Category: HELPFUL HINTS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I have a favorite saying, “Man Plans, God laughs, We Adjust”.  I try to live by this to remind myself that I am not always in control and learning to roll with the punches is the best way to live without stress.

Many of you know that our family has been dealing with my ailing aunt. My aunt has been recovering from a really bad fall that shattered her knee in early February, the surgery to repair that and then the infection that sent her back to 2 more surgeries when she spiked a VERY HIGH fever on Easter.  We received a call Thursday 2 weeks ago that she’d had a stroke… the rest of the time has been a blur since then.  She was in “Skilled Nursing” (that place was a joke) at the time and rushed back to the hospital. She also had respiratory distress/pneumonia and a CDiff infection so she was placed in an ICU quarantine after the ER.  She conquered the ICU quarantine and began to improve even being moved to a regular room in the main hospital as she was breathing better and they were even going to begin physical therapy again. She still couldn’t communicate from the stroke though and was in so much pain she was unable to hardly lift her fingers. Unfortunately she was returned to ICU just a few days later and the pneumonia took over coupled with kidney failure and we lost her last Friday.

Thank you everyone for your notes and prayers. I do believe they made a difference, at the very least for myself and our family. The only consolation is knowing that she is no longer in any pain and her worst fear will never come to light.  She was so fearful of eventually being “institutionalized” for her Alzheimers. We will be having her funeral on my cousin’s birthday which also seems apropos since we lost Beth just 18 months ago.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It has been pretty nice in the mornings and late evenings, but fairly miserable midday, every day with the heat and humidity from all the rain we’ve been having, but this week looks like we’ll be a little more spring normal with mid 70’s days and very little rain.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Despite last week’s to do list getting kicked to the curb AGAIN, we got A LOT done!  What didn’t get done last week will start this week’s list.

  • Second coat spare bathroom vanity
  • Spare Bathroom Floor
  • Set toilet spare bathroom
  • Paint Living Room 
  • Hang Living Room fan
  • More Kitchen Organization 
  • Order flooring for living room and Atrium??
  • Laundry

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Nothing much yet.  We have rented a few more movies.

  • Misconduct
  • Back Track 
  • Jane Got a Gun

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CHICKEN MARSALA, ASPARAGUS & NOODLES
PORK CARNITAS & SALAD
C.O.R.N.
CADILLAC CHICKEN, ROASTED NEW POTATOES & GREEN BEANS
SALISBURY STEAK & SALAD
CHICKEN & NOODLES
BACON GUACAMOLE CHICKEN, RICE PILAF & SALAD
DESSERT

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
I may have already mentioned this, but it works so well, it’s worth mentioning again.  I keep a small glass jar full of apple cider vinegar on my kitchen shelf.  Gnats and fruit flies both are drawn to it!  I spoon out 8 or 9 every single day.  Makes me feel better, like I’m doing my job since we have biting gnats here in this area.

ON MY MIND
How fleeting life can be and how to find better and more purpose in life. I re-evaluated everything in my life during the cancer and find myself doing it yet again as we mourn the passing of my aunt.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
Just a quick update on my 30 day minimalist challenge.  We were aiming at 465 items as per the original challenge.  I can say that we are very pleased to have hit 701 items at the close of day 9.  It feels fantastic to be ridding ourselves of items we no longer use and be giving them to others who can.  A local boy scout troop picked up 2 easy ups, 4 camping chairs and a table today.  Tomorrow I will make a 3rd trip to the local resale shop for the women’s shelter and then Tuesday a 3rd trip to Habitat to Humanity.

FAVORITE CAMERA PHOTOS & HOUSE PROJECTS

These are easily removed as we continue to paint, but I needed my “Cross Wall” to be up. Helped to get things off of tables.

We also found a great clock for the “BIG wall”.  I can’t wait until the beam, ceiling and walls are finally painted.

I had a hard time getting a decent picture with the humid conditions, but this is a beautiful mini rose condolence gift from my neighbor.

