL wanted the silver polished. I have news for you, I don’t polish silver! I even sold my own and replaced it with gorgeous stainless, but I found this quick, easy AND super inexpensive recipe for cleaning silver! Here is the before picture:

Hubby helped as I have been a bit busy. He is trying to show you the instantaneous results he achieved with this formula below.

After

SILVER CLEANER
per large piece or place setting you will need:
1/2 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon salt
1 large piece aluminum foil
1 non-metal sink or wash tub
hot water

• Lay large piece of foil along the bottom of the sink.
• Fill the sink with VERY HOT water.
• Swirl in the baking soda and salt until well dissolved.
• Add silver or silverplate piece.
• Watch the magic. Allow it to sit a few minutes. The chemical reaction of the salt and baking soda transfers the tarnish to the piece of foil leaving you with a pretty silver piece.
• Rinse and dry!

CHALLENGE: Is your guest area ready for guests?

I’ve been trying to clean out my feedly and so many of my favorite blogs are just gone – so sad.  But I ran across Dorothy at Crazy for Crust that used to be one of my favorites and found she’s still cooking up a storm.

Wondering why Acronyms and Avatars have taken over the world!

2013 Dickens takes a Stand
2012 RUM RAISIN CARROT CAKE with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
2011 COFFEE, COFFEE, I MUST HAVE MY COFFEE

2010 POSITIVE THOUGHT
2009 The Revival of Common Courtesy & Personal Service
2008 Fun Trivia ~ 500 year old facts ~ the 1500’s
2007 The Domino Effect

Good Morning! I had a no so great  weekend and am ready for a great new week.  It’s Monday morning and I’m really getting back into a regular routine here at my blog. I join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom .  Be sure and stop by to see what it’s all about!

• Pool in time and then the gym to avoid the warmer water from the humidity of the recent storms.
• Laundry

• Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods
• Still Life with Murder by P.B. Ryan 
• Living with Gusto by Elizabeth Day

Whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow at least until the NEW Fall schedule starts.

Hot as usual! It’s only supposed to be 100 today but it’s now officially monsoon season so the humidity is really unpredictable.

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 have a list of tons of recipes I want to try, but I’m trying to go with the most unusual first.  So this week it is MOINK balls.  Stay posted for the results.

As I combine all my old blogs into this new one I’m also keeping a list of those recipes that I cannot in good conscience bring over until I remake them and take some decent pictures LOL.

We were forced to start the work on the garden this week when we dug the grave for our cat.  Hubs sterilized the ground and we’re giving it a week or so before we begin reconstructing.

It’s never easy, even when you know it’s inevitable, but when a pet dies you lose a a piece of the family.  We will miss her, but are glad she went with very little pain. She died in my arms, so sad, but she was surrounded by love. She lived a very long life (97 in cat years)  and was always so sweet. I purchased a couple garden stones that were unimpressive as they were, but have painted them a nice hammered copper to mark her spot.

 

Nibble Me This – Chris is my go to blog for BBQ advice

Terra Photographica – I’m a little biased here, but my brother is an amazing photographer – go check out his galleries.

STILL PRAYING FOR Guidance and patience with the woman handling the house sale – she has no follow through, common sense or common courtesy and I pray that she receives help in ALL of those areas. And believing that if it doesn’t work out the way we want it’s because we were meant to be elsewhere.  Hence my Inspirational quote for today.

Good Morning! I had a great weekend and am ready for a great new week.  It’s Monday morning and I’m trying to get back into a regular routine here at my blog.  I’ve really missed blogging regularly and am so glad I decided to combine all my blogs into one well organized one.  I made this great new header and am really satisfied with it.

Breakfast time….what is on the plate this morning::::
A big cup of coffee and then a homemade fruit smoothie (banana, pineapple, strawberry and cherries) before I go to the gym. 

On today’s to do list:::: 

• Gym and then the pool in time to wait for the washing machine repair man in the afternoon.
• Laundry after the repairman leaves – lots to do after having to wait for the parts for a week.
• If the wind isn’t blowing this afternoon I’ll finish painting the baker’s rack.
• Pick up my new glasses.

Currently reading::::

On the TV today::::
whatever strikes our fancy off the DVR.  I try not to plan this in advance and just go with the flow.

The weather outside is::::
Hot as usual! It’s supposed to be 110 today, but as long as the humidity stays low, we’ll survive.

On the menu this week::::

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

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Do a little quilting and finish a few older projects.

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::

In the garden::::
I’ve been sterilizing the ground in the planter out front and hope to finish with removing the rock, putting down new and thicker tar paper before rearranging the whiskey barrels and running new bubblers.

Favorite photo from the camera::::
There are beautiful sunsets here in the desert, but I cannot wait to be out of this heat!

Homemaking Tip::::
Buy the extended warranty on appliances!  Mom didn’t and the washing machine repair was half the cost of a new machine and this machine is only 2 years old.

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::
Diary Of a Stay at Home Mom – I love that she still takes blogging AND homemaking seriously!

Praying for::::
Guidance and patience with the woman handling the house sale – she has no follow through, common sense or common courtesy and I pray that she receives help in ALL of those areas.

Inspirational Bible Verse or Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::