HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 35 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.244

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED/ON MY MIND

GOOD MORNING sweet friends. Last week was busy and sped by just as the whole summer seems to have done. But, I am looking forward to Fall. Fall is my season and my happy place! Especially when I can be home! I cooked Friday night’s dinner at the Eagles and it was slow, but consistent! So, all and all we had a good night for charity!

Saturday we went to the farmer’s market and had lunch out. I also made a BIG batch of Sunday Gravy using up a bunch of the overripe tomatoes from the garden.

Then on Sunday we went to brunch with the gang that put on the DIGG’s BBQ competition, BBQ Throw Down and breakfast for the Blackberry Festival weekend before relaxing for the rest of the day. I spent the relaxing part getting caught up on some dinner menu profit reports for the Eagles. We also finally got our plaque and apron for winning at the DIGG’s competition.

We tied for 1st in the BEEF category with Tony’s beef, placed 2nd with Dan’s BBQ Beans in meaty side dishes and 2nd and 3rd in side salads with Heather’s Macaroni salad and my Mac Slaw.

We are still dealing with some things regarding my stepdad’s passing and the estate sale that need resolution, but we’re moving forward day by day with grace to resolve those things. I spent a couple of days boxing up the remaining unsold items and cleaning the garage out. I placed the unsold items in the shed and will give it 30 days for my step sisters to pick up the items before donating those things also. Of course I’ll get donation receipts to forward on to his estate. It’s just so sad that it became all about money to them 🙁 and that what’s left of his life is pieces of furniture and tools that no one wants. To me, it’s even sadder that I’ve been more of a daughter to him than his own flesh and blood. They never came to visit him until he was dying. At that they didn’t even offer to help him until the very end. His getting to see them was always on their terms and he had to travel to them – it’s just so sad. Several years ago (PRE-COVID) when he and mom returned from a trip to Nova Scotia they both were sick. They thought they’d get over it in time, but I finally insisted they at least go to urgent care where they were both diagnosed with pneumonia. His was bad enough that they promptly admitted him to the hospital where he spent 2 weeks. He was so week he was then transferred to rehab for several more weeks. Neither step sister came to visit then or even offer to help as I dealt with our sick parents. One of them did send me a text asking to let her know if he was going to die so she could come visit. They only leave a few hours away!!!

I have the solace of the last few years in knowing that he thanked me regularly for taking care of him and mom as they got older. One of the last things he said to me was thank you and to be sure and take care of my mom, the love of his later life.

They stormed out (literally) last week without several things, one of which was his spare change collection of $18.46. When they stormed out they slammed the storm door into the porch light breaking the storm door, pulling it out of the casing and leaving the screws hanging. So, I put the spare change to good use buying the replacement parts to fix the door. Ironically, the youngest one in her mind had turned the very existence of that spare change collection into a missing silver bar collection that never even existed.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

One more week of high temps (high 80’s and low 90’s), but at least nights are REALLY starting to cool off (low 50’s) so the mornings have been absolutely gorgeous!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Both are caught up! YAY!!!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Just a few short errands this week besides working at closing out the last fiscal year and boxing up Eagle’s Auxiliary records as well as the shopping for the Eagles and Offyce.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Still on hold a bit longer.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have a list of several new things I want to try, but will research them deeper this week.
DVR/TV We’ve started watching STARGATE SG1 over again of an evening. We then switch to the BOB NEWHART SHOW for comedy before going to sleep.

READING TIME

I’m just about finished with THE BOOK OF LOST & FOUND by Lucy Foley and will then be starting A FLICKER IN THE DARK by Stacy Willingham for book club.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	9/1 MONDAY	9/2 TUESDAY	9/3 WEDNESDAY	9/4 THURSDAY	9/5 FRIDAY	9/6 SATURDAY	9/7 SUNDAY
DINNER	HOMEMADE CARNITAS, REFRIED BEANS AND RICE	CHICKEN STROGANOFF & GREEN BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MONTE CRISTOS & COLESLAW	CROCKPOT REUBENS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN JOES & PASTA SALAD
DESSERT			CHOCOLATE CHIP PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE BARS		PEACH SQUARES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

The Farmer’s Market was WONDERFUL this week and I’m really sad that this season has so few weeks left to it. I did LOVE this adorable little girl who was out trying to catch bubbles 🙂 The stray husbands holding bags are always fun to watch also. I got everything from my list and then some.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CIDER GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPES week 34 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.237

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED / ON MY MIND

Oh my there are parts of last week that were wonderful and parts that were so horrible I’m trying to forget them. It was a busy stressful week trying to finalize many things for my step dad’s memorial on Saturday.

The memorial itself was very nice and well done by a local pastor that has known my stepdad for quite a few years. Mom did up a photo board of pictures of him from over the years to have in the fellowship room during the reception. And then I scanned them to a flash drive for a screen display during the service. There was also a wonderful cross section of attendees from his college roommate, older sister with her son and DIL, younger brother, golf buddies, AA buddies and a whole host of friends, family and neighbors. My friend Martha who I met doing an estate sale for her daughter and son-in-law was there – she’ll be 104 in February and is sprier than most 40 year olds. It was so good to see her and get one of her hugs! My friend Nellie who used to own a local deli shop before she abandoned us to retire early catered the reception in the fellowship hall with her sandwiches, fruit and cookies.

The stressful part came on Sunday morning when my stepsisters showed up half an hour after the appointed time to settle up a few things. With grace (instead of telling you how it really went down) I’ll just say that it devolved quickly with the prickly one yelling at my mom and accusing her of things that just weren’t even possible. It ended with me “inviting” them to leave before mom had a stroke or heart attack because she was so upset. Let’s just say they expected mom to make up financially for things and choices their dad made regarding their mother’s trust over the years that mom had nothing to do with. The way they acted and the things they asked for were ludicrous and completely out of line. It was as if they expected their dad to stop living after their mom died over 25 years ago. I can unequivocally say that he would be sooooooo very ashamed of the way they acted and the things they said.

Let’s just say I believe that from here on out they will be communicating through lawyers or at the very least in public places.

I’m choosing to remain positive and pray that with MUCH grace this can be worked out amicably.

We did go to a birthday party for a spry 94 year old on Sunday afternoon.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

That cold front predicted through much of the mid west isn’t going to hit here!!!! We’re predicted to have highs in the 90’s and lows around 60 throughout the week and partly cloudy so that means a chance of mugginess too.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Laundry is pretty good, but now that everyone is done traipsing through the house there will be a serious deep clean going on.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m cooking dinner at the Eagles on Friday and hosting an impromptu group for labor day so want to get my shopping done early before everybody is stocking up for the long weekend.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Still on hold for a bit. We’re not leaving mom alone until more dust settles around here.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m looking forward to fall recipes and am going to sit down with a few favorite cookbooks later this week to try some new recipes.
DVR/TV We need to clean out the DVR soon!!!!!

READING TIME

I’m working on finishing The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley still. Another good reason to look forward to fall with rainy lazy Sundays.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/25 MONDAY	8/26 TUESDAY	8/27 WEDNESDAY	8/28 THURSDAY	8/29 FRIDAY	8/30 SATURDAY	8/31 SUNDAY
DINNER	Meeting night CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own!	CHEESY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI BAKE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own!	ITALIAN SUNDAY GRAVY OVER PASTA	cooking at the Eagles MEATLOAF, ROASTED POTATOES & CARROTS with GRAVY	In celebration of Blackberry and all the work being over we’re all going out together for BRUNCH to celebrate so it’s a CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own!	CHICKEN SALTIMBOCCA
DESSERT					HAWAIIAN WEDDING CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

We need rain SOOOOOO very bad. The pond is really showing the drought. And the Black Eyed Susans are on their last legs of the season!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

FRENCH ONION MEATLOAF

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES, MENUS week 33 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.230

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

WOW once again last week sped by and here we are again at Monday. Today is our anniversary, but it’s Monday and everywhere we’d like to go to celebrate is closed so will celebrate tomorrow while we are at the coast for an appointment for hubby.

I’ve spent most of last week packing away and sorting the things from the estate sale for donation this week. When I wasn’t doing that I was prepping for the Blackberry Festival special that some friends and I talked another friend into running. We did a Blackberry Brisket Biscuit and it was a huge success. I made the homemade biscuits and Blackberry Jalapeno jam (I even strained it 3 times to get rid of the seeds) and my girlfriend’s hubby smoked a brisket. He’s also a graphic artist and made us a cool banner.

The Festival itself was fun, even with the rain! The rain kept the temperatures down and I even found myself wanting a hoodie at one point while we were checking out all the old classic cars. I’ll put some pictures down in the favorite photos from the camera section. We then went downtown to the Farmer’s Market for some gorgeous carrots, fresh small head cabbage, sun dried tomatoes and then went by my favorite permanent Veggie farm where I bought some sourdough cinnamon rolls and peaches.

I do have to get back on track this week and get some things done!!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s been quite cloudy since the rain and that’s making it A LOT humid and muggy! We’re supposed to move back to the high 80’s and clouds most the week.

ON MY MIND

There has been so much going on for so long I can’t even keep my thoughts straight. Just when things seemed to be settling down we found out my brother will be having open heart surgery in a couple weeks because of an aneurysm. Trying to stay positive for him and keep my mom from worrying too much. He has good doctors. He’s only 3 years older than my dad was when he passed from a massive heart attack so it’s a bit scary.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have quite a bit of both to do before the memorial for my stepdad on Saturday as I’m sure people will be coming back to the house after.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be doing the grocery shopping on Thursday because of hubby’s out of town appointment on Tuesday, working at the Eagles on Wednesday and our anniversary today.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Once again we’ve postponed ALL our trips until things settle down with family.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Fall is quickly approaching and I’m anxious to do some stews and slow cooking.
DVR/TV We’ve been so busy I’ve barely seen many of my favorite shows, but look at this more this week.

READING TIME

I’m reading THE BOOK of Lost and FOUND by Lucy Foley. I chose this book based on the last one I read by her and I love her style though this book is quite a bit different, but in a good way.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀 This will be a strange week with the upcoming memorial on Saturday and friends and family in and out for several days so am not planning too many meals and just going with the flow.

	8/18 MONDAY	8/19 TUESDAY	8/20 WEDNESDAY	8/21 THURSDAY	8/22 FRIDAY	8/23 SATURDAY	8/24 SUNDAY
DINNER	FRENCH ONION MEAT LOAF, ROASTED BABY POTATOES & BUTTERNUT SQUASH	OUT for the day with hubby so will celebrate our anniversary somewhere nice	OUT with GIRLFRIENDS	??	??	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

HAWAIIAN SHEET PAN CHICKEN
CHEESY ITALIAN & SAUSAGE PASTA

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 32 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.223

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and be sure to wish her happy birthday! Yesterday was her birthday so in my book she gets to celebrate all week.

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Good morning dear friends. It sure seems like last week, the first week of August literally flew by me. Last week had many appointments and Eagle’s responsibilities as well as the final preparation for the 50% off weekend. The “garage sale” part of the estate sale is over, but I still have large pieces of furniture that no one seems to want at any price. A very dear friend is coming over later this morning to help me box up the clothing, shoes and small chachki type items for donation to the appropriate places. Before declaring it completely over and donating the furniture I’ll try some more Craig’s List and Marketplace listings.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re under a severe heat advisory since yesterday and in the triple digits so am trying to hibernate a bit. Fortunately, we have an air conditioner in the workshop portion of the garage that we’ll be working in today. The temperatures should dip back down by mid week.

THIS WEEK

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I am up to date on laundry, but will need to do some serious cleaning after this week and everything is finished being sorted and packed for donation.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a small list for the butcher and produce that I’ll do before today’s appointment in town. This week I have a mammogram and a bone density scan. I also have the Eagle’s shopping to do and delivering the donation boxes.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Everything is still on hold until things settle down after the memorial and some family medical things.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’ve been stalking recipes from Pinterest that sound good for the next couple weeks. I can’t believe how close we are to fall and that will be a whole new search!
DVR/TV It was so hot yesterday that we hibernated with movies after the birthday party. We saw JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH with Brendan Fraser, JOURNEY 2 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND with Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine as well as THE MAGNETIC MONSTER from 1953.

READING TIME

Book club met yesterday, but I was at a birthday party. I did finish the book and got there just in time for the last few minutes of discussion. They’ve chosen 2 new books and I haven’t decided which one to read first. They’ve chosen LOVE, MOM by Iliana Xander and A FLICKER IN THE DARK by Stacy Willingham.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/11 MONDAY	8/12 TUESDAY	8/13 WEDNESDAY	8/14 THURSDAY	8/15 FRIDAY	8/16 SATURDAY	8/17 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	HAWAIIAN SHEET PAN CHICKEN	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	CHIPOTLE RANCH CHICKEN BURRITOS	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	SPINACH ARTICHOKE PENNE PASTA SALAD	TUSCAN CHICKEN
DESSERT		BANANA BREAD CINNAMON ROLLS

FAVORITE PHOTOS

I had to laugh at this sign in front of the newly re-opened bookstore that had burned in an electrical fire last year. And these are our favorite summer TV snacks. I will be planting these tomatoes again and again each year – they are so sweet it is like eating candy. The cute face belongs to Elliott a Spanish Mastiff puppy who came to visit the estate sale over the weekend. We dropped off some metal pieces for recycling and found this brand new “claw” had been sent for recycling. It was huge! And I just love the field picture for some unknown reason. It is usually full of sheep and much greener!

INSPIRATIONS

HOMEMAKING TIP

LIFE TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BURRITO BAKE
CHEESY ITALIAN SAUSAGE & SHELLS
CHICKEN SAUSAGE PARMESAN SOUP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

Hopefully I’ll get back to participating in my meme links this week.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPE LINKS week 31 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.216

Good morning dear friends. The estate sale is going slow! I believe that the economy and all that is going on is affecting it because we live in such a depressed county. The people who want and need things can’t afford them and those that can already have what we’re selling. I’ve only sold one piece of furniture in a week. The men’s clothes in particular are just not selling.

It’s been a long week and I’m physically and mentally exhausted so will just jump into today’s categories.

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Friday and Saturday were HOT AND HUMID for the beginning of the estate sale, but yesterday was GORGEOUS!! This week is starting out just as nice as yesterday, but we’ll be in the triple digits by Friday! Fortunately, the evenings are still getting down into the 50’s making the day times tolerable.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Cleaning will wait until after the sale is over next week and people aren’t tramping in and out of the house, but I’m actually up to date on the laundry.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m going to town today for just a few things and drop off a couple of boxes of donations. I have a pedicure and facial scheduled for this week also. I also need to make some phone calls that will require sitting down and spending a chunk of time.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I really need to work on this, but have enough to skate by until next week.
DVR/TV We’ve been watching CHEERS to go to sleep by, but not much else. We did watch a couple of old John Wayne movies – Donovan’s Reef and Rio Bravo.

READING TIME

I’m STILL trying to finish THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley, but keep falling asleep 2 paragraphs in 🙂 not because it’s not good, but because I’m so tired!!!

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/4 MONDAY	8/5 TUESDAY	8/6 WEDNESDAY	8/7 THURSDAY	8/8 FRIDAY	8/9 SATURDAY	8/10 SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN PARMESAN SOUP & CRUSTY BREAD	CIDER GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BURRITO BAKE	LINGUINI & CLAMS with GARLIC BREAD	CHICKEN WINGS and POTATO SALAD	OUT WITH FRIENDS
DESSERT			BANANA BREAD CINNAMON ROLLS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

We have been having amazing sunsets this past week. And my neighbor’s daughter brought Mr. Beary White to visit the estate sale. He’s virtually blind and deaf, but oh so sweet and worth so much more than the tag says!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

MORTON’S CHICKEN CHRISTOPHER
FRENCH ONION CHICKEN BAKE

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU PLANS & RECIPES week 30 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.209

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 am trying to get around and visit more, but I honestly have almost no spare time with everything going on. I certainly expect things to change after this sale is over!

Things are coming together for the estate sale FINALLY! Friends & Family day is a soft open on Thursday and then we are going to streamline the sale with just Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week and Friday and Saturday next week. We will be listing a few things on Craig’s list and Facebook Marketplace trying to sell EVERYTHING with nothing left over.

I have kept up with my Eagle’s duties and now with the BBQ ThrowDown (I’m still waiting to hear the scholarship totals) behind us, I can actually breathe a little better. We do have the Blackberry Festival coming up, but that will be a piece of cake by comparison and is literally the weekend before we go away so it will be a fun intro to our trip. My only duties for the festival are helping a girlfriend with one of the breakfast items she’ll be serving at her bar and grill. I’ll talk more on that next week as we are still perfecting the recipe, but I promise you it will be awesome!!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This week will be pretty boring weather wise and that’s just okay by me! Highs this week will be between 82° and 89° with lows between 56° and 59° making it almost perfect weather with cool evenings and mornings with just a few hours of actual heat in the afternoons.

ON MY MIND

Honestly? I have too much on my mind, but I’m choosing to trust that things will work out just the way they are supposed to! I’m trying VERY hard NOT to overthink anything or worry too much.

I do know that we have an anniversary coming up and we are NOT going to postpone the few days we had planned at the coast no matter what comes up. We have already postponed EVERYTHING the past several months during my step dad’s illness and we need a break so we can breathe better!!!!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was quite productive yesterday and did 4 loads of laundry as well as cleaned window tracks and blinds as well as vacuumed so I will be working in the garage today trying to finish pricing and organizing things for the estate sale.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I literally only need a few things and will work them into my Eagle’s and OFFYCE shopping on Tuesday.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS No real projects other than the estate sale, but will be going to the coast in 3 weeks. 😊
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING this is a category I NEED to get serious about soon. I’m running out of menu plans 😂

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

We did watch a Gerard Butler movie that was pretty good. It’s a few years old, but I’d never heard of it, PLANE. We also watched STAR TREK INSURRECTION and that was pretty good too.

READING TIME

I’m trying to finish THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley, but keep falling asleep 2 paragraphs in 🙂

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	7/28 MONDAY	7/29 TUESDAY	7/30 WEDNESDAY	7/31 THURSDAY	8/1 FRIDAY	8/2 SATURDAY	8/3 SUNDAY
DINNER	BURRITO BAKE	BRISKET in a BISCUIT with JALAPENO BLACKBERRY JAM	TUSCAN HERB CHICKEN	FRENCH ONION CHICKEN BAKE	CHICKEN CHILAQUILES	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	PEPPERONCINI CHICKEN & RICE
DESSERT		MAGIC BLONDIES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My tomatoes are going crazy!!!! And they are sooooooo sweet this year. This was last night’s haul and the haul from the day before was just as good. The little Sugar Rush grape tomatoes are the ones we snack on while watching TV at night.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

FRENCH ONION CHICKEN BAKE
MORTON’S CHICKEN CHRISTOPHER

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CHILE LIME PORK CHOPS
BLUE MOON BAKER BLUEBERRY PIE BARS fun story to go with this recipe 😀

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS and RECIPES week 29 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.202

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Monday I had several meetings and Tuesday and Wednesday was spent with Eagle’s duties.Thursday and Friday were spent prepping for cooking for the Eagle’s Friday night.

Then on Saturday and Sunday we had our 3rd annual BBQ Showdown, a sanctioned BBQ competition hosted here in our little town that also includes a HUGE corn hole competition. I worked both days selling tokens and SWAG.

A couple friends of ours are part of the organizers and put their heart and soul into ALWAYS making it a HUGE success. From year 1 it has been just that, a HUGE success. Both previous years after expenses (costs, prize money and trophies) they have given away over $20,000.00 in TRADE scholarships that Mike Rowe would be proud of. This year is no different and there will be even more in scholarships. I hope to have that number when I post on Thursday. It continues to grow EVERY year as well as being a great influx to the economy of our little town with FULL hotel rooms, campgrounds and restaurants.

This year they added an ancillary competition using blueberries from our local Blueberry supplier, NORRIS BLUEBERRY FARM in the farm community on the edge of town. They opened up the competition to the public as well as the BBQers and so I entered one of our favorite recipes for pie bars. I was required to have a “team name”, hence the BLUE MOON BAKER name for the bars. Turns out I was the ONLY community member against 45 professional BBQ teams. I don’t think I ever had a chance 😂 But, I actually placed 10th out of 46! Not bad for a home baker 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Last week was a scorcher with highs in the high 90’s and low 100’s with lows in the 70’s at night so it never really cooled off. Last night rained a bit and this week is supposed to be much better with highs in the low 80’s and lows back into the 50’s at night.

ON MY MIND

Trying to figure out the estate sale while doing right by my step dad’s memory, my stepsisters and my mom’s wishes. There is a level of difficulty with emotional ties and tangible items. We also have the memorial to plan for and there are quite a few details to be handled.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to get the laundry done on Saturday night and everything is otherwise pretty tidy.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a hair cut and pedicure on Thursday when I’ll do some grocery shopping.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Travels are on hold until late September. I need to finish and print the Eagle’s newsletter this week.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I printed out a few recipes for next week, but need to do some research for menu planning after that.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

I have some Hallmark Christmas in July movies and some cooking shows. We did watch a cute movie with Mel Gibson, Monster Summer. There hasn’t been much else on TV.

READING TIME

Book club has started again and we’re reading THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	7/21 MONDAY	7/22 TUESDAY	7/23 WEDNESDAY	7/24 THURSDAY	7/25 FRIDAY	7/26 SATURDAY	7/27 SUNDAY
DINNER	CHILI LIME PORK, MASHED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHEESY SHELLS AND SAUSAGE with SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	TUSCAN HERB CHICKEN and SALAD	CHICKEN CHILAQUILES and SPANISH RICE
DESSERT		BLUE MOON BLUEBERRY BARS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHILE LIME PORK CHOPS
BLUE MOON BLUEBERRY PIE BARS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPES week 28 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.195

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

I did some car maintenance, got a pedicure and picked up groceries. I was also house and cat sitting all week. While I had a week with less Eagle’s duties, I also realized just how far behind I’ve gotten on my own paperwork and such so guess what I’m doing today. I spent the weekend sorting through the pantry and spices and menu planning.

Despite all that, a girlfriend and I took Friday off and went shopping in a real city where I bought a few new blouses and a summery purse, had a relaxing lunch at a sweet restaurant by the river and I picked up my Hallmark Premiere ornaments before we headed home. YEP, Christmas ornaments.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Summer reared its ugly head this past week with triple digits and scorching heat. This week is supposed to be a bit better, but will still be in the high 80’s and low nineties. I welcome needing to get some inside work done.

ON MY MIND

It sure seems like the weather is changing all over the country and for the worse in so many of those places!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING getting ready to do another deep clean as we get ready for the BIG estate sale/rummage sale
GROCERIES & ERRANDS car appointment on Wednesday and pick up the groceries for cooking at the Eagles on Friday night.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’ve picked several recipes for this week and matched them up with their ingredients and specialty spices.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Just a couple of cooking and baking shows. I’m still watching JAG during the day as a background while I work.

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	7/14 MONDAY	7/15 TUESDAY	7/16 WEDNESDAY	7/17 THURSDAY	7/18 FRIDAY	7/19 SATURDAY	7/20 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN STRAWBERRY SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CREAMSICLE CHICKEN	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	YOYO you’re on your own	YOYO you’re on your own
DESSERT					APPLE BLACKBERRY COBBLER

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I picked up a little treat toy for KitKat, my cat charge this past weekend she loves it! We went out for dinner to a burger joint on the river with her mom and dad last night when they got home and she actually took a picture of me I don’t hate for a change.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 27 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.188

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Good morning dear friends. Last week is a complete blur for me. YAY the cribbage tournament is FINALLY over. Before and during the tournament where I had to get up at 5 AM every day and work 10-12 hours straight. That’s in addition to everything else that’s going on around here. My girlfriend and I had just agreed this was probably going to be the last time we did it. We absolutely LOVE the players and really enjoyed the work, but it’s a TON of time and work that we do as volunteers!

We did decide that if we did it again we’d do it as our own catering company so we could make the money to make it worth our while. But, to our surprise, the guy that runs the tournament announced that he was moving next week and handing the torch to a younger guy who lives quite a ways away. So, it looks like this was our last job anyway.

That said, I will finally have the time to get caught up around the house as well as with blogging visits to all of you!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’ve been quite cool of an evening for this time of year. I even wore a heavy sweatshirt during the fireworks on the 4th, but that all supposed to change this week with highs in the mid 90’s! At least the night time lows will still be going down into the 50’s to give us nice mornings and evenings.

ON MY MIND

I’m praying for all those people and families devastated by the flash flooding that occurred when the two tropical storms merged and stalled over central Texas. It sure seems like the weather is changing all over the country and for the worse in so many of those places!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did get 2 loads done last night, but still have 2 to do.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m going to head to town and pick up a few groceries today and have a pedicure on Thursday, but otherwise will be staying close to home to get caught up around here.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS All of this is still on hold until after the memorial in late August.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m getting back into the swing of things with a summer menu full of salads and lighter meals.

DVR/TV

There’s nothing much on TV, but we still try and end the day with a comedy and never the news.

READING TIME

I finished the Rose Landgreen mysteries by Sigrid Holm and have moved in to a light summer read, Finding Grace the first of 4 in a series by B.E. Baker

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	7/7 MONDAY	7/8 TUESDAY	7/9 WEDNESDAY	7/10 THURSDAY	7/11 FRIDAY	7/12 SATURDAY	7/13 SUNDAY
DINNER	CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD	CHICKEN ALFREDO	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own 🙂	OUT	WITH A FRIEND	FRIED CHICKEN & POTATO SALAD	PORK CHOPS, MASHED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS
DESSERT		APPLE BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I didn’t get much time off for the 4th of July, but I did get home in time for my neighbor’s fireworks display with all the grand kids. You can tell from the picture why she’s their favorite 🙂 These were my 3 favorites, the HOT Burger, the ALIEN and the SHOW OFF that we saved for the grand finale.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

MEATBALLS IN BUTTERMILK MUSHROOM SAUCE
MAPLE COUNTRY RIBS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

MARRY ME CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPES week 26 of 2025 ~ blog 365.181

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

It seems like all my days are running together and I can’t get caught up. I’ve been working hard at getting as many things off my plate as possible. I did get several large projects accomplished and will do much more this week after the Cribbage tournament.

I cannot believe we are halfway through this year! I have not come close to getting anything done yet!!!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Today is supposed to surge close to triple digits, but the rest of the week is supposed to be in the mid 80’s. It’s also been quite humid and breezy for us.

ON MY MIND

I’m trying to put more thought into where we go from here. There are so many questions…What does my mom need?, the estate sale at the end of July, the memorial in August – though we did choose an “in lieu” of charity for flowers – we chose Hospice Care of America because the hospice crew was genuinely so caring and wonderful!, the memorial 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 Deep cleaning closets and drawers
GROCERIES & ERRANDS All the shopping will be Tuesday for the Cribbage Tournament
PROJECTS & TRAVELS nowhere until late August
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING need some lighter salads

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

STREAMING I’ve been binge watching JAG while cleaning out and prepping for the estate sale at the end of July.

READING TIME

I’m reading the 3rd book, BONE FIRE in the Rose Landgreen mysteries 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 😀

	6/30 MONDAY	7/1 TUESDAY	7/2 WEDNESDAY	7/3 THURSDAY	7/4 FRIDAY	7/5 SATURDAY	7/6 SUNDAY
DINNER	MARRY ME CHICKEN & SMOKED BAKED POTATOES	MISO CHICKEN & COLESLAW	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	working ALL day at the Eagles defrosting the freezer and changing out to a new refrigerator so it will also be a CORN/YOYO night.	BBQ at a friend’s house	I’ll be working the Eagle’s CRIBBAGE tournament – so eating out!	I’ll be working the Eagle’s CRIBBAGE tournament – so eating out!
DESSERT		CINNAMON SWIRL COFFEE CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I did take a couple hours last week and take a class to make a patriotic welcome sign. Unfortunately, the sun was full force when I took the picture.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

NOT SURE YET!

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

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