The spare bedroom is as good as it is going to get for now.  At least it is ready for use with family coming in for the funeral.  Eventually the bookcase will not be there and the things on the bed are from the bathroom we’re working on. Since this is the “family room” it was pretty cool to add my uncle’s Vietnam era Army footlocker to the room.

I was also able to get one of my favorite quilts hung in the studio. The studio itself will be a chaotic mess for a few more months to come as it will be the LAST thing to get finished. I’m going to pare down in there too with craft tools and projects.

Remember the cabinets I told you about from Habitat for Humanity that we bought for hubby’s garage?  They are really helping him get organized! I can’t believe how good his garage is looking.  Looks even better now than when I took this picture a few days ago.
PRAYERS & 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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

We had a busy and productive weekend. EVEN WITH THAT I WISH I HAD ACCOMPLISHED MORE.  LOL There are just NOT enough hours in the day, but in reality within the next few months I may change my opinion of that.  Then again I may not as we begin the yard and the garage in the heat of summer.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Yesterday was wet and windy with tornado warnings, but today and tomorrow are supposed to be nice.  It’s just that time of year where you don’t really pay attention to the weather forecast because it’s going to change within the hour.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Despite last week’s to do list getting kicked to the curb, we got A LOT done!  What didn’t get done last week will start this week’s list.

  • Second coat spare bathroom vanity
  • Spare Bathroom Floor
  • Set toilet spare bathroom
  • Paint Living Room 
  • Hang Living Room fan
  • Kitchen Organization 
  • Order flooring for living room and Atrium
  • Find a chair for the spare bedroom
  • Laundry
  • EOM/BOM (end of month/beginning of month) stock-up shopping
  • Start on Studio Organization

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Nothing this week.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Not much new going on this week.  I have been working on some sketches for a few new craft ideas. I have been working on reinventing an old beat up dresser into shabby chic. Spray paint is the girl’s duct tape and I’m loving how it has helped me do the shabby chic thing and save so many things from the trash pile.

I used a bonding primer since there was a stained and worn finish on the wood and then finished it off with a satin white spray paint.

The handles were extremely worn and very date, but the hammered silver Rustoleum spray paint spruced them right up. I used the same paint on an old beat up brass lamp and voile’, it’s like new.

I still need to finish installing the drawer pulls on the remaining drawers and do some touch up paint on the mirror, but as of now it’s good to go.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I sat and went through several old issues of Cook’s Illustrated and saved the recipes I want to try in the future.

  • Orange Honey Glazed Chicken
  • Apple Maple Glazed Chicken 
  • Pineapple Brown Sugar Glazed Chicken
  • Apple Galette
  • Hot Chocolate Layer Cake with Homemade Marshmallows
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Cake 
  • Pear Crisp
  • Caesar Parmesan Dip
  • Chipotle Lime Dip
  • Cocktail Meatballs in Tomato Saffron Sauce
  • Buffalo Nickel Hamburger Loaf
  • Hungarian Beef Stew
  • Carne Adovada
  • Skillet Apple Pie
  • Galveston Shrimp Creole
  • Hunter’s Chicken
  • Maryland Caramel Tomatoes
  • Sicilian Meatloaf
  • Coke Fried Chicken
  • OH MY GOD Chicken
  • Lazy Daisy Cake
  • Peach Puzzle
  • Cider Baked Ham

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
Tip #1 – I quit spending a fortune on rinse aids for the dishwasher and just fill the compartment with white vinegar.  It still keeps the spots at bay, is environmentally friendly and works just as well.

Tip #2 –  If you need to zest a piece of citrus, but the rind is too smooth place the whole piece of fruit in the freezer for 30 minutes until partially hardened.  The rind being firmer will zest easier now.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY & PRAYERS

  • Getting closer to completing the house
  • The trash pile being bigger than the supply pile.
  • Remembering Michelle today on what would have been her 42nd birthday.
  • Prayers for my aunt as she recovers from ALL the medical upheaval of the past 2 months.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I had to laugh.  She just couldn’t resist he warm laundry.  Fortunately it was a load of rags so I had to indulge her.

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.

