NANEA HOFFMAN – Page 2 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 1 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.6B

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

I don’t care for Christmas and New Years falling in the middle of the week! Last Wednesday felt like a Sunday and I was messed up for the rest of the week! I’m looking to return to a routine this week!

So our “weekend” really began last Wednesday. We watched the Rose Parade, went and saw a friend who had to work (fortunately she runs a bar and grill so we got breakfast) and then watched the Rose Bowl before we ate Black Eyed Pea Chili made from our left over Christmas Prime Rib for dinner.

I spent Thursday cleaning the refrigerator and freezer and making an inventory list for both to start the year out fresh. Fortunately, it was also trash day, so that helped a lot. The woman who normally mans the Eagle’s kitchen for me on Thursdays had to bow out because her grandson came down with the flu virus while he was staying with her and we didn’t want to expose people, so I ended up covering for her.

Friday we were getting a bit of cabin fever from all the rain so decided to take a drive down to the river and were rewarded with a fantastic new little restaurant. On the way we encountered a barn that made me think of Jean so I took a picture for her. But, Jean and Carrie, I’m so sorry about the Chiefs and Packers yesterday 🙁

The rest of Friday through Sunday was spent de-cluttering and washing linens from Christmas and beginning to pack it all away for another year. I’ll finish packing away Christmas today. We also watched A LOT of football for the final regular season day.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

While the temperatures are still supposed to be in the 40’s we are supposed to FINALLY dry out a bit this week, at least enough to dry out a bit and not be so soggy. That said, nighttime lows will be much lower with clear skies.

ON MY MIND

I was so saddened to wake up on the 1st to hear about all the senseless terror situations in New Orleans, Las Vegas and all over the world! I pray for an answer every day to the senseless violence!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll need to deep clean after I finish putting away the Christmas decorations. I also am going to try and deep clean the baseboards. Fortunately, I’m up to date on the laundry.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ve searched high and low for an 11×14 frame for my small jewelry tree and finally resorted to ordering one from Amazon. I TRIED to shop local!!!
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m trying to finish my jewelry “forest” so I can get it packed away until next Christmas.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING working on next week’s menu

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING We finished season 6 of Virgin River and Man on the Inside – can’t wait for the new seasons of both.
HALLMARK When Calls the Heart’s new season started last night. I’m excited for the changes that this new season will bring. And The Way Home started last Friday.
CABLE New season starts this week so we’ll see – looks like a couple of promising new shows.
THEATRE I saw a preview for FLIGHT RISK (opens 1/24) with Mark Wahlberg that looks like it’s going to be pretty good.

READING TIME

I’m reading The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I LOVE WWII stories that empower women! ~~The new book club book was supposed to be announced last night~~, so we’ll see what her “wheel of chance” chose for us. We’ve all been feeding her titles and to make it fair she’s using an APP that chooses at random. I just checked again and the book has been chosen, NONE Of This Is TRUE by Lisa Jewell. So many of the titles the others are throwing out have such a sinister true crime, psychological thriller type vibe to them, not titles I would choose on my own 🙁 we’ll try another month and see what comes of it.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

	1/6 MONDAY	1/7 TUESDAY	1/8 WEDNESDAY	1/9 THURSDAY	1/10 FRIDAY	1/11 SATURDAY	1/12 SUNDAY
DINNER	NUMERO UNO PIZZA REMAKE	COCA COLA PORK LOIN with CARROT CASSEROLE	PIZZA EGG ROLLS	BEEF & BBQ BEAN STEW	GREEN CHICKEN CHILE	SWEET CORN DIP & HOT DOGS	BEEF & NOODLES
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES POSTING THIS WEEK

CREAMY LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN
CLASSIC BURGERS with BACON AIOLI
SLOW COOKER TEX MEX CHICKEN

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CHICKEN TOSTADA CUPS
COUNTRY FRENCH CHICKEN GARLIC SOUP

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 50 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.351

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

LONG AND BUSY weekend here. Friday was a chaotic and odd day putting out fires for the Eagles. Saturday we helped an elderly friend get rid of her moving boxes and trash and then I spent a good amount of time getting presents wrapped as well as preparing the chicken wings and doing some baking for the Christmas party at the Eagles yesterday. The Christmas Party was a success, but super busy! It was a lot of work and I was exhausted!!! I still am, but have A LOT to do this week so need to get on with it!!!

And I have my first delayed package of the season. It originated about 500 miles away and almost made it here, but then somehow ended up on a plane to Kentucky! It was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but they’re now saying Friday! As long as it’s here by Christmas I guess it’s all part of the season. I hope you all have a blessed and productive week.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Can you spell W E T? or even C O L D? It’s our normal Pacific North West winter that’s quite gray, wet and cold though not as cold as normal, but wet enough to make it feel even more cold. 😀 I prefer a dryer cold. Snow is preferable to ALL this rain!

12/16 MONDAY 49°High 37°Low Rain
12/17 TUESDAY 49°High 40°Low Rain
12/18 WEDNESDAY 49°High 47°Low Rain
12/19 THURSDAY 47°High 43°Low Clouds & Rain
12/20 FRIDAY 48°High 46°Low Clouds & Rain
12/21 SATURDAY 48°High 44°Low Rain
12/22 SUNDAY 47°High 43°Low Rain

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Need to deep clean this week after all the girl’s night projects and gift wrapping, but the laundry is up to date.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS BUSY, BUSY week starting with a pedicure today. I’ll pick up everything I need today for dinners I’m hosting Tuesday and Wednesday as well as potluck dishes for parties Friday and Saturday while I’m in town.
EVENTS
- Tuesday hosting dinner here with friends
- Wednesday hosting dinner here with another friend
- Thursday out with the girls for dinner and a play
- Friday Christmas Party
- Saturday Christmas Parade Tailgating

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

CABLE FINALLY getting caught up on the DVR and back up of the past couple months.

READING TIME

Book club met yesterday, but no one had much time to read the new book so that made me feel better. I’m about to start the book now, THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING by Jason Rekulak

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	TARRAGON CHICKEN & PASTA	APRICOT HABANERO ROAST CHICKEN, ROAST CARROTS and CREAMY MAC & CHEESE	BACON CHEESEBURGER BALLS, CREAMY MAC & CHEESE	GIRL’S NIGHT OUT to DINNER AND PLAY	CHRISTMAS PARTY POTLUCK	OUT	LEMON CHICKEN & RICE SOUP with BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
DESSERT		CRAN CHERRY CHEESECAKES	CRAN CHERRY CHEESECAKES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

The first batch of foster gifts has been delivered! Niki and I tried out the photo booth before the dance and I found this adorable cow chowing down when I went to retrieve a donated tree for the Eagles.

And here are a couple of alternate trees from girl’s night. I didn’t get a picture of Lu’s finished one, but as you can see she has a fun eye for color as does Dana. 😀

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK

ROAST TURKEY BREAST
RB’S BAKED BEANS
PUMPKIN PULL APARTS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

LAYERED SALAD
CRAZY PIZZA BREAD
CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL COOKIES

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 366.343

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPES week 47 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.330

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

My weekend was a whirlwind that began with the bomb cyclone hitting us here in the Pacific North West with lots of wind, rain, slippery roads and power outages early in the week. It also started with prep for a charity meal that my friend Dana and I did on Friday night for the Eagles. We had shopped on Tuesday to avoid crowds and being last minute which was fortunate because the bulk of that storm hit Tuesday night and the first round of power outages.

For the dinner we made Brisket sandwiches, her yummy baked beans and coleslaw and I made a fun new recipe for dessert, Neapolitan cake full of fudgy chocolate, french vanilla and raspberry strawberry cake topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting.

Saturday I went to a friend’s craft fair, did laundry and cleaning and Sunday was the normal lunch with a friend and football. I made a yummy smoked brisket potato soup using up my portion of the leftover brisket from Friday night.

While this week is the same length as any other, it ALWAYS seems shorter because of all the prep for a mid week holiday!

Here’s your reminder to start defrosting your turkey if it’s frozen 😀 And if you’re traveling this week, be safe! HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

And don’t forget BLOGMAS begins on Friday, November 29th. I look forward to you joining in.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Highs in the 40’s with lows in the 30’s ALL week and LOTS of rain today, but then we’re supposed to get some actual sunshine for the rest of the week! 😀

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING COMPLETELY caught up for a few minutes at least. 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I did all the major shopping for the holiday last week, but I do need to pick up the turkey and a few fresh produce items on Tuesday. Dana and I are taking her mom on Friday to get a Christmas tree and our wreaths and will then go to lunch.
PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’m not even going to try and make calls this week with it being such a short work week. I do have a couple meetings today, but after that I’m good.
PROJECTS I’ll be adding a bit of an extension to the bed frame today to accommodate a bulky mattress. I’m also building a nativity scene for decorating this Christmas season.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING After I get the projects and Christmas decorating done over the next week I’ll get back to thinking about menus.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING We’re still watching BONES and late night we’re re-watching THE MIDDLE
CABLE A lot of shows have gone onto winter hiatus this week giving me time to get caught up on the DVR before they begin again in January.

READING TIME

I’m reading SOCIETY of LIES by Lauren Ling Brown for book club next Sunday. It’s not a book I would have chosen on my own, but I’m getting it done!

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀 And lunches are generally leftovers or out depending on the schedule for the day.

	11/25 MONDAY	11/26 TUESDAY	11/27 WEDNESDAY	11/28 THURSDAY	11/29 FRIDAY	11/30 SATURDAY	12/1 SUNDAY
DINNER	OUT WITH FRIENDS FOR A LATE LUNCH/EARLY DINNER BEFORE SEVERAL MEETINGS	CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE	OUT with a friend before PAINTING CLASS	BRINED TURKEY BREAST, DADDY’S STUFFING, GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY, PINEAPPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	OPEN FACED BURGERS with BACON AIOLI and CORNBREAD SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT				APPLE WALNUT CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

There was a short break in the rain yesterday and I came across this cat slinking across the sheep field.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PEAR WALNUT CRISP
PEASANT STEW
CHICKEN CHILES HOT DISH CASSEROLE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPES week 46 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.323

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

It was a whirlwind weekend, but a good one that really started on Thursday again. We went to pick up my holiday Hallmark order and made a day of it since the nearest Hallmark is an hour and a half away. Hallmark stores are far and few between here and when the one I normally dealt with closed a family owned and run old time drugstore took over for Hallmark. This drugstore is like an old time Woolworths or TG&Y and so much fun and the woman who runs the Hallmark section is so nice. Because I live so far away she puts back for me anything I need until I can get there. I even one the door prize from last month’s premiere event! So, I picked up a nice little haul to get me in the Christmas spirit.

While we were there we visited a local hardware chain that does their garden area as a Tinsel town for the holidays. We didn’t need much, but it’s always fun to look. I did pick up a white projector light for the new nativity we’re doing this year and some paper white bulbs.

We had a wonderful lunch along the river at a favorite haunt and then did some antiquing on the way back in a favorite store, 5 Flying Monkeys and finished the day with a dinner at another favorite haunt and had a yummy Thankful Thursday turkey dinner. On Thursdays they do Thankful Thursday for veterans, first responders and moms at half price. They rotate meals throughout the year doing either the turkey, pot roast or meatloaf. All three are exceptional! My favorite is the turkey or the pot roast because it comes with the BEST glazed roasted carrots I think I’ve ever had!

Saturday brought the annual craft fair at the community center. I had several friends selling their wares there so that was a lot of fun! Then Sunday was spent with a bestie. I was also able to get a lot of organization done during the weekend as well as catch up on laundry, football and NASCAR as it was super wet and cold ALL weekend.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The first one is probably better for next week, but is also something we should all remember this time of year as we are getting together with friends and family. We should all remember that our differences aren’t as important as our commonalities and love for each other. So enjoy your friends and families over the holidays.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

I’m going to sound like a broken record, but it’s cold, wet and rainy 😀 like always in November. We’ve had a fairly mild autumn up until now, but it feels like winter is going to hit a bit early. Highs this week in the 40’s and 50’s with lows in the 30’s and 40’s. Layers and flannels are a definite for this week.

ON MY MIND

There’s a “GIRLS NIGHT” in a a couple weeks to finish the Jewelry Christmas Trees we began last year. We’ve decided to “simplify” things this year and just order pizza. We’ll each provide a little something else like a favorite cookie, drink makings or ???? I’m thinking of making this cute charcuterie board appetizer board with some crackers. How cute is that?

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I got all the laundry done yesterday!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m putting together my list for this week to get all the errands and groceries done this week. Crowds are already crazy around her and I have no inclinations of going near stores the week of Thanksgiving EXCEPT to pick up the turkey from the butcher next Tuesday.
PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS & PROJECTS I’m chairing this year for the Eagle’s holiday families and foster kids so have LOTS of paperwork and organizing to do.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menus are done through November, but I’m starting on December. With the cold we’re having I’m envisioning a lot of soups, stews and chilis.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING I’m getting caught up on the things on the DVR FINALLY
CABLE I’ve been recording all the new Hallmark Christmas movies and am saving them up for when I start decorating for Christmas.

READING TIME

I joined a book club that started yesterday and we’ll be meeting every 2 weeks. I missed the first meeting, but they chose the book, SOCIETY OF LIES by Lauren Ling Brown. I downloaded the book and started it last night.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

	11/18 MONDAY	11/19 TUESDAY	11/20 WEDNESDAY	11/21 THURSDAY	11/22 FRIDAY	11/23 SATURDAY	11/24 SUNDAY
DINNER	RB BEANS AND CHARRED HOT DOGS	BURGERS & CHILI CORNBREAD SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN ALA KING and PEA STUFFING	COOKING AT THE EAGLES with a FRIEND – BRISKET SANDWICHES, COLESLAW, BAKED BEANS and	BEEF & BEAN STEW	GOULASH and ROASTED CARROTS
DESSERT					NEOPOLITAN CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

There is a BIG hardware store called Jerry’s here that reminds me of a combination Fleet & Farm plus a Menards that turns their garden area into a Tinsel Town for Christmas. I never need much, but it’s always fun to look. I LOVE how they display their lights making it easy to envision what they’ll look like on your house or project.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PICKLED PLUM CRUMBLE/CRISP
GO TO SLOW COOKER RECIPES ~ BLACK BEAN SALSA CHICKEN, GREEN CHILE CHICKEN, BUTTERMILK RANCH PORK CHOPS and TERIYAKI WINGS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 45 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.316

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

AHHHHHH a weekend away was just what the doctor ordered! Last year my girlfriend and I went to a great holiday market at the fairgrounds in the county 100 miles to the south of us. We did it all in one day along with a trip to a HUGE Hobby Lobby and it was A LOT to cram in.

So this year we planned it as a weekend and took hubby along. Unfortunately, the holiday market was not as good as last year, though we did manage to find several of our favorite vendors and start the Christmas shopping with a bang!

We were also able to get in some quality antiquing time as well as some great happy hour time at a Jimmy Buffet hotel we stayed at for Friday and Saturday nights as well as some amazing food at mom and pop restaurants along the way. This picture is silly and so optical illusion like. Dana is 6 inches shorter than I am and didn’t think she could get in and out of this HUGE chair so stood in front, but it makes me like so tiny by comparison 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

COLD, WET & RAINY! This is the only way to describe this week. And so far, it’s not that normal kind of cold, but the bone chilling kind that makes you feel like you’ll never be warm again! 🙂 So it’s layers time! Highs will start in the 50’s today and tomorrow and then drop into the 40’s with lows in the 30’s along with lots of rain and gray clouds all week.

ON MY MIND

Once again weighted down by Eagle’s responsibilities and dealing with unprepared close minded people. At this point I am committed through the holiday season, but seriously wondering if there isn’t a better way to volunteer my time, talents and money.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING LOTS to do with being away 3 days!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I will make a list in a bit and get everything done on Wednesday. I have an appointment to the north tomorrow.
PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have an auxiliary meeting tonight that looks like it’s going to be canceled and some calls to make regarding the stove replacement at the Eagles.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING ??????????? I did get a couple “new” vintage recipe boxes/books with some promising meals soon.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

CABLE I’m NOT even sure what recorded while we were gone, so will get caught up over the next few days.
STREAMING I’ll finish SCARECROW & MRS KING this week.

READING TIME

I’m reading THE KEEPER OF STORIES by Sally Page.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

	11/11 MONDAY	11/12 TUESDAY	11/13 WEDNESDAY	11/14 THURSDAY	11/15 FRIDAY	11/16 SATURDAY	11/17 SUNDAY
DINNER	LEMON CHICKEN and RICE SOUP with CRUSTY BREAD	RB BAKED BEANS and HOT DOGS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator nigh or you’re on your own	CHEESEBURGER BALLS, COLESLAW and LEFTOVER RB BAKED BEANS	CREAMY LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN, NOODLES and MUSHY PEAS	CHILI and CORNBREAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator nigh or you’re on your own
DESSERT		GINGERBREAD PEAR PUDDING CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

It’s my FAVORITE time of year!! Burn piles, hay barns and clouds!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PEANUT BUTTER BREAD
PARMESAN ROASTED GREEN BEANS
PORK MEDALLIONS with ONION GRAVY

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 43 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.302

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

4-6 PM Saturday was TRUNK or TREAT in our little town. The weather really showed up with a pleasant 71° and sunny which was great because Halloween itself is supposed to be pouring down rain and only 50° so Saturday may be the only Halloween some of these kids see.

TRUNK or TREAT has taken on a life of its own the past couple years. Surrounding towns bring their kids to our little area. It has also become quite an expensive endeavor. The kids have a great time and so do the businesses, but where and how do you draw the line on events like this? Our population is only 8,200 so how is we now have upwards of 2,500 kids participating? We did the math and between the candy, extra employees needed to man the booths and decorations it’s costing the average business between $500-$1,000 or more for a 2 hour event, especially if you’re located near the haunted house where the lines are long.

Sunday rained and the temperature dropped 20° so it was the perfect day to watch NASCAR, read a little and just do what you want kind of day. 😀 We did have a bit of a momentary break in the rain and we went and fed stale bread pieces to the peacocks and the deer that had wandered down into the park.

Let’s get on with Monday!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re supposed to get quite a bit of rain this week which we REALLY need, so I’m okay with that. The highs are supposed to be in the 50’s and 60’s with lows in the 30’s and 40’s.

ON MY MIND

I know Halloween is this week and we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but because Thanksgiving is late this year I am trying to get a jump on ALL things December! BLOGMAS is one of those things that keeps me happy and motivated through the holidays and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

That said, I did condense a bit and I have come up with my BLOGMAS timeline for 2024. Doing as many of the posts in advance that I can also helps me keep my sanity through the busy holiday season. I REALLY hope you can and will join in whenever possible.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I thought I had finished the laundry and then I realized we were wearing clothes and it wouldn’t stay done 😀 for very long.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m making a list for a very few things I need for this next week. I’ll pick those things up on Thursday when I head in to town for my pedicure appointment.
PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have a couple calls to make this morning for information for my meeting tonight.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m working on a painted pot and repotting of a Christmas cactus for a friend’s surprise birthday party on Wednesday. And I’m working on a “new” antique set of sewing machine drawers (pictures in the favorite photos section). I made reservations for a weekend getaway with a girl friend for a large Holiday Market we like to go to each year.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING My menus are planned through November, but I’m beginning to research some hearty soups, stews and casseroles for December and January.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING We finished watching FRINGE and NIGHT COURT. We’re currently trying to figure out our next binge watches.
CABLE I have been taping the new Hallmark Christmas movies, am about to finish the Halloween season of the baking shows and will start the new holiday shows next week.

READING TIME

I started reading RECIPE FOR A PERFECT WIFE by Karma Brown

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

	10/28 MONDAY	10/29 TUESDAY	10/30 WEDNESDAY	10/31 THURSDAY	11/1 FRIDAY	11/2 SATURDAY	11/3 SUNDAY
DINNER	STREET CORN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS	PEASANT BEEF STEW	RB BAKED BEANS and HOT DOGS	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	SLOW COOKER LEMON CHICKEN	GARLIC ONION SLOW COOKER CHICKEN & RICE	LASAGNA SOUP & GARLIC BREAD
DESSERT		SALTED CARAMEL BROWNIES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I found a cute “set” of sewing machine drawers at a friends store recently. They even had the rare “secret” top drawer fairly intact. The drawers had been “finished” by her brother, but they were in sad shape with too dry wood, missing drawer guides and “gummy” areas that were dried and yucky. They were also done as two separate units. I’m in the process of rejuvenating them with oil and putting the two towers into a single piece. Hubby is making me a top and a bottom for them, but this is a start for now.

And just a few pictures from the TRUNK or TREAT event. Many of the parents dressed up also. I have to say the Jack Sparrow was one of the more popular ones. He would accept candy from the businesses and then seek out one of the shyer kids to give it to. I also love the BIO HAZARD scarecrow and McDonalds pulled out the stops with their drive through window.

The deer joined the peacocks today for some joint snacking time.

Living in the country gives us some fun local displays for holidays also.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

With Thanksgiving coming up and so many stories in the news of bacterial diseases on the rise I thought it would be helpful to remind us all that food safety is so very important.

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY MENUS & RECIPES week 42 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.295

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEK(END) RECAP

Fall REALLY hit this past week with foggy mornings, a little rain and that cool crisp air in the morning that makes your coffee taste even better and your favorite sweatshirt that much more comfy.

My weekend started on Wednesday with the prep I could do in advance for my charity dinner on Friday at the Eagles. We had Baked Chicken, Creamed Potatoes, Tangy Glazed Carrots and Almond Cherry Poke Cake. My scheduled dinner in support of our charity fund was moved up a week due to another person having COVID, but my team really pivoted and rallied. We raised $250 for the general charity fund! 😀

These ladies make my life more fun and super easy to enjoy the hard work. We charge a nominal fee for the dinner and I donate all the makings for the meal so that it’s all profit for the charity fund. Thank you Diana, Dana, Pam and Lu!

Lu also made a couple fantastic raffle baskets. And a HUGE thank you to Diana for stepping in last minute when Dana took ill. We were also able to raise an additional $200 for St. Jude’s Children’s Foundation from the raffle baskets during our dinner.

Once Friday was out of the way I could enjoy the weekend fully! I’m so glad Dana had her backyard get together last week because it was truly the last “outdoorsy” weekend.

We watched MLB and NFL and NASCAR all weekend peppered with a few outings and meals. All in all we had a VERY relaxing weekend. Having grown up in SO CAL we are lifelong Dodger fans and have enjoyed them in the playoffs for the pennant. We are also RAM fans. So, both of those games were high on our priority watch list. We’re also Chiefs (YAY Jean) and Packers (YAY Carrie) fans. I’ve also been a Lions fan though there are far and few years between to be happy, but this is one of them (sorry Vikings)!

have some friends who are renovating a really cool old historic building and we spent some time with them talking logistics and ideas. I’m really excited for them and their use of the space. I really hope it all comes to fruition the way they envision. I’m so excited for them 😀

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s quite crisp! Fall is definitely here. We had a bit of rain last night through the early hours. The rest of the week is supposed to be highs in the low 60’s and lows in the low 40’s with more rain beginning on Thursday. We NEED the rain badly so I hope it happens the way it’s supposed to.

ON MY MIND

I’m so glad the political ads will be coming to an end soon. I’m so tired of the mud slinging. I did see this funny on FaceBook that I LOVE!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to do as well as clean out the garden beds and prepare them for winter.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I need to take Trudy for physical therapy twice this week as well as for x-rays and surgeon follow up. I fully anticipate him to release her on Wednesday because she’s doing so well! 😀 I don’t actually need any groceries or have other errands this week.
PROJECTS I’m helping a friend who manages a local bar and grill with her “TRUNK” or TREAT and SCARECROW contest events with the downtown businesses, which is always fun!
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING It’ll be just the two of us again this year for Thanksgiving. Hubby wants a traditional meal so I will be downsizing my normal recipes to mini recipes for 2, but like always will be making a fun new dessert. I found a recipe for a Dulce de Leche pumpkin pie that sounds kinda good, but boring, so I’ll be OOMPHing it up a bit 😀 I’m also only making a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING We should finish FRINGE and HOGAN’S HEROES this week and maybe even NIGHT COURT so we’ll be looking for a few new shows to watch. We’re still thinking about getting Apple TV, but haven’t decided.
CABLE Lots of new shows and old favorites to catch up on the DVR. Plus the Hallmark Christmas movies began this past weekend.

READING TIME

I should be finishing THE WRECK by Marie Force tonight.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

	10/21 MONDAY	10/22 TUESDAY	10/23 WEDNESDAY	10/24 THURSDAY	10/25 FRIDAY	10/26 SATURDAY	10/27 SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN and APPLE ONION SLOW COOKER MEAL with SWEET CORN on the COB	SWEET & SOUR MEATBALLS with RICE	CREAMY JALAPENO ARTICHOKE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS and REFRIED BEANS	R.B.’S BAKED BEAN DINNER	ZUPPA TOSCANA and GARLIC BREAD	OUT	??
DESSERT