HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 34 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.236

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I had a busy week that seemed to speed by faster than a NASCAR race! I did manage to take yesterday off and sort some recipes, binge watch a little Matlock and sort some fall clothes. I’m jumping right into today’s HHM so I can get going early and get back early.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We REALLY need some rain!!!! This drought is so dangerous here for fire season.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Just towels and bedding to do. I got everything else done over the weekend. I cleaned out dresser drawers yesterday and organized by season.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m headed to town in a bit to pick up a few things. I want to get everything done before the heat gets too unbearable. I have a pedicure later this week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Hoping to get word on the car today or tomorrow so we can plan the family reunion trip.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY happy endings to books I love!… finding new authors that I LOVE as much as my favorites…a good hair cut… finding a new recipe that tastes better than it sounds…

READING TIME

I’m reading the Baking Games by Rachel Hanna and Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/24 MONDAY	8/25 TUESDAY	8/26 WEDNESDAY	8/27 THURSDAY	8/28 FRIDAY	8/29 SATURDAY	8/30 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN MADEIRA & RICE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN CROQUETTES & TOMATO FRITTERS	SAUSAGE PENNE & SALAD	CHICKEN POT PIES	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT							CHERRY DREAM SQUARES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My hierloom tomatoes are finally starting to redden up, but my grape and cherry tomatoes are YUMMY and make the perfect evening snack bites!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BLUEBERRY BOY BAIT
FRIED MAC & CHEESE BITES
SMOKEY CARAMELIZED BALSAMIC CHICKEN

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 33 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.229

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope you have all had a GREAT week.

MONDAY~THURSDAY We’re entering the last couple weeks before school starts back up. I’ve been hiring my friend’s teenage son to help get a few projects done around the house before he goes back to school and help him earn a few bucks too!! He helped last week one day with a HUGE project. There were also a few medical appointments as well as the standard shopping and every day chores.

FRIDAY~SUNDAY The Blackberry Festival was in full swing! Friday I made the Blackberry jam for the BRISKUITS we made for the early morning breakfast we’ve been doing the past few years at the Offyce. Dan made the briscuit this year and Diana the biscuits. Saturday morning dawned with a line of people for breakfast and it was a GOOD day. Our word of mouth is getting better EVERY year.

After breakfast we went to the festival which was bigger than it had been prior to COVID, so it’s great to see it recovering well. Lots and lots of classic cars, vendors galore and Food trucks lined up around the corner of the park. Saturday night was the BIG street cruise. There was also a chili cook off, BMX race for kids, Blackberry dessert contest, dog pie eating contest, mud races, mud volleyball, community groups and even a dog pie eating contest.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We survived the excessive heat and red flag warnings a couple weeks ago and then last week was almost perfect. This week is going to be an almost carbon copy of last week in the low to mid 80’s with lows in the 50’s with cool ocean breezes. Now, I REALLY think the DOG DAYS of SUMMER are truly over.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Yesterday I got caught up with the laundry.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I did a menu and grocery list for the week that I’ll get picked up today after the eye doctor. There’s a different appointment Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so I’ll work the errands into each day. One of my besties and I are trying to take either Friday or Saturday as a “play day” for shopping and lunch.
CELEBRATIONS Hubby and I are celebrating a BIG anniversary tomorrow. WOW 25 years already. He always says we’re not perfect, no one is, BUT we are perfect for each other! And he is so right! Tomorrow will be 9,132 days of wedded bliss (MOSTLY) 🙂 10,143 days
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m looking into maybe trying a new hobby, KINUSAIGA, Japanese fabric art piecing or “silk picture” making that began in the 80’s as a way to use old kimonos.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY folded laundry… empty laundry baskets… organized drawers… organized closets… clean windows… empty dishwasher…

READING TIME

I’m halfway through book #4 EVERYTHING WE FOUND by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/17 MONDAY	8/18 TUESDAY	8/19 WEDNESDAY	8/20 THURSDAY	8/21 FRIDAY	8/22 SATURDAY	8/23 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	TRUE KITCHEN out for OUR ANNIVERSARY	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STREET CORN CHICKEN RICE BOWLS with CUCUMBER SALAD	4 CHEESE BAKED GNOCCHI & ROASTED GREEN BEANS	PARMESAN CHICKEN, AU GRATIN POTATOES & HONEY THYME ROASTED CARROTS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT			BLUEBERRY PUFF PASTRY

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I LOVE the old cars and creative vendors.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

Fall is right around the corner! And I LOVE these ideas. Ironically I usually do MOST of them too!

DECORATE with natural elements ~ straw, pumpkins, apples, gords, buckets, etc…
SIMMER pot with apples, cinnamon and other favorite spices as well as burning CANDLES…
SEASONAL WARM DRINKS ~ YES PLEASE!!!! hot toddies, hot apple cider, hot chocolate…
COZY OUTDOOR SPACE ~ blankets and pillows on the porch with one of the seasonal warm drinks 🙂
GRATITUDE JOURNAL ~ fall always seems like the time to begin a new one, but I try to keep one year round…
PICNICS up at the lake or BONFIRES at a friends house…
NEW SEASONAL RECIPES ~ I never met a recipe I didn’t want to try once (USUALLY) 🙂
HOST A SOUP & BREAD NIGHT ~ I’ll have to try this one!! And ironically I had already decided to try a new craft before I read this and COZY BOOKS are a must year round.

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

FISH TACO BOWLS
COOKIE MONSTER COOKIES
PEACH GLAZED BBQ CHICKEN
BEAN SALAD with SMOKY SUN-DRIED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CHICKEN FAJITA COBB SALAD
CRUNCHY PEANUT CHICKEN SALAD
OLD SOUTH SODA SAUCE PORK LOIN
CHOCOLATE ROOT BEER CAKE with CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 32 of 2926 ~ BLOG 365.222

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope you’re having a GREAT beginning to the week.

Last week was busy with my FINAL catering gig for a private party the Eagles hosted for an 80th birthday YESTERDAY that had been on the schedule for a couple months now. They had a great time and everything turned out beautiful, but I’m glad that’s over! My email resignation from the kitchen has been written and SUBMITTED. WHEW what a relief.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We survived the excessive heat and red flag warnings last week. It was actually the smoke that made outside life the most unbearable. We even had to skip the last music in the park event due to REALLY unhealthy air quality. This week is going to be much better in the low to mid 80’s with lows in the 50’s. I think the DOG DAYS of SUMMER are over.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING all caught up! BUT, you know how that goes.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS need to put a list together for Wednesday
PROJECTS & TRAVELS still waiting on the car to make decisions on the trip. A friend’s teenage son is coming to help us with a big project on Thursday. Blackberry festival is this next weekend and I need to finish the Jalapeno blackberry jam for the Briskuits for Saturday breakfast at the OFFYCE.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fluffy clouded skies… birds chirping, children laughing… silence while I have my coffee…

READING TIME

I keep trying to read, but have been falling asleep REALLY FAST almost ever night but I did finish STATE OF UNREST First Family series Book #11 by Marie Force and started book #4 EVERYTHING WE FOUND by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/10 MONDAY	8/11 TUESDAY	8/12 WEDNESDAY	8/13 THURSDAY	8/14 FRIDAY	8/15 SATURDAY	8/16 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STUFFED PORK CHOPS & TWICE BAKED POTATOES	COWBOY STEAK with HERB BUTTER & CORN on the COB	SWEDISH MEATBALLS & NOODLES	WHITE WINE BRAISED CHICKEN & TOMATO FRITTERS	BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL BRISKUITS with JALAPENO BLACKBERRY JAM	SWEET & SOUR MEATBALLS & RICE PILAF
DESSERT			BLUEBERRY BOUNTY CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I didn’t get many pictures, but did see this lizard lounging in the heat of the patio the other day. He’d lost the tip of his tail – I wonder how? And the last time we visited our favorite Italian restaurant I saw that they had put up this funny sign and little fence to prevent people from crossing in the the very place they should have put a walkway!! What you can’t see is that there really is no “crosswalk”, just a sidewalk at a busy intersection entrance to a strangely shaped driveway.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHICKEN FAJITA COBB SALAD
CRUNCHY PEANUT CHICKEN SALAD
OLD SOUTH SODA SAUCE PORK LOIN
CHOCOLATE ROOT BEER CAKE with PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS week 31 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.215

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope your August is starting out well. I still can’t believe we are into the 8th month already!!!!!! We are two thirds of the way through this year!!!!!!!! I am looking forward to Fall, but just not ready to be there!!!!!!

Last week was fairly uneventful, just full of daily chores and projects. We did go to music in the park on Thursday and saw SUPER DIAMOND. It was good to see friends and that the community events are thriving so well. The corn dog truck was my favorite with a ketchup sweet chili dip that was excellent!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This past weekend was absolutely beautiful with temps in the 70’s and wonderful breezes!! But, this is literally supposed to be the week from hell, at least for around here. Daytime highs are supposed to be in the high 90’s and even some triple digits. Lows will be in the 50’s so that will help a bit, but all and all it might be a miserable week if humidity gets too high.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Just a couple of loads of bed linens and some vacuuming to do.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Just a small list of errands. I’m heading out in just a bit to do U-Haul, Walmart, Costco and grocery store. I’ll do the OFFYCE shopping on Wednesday.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Still no definitive date for the BIG trip because the car is still in the shop – the trip will probably get tied into the family reunion trip next month. But, the county fair begins Thursday and it’s the last Music in the park night with an Alabama tribute band so lots to do!
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fresh crisp bed linens after a long day… cleaning out and organizing drawers… donating the things that don’t bring me joy… seeing old friends and laughing like no time has passed…

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	8/3 MONDAY	8/4 TUESDAY	8/5 WEDNESDAY	8/6 THURSDAY	8/7 FRIDAY	8/8 SATURDAY	8/9 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HAWAIIAN CHICKEN BOWLS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MUSIC IN THE PARK CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HONEY LIME CHICKEN & MANGO SALSA	STREET CORN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD	BRAZILIAN STEAK with CHEESY CORN PUDDING
DESSERT			BLUEBERRY BOUNTY CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My garden is growing like weeds. In a few weeks I will be making a vat of sauce daily!!!!! Two of my favorite barns are literally falling apart. If there is a good snow this year, I think they’re done for!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

ORANGE CRANBERRY ONION RICE
BEST EVER PAN FRIED LAMB CHOPS
BAKED PORK CHOPS & COPY CAT DRESSING
WATERMELON PEACH PINEAPPLE CHICKEN SALAD

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 30 of 2026 with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.208

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING last week of July!!! I never even had a chance to think about doing Christmas in July projects let alone watching any Hallmark Christmas in July movies!!! August is only a favorite month for me because of our anniversary, but it is also a stepping stone to AUTUMN, my favorite time of year!!!!

MONDAY~THURSDAY It was a tumultuous week with the Eagles ending with me FINALLY deciding to back away from most duties. It came down to the old adage you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink…

After reaching out to EVERYONE on the volunteer list and NO ONE returning even a text I decided it was time to end this charade and spend my time more productively!! I’m submitting my last Friday night dinner suggestions to the secretary for tonight’s meeting. I was going to go in person, but she’s my friend and she knew I’d be more productive, as well as have more fun playing trivia tonight so she suggested I put it in writing and not show up to make a statement. I cannot begin to tell you what a relief this decision is to me.

FRIDAY~SUNDAY Friday was an errand and deal with the VA day before having dinner with a friend. One of my besties and I did the local Vintage Street Fair, Flea market, Bake Sale and Lunch for the 3rd year in a row on Saturday. It’s become our little tradition. We always find such fun stuff like this blueberry peach pie 🙂 Sunday was a lunch and drinks with a friend, an old movie and some cookbook reading.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Fortunately our night time lows have returned to the low 50’s and the humidity has returned to a much lower percentage so the high 80’s during the day are really tolerable!! I see a lot of sandals and capris in my future for this week.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING The nice thing about summer is not wearing as many clothes which makes the laundry so much easier!!!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m still working on using things from the pantry and freezer! I do have a pedicure on Tuesday and will do some shopping for my girlfriend’s business.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Waiting to decide on our trip while we wait on some test results for my mom…
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY music in the park… play dates with besties… discovering favorite old movies AGAIN…
PARTIES I’ve been having an online Pampered Chef party for a friend. The party will close at after the weekend. The link to order is: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/tamybollar0611THANK YOU Sandra for your order.

READING TIME

I keep trying to read, but have been falling asleep REALLY FAST almost ever night! I just finished THE GERMAN GIRL by Eoin DEMPSEY and am starting STATE OF UNREST First Family series Book #11 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 😀

	7/27 MONDAY	7/28 TUESDAY	7/29 WEDNESDAY	7/30 THURSDAY	7/31 FRIDAY	8/1 SATURDAY	8/2 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	SWEET & SOUR MEATBALLS & WARM POTATO SALAD with RED ONION & BACON	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	WHITE WINE BRAISED CHICKEN with GNOCCHI in CIDER BUTTER SAUCE	CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN & GRAVY with HOMEMADE STUFFING	PORCINI CHICKEN & WILTED SPINACH with TOMATO FRITTERS	CHICKEN MADEIRA with MINI MAC & CHEESE BITES
DESSERT			APPLE WALNUT PIE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I have some fun photos from this past week. I did collages to get them into a smaller space here on the blog. My Garden is literally growing like weeds!

My tomato plants are over 6 foot tall. The planter is 8 foot long and 3 feet wide, but the plants have expanded all the way to the fence making it actually 4 feet wide. I had to add some extra cage support between the bed and the fence.

My girlfriend and I went to the vintage fair in a neighboring town on Saturday and were pleased to see that the county FINALLY red tagged this old hotel. The locals have been wanting it restored, BUT it is beyond restoration! As you can see from the pictures the 2nd and 3rd floor are now in the basement and the windows are falling in. And there is a permanent “skylight” with the hole in the non-existent roof. So no matter what you paint or plant, you can’t fix “beyond broken”. The really weird part is that you can walk right up to the broken windows and take these pictures. And the dolls are just creepy!!

There are quite a few things happening in this old little town and some of the local business owners are taking their fight to the street as you can see from the “Kick OUT Keehley ~ New Mayor Wanted” sign!

There is a small little church on the edge of town that joins in every year. Along that same road is an old house and school. The school hosts a flea market and bake sale while in a small little “shed” like building next to the church where a little old lady (she’s in her 90’s) sells various things for money to go towards the upkeep of the church. They were fixing the bell tower when we were there on Saturday. Turns out the “shed” like building is where the brides gets ready for a wedding. The wedding dress and pictures as well as the cake topper and veil were hers from her 1949 wedding.

I found this 1932 cookbook and a few other little things to buy.Her prices were way too low so I just gave her a big donation towards the church up keep after hearing her story.

It turns out that the old woman is the great grand daughter of the man that homesteaded the 300 acres in 1858 pre-civil war. He built the church, the school and the original farmhouse as well as the house and barn where she still lives. It ALL stayed in the family until after her parents died. Her older sister sold off the farmhouse for money. She and her husband spent the next 2 years convincing the people that bought it to sell it back to the family. Her son eventually built his own home on the property and now manages the sheep herd and property for her.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

NUTTY BROCCOLI GRATINS
BOSTON CREAM PIE CHEESECAKE
CHEESY TOMATO BASIL BAKED ORZO
SMOKEY CARAMELIZED BALSAMIC CHICKEN

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 29 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.201

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY~ FRIDAY Once again the weeks seem to be flying by! I CANNOT believe July is half over already!!! It was a week of regular chores and running around that ended in me filling in to cook Friday night dinner at the Eagles on the eve of a busy weekend in town so it was less than successful OR satisfying. At this point it would save me a ton of time and even money to just write a check to my charity of choice. You know the old saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink…” well that is the Auxiliary for this particular Eagle’s lodge. I think I’m finally done…

SATURDAY & SUNDAY The BBQ Throw Down was this past weekend and was extremely toned down this year and disappointing. We went on Saturday for a bit.. On Sunday we had lunch with friends to watch the Soccer World Cup and then relaxed the rest of the day…

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Summer has finally come to the Pacific North West. Fortunately our evenings will still be in the 50’s so it takes the better part of the day to get hot, but our daytime highs this week will be in the upper 90’s which is quite warm for us. So capris and loose blouses with favorite sandals are on the hanger for this week.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did get 5 loads of laundry done on Saturday.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I just need a few produce items this week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We have put everything on the back burner for now while we wait to find out a few health issues for my mom.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Trying to keep things lighter for the heat of the summer months.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY empty laundry baskets… successful recipes… cool summer breezes…

READING TIME

I still reading THE GERMAN GIRL by Eoin Dempsey.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	7/20 MONDAY	7/21 TUESDAY	7/22 WEDNESDAY	7/23 THURSDAY	7/24 FRIDAY	7/25 SATURDAY	7/26 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT 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	SWEET & SOUR MEATBALLS & RICE	CRAB SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	WHITE WINE BRAISED CHICKEN & BUTTERED NOODLES
DESSERT		BLUEBERRY BUCKLE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I didn’t take too many pictures this past week, but did get a few from a charcuterie board dinner with friends, some grazing deer eating apples directly from the tree, my favorite place to start my morning coffee in the garden and the BBQ throwdown.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

JOHNNY CHANG’S KUNG FU CHICKEN
CHICKEN CAMP FIRE STEW
MARDIS GRAS CAJUN SEAFOOD PASTA
WHISKEY CAKE KITCHEN CHICKEN MELT

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU week 28 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.194

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope you’ve had a wonderful week. Half of July is done and over. Can you believe that????? I just have to say this so please forgive me?

When I was at Marshalls the other day they were putting out sweaters and jackets. I just CAN’T believe how quickly time is flying by!!!!!!

MONDAY~FRIDAY Long story short we didn’t get to go on our trip 🙁 Took my car in for the oil change and tire rotation only to find out that we had a problem with the serpentine belt and they couldn’t get to it until Thursday so we pivoted. We did head up to the next BIG town on Friday and had a great Italian Lunch ad picked up my Hallmark Christmas ornament order.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY Since we weren’t even supposed to be here we didn’t do any BIG projects. Hubby did fix a sprinkler leak in the back yard and I weeded the garden after we went out to breakfast with friends. There were a lot of events going on around town and the surrounding area… Lavender Festival, Country Fair, Sutherlin Stampede rodeo and parade, Farmer’s Market, Graffiti weekend and car show… and I even got 5 loads of laundry done.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather is supposed to be truly beautiful again this week. Lows in the 50’s and highs in the high 80’s, but not getting truly warm until 3ish in the afternoon.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING All done!! 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Eagle’s and Offyce shopping on Wednesday.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Nothing until we hear back about the car and what is wrong with it, not to mention how expensive the repair will be.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY empty laundry baskets… summer gardens full of veggies and fruits… beach reads with happy endings… laughing with friends… positive thoughts that overcome negative thoughts… completed projects…
PARTIES For anyone that’s interested I’m helping out a friend and I’m having an online Pampered Chef party. We will be closing it on the 17th. The link to order is: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/tamybollar0611

READING TIME

I just started the German Girl by Eoin Dempsey.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	7/13 MONDAY	7/14 TUESDAY	7/15 WEDNESDAY	7/16 THURSDAY	7/17 FRIDAY	7/18 SATURDAY	7/19 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HAM & BEAN HOT DISH with SWEET & SOUR BEANS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN POT PIE	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN PASTA with WALNUT BROWN BUTTER SAUCE	STUFFED PORK CHOPS with ROASTED CARROTS
DESSERT			BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

It was a slow picture week. But, I LOVE this persistent Johnny Jump Up that’s fighting to live between two pavers. Hubby keeps him watered for me.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

SWEET & SOUR BEANS
CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
CHICKEN CORDON BLEU SCALLOPED POTATOES

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 27 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.187

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY~FRIDAY Monday through Friday were quite busy, but seemed even more so because of the month changing from June to July and all while getting ready for the trip which has been compounded by car trouble. Hubby took the car to get the oil changed and the tires rotated for the trip and then had car trouble on the way home. It’s been towed to the already SUPER busy and over worked mechanic. We are crossing our fingers that it was something simple and we’ll get the call today to pick it up. Not willing to bet on that. We will be taking the other car in Tuesday for an oil change and tire rotation also in preparation of taking it instead.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY We went to the 4th of July parade during a cool cloudy morning that gave way to a super warm afternoon and beautiful evening for BBQing and fireworks. We never stray far from home because of potential brush fires with backing up to the highway. The past several years our neighbor’s kids and their little ones have brought the excitement to the cul-de-sac and we look forward to it every year. I made red, white and blue rice crispy treats for the little ones even though LOL they were mostly eaten by the big ones 🙂 We watched INDEPENDENCE DAY with Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Vivica Fox and Dennis Quaid!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Well summer has arrived! Sunny cloudless days expected this week with lows around 50 and highs in the low 80’s. Capri’s with blouses and sandals are on the hangers for this week.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING As up to date as it can be until we return.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’ll leave Wednesday morning and be back early next week.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did get a couple new cookbooks that I will take with us to read on the road.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY 4th of July fireworks… smiling little faces and excited aha moments… traditions to look forward to…

READING TIME

I’m about half way through THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS by Soraya M Lane. I really enjoy WWII stories, especially those with female protagonists, BUT I’m struggling to stay awake long enough at night to read much SO this reading funny is really true!!!

FUNNIES

ACTUALLY, the bottom funny is just the opposite of me, but I still thought it was hilarious.

I have a couple girl friends that it DEFINITELY DOES apply to.

MENU PLANS

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

	5/4 MONDAY	5/5 TUESDAY	5/6 WEDNESDAY	5/7 THURSDAY	5/8 FRIDAY	5/9 SATURDAY	5/10 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out the refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out the refrigerator night or you’re on your own	OOT (out of town)	OOT (out of town)	OOT (out of town)	OOT (out of town)	OOT (out of town)
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

These collages are a combination of the parade and cul-de-sac fireworks. There is going to be a new Renaissance Faire this year and they were in the parade to market it. One of my favorite pictures was the Knight in Shining Armor bellying up to the bar where we were having lunch after the parade.

Small town parades are so much fun. The kids really enjoyed all the candy being thrown and just having fun!!!!! In years past they have ended the parade with the brush fire water tender spraying water for the kids to play in, but it just wasn’t warm enough in the morning.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PIG SHOTS
MEATBALL ENCHILADAS
SMOKED BEEF BRISKET 2 ways

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 26 of 2026 ~ MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.180

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY~FRIDAY It was a fairly routine week of trivia, shopping, errands and work around the house until it wasn’t. 🙁 Sometimes I forget how delicate my stomach (or lack there of) situation is and I evidently ate the wrong combo of things on Tuesday and ended up missing most of Wednesday to a bad reaction. 🙁 But, I got myself back together on Thursday and prepped dinner and cheesecakes for the Eagles Friday night dinner. I’m still trying my best to keep the Friday night Auxiliary charity dinners afloat, but it’s not looking good!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY It rained most the weekend off and on and was much cooler so I took advantage of the indoor time and did all the laundry, some sorting and donating well as watched a few movies, lunch with friends both days and watched the Banana League baseball games (Savannah Bananas vs. Party Animals) that were being played here fairly locally which were fun and entertaining. STRANGE rules, but full of family fun.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s going to be an absolutely beautiful week in the 70’s with no expected rain. Despite the 80 degree prediction for the 4th of July, we almost always end up cooler and wearing sweatshirts by fireworks time in the evening. We’re. being extra cautious this year with the drought since we back up to the highway with a lot of dry tinder and over zealous celebrators. We heard our first fireworks last night.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I WAS caught up on Saturday, but as you know laundry has a definite infinity symbol attached to it!

∞

GROCERIES & ERRANDS I only have the shopping to do for the Eagles and the Offyce this week as I work out of the freezer and pantry and freezer for us until after we take our trip next week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We have a couple sprinkler leaks to fix this week before we leave for SIL’s house
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Nothing until we return from our trip
DVR/TV We watched a couple Banana Ball games over the weekend and a couple of movies due to the cooler rainy weather. We saw MERCY with Chris Pratt, the SHEEP DETECTIVES with Hugh Jackman and BATTLESHIP with Liam Neesom and Taylor Kitsch
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY cool cloudy days with BIG fluffy clouds… fresh popped popcorn with a good movie… getting organized and maintaining the balance… clean fluffy towels…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PARTIES For anyone that’s interested I’m helping out a friend and I’m having an online Pampered Chef party for the next few weeks.

The order link is:

https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/tamybollar0611

READING TIME

I’m about half way through THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS by Soraya M Lane. I really enjoy WWII stories, especially those with female protagonists.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	6/29 MONDAY	6/30 TUESDAY	7/1 WEDNESDAY	7/2 THURSDAY	7/3 FRIDAY	7/4 SATURDAY	7/5 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN & PASTA with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE & SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	HAM& BEAN HOT DISH with SLICED WATERMELON	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BBQ HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS, POTATO SALAD, BAKED BEANS, SWEET & SPICY PICKLES	STUFFED PORK CHOPS with ROASTED GREEN BEANS
DESSERT		PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE				RED, WHITE & BLUE WHITE CHOCOLATE RICE CRISPY BARS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My garden is doing excellent despite the cooler weather and the Calla Lillies have a mind of their own. While absolutely a beautiful color they are coming up ANYWHERE they please despite having been transplanted multiple times 🙂 and the Clematis is really starting to bloom out its beautiful purple hued flowers.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHILI MEATBALLS
FRENCH ONION POTATOES AU GRATIN
CARNE ASADA MEATBALLS & ARROZ AMARILLO
PEPPERED PARMESAN CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD BOWLS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS week 25 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.173

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope everyone had a wonderful week. And happy Father’s Days to all your husbands and fathers! Can you believe we’re less than 2 weeks from July already? This year is certainly flying by!!!! PLEASE someone make it slow down!!!!!

MONDAY~THURSDAY was once again a whirlwind of errands and working around the house.

FRIDAY~SUNDAY, FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND was a lazy one. I spent Saturday with girlfriends at the farmer’s market and lunch at a favorite Greek place before heading out with hubby for a drink with a friend. Hubby spent the morning putting together the new BBQ (it only had 48 pieces, really it did!) so he enjoyed some down time. We made dinner on the BBQ to celebrate it. Sunday we had lunch with a friend, watched the NASCAR road race on Coronado and the movie MERCY with Chris Pratt. The movie was a bit intense, but well done and kind of scary what AI can do to us and our world.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re starting the week out with excessive heat in the 90’s and a fire 🙁 but are expecting rain and a 25-30 degree temperature drop by Thursday with some rain. Yep, I’ll need a flannel shirt on Thursday through the weekend with temperatures in the low 60’s.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I started the laundry yesterday, but quit after 1 load so have 3-4 loads to do today.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I did our BIG shopping on Friday and the fresh at the farmer’s market on Saturday so I only have the Eagles and Offyce shopping for this week.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS I need to pick up maps this week as we begin to plan our route.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY good books and long lazy afternoons to read… longer summer days… fireworks… the thought of seeing family and friends after a long absence…
PARTIES For anyone that’s interested I’m helping out a friend and I’m having an online Pampered Chef party for the next few weeks. The link to order is: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/tamybollar0611

READING TIME

I just finished Jana DeLeon’s #30 MARSH MYSTICS from the MISS FORTUNE SERIES and started Eoin Dempsey’s THE GERMAN GIRL and Soraya Lane’s THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS. I also downloaded the #27, 28 & 29 for the MISS FORTUNE SERIES on audible for our upcoming road trip.

FUNNIES

This is really a favorite photo, but REALLY qualifies for a funny!! My girlfriend asked if I wanted some FRESH garlic from her garden, which of course I did. She and her hubby thought it hilarious that they brought me bot of these. Yes, one is “normal” size while the other is the size of a large cantaloupe 🙂

MENU PLANS

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

	6/22 MONDAY	6/23 TUESDAY	6/24 WEDNESDAY	6/25 THURSDAY	6/26 FRIDAY	6/27 SATURDAY	6/28 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHAMPAGNE GLAZED CHICKEN & 2 1/2 BEAN SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	WATERMELON PEACH CHICKEN SALAD	last time cooking at Eagles for the foreseeable future CHICKEN PARMESAN SLIDER BAKE, CAESAR SALAD, GARLIC TOAST	CHICKEN FAJITA COBB SALAD	LAMB CHOPS, THYME CARROTS & POTATOES AU GRATIN
DESSERT					BOSTON CREAM PIE CHEESECAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

It was a good photo week. My veggies are growing like weeds in our recent heatwave… tomatoes, snap peas and cucumbers, oh my…) The covered bridge has been decorated for the upcoming holiday, a couple of finished quilted pillows (I LOVE batiks) and a memory that popped up that is close to my heart and thoughts and I found this adorable vase and flowers at the farmer’s market last Saturday when a couple of my girlfriends and I went for lunch and shopping.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

JAILHOUSE BRISKET CHILI
EDDIE & JOY’S ORANGE CHICKEN
BAKERY STYLE LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS
BAKERY STYLE HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 24 OF 2026 ~ BLOG 365.166

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY ~ FRIDAY

Monday was Trivia Night, but the day began with a ton of paperwork to end the fiscal year for the Eagles and general clean-up around home.
Tuesday was Taco Tuesday followed by a couple VA appointments, car wash, errands and a quick meeting.
Wednesday we had a leisurely morning with a quick lunch, hardware shopping for the new supplies we needed to fix the misters and then some antiquing while we waited to pick up an elderly friend from the airport on Wednesday before taking her to dinner. It turned into a bit of a major fiasco. Her flight was delayed twice and then they lost her checked luggage which contained her blood pressure medicine and jewelry. And yes we talked to her about NEVER putting those things in a check bag! Long story short we didn’t get home until almost 10PM and her bag FINALLY showed up on Sunday and they delivered it to her house.
Thursday and Friday were a blur of errands and yard work.

SATURDAY I took a girlfriend out for lunch and we went to a couple of estate sales and to a favorite winery that is going out of business where we split a case of wine, some pizza pans and wine glasses. It’s sad to see a favorite place go out of business 🙁

SUNDAY YAY! 🙂 A day of relaxation and a birthday party open house for a friend. Though I did get the bed changed, a load of dishes and 3 loads of laundry done as well as hand watering the garden multiple times because of the heat alert.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We have an active advisory for a HEAT WAVE with triple digits to begin the week! We should be down to high 80’s by week’s end. We’ve had a dry winter and are also on an active fire ban. Our little town had their first brush fire yesterday that they were able to get a hold on quickly, but it’s scary!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING 🙂 happy to be caught up 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a couple meetings this week and lunch with a couple friends. Hubby has a VA appointment and I’ll do our personal shopping and do the Eagle’s bar shopping and Offyce shopping on another day…
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING not much right now
DVR/TV just cleaning up the last of the seasons shows, BBQ brawl, The Floor
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY working air conditioning during this heat wave… fresh clean sheets… happy endings to summer book reads… crisp apples… crisp salads for summer dinners…

READING TIME

MARSH MYSTICS Book #30 of The MISS FORTUNE SERIES by Jana DeLeon

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	6/15 MONDAY	6/16 TUESDAY	6/17 WEDNESDAY	6/18 THURSDAY	6/19 FRIDAY	6/20 SATURDAY	6/21 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	YUMMY BALLS & CHEESY CORN PUDDING	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	PEACH GLAZED CHICKEN	CRUNCHY CHICKEN SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	LAMB CHOPS & GLAZED CARROTS
DESSERT			BOSTON CREAM PIE CHEESECAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

For years I’ve been waiting for them to paint Herbette and they finally did. In the beginning she was pretty and always done up appropriately for holidays and then she deteriorated BADLY for many years. They have finally re-painted her and planted her with pretty flowers.

My calla lillies and African violets are blooming really well. I can’t believe they are already baling summer hay.

When we went to pick up a friend from the airport we had time to kill when her plane was delayed and did a little antiquing where I found this super unusual glass tray made out of plates. And I’ve always liked this little town water tower. The neighboring town has a lot of Simpson’s murals. And these silly ducks are all over the airport.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

REFER PICKLES
SWISS STEAK
ALFREDO CORN
BANANA BREAD CINNAMON ROLLS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 23 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.159

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY~THURSDAY It was a week that began with appointments EVERY day making it for a REALLY busy week. I broke up all the shopping for us, the Eagles and the Offyce, doing a little each day whilw in town. Had to have the roofers back to finish up some spots they missed and clean out the gutters of roofing nails and silt.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY Our town normally does a city wide garage sale the 2nd weekend of June. This year they changed it to the 1st weekend. Changing it made for an even busier time for us as another favorite city 20 miles away does theirs the 1st weekend (their normal weekend) so we had the best of both worlds 🙂 I was able to get a few really cool things for Christmas (yes I said the “C” word)!

The Catholic church participates every year and I always find some cool things there. I found a couple things I wanted in a small tote and when I asked the guy working the area how much, he said the price was for the WHOLE tote!! Boy, I made out on that one as I only wanted 3 items out of it that would have cost me the same amount as buying the whole tote and I’m able to donate back 95% of it for their next sale. 🙂 And I found some card making goodies for my mom too. And hubby picked up a really cool small circular saw that was brand new!!!.

Later each day I also did a serious deep clean on my closet and bedroom. I was able to adhere to my garage sale/antiquing rule. For ever item I bring in, 2 have to go out! I have a tote and a couple bags in the back of my car to drop off later today. I also got ALL the laundry done including ALL the towels and bedding.

SUNDAY I was able to get a serious relax day in! I read off and on and we went to lunch with a friend before I tackled straightening my desk area.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather this week is seriously bi-polar. Last night was 39° and the heat actually kicked on this morning for a bit. Today is 60° and raining which is supposed to continue into tomorrow, but by Friday we’re supposed to be 80° and 97° by Sunday!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING not much to do!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS YAY! This week only has 1 appointment tomorrow! I am going to have a Pampered Chef party for a friend and need to stop by and pick up a couple catalogs from my friend while I’m in town. I’m also picking up a friend at the airport Wednesday night which is an hour away in the “BIG” city so I’ll be running errands up there while I’m able.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS working on a route for next month’s trip
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I got a new dessert cookbook that I’ve been perusing to make something special
DVR/TV Most things have finished for the season, but I still need to catch up 🙂 I stay more current with the cooking competitions otherwise someone usually mentions the winners and the suspense is spoiled for me.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY clean cabinets… vacuumed floors… windows you can see through without streaks… fresh paint… blossoming flowers… thriving gardens…

READING TIME

I finished book 3 of the Kerry Lonsdale series I was reading and book 4 doesn’t come out until August so I started the SECRET LIBRARIAN by Soraya M Lane.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	6/8 MONDAY	6/9 TUESDAY	6/10 WEDNESDAY	6/11 THURSDAY	6/12 FRIDAY	6/13 SATURDAY	6/14 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BAKED PORK CHOPS with DRESSING & GLAZED CARROTS	OLIVE GARDEN (picking up a friend at the airport)	MEATBALL GRINDERS	KUNG FU CHICKEN & FRIED RICE	CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP	TAPAS for a friend’s birthday party aka OPEN HOUSE
DESSERT		PEACH ANGEL FOOD SNACK CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

There are so many fun photos this week. My garden is beginning to thrive and I just love the frilly carrot tops, tomato blossoms and how the calla lilies continue to come back in the middle of my beans no matter how many times I transplant them! Last Friday’s sunset was absolutely amazingly gorgeous! Turkeys were absolutely everywhere this weekend while we were out going to rural garage sales and my African violet is looking wonderful with 8 blossoms beginning to open and stand at attention!