30 DAY MINIMALIST CHALLENGE

As you know we have been working around the clock to get things under control in this house.  Just to recap, we made a deal to come here last October and rehab my grandparent’s old place that my cousin had been in since 1993 when my grandfather passed away.  She passed away in 2014 and the house sat. Sigh. The hard part was that my uncle did not have a real clue as to how bad the house was under the “clutter” of my cousin’s things.  He was trying to work on it, still work and take care of my aunt who has Alzheimer’s disease.  So as you can imagine, it wasn’t getting done.  He told us it was going to need some cleaning out, paint and a little TLC.  Let me just say that my uncle had no real idea and that if we had not had our elderly animals with us, we would have turned around immediately gone back!

Even working long hours and at a fast pace it took us over 6 weeks to trash and donate the clutter so we could even get started.  

The house ended up needing EVERYTHING! from the foundation up.  We have now replaced ALL fixtures, electrical, plumbing, cabinets, windows and are almost done with the flooring as well as everything in between.  Our things had been in storage for several years and quite honestly we have been OVERWHELMED dealing with ALL of gram’s and gramp’s things and all of Beth’s things too as well as ALL of ours now in the midst of a MAJOR construction zone.

But the construction zone has become a home – I can cook real food and move forward with getting settled in! Our home is still full of boxes full of things that need permanent homes and I’m still a little bit overwhelmed.

Even though we don’t have a lot of stuff (we’re still currently missing crucial furniture – sofa, chairs, coffee table), we have a ton of stuff. Seeing everything piled high and wondering “Where am I going to put this?” is exhausting for both of us so we’re going to do something about it. We’ve been making regular trips to our local donation sight, but it’s NOT enough.  I’ve been setting aside anything that could be sold on Ebay, but that pile is HUGE and I want a fresh start. So this is like the shampoo bottle says, Lather, Rinse and Repeat. 

So here on day 180, our 6 month mark as a house warming gift to ourselves, we’re beginning a 30 Day Minimalist Challenge. For the last 6 months we have been living VERY basically so believe that we won’t even miss many of the things we choose to get rid of. Even though we already got rid of TONS of things, I bet I can still meet this challenge.  I originally found this idea on a blog about 2 years ago.  It’s pretty simple, and brilliant, really. Every day, for thirty days, you remove (trash, donate, or sell) items from your home.

Day 1 – 1 item
Day 2 – 2 items
Day 3 – 3 items
Day 4 – 4 items
And so on, until you reach day 30 and are removing 30 items. That’s AT LEAST 465 items we’ll get rid of. One of the hardest parts is keeping the inventory list, but I just found a clip board and put an old spiral notebook on it to keep it handy for the month to come.

Donation inventories and receipts to date for 2016 – hope to double this over the next 30 days. 

BTW that’s my new carpet those pages are laying on, do you like it?

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I just realized I haven’t posted anything since last week.  Last week was NOT what we planned, but I can fortunately say things are getting back to normal.

My aunt has been recovering from a really bad fall that shattered her knee, the surgery to repair that and then the infection that sent her back to surgery on Easter.  We received a call Thursday that she’d had a stroke… the rest of the week was a blur after that.  She was in “Skilled Nursing” (that place was a joke) at the time and rushed back to the hospital. She also had respiratory distress/pneumonia and a CDiff infection so she was placed in an ICU quarantine after the ER.  Happily I can report that as of today everything is looking up.  The stroke was minor and the quarantine has been lifted, she’s breathing better and they are even going to begin physical therapy again today.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
STORMY & WET!!!!!!  Glad I planned on staying in today.  We are getting slammed with the latest storm with standing water everywhere!  The city is locking down for the day.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Spare Bedroom Floor.
  • Atrium Floor.
  • Second coat of paint spare bathroom. 
  • Second coat spare bathroom vanity.
  • Spare Bathroom Floor.
  • Set toilet spare bathroom.
  • Finish Kitchen Floor.
  • Paint Living Room.
  • Kitchen Organization.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Nothing this week.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Not much going on this week.  I have been working on some sketches for a few new ideas.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
SHIRRED EGGS & BACON
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CHIPOTLE LIME CHICKEN
C.O.R.N.
TARRAGON GARLIC BUTTER STEAK & ASPARAGUS with NEW POTATOES
SLOW ROASTED HONEY GLAZED PORK, NEW POTATOES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS
GRILLED SALMON & SALAD
DESSERT







HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
I read recently that the most effective way to clean fresh produce is apple cider vinegar.  I took 2 apples and washed one the “normal” way and it looked and felt clean enough.  I took a second apple and washed it with the vinegar before washing the “normal” way and you wouldn’t believe what washed off the second apple! I filled a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar and conducted my own test.

