Category: HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPES week 23 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.160

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Every week has been trying lately for the past 6-7 weeks, but this past week in particular was one of the worst. We began Monday with 8 hours at the hospital and an ER doctor that I will be filing a formal complaint against. Getting decent healthcare shouldn’t be so hard! My stepdad was in for the whole week and after many doctors, a palliative team and discussions he will be coming home hospice later today. All further treatment and testing has been canceled 🙁

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’ve been unseasonably hot and under heat advisories this past week. Yesterday topped at 101° and today is supposed to be 98°, but by Thursday we’re supposed to be back down around normal in the high 70’s. Fortunately the night time is still getting down into the 50’s.

ON MY MIND

Doing hospice with grace and a dysfunctional blended family. I guess that statement says A LOT as well not enough. It’s also difficult for me because of my immunocompromised standing. I can do A LOT of things… cooking, patient advocacy, errands, phone calls, but…the whole process of hospice is on a case by case basis and needs to tailored around the patient in my opinion. The health care in this county is still atrocious, and MANY of the doctors should be barred, but I have to admit the palliative care switching to hospice has been quite efficient.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING WOW I’m actually caught up! Except for the deep clean I’m doing on our bedroom in pieces.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I do need some groceries later today. I also have an eye doctor appointment on Wednesday and a hair appointment on Thursday. I have the Eagle’s shopping to do on Wednesday and am glad to be free of any cooking duties this week 😀
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re still doing any traveling while everything is up in the air with my stepdad, but hubby has taken on a couple projects for a friend rebuilding her chemical station for the bar sanitizer at our local favorite dive bar.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m trying to develop a menu to make my stepdad happy while still staying within his nutritional needs while on hospice.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • The House with a Clock in its Wall, The House on 92nd Street, Airport, To Catch a Thief

READING TIME

I’m still trying to finish Forest Trap but continue to fall asleep quickly!

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
6/9 MONDAY
6/10 TUESDAY
6/11 WEDNESDAY
6/12 THURSDAY
6/13 FRIDAY
6/14 SATURDAY
 6/15 SUNDAY
DINNER
 MYRA’S FLANK STEAK, ONION CUCUMBER SALAD, SMASHED GARLIC POTATOES
 SLOW COOKER PORK CHOPS, GLAZED CARROTS and SALAD
 MARRY ME CHICKEN, BUTTERED NOODLES and PEAS
 POT ROAST SMOKED HAM, CORN on the COB, SLICED TOMATOES
 SLOW COOKED BEEF, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY
BABY BACK RIBS, MAC SLAW & BAKED BEANS 
 ??
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My spring flowers are finally making an appearance and I’m wondering what the story behind the feathers is 😀

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • MAC SLAW
  • MINI CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE CANNOLI CUPS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 22 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.153

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 dear friends. I feel like I’ve been neglecting blogland because I’ve been so busy. I hope to visit you all tonight!

YAY!!! The wedding I catered this past weekend is over and went off without a hitch. The estate sale my friends and I have been working on is over (for the public part) and felt like it lasted FOREVER with quite rude and demanding people!! And last Friday’s dinner that my girlfriend and I made SOLD OUT. I have another fundraising dinner this Friday and I’m filling in for a friend on Tuesday as well as the last cribbage tournament at the end of the month, but then I’ll be taking some breaks for my sanity. The candle I’ve been burning at both ends is running out of wick!!!!!

Life is still quite uncertain for us and everything is on a day to day basis as my stepdad’s condition continues to deteriorate. Health care here is horrible and as I’ve said before borders on negligence in this county. I actually received a phone call from the ONLY home health agency in the county asking to put him on a “robotic” maintenance since they can’t attend to him as regularly as the doctor prescribed.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re finally approaching spring weather and are expecting some low 80’s this week with constant sunshine. We’ve been having some really cool winds this past week, but LOTS of sunshine so I’m happy!

