HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENUS ~ week 8 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.54

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Good morning friends, I hope you have had a wonderful week and relaxing weekend. My week was busy, chaotic, frustrating, surprising and even a bit hurtful, but this is another week and I have a better outlook now that it is no longer clouded with things that cannot be changed.

Small minds and lazy people who love to blame others and not follow through with little things like proper and safe procedures are reigning the local Eagle’s club population. There are a few who just don’t play well with others, have the loudest voices, but also have no empathy and compassion for others and won’t hesitate to blame whoever they can for the shortcomings. A few of those also don’t know when to stop drinking and take responsibility for their own actions. Unfortunately, my trying to enforce safe kitchen procedures and protocols has gotten in the way of them doing whatever they want with no regard to others.

Have you ever hit that point of the straw breaking the camel’s back? Well, I finally did. I’m tired of beating my head against the wall. After 2 1/2 years I have finally stepped back from the physical side of maintaining the Eagle’s kitchen. At this point I will just sit back and watch it fail on its own. I will no longer be the chaos coordinator.

I feel so free after making that decision Thursday night. I won’t be stepping back entirely, just from the physical side of things in regards to the auxiliary side of the house. I’ll still be doing the newsletter, helping a couple friends with paperwork until their term is up at the end of May and shopping for the Aerie side of the house who runs the canteen.

Friday, Saturday and even Sunday were productive for me since I stayed home primarily and didn’t have Eagle’s problems to fix. PLUS I will now have the time to get caught up on all my blog reading 🙂

A friend said she’s just going to sit back and watch it fall apart as those that are the biggest problems now try to take care of things. As she said, there were dozens of little things I always did in the background (taking care of the perpetual slow leak under the sink, the ice dam in the old freezer that has to be chipped out regularly, preparing the taco meat and portioning it out into individual packets, preparing the bacon in advance, making sure can goods are properly rotated, sealing the bags and boxes that everyone leaves open for food to spoil or cross contaminate, cleaning the appliances left dirty…) that no one ever actually saw that will now have to be done by someone else.

With my new lease on daily life I’m actually ready to get on with Monday 🙂 Tonight is trivia team night and we’ll be missing a member so I’ll be skipping my normal Auxiliary meeting to be at trivia which I figure will be a good thing, a respite for me.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s raining right now and supposed to rain tomorrow and again for the weekend. We’ll be in the 40’s all week with lows in the 30’s with many clouds and some wind so it’s still layer season around here.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to get everything caught up over the weekend.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have to take hubby to an eye appointment that he won’t be able to drive after this morning, lunch with a friend after and I have a hair cut tomorrow.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re thinking about taking another quick trip for hubby’s birthday in a couple weeks.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I found another antique recipe box last week at an antique store. And a friend who has been care taking for an elderly couple is going to give me the wife’s old recipe box. Her husband recently passed and she’s been cleaning out their house.
DVR/TV Olympics and Cooking Shows
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY the feel of clean sheets, the satisfaction of caring for my family and doing things I can for those in need, the first sip of hot coffee in the quiet of the morning…

READING TIME

Book club chose their new book, DEAR DEBBIE by Frieda McFadden, but I haven’t gotten around to ordering it yet. They also met yesterday, but I didn’t stay for it as hubby and I went out to lunch. I ust finished THE SECRET OF ORANGE BLOSSOM CAKE by Rachel Linden. I’m currently reading STATE OF ALERT, FIRST FAMILY #8 by Marie Force and THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF BEES by Rachel Linden

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

	2/23 MONDAY	2/24 TUESDAY	2/25 WEDNESDAY	2/26 THURSDAY	2/27 FRIDAY	2/28 SATURDAY	3/1 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO TRIVIA clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS and SALAD	CORN/YOYO TRIVIA clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN ENCHILADAS & MEXICAN STREET CORN	MEATLOAF SOUP & GREEN CHILE CORN BREAD	MACARONI HAMBURGER & SALAD	CHILI BALLS & COLESLAW
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I’m not actually ready for spring, but I do appreciate a good color splash. This popped up in my camera roll for color across the year the other day so I had to save it!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

COKE CAKE
PUMPKIN ROLL

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENUS ~ week 7 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.47

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Can you believe that we are beginning the 7th week of the year already? I sure want time to slow down a bit!!!! Last week was supposed to be simpler, but as always things changed. I’m sure glad I’m NOT a super rigid person and can bend with the flow of things MOST of the time.

On Saturday hubby and I decided we’d leave town in an effort for me NOT to be around if the Eagles needed anything, forcing them to fend for themselves 🙂 That worked – UNTIL IT DIDN’T 😂 We went to a casino that has a restaurant I like about 35 miles south of us. The plan was to have a nice lunch and then go to all the small towns along the way back and do some antiquing. We did have a nice lunch.And I did find some fun things in a couple antique stores.

Ironically we have some friends who are as busy as we are and coincidentally made the same plan. They literally pulled into the casino right behind us and unbeknownst to us. While I was deciding what I wanted to eat I received a text from Nicole telling me to order the seafood fondue pot. A minute later I got a text from Dan saying, NO don’t order that. LOL I hadn’t even seen it on the menu 🤣 I group texted them thinking they’d lost their minds and asked what the heck they were talking about and they texted me back a picture of hubby and I from across the room where they were sitting.

At the end of the day I got a text from a bartender friend at the Eagles saying that my shirt was there that the band was bringing me so we decided stop by for a drink so I could give her the money for the shirt. That was where I made my critical error!! 😂 We stayed only long enough for me to straighten out a few things and then we high tailed it home!

Sunday was going to be a lazy morning of catching up on blog reading and visiting, but unfortunately a friend’s business was held up late Saturday night/early Sunday morning of all their cash for kitchen, bar and lottery money. Fortunately, night bartender is okay, just shaken up. My friend contacted me Sunday morning and I started trying to round up small bills (5’s and 10’s) to help her open. So my lazy morning got busy early. Of course it is a holiday weekend and no banks open. Today though is starting busy also so we’ll try for a lazy morning NEXT weekend.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s getting colder this week and threatening snow ALL week. Winter storm warning begins tonight, but we can already feel it coming.

This is the kind of year we were having back when SNOWMAGEEDON hit several years ago. I wouldn’t mind another snow year as long as we don’t lose power this time. The power loss with an electronic thermostat was a real downfall that time. As always, it will be layers up layers of denim and turtlenecks and flannel…

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a load of sheets and jeans to do is all.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Not much on this week’s to do list besides Eagle’s and Offyce shopping. We are going to try a new little organic Mexican restaurant for lunch on Wednesday.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m good through the first part of March. One of the antiques store owners I met over the weekend said she thinks she has some of the recipe boxes I’m looking for with the handwritten antique recipes, but she can’t remember where she saw them. I left my number with her and I’m hoping she’ll call this week. She’s only open 3 days a week for the next 6 weeks and then only 1 weekend a month after that.
DVR/TV We’ve been watching Olympics every chance we get and did get to see the Daytona 500 yesterday. I’ve also been watching the Next Gen (kids) baking championship.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	2/16 MONDAY	2/17 TUESDAY	2/18 WEDNESDAY	2/19 THURSDAY	2/20 FRIDAY	2/21 SATURDAY	2/22 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO TRIVIA NIGHT	chile relleno souffle & salad	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator or you’re on your own	OMG CHICKEN & FRIED CABBAGE	ORANGE GLAZED MEATBALLS & CARROT CASSEROLE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator or you’re on your own	CIDER BRAISED BRISKET & PEA CASSEROLE
DESSERT			LEMON LIME SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I had to laugh at these local barn cats. Their expressions were seriously questioning what I was looking at And guys like winter project cars up here, but this one is a serious multi year project. The food was from our Valentine’s lunch – Lemon ricotta chicken pasta and an Italian grinder salad.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

MANDARIN CHICKEN
SHEET PAN MAC & CHEESE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOG 365.40 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ WEEK 6 OF 2026 ~ RECIPE LINKS & MENU

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week at the coast was wonderful weather wise. The area we stayed in is the only area we’d never stayed at before along the Oregon coast. I do now understand why they have deemed it the “Banana Belt” area. BUT, while it was sunny and warm MOST of the time, there was a persistent glarey haze and underlying misty fog that made picture taking REALLY bad at times. It also made sitting on the balcony uncomfortable near sunset 🙁

One of the things we REALLY like to do when we go someplace new n a trip is to go antiquing and we also enjoy trying local mom and pop places for meals. This trip for those activities was a little disappointing in the mom and pop category and downright horrific in the antiquing category. But, it did save us money.:)

Most of the antique stores had either been shuttered, were closed for “inventory”, only open at ridiculous hours or had become tourist traps with cheap souvenir type items. Out of 12 meals I’m only going to tell you about 3 🙂 We had a few more choices on where to eat than we did antiques, but FAT IRISH that came the most recommended by a friend was the biggest disappointment with drab greasy food and a surly wait staff. ZOLAS on the WATER had the best in ALL categories ~ ambiance and atmosphere were both “night out” and “family friendly” all at the same time with a terrific bartender and beautiful bar, great menu selection and delicious food. I would eat there again and again if we lived there. We split the handmade meatballs and homemade marinara sauce with browned butter garlic potato gnocchi, but their wood fire pizza smelled heavenly too! PIRATE CHOP HOUSE was nothing to look at, really just a locals dive, but the food was super yummy. We split the GRILLED ROCKFISH with one of the best baked potatoes I’ve had in a long time.

We spent the Super Bowl at the Eagles with friends, but I thought it was a super strange Super Bowl. The best part was the Clydesdale and Eagle commercial in my opinion. I did win 2 door prizes 🙂 a really nice Pendleton blanket and a pair of noise canceling headphones!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

While last week was warm and sunny, here at home this week is and will be cold and rainy. Bone chilling cold because of the wetness. The forecast also has snow finally predicted for next week with a HUGE dip in temperatures. This week highs in the 40’s and lows in the 30’s so lots and lots of thick socks, UGG’s, hoodies and layers.

ON MY MIND

I’ve been thinking about making one of these soon: I just need to find all the parts. 🙂

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING We got home Friday, but I didn’t start the laundry until yesterday which was probably a mistake. I hadn’t done the last week’s before we left and with beach combing we wore more clothes during the trip and I also have tennis shoes to wash so that will be the bulk of my today and Tuesday chores.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS We did go to the farmer’s market Saturday just ahead of the rain, but I have to get some other groceries, a hair cut, pedicure and an oil change tomorrow.
MAKES ME HAPPY listening to the waves… beach combing for fun low tide finds… sleeping in my own bed… the feel of clean sheets… watching the sunset…
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did find a couple old cookbooks on our travels and want to add a couple recipes into my March meal plan.

READING TIME

I’m reading A HOE LOT OF TROUBLE A NINA QUINN MYSTERY by Heather Webber. Book club chose their new book, DEAR DEBBIE by Frieda McFadden, but I haven’t gotten around to ordering it yet.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	2/9 MONDAY	2/10 TUESDAY	2/11 WEDNESDAY	2/12 THURSDAY	2/13 FRIDAY	2/14 SATURDAY	2/15 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	ONION SALISBURY STEAKS & DUTCH GREEN BEANS	BUTTERMILK CHICKEN CORN PASTA	BROWN BUTTER LEMON CHICKEN PASTA & BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	??	BANG BANG STEAK BITES & SHEET PAN MAC & CHEESE
DESSERT			SOUR CREAM LEMON LIME POUND CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

If you follow me in INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK you’ve seen most of the pictures from our trip, but one of my favorites was this collage of the oddest sculpture I’ve ever seen. It’s made out of recycled metal, primarily a lot of kitchen utensils and car parts.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PEPPER JELLY DIP
CREAMY SEAFOOD LASAGNA
MODIFIED UKBB (UNITED KINGDOM BAKED BEANS)

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOG 365.33 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 5 of 2026 ~ RECIPE LINKS & MENUS

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING friends. I can’t believe we’re ALREADY into February!!! The 5th week of 2026 already!! It sure seems like time is flying by faster and faster. PLEASE, SLOW down this merry go round!!!!!!!

It was a SUPER busy week trying to tie up loose ends with all my duties at the Eagles before we leave on our coast trip tomorrow. I also got caught up on laundry, cleaning, some sorting and organizing for putting together a St. Vinnie’s donation that I was planning on dropping off this morning, but they’re closed on Mondays so that will wait until next week. At least it’s ready to go 🙂 I’m hoping for enough downtime of the evenings to get all my blog visiting caught up this week. More than anything I’m looking forward to some serious relaxation time.

I also got a bunch of books, paperwork and recipes handled. And I’m packed and ready to go right after tacos tomorrow. No reason to get up too early since we’re only going a couple hours away and can’t check in before 4PM.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather is supposed to be beautiful and somewhat sunny here at home and also at the coast through Friday when a storm is supposed to set in. Highs will be in the 40’s and 50’s with lows in the 30’s. BUT, Punxsutawney Phil IS predicting 6 more weeks of winter which is no surprise to me. When we have had a mild December and January here in the past it usually means a roaring February and March!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING YAY, all done until after our trip.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS YAY, all done until after our trip.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS No projects, but hoping for lots of fun and picture taking along the Oregon coast.
ON MY MIND Same old, same old stuff, but getting closer to some resolutions.
WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY wind in my face as I walk along the beach… and my toes in the sand when it’s warm… spending time with friends and laughing… traveling and seeing new places… antiquing… discovering old, but new to me recipes…

READING TIME

I’m waiting for book club to make a decision so I started an older Heather Webber book for now. I’m reading A HOE LOT OF TROUBLE, A NINA QUINN MYSTERY #1.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	2/2 MONDAY	2/3 TUESDAY	2/4 WEDNESDAY	2/5 THURSDAY	2/6 FRIDAY	2/7 SATURDAY	2/8 SUNDAY
DINNER	clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	taco Tuesday with friends and then leave on trip	OUT OF TOWN	OUT OF TOWN	OUT OF TOWN	SUN DRIED TOMATO CHICKEN & PASTA	BROWN BUTTER LEMON CHICKEN
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

LOL This was the most exciting picture I took this week LOL

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CREAMY STEAK & POTATO SOUP
ASIAN CHICKEN POT PIE with SCALLION PANCAKE CRUST
SLOW COOKER CANDY, HAYSTACKS & CRANBERRY ALMOND MACAROONS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOG 365.26 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 4 of 2026 ~ RECIPE LINKS & MENUS

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week was a bit of a blur. I can’t believe we’re into the 4th week already!! I’m still working on some organizing and downsizing, but some of it will have to wait until it gets warmer!!!! I just don’t seem to get as much done when my toes are cold!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

BRRRR it’s cold here, but no complaints from me as I know first hand just what going through a “SNOWMAGGEDON” is like. So, I’ll just keep layering and layering the hoodies, flannels, UGG’s and warm socks 🙂 until I’m warm. Highs this week were only in the 30’s, but it looks like they will be in the 40’s this week and the lows were in the 20’s aka “let the faucet drip” phase this past week, but look like they’ll bump up to the 30’s this week. The freezing fog is always an issue at this time of the year as are the deer and animals on our country roads.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS, ON MY MIND & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I just have bedding and towels to do. I was able to get the rest all done on Saturday. Seems like we use so many more clothes in the winter.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have just a few things to pick up this week for us. My friend and I will be going on Wednesday to have lunch and do some shopping for her and then the business shopping.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re taking a small trip to the coast next week, but will hold off until spring for any major trips.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING nothing new here except I have been printing my favorite recipes out to do an actual recipe book. I thought that would be an easy way for the kitchen, but I LOL didn’t realize how many favorite recipes we have and I’m now on the 3rd large binder. 😂
ON MY MIND As always I’m pondering what to do about my duties at the Eagles. My girlfriend yesterday pointed out that it probably isn’t going to change and encouraged me to back away. Sad, but I’m thinking she’s right 🙁
DVR/TV We’re still catching up on the DVR from the holidays. We just finished binging LUCIFER and are looking for a new show to watch of an evening. Any suggestions?

READING TIME

I’m currently reading the FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY by Heather Webber. I really like her stories. They are just short of fantasy while still living in the real world.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	1/26 MONDAY	1/27 TUESDAY	1/28 WEDNESDAY	1/29 THURSDAY	1/30 FRIDAY	1/31 SATURDAY	2/1 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA & MEETING NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	LEMON CHICKEN & GREEN PEA CASSEROLE	TRIVIA & MEETING NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	SWISS STEAK & COWBOY POTATOES	CHICKEN & POTATOES	HUNGARIAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP	SLOW COOKED PEPPER STEAK
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Like I said above, I won’t complain because we could live anywhere else in the country this week and be much worse off, but pictures this week of the freezing fog and the frozen spider webs on the hose bib were telling of just how cold I am! We haven’t seen any snow to speak of this year either so I don’t mind at all that the rest of the country stole our “SNOWMAGGEDON” tag line 🙂

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHRISTMAS MORNING WIFE SAVER
CHICKEN BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP
PEANUT BUTTER MOLASSES COOKIES
GREEN ONION CHEDDAR CORN BREAD

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOG 365.19 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 3 of 2026 ~ MENUS & RECIPE LINKS

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Once again the year seems to be speeding by! We’re already in the third week and I haven’t completely cleaned up from Christmas! I have a super busy day starting early this morning so will jump right in!APPOINTMENTS

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The past week has been clear of an evening making for some REALLY COLD nights and mornings with freezing fog! This is supposed to continue until Friday when the rain returns and will warm it up slightly! Not enough to change how I dress in layers and UGG’s!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

APPOINTMENTS I have a pedicure this morning with a couple small errands after and then lunch with a girlfriend going through a tough divorce and she needs an outing. I also have an afternoon appointment to deal with the kitchen new menu in the Eagle’s kitchen and the procedures to make it run smoother.
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did a deep clean on Saturday and got the mattress turned as well as 6 loads of laundry. The problem with winter is that we wear so many more clothes to begin with which creates so much more laundry!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be doing the grocery shopping and Costco shopping for us, the Eagles and the Offyce on Wednesday.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I need to make the reservations today for upcoming coast trip.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I spent the whole weekend scanning bookmarks in 3 separate cookbooks while watching football to get a plan together through mid-March. 🙂
DVR/TV There are a couple new shows we’re trying, but I’m really still trying to clean out the DVR from the holidays.
WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY the aroma of the slow cooker being almost done with a favorite recipe… the sound of laughter when the joke is so stupid the other person just can’t stop laughing… the morning silence while I drink my coffee and listen to the birds…

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

	1/19 MONDAY	1/20 TUESDAY	1/21 WEDNESDAY	1/22 THURSDAY	1/23 FRIDAY	1/24 SATURDAY	1/25 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out fridge night or you’re on your own	TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD	PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS with GRILLED ONIONS	PORK CHOPS & STUFFING	COOKING @ EAGLES SO CORN/YOYO clean out fridge night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN ARTICHOKE CASSEROLE	CAESAR SALAD PARMESAN CUPS
DESSERT			S’MORES MONKEY BREAD MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

The strawberry Hummingbird cake was a HUGE hit on Friday night and the FREEZING FOG was beautiful on Thursday, though it delayed many a flight and made the roads a bit treacherous in the early morning. This picture was taken late morning as it was burning off.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHOCOLATE CARROT CAKE
BROWNED BUTTER TOASTED COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOG 365.12 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 2 of 2026 ~ with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

The first part of the week was full of errands and trying to get back on track with a routine. My girlfriend and I ventured to the BIG (ha 😂 ha) city on Wednesday to go shopping at the mall and have a nice lunch. Then we stopped at the Chef’s store (Cash & Carry, Smart & Final) to get the food for our Friday dinner and the rest of the month’s shopping for the Eagle’s kitchen. YAY my last time shopping for the kitchen, but at least I was able to set them up for success, now it’s on them to find the wherewithal to follow thru and keep it going “correctly” without getting lazy and short cutting everything which unfortunately is the tendancy. Thursday was the shopping for the Eagle’s bar, my girlfriend’s bar & grill and some food prep for Friday’s meal.

I cannot believe the first full week of January flew by that quickly! I NEED things to slow down a bit so I can catch up!

We’re NOT really college football watchers other than the Rose Bowl, but we live in a small town only an hour or so away from the Oregon University Ducks, so they are a BIG deal around here. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, they played Friday evening during the Auxiliary charity dinner that my girl friend and I were preparing so we ended up twice as busy as we’ve been in recent months. The unfortunate part is that we didn’t plan for that many people, but, the fortunate part is that we SOLD OUT and didn’t have leftovers 🙂

Saturday I was finally able to get my own shopping and errands accomplished and picked up some fried chicken for lunch on the way back so hubby and I could watch WILD CARD NFL games. 4 of the 5 times we rooted for won 🙂 Sunday was more football with friends and then some relaxing before the week started all over again. I did get some meal planning done and a few odd organizational tasks accomplished.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Last Friday we finally woke to the first snow of the winter, NOT on the valley floor, but absolutely beautiful none the less on the hills around us. Our rain is gone for the next week or so, but it’s not full sun either. All week should be highs in the 40’s with lows in the low 30’s. Lots of layering still going on here.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Laundry is done and I’m hoping to finish the holiday clean-up today 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Up to date on my personal shopping. I just have the business shopping to do. I have 2 meetings today, but may skip them both under the current political climate. I was going to skip the 2nd one anyway to go and support my friend’s new “Trivia Night” at the bar and grill she manages. But… ??????
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Need to make reservations for the trip next month.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on a couple of new and unusual recipes to combat winter doldrums of the same old soup and stew flavor profile.
DVR/TV We watched BEST MEDICINE last week and will give it another try this week, but so far it isn’t as good as the original, DOC MARTIN. Also have a few cooking shows to catch up on as well as the regular season shows that have started again.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY A rainy Sunday in yoga pants, fuzzy socks and Football… brunch with good friends and Football… puppy kisses… clean sheets and cozy quilt…
ON MY MIND I’m not technically an officer at the Eagles, but I do have many responsibilities and am the “back up” secretary for my friend. She asked me to go to the officer’s meeting today in her place and I’m a bit concerned about saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. From a business standpoint there are some really poor choices being made and as the saying goes, you can read the writing on the wall if they follow down this path. But, as the other saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink…Que sera…

READING TIME

Book club was kind of a wash I guess and they haven’t picked a new book ::SIGH:: so I’ve just bee reading whatever strikes my fancy. Right now I’m reading WHY I HOLD YOUR HAND by Augusta Reily.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	1/12 MONDAY	1/13 TUESDAY	1/14 WEDNESDAY	1/15 THURSDAY	1/16 FRIDAY	1/17 SATURDAY	1/18 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO	BEST MEATBALLS and PASTA	MARRY ME CHICKEN & NOODLES	ASIAN POT PIE and SALAD	CORN/YOYO	CHICKEN FETTUCCINE CARBONARA	ORICIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE
DESSERT			PUMPKIN APPLE POKE CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Incredible sunsets over the pond again this past weekend!!!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CREAMY TUSCAN TORTELLINI SOUP
APPLEBEE’S COPY CAT ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD DRESSING

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOG 365.5 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 1 of 2026 ~ MENUS & RECIPE LINKS

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Happy New Year! Here we are again starting a fresh new year, yet it’s really just another Monday. I always get a bit turned around with what day is what when the holidays fall in the middle of the week, but I’m looking forward to getting back on track this week.

I ordered new footlocker totes with wheels to reorganize some Christmas decorations into and they arrived early, but I’m just not ready to take down the tree, so they sit here empty for now, at least until Wednesday or so.

I’m not one for making resolutions, but I am one for being organized and have plans in place. I’m going to once again do BLOG 365. It will be year 4 for me 🙂 I’m also planning on an even more organized approach to this year. Of course I’ll do Happy Homemaker Monday like always since it’s my cornerstone for being grounded to the week ahead, but in order to stay on track for the WHOLE year, I am going to assign different tasks to specific days, similar to what I did last year, but even more organized. All my recipes will post on Thursdays for Cooking Thursday, Sundays will continue to be for inspirational thoughts, Wednesdays will be funnies or wordless pictures and Tuesdays will be my day for some tutorial ideas, etc… The beauty of this method is that when I have some down time, like rainy or snowy days, I can pre-schedule multiple posts like recipes and such that don’t require same day thoughts. And my word for this year? PROGRESS. In everY possible aspect of my life and world; tangibly, spiritually, physically, psychologically, emotionally, technologically etc… I need to make progress. And I have the faith and belief that 2026 is just that year to make it happen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re still waiting for the other shoe to drop around here and announce that winter has arrived. The last time we got too complacent with a mild winter, Mother Nature walloped us with SNOWMAGGEDON, so we’re careful what we wish for since then. This week will be somewhat wet with highs in the high 40’s to low 50’s and lows not too far off in the high 30’s. That said, it’s still layer weather.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S

TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV

LAUNDRY & CLEANING My friend posted this funny for New Years and I have to admit it made me laugh A LOT 🙂 and fortunately I did NOT do laundry that day!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be heading into town in a bit to get groceries and errands accomplished for the week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’ve finally decided on a trip. February 1st is the anniversary of my cancer surgery and we’re going to go to the coast for my 15th anniversary of being cancer free. We’re actually hoping for stormy nights and clear days to explore the beaches and shops. All our friends have given us suggestions on where to stay, eat and play.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m still contemplating this category for the month of February.
DVR/TV We’re still cleaning out the DVR and so many new shows will start this week.
ON MY MIND We’ve been planning a trip in the spring to explore some new far away neighborhoods to relocate to. We have an entire list of reasons why we’re doing this as well as an entire list of criteria for what a new location must have. Once again medical and health care have moved to the top of the list. The area where we currently live has some of the worst health care and longest wait times. Hubby’s primary doctor was replaced last fall by a PA when the primary that he loved decided to retire. This in turn required rescheduling his annual appointment. When that appointment date came around, we received a phone call that the PA was out that day and they needed to reschedule AGAIN! which moved it out another 2 months. The 1st appointment was in early October, the rescheduled 2nd appointment was to be in December and the 3rd once again rescheduled appointment was supposed to be next week, but we received yet another call last Friday saying that the PA has left the practice and we would get a call when they have found yet another replacement ::SIGH:: So an appointment from 3 months ago is yet to be determined. I’m certainly happy it’s not a dire situation. This is truly par for the course with the horrible shortage of decent medical care in this area… Needless to say, we’re anxious to figure this all out.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Snuggling my toes deep into a plush blanket to warm them up, holding my favorite mug full of warm coffee to warm up my fingers, snuggling under a favorite quilt when I wake up in the middle of the night to read a little more…the smell of fresh French toast with REAL maple syrup…

READING TIME

Book club was last Saturday and we FINALLY had a great discussion (so I hear) about a very complicated book, GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspoon and Harlen Coben. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it 🙂 Not sure if they chose a new book, but I still need to finish the new mystery thriller I started, FORGET ME NOT by Stacy Willingham while waiting on book club to decide.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	1/5 MONDAY	1/6 TUESDAY	1/7 WEDNESDAY	1/8 THURSDAY	1/9 FRIDAY	1/10 SATURDAY	1/11 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BAKED HAM & BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CLAM CHOWDER & CRUSTY BREAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	ASIAN POT PIE with SCALLION PANCAKE TOPPING	HAM & CHEESE QUICHE
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I just fell in love with this absolutely gorgeous original “fire painted” copper art piece that my friend bought for her daughter. The picture just doesn’t do it justice. My mom knew we didn’t really “need” anything so she made this fun little money tree for us for Christmas which will help with that trip next month.

And who can resist fresh baked cinnamon rolls? And our son found this fun tank that is a whiskey dispenser for hubby with engraved glasses.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHOCOLATE CARROT CAKE
CRANBERRY UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 52 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.363

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING sweet friends. Can you believe this is our last Monday together for 2025? I can barely get my head around the fact that it is almost 2026! I hope you had a blessed, relaxed and safe Christmas holiday with family and friends. Ours was low key and just about perfect.

I’ll be sad to be cleaning up Christmas, but I do wait until after King’s day in January. It just passes way too quickly for me. That said, as I’m organizing my year, LOL 🙂 I’m already planning BLOGMAS 2026 to be even more relaxed than this year was 🙂 So in good clean fun:

It was recently announced that our Eagle’s club is in dire straights financially.There are two sides to a fraternal organization like this. The Aerie is responsible for the business side and the Auxiliary is responsible for the charity side. It is inferred that as a member you will do some volunteering, but unfortunately there are only a handful of volunteers that get and stay involved to keep the place running, the rest only show up for free food or fun events.

For the past 2 years the trustees in charge of the Aerie business side have made financial decisions that one way or another have now jeopardized our very existence on a local level. Of course there are other factors related to our existing issues such as the economy during and after COVID, membership growing older, increased costs related to bands and such as well as the membership resisting paying more when necessary to have the same functions every year. Quite honestly the existing members want to live like it is still the year 2010 and the volunteerism has decreased proportionately also.

I’m an auxiliary member and for quite some time now the majority of the volunteers are mainly from the auxiliary side and quite honestly we’re tired of trying to hold it all together for everyone. I literally work more now (and without pay) than when I held a full time job – not my idea of retirement.

My decision on how much to be involved may soon be made for me. I guess this is a good thing as it is all out of my hands anyway. I’ve been so frustrated with so much of the inner workings.

I am proud of the work I have been able to accomplish over the years in terms of food and gifts for the Holiday families and kids, helping with the scholarship program, writing the newsletter, rebuilding the kitchen after the flood and keeping it organized and stocked, raising money for our charities with Friday night dinners, working special events like the Cribbage Tournament, the BBQ Throwdown, Trunk or Treat, shopping for the kitchen and canteen and so much more…

SIGH, onto happier thoughts and today.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re FINALLY getting some “regular” colder weather though we’ve yet to have our regularly scheduled deep freeze. The bird bath has yet to get iced over this year. This week is supposed to be fairly clear with highs in the 40’s and lows in the low 30’s to start the week and then warm up 5 degrees or so when the rain returns. Fortunately, the atmospheric rivers hitting the west coast have been either north or south of us and we’re just having a “normal”, even low amounts of rain.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

TO DO: LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m pretty well caught up on laundry and basic cleaning. We decided to reorganize much of the Christmas decorations and have the new containers on order so it’s a good thing we always wait until the 2nd week of January to de-decorate and I’ll deep clean at that time. I have some paperwork that HAS to be done by Wednesday and I REALLY want to clean off my desk before the new year so I can start 2026 fresh.
TO DO: GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a few exchanges/returns to do in town this week and will pick up the few things I need for groceries at that time.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re hoping to take a trip later in January to the coast, but it’s still in the works.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m good thru 2025 🙂 That sounds more satisfying than it is when you realize 2026 starts on Thursday.
DVR/TV We’re trying to catch up on fall shows as the new season starts next week. I still have 8 or 9 Christmas movies to catch up on also. I at least got through all the holiday cooking and baking shows.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY clean sheets… warm socks… hot soup with crusty bread… leftover turkey sandwiches after the holiday… candles flickering as I snuggle in to read a good book…

READING TIME

I started something lighter for now until Book Club meets on January 3rd, Merit Badge Murder, Merry Wrath Mysteries #1 by Leslie Langtry and I should finish it tonight. I’m not sure if she was trying to emulate Jana Deleon’s Miss Fortune series, but it sure has similarities. It’s not bad, but it’s not as good as Jana’s books.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	12/29 MONDAY	12/30 TUESDAY	12/31 WEDNESDAY	1/1/2026 THURSDAY	1/2/2026 FRIDAY	1/3/2026 SATURDAY	1/4/2026 SUNDAY
DINNER	WE’RE STILL CLEANING OUT THE CHRISTMAS DINNER LEFTOVERS CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	FRIED HOT DOGA and MAC & CHEESE	BLACK EYED PEA CHILI and CORN BREAD	SEAFOOD LASAGNA & GARLIC BREAD	I’m cooking at the Eagles to fill in for a friend who is quite sick. We’ll be making Spaghetti & Meatballs with salad and cheesy garlic toast.	BAKED HAM and BAKED BEANS	ASIAN POT PIE
DESSERT					It was my month to make the birthday cake anyway so this worked out okay. PINK CHAMPAGNE CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

FLYING FARMER SALAD
SLOW COOKER PORK & BLACK BEAN STEW
SPAGHETTI BOLEGNESE & PARMESAN MEATBALLS
AVEGOLEMONOA GREEK LEMON CHICKEN RICE SOUP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN PARMESAN

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

I will resume this category on January 5th.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENUS week 51 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.356

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING sweet friends! Grab your coffee and join me.

Can you believe we’re only 3 days from Christmas? And only 10 days from a brand new year?!!!!! I just don’t know where this year went so quickly!!

That said, I am basically ready early for Christmas or as much as I can be and am enjoying each day as it comes for a change. I did make some pre-planning and organizational changes to the scheduling and shopping for the Eagles to ease my stress and well, if they don’t like it, they can find someone else to do my job. 🙂

BLOGMAS is in full swing with these completed posts:

BLOGMAS #1 days 1,2 and 3 ~ Holiday Schedule, Christmas Cards, Elf on the Shelf/NISSE & Wrapping Ideas
BLOGMAS #2 days 4 and 5 ~ Christmas Music and Movies
BLOGMAS #3 days 6, 7 and 8 ~ Real Tree vs. Artificial, Decorating & Favorite Ornaments
BLOGMAS #4 days 9, 10 and 11 ~ Advent Calendars, Presents, PJ’S, Books, Last Minute and Homemade Gifts ~ updated with 2 new soups ~ FRIENDSHIP & SPICY BLACK BEAN CORN SOUPS
BLOGMAS #5 days 12, 13 and 14 Presents, WISH Lists and Stocking Stuffers
BLOGMAS #6 days 15, 16 and 17 Quiet Christmas or BIG Get Together, Favorite Family Traditions and Christmas Memories
BLOGMAS #7 days 18, 19 and 20 Winter Wonderland, Lights and Parades, Christmas Markets and Fairs, Winter MUST Haves and TAGS
BLOGMAS #8 days 21, 22 and 23 Christmas Menus, Party Foods and Favorite Recipes
BLOGMAS #9 days 24, 25 and 26 12 Days of Christmas, Meaning of Christmas, Merry VS. Happy, Inspirations and Stories

Coming up this week will be:

BLOGMAS #10 Christmas Eve, NORAD, St. Nick and Merry Christmas

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re FINALLY getting some winter temperatures, but I’m fairly confident when I say we’ll NOT be seeing a white Christmas this year. 🙁 Highs this week will be in the 40’s with lows in the 30’s and a bit more rain.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

TO DO: LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to get caught up on before the holiday and the cleaning is up to date besides the mess I’m sure to make in the kitchen each day as I finish last minutes gifts.
TO DO: GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a hair cut and pedicure this morning before I drop off the DHS gifts and food basket. I’ll squeeze in a SUPER small visit to the grocery store for 5 quick items before I shoot home to meet my neighbor who is bringing over hubby’s BIG gift and hiding it for me while hubby is at his Red Cross donation. Then I have a quick meeting tomorrow night with a ornament and cookie exchange. Tuesday morning is Taco Tuesday with friends and a gift exchange. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday will be baking for the neighbor plates. I still have the BRIGADEIROS, BUTTERFINGER COOKIES, HAYSTACKS, SLOW COOKER CANDY and BROWNED BUTTER TOASTED COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES to make.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Nothing on the calendar right now.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Good through the end of the year! I’ll reevaluate at that time.
DVR/TV I have quite a few Hallmark movies to catch up on and am looking forward to several new Food Network shows, but have had very little TV time. When we have time we have been binge watching EUREKA which is always fun.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Being ready for Christmas with time to spare so I can sit and enjoy the twinkling tree…the smell of a favorite memory food baking…the first snow of the year falling…the look on a friends face when they open your gift that you picked out special for them…

READING TIME

I finished GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspoon and Harlen Coben – WOW a slow start, but what a bunch of twists and turns to a surprise ending! I started something lighter for now until Book Club meets on January 3rd, Merit Badge Murder Merry Wrath Mysteries #1 by Leslie Langtry. I’m not sure if she was trying to emulate Jana Deleon’s Miss Fortune series, but it sure has similarities. It’s not bad, but it’s not as good as Jana’s books.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	12/22 MONDAY	12/23 TUESDAY	12/24 WEDNESDAY	12/25 THURSDAY	12/26 FRIDAY	12/27 SATURDAY	12/28 SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN STEW & BISCUITS	BUTTERMILK CHICKEN & BAKED BEANS	BLACK EYED PEA CHILI & CORNBREAD	PRIME RIB, TURKEY BREAST, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY and GLAZED CARROTS	CORN/YOYO clean out the refrigerator night OR you’re on your own	ONE PAN CHICKEN & VEGGIES	BEEF BARLEY STEW
DESSERT	SALTED BROWNED BUTTER COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES	BUTTERFINGER COOKIES and SLOW COOKER CANDY	BRIGADEIROS, PEANUT BUTTER MOLASSES CRINKLES and HAYSTACKS	CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

A friend popped by yesterday with this beautiful flower arrangement that she made me.

And I made headway on my soup mixes.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN PARMESAN
MODIFIED UNITED KINGDOM BAKED BEANS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

This is usually a favorite thing for me to do, but to relieve a lot of stress on myself this year I’ve decided to forego doing these link parties until 2026.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENUS week 50 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.349

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

I’m getting into crunch time on the Eagle’s charity project. The first batch of gifts was originally supposed to be delivered by the 19th, but the social worker changed the date last minute (last Friday) to the 15th. Unfortunately for her, our group couldn’t get together before today. We’ll be meeting this afternoon to wrap and then pack my car for delivery first thing tomorrow, the 16th.

I wrapped all the gifts for the family of 8, the 2 veterans and 4 elderly ladies (WHEW 46 gifts) that hubby and I adopted for what seemed like ALL weekend, but it was only about 8 hours total. Then I wrapped gifts for all our local family and friends as well as hubby’s gifts. All the shipped gifts have been sent except one that I’ll do this week and fortunately it’s small enough to go first class USPS so no long lines to wait in at UPS. I’ll deliver the veteran gifts and the elderly gifts tomorrow morning after social services gifts.

The grocery shopping for the family I’m doing personally later this week and it won’t be delivered until next Monday so that the food for Christmas dinner will all be fresh. I’m hoping to do the food shopping for them as well as our Christmas dinner groceries on Thursday or Friday, but that will depend on the “atmospheric river’s” path. It started last night and as of now Thursday is slated to be the worst day with potential flooding, not that any of them will be great as we’ve seen the last of the sun until after Christmas according to the forecast.

Now all of that said, with only 10 days until Christmas, I am for the first time in a VERY long time AHEAD of schedule 🙂 and loving every minute of it!!!!!

BLOGMAS is in full swing with these completed posts:

BLOGMAS #1 days 1,2 and 3 ~ Holiday Schedule, Christmas Cards, Elf on the Shelf/NISSE & Wrapping Ideas
BLOGMAS #2 days 4 and 5 ~ Christmas Music and Movies
BLOGMAS #3 days 6, 7 and 8 ~ Real Tree vs. Artificial, Decorating & Favorite Ornaments
BLOGMAS #4 days 9, 10 and 11 ~ Advent Calendars, Presents, PJ’S, Books, Last Minute and Homemade Gifts
BLOGMAS #5 days 12, 13 and 14 Presents, WISH Lists and Stocking Stuffers
BLOGMAS #6 days 15, 16 and 17 Quiet Christmas or BIG Get Together, Favorite Family Traditions and Christmas Memories

Coming up this week will be:

BLOGMAS #7 days 18, 19 and 20 Winter Wonderland, Lights and Parades, Christmas Markets and Fairs, Winter MUST Haves and TAGS
BLOGMAS #8 days 21, 22 and 23 Christmas Menus, Party Foods and Favorite Recipes
BLOGMAS #9 days 24, 25 and 26 12 Days of Christmas, Meaning of Christmas, Merry VS. Happy, Inspirations and Stories

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

WET, WET and more wet as the atmospheric river is reaching us for the next 10 days or so. The temperatures have also returned to a more ‘normal” level of cold. Highs this weeks in the 40’s and lows in the 30’s so the best description is bone chilling! LAYERS, LAYERS and more LAYERS of turtlenecks and hoodies with heavy socks.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

TO DO: LAUNDRY & CLEANING While I was doing all the wrapping yesterday I was able to get 4 loads of laundry done! Having done a crock pot dinner freed up a ton of time. I also got the laundry room deep cleaned 🙂
TO DO: GROCERIES & ERRANDS Wednesday will be a BIG Eagle’s shopping day. I told them I would NOT shop on Christmas Eve nor New Year’s Eve so we’re all putting our thinking caps on to get it all this week. Then, like I said I will do our shopping and the family of 8’s shopping on Thursday or Friday.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I had a plan in mind, but I’m staying flexible on this as you never know what’s coming along at this time of year to change it all up.
DVR/TV Just a few cooking shows and Hallmark Christmas movies to catch up on!
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

READING TIME

Book club isn’t going to meet until January. We took a break for the holiday chaos time. We’re reading GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben.

FUNNIES

Penny trying to understand Sheldon’s ornament placement tool 🙂

MENU PLANS

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

	12/15 MONDAY	12/16 TUESDAY	12/17 WEDNESDAY	12/18 THURSDAY	12/19 FRIDAY	12/20 SATURDAY	12/21 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN PEANUT STEW & BISCUITS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HAM & CHEESE QUICHE & SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	OUT MAYBE	MEATLOAF, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVYwith GREEN BEANS
DESSERT		BROWNED BUTTER TOASTED COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

The sunset last Monday was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!

I love seeing the wrapped packages, it just shows so much productivity.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHICKEN LEMONAISE
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH BISQUE with CRANBERRY COULIS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

This is usually a favorite thing for me to do, but to relieve a lot of stress on myself this year I’ve decided to forego doing these link parties until 2026.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 49 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.342

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

In 3 more weeks I will have completed blogging every day for 3 years straight and I have come to LOVE the routine! It has been a SUPER BUSY December so far. I’m bound and determined to get all my chores DONE by the 15th so I can enjoy the 10 days before Christmas baking and relaxing this year. I do have two drop offs for the charity program on two different days, but I will work those into a fun day of shopping or lunch with a girlfriend.

Hubby and I go to the “MALL” once a year to Christmas shop, mainly because it’s over an hour away and just not at all convenient. Yesterday was the day. It always amazes me how much malls really haven’t changed since when I was growing up. We were going to have lunch also, but it was raining quite hard, shopping went so quickly and we weren’t really hungry enough for a big meal so came back and visited with a friend who was working at our favorite dive and she had made a crock pot of homemade green enchilada chicken soup and homemade tortilla chips – YUMMY! I’m saving the other half for lunch today.

The rest of the weekend was mainly chores and organizing the gifts and non-perishable foods for the family we adopted.

BLOGMAS is in full swing with these completed posts:

BLOGMAS #1 days 1,2 and 3 ~ Holiday Schedule, Christmas Cards, Elf on the Shelf/NISSE & Wrapping Ideas
BLOGMAS #2 days 4 and 5 ~ Christmas Music and Movies
BLOGMAS #3 days 6, 7 and 8 ~ Real Tree vs. Artificial, Decorating & Favorite Ornaments
BLOGMAS #4 days 9, 10 and 11 ~ Advent Calendars, Presents, PJ’S, Books, Last Minute and Homemade Gifts

Coming up this week will be:

BLOGMAS #5 days 12, 13 and 14 Presents, WISH Lists and Stocking Stuffers
BLOGMAS #6 days 15, 16 and 17 Quiet Christmas or BIG Get Together, Favorite Family Traditions and Christmas Memories

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We went straight from summer to winter without much autumn. But, now we’re having a VERY mild winter (for us). We have had very few freezing nights so far. That said, even being dryer so far, it’s a wet, cold to the bone cold. This week is supposed to rain off and on with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the low 40’s. I’ll still be wearing layers of turtlenecks and hoodies or sweaters with Levi’s and winter socks with my UGG’s.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV

TO DO: LAUNDRY & CLEANING Laundry and cleaning are both up to date as best they can be with a living room full of boxes until next Monday 🙂
TO DO: GROCERIES & ERRANDS Just the Eagles and the Offyce shopping to do and a few stocking stuffers.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu planned through the end of the year.
DVR/TV I really need to play catch up on the DVR mess of shows.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY having my lists all completed, warm toes, warm fingers from a mug of hot coffee, the twinkling of the Christmas tree lights while I snuggle at night and read…

READING TIME

I just started GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspon and Harlen Coben for book club that will be meeting January 3rd.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	12/8 MONDAY	12/9 TUESDAY	12/10 WEDNESDAY	12/11 THURSDAY	12/12 FRIDAY	12/13 SATURDAY	12/14 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BEEF STEW & DROP BISCUITS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN STIR FRY with SNOW PEAS	UGLY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY I’m making one of the hams, the MACSLAW, some homemade cranberry relish and a cranberry upside down cake	CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD	CHICKEN & WAFFLES
DESSERT		PEANUT BUTTER MOLASSES CRINKLES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My neighbor popped over yesterday with this surprise Poinsettia. She said it reminded her of me with the unique variegated pattern. I LOVE how the scentsy candle light gives it a beautiful glow.