ON MY MIND/PRAYERS
Prayers that my aunt’s recovery continues to make great forward progress.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

We had a busy but productive week and then a relaxing weekend so I’m fresh and ready to go this week with high hopes of a lot more progress.  We even decided to take Tuesday off and go play – so much easier to do mid week when everyone else is at work!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s absolutely gorgeous this week and I’m hoping it lasts for several more weeks after this!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Start putting up the tin kitchen ceiling.
  • Remove the LAST bit of old carpeting from the spare bedroom.
  • Paint the spare bedroom.
  • Hang ceiling fan in studio.
  • Finish vinyl flooring if they have gotten it back in stock.
  • Plant Lantanas.
  • Take a day off and go play at the beach!

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I enjoyed the Country Music Awards last night, but have just not been too interested in most TV these days.

HOUSE PROJECTS
I HAVE BEEN AVOIDING DOING THE SHOWER IN THE MASTER BATHROOM FOR QUITE AWHILE NOW.  1) THE REFINISHING KIT IS AN EPOXY AND I HATE EPOXY ANYTHING. 2) I KNEW IT WOULD BE MESSY!  I cannot tell you how glad I am that this job is over.  It looks amazing, but what I did NOT know is that I would be down for 2 days after finishing it.  This epoxy paint is horrible.  Despite the exhaust fan, a room fan and the windows and doors open I was definitely feeling the effects of the fumes – ended up dizzy, with a sore throat and headache.  My recommendation if you need this done is to hire a professional.  Some jobs are not worth saving money on.

BEFORE
AFTER

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Still hoping to get to a few things soon, but nothing seems to have gone my way in that department recently.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS
C.O.R.N.
GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS
CHICKEN & NOODLES
ORANGE CHICKEN & CHOW MEIN
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

This is a favorite photo for a weird reason. This is what fell out of gram’s washing machine as we rolled it out the back door.  It also means we are committed to purchasing the new ones this week or visiting the laundromat LOL. (The washer dryer set I want is on sale through Tuesday, but I have no idea when it can be delivered). After they hauled it away, I realized we probably should have taken it apart to see what else was in there.  We may have just thrown away a thousand dollars or winning lottery ticket.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Ours was strange to begin with and then became life threatening in a heartbeat.  We had volunteered to host this year, but after my aunt’s fall a couple months ago that shattered her kneecap, the subsequent surgery, rehab and her invasive Aspergilius allergy (only 4% survive after this allergy is detected in this type of situation) that she barely survived when they implanted her pacemaker 12 years ago, the subsequent stroke topped off by her having Alzheimer’s we decided I’d still cook, but at their house so she could be in her home and comfortable.  She was great when we got there at 2, but by 3 she was disoriented and had a 104° fever and we ushered her to the hospital. They determined a massive bacterial infection and she was rushed into emergency surgery.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’re supposed to be clear and warm with the threat of scattered thunderstorms most of the week.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Refinish shower
  • Sort books
  • Unpack remaining boxes
  • Laundry
  • Grocery Shoppping
  • Start backyard
  • Drop off donations

CURRENTLY READING
Nothing this week.

TELEVISION / DVR
Not much this week.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
For the next few weeks I’m going to be trying links for recipes I’ve bookmarked from around the web.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

HOMEMAKING TIP

If you’re like me you save boxes for the electronic items since they need the added protection in case you move. I want them out of the way though and don’t want them to collect tons of dust.  So I slip them into large trash bags from each end and secure them with masking tape before placing them into the attic.  When you need to use them you’re probably moving anyway so now you have trash bags at the ready also.  For the extra large items I buy the extra large Christmas wrapping bags in January when they are 75-90% off.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I tried the silk tie way to dye eggs method that has been circulating all over social media. These were old ties I used and I think it worked relatively well.  You can even make out the Tobasco bottle on the top egg.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

We had a good and productive week. I even had a productive Sunday… until… a stupid fall. I have been climbing all over this house, ladders, the roof and I trip over a hammer while carrying a heavy box – just too ironic.