TO DO LIST, TV/DVR, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING YAY! Done for a few days.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be shopping later today and getting a few things for my mom also.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m looking for some lighter meals and salads for the summer.
TV/DVR
  • Just a few cooking shows to catch up on

READING TIME

I’m trying to finish FOREST TRAP the ROSE LANDGREEN MYSTERIES by SIGRID HOLM, but keep falling asleep before I finish a paragraph…

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
6/2 MONDAY
6/3 TUESDAY
6/4 WEDNESDAY
6/5 THURSDAY
6/6 FRIDAY
6/7 SATURDAY
6/8 SUNDAY
DINNER
PORK CHOPS and GLAZED CARROTS 
 BLT WRAPS & FRUIT SALAD
 OUT with FRIENDS
 BUNLESS BURGERS & BBQ BAKED BEANS
 cooking at the Eagles MEXICAN CHICKEN COBB SALAD, homemade TORTILLA CHIPS & SALSA with CHEESECAKE
 STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
 FRIED CHICKEN & BEAN SALAD
DESSERT
 
 PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

KitKat is one of my favorite felines! I’ll be watching her for another 2 weeks while mom and dad go gallivanting around the countryside!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • BAKED PORK CHOPS with APPLE STUFFING
  • TEXAS BUTTERMILK SHEET CAKE BROWNIES

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 21 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.146

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

WOW, is it really Monday again? Last week was again a blur of work, phone calls and errands associated with all the things that come with preparing for a sudden onset life changing illness of a family member while working to meet a deadline on the new estate sale house we took on.

We are still waiting on tests and results for my stepdad, your prayers are all appreciated. Let me reiterate that the health care in this county SUCKS! In my opinion it border lines on complete negligence.

On a happier note we started the sale with a friends and family day last Thursday that was a HUGE success, but it made for a VERY long weekend where I once again didn’t get as much accomplished at home let alone get to visit any of your blogs.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Yesterday was COLD for the end of May (62, rainy and windy), but today is supposed to be 80 and sunny as is the rest of the week. 🙂

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a load of bedding to do, but otherwise am pretty caught up.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have tons to do for cooking at the Eagles on Friday night and catering a wedding on Saturday. Some of the errands are in a town an hour away, so fortunately they coincide with my oncology follow up – I fully anticipate another clean bill of health. 🙂
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS Everything is on hold for now.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • 24 in 24, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, GUY’S GROCERY GAMES

READING TIME

I’ve been so busy that I have been falling asleep the minute my head hits the pillow.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/26 MONDAY
5/27 TUESDAY
5/28 WEDNESDAY
5/29 THURSDAY
5/30 FRIDAY
5/31 SATURDAY
6/1 SUNDAY
DINNER
 MEATLOAF and TWICE BAKED POTATOES
HALIBUT ENCHILADAS with CREAMY WHITE PINTO BEANS
 PAN FRIED PORK CHOPS with CHILI GLAZED CARROTS
 PHYLLO CHICKEN POT PIE
 CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
 We’ll be at a graduation party.
DESSERT
 
 
 STRAWBERRY SPOON BREAD

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This is Carl aka Morris, the friendliest cat in the world. He’s been hanging around the recent estate sale I’ve been working. He actually lives next door, but Donna, the woman who lived there had been feeding him and her brother who hired us said EVERYTHING GOES including and ESPECIALLY the cat!! But, the cat refuses to leave and meets me at the door EVERY morning before promptly making himself at home.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • CAITLYN’S CORNED BEEF
  • PAN FRIED CHICKEN in SHERRY MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 20 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.139

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

WOW, is it really Monday? Last week was a blur of work, phone calls and errands associated with all the things that come with preparing for a sudden onset life changing illness of a family member while working to meet a deadline on the new estate sale house we took on.

We spent the weekend preparing for and participating in a BBQ competition to benefit the Mercy Children’s foundation. It was the first time our team had participated and we had a GREAT time. Today will be short and sweet. I’m just exhausted and have so many things to do this morning to help my mom arrange this home health care situation.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re cold and rainy here again. It was almost miserable at the BBQ competition yesterday. I had on a turtleneck on as well as a hoodie and sweatshirt ALL day. I don’t think we got above 52° and it was cloudy as well as windy! This week is supposed to be a combination of all of that so I’m glad I didn’t pack away the cold weather gear just yet this year. 

