Category: BLOG 365

MARINATED CUCUMBER, ONION and TOMATO SALAD ~ BLOG 365.175

MARINATED CUCUMBER, ONION and MOZZARELLA TOMATO SALAD

1/2 cup olive oil (or avocado)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 LARGE cucumber, sliced or chopped large
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2 LARGE tomatoes, chopped
1 cup marinated mozzarella cheese pearls, drained
1/4 cup FRESH parsley, chopped

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  • Add the sliced cucumber, red onion, chopped tomatoes and mozzarella cheese pearls to the bowl and gently toss in the marinade until evenly coated.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Before serving, sprinkle the chopped parsley over the salad and toss lightly.
  • Serve chilled and enjoy.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 25 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.174

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

I’m still trying to play catch up from the past couple of months, but feel like I’m getting further behind. I’m just so exhausted all of a sudden! I’ll do what I can to get ahead of the game this week!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Friday and Saturday brought a bunch of rain AND cold! I actually wore a sweatshirt for the first 3 days of summer! But, that is going away this week as the regularly scheduled sunshine is back and we’re supposed to hit low to mid 80’s ALL week.

ON MY MIND

I’m thinking about where we go from here. What does my mom need?, the estate sale at the end of July, the memorial in August, the reception food and accommodating all the out of the area people…

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m actually up to date, but wonder how long that will last…
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m trying REALLY hard to clean out the freezer and pantry…
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS everything is put off until the end of summer after the memorial and estate sale… EXCEPT for a class with girlfriends on Wednesday night 🙂
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING looking for recipes that utilize what is on hand…

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • I’ve been watching the Librarians on Paramount +
  • Catching up on cooking shows – BBQ Brawl, Duff Goldman Cake competition, Guy’s Grocery games…

READING TIME

I just started the 3rd Rose Landgreen series book, BONE FIRE by Sigrid Holm.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
6/23 MONDAY
6/24 TUESDAY
6/25 WEDNESDAY
6/26 THURSDAY
6/27 FRIDAY
6/28 SATURDAY
6/29 SUNDAY
DINNER
HAM HOCKS AND BEANS 
 FREEZER MYSTERY BOX (the label fell off and I can’t remember what it was even though it’s only a couple months old!)
 CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
 CHICKEN WINGS AND BBQ BEANS
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
 MISSISSIPPI CHICKEN and APPLE BROCCOLI SALAD
 ROOTBEER CHICKEN SLIDERS AND POTATO SALAD
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My girlfriend just spent 10 days in Germany, Switzerland and Prague having the time of her life. I was so honored she brought me the cutest glass blown German Christmas ornaments because she knows it’s my favorite holiday and some chocolates and the prettiest book mark from Switzerland and the Prague!

The past couple years I have been buying my seedlings at the Feed CO-OP and they have been growing like they are on steroids! I’ve already had tomatoes this year from 2 tiny seedlings despite the cold! And my clematis is growing like it’s radioactive!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • GREEN PEA CASSEROLE
  • MEATBALLS in BUTTERMILK SAUCE
  • MARINATED CUCUMBER, ONION & TOMATO SALAD

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 24 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.167

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

It’s been a super long, busy, sad, confusing, frustrating week, but when all is said and done it will all be okay.

My stepdad passed peacefully last Thursday at home in hospice. My stepsisters were both here with him. His cancer “journey” was aggressive and fast, a mere 8 weeks from beginning to end.

I do have to say that fortunately the hospice arm of the ONLY health care service in the county was made up of VERY caring nurses that helped make his last few days peaceful.

My stepsisters live many hours away and there is a lot to get done so hubs and I are doing what we can to help mom get through this.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather has turned much cooler and is much more pleasant than it has been the past few weeks. We’re now in the 70’s and 80’s during the day and 40’s and 50’s at night.

ON MY MIND

How to make this a smooth transition for my mom and stepsisters as we progress through these next steps of finalizing my stepdad’s estate. 

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING There is so much to do with returning the medical equipment, boxing up financial paperwork for my stepsister to deal with her dad’s estate and boxing up the mementos from their dad. Their mom also dies of a long drawn out cancer many years ago so I know this was especially hard on them. They’ve asked me to deal with selling off his estate for them.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS We have plenty of groceries, but I do have a pedicure this week and several loads of things to drop off at Salvation Army. Wednesdays are for Eagle’s shopping and this week I’m also covering the kitchen several days for a friend who is going to state conference.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS While we had to cancel going to the family reunion, we we will be re-planning our vacation for August after the memorial in July and the estate sale.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING We’re going to try and get back on a normal schedule so I’ll be delving into a menu plan later today.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • I really need to clean out the DVR and get caught up soon.

READING TIME

I’m reading LAKE LURE the Rose Landgreen Mysteries #2 by Sigrid Holm

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
6/16 MONDAY
6/17 TUESDAY
6/18 WEDNESDAY
6/19 THURSDAY
6/20 FRIDAY
6/21 SATURDAY
6/22 SUNDAY
DINNER
 HAM HOCKS AND BEANS
STUFFED BAKED POTATOES 
 BEEF STROGANOFF AND GLAZED CARROTS
TOSTADAS 
 CALZONES and ITALIAN SALAD  
 PORK STEAKS & SCALLOED POTATOES
 CHEESY MEATBALLS & PASTA
DESSERT
 
DOUBLE MILK FUDGE BROWNIES 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

We tried a new food truck last week that was super tasty and healthy too! They hang out at a favorite local brewery on Thursdays.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE 
  • STRAWBERRY SPOON BREAD/CAKE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

MACARONI COLESLAW ~ BLOG 365.163

I had a similar coleslaw at a church potluck years ago and have been trying to recreate it ever since with out favorite ingredients. Hubby declared I’ve FINALLY done it 🙂 In this version of coleslaw your favorite macaroni salad meets your favorite coleslaw for a BIG bang flavor.

The word “coleslaw” translates from the Dutch word, “KOOLSLA” which literally means cabbage salad. Over times the term coleslaw has evolved into ANY crunchy, shredded vegetable salad that holds up well after being dressed. 

MACARONI KOOLSLA
SALAD
8 ounces QUALITY ditalini pasta, prepared per package directions, drained and rinsed in COLD water
14 ounce bag coleslaw mix
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 LARGE bunch green onions, sliced thin
2 celery ribs, FINELY chopped
1 medium English cucumber, peeled and diced small
1 SMALL red pepper, FINELY chopped
1 CRISP apple, small diced – optional
shredded carrots – optional

  • Toss everything together in a large bowl until well mixed.

DRESSING
1 1/4 cups Duke’s mayonnaise
1/4-1/3 cup sugar, to taste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Whisk all ingredients together until sugar is dissolved and flavor is to taste.
  • Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss until well coated.
  • Cover and chill at least one hour, preferably overnight to allow flavors time to meld together.

NOTE: If using the apple, toss it with a bit of lemon juice to prevent it from browning.