 I spent the rest of the day with ice, a blanket, my book, a nap and the Nascar race.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Fortunately our weather has returned to a more normal spring time level.  Thank goodness as I am NOT ready for summer in ANY WAY, SHAPE or FORM!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK/HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Finish the flooring and organization in the studio.
  • Paint spare bathroom.
  • Install spare bathroom floor.
  • Install spare bathroom vanity.
  • Drop off next load of donations.
  • Cook and prep for Easter.  I’ll be cooking at our house and then transporting it to my aunt and uncles as she is still under the weather.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Not much except what comes our way at the end of each day.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I’ve been working on my studio and hope to have some new crafts next week.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CRISPY PORK CUTLETS with BUTTERED NOODLES
SMOTHERED STEAK TIPS
C.O.R.N.
SAKE CHICKEN and BROCCOLINI
BROCCOLI CHICKEN QUINOA
PAN SEARED WINE and HERB CHICKEN
ADULT STRAWBERRY LEMONADE, DEVILED EGGS, TROPICAL PORK ROAST, POTATOES AU GRATIN, RITZY BROCCOLI AND CARROT CASSEROLE,  CHOCOLATE BERRY BASKETS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I took a bit of a fall yesterday so I took the afternoon off to ice my leg and finally caught up on many of the cooking magazines that I unearthed the other day and found a BUNCH of great recipe to try!

  • Fresh Pineapple Cake with Candied Carrot Ribbons
  • Purple Potato Soup 
  • Glazed Grilled Roasted Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Ribs
  • Swedish Cocktail Meatballs
  • Moravian Sugar Cake
  • Beer Batter Cheese Bread
  • Cider Baked Ham
  • Potato and Caramelized Onion Gratin
  • French Chicken Stew
  • Chocolate Malted Milk Cake
  • Butter’s Carrot Cake
  • Broken Dumpling Soup
  • Parmesan Pepperoni Chicken
  • Mississippi Mud Brownies
  • Creamy Chicken and Biscuit Bake
  • Pasta with Lemony Chicken and Asparagus
  • Rum Glazed Grilled Pork Tenderloin
  • Pan Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce
  • Sweet and Spicy Pork Chops
  • Sesame Green Beans
  • Sauteed Lemon Chicken Strips
  • Drunken Steak
  • Chicken and Mushroom Fricassee
  • Apple Dapple Cake

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
A tip to making your baking pans non-stick is to whisk together equal parts of cooking oil, shortening or butter and flour. Using a pastry brush to coat your pan(s).  Your baked goods will not stick!

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Last week did NOT go as planned, so we’ll try again this week. I’ve been getting quite frustrated with ALL there is to still do and not getting there faster.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weekend was absolutely gorgeous and even though the week is supposed to start out cooler, it is supposed to be a beautiful week in the 60’s.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
  • quick trip to home depot and grocery
  • last coat of grout on entry
  • paint spare bath vanity
  • paint new pantry door
  • stain living room shelves
  • paint cabinet tops for living room
  • sand master bath shower and prep for resurfacing
TUESDAY
  • order last base unit for kitchen
  • stain last upper kitchen cabinet
  • mount last upper kitchen cabinet
  • chalkboard paint pantry door
  • laundry
  • cleaning
WEDNESDAY
  • pick up another load of molding at Lowe’s
  • paint living room ceiling and wall behind cabinets
  • mount living room cabinets
THURSDAY
  • paint remaining living room walls
  • paint around light box in atrium
  • mount light in atrium
  • remount cold air returns
FRIDAY
  • change out 15 light switches and several outlets
  • install rolling kitchen shelves
  • continue with sorting and organizing kitchen
SATURDAY
  • Farmer’s Market
  • install kitchen molding and paint it
SUNDAY
  • ??

