BLOG 365 – Page 27 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 51 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.358

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

WEEKEND RECAP

GOOD MORNING dear friends! Here we are in the FINAL STRETCH of holiday preparation! Are you ready? I hope you are taking the holiday week by storm and crushing it, BUT also going slow enough to REALLY enjoy it!! One thing fell through the cracks for me this year, mainly because Thanksgiving was so late. I normally have my cards ready before Thanksgiving, but didn’t this year. I have been working on them amongst all my other commitments. So, if you normally get a card from me, they are almost ready, but this year they will be a between Christmas and New Years card 😀

I stay connected by doing BLOGMAS each day to get me started in the right spirit. That said, I often do multiple posts ahead of time and schedule them while we are watching football or a Christmas movies throughout the month of December. I think next year I’ll combine many posts together and go with an every few days approach.

Last week was a SUPER BUSY one for me! There was something BIG literally every day – dinners in with friends and neighbors, dinners out with girlfriends and going to see a play, A Christmas Story at the local community theatre, parties at some of our favorite places with some of our favorite people…

I have FINALLY learned how to slow down a bit and enjoy it even more! I have a girlfriend who comes over every few months and I usually make a “SPECIAL” drink and dinner for us. She has finally convinced me to make it “simpler” and you know what? We had an even better time with bacon cheeseburger balls, super creamy mac and cheese and a simple green salad. I did splurge and make mini raspberry cheesecakes 😀

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS my friends. Enjoy your families and remember the reason for the season! And here’s a clue, it’s not perfection or commercialism.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re in the beginning stages of an atmospheric river back-up of storms here. According to a NY Times article, there is going to be one right after another for the next 10 days or so. So, wet weather attire will be worn at all times as we head into this first full week of winter!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING ALL done until the unwrapping mess on Wednesday.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS NOT on your life am I going near a store this week.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

CHRISTMAS MOVIES of course and clean out the DVR for the end of the year!

READING TIME

I’m reading The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak for book club. I’m really hoping to have more time for reading soon.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	LEMON CHICKEN & RICE SOUP	MARINATED FLANK STEAK, FRIED POTATOES and MUNCHIES	CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE ~~BAKED HAM~~, PRIME RIB, GLAZED ROASTED CARROTS, LOADED MASHED POTATOES	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	PEASANT STEW, BUTTERMILK BAKED BISCUITS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HAM TETRAZZINI, GREEN SALAD
DESSERT			RASPBERRY TRUFFLES, MOCHA BANANA RUM BALLS		CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Here are a few pictures from last week’s girl’s night for dinner and the play and the UGLY Sweater Christmas party at the Offyce.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

RECIPES TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK

ROAST CHICKEN with APRICOT HABANERO GLAZE
NEOPOLITAN CAKE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 366.357

RB’S BAKED BEANS ~ BLOG 366.354

As everyone knows I am NOT fond of fast food of ANY kind, but I do love me an occasional Beef ’n’ cheddar with some Arby’s sauce. I recently was FINALLY able to recreate the Arby’s sauce on a homemade level and have now made a baked bean dish around it.

Now for a little trivia to go with the recipe. The name Arby’s is a phonetic representation for the brothers Forestt and Leroy Raffle, aka the Raffle Brothers because the name they wanted, BIG TEX, for their business was already taken.

RB’s BAKED BEANS

2 cans white beans (navy or cannellini), drained and rinsed
1 jar dried beef, diced
1 Vidalia onion, chopped small
4 slices bacon, diced and cooked crisp
1 package ALL beef hotdogs, cut into bite sized pieces
Double batch Arby’s sauce (see below)
Corn Bread, optional

Preheat oven to 350°.
Cook hotdog pieces until crisp on the edges.
Add onions to pan and saute until softened.
Mix everything together in a prepared 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish.
Bake 1 hour.
Serve over corn bread.

NOTE: Dried beef can be traded out for 1 pound lean ground round that has been browned and drained of excess grease.

ARBY’S SAUCE
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4-6 tablespoons water
 4-5 drops Tabasco sauce
 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

Combine all together in a small sauce pan.
Simmer on low 20 minutes, whisking periodically, especially the last 10 minutes.
Keep refrigerated.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 366.353

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 366.350

SATURDAY COFFEE ~ BLOG 366.349

CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES ~ BLOG 366.348

CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES adapted from Melissa Clark

Chewy, slightly spicy, yet crisp around the edges with a hint of butterscotch from the DARK brown sugar makes these a fall favorite for our family.

1 cup (2 sticks) UNSALTED butter, softened
1 cup packed DARK brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 LARGE eggs
1 tablespoon PURE vanilla extract
1 ½ cups AP flour
¾ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cardamom or ground ginger
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
¼ cup MALIBU coconut rum
1 ½ cups golden (or regular) raisins

Preheat oven to 350°.
Pour rum over raisins and let sit 10-15 minutes.
Butter two large cookie sheets, or line them with parchment paper or silicone liners.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a large bowl until creamy.
Add brown and granulated sugars, then beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
Add vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.
Set mixer on low speed, and beat flour mixture into the butter mixture.
Drain excess rum from raisins.
Stir in oats and raisins.
Spoon out dough by large tablespoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake until cookie edges turn golden brown, about 9 to 13 minutes. Centers will still be quite soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 366.346

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 49 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.344

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

WEEKEND RECAP

Thursday morning’s earthquake off the coast of California triggered a TSUNAMI warning for us. Have seen the signs for years, but never experienced an actual warning until now. Friday was spent cleaning and finish winter prep around here.

On Saturday I FINALLY completed my holiday decorating inside and hubby finished the outside just before the rain began. We literally finished just before we had to leave and meet friends to watch the DUCKS vs. PENN STATE game which did not disappoint. DUCKS won (45-37) and are now 13-0! We ALL had a GREAT time.

Then on Sunday we stored all the boxes from the decorating and I began planning my baking schedule for the neighbor plates I’ll be making and checking to see if I had all my ingredients. I also started arranging things for girl’s night this next Wednesday. I’ve also been wrapping the gifts for the Foster kids that I’ll be delivering this next week. Congratulations Jean on the Chiefs win last night – 2 inches more to the left and it would have been a loss.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

12/9 MONDAY – MOSTLY SUNNY after the fog burns off 43°/26°
12/10 TUESDAY – MOSTLY CLOUDY after the fog burns off 44°/30°
12/11 WEDNESDAY – MOSTLY CLOUDY after the fog burns off 46°/38°
12/12 THURSDAY – RAINY 46°/38°
12/13 FRIDAY – RAINY 45/37°
12/14 SATURDAY – RAIN!!! 45°/38° YUCK WE’RE DOING WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA AT 1PM 🙁
12/15 SUNDAY – RAINY 44°/38°

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to get EVERYTHING done over the weekend. I will need to spruce up a bit after my prep for girl’s night on Wednesday.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I am LITERALLY cooking out and planning my menus around the freezer and pantry cleaning them both out to start the new year completely fresh! The good news about this is that I have very little to shop for except a bit of produce and dairy here and there. I also lucked out and have no appointment until I drop off the foster kid gifts on Friday morning 😀
PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have tons to do, but most will wait until Thursday or next week.
PROJECTS Jewelry trees, homemade vanilla and some painting projects for girl’s night Wednesday.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING We’re watching HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER as a late night comedy.
CABLE I’ve finally gotten the DVR cleaned up until November so will keep working on dwindling it down as I bake this month.

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	12/9 MONDAY	12/10 TUESDAY	12/11 WEDNESDAY	12/12 THURSDAY	12/13 FRIDAY	12/14 SATURDAY	12/15 SUNDAY
DINNER	roast chicken, glazed carrots & mashed potatoes	brisket sandwiches and coleslaw	beef stew and biscuits	lemon chicken and rice soup	out	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	pot roast, glazed carrots and mashed potatoes
DESSERT		grasshopper brownies					bacon and waffles

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I have a friend that LOVES to try all the crafts she sees on Facebook and she made this BIG star for me out of yard sticks and light string! I LOVE it!!!