Category: HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 11 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.71

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

This past week was extremely warm (mid 80’s) and very humid for March in southeast Texas, but then the weekend turned almost cold and windy bringing back out the sweatshirts we started the trip with. Fortunately we’ll be leaving here later today before the warm weather returns. So I’m starting today in Levi’s, a favorite t-shirt, sweatshirt and some tennies that I should have broken in better before the trip.

I’m glad we came to help my cousin and be here for the memorial. My aunt passed several years back so now both of my god parents are gone. I know my aunt and uncle are looking down and proud of my decisions. That said, I’m glad to be heading home having done all I can do to help and be leaving it in my rear view mirror. I’m going to leave the rest of my thoughts mulling over in my brain until next week 😀

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY I got caught up on laundry yesterday so we’ll start the trip home will ALL clean clothes.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I ran across a few of my aunt’s old recipes that were wonderful as a child, but will need to be converted to scratch now. Who really knows what this week will bring for a menu. The one thing I do know is a lot of eating out for our main meal.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • Not much as it’s all at home on the DVR, but we did watch a couple Amazon movies – UPGRADED, THE OTHER ZOEY and ALIENS ABDUCTED MY PARENTS

I just began THE ENEMY at HOME by Kevin O’Brien, a WWII historical suspense novel. I’ve really been enjoying historical WWII novels.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
DIL’S CHOICE
DIL’S CHOICE
 OUT
 OUT
 OUT
 OUT
 OUT
 
 
 
 

Other than a few outings to favorite haunts for some long missed meals our week was spent working on clearing out my uncle’s house – throwing away the trash from the shed, house and garage, packing up the donations for his favorite charity and helping my cousin pack what she is taking home with her to Kansas. We’re exhausted and ready to start heading home!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 10 of 2024 with MENU PLANS ~ BLOG 366.64

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Snowing at home and a balmy mid 70’s here. A real toss up for me! I LOVE the snow and cooler weather, miss my friends and volunteer projects, but so love the restaurants, shopping and things to do here! But, like they say, you can’t go home again. We’ve been gone from here a few years now and in that time the traffic has gotten even more absolutely horrendous, the people are absolutely EVERYWHERE and it seems like a lifetime ago since this was my hometown.

For the past year I’ve been working with a girlfriend on estate sales and have loved doing it. We just finished one right before we left to help my cousin with her father’s estate. I have to say this is so much easier when you don’t personally know the person 🙁

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ve been doing some laundry and cleaning here at my uncle’s as we begin “THE SORT”. My cousin will be here on Friday to begin going through things and loading her van and trailer to take things back home.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS There are a couple errands I need to do while we are here in the city that I can’t do elsewhere and I’ll bring in a few groceries at that time.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS we’ll see what I can get accomplished from afar.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m trying to get caught up on posting for Cooking Thursdays.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • Not sure what this week will bring.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀 Since we’re still on our trip dinners will consist of some of our favorite old haunts
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
GRACES KITCHEN
 RAZOOS CAJUN
CHUY’S
 PAPPASITOS
UNCLE JULIO’S SCRATCH MADE KITCHEN
TORCHY’S TACOS
 IRMA’S CAFE
DESSERT
 
 
 

I put a few photos on Instagram and Facebook this week from our journey before deleting them, but saved the “ODD” ones for here 😀

  • HOT CHICKEN SALAD
  • PINEAPPLE LEMON CHICKEN

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 9 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.57

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

We’re beginning our LONG journey to my uncle’s funeral today so this will be quick.

I think the weather will change hourly for the next several days. I am starting with a turtleneck, flannel, levis and Ugg’s. It is supposed to be exceptionally cold and snowy here this week with the latest storm moving in.

I’m feeling a little melancholy about what this weekend will bring emotionally. I also feel bad for hubby as Saturday is a BIG birthday for him, and no matter how we tried, we couldn’t arrange the service at any other time to accommodate everyone. As much as I LOVE to travel I’m not thrilled about traveling during this time of year, but you know my motto – IT IS WHAT IT IS! 😀

The weather on the other end of this trip will be much warmer so that also increases the amount of packing and layers necessary.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • Nothing to do this week or next, but will do a bit of recipe research while I’m gone. I will also visit my favorite spice shop and farmer’s market while I’m gone.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • Whatever is on in hotels for the first few nights.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
 We’ll be on the road for the
 next several days so there
 is no menu except visiting some
 favorite old haunts along
 the way.
 Hubby’s birthday dinner is being set up by my cousin since we’ll all be together for the funeral.
 I’ll take hubby someplace special tonight – just the 2 of us for his birthday.
DESSERT
 
 
 
chocolate cake of course

I found this fun alien #RailArt near the local lumber yard the other day and I planted a crocus, but it was a bit too soon. This is the prettiest it will ever be 🙁 Herbie on the other hand has mainly artificial flowers planted in it so looks absolutely adorable.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENU PLANS week 8 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.50

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

The weather this week is supposed to be all over the place – anywhere from the high 30’s to the high 50’s during the day and in the 30’s at night with primarily gray, cloudy, foggy and rainy off and on ALL week. Hoodies and Levis are the uniform of the week 😀

I’m trying to get better organized! Things are still a bit jumbled and chaotic with so many repairs and issues going on. It has truly been Murphy’s Law around here. Hubby replaced the parts for the kitchen sink drain and all is well on that front again, but we have black ants now (the kind that are looking for warmth or water) that are a pain in the winter. They hang out in outlets and shower drains and such. We’re having issues with rim leaks on a specific tire that is the issue of the day, for multiple days now. If it isn’t one thing it’s another.

The roofers came last week and said they fixed the leak (AGAIN) in the relatively new roof. Unfortunately, they didn’t 🙁 but fortunately the new project manager is a good and reasonable guy. He brought a small crew over last Saturday and took up the less than 2 year old section and changed all the flashing and laid new roof. They checked inside and out, but I’m leaving the bucket in place for a week or so just to be sure since they claimed to have fixed it many times before. There is still a lot of back and forth with my uncle’s passing. He lived in Texas, my cousin lives in Kansas and I’m in the Pacific North West. We have been having multiple conversations for weeks about everything and taking care of things from a far. It is all still a work in process, but obviously weighing heavy on my mind as we prepare for all this entails.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING Laundry is up to date and ironing is on today’s to do list!
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a haircut on Wednesday, but not much more this week on this front.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Tomorrow will be the day for phone calls and they are the kind that will require A LOT of time on hold unfortunately.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m hoping for a weather change to update the menu soon, but for now will be focusing on soups, chilis an stews for March.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • AMAZON PRIME We’re almost done binge re-watching GRIMM.
  • PARAMOUNT+ We’re almost done with re-watching CHEERS at night.
  • CABLE We need to get caught up on the DVR now that the new season has begun.

I’ve been so busy lately that I fall asleep quickly and have gotten very little reading done! I’m hoping to finish Canary Girls this week. It’s a very good book and I’m leaning so much!! I’m really sad it’s taking me so long to read.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
 HAM & POTATO SOUP
 HOT CHICKEN SALAD
 CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
OUT with a CLOSE FRIEND for hubby’s upcoming BIG birthday
 BURGERS
C.O.R.N.
 C.O.R.N.
DESSERT
 
 
 

This is Miss Maya, a sweet little cat at a recent job we were working on. This has been such a wet winter that the moldy moss and grass growth is REALLY bad this year! I took these pictures downtown near a business we frequent. BUT, there is hope! These daffodils made a brief appearance on a sunny day.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENU PLANS week 7 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.43

CONGRATULATIONS to the Super Bowl Champs and Jean as well as the rest the faithful Chief fans – it was a heck of a game! Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Today and tomorrow are supposed to at least be clear though cold and then the rain begins again in time for Valentine’s Day. As usual I’m wearing Levis, a mock turtleneck and a flannel with my favorite UGGs to stay warm. Temperatures will be in the high 40’s to low 50’s with night time lows in the 30’s this week.

I’m sorry I haven’t gotten as much visiting to blogs as I’d like, but hope to rectify that this week. It’s been a traumatic week or couple of months. My uncle who is also my godfather has been sick for awhile (a couple of years, but in and out of the hospital since November 9th) and passed last week on the 6th. He lives in Texas, my cousin lives in Kansas and I’m in the Pacific North West. We have been having multiple conversations for weeks about everything and taking care of things from a far. It is all still a work in process, but obviously weighing heavy on my mind as we prepare for all this entails.

Last week we kept waking up to odd puddles of water on the kitchen floor… they didn’t appear to be coming from the ceiling, but they also were in the middle of the room and not near a water source (evidently there is a slight slope to the floor)…long story short it turns out the 5 year in-line water filter behind the refrigerator developed a tiny pinhole leak (at 2 years 11 months and 3 weeks) and was spraying out water that took most of the day and night to recreate itself with gravity and then the roofer was here Saturday and I think (fingers crossed) that they have FINALLY solved the leak in the laundry room! Fortunately, it has all been warranty work on the new roof so no money spent! just after he left though the kitchen sink decided we needed something more to do 😀 and that’s still a work in progress isolating the problem – seems to have something to do with the original installation and when the dishwasher drains…

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING We’ve been gone a lot so I need to get caught up on A LOT of things! The laundry is caught up, but I still have a pile of mending and ironing to do.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have an Endocrinologist appointment on Wednesday and a pedicure appointment of Friday when I’ll pick up a few groceries for dinner with neighbors on Friday night.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS getting caught up on several things and planning an upcoming trip.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING just this week is done for now.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • AMAZON PRIME We’ve been watching GRIMM while waiting for the shows to return. Have really been too busy to watch much else.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
2/12 MONDAY
2/13 TUESDAY
2/14 WEDNESDAY
2/15 THURSDAY
2/16 FRIDAY
2/17 SATURDAY
2/18 SUNDAY
DINNER
 C.O.R.N.
 Filling in as the chef at the Eagles – so dinner is chef’s choice
 WHISKEY PINEAPPLE CHICKEN with BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES
HOT CHICKEN SALAD
CHILE LIME SALMON, ROASTED BABY POTATOES & ASPARAGUS
TOMATILLO CHICKEN with CILANTRO RICE
 SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL SOUP
DESSERT
 
 
OATMEAL CREAM PIES

It was a SUPER BUSY weekend with multiple events, but a friend snapped this fun picture for me. And yes I’m wearing cat ears 🙂 they were a gift from the band that night.

Our crazy bartenders were at it again too!

And WOW are my Christmas Cacti (I have 6 of them) going nuts still!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENUS ~ week 6 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.36

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I guess there is a reason they call it “predictions” when it comes to the weather. The snow never made an appearance, but the rain, cold and wind did! I have had to continually break my rule of not leaving the house before it’s 40 degrees. If I didn’t I’d be like a bear and hibernating all winter! Well, guess what this next week is supposed to be the same – lows in the 30’s and maybe highs in the forties with lots of wet stuff. So, Levis and layers of warmth with my favorite UGGs.

When I worked full time it was a 60 hour week between the actual work and the commute time. Lately I feel like I’m working more with my volunteer hours than I did when I actually worked! I’m thinking I need to be streamlining some of what I do and trying to decide exactly what needs to be adjusted.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m taking today to regroup and get caught up on cleaning and ironing in particular.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS Wednesday will be the BIG shopping day for the events at the Eagles next weekend. I’m doing the charity dinner for the Eagles on Friday night and co-chairing the Valentine event for Saturday night and handling the dessert table and then to top it off we’re doing the Super Bowl party on Sunday – so that’s A LOT of food to buy.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I have a few things to catch up on over the next week or so… we are NOT working on the estate house this week, but hit the ground running for a BIG finish over President’s day weekend.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING the week is planned, but that’s about it. I’m hoping after next weekend’s events I’ll have more time.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • We’ve been watching GRIMM of an evening followed by CHEERS before going to sleep. I’m also staying on top of the Kid’s Baking Championship and looking forward to some regular shows beginning again soon.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
2/5 MONDAY
2/6 TUESDAY
2/7 WEDNESDAY
2/8 THURSDAY
2/9 FRIDAY
2/10 SATURDAY
2/11 SUNDAY
DINNER
 CHICKEN FLORENTINE and ARANCINI
HOT CHICKEN SALAD
 WHISKEY PINEAPPLE CHICKEN & BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES
 TOMATILLO CHICKEN
BBQ CHICKEN, CREAMY MAC & CHEESE, 3 BEAN SALAD cooking at the Eagles
 GRILLED RIB EYE and CHEESY TOMATO BASIL ORZO
 SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL SOUP
DESSERT
 
CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES
CHERRY PUDDING BUNDT CAKE
OATMEAL CREAM PIES

I’m getting another round of blooms on my Christmas Cactus. This time I have MANY MULTIPLE double blooms!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENU PLANS with RECIPE LINKS week 5 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.29

Oh my, can you believe we are already at the end of January? I find it mind boggling! Seems like we were just preparing for Christmas and now we’re about to start February.

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

We are certainly having a cold and wet winter here in the Pacific North West. This is one of those winters where it doesn’t really matter where you are in the country, there’s something rearing its ugly head! Everyone stay dry and warm wherever you are. As for us, out temperatures are heading back down and the snow predictions are back in the mix for later this week. Right now I’d take the snow over the rain as we have the same roof leak this year on the new (only a couple years old) roof that appears to be coming from a flashing problem and comes down via the exhaust fan in the laundry room. I change the towel on the floor daily so it’s manageable which is the good news. The bad news is that the roofer can’t seem to get to us as everyone else is having worse problems – you can just tell when you talk to him that staying friendly will move you up the list faster than angry – oh the woes of warranty work.

Like the rest of the country we have a bit of a warming trend through today here, but then we drop back down into the 30’s and 40’s with that threat of snow for the weekend. I’m working at the Pond house this week several days, today being one of them and it’s still a bit of a grungy clean out so I have on OLD Levis, my least favorite hoodie and my oldest UGGs.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m still in the midst of a deep sort and clean. These estate sales really drive me to get better organized. I also always find things I want, but my new rule is that for everything I get, I get rid of two things I already have. I also have a pile of mending and ironing to do.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have to do some grocery shopping for an elderly friend today and then I have a pedicure tomorrow when I’ll do my own grocery shopping. Hubby and I will be taking off Thursday to go check out a new (to us) salvage house and have a late lunch/dinner at the OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY on Thursday which is the anniversary of my cancer surgery and ultimately remission date.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m still working at cleaning up my desk area, which of course is a never ending battle 😀
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I FINALLY made it ALL the way through my pile of scraps of paper notes and magazine cut out recipes, tossing many of them, and am in the process of organizing them. TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Last night at dinner my girlfriend brought me some cookbooks from her mom – like I said, it’s a never ending battle 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • I’ve been so busy that TV has been almost non-existent around here except for some late night sit-coms and Kid’s Baking Championship. Some of the network shows are starting back and we need to check out the DVR. We started re-watching GRIMM on Saturday night. And of course football yesterday! Congratulations Jean to the Chiefs win! Personally, I was rooting for the Lions to up against them, but maybe next year. 😀

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
1/29 MONDAY
1/30 TUESDAY
1/31 WEDNESDAY
2/1 THURSDAY
2/2 FRIDAY
2/3 SATURDAY
2/4 SUNDAY
DINNER
 CIDER BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS & ROOT VEGGIES
 HOT CHICKEN SALAD
 WHISKEY PINEAPPLE CHICKEN with BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES
 OUT at OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY
 LEMON GLAZED MEATBALLS with CREAMY MAC & CHEESE
 SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL SOUP with PARMESAN PAN ROLLS
 TOMATILLO CHICKEN with CILANTRO CHILE RICE
DESSERT
 
 PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
 

This has been a VERY wet winter. This normally docile river can’t even be seen under this bridge and is barely flowing, but right now it’s a raging river and has turned VERY brown from all the mud being washed into it.

We have a fun local chain in the Pacific Northwest of restaurants that we seek out as we travel. They are called McMenamins. Each location has some historic value like having been an old train station or an Elk’s temple or Catholic school or a family farm or roadside inn… Many have lodging, breweries and their own distilleries. They remodel them and their themes are ALWAYS quite unique and eclectic, but specific to each location staying true to its origins. These pictures are of some finials on an inside fence at our local “train station”. The ceiling is also full of unique and mismatched chandeliers.

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENU PLANS with RECIPE LINKS week 4 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.22

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

What can I say, it’s wet here and cold! Then again it is January in the Pacific Northwest during an El Nino year. As usual I’m wearing multiple layers and warm UGGS. I’m working at the “estate” house today so am wearing an extra layer and already looking forward to tomorrow when I can stay home in my yoga pants where it’s warm.

I’ve been really tired lately, but think it’s just because I got too cold while working and then couldn’t seem to warm up. I’m a little out of sorts trying to stay focused, but think that also has to do with the horribly cold, wet winter we’re having. I usually LOVE winter, but this year NOT so much! I think I’m in a rut 🙂 This too shall pass.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll be doing some deep cleaning tomorrow. I’ve been inspired by the current “estate” house which has turned into more of a “clean out/dump runs/garage sale”. When we first toured the estate sale there were many things that were going to make it worth our while, but the family ended up “keeping” those things and the things they left behind are in disrepair or damaged beyond their antique worth. Anyway, as we are cleaning up and sorting through everything it has inspired me to clean out my own spaces.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m working at the estate house today, working here tomorrow and will do some groceries on Wednesday when I do the Costco shopping for the Eagles.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’ve been cleaning out files and cubbies and getting caught up on paperwork.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I even cleaned up my recipe stash and planned at least this week.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • Still waiting on the “regular” shows to restart, but did watch playoff football (SORRY about the Packers loss Carrie, but CONGRATULATIONS Jean on the Chiefs win), some old Bob Newhart (#2) shows and a weird show on Peacock called The Woman in the Wall and as always the Kid’s Baking Championship

I’m hoping to finish Canary girls tonight, but haven’t figured out what to read next.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
MONDAY 1/22
TUESDAY 1/23
WEDNESDAY 1/24
THURSDAY 1/25
FRIDAY 1/26
SATURDAY 1/27
SUNDAY 1/28
DINNER
 CIDER BRAISED CHICKEN & ROOT VEGETABLES
 HOT CHICKEN SALAD
 WHISKEY PINEAPPLE CHICKEN & BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES
 LEMON GLAZED MEATBALLS & CHEESY TOMATO BASIL ORZO
 BURRITO BOWLS
 SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL SOUP
 TOMATILLO CHICKEN
DESSERT
 
 PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
 

My Christmas cacti are still blooming and loving their spot in the east facing window.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 3 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.15

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

We are SOOOOOO WET! This past weekend especially it seriously rained. It rained so much I swear I saw Noah float by on an ark. In all seriousness there is major ice, cold, flooding… businesses north of us closed early due to power outages… airport closed… and then Saturday night it hit us with a power outage that left us thinking about taking a trip. After SNOWMAGGEDON a few years ago we vowed we’d take a small trip if it happened again and as the temperature was dropping we sat in the dark contemplating just that for about 3 hours when it came back on. It was nice to snuggle in and just read, but it really threw off my timeline for things I was trying to accomplish for the new project.

I mean this is the Pacific North West and we’re used to rain and wet, but I’m seeing standing water with ducks paddling in it where there used to be a road. Our local pond “normally” has a path all the way around, but when I left the estate house (which looks down on the whole pond) last night I noticed that the back end is completely under water.

Today is supposed to be cloudy and then back to the rain tomorrow and Wednesday and for the rest of the week. I’ll be working on a new estate sale a good part of this week, but all the work is NOT indoors so it may get a bit dicey at times. This estate sale is more of a clean out than higher end things and antiques that we are used to, so may use today to start making outdoor trash piles…so grungy clothes it is today.

There are a few things on my mind that I’m working through, but it’s just day to day things. I’m feeling well other than a few aches and pains, but am still avoiding people like the plague as COVID works its way through our community once again. 🙁

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have 2 loads of laundry to do and am hoping to finish clearing the house of the Christmas totes with a break in the rain today.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have to do the shopping for one of the auxiliary women’s dinner on Friday so will do our errands at that time on Tuesday. Unfortunately it is supposed to be raining 🙁
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I have several this I want to accomplish this week.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m a bit uninspired right now with all that’s going on, but just like Stella, I WILL get my groove back. 🙂

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • The DVR is pretty empty while we wait for the “new” season to finally begin. As always I catch the Kid’s Baking Championship and a few other cooking shows. We did watch a couple of good movies on Prime though. Champions with Woody Harrelson and Cheech Marin was really cute and we finally saw the Peanut Butter Falcon.

I’m working on finishing the Canary Girls, but got a bit sidetracked with the power outage. I do love historical novels – I always seem to learn something new. Do you know why they were called Canary girls? I’ll give you a clue – it has nothing to do with birds or singing.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
MONDAY 1/15
TUESDAY 1/16
WEDNESDAY 1/17
THURSDAY 1/18
FRIDAY 1/19
SATURDAY 1/20
SUNDAY 1/21
DINNER
 BBQ BAKED CHICKEN & POTATO SALAD
 BROWN CRACKER MEATLOAF with MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY
 SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
 MISO BUTTER  ROASTED CHICKEN & CARROTS
 BRIDGE CLUB CHICKEN & SALAD
 CHILE LIME SALMON & ARTICHOKES
 CHICKEN FRIED STEAKS with MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY
DESSERT
 
 
DANISH APPLE SLAB PIE
 

We went to an impromptu comedy show on Friday night to support a local winery family who has been in the valley for over 100 years, but is being forced out of business due to family infighting over a recent patriarch death 🙁 so sad. We then went to a favorite local haunt for karaoke and a couple of friends (sisters who were drinking pretty good) did a duet to Dirty Laundry 😀

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPES week 2 of 2024 BLOG 366.8

Good Morning friends. I hope this second week of 2024 finds you healthy and happy. We’re doing well, but there has been a major resurgence of COVID here in our little rural town and MANY people we know are down with it so as a precaution we have not strayed far from home this past week nor will we this week. I read that there is a new strain that is rearing it’s ugly head all over the country, so please be careful.

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our hostess, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

It is still really cold here (highs in the low 40’s and lows in the 20’s), breezy and REALLY wet here with snow the last 2 nights that didn’t stick here on the valley floor, but did on the local hills so we can see it all around us. It is predicted to be in FULL swing later this week as we are on winter storm watch now. The weatherman can’t make up his mind as to when the snow will actually hit though – it keeps changing hourly so I guess we’ll have to wait and see as the storm actually hits. Honestly I’d prefer the snow to the rain most days.

I did get a new really warm and cozy hoodie that I’ve just about been living in along with comfy Levi’s and UGGs.

I have a bit of my normal winter sinus issues due to the atmospheric pressures being all over the place with these storms, but doing well otherwise. I’m thinking about how to adjust all my schedules due to COVID closures and such and still meet commitments. The only real appointment I have this week is for a haircut tomorrow and to pick up a few groceries on the way home.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ve still been de-decorating from Christmas and packing things away. Will do a deep clean later this week since I’ll be home.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS Haircut tomorrow and groceries.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Hoping to finish a few things up this week and start with a clean work area.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m supposed to cook at the Eagles several times in the near future, but right now I’m taking it a day at a time since things are so up in the air with closures.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • YAY! New shows for the season are slowly coming back. I’m enjoying the KID’S BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP and catching up on some old movies. We watched A League of Their Own last week and STRANGE WEATHER, a Holly Hunter movie which was pretty strange itself.

I finished Marie Force’s State of Bliss last weekend and finally started Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini. I also got caught up on all the stray magazines I had around, but there are a couple cookbooks to finish up.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
MONDAY 1/8
TUESDAY 1/9
WEDNESDAY 1/10
THURSDAY 1/11
FRIDAY 1/12
SATURDAY 1/13
SUNDAY 1/14
DINNER
CASHEW CHICKEN and CHEESY LEEK GRATIN
CHICKEN CHILES RELLENOS STRATA recipe will post 1/25
 CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
 JACKFRUIT TACOS with GREEN APPLE SALSA
 BBQ CHICKEN
 GRILLED PIMIENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES with TOMATO BISQUE
 MISO BUTTER ROASTED CHICKEN
DESSERT
 
CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE
 CHEESE APPLE CRISP
 

In order to take favorite photos, one must first leave the house. That hasn’t happened this week, so here’s a favorite from New Year’s Eve of my winning charcuterie board. And of my white Christmas Cactus that’s blooming up a storm.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with WEEKLY MENU & RECIPES week 1 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.1

And after being out on New Year’s Eve last night for the first time in MANY a year, I really have no intention of doing much – other than staying in my PJ’s and relaxing today. Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Surprise, it’s cold, gray and rainy here in the Pacific North West. We’re still JUST a bit above normal which is not predicted to last, but it’s a wet cold in the low 40’s during the day with night time lows of mid 30’s. The years we don’t have snow for Christmas usually bring snow in the new year and this year won’t disappoint evidently. We have a dip in temperatures predicted at the end of the week with snow predicted for the weekend on.

Hubby got me several new flannels for Christmas so I’ll be trying those out this week with Levis, turtlenecks and my favorite UGGs.

I’m starting off 2024 FRESH with a new look here on the blog, but also my outlook on what I want to accomplish in this new year. The blog look may change a few times as I adjust to the color combinations 😀

I’m even attempting a new way to combine all my different lists, calendars and planners into one place. I found an easy to use calendar/planner from a company called Fringe that is compact, yet full size and to all appearances will allow me to keep ALL my planning in one place instead of multiple planners, whether it’s birthdays, appointments or meals. WISH ME LUCK 😀 I’ve used the same brand and style of calendar/system for so many years now I’m just not sure if I’ll be able to do it, but have high hopes in eliminating all the multiple planners.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING/GROCERIES & ERRANDS This week I’ll be cleaning up from the holidays and doing a deep cleaning all around. I actually have no appointments and did all the shopping last Friday other than the Eagles shopping on Wednesday afternoon. I’m even starting off with NO laundry besides what we wore to the party last night.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’ll be cleaning up the end of year files and boxes of receipts and trying to get rid of all the stray notes on my desk so I can start the new year off less cluttered.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m deciding which cookbook to cook from for the remainder of the month after I finish a few leftover recipes, but leaning towards a new one from Taste of Home, the “all-new MOST REQUESTED recipes” that came in my last quarterly box. I have a list of some “scheduled” to post recipes I want to use this month also.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • We just finished the 2nd season of REACHER on Prime and will watch the Kid’s Baking Championship on Food Network that begins tonight and football of course. Besides that not much is worth our time.

I’m about halfway through Marie Force’s current book STATE of BLISS, book #6 of the First Family series.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀 Jean did suggest some coffee yogurt and I was able to find it, but it just wasn’t the same 🙁

There were so many meals in December that were altered or downright canceled that I’m rolling many of them over into January. I was able to end the year with a cleaned out refrigerator and am looking forward to cleaning out the freezer and pantry this next month.

My plan is to then pick one cookbook each month and cook all the “tagged” recipes from that book before donating the book. I’ll only keep the recipes we REALLY liked and will add them to my actual recipe box.
MONDAY 1/1
TUESDAY 1/2
WEDNESDAY 1/3
THURSDAY 1/4
FRIDAY 1/5
SATURDAY 1/6
SUNDAY 1/7
DINNER
 BLACK EYED PEA CHILI & CORN BREAD
 WHITE CHICKEN CHILI LASAGNA
CORN clean out refrigerator night
ROLLED FLANK STEAK and CAULIFLOWER GRATIN
 CHICKEN CORDON BLEU and SALAD
 PORK CHOPS with APPLE STUFFING
 CARNITAS with HOT PINEAPPLE SAUCE & SALAD
DESSERT
 probably nothing as there are still plenty of holiday treats around 😀
 
 

Usually the sunsets are the gorgeous ones, but this was midday to the east a couple days ago.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPES week 52 of 2023 ~ BLOG 365.359B

MERRY CHRISTMAS friends. I hope you are all having a blessed and wonderful holiday surrounded by friends and family.

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Unfortunately, we have no snow this year for Christmas. But, it’s raining and cold – go figure 😀 We will be staying home and cozy today. A few friends may drift in and out as they make their way home from their various family celebrations so I will get out of my PJ’s and put on something warm and cozy. It may not be snowing, but it IS raining and bone chilling cold. We’re supposed to be in the 40’s all week for highs with gray, cloudy days and 30’s at night for the lows with lots of rain. EL NINO years are so unpredictable and change the forecast frequently, sometimes hourly.

BLOGMAS 2023 is a wrap (pun intended). I had a good time and was able to keep up in a relaxed fashion because I was so ahead of the rush this year. It was nice to be able to sit back and enjoy so much more of the holiday. I hope you had a wonderful preparation time and thoroughly enjoy today with your family and friends.

BLOG 365 was also a success (mostly) and while some of that was due to BLOGMAS 2023 with double dipping days, I actually did fairly well the rest of the year after I got into a good routine. So, I will be attempting to BLOG 366 next year 😀 And nope that’s not a typo, it’s a leap year.

My uncle continues to weigh heavy on my thoughts as he is declining, but my mom is doing much better with good reports.

I’m making an oven omelette and hash browns for brunch for us later this morning.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I deep cleaned preparing for today so ALL the laundry and everything is up to date.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS There is nothing personally other than a pedicure this week for me to do. My friend that does the other half of the shopping for the Eagles has an out of town appointment on shopping day this week though so I will be doing ALL the shopping on Wednesday which can be a HUGE endeavor because of the New Year’s Eve Party next weekend.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Nothing that won’t wait until 2024 😀
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’ll be adopting a new strategy for 2024 where I finally try all the recipes I have tagged in my cookbooks – 1 cookbook per month I hope.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • Most of the DVR is cleaned out and the “NEW” seasons are beginning to start again so we will see what shows survived the strike and go from there.

I’m reading Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini.
MONDAY 12/25
TUESDAY 12/26
WEDNESDAY 12/27
THURSDAY 12/28
FRIDAY 12/29
SATURDAY 12/30
SUNDAY 12/31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DINNER
PRIME RIB, FONDANT POTATOES, ASPARAGUS
 PORK RAGU, APPLES & BACON
 BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS, SOUTHERN CORNBREAD STUFFING
 SAUCY PORK CHOPS, SOUTHWEST ONION UPSIDE DOWN CORNBREAD
 I’m cooking at the Eagles ~~~~~ LASAGNA & GARLIC BREAD with SALAD
 ROLLED FLANK STEAK with CAULIFLOWER GRATIN
 BLACK EYED PEA CHILI & CORNBREAD for lunch
~~~~~
CHARCUTERIE BOARD CONTEST for NEW YEAR’S PARTY
DESSERT
VANILLA BEAN CHEESECAKE
 
CRANCHERRY CAKE
 

This may be my new favorite ornament. It’s actually a key chain my girlfriend attached to my Christmas present and I so love it!