TO DO LIST, TV/DVR & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did get 2 loads of laundry done after we got home last night.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS ?? so much – where to start
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING This is day by day trying to come up with high protein, low sodium, low carb, low fat recipes that my stepdad can eat during his radiation treatment.
WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • I need to get caught up on 24 in 24, Spring Baking Championship and Guy’s Grocery Games.

READING TIME

I was supposed to be out of town for the family reunion so was going to miss book club anyway, but when things changed and we had to stay here I rejoined the BBQ team for yesterday and still missed book club. Also on the team was my friend Nicole who was skipping book club too. We commiserated on how little time we had each had to ready lately. While we at the event both our phones started pinging from the book club group text page. Absolutely everyone had to cancel except one person. Nicole and I were laughing so hard. 😂

I’m still reading Forest Trap 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 😀
5/19 MONDAY
5/20 TUESDAY
5/21 WEDNESDAY
5/22 THURSDAY
5/23 FRIDAY
5/24 SATURDAY
5/25 SUNDAY
DINNER
 PHILLY CHEESESTEAK STUFFED PEPPERS
 VEGETABLE FRITTATA
 PAN FRIED CHICKEN with FRIED CAULIFLOWER RICE
 CHEESY MEATBALLS and PASTA
MEATBALL SAMMIES
 BBQ WINGS and KOOSLA MAC SLAW
 OUT
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Presenting our dishes for judging.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • SOUTHERN WALNUT APPLE CARROT CAKE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

  • TENNESSEE ONIONS
  • CREAMY HAM & POTATOES

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENUS week 19 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.132

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

The name of my blog, “Chasing MY Life” and my subtext, “It Is What It Is” has NEVER been more fitting than it is right now. Hubby and I have always agreed that we end up where we are the most needed to help. This attitude certainly makes adjusting to the changes life is throwing in our path MUCH more easily navigated.

Things changed quickly last week with my stepdad. He ended up back in the hospital with complications. He was sent home over the weekend and we’re doing what can be done to make him comfortable. There should be some conclusive results early this week, but things are progressing faster than anyone expected. 🙁 

Hubby and I have pivoted to make things easier for my mom to care for him and will unfortunately miss our family reunion. I will coordinate from here and make the arrangements for next year so everyone will have it in place as they leave. We will go see as many of them individually as we can in a few weeks to make up for missing the family reunion. It won’t be quite the same, but as I always say, “It Is What It Is”!

On the flip side, there were a few people having to fill in for me and my regular Eagle’s duties that are relieved I will still be here to make their lives easier. There was also 2 events that we were really disappointed that we were going to miss that we are now going to be able to participate in. We’ll also be around for the city wide garage sale weekend.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Last week’s glorious weather has returned to our regularly scheduled Pacific North West uncertainty of cold and rain. This week is once again predicted to be in the high 50’s and 60’s for highs with periodic rain.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to do and some general de-cluttering.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I will need to do a bit of shopping for groceries since we weren’t supposed to be here this week, but have a clear calendar of actual errands.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS ON HOLD
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING this is a day by day category right now.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We’re almost done with The Gilmore Girls and have been watching Lucifer and The Librarians.
  • CABLE I have a few Hallmark movies left on the DVR and a couple episodes of Spring Baking Championship and 24 in 24.

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/12 MONDAY
5/13 TUESDAY
5/14 WEDNESDAY
5/15 THURSDAY
5/16 FRIDAY
5/17 SATURDAY
5/28 SUNDAY
DINNER
 BBQ PULLED PORK and MACARONI COLESLAW
 SLOPPY JOES and  CHEESY POTATOES
 HAM STEAKS with STUFFED MAC & CHEESE
 VOODOO CHICKEN WINGS and POTATO SALAD
 OUT
 OUT
 BBQ COMPETITION
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I’m in love with this picture of my niece Olive. Those little pink converse tennies…

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • CREAMY HAM & POTATOES
  • TENNESSEE ONIONS

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 18 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.125

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 zoo and MANY parts of it are still ongoing and can’t be put into words just yet, so the zoo continues in a holding pattern – enough said. BUT, the BIG fundraiser for the cancer center is at least over and a few moving parts have been removed from my chore list – at least until the cribbage tournament this next weekend LOL 😂

I hate when you are trying to get serious things done that require phone calls these days. So much of the time there are 3rd party call centers and red tape involved that makes the simplest of things harder than they need to be!

