HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 18 of 2018

Good morning everyone. I cannot believe it’s Monday again. Last week just completely sped by! I’ve barely gotten last week’s visits in before it was time to write today’s post! I promise to be better this week about visiting! šŸ˜€Ā  This will be another busy week, but I hope you are all having slower paced and enjoyable weeks.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – we are no longer blessed with the unseasonally cool and nice weather we have had.Ā  I guess spring is over šŸ™Ā  Starting this week we have seriously higher humidity and temperatures will be in the high 80’s all week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Cheerios, Small banana & Green tea

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – I’m trying really hard to live a positive life and not get too worked up over what is really out of my control.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I’m working on a post for our trip to the alligator park that will be up in a day or two, but I love this picture of a sleepy alligator that was yawning and couldn’t be bothered with the activity around him.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… starting to get a bit cluttered with boxes, but it’s all good šŸ˜€
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean and empty too šŸ™ I pulled out the washer and dryer and did a deep clean there on Saturday
  • YARDā€¦ hubby mowed yesterday and fertilized so all good there
  • BLOGā€¦ some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

We’re working on cleaning out the DVR from the winter season build-up.

HALLMARK/COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, American Housewife, Splitting Up Together, The Middle, The Good Witch, When Calls the Heart

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdom of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITYThe Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, Dancing With the Stars and America’s Got Talent will be beginning. We also started watching The Terror about the Arctic Expedition and are finding it really interesting

SYFYZ Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural

COOKINGGuy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart (Damaris)

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

ITALIAN WHITE CHEDDAR BURGERS with BALSAMIC ONIONS & ROASTED COUNTRY POTATOES

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

Ā BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS & COLESLAW

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

MAMA’S RETRO MEATLOAF with MASHED POTATOES & ROASTED CARROTS

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN with MASHED POTATOES & PEPPERED GRAVY

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

BACON & EGGS

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

HEAVENLY HASH

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

MEXICAN COBB SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 17 of 2018

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies. I hope you all had a wonderful week. Mine was productive, but I’ve just been so tired. I’m having a REALLY tough time getting my energy back since the last surgery. The doctor keeps reminding me that 6 surgeries in 7 years (where the 1st and last were both really long surgeries – 8 hours each) is a lot for the body and to be patient, but patience is really NOT my strong suit. Not that I have much choice, so I just keep working at it. šŸ˜€

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – once again the storms hit over the weekend. Saturday night was a wonderful thunderstorm and then Sunday was just gray, but today and tomorrow are supposed to be bright and sunny! We’re moving into that part of the year that is just too warm and humid for me so we’ll see if that lasts or if mother nature has at least one more cool front for me šŸ˜€

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – honey nut cheerios and green tea

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – moving forward in continuous stepsĀ  in all areas of life is making me smile more!

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS – there are no pressing appointments this week YAY šŸ˜€ I did get the results from last week and I’m good to go for a year on the mammogram, but they are watching the bone density more closely especially after the new issues with vitamin and mineral absorption from the stomach surgery. It’s ALWAYS something!

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads this week
  • LIVING AREAS… really clean
  • KITCHEN… really clean for a change
  • STUDIOā€¦ is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARDā€¦ nothing much after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything
  • BLOGā€¦ some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

  • Iā€™m now reading… nothing this week – just too tired by the time I get into bed, I’m asleep already

COMEDIESBig Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife, Living Biblically

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comediesNCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdom of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITYThe Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, Ransom

SYFYZ Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, Fear the Walking Dead

COOKINGGuy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America Celebrity, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SOUTHERN CHICKEN & STUFFING

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

Ā ABC PANINIS (Chicken, Bacon and Avocado)

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BOURBON CHICKEN & BISCUITS

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

SAVORY FRENCH TOAST

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SMOTHERED CHICKEN & GRAVY

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

BACON & EGGS

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

PORK CHOPS with MUSHROOM SAUCE

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 15 of 2018

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies. I hope you had a wonderful week and an even better weekend. Last week was pretty busy with appointments and odds and ends things for me, but this week looks to be a little slower and I hope to get a lot more accomplished though I seem to have a bit of a cold from all the crazy weather this weekend which is already slowing me down. Having an almost non-existent immunity makes a cold pretty scary for me and I end up staying in to avoid getting even sicker which slows down EVERYTHING!