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Hoping for some new episodes this week of our favorite shows.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT







HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
I keep a small ramekin of apple cider vinegar on my drain board at ALL times.  It attracts any of the gnats and/or fruit flies you may inadvertently bring home from the grocery store.

ON MY MIND
I have always felt that we give too much celebrity to sports figures for the sake of a sport.  I have the utmost respect for those that use their celebrity for bigger and better things.  The Walter Payton Man of The Year award (formerly known as the NFL Man of the year Award) is something that gets glossed over, but should really spotlight those that make an effort to make a difference like this year’s award winner, Anquan Boldin.  We need more Warrick Dunns and Anquan Boldins for the youth of today to look up to emulate.  A list of ALL winners since its inception in 1970 and its history can be found here.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Sunny days and getting closer to having an atrium to spend sunny afternoons in reading
  • Getting the paint off my arms and fingers

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY #3 – DAY 83

YAY! We had a productive weekend! We tried to go out for breakfast Saturday, but decided too late and the little diner that sounded so great on line turned out to be another ‘wait in line to order and pay‘ place.  We really want to find some real mom and pop places to go out and be served at, but they are becoming harder and harder to find for casual dining, especially for breakfast.

We ran errands Saturday morning and made it home before the skies opened up fortunately.  One of the errands was to buy the new range.  It went really well and will even be delivered sometime today!  I’m so excited – a sink and a range in the same week.  WOW I can cook again!

I had been unpacking and trying to pare down things, but it has become an unruly mess and I will be actually packing a few things back up for now.  We took 6 big totes for donation on Saturday and already have 3 more packed for this week.  I was serious about becoming a minimalist!

One of the things I’m having issues with is my “tools” still all in boxes.  So this week I’m going to empty gram’s old sewing room into the living room which I have spent the past 2 days cleaning out and get that room painted as it’s going to be the spare bedroom which we need done by the 29th.

Then I’m going to get my studio set up so I can get my tools and things organized. I seriously love having ‘deadlines’ to help me stay focused on what needs done next. They really work as great incentives.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had a cool weekend especially when the wind was blowing and it rained off and on all day Saturday, but it is supposed to be beautiful the rest of the week.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • MONDAY – Empty Sewing Room and pack up a few things.
  • TUESDAY – Paint “sewing” room and turn it into the new spare bedroom.
  • WEDNESDAY – Paint studio and begin organizing.
  • THURSDAY – I bet I’ll still be organizing the studio LOL
  • FRIDAY – There used to be an atrium and gramps closed it in back in 1982 so it has been a part of the house for a very long time, but I just don’t know what else to call this room. Anyway, gramps also “paneled” over the Hardy Plank so it is VERY dated.  We’re removing the paneling (which is what I’ll be doing today) and going to paint the Hardy Plank.  Hubby is then going to get very creative with the molding around each arch where there used to be sliding glass doors many years ago.  Unfortunately gramps just paneled right over the dryrot.  There also used to be a faux beam across the room at a really low level with a ceiling fan, but we removed the faux beam and will be doing track lighting from the electrical outlet at the wall instead.
  • SATURDAY – Laundry, relax & football.
  • SUNDAY – Read, relax & Football.

CURRENTLY READING
I’m pretty tired at night so am not getting much reading done, but I’m STILL reading:

TELEVISION / DVR
Just a few of the normals as we have time.  We have been so tired that we don’t care too much about TV.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
None right now, but I hope that changes soon as I have quite a few ideas for the Old Fashioned Christmas homemade gifts that I’m really excited about.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
Hot Wings & Celery sticks with Bleu Cheese
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HOMEMAKING TIP
Want to get the rest of the wax out of a candle, but it’s in a stubborn place? Place the entire candle in the freezer for an hour and the wax will shrink and come right out after.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Being able to cook again!
  • Seeing the progress on the house.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Gramps delivered special delivery mail for many years so this was an awesome find in the garage.  It was in the bottom of a tin can full of screws. I’m going to try and clean it up when I get time.
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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

With so much to do on this remodel I have been working 12-14-16 hour days and lost track of ALL time!I hope you are all ready for spending some quality time with your family and friends.  Don’t overdo so you can’t enjoy it.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’ve warmed up considerably (which I HATE) and are supposed to be having scattered thunderstorms all week.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • MONDAY – Finish the Christmas shopping and grocery shopping. After that I’ll be shifting furniture and boxes to TRY and create a living room area. Hopefully the plumbers will be done with the repair to the collapsed drain line.  The foundation guys strike again!  Evidently they piled too much dirt on top of the sleeve where they struck the line with a tool and it collapsed the line backing it up into the drain line in the wall.  I also need to call the restoration guy to seal the shower and refinish it as well as float the walls in the master bath.
  • TUESDAY – I’ll be having lunch with an IRL friend that began as a blog friend.  I can’t wait to see her. Cleaning up after the plumbers and trying to make some sense of the mess in the office area hopefully..
  • WEDNESDAY – Hopefully I’ll be doing laundry ALL day and finishing the furniture and box shift.
  • THURSDAY – Finish wrecking out the dated 70’s paneling in the office area to finish exposing the dry rot so we can deal with it.
  • FRIDAY – MERRY CHRISTMAS – dinner at my cousin Kevin’s house.
  • SATURDAY –  Try to clean up the yard – the plumbers have made a HUGE mess behind the house where they are tunneling under the house. We have to do this so we can install the window in the master bedroom and the sod the backyard.
  • SUNDAY –  Unpack what I can and begin to organize a bit.

CURRENTLY READING
I keep trying to read before bed, but am so exhausted at the end of the day that I doze off before I can even read a paragraph.

TELEVISION / DVR
Not much – not enough time!

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Hoping to find my Brother and SIL’s Christmas gift I’ve been working on and get it finished as fast as possible.  Unfortunately it WILL be late, but it will also be from the heart so I know they’ll understand.  This remodel and not yet having unpack has put a serious cramp in my style!

HOUSE PROJECTS
Finish wrecking out the dated 70’s paneling in the office area to finish exposing the dry rot so we can deal with it. Hubby still has a few pieces of molding to paint and install, but we did get the carpeting last Friday in the master bedroom

KITCHEN WISHES
Planning on starting the cabinets and flooring this next week.
 

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
CORNED BEEF HASH and OVER MEDIUM EGGS & TOAST
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
Grilled Hamburgers with Cole Slaw
C.O.R.N.
Ham Steak with Mac & Cheese
Dinner at my cousin Kevin’s house
??
DESSERT








HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
So I tried the glass of vinegar in the freshly painted room trick and guess what?  It works!! Within 10 minutes the walls were still wet, but there was NO paint smell!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Being able to finally see past the mess from 55 days ago (that feels like years).

  • Sleeping in my own bed instead of a futon.
  • Spending time with friends and family.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I actually have 2 this week.  We finished the bedroom, well at least 95% and began putting away the clothes.  The spread I ordered is too small but fits perfectly in the spare bedroom. Now remember we have been traveling for the better part of a decade and A LOT of things were in storage so we HAD a lot of clothing and much of it cold weather. So we had a ton of decisions to make on what to keep and what to get rid of.  EVERYTHING is now in the closet, a drawer or the donation pile. We did keep quite a bit of cold weather clothing, but with the new walk in closet just stored it in totes on the top shelves. It’s going to take a while to inventory all of this for donation!

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Good morning my friends.  I’m getting an early start this week.  Seems like my 14 hour days are just not enough to get it all done!  I hope you had wonderful weekends.  We had wind and rain and I loved it! I had plenty to keep me busy, so it was wonderful to watch out the window.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had tons of rain and wind over the weekend, but today is gorgeous! The rest of the week is supposed to be clear and nice also.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • MONDAY – Contact plumber about the leak caused by the foundation people, finish the Christmas shopping, grocery shopping, prep the boxes for mailing, finish hanging the clothes in the closet, 2nd coat of paint in the pantry, 1st coat of paint in bedroom and build framework for the kitchen sink so we can finish ripping out the lower kitchen cabinets.
  • TUESDAY – Electrician will be here to fix the problems in the kitchen and finish  – PROGRESS!, paper back walls of pantry, cut shelf paper for pantry shelves. Finish removing the vanity and sink in master bath to determine where the leak is coming from.
  • WEDNESDAY – If the plumber is done I want to tile the laundry room and refrigerator area as well as the pantry.
  • THURSDAY – PAINT!!!!! Make appetizer for the Holiday party at the clubhouse
  • FRIDAY – Carpet installation? 
  • SATURDAY – If carpet is done, finish the molding and move into OUR bedroom FINALLY.
  • SUNDAY –  FOOTBALL!!!

HOUSE PROJECTS

  • MASTER BEDROOM
  • PANTRY
  • LAUNDRY ROOM

KITCHEN WISHES

  • FLOOR 
  • LIGHTING
  • CABINETS
  • COUNTER TOPS 
  • BACK SPLASH
  • RANGE & HOOD
  • DISHWASHER

 MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
WAFFLES
PANCAKES & BACON
LUNCH
FRUIT &  CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
??
MEAT & CHEESE
 ?? ??
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
C.O.R.N.
OUT


DESSERT




CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE


HOMEMAKING TIP
As you know we have been doing a ton of painting around here.  A tip that REALLY works is to place a glass of vinegar in the room you are painting and it absorbs the paint fumes!

I know you have all seen this, but I’m actually doing it!  Turn ALL your hangers backwards at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, any hanger that is still backwards should be donated.  I already filled 2 bags just hanging the clothes that had been in storage.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • FINISHED PROJECTS!!!!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

After 47 days here I can FINALLY begin hanging clothes in the closet!

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

As you know hubby and I have been very excited about buying my grandparents house and our cross country move to rehab it to bring it up to date.

My cousin had been living here since my grandfather’s death in 1993.  Sadly, she passed away in 2014 and the house had been sitting here empty (or so we thought).  We thought from what my uncle said that the house was virtually empty, that he had been cleaning it out the past 6 months.  Sadly, that too was not the case.  I am so shocked by the state of the house.  My cousin was the creative type and I knew she wasn’t the best of housekeepers, but I am seriously shocked and appalled by what we found here.  Honestly, if we hadn’t had 3 aging animals traveling with us and spent a small fortune to move here, we would have turned around and gone back after what we saw that first day.

As you read this hubby and I have put in a total of 287 hours over the past 12 days and it is barely livable. The house is virtually empty (now), but the garage is still full. There is not a fixture, cabinet, faucet, wall or appliance that doesn’t need replaced or majorly repaired at the very least including the kitchen sink. The dumpster will arrive Thursday and then the fun will begin. I will post pictures soon to keep this chronicle up to date.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Looks like the weather will be all over the place this week.  I’m looking forward to some cooler wet weather.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Unload moving trucks.
  • Empty garage.
  • Wreck out ALL of kitchen and ALL appliances.
  • Wreck out carpeting.
  • Peel wallpaper from 3 rooms.

CURRENTLY READING
Read? Who has time to read? LOL I read every night as I fall asleep. This week is book #5 from Marie Force’s Green Mountain series and book #9 from Barbara Freethy’s Callaway series.

TELEVISION / DVR
No internet yet so we’re catching a few shows on stream after the fact.
 
CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I do hope to get some crafting for the holidays in after the worst of the clean up is done.

HOUSE PROJECTS
WOW Where do I begin?  

  • EVERYTHING!

KITCHEN WISHES
That the kitchen fairies show up while I sleep and help make this nightmare become a glorious dream.
 
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT &  FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
 OUT
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
~~
~~
DINNER
 S#*% on a Shingle
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT







I may not have a kitchen, but I will have my hot plate, griddle, waffle maker and crock pots.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
On the upside I have lost 15 pounds from all the back breaking work this past 2 weeks.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
We bought a small dorm sized fridge, a hot plate and added the only surviving furniture and voila we have a makeshift kitchen dining area.  I’ll add a slow cooker, griddle, waffle maker and we will be fine for a few weeks.

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.