HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Looks like we have a definitive move date (FINALLY!) Unfortunately it leaves me twiddling my thumbs for a few extra weeks so I will be catching up on my reading!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Fortunately the evenings have been super cool making for wonderful sleeping and the days are starting to cool a bit too.  By the time we leave it’ll be perfect LOL

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Whiskey to the groomer
  • Groceries
  • Cleaning 
  • Laundry

CURRENTLY READING 

  • Hurricane Force byJana DeLeon
  • The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking by Lindy DeKoven
  • Tea and Comfort by Andrea Hurst
  • The Sweetness of Honey by Alison Kent

TELEVISION / DVR
The jury is still out on some of the new shows, but some of the old favorites are great.

  • Minority Report
  • Big Bang Theory
  • Life in Pieces?
  • NCIS
  • NCIS NOLO
  • Blue Bloods
  • Criminal Minds
  • Law & Order SVU
  • Castle

HOUSE PROJECTS
Can’t wait to get this show on the road so I can begin sharing all the updates we will be doing on the new house.

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
C.O.R.N.
MALIBU CHICKEN & VEGGIES
DESSERT






THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY 

  • An extra month with my favorite munchkins
  • Plans that come together
  • A good night’s sleep

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Sady hanging out with dad during football.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m also reading Fatal Frenzy by Marie Force.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
SALISBURY STEAK & MASHED POTATOES & ASPARAGUS
C.O.R.N.
CHICKEN PICATTA & GARLIC PASTA with HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE
STUFFED CHEDDAR APPLE CHICKEN and SALAD
TOMATO SPINACH SOUP & GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES
DESSERT


SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

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

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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

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

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

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.
First and foremost for me this week is a subject very close to my heart AND my life. 
 Be sure and see my AWARENESS post here.

We have a bit of a delay in our move so I’m all packed and am waiting patiently, NOT!  We are trying to stay busy, but that’s not easy with everything packed.  Seems like a vicious circle to me.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
A bit cooler today with the promise of rain that we desperately need before the week is out.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • A couple physical therapy appointments for hubby
  • Laundry 
  • Cleaning
  • Paperwork

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Next week will be the BIG reveal week for the new shows, so this week we’re still trying to clean out the DVR from all the stacked up summer shows.

HOME PROJECTS
After the move and we get settled one of my first projects will be making a garden area something like this:

KITCHEN WISHES
I LOVE enamelware and would love both sizes of these new pans from Pioneer Woman’s new line at Walmart:

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
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
OUT for my birthday
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

ON MY MIND
We had an encounter with yet another VERY RUDE VA employee this past week.  I have to wonder if they are instructed to make things more difficult than necessary in order to get people to just go away!  It took us over a month of our time and effort to get a prescription situation corrected, a situation that never should have transpired to begin with. Then in the mail came a new bottle of the same damn drug!  We went back to get it corrected AGAIN! and the male nurse was 100% useless and antagonistic.  Funny thing is hubby specifically told him I was there as his advocate and because I had all the dates and information and the man refused!!!! to deal with me even with hubby standing right there telling him differently. Ironically he called me adversarial, which he did NOT see from me. Really? He thought I was being adversarial because I was giving him factual information to correct an error (AGAIN)?  He should know that adversarial would include a formal complaint against him for his attitude and disrespect of a veteran and we would win because I keep a calendar of dates and interactions regarding ALL VA interactions for exactly this reason.  I am not one to allow someone o jut say, oh well, that’s just how it is.  We proceeded to the pharmacy and were able to correct part of the problem at least with a VERY nice gentleman who actually listened and understood the chain of events.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

  • BEING HEALTHY
  • SUCCESSFUL RECIPE EXPERIMENTS
  • HEARING HAPPY STORIES IN THE NEWS

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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

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

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • 2 Physical therapy appointments for hubby
  • cleaning
  • laundry

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR

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

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

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

USA Pans Pullman Loaf Pan with Cover, Aluminized Steel with Americoat, 9 x 4 x 4 Inches
Prepara Herb Savor Pods, Set of 3
Kuhn Rikon W1184 Square PushPan, 9-Inch Square
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
??
??
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
Chicken & Shrimp Paella
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

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

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

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

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

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

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

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

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

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

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

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

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

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK


    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
    C.O.R.N.
    MALIBU CHICKEN & VEGGIES
    DESSERT





    HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

    HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIPS

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

    THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

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

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

    SUPER MOON RISING around 9PM
    SUPER MOON ON HIGH around midnight

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

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

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

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

    CURRENTLY READING

    TELEVISION / DVR

    • Astronaut Wives Club 
    • Hell On Wheels
    • Complications
    • The Strain
    • Proof
    • Dark Matter
    • Devious Maids
    • The Last Ship
    • Falling Skies
    • Under the Dome
    • Rookie Blue
    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    EXPERIMENT NIGHT
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Hobo Chicken Casserole
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with cheese
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Ham & Cheese French Toast
    SATURDAY
    Biscuits & Gravy
    Veggie Burgers and Baked Beans
    SUNDAY
    Ham & Cheese Omelets
    Pork & Green Chile Verde Stew with Bacon Scones

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

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

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

    HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

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

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

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

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

    THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

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

    FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

    With the BIG move a few weeks away, I’m at that point of trying to finish up the packing for the moving truck. There are always the little things that need a corner of a tote or box and then the things you really need to use right up to the last minute, but don’t really want to take with you so are trying to gauge the use so you don’t need to buy a fresh bottle or pack an almost empty one.  I’m trying to make menus to use what’s still in the pantry and freezer without doing a lot of shopping except for fruits and veggies.

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

    WEATHER OUTSIDE
    It’s heating up again with some higher humidity so I am trying to get all outside activities done first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

    • Finish inventory and ty-wrapping totes closed for the move early in the mornings
    • A couple of appointments for hubby
    • Clean BBQ and pack
    • Put together “1st Week” tote – it will have clean sheets, towels, kitchen towels and sleeping clothes so we don’t have to unpack anything immediately which is good since the trucks (from 2 different places) aren’t going to arrive until a week after we do.
    • Put together “1st Week” suitcase of clothes for each of us.

    CURRENTLY READING

    TELEVISION / DVR
    Since we’ll be moving in 3 weeks, I’m really trying to get EVERYTHING off the DVR that I had saved to see.  In addition to those old shows we’ll try and work in the normal summer shows that are quickly coming to season finales.

    • Astronaut Wives Club 
    • Hell On Wheels
    • Complications
    • The Strain
    • Proof
    • Dark Matter
    • Devious Maids
    • The Last Ship
    • Falling Skies
    • Under the Dome
    • Rookie Blue
    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    OUT for our ANNIVERSARY
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Fiesta Chicken Lasagna
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with cheese & Toast
    Ham & Cheese French Toast
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Beef & Potato Hand Pies
    SATURDAY
    Biscuits & Gravy
    Hobo Chicken Casserole
    HUMMINGBIRD CAKE
    SUNDAY
    Ham & Cheese Omelets
    Sesame Orange Roast Chicken

    LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

    RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
    A few more recipes from the “I promised myself NO MORE recipes until after the BIG move, but couldn’t resist these” file:

    • Tomato and Peach Salad
    • Braised Chicken Thighs with savory marinated peaches
    • Caramel Apple Cookies
    • Maple Sugar Cookie
    • Pumpkin Banana Bread
    • Pull apart Pumpkin Loaf
    • Salted Caramel Cheesecake
    • Apple Carrot Cake Muffins
    • Maple Bacon Cheesecake Bites
    • Cherry Swirl Brownies
    • Pumpkin Raisin Doodles
    • Chicken in Sweet Zesty Raisin Sauce
    • Coconut Lime Curd Bars

    HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

    • To lighten up a homemade creamy dressing you can substitute yogurt for mayonnaise or use a half and half combination.  It’s still creamy, but much lighter and more pourable.
    • Freeze thinly sliced green onions in air tight containers to use in scrambled eggs or salads.
    • When making spaghetti, cook your pasta for less than al dente, drain and add to sauce to finish cooking.  You end up with more flavor in the pasta.

    THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

    • Being married to my best friend.
    • ORGANIZATION!
    • Looking forward to a more settled lifestyle.

    FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

    from a recent car show

    My inspiration for 30 years has been my best friend and husband.  I’m still IN love with you and my love grows stronger each and every day.  Thank you for your undying love through this roller coaster we call life.  The ride keeps getting more exciting each and every year.  You have proven in sickness and health more times than anyone should have to.

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

    Seems like summer is passing by pretty quickly.  We’ve been really busy with multiple projects and now we’re finishing up some medical appointments and packing before our move.

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

    WEATHER OUTSIDE
    It was supposed to be several degrees cooler today, the day I have to work in the steamy hot storage area, but evidently that weather pattern has stalled until later in the week, but I need to get this done now in preparation for the BIG move.