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – It looks like this week will be mellow, but the weather changes too quickly around here sometimes.Ā  Last Saturday’s 40 degree drop wasn’t originally predicted either šŸ˜€

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – peach yogurt and green tea

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY/FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – things are moving along here with sorting, packing and even seem to be dragging a bit at times, but I know they’ll speed up at the end so am glad to have the time to pack properly and patch the nail holes, etc… as I go.Ā  We sold this as turn key and want to truly leave it move in ready – right down to the house being completely clean including the windows.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS – I spent Saturday inside since it was so cold outside and went to town on getting chores done.

  • LAUNDRY… I did all the sheets, towels and bedding on Saturday so just a couple loads of jeans and tops
  • LIVING AREAS… messy but actually clean under the clutter of all the sorting and packing
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean really.Ā  I’ve been condensing and cleaning out the pantry and fridge and getting as much recycled apossible
  • YARDā€¦ after the weekend storms it’s just too wet to do anything, but it will need mowed and trimmed before the end of the week
  • BLOGā€¦ still doing some recipe updating and compilation from the old blog, future post planning for while we are on the road and even some holiday post planning because it will be here before you know it

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race just ended and Dancing With the Stars will be beginning

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

STRAWBERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

GRAN’S BUTTER CRACKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

Ā OLD FASHIONED CHICKEN CASSOULET

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

OLD FASHIONED TUNA CASSEROLE

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SPICY CHICKEN POT STICKERS

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

DUTCH BABY & SWEET & SPICY BACON

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BUFFALO CHICKEN SANDWICHES

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

BACON & CHEDDAR PANCAKES

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC-N-CHEESE

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 14 of 2018

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Ours was quiet, just Easter service and brunch. Ā I do LOVE our pastor’s subtle sense of humor as he inserted an April Fool’s joke or two into the sermon while still making it reverent for the occasion.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – a little gray and cloudy, but pleasant right now. Ā It is supposed to heat up to the 80’s this week with some thunderstorms later in the week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – cheerios, banana and green tea

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – Sandra recommended a series of cookbooks recently and I ordered 2 of them to see if I would like them.Ā  They arrived on Saturday and I sat and read them cover to cover. I also bookmarked the recipes I want to try.

The tabs on the side are for the recipes I can make before our move with what I currently have in the pantry and freezer. I also ordered a new slow cooker cookbook today that will be here next week and will be perfect for cold winter in the Pacific North West.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… packing stuff everywhere, but really pretty clean
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean and empty too which makes it easier to keep clean šŸ˜€
  • YARDā€¦ nothing
  • BLOGā€¦ some more recipe updating, future post planning and even more holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

  • READINGĀ – in between books at the moment

COMEDIES

  • Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife, Roseanne, Splitting Up Together

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY

  • The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident

SYFY

  • Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, The Mist

COOKING

  • Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Celebrity Worst Cooks

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATLOAF

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SLOW COOKER BEEF & BROCCOLI

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BBQ PULLED PORK

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

KITCHEN SINK FRITTATA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

EGGS and JAMBALAYA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

GENERAL TSO CHICKEN

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

BACON CHEESEBURGER HAMBURGER HELPER NOT! AUTHENTIC ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATLOAF BANANA PINEAPPLE SOUR CREAM CAKE

SMOTHERED STEAK TIPS

ARTICHOKE MUSHROOM RAGU CHICKENĀ 

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 13 of 2018

Good morning everyone. I hope you had a WONDERFUL weekend. Saturday was productive, but Sunday was lazy here.Ā  I’m making lists and more lists trying to get organized for the move and it is keeping my mind running in circles preventing me from getting good sleep making me a bit sleepy this morning.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – Spring is here, but as always here in the south it is already feeling like summer with some 80’s temperatures and higher humidity.Ā  SOOOOOOOOOO glad to be getting out of here before the “REAL” summer hits.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – peach yogurt and Green Tea

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – no real crafts going, but am doing little touch ups and such as I pack things up.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY:

  • I was able to sort down and minimize even more last week and keep packing.
  • Making check lists and checking them twice for the move.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – my favorite antique store find:

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… Just 1 load today YAY šŸ˜€
  • LIVING AREAS… I need to vacuum and straighten just a bit.
  • KITCHENā€¦ I have it dwindled down to the very bare minimum of pots and pans as well as dishes and glasses.Ā  In fact all that’s left are items that will be donated when we move.
  • STUDIOā€¦ LOL šŸ˜€ what studio?Ā  It is now completely and absolutely filled with packed boxes.
  • YARDā€¦ hubby mowed and has been watering the new seed. The grass is filling in quite nicely from where Gunny had worried a path around the whiskey barrel.
  • BLOGā€¦ still working on redoing some older recipes from my old blog

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

We did a couple rentals Saturday night and saw Jumanji and Downsizing.Ā  I really likes the original Jumanji, but this was a cute up to date version. Downsizing was kind of mind blowing, but interesting in a really weird way. Then on Sunday when NASCAR was snowed out, we rented The Shape of Water which I found to be pretty interesting.

  • Iā€™m reading nothing right now, but will probably start something later tonight.

COMEDIESBig Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife, Splitting Up Together starts this week along with Roseanne

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911, We tried Station 19, but didn’t care for it at all!

DRAMAS & REALITYThe Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, Dancing With the Stars will be beginning soon

SYFYZ Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Once Upon a Time, Supernatural

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK – I’ve started building my menus around what’s in the freezer and pantry – literally! I’d rather run out of things and have to go shopping than have too much left when we pull up stakes.

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

DENVER CHICKEN with PASTA

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

Ā HOBO CHICKEN PACKS

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

ORANGE BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

ARTICHOKE MUSHROOM RAGU CHICKEN

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

OUT

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

BACON & EGGS

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

out with friends for Easter Brunch Buffet

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 12 of 2018

Have I mentioned I am NOT a fan of Daylight Savings Time? I HATE that it seems like the middle of the night at 7AM!Ā  I especially am not fond of it here as it seems to bring on the warmer weather and high humidity.Ā  Oh well, just a couple more months here.Ā  We’re 90% packed and waiting on the house.Ā  We are especially looking forward to having some “down” time to rest and recuperate, getting my strength and toning back before we move forward with our next and last project.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Looks like it might be threatening to thunderstorm, but still to dark to really know for sure.Ā  It’s supposed to be right around 80 all week with a little higher humidity, but still more tolerable than July!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Green Tea and Protein drink

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • I took another load for donation.Ā  It is making me extremely happy to be minimizing life so much!
  • Working on my list for a Purposeful Life.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY…just a load of towels as I did a deep dive over the weekend while packing and sorting
  • LIVING AREAS… really clean after the weekend
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean – I’m still cleaning the pantry though as I am cooking primarily from the freezer and pantry trying to dwindle down stock in hopes of a quick and easy sale of the house
  • STUDIOā€¦ is mainly storage these days
  • YARDā€¦ just a little watering of the new things I planted to spruce up some barrels and pots for the house sale – my new Gardenias are starting to bloom and the lantanas gave me a surprise with a lavender and yellow mix – so pretty together – this also doubles as my FAVORITE PHOTO from the CAMERA
  • BLOGā€¦ still doing some recipe updating, future post planning and even some holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

  • Iā€™m now reading Marie Force’s Gansett Island series.

COMEDIES

  • Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Middle, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife, Living Biblically, Splitting Up Together and Roseanne start next week

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911, For the People, Deception, Station 19 starts this week and Instinct starts next week

DRAMAS & REALITY

  • The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, Timeless, Little BIG Shots and Dancing With the Stars will be beginning, One Strange Rock

SYFY

  • Z Nation, The Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, DareDevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Defenders, Luke Cage

COOKING

  • Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart (Damaris Phillips), Giada, Spring Baking Championship starts tonight

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

CASHEW CHICKEN and RICE with BROCCOLI

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

Ā PAPRIKA POT ROAST with MASHED POTATOES & ROAST CARROTS

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

—-C.O.R.N.—- clean out refrigerator night

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS & SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

STEAKS on the GRILL

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

BACON CHEDDAR PANCAKES

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

—-C.O.R.N.— clean out refrigerator night

COCOA BROWNIES

SUNDAY

CORNED BEEF HASH & EGGS

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKENĀ  OR TUNA SALAD

CHICKEN in OREGANO TOMATO CREAM

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 11 of 2018

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

I had a productive weekend planned and it all went out the window when my sweet Thai neighbor asked me to go shopping with her at her favorite Asian market. I thought sure, I could use a quick trip to the market.Ā  WHOA, it turned out to be more like a trip to Disneyland – so many colors and new things to see.Ā  I picked up a few new vegetables I’ve never tried before and a jar of Jack Fruit which I originally saw on Guy’s Grocery Games when Damaris Phillips said she regularly use it as a meat substitute for her vegetarian husband. So many of the products had zero English so I couldn’t even recognize what they were or what to do with them. But, oh what a learning experience!

Hubby and I watched a couple NASCAR races and did a little sorting for donation items and packing others for the upcoming move.Ā I’m still having some low blood pressure issues that left me napping quite a bit on Saturday. šŸ™ I REALLY want my energy and strength back!!!

We’re really sad about Whiskey, Sady and Gunner. Losing them all within 7 months despite their advanced age was hard, but we just realized this weekend how much easier traveling will be and the freedom to do what we want, when we want for awhile. We’ve decided to put things into storage for 6 months or so and take some time for me to use the gym and the pool this summer to get my strength and energy back before we really starting searching for the next project.

So on to Happy Homemaker and Menu Plan Monday.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather has been ALL over the place lately.Ā  It was 65 on Thursday and 90 by Saturday and back to 60 today.Ā  It’s all about layers right now! The rest of the week is supposed to be quite nice, but the weather changes all too frequently around here to depend on it.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Protein drink and green tea

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We took a day trip last Thursday to Galveston since this week will be spring break and we will avoid EVERYWHERE! It was EXTREMELY overcast so pictures did not turn out very good, but hubby insisted I get in one for a change.Ā  We ate at Bubba Gumps and it was HORRIBLE, but made for a good picture.Ā  I guess we’ll just have to go back to my favorite Bubba Gumps in Honolulu šŸ˜€ I also found this colorful drugstore wooden Indian.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… just a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… clean but cluttered as I’ve been packing and sorting
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean for now
  • BLOGā€¦ some recipe updating, future post planning, link party research and even some holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

There are a few new shows starting this week, but it’s wayĀ  too soon to tell what will make the cut.

COMEDIES

  • Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY

  • The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race just ended and Dancing With the Stars will be beginning

SYFY

  • Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural

COOKING

  • Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
B-FASTĀ 
2X DAY
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
SNACKĀ Ā  2X a day
PROTEIN DRINK
LUNCH 2-4 oz. PROTEIN
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST or YOGURT with FRUIT
Ā  DINNERĀ Ā  2-4 oz.Ā  PROTEIN and small salad
BALSAMIC MOZZARELLA CHICKEN with marinated artichokes and grape tomatoes
Ā CHICKEN CESAER SALAD with ANCHOVY CROUTONS C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night Ā C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night TACO SALAD CASSEROLE
BUFFALO HASSELBACK CHICKEN and CELERY SALAD
BROWN BOX MEATLOAF and HONEY ROASTED CARROTS

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 10 of 2018

Good morning sweet friends. Saturday was gorgeous here so we made a trip to the Farmer’s Market and bought some beautiful carrots and turnips as well as some local BBQ sauce, but Sunday was rainy and dreary so we rented and watched a couple movies, Same Kind of Different as Me and The Darkest Hour. Both based on true stories. They were good and informative for so many different reasons so it was a LAZY Sunday! I did get some future blog posts organized and decided on some link parties to join up with for some new blogs to follow.

Ā 

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Still raining and thunderstorms which will only keep me inside because we’re now in the 80’s with high humidity. The rest of the week is supposed to be warm, but at least sunny.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Honey Nut Cheerios, Banana & Green Tea

CRAFTS / PROJECTS

I’m not working on anything right now, but am setting a few projects aside to keep separate from the moving boxes in case the inspiration strikes.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

We are so very close to being out of here.Ā  Just a few more medical tests and appointments to get past and the house sale.Ā  I’m not letting that slow me down or stop me though.Ā  I’ve been getting super organized – right down to using the dishes, pots and pans that I will be donating so I can pack what we’re keeping. We took 2 more loads for donation this past week. When we delivered some metal baker rack shelves to Habitat for Humanity someone was purchasing them as we unloaded them – so glad they are going to a good home. We’re probably 85% packed and ready to go. I don’t want to jinx anything, but it all seems to moving right along! We are SOOOOOOO ready to put THE HOUSE FROM HELL in our rear view mirror!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I recently did a product review for SILK PLANTS DIRECT and love their products. This is one of the pictures I used in the review. They really do have nice silk plants.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… Just some routine loads – towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… did a serious deep clean last week so all is pretty tidy
  • YARDā€¦ we had a couple days rain free last week and we were able to re-seed the backyard and replant the barrels to spruce it up for the upcoming sale.
  • BLOGā€¦ some recipe updating, future post planning and even some holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

COMEDIES

  • Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife, Living Biblically

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY

  • The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race just ended and Dancing With the Stars will be beginning

SYFY

  • Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural

COOKING

  • Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK with RECIPE LINKS

MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
B-FASTĀ Ā  2X DAY
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
SNACKĀ Ā  2X a day
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
LUNCH 2-4 OZ. PROTEIN
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
CHERRY YOGURT
PEACH YOGURT
CHERRY YOGURT
PEACH YOGURT
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
Ā DINNERĀ Ā  2-4 OZ. PROTEIN and small salad
C.O.R.N.Ā Ā Ā  clean out refrigerator night SPAGHETTI CARBONARA PAN SEARED BARRAMUNDI C.O.R.N.Ā Ā Ā  clean out refrigerator night SHEPHERD’S PIE ITALIAN Ā BLK BEAN CHICKEN RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 9 of 2018

Good morning. I hope everyone had a great week. I’m having an off morning so will just get to it.

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Today is gorgeous so far, but last week and the rest of this week have and are scheduled to be up, down and sideways with weather changes by many degrees and thunderstorms.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA

CRAFTS / PROJECTS

I have a few sketches going, a little dishrag crocheting and a mixed media project that I’m searching for all the parts

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY / FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

It has been a tough 7 months around here. First we lost our sweet angel Whiskey over Memorial day, then we lost our sweet Sady at the end of January and today we said goodbye to our Gunny. It doesn’t matter that they ALL lived past their life expectancy, but it does make us feel a little better to know we could pamper them all their lives. They brought us such joy.

St. Patrick’s Day would have been his 16th birthday – extremely old for his breed. Unfortunately, hip dysplasia and cancer finally took over and his pain level was intolerable for him and for us to see him in such pain forced a trip to the emergency vet yesterday.

7 years ago Christmas while we were in Texas taking care of my aunt I was in a Kohl’s store shopping for, well for Christmas gifts.Ā  I saw this great selection of ornaments and was looking for a golden retriever and a black lab for our tree. I found the golden and then reached for the black lab just as another woman did also.Ā  We laughed and started talking. Long story short she and her husband had just moved to Texas also and were looking for new ornaments.Ā  The ironic kicker here is that as we talked we found that we had come from neighboring towns on the west coast.Ā  We kept talking and found that our dogs had the same birth date (St. Patrick’s Day), and talking further we discovered that they were from the same litter! Her Chester and my Gunner were brothers! Talk about a small world!! šŸ˜€

This is one of my favorite recent picture of Gunny.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… I did a lot of sorting, donating and packing over the weekend and plan on doing a deep clean today and tomorrow
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean, but need to mop badly
  • STUDIOā€¦ is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARDā€¦ nothing much after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything
  • BLOGā€¦ some more recipe updating, future post planning and next year’s holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

COMEDIES

  • BIG BANG THEORY, YOUNG SHELDON, LIFE IN PIECES, THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, WISDOM OF THE CROWD, S.W.A.T., MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR, BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM, BLINDSPOT, MACGYVER, SCORPION, LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0, ELEMENTARY, CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY

  • THE GOOD DOCTOR, THIS IS US, THE RESIDENT, the AMAZING RACE just ended and DANCING WITH THE STARS will be beginning

SYFY

  • Z NATION, the WALKING DEAD, FLASH, SUPERGIRL, DC LEGENDS, ORVILLE, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE X-FILES, SUPERNATURAL

COOKING

  • GUYā€™S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, BAKED IN VERMONT, KIDā€™S BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, WORST COOKS IN AMERICA, MASTER CHEF JR. is starting soon

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

 

MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
B-FAST 2X DAY
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
HONEY NUT CHEERIOS, BANANA & GREEN TEA
SNACK 2X a day
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
PROTEIN DRINK
LUNCH 2-4 OZ. PROTEIN
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
CHERRY YOGURT
PEACH YOGURT
CHERRY YOGURT
PEACH YOGURT
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
DINNER

3 ounces PROTEIN and small salad

BARRAMUNDI FISHY CHICKEN STIR FRY

BUFFALO CHICKEN FRITES

FONTINA STUFFED CHICKEN

OUT FOR HUBBY’S BIRTHDAY

BLACK BEAN SALSA CHEDDAR CHICKEN

TERIYAKI SEX ON A STICK

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIPS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 8 of 2018

GOOD MORNING! Here we are in week 8 of 2018 and a long weekend too.

We had a quiet, wet weekend.Ā  We did go to the Farmer’s Market Saturday, but it was raining and my favorite vendors weren’t there so we headed to my favorite grocer with the best produce and did a little shopping and ate lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants which is still kind of hard for me because of the spice, but I muddled through with a plain cheese quesadilla that I’m still munching on.Ā  I’m giving doggy bags a new meaning with how many additional meals I get after we get home.

This was the official NASCAR season kickoff weekend at Daytona and the drivers did NOT disappoint.Ā  It was action packed and fun.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We had to switch from heat to air conditioning this past weekend and I’m hoping this is not indicative of the weather to come.Ā  We’re supposed to be in the mid to high 70’s with higher humidity and a chance of thunderstorms ALL week, but right now it’s just gray and foggy. I AM NOT READY for summer – I WANT SPRING!!!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea

CRAFTS / PROJECTS

Nothing much right now.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • I was doing really well on the road to recovery when I developed a new bacterial infection.Ā  The doctor put me on a serious antibiotic to fight it and I was doing really well for the first week.Ā  On day 8 she decided to extend the prescription another week which seemed fine. But, 2 days later I ended up with severe side affects and have been pretty miserable since Saturday night, but I have stopped the medication and seem to be getting better though I need to call her office tomorrow when they open back up.
  • I also tried on lots of clothes over the weekend and have several large donation piles again.Ā  The weight loss is a double edge sword as I’m now smaller than my skinny clothes and are eventually going to need to buy new clothes and I am not fond of clothes shopping.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I have an elderly neighbor that lives alone that I often take dinner too or a batch of goodies when I make some for hubby.Ā  The door bell rang the other day and she was standing there with these beautiful pink and red tulips for Valentine’s day as a thank you – She’s so sweet to me!

We also had some worrisome moments when Sady couldn’t quite be found.Ā  But, the crematorium called me and explained what happened and then the sweet woman actually drove her remains to our local vet so we didn’t have to wait another week to be home where she belongs.Ā  Nice people make such a HUGE difference in our lives!Ā  I need to dig out the baby pictures for Sady, Dickens and Gunner to have them in the area too.

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing as I’m still battling yet another infection
  • LIVING AREAS… lots of mopping and vacuuming as we’re having a little rain each day – just enough to make a mess
  • KITCHENā€¦ I NEVER again want a kitchen that is a thoroughfare! Between hubby and the dog going in and out constantly it always needs cleaning!
  • STUDIOā€¦ is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARDā€¦ I need to plant the barrels soon, but am waiting to make sure we don’t get a late freeze
  • BLOGā€¦ some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

OLYMPICS are on the DVR daily for awhile.Ā  The winter Olympics are my absolute favorite and I watch them ALL! Thank goodness for DVR’s! šŸ˜€

  • Iā€™m now reading BOOK #11, Change of Fortune of JANA DELEON’S Miss Fortune series. It’s a fun read that makes you laugh out loud.

COMEDIES

  • BIG BANG THEORY, YOUNG SHELDON
  • THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  • BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, LIFE IN PIECES

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, WISDOM OF THE CROWD, S.W.A.T.
  • MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM, BLINDSPOT, MACGYVER, SCORPION
  • LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0, ELEMENTARY
  • CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED, 911

DRAMAS

  • THE GOOD DOCTOR, THIS IS US, THE RESIDENT

SYFY

  • Z NATION, the WALKING DEAD, FLASH, SUPERGIRL, DC LEGENDS
  • ORVILLE, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE X-FILES, THE ALIENIST starts later this week

COOKING

  • GUYā€™S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, BAKED IN VERMONT
  • KIDā€™S BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, WORST COOKS IN AMERICA

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
2 times a day
B-FAST
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
2 times a day
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink

LUNCH

2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
DINNER

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

BBQ BACON CHEESEBURGER MEATBALLS

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

HUNGARIAN CHICKEN

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

CHIPOTLE PEPPER SHREDDED PORKĀ 

Ā 

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN

3 ounces PROTEIN & small salad

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

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 week 7 of 2018

Good morning! Here we are about to start yet another new week.Ā  I hope your weekend was great.Ā  Mine was full of errands, chores and stormy weather followed by a SERIOUS cold front!

I had a few tests last Friday due to the new infection and while we were out we picked up my wedding ring that had been at the jeweler to be sized.Ā  Our jeweler is in this cute little town and when we are normally there all the local antique stores are closed.Ā  But, we lucked out and they were actually open! YAY! I LOVE ANTIQUING. When I go through an antique store I’m always on the lookout for old recipe boxes WITH recipes!Ā  I lucked out on Friday and found a gorgeous large oak recipe box stuffed full of old handwritten recipes and a ton of newspaper clippings. I am having so much fun going through them AND will be making some retro meals too! LOL šŸ˜€ some of the recipes were written in German so I’m still not sure what they are, but I have a German neighbor that I’m going to see if she can translate them.

I found this over the weekend and have adopted it as my new motto:

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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather is still super crazy here.Ā  Friday and Saturday were in the mid to high 70’s, true flip flop weather with a heavy rain and thunderstorm moving in and making it wet, but by Saturday dusk it was suddenly 55 degrees and dropping fast to an overnight low of 39 degrees.Ā  Then we had a high of 40 yesterday with a windchill of 31-33 all day. The rest of this week is supposed to be in the low 50’s with off and on rain and thunderstorms and then back into the high 70’s by the weekend. Like I said, completely wonkers on the weather front.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Honey Nut cheerios with banana slices with milk and a cup of Green Tea

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • my recent post about my unplanned gastric bypass RECOVERY UPDATE
  • my recent post about FEELING BLESSED – OVARIAN CANCER
  • What we’re saving in the food bill is being spent on clothes.Ā  I went through several totes of my “skinny” clothes over the weekend and even those are now being donated šŸ™ I’m not a real love of shopping girl so this makes all of this a real chore for me.Ā  I did buy a few new bras and tops on Saturday while I was out, but am holding off on pants until I finish losing weight.Ā  My skinny jeans are too big, but passable for a while longer.
  • I have been ebaying (or at least trying to) many items (mostly antiques and collectibles), but am now thinking my peace of mind is worth more than the money that can be made from all these items and am in the process of sorting though and donating many items to the local abused women’s resale shop so they can benefit from them. I just can’t move them again or justify the time involved with the smaller items.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing – I will sure be glad when we’re out of here and can stop this overwhelming process.
  • LIVING AREAS… time for a serious deep clean
  • KITCHENā€¦ time for a serious deep clean
  • STUDIOā€¦ is just storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARDā€¦ not much
  • BLOGā€¦ a little more recipe updating and future post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR / MOVIES

The Olympics are at the forefront of everything being watched.Ā  Winter Olympics are my favorite! Go Team USA! šŸ˜€

MOVIES

I’ve taped a few of the Hallmark Valentine’s movies to watch during down time.

READING

Iā€™m now reading ONCE HUNTED, TWICE SHY an EVERLASTING SERIES NOVEL by Mandy Roth

COMEDIES

  • Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Good Place, American Housewife, Better Late Than Never, Life in Pieces

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdom of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS

  • The Good Doctor, This is Us, The Resident, Elementary

SYFY

  • Z Nation, The Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC LEegends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files

COOKING

  • Guyā€™s Grocery Games, Dinerā€™s Drive-Ins and Dives, The Grill Dads, Beat Bobby Flay, Bobby and Damaris, Baked in Vermont, Kidā€™s Baking Championship, Worst Cooks in America, Giada

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
2 times a day
B-FAST
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana andĀ  Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
BACON & EGGS
TOASTED FRENCH TOAST
2 times a day
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 time a day

LUNCH

2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
DINNER 6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

6-8 ounces

CHICKEN PARMESAN LASAGNA

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

6-8 ounces

CASHEW CHICKEN

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

6-8 ounces

GRILLED SWORDFISH with LEMON BASTING SAUCE & SALAD with HOMEMADE CELERY SEED DRESSING

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 6 of 2018

Good morning! Here we are at week 6 already. Can you believe that?Ā  Time is truly just flying by!!!! I hope you had a GREAT weekend.