My stepdad is having some serious health issues that honestly would have been better addressed BEFORE they came home from the desert! The health care system in the desert (unlike here) is set up with a fully staffed facility and is prepared for geriatric health care. Here, not so much. In fact, NOT at all. I’m doing what I can for my mom and I’m trying to research their options, but ultimately, it’s up to them to decide what route to take. 🙁

So, on to Monday and trying to move forward. Since so much is in a holding pattern around here, we will probably still go to the family reunion since my elderly SIL and blind niece are dependent on us for a way to get there, but we’ll just make it a shorter whirlwind trip so we can get back to help my mom.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

There MUST be a change coming. The weather prediction for this week is low-mid 70’s all week for the highs and partly cloudy EVERY day with nights in the low 40’s. EVERY day is NEVER the same around here, so I’m waiting for the other shoe to fall!

ON MY MIND

For those of you planning on hand making Christmas gifts for this next year you have

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING A good cleaning is scheduled for tomorrow…
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a few appointments this week, but no real shopping since we are supposed to leave next Monday for the family reunion.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS We have a whirlwind trip for the upcoming family reunion that we are still scheduled for, but we’ll see with everything that’s going on around here.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Either way, I won’t do much menu planning until the end of May. I am looking for some crisper spring recipes with lots of salads for the summer months.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We watched the original WAR of the WORLDS from 1953 and the remake with Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning from 2005 as well as THE VIKINGS with Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine and Janet Leigh.
  • CABLE I think we’re finally caught up with things from the DVR except for Next Level Chef, Beat Bobby Flay and a couple of oddball shows.

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/5 MONDAY
5/6 TUESDAY
5/7 WEDNESDAY
5/8 THURSDAY
5/9 FRIDAY
5/10 SATURDAY
5/11 SUNDAY
DINNER
 MEATBALLS in MUSHROOM BUTTERMILK SAUCE and GREEN PEA CASSEROLE
 BUTTERY PARMESAN CHICKEN and FRIED CORN
CRACK CHICKEN and MACARONI COLESLAW
 CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night OR you’re on your own
OUT – working CRIBBAGE TOURNAMENT WEEKEND
OUT – working  CRIBBAGE TOURNAMENT WEEKEND
??
DESSERT
 
 CHOCOLATE CHIP CHURRO CANNOLI CUPS
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My friend surprised me with this cute plant stake that she made out of Pandora beads, charms and crystals last night. It really brought a smile to my face. 🙂

First blooms of a garden always make me happy!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • PIZZA EGG ROLLS
  • CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
  • DRIED CHERRY SALAD
  • GRUYERE POTATO CASSEROLE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE & MENU week 17 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.118

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 zoo and MANY parts of it are still ongoing and just can’t be put into words just yet – enough said.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

MONDAY 68/45 CLOUDY
TUESDAY 69/46 RAIN
WEDNESDAY 72/44 CLOUDY
THURSDAY 81/47 SUNNY
FRIDAY 63/45 RAIN
SATURDAY 61/40 RAIN
SUNDAY 67/42 CLOUDY

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I finished the laundry yesterday
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have several appointments this week and will work the groceries and misc. errands into those times.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS All up in the air right now
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Also all up in the air for the foreseeable future.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We’ve been watching GILMORE GIRLS and LUCIFER ON NETFLIX
  • CABLE The DVR SCREWED UP recording 24 in 24 🙁 so I’ll watch it on demand later today probably. I need to catch up on THE CHICKEN SISTERS, TRACKER and ELSBETH. Oh and THE SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP

READING TIME

I think I’m going to drop book club. The women in this club other than one friend are into some really deep dark things that just don’t interest me. I’m starting a new book today that is going to be a fun read I think.  A NOT-SO SHOCKING MURDER by Lily Stirling.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
4/28 MONDAY
4/29 TUESDAY
4/30 WEDNESDAY
5/1 THURSDAY
5/2 FRIDAY
5/3 SATURDAY
5/4 SUNDAY
DINNER
 CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own – MEETING NIGHT
 CRACK CHICKEN & VEGGIES
CRANBERRY CHICKEN SALAD and MACARONI COLESLAW
 CHICKEN with APPLES & HONEY
 OUT
BEER CAN CHICKEN & ROASTED POTATO SALAD
 KANSAS CITY BBQ CHICKEN
DESSERT
 
 
 CHOCOLATE CHIP CHURRO CANNOLI CUPS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I went to the local quilt show last Friday. The show was a bit smaller this year, but I still found some quilts that inspired me.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • FIREHOUSE SPECIAL
  • SALSA VERDE CHICKEN CASSEROLE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPES week 16 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.111

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

My week was busy, but fortunately calmed down on Saturday and I took it REALLY easy on Easter so I’m beginning to feel recharged and ready to hit the ground running this week. I was able to get caught up on many things FINALLY!

I hope everyone had a great holiday whether you celebrated Passover or Easter. Ours was really quiet. We had brunch with a few friends and laughed A LOT! We were supposed to have a fairly large dinner, but my step dad became sick and I didn’t want to expose any of mom’s elderly friends that I had invited to his illness. So I cut the ham in half and only made half the batches of everything else. I served my mom and step dad separately as I can’t be exposed either due to my own immuno-compromised system.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Looks like spring is here to stay FINALLY!
MONDAY ~ 66/40
TUESDAY ~ 65/38
WEDNESDAY ~73/40
THURSDAY ~ 68/46
FRIDAY ~ 55/42 – RAIN
SATURDAY ~ 58/43 – RAIN
SUNDAY ~ 64/45

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • I’m going to do a bit of shopping for a few groceries today, doing the Eagle’s shopping on Wednesday, having lunch with a girlfriend on Thursday and going to the annual Quilt Show on Friday.
  • We’re planning the trip for the family reunion and another trip in June to go see our son and his wife in their new town in the MidWest.
  • We’ll be leaving on Mother’s Day for our family reunion trip so I’m NOT too concerned with meal planning or menus until we get back.
  • Call my hairdresser for another appointment and figure out why my hair won’t hold color? That beautiful color from last week is gone already despite using the specific shampoo she gave me 🙁

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • We watched a few movies over the weekend on NETFLIX: LUCY, HOSTAGE and KRAVEN the HUNTER and I watched a few episodes of the latest season of SWEET MAGNOLIAS and LUCIFER.
  • We’re finishing cleaning up the DVR and just have a cooking shows to clean up.

READING TIME

My girlfriend and I were talking about book club and the direction it has taken. Neither of us are happy with the direction it has taken 🙁

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
4/21 MONDAY
4/22 TUESDAY
4/23 WEDNESDAY
4/24 THURSDAY
4/25 FRIDAY
4/26 SATURDAY
4/27 SUNDAY
DINNER
 CHILI BURGERS and COLESLAW
 MEATLOAF, MASHED POTATOES with ROAST CARROTS
 CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
 HALIBUT ENCHILADAS over CREAMY BUTTER PINTO BEANS
 CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
 PARMESAN CHICKEN and SALAD
 BAKED CHICKEN & FRIED CORN
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Spring blooms are finally making an appearance around here. I LOVE these old antique German Bearded Iris bulbs I brought back from our old house in Michigan.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • HAWAIIAN BANANA BREAD
  • BETTER THAN GRAMS TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPES week 15 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.104

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

I can’t believe we’re already half way through April!! I worked several events at the Eagle’s last week on top of my normal duties. It seems like every minute was spoken for. I did get the tomato seedlings planted and the wrought iron porch furniture painted with fresh Rustoleum™ to cover the winter rust that settled in.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

I’m afraid to trust the weather prediction! Supposedly it will NOT rain this week, just be cloudy and is supposed to be in the 60’s and low 70’s. We’ll see – yesterday it said it was going to be sunny all week and in the upper 70’s and 80’s – it changed that quickly!

It’s still supposed to be in the high 30’s at night so each day will take a while to warm up and the breeze has been down right cold. Even working up a sweat yesterday while taking care of very manual labor, the minute I quit working and stood still for five minutes I had to put my sweatshirt back on. 

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m still working on de-cluttering and spring cleaning.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have early morning doctor appointments on BOTH Tuesday and Wednesday so will pick up what I need for Easter dinner and the errands at that time. I also have an Eagle’s meeting tonight.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have nothing planned past this week so really need to get that handled tonight.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We’re still working on GILMORE GIRLS at night. We’re thinking about getting a new streaming service and seeing some shows we’ve been wanting to watch.
  • CABLE The DVR is all but empty and most shows will be going on spring hiatus this week or next.

READING TIME

I need to start the book for book club, but right now I’m reading The Wyvern Protection Unit by C.D. Corri

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
4/14 MONDAY
4/15 TUESDAY
4/16 WEDNESDAY
4/17 THURSDAY
4/18 FRIDAY
4/19 SATURDAY
4/20 SUNDAY
DINNER
 MEATBALLS SANDWICHES
 BLACKBERRY BAKED CHICKEN and FRIED CORN
YUMMY BALLS aka OLD FASHIONED PORCUPINE BALLS
 CHICKEN PARMESAN
working at the EAGLES
CHILI BURGERS
 MEXICAN STUFFED PEPPERS
 ~EASTER~ PINEAPPLE GLAZED HAM, MASHED POTATOES, GLAZED CARROTS
DESSERT
 
 
 
APPLE WALNUT CARROT CAKE with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Worked at the cemetery yesterday to help my girlfriend and her hubby clean up the winter debris. We had an extremely stormy, windy and wet winter that took down a few of the BIG trees and tons of limbs that had to be cleaned up. I should have taken a picture of the burn pile that we’ll do later with hot dogs and marshmallows. 🙂 The burn pile is about 8 feet tall, 40 feet long and 20 feet wide! That doesn’t include the big tree pieces that she’s trying to give away for firewood.

Her family has “owned” the cemetery since 1926 and someone from her immediate family has been the caretaker ever since. Al and Mary Pepiot were her parents and she maintains the family plots. They sell affordable plots with deeds and each plot is maintained by that family, but she does the overall mowing and general clean-up of the overall cemetery.

I especially love her aunt’s headstone. One side looks so traditional and then the backside lists all the men she was married to over the years. The oldest headstone I could find was mid 1800’s. Unfortunately a few years back some teenagers went out and broke several of the older headstones 🙁

So I did the drastic change. It’s supposed to be a silver/gray sable combo. Unfortunately, my hair doesn’t take dye well and I’ll probably be back to my god given beach blonde within the month. Oh well.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • TETRAZZINI
  • SALSA VERDA PASTEL AZTECA

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK & A FUN ONE FOR EASTER

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 14 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.97

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

It was a busy week! I was dog sitting, spring cleaning and baking for a bake sale yesterday. During the spring cleaning I was also de-cluttering and trying hard to downsize. 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We had an absolutely beautiful Saturday last week. Compared to the poor people in the south I will not complain. Our cold and rain are both back and spring is once again on hold. My tomato starters are up on the porch as the garden will have to wait a couple more weeks. I did plant a few flowers on Saturday, but they are in raised planters under the eave so I think they’ll be okay this week.

We’re supposed to be in the low 50’s during the day and 30’s at night with lots of rain. It’s only the beginning of April, but our rain fall totals are equal to the yearly average already this year.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING More cleaning and downsizing to work on some more spring cleaning.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m headed to town in a bit to get the errands and groceries taken care of. I also need to pick up my watch from the watchmaker. I have a blood draw for an upcoming endocrinologist appointment and a hair appointment Thursday and am thinking of doing something drastic with my hair. It’s not that I don’t like my hair color, but I’ve been a beach blonde (naturally) all my life, wear it long and straight, but, I’m not a teenager anymore so am looking for a change. I’ll keep you posted.:)
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS I need to get the letters out to all the family later today for the upcoming family reunion.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on some spring salads and lighter recipes for this month.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We watched THE TOMORROW WAR over the weekend which was pretty good. We’re also getting caught up GILMORE GIRLS at night as we go to sleep and on YELLOWSTONE of an evening and then we’ll start LAND MAN with Billy Bob Thorton.
  • CABLE DVR is cleaned out and up to date except for last night’s TOURNAMENT of CHAMPIONS and TRACKER.

READING TIME

I’m trying to stick with book club, but a few of us are not liking the direction of book choices and may break off on our own. The club chose 2 books this month so that those that read faster have a back up to get through the month. 

I read to escape reality most of the time so one of these titles is NOT speaking to me and my girlfriend said the same, so we may not finish that one. 🙁

This month’s choices are The Drowning Woman by Robyn Hardingand First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
4/7 MONDAY
4/8 TUESDAY
4/9 WEDNESDAY
4/10 THURSDAY
4/11 FRIDAY
4/12 SATURDAY
4/13 SUNDAY
DINNER
WILTED GREENS with HOT BACON DRESSING
 PORK CHOPS with APPLE STUFFING and HERB GLAZED CARROTS
 CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator or you’re on your own
 out to a favorite indulgent restaurant TRUE KITCHEN – going to see LITTLE WOMEN with a friend
 MEATBALL SANDWICHES & BROCCOLI SALAD
 SAUCY BAKED CHICKEN and FRIED CORN
 PARMESAN CHICKEN and BROCCOLI
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Friday and Saturday were sunny! Daisy loved laying in the grass for a bit.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • WACKY CAKE aka DEPRESSION CAKE
  • MARMALADE LIME GLAZED PORK CHOPS

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 13 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.90

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

That said, this week is starting off better than the rest recently. I’m going to have time to breathe as well as visit everyone and even relax a bit!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE…IS CRAZY!!!!!

That’s the only way to describe it! We’re back down into the low 40’s during the day and 30’s at night with crazy winds, a little hail and some snow on the mountains. Oh and did I mention we’re ALREADY several inches of rain over the YEARLY average and it’s not even April yet? I’ve set aside the spring clothes I hauled out last week and brought the flannels and hoodies back into play this week.

Monday thru Thursday ~ Rain and thunderstorms with highs in the 40’s.
Friday thru Sunday ~ morning showers and mostly cloudy with highs in the 50’s (maybe??)

ON MY MIND

My aunt used to always say P.U.S.H. an acronym for PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS. Well, it works! MANY of my EAGLE’s woes are finding answers. I have revamped the Friday night fundraiser program in the past 2 months and we’re better than we were. My friend is currently the Auxiliary president, but when her term ends in June she wants to stay connected so I will be turning over the Friday kitchen duties to her, YAY! I’m currently the newsletter proofreader, but will be stepping up to be the copy editor and designer which is more up my alley and I’m excited about this change!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING & AROUND THE HOUSE I was able to do 2 loads yesterday, but didn’t get them folded and put away yet. I’m dog sitting this week so will hold off the rest of the deep clean until next week. I’m hoping to be able to plant some flowers by the weekend.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m up to date on our grocery shopping and only want to make a run to Costco and maybe the nursery for some plants. Wednesday will be shopping day for the Eagles and whatever my friend needs for her bar and grill.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m researching a few new recipes I want to make for spring and have the menu set until we leave in May for the family reunion. I’ll figure out the rest when we return.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We’re in season 4 of the GILMORE GIRLS and I just started MY LIFE with the WALTER BOYS
  • CABLE The DVR is actually cleaned out and up to date! March Madness allows this to happen every year. 😀 TOURNAMENT of the CHAMPIONS, SPRING BAKING, TRACKER, NCIS, NCIS ORIGINS

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/31 MONDAY
4/1 TUESDAY
4/2 WEDNESDAY
4/3 THURSDAY
4/4 FRIDAY
4/5 SATURDAY
4/6 SUNDAY
DINNER
 CHICKEN in SHERRY CREAM SAUCE
 SMOKED BAKED TACO POTATOES ———— EGGSQUISITE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
 BEEFY BEAN & BISCUIT BAKE
GREENS with HOT BACON DRESSING
 CHICKEN FRIED STEAK & FRIED POTATOES
 DIVINE CHICKEN SALAD
 CAITLYN’S CORNED BEEF & POTATOES
DESSERT
 
 
GRANDMA HIER’S
CARROT CAKE
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Life is still quite cold and wet with lots of standing water.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • SLOW COOKER BBQ BRISKET with SWEET KICKIN’ BBQ SAUCE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPES week 12 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.83

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

WHEW, am I glad last week is over! I know I missed getting by to see most of you, but I REALLY didn’t have a minute to myself. I promise to get by this week.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent dealing with the shopping and prep to lay in the necessary ingredients for the 3 day CRIBBAGE Tournament being held at the Eagles. They rent the hall from us, but my girlfriend and I do all the meals for all 3 days for 50+ people. I spent ALL day Thursday preparing the soups, breakfast bakes and biscuits for our Friday meals. On Friday, while we were working, Annette’s hubby smoked all the pork to be pulled for the Saturday sandwiches and she prepped the baked beans between breakfast and lunch. I did the dessert baking.

Our days begin at 6AM and this particular event also fell on my auxiliary dinner night on Friday so I had an extra event to plan and work. Friday I left home at 530AM to go to the Eagles and didn’t leave there until almost 9PM to come back home and still managed to do over 23,000 steps.

Then I had to be back at 6AM Saturday to start all over! On Sunday morning when we arrived we found the kitchen refrigerator died during the night. Fortunately our middle name is PIVOT so we emptied the fridge and moved it outside while moving our storage room fridge to the kitchen. Unfortunately we had to throw out most everything which will only make this week’s shopping so much more!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

“The Northwest will stay soggy as multiple systems take aim mid-to-late week. Here’s what we’re watching this week.” This is never the way I want a weather report to start.

Yesterday was pretty nice, today and tomorrow are supposed to be great with highs even closing in on 70, BUT (and there is ALWAYS a BUT at this time of year) Wednesday brings back the cooler temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s and you guessed it, MORE rain!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY, CLEANING, GROCERIES & ERRANDS Desperately need groceries today and to do a deep clean this week after all the food prep for last week’s cribbage tournament and auxiliary fundraiser dinner. And tonight is meeting night that I HAVE to be at.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I so very seriously need to get re-organized and do a plan for the next month.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING We have been re-watching GILMORE GIRLS late at night
  • CABLE TOURNAMENT of CHAMPIONS, SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP and I will need to empty the DVR soon before the spring season begins in earnest.

READING TIME

Who had time this week?

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
3/24 MONDAY
3/25 TUESDAY
3/26 WEDNESDAY
3/27 THURSDAY
3/28 FRIDAY
3/29 SATURDAY
3/30 SUNDAY
DINNER
I cleaned out the fridge last night and found enough leftovers for 3 nights 😀
OUT
 CORN/YOYO
CORN/YOYO
 OUT
 ASPARAGUS CHEDDAR CASSEROLE with PAN SEARED CHICKEN
 CHICKEN in COCONUT PEANUT SAUCE
DESSERT
 
GRAN’S old fashioned CARROT CAKE with DRUNKEN RAISINS
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

The sun actually came out late yesterday afternoon and as you can see the water is beginning to recede and is beginning to look normal again under one of my favorite bridges. The Rochester one lane bridge is over 100 years old and one of my favorite routes to a favorite dive tavern that’s equally as old 🙂

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • RASPBERRY TRUFFLE BROWNIES
  • PRETTY IN PINK TRES LECHES CAKE
  • ITALIAN PASTA with SAUSAGE in CREAMY SPINACH, GARLIC and WHITE WINE SAUCE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK