HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPE LINKS week 18 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.124

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

How is it that we’re in May already and we’re half way through Spring? I really am trying to find ways to slow things down and enjoy life more. I had to make multiple trips into town last week trying to accomplish several Eagle’s tasks.

On Friday we went to a BBQ at a friend’s house and then on Saturday went to the Farmer’s Market, Butcher and grocery store before having a nice lunch out. After we got home Saturday I spent 8 hours prepping the jam for yesterday’s fundraiser breakfast, the BBQ sauce for the upcoming BBQ competition, cupcakes for Tuesday’s Cinco de Mayo at a friend’s bar and grill. Sunday was the fundraiser breakfast in the morning and relaxing with NASCAR in the afternoon and catching up on some DVR shows in the evening.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re going to FINALLY and consistently be in the low 70’s this week with lows in the upper 40’s. There will be some cloud cover which will keep the mornings cool with the highs happening around sunset. This will be a good week for my veggie starters to get their roots.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING The laundry WAS all done… yesterday… 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a haircut on Wednesday morning when I’ll also do the Eagle’s shopping and my friends Bar & Grill shopping.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m just planning a few recipes a week for now and doing more CORN/YOYO nights as our schedule is so busy.
DVR/TV I have just a couple Christmas movies left to finish and some food network shows.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY new plant starts starting to grow… successful new recipes… majestic sunsets… fluffy kittens…
ON MY MIND There’s an ALL member meeting on Friday night with the state representative that will probably determine the fate of the charter.

READING TIME

The book club that my girlfriend and I belonged to seems to have died a natural death. We decided to start our “own” 2 person club. We’re reading EVERYTHING WE KEEP by Kerry Lonsdale. I say we’re reading, but I’m starting today and she’s just about finished LOL It’s a 3 book series so I need to get going! 🙂

EVERYTHING WE KEEP ~ “A luminous debut with unexpected twists, Everything We Keep explores the devastation of loss, the euphoria of finding love again, and the pulse-racing repercussions of discovering the truth about the ones we hold dear and the lengths they will go to protect us.

Sous chef Aimee Tierney has the perfect recipe for the perfect life: marry her childhood sweetheart, raise a family, and buy out her parents’ restaurant. But when her fiancé, James Donato, vanishes in a boating accident, her well-baked future is swept out to sea. Instead of walking down the aisle on their wedding day, Aimee is at James’s funeral—a funeral that leaves her more unsettled than at peace.

As Aimee struggles to reconstruct her life, she delves deeper into James’s disappearance. What she uncovers is an ocean of secrets that make her question everything about the life they built together. And just below the surface is a truth that may set Aimee free…or shatter her forever.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	5/4 MONDAY TRIVIA NIGHT	5/5 TUESDAY TACO TUESDAY	5/6 WEDNESDAY	5/7 THURSDAY	5/8 FRIDAY	5/9 SATURDAY	5/10 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CAESAR SALAD PARMESAN BOWL	OUT after ALL member meeting	MISO CHICKEN & SLAW	CHICKEN ORECCHIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE
DESSERT	CHOCOLATE CHILI CUPCAKES for CINCO de MAYO @ TACO TUESDAY	HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

We were able to Feng Shui the backyard last week with all the wonderful weather. I was able to clean up all the vegetable beds and get them prepped for this year. I did a ton of weeding and pruning also. Fresh flowers have been planted for spring along with all the seedlings for the garden. I planted 3 types of tomatoes, 4 types of cucumbers, carrots, onions, snap peas and zucchini.

Hubby was able to get the new hose reel hung to make sprinkling everything easier until he get all the misters and individual water systems up and running.

Photos this week are of the planting updates, yesterday’s Bloody Mary sample for the Mercy Foundation Fundraiser breakfast we had to kick off the BBQ competition coming up on the 17th and the beautiful majestic sunset last night. Oh and the bees are back and loving the azaleas! 🙂

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PUB ROAST
ORANGE GLAZED MEATBALLS
CHICKEN PARMESAN SLIDER BAKE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 17 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.117

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

OH MY, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’S THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL??? I want this world to slow down!!!!!

Last week was a culmination of things coming to a head at the Eagles. I had to get the newsletter prepped and ready to mail in 2 days time with a special letter to members for a meeting on May 8th that will determine A LOT of things, starting with whether we keep our charter or not. To me it looks like we are going to lose our charter and I’m actually not as sad about that as you would think. In a weird way I’m okay with that. I’m so over the drama. I’m more upset by the amount of time I’ve tried to help keep things afloat and others have just laughed it all off. There is such a small handful of the 350+ members that have stepped up to do ANYTHING to help keep the place running and the doors open. Most treat it as a social club only.

I will be looking for other service projects to fill my time.

Hubby and I went to a painting class on Thursday night, but it had been canceled. She felt so bad that she hadn’t contacted me to keep us from driving so far that offered me a free class on Friday that I enjoyed! I do need to finish some of the top flowers, but am pretty happy with it.

We took a spontaneous trip to the coast on Saturday to meet up with our neighbors for lunch and gallery browsing. They had taken their trailer up for the weekend to attend their grandson’s invitational track meet. The hubby’s got a kick out of us driving 80 miles to visit with friends that live 200 feet away 🙂

Sunday was very relaxed and I got a lot done clearing my desk, laundry that had piled up the past week, prep for this week’s recipes…

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

I sure hope the weather forecaster got this week right!! Highs in the mid 60’s and lows in the low 40’s and partly cloudy will make it the perfect week to get the garden started. We have A LOT of clean up and organization to do that will take some serious time so we can get the new top soil in.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING WHEW I did 7 loads yesterday! Usually I do a load every other day, but it’s been SOOOOOOOO busy this past week it built up – especially since I’m still wearing multiple layers of tops and flannels, 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I will be going for us on Friday, but will do Costco on Wednesday for the Offyce and groceries for the Eagle’s bar.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re starting to plan a BIG trip for late June, but are also planning a small trip for the coast in late May.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned for the next 3 weeks, but my girlfriend gave me a new cookbook with vintage Ellis Island recipes in it that I’m researching to do soon.
DVR/TV 24 in 24 started last night. I still have a couple taped HALLMARK MOVIES to get through as well as a HOPE VALLEY episode and a couple THE WAY HOME.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY warm toes… purring kitties… fluffy clouds… empty laundry baskets, like that every happens ∞…

READING TIME

I’ve been falling asleep quickly and haven’t had time to read even in the evenings so…

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	4/27 MONDAY	4/28 TUESDAY	4/29 WEDNESDAY	4/30 THURSDAY	5/1 FRIDAY	5/2 SATURDAY	5/3 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MEATBALLS & BEAN BREAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BBQ at a friend’s house I’m taking Macaroni Salad	CHEESY PIZZA ROLLS & SALAD	CHILI BALLS & FRENCH ONION AU GRATIN POTATOES
DESSERT			BANANA BREAD CINNAMON ROLLS		HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s pictures are some of my favorite barns that have been collapsing year after year. A burned copper piece I found at a favorite gallery and a hand carved nativity I found at the kitchen store of all places. I found both pieces on our spontaneous coast excursion.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BAKED CARROT CASSEROLE
CRISPY EDGE BAKED MAC & CHEESE
CORN CHILE CHICKEN RELLENO SOUFFLE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

I didn’t even have time last week to get link ups done so I’ll try it again this week. 🙂

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 16 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.110

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN!

On Saturday we went to the Farmer’s Market and couldn’t find a thing on my list. I ended up at the butcher and Farm Stand instead. Then we went to lunch at a favorite brewery for pizza and beers – well hubby had beer 🙂

I have to wonder if it will always feel like this! I spent most of Sunday doing some organizing and sorting for donation and getting back on track to get caught up on blogs, hopefully by tonight 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weekend was pretty nice, actual shirt sleeve weather, but that was seriously short lived. We’re back to cooler weather and rain to begin the week. Temps will be in the low 50’s during the day and high 30’s and low 40’s at night.

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 towels as well as hubby’s stuff.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS not much other than a pedicure and my normal shopping this week…
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m starting on a new pile of recipes to sort through…
DVR/TV We watched the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM trilogy on Saturday night. And we started binge watching DROP DEAD DIVA after we finished YOUNG SHELDON as we go to sleep at night.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY spring baby animals… beautiful spring blooms… fluffy clouds in a beautiful spring sky… clear evenings where you can see all the stars…

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	4/20 MONDAY	4/21 TUESDAY	4/22 WEDNESDAY	4/23 THURSDAY	4/24 FRIDAY	4/25 SATURDAY	4/26 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own TRIVIA begins at 6PM	MEATBALL SALAD & BEAN BREAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	DATE NIGHT RE-DO dinner and sail boat painting	CHICKEN DIP SANDWICHES & COLESLAW	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	SWISS STEAK & ALFREDO CORN
DESSERT		LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are a bit of a revival for a couple days of the warmer weekend weather and of the new goslings at the pond. Aren’t they adorable?

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHEESEBURGER WRAPS
BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC & CHEESE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 15 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.103

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN and you know the old saying, Best laid plans of mice and men… well our week didn’t go as planned (fortunately we are good at pivoting…) and we did still go out to eat that day, but painting class didn’t happen.We split a Cara Cara salad with a Champagne Vinaigrette and a seasonal cheese board with FRESH made fig jam that were both absolutely delicious.

We’ve rescheduled painting class for another class, but unfortunately the lighthouse is no longer an option so hubby chose the sailboat sunset.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Shorts, AC and flip flops for Easter last Sunday. Layers, hoodies and Furnace for this Sunday. Cold and rainy again this week. Spring is strange around here 🙂 A lot of cloudy and rainy days with highs in the low 50’s this week and lows in the 30’s and 40’s.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING & YARD Laundry is up to date. I’m starting to clean out older clothes for donation and am working on a supply list for updating garden beds that desperately need repairs. I have bought some garden starters (Tomatoes – grape, cherry and celebrity, snap peas, carrots and cucumbers. They are under the patio cover for protection from the unpredictable weather. I only buy the Peoria Farms starters and because we’re rural you have to buy them when they are available whether it’s time to plant yet or not.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I need a bit of produce, some string cheese and not much else this week. There are appointments almost every day this week though and a couple are over an hour away 🙁
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Planned through April, but like always it may get changed up based on produce availability.
DVR/TV I’m finally working my way through the Christmas movies and can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY completed lists… spring cleaning… fresh garden plantings… spring blooms… dinner and a play with a good friend this week…

READING TIME

I STILL didn’t have a chance to do any reading last week. I Kept falling asleep before finishing a paragraph!! Unfortunately I haven’t been STAYING asleep!

I did start Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye and I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but now 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

Shorts, AC and flip flops for Easter last Sunday. Layers, hoodies and Furnace for this Sunday.

MENU PLANS

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

	4/13 MONDAY	4/14 TUESDAY	4/15 WEDNESDAY	4/16 THURSDAY	4/17 FRIDAY	4/18 SATURDAY	4/19 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN PARMESAN BALLS, REFER PICKLES which are just refrigerator cucumbers and onions 🙂	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MEATLOAF, MASHED POTATOES and ALFREDO CORN	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN SHEPHERD’S PIE	MONTE CRISTO ROLLS
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are my German Bearded Irises from last week. Unfortunately the cold returned and they didn’t get to finish blooming 🙁 and the flowers my friend brought by my friend for Easter that have FINALLY opened. Every other photo was of food for upcoming recipes.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE
BUTTERMILK CHICKEN CORN PASTA
GARLIC BUTTER BANG BANG STEAK BITES
SAGE BROWN BUTTER LEMON CHICKEN PASTA

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY and MENU and RECIPE LINKS ~ week 14 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.96

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 13 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.89

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

COWBOY POTATOES
FRENCH TOAST MUFFINS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 12 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.82

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES ~ week 11 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.75

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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.
DVR/TV Cooking shows ~ TOC, FLAVOR TOWN, Wild Card Kitchen, Spring Baking Championship…
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.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

TERIYAKI BEEF STEW
CHICKEN CARBONARA with PEAS
APPLE PUMPKIN RAISIN WALNUT CAKE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 10 OF 2026 ~ BLOG 365.68

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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 🙂
DVR/TV Cooking shows ~ TOC, FLAVOR TOWN, Wild Card Kitchen, Spring Baking Championship…
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	BAKED PAPRIKA CHICKEN, MASHED POTATOES & GLAZED CARROTS	CORNED BEEF & CARROTS with BABY POTATOES
DESSERT					CHERRY PINEAPPLE PANDOWDY aka BREAD PUDDING

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

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.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

SCRUFFED CARBONARA POTATOES
MANHATTAN (RED) CLAM CHOWDER

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 9 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.61

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BEST MEATBALLS
OVEN BEEF BARLEY STEW
SCRUFFED CARBONARA POTATOES

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

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

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

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

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

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

READING TIME

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

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

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

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

COKE CAKE
PUMPKIN ROLL

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

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

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

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

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

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

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

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

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

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

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

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

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

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

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

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