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK
    Monday – STORAGE! Prep and organize for the BIG move
    Tuesday – not sure yet – it is so rare to get a free day 😀
    Wednesday – Hubby Physical Therapy & grocery shopping
    Thursday – Hubby Eye surgery
    Friday – Post Op appt.
    Saturday – Blackberry Festival (if hubby is up to it)
    Sunday – D.W.Y.W. day (Do What You Want day)

    CURRENTLY READING

    TELEVISION / DVR

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

    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    EXPERIMENT NIGHT
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with Toast
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    SATURDAY
    something Peach
    SUNDAY

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

    RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
    I promised myself NO MORE recipes until after the BIG move, but couldn’t resist these:

    • Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cobbler
    • Bananas Foster Bake
    • Blackberry Apricot Slump
    • Pear Cheese Danish Slab
    • Pumpkin Pan Pie
    • Ginger Cookies
    • Sweet Raisin Tamales
    • Pluot upside-down cake
    • Bacon Buttermilk Scones
    • Salted Caramel Pie
    • Summer Corn Chowder
    • Oven Roasted Tomatoes
    • Mandarin Sunburst Salad
    • Tandoori Chicken
    • Marinated Skirt Steak
    • Skirt Steak Pinwheels

    • You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
    • You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
    • You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
    • You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
    • You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
    • You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
    • You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”
     ~  Abraham Lincoln

    THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

    • Fall approaching – it’s my favorite season
    • Completed Projects
    • Sweet Pineapple
    • Cool breezes

    FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

    INSPIRATION

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

    We had a great week, but pretty busy so I’m a little behind on most things.  Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

    WEATHER OUTSIDE
    It’s been much nicer temperature wise, but really overcast so pretty muggy when the sun breaks through in the afternoons.

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

    • Hubby’s physical therapy appointments (2)
    • Hubby’s eye surgery appointments (3)
    • Grocery shopping
    • A few Phone Calls

    CURRENTLY READING
    I’ve been slacking a little on reading lately.

    TELEVISION / DVR

    • Astronaut Wives Club 
    • Complications
    • The Strain
    • Proof
    • Dark Matter
    • The Last Ship
    • Falling Skies
    • Under the Dome
    • Rookie Blue
    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    EXPERIMENT NIGHT
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with cheese & Toast
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    SATURDAY
    something Chocolate
    SUNDAY

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS

    RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER

    • Ham & Cheese French Toast
    • Coconut Chicken Salad w/ Warm Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

    ON MY MIND
    It’s been chaotic the past two weeks.  Two weeks ago today I received one of those early morning phone calls that no one wants to answer.  My mom’s winter home in a Desert Resort (that hubby and I just finished painting inside and out for her along with other tasks) was broken into and apparently “squatters” had been systematically cleaning it out prior to someone finally noticing and calling us.  She and my step dad made a whirlwind trip down to change locks, take inventory and clean-up from the vandalism.

    The hard part was after they returned trying to locate receipts, fill out forms and organize it all together into a semblance of order.  One of the things that ticks me off is that people always ask for your receipt, but most receipts are now printed on thermal paper.  As I was sorting through receipts many that were only a few months or a year old were already beginning to fade so bad they would hardly photocopy. I have to say, I think that thermal paper receipts should be done away with!!!!

    THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

    • Planning our upcoming house projects
    • Thinking about minimalizing and donating a bunch of things after the move

    HELPFUL TIP
    I had my truck detailed recently and it looks so pretty!  I added new seat covers, but felt I was missing something so I wanted to add air freshener, but I hate most of the air fresheners – they just don’t smell real. I bought 2 wax melts, removed the tops and placed them under the seats and now my truck smells like a pina colada!

    FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

    From Graftti Weekend this past weekend.

    INSPIRATION

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

    We had a quiet week and 4th at home. I did quite a bit done, but also got some serious relaxing done.  I hope you had a great holiday.

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 

    WEATHER OUTSIDE
    Still warm and a bit muggy, but we’re supposed to drop  about 10 degrees by the end of the week! YAY!

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

    • Dr. appointments
    • Receipt Research for a problem
    • Calls & Letter re: medical billing issues

    CURRENTLY READING
    I didn’t get much reading done last week so am still reading:

    TELEVISION / DVR
    The Strain and Dominion start this week as well as catching up on

    • Astronaut Wives Club 
    • Complications
    • Proof
    • Dark Matter
    • The Last Ship
    • Falling Skies
    • Under the Dome
    • Rookie Blue

    CRAFTS & PROJECTS
    The Christmas cards are finished as far as the craft work, but still need addressed and personal notes at Christmas time. The sun was glaring a bit so it is hard to tell, but I was spraying them with glitter and snow.

    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    EXPERIMENT NIGHT
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with cheese & Toast
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    TACOS
    SATURDAY
    SHIRRED EGGS & TOAST
    BALINESE CHICKEN
    MAGIC CARAMEL BARS
    SUNDAY
    Ham & Cheese Omelets

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

    THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

    • Finished Craft Projects
    • Fireworks
    • Smiling Children 
    • Hugs
    • BBQS/PICNICS

    FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

    We were at the river having lunch at a favorite hamburger joint and went down the local boat ramp to check out the water level and there was lone flipper at the bottom of the ramp.  You have to wonder how someone stepped out of their flipper without knowing it.

    INSPIRATION

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

    Last week got REALLY warm!!!! So, to beat the heat I stayed inside and thought about snow.  Yep, I’m thinking about winter and Christmas already.  I actually started my Christmas cards and am about 75% DONE.  It’s been a while since I made my own and I forgot how hard it is to cut out all the little pieces – boy, are my hands tired!

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. 

    WEATHER OUTSIDE
    It is STILL HOT! And super muggymight as well be in Texas or Florida!  We are setting new records all the time.

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

    • Finish Christmas cards
    • Paperwork
    • Appt.s
    • Phone Calls

    CURRENTLY READING

    TELEVISION / DVR

    • Astronaut Wives Club 
    • Complications
    • Proof
    • Dark Matter
    • The Last Ship
    • Under the Dome
    • Rookie Blue
    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    EXPERIMENT NIGHT
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with cheese & Toast
    Chicken Broccoli Casserole & Salad
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Sweet & Sticky Pork Chops w/ Dirty Rice
    SATURDAY
    Steaks and baked potatoes with a side of fireworks
    SUNDAY
    Fruit Smoothies

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS  FROM LAST WEEK

    FUTURE RECIPES TO TRY
    My favorite neighbor ever surprised me yesterday with armfuls of cookbooks she wanted to get rid of.  I’m so in love with new recipes that I’m not sure where to start.  My nephew is coming for a week soon so I decided to start with kid friendly recipes – he’s young, but he’s a HUGE growing boy so I also needed easy, flavorful and stretching recipes.  Here are the ones I have found so far:

    • TexMex Tamale Skillet
    • Hamburger Strogaanoff
    • Ground Beef Reuben Melts
    • Pizza Calzone
    • Chili Rice con Queso
    • Fiesta Chicken Lasagna
    • Italian Lemon Semifreddo 

    HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
    With summer comes rough, flaky and dry skin.  Here’s a homemade exfoliating body wash that will make your skin silky smooth.

    PINEAPPLE BODY WASH – makes 2 week’s worth.  I saved an old Herbal Essence bottle to keep this recipe in.

    1 6-ounce can pineapple juice
    2 cups castile liquid soap (Dr. Bronner’s or Kirk’s original at Walmart)

    • Blend together.
    • Shake to mix before using each day.
    • Pour a small amount on wash cloth, lather and wash.

    “You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” ― C. JoyBell C.

    THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

    • Air conditioning in triple digit temperatures
    • Fresh Flowers 
    • Laughing children playing outside

    FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA THIS WEEK
    We’ve been watching these ‘environmental’ platforms for quite some time now.  There are 3 of them in this particular area and all have residents.   The fledglings have been taking test flights and appear to be close to ready to leave home.

    The platforms don’t look huge until you take a picture from below and then you realize their actual size.

    INSPIRATION

    HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

    Last week was not a real busy week, but it sure went by quickly. Haven’t had much energy to do anything special. We did head to the coast for a father’s day dinner and ran across a chainsaw competition/exhibition and I found a few favorites to get pictures of.

    Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.  

    WEATHER OUTSIDE
    Things are heating up here again this week to triple digits by the end of the week, so I am planning indoor projects.  We went to the local farm stand Friday and found some great finds so I made a fantastic fruit salad for dinner over the weekend and plan on making another one this weekend.

    TO DO FOR THE WEEK

    • a few phone calls
    • a little filing
    • cleaning and laundry
    • Starting my Christmas cards (yep, you read that right) I’m going to actually make my own this year and NOT wait until last minute

    CURRENTLY READING

    • What a Girl Wants by Kate Perry
    • Resurrection in Mudbug  by Jana DeLeon
    • Dead Wrong by Leighann Dobbs

    TELEVISION / DVR

    • Astronaut Wives Club 
    • Complications
    • Proof
    • Dark Matter
    • The Last Ship

    BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    DESSERT
    MONDAY
    Cereal & Fruit
    Y.O.Y.O. / C.O.R.N.
    TUESDAY
    Bagel & cream cheese
    EXPERIMENT NIGHT
    WEDNESDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Chardonnay Chicken
    THURSDAY
    Scrambled Eggs with cheese & Toast
    Lemon Parsley Chicken
    FRIDAY
    Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
    Sweet & Sticky Pork Chops w/ Dirty Rice
    SATURDAY
    Biscuits & Gravy
    Salted Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake
    SUNDAY
    Ham & Cheese Omelets
    Mahogany Chicken & Broccoli

    SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

    RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
    A couple weekends ago we went down to the Local Relay for Life garage sale and it was a real bust, but I was in the mood for bargain so went a little further to a favorite antique mall and found a great garage sale along the way.  I ran across a real bargain on some recipe magazines and bought the whole lot.  Here are some of the recipes we’ll be trying:

    • French onion BACON soup
    • Fruit Jellies
    • Beet, Cheddar & Apple tarts
    • Spooky Rum Coolers
    • Caramel Popcorn Pretzel Bars
    • Slow Cooker Green Chili
    • Roasted Beef, mushroom & Barley Soup
    • Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake
    • Slow Cooker Bacon Jam
    • Chicken with Cornmeal Dumplings
    • Pepperoni Pasta Bake
    • Jamaican Spiced Upside Down Cake
    • Buttered Toast and Jam Pudding
    • Coconut Buttermilk pound cake
    • Blackberry Oat Bran Muffins
    • Backyard Jerk Chicken
    • Apricot Bourbon Glazed Ham
    • Bacon Pancakes
    • Strawberry Rhubarb Slab Pie
    • Lemon Herb Dressing
    • Cappuccino Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Chicken in Garlic Oil
    • Slow Cooker Brisket & Onions
    • Salmon with brown sugar mustard glaze
    • Rocky road fudge bars
    • Turnip Au Gratin
    • Sausage Cheddar Balls
    • Orange Cumin Pork Loin
    • Baked Bacon Tortellini
    • Sweet and sour sesame wings
    • Frozen honey cream
    • Blueberry Cream Cheese hand pies
    • Lemon Pudding
    • Peanut Butter stuffed French Toast
    • Sticky Orange Chicken
    • Chicken Gazpacho
    • Spiced Parsnip Cupcakes
    • Apple Raisin Cookies

    HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
    I’ve recently begun using doTerra essential oils and have been having great success with one combination in particular for easier breathing by clearing your sinuses.

    Peppermint oil
    Breathe
    DigestZen

    • Put one drop of each oil on the palm of your hand.
    • Rub hands together.
    • Form a tent with your hands and breathe deep 2-3 times.

    HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
    Tips for better batters:

    • ALL your ingredients should be at room temperature (eggs, butter, milks, …
    • When you cream butter and sugar, DO IT SLOWLY.  This step in your recipe is meant to aerate your batter creating a lighter and fluffier cake.
    • Choose your ingredients carefully. For example, using cake flour instead of all purpose flour creates a softer, finer crumb to your cake.
    • Use the proper tools for measuring For example, measure wet ingredients in liquid measures and dry ingredients in dry measures. Don’t pack ingredients unless told to do so. Flour in particular should be lightly spooned in and leveled off with a knife.
    • Alternating wet and dry ingredients creates a smoother batter and prevents toughness. 
    • Cake batter cannot be made in advance, but cakes can as long as you don’t frost them, they will freeze well. for 3-4 weeks.  Be sure and let them cool completely before freezing. Conversely allow them to thaw completely before icing.

    MAKE AHEAD SMOOTHIES – Perfect for busy weeks

    • Instead of making one serving of your favorite smoothie whip up a whole batch all at once.
    • Place one serving each in freezer bags.
    • Lay them flat and stack in the freezer.
    • Transfer one to the refrigerator the night before and they are perfect the next morning for a meal on the run.

      My favorite flavor combination is:
      Bolt House Farms Green Goddess
      Pomegranate juice
      a banana
      a handful of wild blueberries

      • The secret of life isn’t what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.  
      • Help other people cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with.
      • Never use the word “impossible” seriously again.
      • Self-trust is the first secret of success.  So believe in and trust yourself.
      • Stand up to obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.
      • Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself.  In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible.
      • How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself, so always think positively.
      • Go at life with abandon, give it all you’ve got. And life will give all it has to you.
      ~Norman Vincent Peale “Positive Thinking Every Day”


      THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

      • A lazy summer afternoon napping on the patio
      • Marathon afternoons catching up with favorite shows
      • Freshly painted walls
      • A day at the beach

      FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

      Awesome moon on June 3rd.

      INSPIRATION