So are you a Super Bowl watcher?Ā  We love football here and enjoyed yesterday’s game a lot, especially since we were voting fo the Eagles!

Do you watch just for the commercials? I don’t, since I love football, but I REALLY ENJOY the Super Bowl for the commercials almost as much as the game itself. My favorite commercials this year were:

  • M&M’S with DANNY DEVITO
  • ALEXA LOSES HER VOICE
  • DODGE RAM VIKINGS
  • ELI MANNING AND ODELL BECKHAM DIRTY DANCING
  • MARTHA STEWART AND JACK IN THE BOX
  • BUDWEISER CLYDESDALE
  • ALEXA SOUTHERN MODEL
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.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather has been sooooooo crazy.Ā  One day was 80 degrees last week and then 57 degrees the next day.Ā  The lows at night have been just as crazy ranging from 30-60 degrees.Ā  This week is supposed to be just as crazy with patchy fog, low visibility and a few days of rain also.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Honey Nut cheerios and banana with milk and Green Tea

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

Last week was very sad for us as we lost our beloved Sady.Ā  Fur children are so precious and so hard to lose.Ā  I found her and her sisters behind the garage almost 20 years ago when they were about 2 weeks old.Ā  Her mother had been hit by a car.Ā  I raised the three of them by hand until they were old enough to find homes for, but Sady always had a special place in my heart.Ā  When she was little she would curl up on my neck after she took her bottle and sleep there. She was always a tiny little thing and I kept her as an indoor only cat.Ā  Sady ALWAYS thought she was a real person with so many human like qualities.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

My uncle was here for dinner on Saturday night and brought me these great flowers for the table.Ā  I just love this little vase! It’s hard to see, but there is all sorts of pretty embossing all over it.

YAY – I get to start exercising today!

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
  • LIVING AREAS… hubby helped me do a SERIOUS deep clean on Saturday before my uncle came for dinner so the house is still looking really good.
  • KITCHENā€¦ pretty clean after a deep clean Saturday night
  • STUDIOā€¦ is just storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARDā€¦ still nothing after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything
  • BLOGā€¦ some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR / MOVIES

MOVIES

I’ve taped a few of the Hallmark Valentine’s movies to watch in some down time.

We actually ventured out into the world on Friday to see a movie – the first time hubby has really let me out among people for fear of me getting sick during recovery.Ā  We saw the new Winchester with Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke.Ā  I have always been enthralled with the Winchester Mystery House and love touring it whenever we are in the area.Ā  I loved the plot of the movie, but was hoping to see more of the actual house.

COMEDIES

  • Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Good Place, American Housewife, Better Late Than Never, Life in Pieces

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies

  • NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdom of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS

  • The Good Doctor, This is Us, The Resident, Elementary

SYFY

  • Z Nation, The Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC LEegends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files

COOKING

  • Guyā€™s Grocery Games, Dinerā€™s Drive-Ins and Dives, The Grill Dads, Beat Bobby Flay, Bobby and Damaris, Baked in Vermont, Kidā€™s Baking Championship, Worst Cooks in America, Giada

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
SUN
2 times a day
B-FAST
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana andĀ  Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
Honey Nut Cheerios with Banana and Green Tea
QUICHE LORRAINE
BISCUITS & GRAVYĀ  CASSEROLE BAKE
2 times a day
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 cup 1% Milk or Protein Drink
1 time a day

LUNCH

2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
2-4 ounces Protein or yogurt
DINNER

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

6-8 ounces

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN BRUSSELS SPROUTS

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

6-8 ounces

BAKED GENERAL TSO CHICKEN

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

6-8 ounces

CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE

6-8 ounces

C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP