Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN and had so many errands to get ready for Easter yesterday. I hope you all had a very blessed and family oriented Easter Sunday. My week was full of A LOT of little errands and appointments that took up A LOT of time ~ so much so that the week was over before I knew it. This week will be a chance to regroup. 🙂
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Weather underground says 146 million people are about to experience below average temperatures. We’re not included in that number, at least not this week. We’re supposed to be sunny and around 70 this week – at least until Saturday when we drop back down into the 50’s and 60’s with rain.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have just a couple of loads to get done ~ towels, bedding and denims.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I went to the farmer’s market for produce on Saturday, but do need to pick up a couple cuts of meat this week for the menu.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned through April.
DVR/TV A couple of cooking shows and old movies to keep emptying out the DVR.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY finishing a good book and longing for the next… spring cleaning and simplifying… comfy old jeans… trying a new recipe that is more than successful than I originally planned… spring blooms popping up everywhere…
READING TIME
I didn’t have a chance to do any reading last week. I started Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but I’m also looking for a secondary read as I’m not always in the mood for a heavier topical historical read late at night. I’m leaning towards ACRIMONIOUS by Marie Force.
FUNNIES
MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
4/6
MONDAY
4/7
TUESDAY
4/8
WEDNESDAY
4/9
THURSDAY
4/10
FRIDAY
4/11
SATURDAY
4/12
SUNDAY
DINNER
TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
TACO TUESDAY CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
STEAK PIZZAIOLA & COLESLAW
DATE NIGHT
dinner at TRUE KITCHEN and CREATE & SIP
CREOLE DAUB & SALAD
SWISS CHICKEN SUPREME & ROASTED CARROTS
DESSERT
FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
This week’s favorite photos are from a visit to the Peacock Ranch.
INSPIRATIONS
LIFE TIP
HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP
COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
GARLIC PARMESAN SALISBURY STEAK
ORIGINAL MARRY ME CHICKEN aka HERBED SUN-DRIED TOMATO CHICKEN
Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN. Why is it that I now have more time, but don’t seem to be getting caught up? LOL 🙂 On top of that can you believe we are ALREADY 25% through this year??? How the heck did that happen?
Monday I was able to get my shopping done quickly and efficiently. I love that I no longer try to cram it in with all the other shopping for the Eagles and the Offyce, but I do have to make 2 separate trips to town. We did Monday night Trivia like normal last week and we won 1st place!!! That win bumped us up into 2nd place for the league this season!!
Tuesdays almost always start with and are dedicated to Taco Tuesday with friends. I also get the local and “odd” errands done on Tuesdays like dropping off donations and such.
Thursday was spent waiting around for the new roofer to come do the inspection. When we finally got a hold of him, he had “forgotten” making the appointment (his appointment was between 12-1 and we finally got a hold of him at 3PM) and hepromised to be out first thing Friday, which he was, but I was not entirely impressed or happy because I lost most of Thursday waiting for him 🙁 Unfortunately in a small town there aren’t always many options!
Most of Friday was spent at the VA dealing with “their” screw up on a prescription that of course they tried to turn around and make our fault. Fortunately, I keep very precise records and they lost the fight, but it took us all day to get it fixed!!
I did get the pantry cleaned out and the laundry room deep cleaned on Saturday after we watched a corn hole tournament and went out for a pizza lunch. Sunday was brunch with friends, watching NASCAR, catching up on cooking shows and making a new Roast Lemon Chicken Recipe on a lazy Sunday. I realized the difference between a Saturday and a Sunday is basically 10,000 steps 🙂
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weather has been ALL over the place. Last week we went from thinking about using the air conditioning on some days to thinking about putting the electric mattress pad back on the bed. This week will be highs around 50° with lows in the 30°s and an inch or 2 of rain towards the end of the week. We have also been having some really cool breezes that chill even the warmest sunny days.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to do all the laundry (not that it’s ever really done) over the weekend.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS the new roofer will be here sometime today to do some re-installation on the only 6 year old roof. The company who did the original installation did a horrible job and there have been repetitive problems to fix. They have also now gone out of business and have several pending lawsuits 🙁 After he leaves I’ll go do my shopping for Easter supplies. I’ll do the Eagle’s bar and the OFFYCE shopping on Wednesday.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Not much this week.
DVR/TV LOL 🙂 STILL trying to clean out Christmas from the DVR, TOC season 7, ULTIMATE Baking…
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY deep cleaning and organizing… being adopted by friendly stray animals…successful and satisfying new recipes that make everyone at the table smile… laughing kids playing outside… curling up with a cozy book and blanket on a rainy day…
READING TIME
I started Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but I’m also looking for a secondary read as I’m not always in the mood for a heavier topical historical read late at night. I’m leaning towards ACRIMONIOUS by Marie Force.
FUNNIES
MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/30
MONDAY
3/31
TUESDAY
4/1
WEDNESDAY
4/2
THURSDAY
4/3
FRIDAY
4/4
SATURDAY
4/5
SUNDAY
DINNER
CORN / YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SKILLET
CORN / YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
STUFFED PORK CHOPS and BRUSSELS SPROUTS
CORN / YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
STUFFED HAMBURGERS and MACARONI SALAD
BAKED HAM with ALOHA GLAZE, MASHED POTATOES and GLAZED CARROTS
DESSERT
CREAMSICLE PIE
FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
This week’s favorite photos are my Christmas cactus that is still blooming in late March, a friend’s homemade Bloody Marys (with his special blend of mixer and homemade peppered bacon) for his morning as guest bartender at our favorite brunch spot and Tango the cat who has a home, but adopted us anyway. I don’t know what his “real” name is, but he’s tangerine colored so I nicknamed him Tango 🙂 And don’t forget my favorite heart faced cow 🙂 I LOVE traveling the back way to town in the spring because of the green colors and baby animals. The Osprey are starting their nests and the baby sheep and cows are literally frolicking together in the fields.
Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN with mainly mundane errands and appointments! I was able to stay on top of the laundry and house chores – enough so that Saturday and Sunday were both pretty lazy days with sleeping, hanging with friends and watching NASCAR. (For a nice change).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’re back to early spring weather with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the high 30’s with a lot of clouds this week and a little rain too. I did pack away the heavy jackets, but left plenty of mid weight and light weight hoodies for layering.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ve started some spring cleaning trying to de-clutter and downsize.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m headed to town in just a bit to pick up groceries.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I went through quite a few recipes yesterday while watching NASCAR and sorted by category, even throwing away duplicates and flavor profiles that just didn’t appeal to me.
DVR/TV Not much except some cooking shows and a couple old movies.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Successful new recipes… clean closets… spring flowers… baby geese in the pond… pink and gold sunsets… organized chaos…
READING TIME
Tonight I’m going to start Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’m really looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while.
FUNNIES
MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/23
MONDAY
3/24
TUESDAY
3/25
WEDNESDAY
3/26
THURSDAY
3/27
FRIDAY
3/28
SATURDAY
3/29
SUNDAY
DINNER
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
MEATBALL SOUP & BISCUITS
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN PARMESAN BOWLS
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
STEAK PIZZAIOLA & PASTA
BLACK BEAN SALSA CHICKEN
DESSERT
COFFEE CRUNCH MUFFINS
FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
This week’s favorite photos are last Thursday’s beautiful sunset over the pond, a crazy bartender on St. Patrick’s Day and a favorite new BBQ sauce.
Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN. They did a fundraiser “paint and sip” on Friday before my dinner that I wanted to support, but just couldn’t bring myself to paint because the picture chosen was just too juvenile and flat out hideous in my book (it was a snail on a mushroom in the moonlight) so my friend who owns the paint and sip brought me a different one to do at home (it’s in my favorite photos below) and I prepped for mu dinner instead. I cooked my LAST dinner for the Eagle’s on Friday and am looking forward to some serious down time! This week I’m going to get caught up on a few projects I’ve been putting off as well as packing away some winter things and making some donations.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
This week is going to be absolutely gorgeous – 70’s in the afternoon and 40’s overnight through Friday!!!! Too bad it’s not supposed to last, but while I can I will enjoy it. I’m planning on packing away many of my winter things this week. Low 50’s and rain are due back by the weekend.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I FINALLY got caught up on laundry – 6 loads Saturday and 1 yesterday. This time of year with all the layering makes for so much more laundry!!!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I don’t need much this week… so I’ll play it by ear. I do need to get the tires rotated on my car sometime this week. I tried to drop off the recycling yesterday, but they were seriously busy so will try that again today. And my Tuesday filled up really fast with taking a friend to her physical therapy appointment, meeting the towel guy at the canteen for his delivery, meeting the trustee to show her how to open the new register and then meeting with the bartenders to teach them the new electronic register, but best of all having smoked baked potatoes for taco Tuesday on Saint Patrick’s Day 🙂
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned through Easter for now.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fluffy Banana cream cheesecake… a warm cup of tea on a cool evening… cute little kittens… new blooms on flowering plants… daffodils popping up everywhere… cherry blossoms…
READING TIME
I’m about to finish Marie Force’s STATE of PRESERVATION tonight from the First Family Series and the next book won’t be out until July so I’m going to start Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’m really looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while.
“Carrie Cromwell, fiery and strong-willed, finds herself torn between the South’s traditions and the dangerous truths she discovers through the Underground Railroad. As war erupts, every choice she makes risks her family, her freedom, and the lives of those she loves most.
Storm Clouds Rolling In launches The Bregdan Chronicles, a sweeping saga of courage, sacrifice, and resilience told through both Black and White, Free and Enslaved, Northern and Southern characters. For readers of United States Historical Fiction, this is history made unforgettable.”
FUNNIES
MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/16
MONDAY
3/17
TUESDAY
3/18
WEDNESDAY
3/19
THURSDAY
3/20
FRIDAY
3/21
SATURDAY
3/22
SUNDAY
DINNER
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHEESE BURGER WRAPS & FRIES
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
BAKED PAPRIKA CHICKEN, MASHED POTATOES & SALAD
DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
DESSERT
FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
This week’s favorite photos are my completed (at least until there are new recipes) recipe book collection with index, adorable “HOGWASH” soaps and the “FLOWER POWER” painting.
Last week went by way too quickly, but was VERY productive for me. I finished my recipe books, donated several bags to St. Vinnies, finalized the February books for the Eagle’s kitchen, the shopping for the Eagle’s bar and a friend’s business, prepped a good deal of the parts for the Loaded Baked Potato Bar I’m doing on Friday as my last Eagle’s meal. I also helped a friend set up a new computer/printer for her mom and will finalize that later this week. And I can’t believe it’s already time to change the clocks! Did you remember to do yours? I know a couple people who didn’t and ended up missing appointments yesterday. 🙂
I’m hoping to keep up the momentum this week though I have a few appointments and am taking a friend who had knee replacement surgery to physical therapy this week.
There is an Eagle’s meeting tonight, but I’m REALLY backing away and will be attending Trivia night with my team instead. It’s not the same, but I will be resuming my “normal” larger monthly donations to my favorite charities until I decide what to replace my Eagle’s time with.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weekend was absolutely gorgeous, but today we’re back to highs in the low 50’s with rain and night time lows in the 30’s and 40’s. It’s time to put away the UGG’s (I hope) and go with some lighter tennies and cute spring shoes though I’m still in the layering phase.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to do, but did get some deep cleaning done last week as well as pack a few totes of unused winter clothes.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I spent last Saturday out shopping all by myself which was heaven. It was a beautiful day and I got the car washed and vacuumed, went to the butcher for chicken, Marshalls for a couple spring blouses and a dress and sweater, the Farm Stand for produce and danish, the grocery store for a few can goods and only because I had to, Walmart.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I just finished printing out our favorite recipes and creating an index of the recipes. A friend just gave me the old recipe boxes from Barbara, one of her charges and in them I found even older recipes from Barbara’s mother Thelma. I’m looking forward to making some Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies and Biscuit Rhapsody soon while I continue combing through the recipes. I try to make the least common recipes first 🙂
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Sunny days… Rainy weekends… Cozy fires… lunch dates with old friends… dinner dates with hubby… Shiny balloons… spring flowers
READING TIME
FUNNIES
MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/9
MONDAY
3/10
TUESDAY
3/11
WEDNESDAY
3/12
THURSDAY
3/13
FRIDAY
3/14
SATURDAY
3/15
SUNDAY
DINNER
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CORN CHICKEN PASTA & SALAD
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHEESEBURGER WRAPS & TOTS
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
This week’s favorite photos are one of my favorite barns that is going to probably collapse any day now. I’m always afraid the cows that hang out near it and even in it are going to get hurt. There is also this really cool mushroom I found near the Japanese maple tree and I’m going to paint this picture soon.
To start my week I have to wish a VERY happy birthday to my wonderful husband today! The biggest thing we’re doing today is playing trivia tonight! 🙂 Don’t tell him, but there’s a birthday get together just before that he doesn’t know about 🙂 We will go to dinner on Thursday for his birthday dinner.
Hubby had several appointments last week trying to get him back on schedule with VA medical care. They had lost SEVERAL providers over the past year and are way behind on regular care so we took every appointment we could get to get him caught up!
I’m really loving my reduced Eagle’s duty schedule. I only had 1 day of minimal shopping to do last week for both the bar and my girlfriend’s business. So, with my newly found free time I’ve already this past week gone antiquing and thrift store shopping with a girlfriend and we had a super tasty lunch on Saturday and then on Sunday helped throw a birthday party for another friend! I also deep cleaned my bedroom closet and made several donation piles.
This week will be even better! 🙂 Replacing those duties this week will be updating my password book, address book and recipe books (yes I like a clean printed recipe in the kitchen versus using my phone or computer). ~ ALL of which have suffered for a couple years now because I just didn’t have the time to sit down and focus for enough time to accomplish the tasks. All of these books were old and held together with MANY notes and rubber bands. I started to do the recipe books last week and am so happy they are about 75% complete 🙂
It took me a REALLY LONG while to learn this lesson, but I’m here now so that’s all that’s important ~ MY SAILS are FULLY adjusted and headed to calmer seas!!!!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
As of right now we should be able to see the blood moon this week. I’ll be setting a timer, BUT the weather changes so quickly this time of year I won’t hold my breath! As of now we’ll have lots of rain this week with highs around mid 40’s to 50 degrees and lows in the mid 30’s.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple of small loads of laundry, but that’s about it.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I do need to pick up a few groceries for this weeks recipes.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS No travels, but I do want to get the password book, address book and sort through my desk area to clean it up.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING A friend that used to run a local deli we ate at often wrote a small cookbook with her recipes. I ordered a copy that will be here Tuesday so I’ll look to make some of her recipes next week.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY clean and organized spaces… warm towels fresh out of the shower on a cold morning… spring cleaning and donating clothes to St. Vinnies… spring flowers… sunsets…
READING TIME
I should be finishing STATE OF ALERT by Marie Force tonight and then I’ll see what’s next.
FUNNIES
MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/2
MONDAY
3/3
TUESDAY
3/4
WEDNESDAY
3/5
THURSDAY
3/6
FRIDAY
3/7
SATURDAY
3/8
SUNDAY
DINNER
BIRTHDAY PARTY before TRIVIA
PAPRIKA SOUR CREAM CHICKEN & MASHED POTATOES
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
TRUE KITCHEN
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
BUTTERMILK CHICKEN CORN PASTA
DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
DESSERT
PINEAPPLE CHERRY PANDOWDY
FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
Here’s a picture from yesterday’s birthday party that got crazy REALLY fast so I was lucky to get any. We’re also having a “false” spring so my daffodils and crocuses are making an unscheduled appearance 🙁 And Dana and I ate at one of our favorite restaurants and had yummy grilled cheese sandwiches to help support the food bank in February.
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!
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 NEXTweekend.
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.
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.
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
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 🙂
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
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.
