Category: HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

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

There are so many things going on in this world right now. I’m praying for Afghanistan and an end to senseless violence, COVID and for all those in Hurricane Ida’s path, especially those that decided to stay. Our family that lives in a small town between New Orleans and Baton Rouge decided last minute to evacuate and spent 14 hours making a “7” hour trip to Houston. So at least they are safe. Extremely tired, but safe.

I had an appointment with my doctor last week about all the problems I’m having keeping everything regulated. The endocrinologist is looking at worst case scenario of removing my pancreas, but I AM NOT THERE YET!!! There are too many complications with that scenario. My regular doctor is setting me up with a Chronic Care Manager and we’re going to try a 3 month change of medication and lifestyle to see if we can get anywhere close to normal.

Can you believe it’s almost September? My favorite month and season are on the horizon! 😀 YAY!!!!! I’m just going to jump in to Happy Homemaker Monday.

I really can’t complain about the temperatures. We’ve been having wonderful breezes and cooler temperatures making for a lovely August. I just wish the air quality was better.

Hot water and baby food squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING The repairman came last Thursday to install the new part on the “new” washer. Unfortunately the “new” part turned out to be a “used” part in a new box 🙁 Evidently someone returned the part as new. I’m so frustrated! We’ve now been sent to the “EXCHANGE” team who will call me by Wednesday afternoon to let me know when/if to expect a new machine. I also need to vacuum. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have 2 appointments Tuesday and hubby has one on Wednesday. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’ll be keeping my phone with me at all times. Whirpool said they will call ONLY once! If I miss the call I have to call back and be expected to wait on hold for hours! I already spent almost 2 hours just this past week waiting to deal with this! I have some other things I need to get handled this week if possible. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have menus done for the next 2 weeks, but will start researching for the fall months.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Sweet Girl. The Defeated, Outer Banks, Virgin River, Blood Red Sky APPLE TV tried SEE, but just couldn’t get into it after the second episode PRIME TOP Gun DISNEY+ Turner & Hooch CABLE Buddy VS Duff, Clash of the Cones, Chesapeake Shores, The Chase, Beat Bobby Flay, Night Court reruns, Big Bang reruns, NASCAR, DC Legends, Guys Grocery Games STARZ Hatfields & McCoys

I’m still working on Magnolia Inn by Anne Marie Meyer

We tried to take a hike on Saturday, but the closer we got to our destination, the worse the smoke got so we turned around and headed home a different route to do some antiquing instead. Along the way we found this guy who used to have just a dinosaur on the corner had increased his metal art pieces significantly! The orange hue from the smoke only enhances the work on these #MetalArt pieces.

I was proofreading my post when I realized I put up next week’s menu. I was going to delete it all and start again and then just decided to do 2 weeks worth instead 😀 Even if I can’t eat it all, I like preparing it for my family!

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER week of 8/30/21	CHICKEN RAGU over PASTA & SALAD	ROASTED CHICKEN TOMATILLO CHILE VERDE	CHICKEN CEASAR SALAD with MEYER LEMON CEASAR DRESSING	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	STUFFED SHELLS AND SALAD	CAFETERIA CHICKEN & GRAVY	COMPANY CHICKEN & SCALLOPED POTATOES
DESSERT		CARROT CAKE BARS

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER week of 9/6/21	CHICKEN ENCHILADA STACKS & SALAD	ENCHILADA MEATBALLS, RE-FRIED BEANS & SPANISH RICE	BEEF CHILI & BLACK PEPPER BUTTERMILK BISCUITS with GARLIC CHEDDAR BUTTER	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	TUSCAN VEGGIE STEW & CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD	CHICKEN CORDON BLEU BALLS	BUTTERMILK GRILLED CHICKEN & PARMESAN PASTA PEAS
DESSERT		CHOPPED NUT BARS

• CARROT COINS
• POPPY SEED DRESSING
• PICKLED CARROTS
• GRILLED OR OVEN ROASTED BROWN SUGAR RUBBED TRI-TIP

• BAKED GENRAL TSO’s CHICKEN 
• MACARONI POTATO SALAD
• PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE with PINK PEPPERCORN CARAMEL 
  

• PAN SEARED BLACKENED ROCK FISH
• CHICKEN & WILD RICE CASSEROLE

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 hope that as we begin this last week of August and edge towards September and the Fall season that you are all enjoying the end of summer as you start thinking about your kids returning to school, cooler and crisper weather and Pumpkin spice beginning to fill the air.

We had a great week away at the beach, but I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen midway through Monday. We were almost to our destination, but in the middle of nowhere, when I had an episode of Long QT syndrome, food poisoning, reactive hypoglycemia or ???? and I was down for the count. When I came to I had a very scared husband! Fortunately hubby was driving when it happened. I hate scaring hubby to death, but unfortunately I did it again. He doesn’t do well with not having control (neither do I), but it’s doubly scary when neither of us has control.

When I came to I realized, well I’m not sure what I realized entirely except that our final destination for a place to land long term NEEDS to be someplace with much better and much more medical care than is available here. I need to be back with doctors that are better versed in my needs. The medical professionals here keep leaving and that leaves those left behind strained on patient overload – not enough time in a day to see to all the patients in need. It was like that even before the pandemic.

Checking in to our hotel was a bit strained too as someone had canceled our upgrades and downgraded our room at an increased price though! After working that out and FINALLY getting settled in we ordered in some dinner and relaxed listening to the waves. By Tuesday morning I felt much better and we began to tackle nature on our terms. 😀 and had a great week.

It was a nice break and wonderful anniversary gift to ourselves, but this week is back to the day to day life.

It is supposed to be rather mild and actually nice this week. I’m really looking forward to it.

Hot water and peach yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING – I need to vacuum and will be doing the laundry tomorrow as we still don’t have a new washer from Whirlpool. I hope this is the last time we have to go do it at the laundromat. GROCERIES & ERRANDS – I have an early appointment with my doctor this morning to discuss the increasing hypoglycemia issues I’m having. I’ll do the errands and groceries on the way home. I also have some packages to drop off at UPS. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS – I’ll tackle the mess on my desk on Tuesday. It piled up a bit while we were gone. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING – I did most of September’s list yesterday.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX – The Vault, Gunpowder Milkshake and Z Nation runs REDBOX – The MISFITS and Till Death DISNEY+ – Outer Banks DVD – Jumper, Grey CABLE – Guy’s Grocery Games, Buddy VS Duff, Clash of the Cones, MasterChef, Chespeake Shores, NASCAR, BIG Bang, Night Court

I started a book, The Magnolia Inn by Anne-Marie Meyer, but didn’t get very far as the waves were lulling me to sleep each night before I could read very far.

There are sooooo many favorites from last week! You can see almost all of them on my InstaGram.  I hope to finish editing and posting later today. I’ll leave you with just this one of Yaquina Head Lighthouse for now and to see the beach was a welcome change this past week for so many reasons.

AND A KITCHEN FUNNY 😀

 

 

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	PISTACHIO CRUSTED HALIBUT with CREAMED PEAS	PORK TONKATSU with WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD	PAN SEARED CHICKEN BREASTS with TOMATO HERB SAUCE and CARROT COINS	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	ROAST CHICKEN with HOT BUTTER SAUCE and MASHED POTATOES	PAN SEARED CHICKEN with WALNUT CREAM SAUCE and MASHED POTATOES	CHICKEN RAGU over PASTA with SALAD
DESSERT		NECTARINE COBBLER

• MEXICAN STREET CORN LOADED TOTS
• MAGIC COBBLER aka FLOATING FRUIT CAKE
• PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN

• BLUEBERRY LEMON or LIME CURD MUFFINS
• CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN with GRIDDLE POTATO LATKE and GREEN CHILE GRAVY
  
• PEANUT BUTTER CRINKLE COOKIES

• PICKLED CARROTS
• POPPY SEED DRESSING
• BAKED GENERAL TSO CHICKEN
• BROWN SUGAR RUBBED TRI-TIP

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

With the craziness of the world around us we did cancel our BIG trip that was supposed to begin this week. Our BIG anniver sary will still happen this week though so we were able to find lodging at the coast this week that is reasonably priced, will allow us to be beach bums for a few days while still avoiding crowds and enjoying the surf, sun, cooler temperatures and lack of the heavy smoke in the air that we have been tortured with the last couple weeks. I stocked up on snacks and such so we can be self sufficient. 😀

We weren’t sure yet on Friday if we were going to be able to go though. On Thursday afternoon while I was running errands I stopped at one place, turned off the car and removed the key. Attached to the key was the ENTIRE ignition switch! I was able to put it back in and start the car (SURPRISINGLY). When we went to the mechanic Friday morning (thankfully he was able to fit us in) the part wasn’t available 🙁 He eventually found it and told us to come back around 4PM. By 530PM we were on our way thankfully. $300 poorer, but on our way.

It’s already warmer here right this minutes than it is going to be at the beach all week! I’m going to be in heaven. We’re so looking forward to this trip. 😀 The lows are in line with each other, but the highs will be heavenly at the beach!

Hot water and apricot carrot pineapple baby food squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING all on hold this week – it will all be here when we get home 😀 GROCERIES & ERRANDS all on hold this week – it will all be here when we get home 😀 PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS all on hold this week – it will all be here when we get home 😀 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING all on hold this week – it will all be here when we get home 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

IT WILL ALL BE THERE WHEN WE GET HOME:D

I have several books loaded and hope to get a lot of reading done this week.

I did get quite a few #RailArt pictures of the #LumberTrain this week, but have yet to finish editing them. I did especially like this #CherryBomb one

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	OUT OF TOWN	OUT OF TOWN	OUT OF TOWN	OUT OF TOWN	OUT OF TOWN	??	??
DESSERT

• CHICKEN YAKITORI
• CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN & GREEN CHILE GRAVY
• HONEY BOURBON PECAN CHICKEN
• PEANUT CHICKEN RAMEN & PEANUT CHICKEN SALAD
• HASH BROWN TOPPED MEATLOAF

• PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN & BEER CHEESE SAUCE
• LOADED MEXICAN STREET CORN TOTS
  
• MAGIC COBBLER aka FLOATING FRUIT CAKE 

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 can’t believe it’s another Monday already. Where did last week go? It was a great week – very productive in many ways. I hope it was a great week for you too!

Besides my normal list I cleaned out and sorted several desk drawers of small bits and pieces and a bedroom closet while looking for something, so it was time consuming, but productive 😀

Due to the current “climate” in the country due to COVID, wild fires etc… AND the sky rocketing gasoline and lodging prices we’re rethinking our trip for this month and instead opted for a few days at the coast to recharge and refresh in cooler temperatures for our BIG anniversary. We’ll take the other trip in September or October.

I’m jumping right in this week in hopes of this week being as productive as last.

The weekend weather wasn’t bad at all, Sunday was especially nice, but we’re inching back into triple digits this week with a little higher humidity and still have smoke in the air. 🙁

Hot water and peach yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Washer is still down so will make a trip to the laundromat later in the week. Hopefully Whirlpool will have better news this week – we are at their mercy due to the warranty. GROCERIES & ERRANDS We are rethinking the trip and may do something more local for our anniversary and for just a few days, but I’ll wait until we get back to do any serious grocery shopping. I do have a hair appointment tomorrow. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I still have a list to accomplish. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on September now.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX I found a new series, OUTER BANKS, that I’m enjoying. PRIME Hubby found a new series to try, DOOM PATROL about a group of super hero misfits that we’ll try when the price becomes more reasonable. DISNEY+ Turner and Hooch season 1 RED BOX We rented the new Billy Crystal movie, Here Today and Angelina Jolie’s, Those Who Wish Me Dead and they were both good. CABLE Finished up the Olympics, Buddy VS Duff, Master Chef. Guy’s Grocery Games, Svengoolie, Nascar, BBQ Brawl

I started Heather Webber’s The Lights of Sugar Berry Cove

We went to the local county fair last Friday – not bad for being thrown together last minute (they just weren’t sure they were going to do it right up until the last minute this year).

There were certainly fewer of everything – exhibits, animals, vendors…, but what was there was quite good.

One of my favorites was this 4 Her and Future Farmer of America, Sylvia and her twin goats, Kandy Korn and Kettle Korn – she’s holding Kettle Korn. Kandy Korn is brown with black markings and wouldn’t stand still enough for a good picture.

The baby goats were probably my all time favorites. This little guy who decided the food bowl was the best place to sleep was adorable.

But, the cows, horses and pigs were pretty cute too!

I also finished one of my paintings from last week, but think I used too much sparkle in the sand so am rethinking it a little bit and will do some muted touch ups.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN & SALAD	HAM STEAKS, FRENCH FRIES & SALAD	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR OR YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN NIGHT	ENCHILACOS	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR OR YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN NIGHT	CHICKEN DIVINE & SALAD	CHICKEN YAKITORI
DESSERT		MAGIC LEMON CHERRY COBBLER

• BLUEBERRY LEMON or LIME CURD MUFFINS
• CRUST LESS APPLE PIE
• PINEAPPLE CHERRY CRUMBLE
• KANSAS CITY BBQ RUBBED PORK CHOPS

• PEA & BACON SALAD
• BARNYARD PIE
• DR PEPPER BBQ CARAMEL CHICKEN
  

• HONEY BOURBON PECAN CHICKEN
• HASH BROWN TOPPED MEATLOAF
• PEANUT CHICKEN RAMEN
• GREEN CHILE GRAVY
• MAGIC COBBLER – updated FLOATING FRUIT CAKE
  
• CHICKEN YAKITORI

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 hope you have all had a wonderful weekend. Ours was good and quiet. With the excessive heat we have been staying in doors a bit more and watching movies, catching up on some reading and even beginning a couple new paintings. They both need a lot of finishing, beach grass for the beach scene and big sunflowers in front of the barn, small weedy flowers around the barn and the woodwork on the barn itself, but at least the basics are on the canvases. I was hoping to finish one of them last night, but a reaction stole my time. Have I mentioned how much I hate having reactions?

We’re still in the mid 90’s and have been having less wind and higher humidity – both of which are good for the firefighters, but lousy for the rest of us.

I’ve been having way too many reactions and setbacks with the stomach /sugar issues. I’m still hopeful that they regulate themselves, but also realistic that it may never happen 🙁

So, once again it’s hot water and yogurt.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Washer quit a few weeks ago and it took us a week to get a repairman out to do the warranty work. There are NO repairmen available locally (gotta love small towns during a pandemic) for warranty work so it is always a hassle! The repairman said the motherboard is fried and that there are no replacement parts available. Despite that, WHIRLPOOL has 21 business days (so until August 27th) per the legal ease of the warranty to either find a part somewhere or then decide to replace the machine with a new one. Chances are the part is sitting in a cargo container somewhere just waiting to be unloaded 🙁 Thank you COVID and global supply chain breakdown. So, we went to the laundromat and WOW, just WOW have they gotten expensive!!!!!! I had a week’s worth of laundry to do when it broke down plus 2 more weeks after that! GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m trying to work the menus around the freezer and pantry on hand before we leave on our trip, but still need a few things. There are a couple appointments for hubby also. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have several of each to do this week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Most of the menu and planning is done for before we leave on our trip.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX HOMEFRONT STARZ JERICHO, RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL PEACOCK 100° BELOW ZERO, THE RUN DOWN, JAWS (1975 original) PRIME BRIDGE OF SPIES DISNEY+ TURNER & HOOCH CABLE OLYMPICS, BUDDY vs. DUFF, BBQ BRAWL, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, G3 GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, SVENGOOLIE, a couple HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES

I started Heather Webber’s The Lights of Sugar Berry Cove

We walked around the pond the other day while it was still early and not too horribly hot yet. There was plenty of wildlife despite the pond level being seriously depleted by the drought 🙁 The geese were amazing though giving me a great show.

We encountered this guy, who I named Wilbur, that for some reason was a couple hundred feet from where he should be and headed away from the water. Not sure how he ended up there, but he had a boo boo on his back and was stuck in the brush so hubby picked him up and got him back near the pond. Wilbur was so thrilled to be back in the water!

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN & NOODLES over MASHED POTATOES like grandma used to make	CHICKEN & WILD RICE with HERB SAUCE and GREEN BEANS	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT/ YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	CHICKEN DIVINE & SALAD	SLOPPY JOE POCKETS & CORN ON THE COB	BBQ RIBS & SALAD	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT/ YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
DESSERT		FLOATING FRUIT CAKE

• BROKEN SKILLET LASAGNA
• GRILLED SPICY LIME PORK CHOPS
• SPICY SOUR CREAM CUCUMBERS

• MACARONI POTATO SALAD
• LEMON THYME CHICKEN
• BROKEN SKILLET LASAGNA
  

• CRUSTLESS APPLE PIE
• BARNYARD PIE
• BLUEBERRY LEMON or LIME CURD MUFFINS
• PINEAPPLE CHERRY CRUMBLE

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 hope everyone had a wonderful weekend full of sun and family fun.

Ours was fairly quiet. My main activity was when I spent a few hours Friday making 36 mini pineapple upside down cakes as a dessert for an Eagles Auxiliary dinner on Friday night. My friend made the most wonderful Cobb Salads with grilled chicken. The original plan was for 30 dinners, but the city started their music in the park program that day and we ended up selling 44 salads (many of them to go for the park) so we obviously ran out of dessert. Next time I’ll make a significant amount of extras. I’m sure they won’t go to waste 😀

We did go out for lunch on Saturday after hubby weed whacked the back hill that backs down to the highway as some added safety towards fire season.

We grilled some burgers on Sunday with some FRESH yummy pasta salad, played some Mexican train dominoes, watched some of the Olympics, a few movies and stayed out of the heat (yesterday hit a pretty still 94 degrees) for the most part. There was a nice breeze most of the day EXCEPT in the middle hottest part of the day.

We’re supposed to be under a new “Heat Dome” this week into next. The drought and fires are bad here and getting worse so that’s NOT good news 🙁 We received a notice this week that watering anything besides a food garden is strictly forbidden. We NEED rain desperately! We had a drier than normal winter and spring and now summer has been completely rain free. The creeks, rivers and ponds are sooooooo much lower than normal. Ironically we did have a sprinkler leak that we just fixed and now is obsolete as the system is turned off.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING The washer stopped working on Friday (fortunately it’s under warranty – unfortunately they can’t come until Tuesday 🙁 ) so there will be lots of laundry to do. I need to do a bit of vacuuming and de-cluttering. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have an early morning appointment this morning with my primary doctor to get the “necessary” by insurance referral to see my ophthalmologist for an eye infection – which really ticks me off because it’s really just a way to generate an office visit for money. Tuesday is supposed to be a pedicure that I’m going to cancel because of the washer repairman. Wednesday is an early morning appointment with the ophthalmologist and then I’ll do the groceries. I also signed up for BUNCO on Wednesday night at the Eagles. Thursday is a POWER RED blood donation for hubby. Since I can’t donate, he donates all that he can for the both of us. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’m hoping to finish sorting and de-cluttering a pile on my desk and finishing up our reservations for our trip next month. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m going to do a freezer and pantry inventory to work from before our trip. I’ll also do a menu based on what I have on hand.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX RUSH with Chris Hemsworth and Olivia Wilde DVD’S HOME FRONT with Jason Statham, James Franco and Winona Ryder, RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL with Nicholas Cage and Laurence Fishburne DISNEY+ SULPHUR SPRINGS CABLE OLYMPICS, BUDDY VS. DUFF, BBQ BRAWL, GUY’S GROCERY GAMES

I keep falling asleep almost immediately so I’m still reading Jana DeLeon’s newest book, Backrush

But, I’m hoping to finish this week so I can start Heather Webber’s The Lights of Sugar Berry Cove

I’ve been keeping an eye on the neighbors garden while they have been away the past 5 weeks. The flowers are still looking good, but the grapes are beginning to suffer.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN & WILD RICE CASSEROLE & SALAD	ROAST FENNEL CHICKEN & HARISSA CARROTS	COBB SALAD	CORN/YOYO  CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT ~ YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	grilled HAMBURGERS & PASTA SALAD	UNSTUFFED PEPPERS & SALAD	CORN/YOYO  CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT ~ YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
DESSERT		APPLE PIE BARS Molly Yeh

• CRISPY HOT HONEY WINGS
• DR. PEPPER CARAMEL BBQ CHICKEN
• MACARONI POTATO SALAD
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRINKLES

• HAWAIIAN CHICKEN
• CHICKEN FRICASSEE
• ANTIPASTO SALAD
  

• BROKEN aka SKILLET C.O.R.N. LASAGNA
• SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD
• GRILLED SPICY LIME PORK CHOPS

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 hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Ours was productive and quiet and I can’t say that upsets me. An “unplugged” and “down” day soothes me A LOT lately.

Friday and Saturday were super productive with errands and lunch out, planning our route for the trip next month, laundry and cleaning so I got caught up on the DVR on Sunday, did some reading and we grilled dinner and virtually nothing else.

For summer, the weather hasn’t been half bad. Unfortunately we are pretty far behind in rain this year and there are way too many fires going in our state.  The Bootleg fire is a couple hours away from us. I read that it is growing 1,000 acres per hour!!!! A friend with the National Guard said his unit is being sent to help along with many others – unfortunately with the drought on top of it and lack of jet fuel they aren’t able to fight these fires like they normally do with aircraft and such 🙁

So the breeze is awesome for us against the heat, but horrible for the fire fighters. 🙁

Hot water and baby food squeeze, Apple, Carrot, Pineapple.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to get the cleaning and laundry done on Saturday, but there is still some sorting and de-cluttering I’m working on. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be heading into town for a few errands and groceries today and then I have a haircut on Thursday. Hubby has a doctor appointment Wednesday and I have a painting class Thursday night. I’m also making the dessert for an Eagles dinner night on Friday. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have a few things to handle this week and a couple phone calls to catch up on. I also need to make the room reservations for our trip. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have the menus made until we leave on our trip next month, but still need to do a bit of research and reworks to do on several of them.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Virgin River DISNEY+ Finished season 1 LOKI MOVIES Monster Hunter, The Mummy (1959) CABLE The Good Witch, Guy’s Grocery Games, Buddy VS. Duff, BBQ Brawl, NASCAR, Girl Meets Farm, Bobby Flay, Master Chef, Big Bang and Night Court Reruns

I started Jana DeLeon’s newest book, Backrush

My mom’s house backs up to a highway and has a real “dead” spot in the back that is easily accessible because of the way her fence is. So, hubby made her this cute little “Kilroy” was here type sign, just for fun and hopefully scare someone that happens upon it.

Her friend saw it and really liked it, so he made one for her too. We went and installed it on her fence the other day. Her son came home late that evening and went out on the patio for a phone call and just about jumped out of his skin thinking that someone was looking over the fence.

All I have to say is 😀 JOB well done!

I’ve been working on cleaning out my recipe stash and making as many new receips as I can to eliminate the clutter of paper scraps. And our CORN AND YOYO nights have been moved to Fridays and Sundays to accommodate a couple of our schedule changes.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	BAKED GENERAL TSO CHICKEN, RICE & SALAD (REE)	CHICKEN & WILD RICE CASSEROLE (MOLLY)	GRILLED BROCCOLI, GRAPE & CHICKEN SALAD (MOLLY)	LOADED MEXICAN STREET CORN TATER TOTS (MOLLY)	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT/YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN	UNSTUFFED PEPPERS & SALAD	CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT/YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
DESSERT		NO CRUST APPLE PIES

• PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE with PINK PEPPERCORN CARAMEL
• HAWAIIAN CHICKEN
• PEA & BACON SALAD with FRENCH DRESSING
• CHICKEN THIGH FRICASSEE

• JET TILA inspired FRIED RICE
• CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
  
• PINEAPPLE PEPPER LIME CHICKEN

• DR. PEPPER BBQ CHICKEN & POPPY SEED DRESSING
• GRILLED SPICY LIME PORK CHOPS
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRINKLES
• ANTIPASTO SALAD

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 hope your weekend was as good as mine was. Mine was very relaxing. We slept in a bit on Saturday, but then had a nice morning at the Car and Quilt show. It was cancelled last year due to COVID, but was back this year. It’s held at a local River Park (the same one that does that amazing light show at Christmas time) so it was beautiful with the cool breeze, grassy area and the river flowing by. There weren’t quite as many cars or quilts as in years past, but you gotta start somewhere.

Sunday was spent watching the NASCAR races and catching up on some older television shows. We grilled some steaks and I made some pineapple upside down cake for dessert. It was so nice that we spent some time just relaxing on the patio and I was able to get quite a bit of reading done. 😀 It felt good to just relax a bit.

We have cooled down considerably and have had an almost regular strong ocean breeze that makes it seem even nicer than it is during the day and we’re cooling down well at night. It’s summer so it’s okay by me. I love having season changes. Unfortunately we also have several fires burning early in the season 🙁

Issues, issues, issues again 🙁 hot water and baby food squeezes are my friend

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did the laundry yesterday, but need to vacuum GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m working out of the freezer and pantry this week, but do have a few other errands to do in town PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’m working my way through the pile of sorting ad filing as well as phone calls RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m good though July and am starting on the first 2 weeks of August. We’re planning on being gone the last 2 weeks of August so I’m not stressing too much on any one recipe.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Virgin River CABLE Nascar, BBQ Brawl, Guy’s Grocery Games, The Good Witch, Hallmark’s Crashing Through the Snow, The Food Truck Race, Girl Meets Farm, Valerie’s Home Cooking

I just finished A Fire Sparkling by Julianne Maclean and I LOVED it! Just when you thought you had it all figured out she’d toss in a subtle plot change that made so much sense I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought about it before. For some reason I’m drawn to WWII stories that play out in our time.

Now I’m about two thirds through The First Wife’s Secret by Claire Amarti and while they are entirely different stories I’m enjoying it just as much.

I’m still editing the pictures from the car and quilt show we went to over the weekend, but here is one of my favorites. It transported me back to watching the movie Grease. I could just see them racing for pink slips in a car just like this 😀

Since we are in the last half of 2021 – yep, you read that right, I’ve started a Christmas wall hanging using a quilt technique, quilting each square as you go, that I have personally never done before.

And just to punctuate the point:

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	SALAD with GRILLED STEAK TIPS & LEMON ANCHOVIE VINAIGRETE	CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN & SKILLET LATKE & GREEN CHILE GRAVY	HONEY HOT WINGS & POTATO SALAD	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	ROAST CHICKEN with FRIED POTATOES	BAKED GENERAL TSO CHICKEN with RICE & SALAD with POPPY SEED DRESSING	????? something on the grill
DESSERT		PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE & CHERRY PINEAPPLE CRUMBLE

• LEMON THYME CHICKEN 2 WAYS
• JET TILA inspired FRIED RICE
• RESCUE WRAPS 
• 49er CHILI & CHILI DOG CASSEROLE

• ASIAN KETCHUP MEATBALLS 
• CHICKEN PASTA SALAD 
• JALAPENO HONEY STICKY WINGS
  

• CHICKEN THIGH FRICASSEE
• PEA & BACON SALAD with FRENCH DRESSING
• HAWAIIAN CHICKEN

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 hope that you all had a safe and wonderful holiday weekend full of fun and relaxation too. Our was a quiet weekend since I was down and out Friday night and Saturday so we took it easy yesterday. With living in the country and the high risk of fires we tends to stick really close on the 4th just in case of firework mishaps.

We’re in a traditional summer pattern now which seems wonderful after last week’s excessive heat from the heat dome. We’ve also been having very pleasant ocean breezes almost daily that make things really, really nice.

I had a bad week and a pretty bad reaction Friday night and Saturday so am really watching what I eat A LOT! Breakfast is hot water and baby food puree.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll be doing some laundry today. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have an appointment in town on Tuesday so will be doing my errands that day also. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS Still trying to get through last week’s pile RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did get the next couple weeks of menus and grocery lists done over the weekend.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX The Ice Road with Liam Neeson and Laurence Fishburne was really good TUBI Independence Daysaster which was a substitute because we couldn’t find and format carrying Independence Day with Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman (and a WHOLE cast of other BIG names) which is our 4th of July normal – kinda like It’s A Wonderful Life is at Christmas. It was not too bad and we may even seek out the sequel. Speaking of Bill Pullman has anyone seen the new Budweiser commercial? I think they did a great job. PRIME The Tomorrow War with Chris Pratt DISNEY+ Loki and The Mysterious Benedict Society CABLE The Great Truck Race, BBQ Brawl, Svengoolie, Hallmark Christmas in July starts Friday and the only new movie, Chasing Through The Snow will be Saturday which I’ll record.

I’m in the middle of A Fire Sparkling by Julianne MacLean

 

This guy won the patriotism award at our favorite tavern yesterday.

Since we back up to a country highway with tons of brush, hubby was ready for the potential of fireworks mishaps yesterday.

I still have touch ups to do, but I’m pretty happy with this week’s painting 😀 And it was appropriate for the holiday.

I’m trying some new recipes this week from some of my current favorite chefs 😀

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	SKILLET CHICKEN LASAGNA & SALAD	ANTIPASTO SALAD YUM! (Valerie Bertinelli)	SNAP PEA & BACON SALAD (Molly Yeh)	CHICKEN FRICASSEE (Arron May)	Y.O.Y.O./C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	SLICED AVOCADO & LIME SALAD (Molly Yeh)	STEAK & FRIED POTATOES
DESSERT		CHERRY PINEAPPLE CRUMBLE

• ASIAN KETCHUP MEATBALLS
• CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
• CHICKEN, BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD with VINAIGRETTE
• PINK ALFREDO PRIMAVERA MEATBALLS

• BETTY WHITE’S CHICKEN WINGS
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN in GARLIC CREAM SAUCE 
• BAKED SHEET PAN HAMBURGER STEAKS
  

• 49er CHILI & CHILI HOT DOG CASSEROLE
• JET TILA inspired FRIED RICE
• RESCUE WRAPS 
• SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD 

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 hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day weekend with lots of family, fun and relaxation! Our was quiet with a couple small projects and errands. We also went for pizza (hubby’s choice) at one of our favorite restaurants.

Hello Summer! Bring on the sunshine! I know it’s hot just about everywhere, but it’s really been tolerable here with refreshing breezes – just don’t stand out in the direct sun too long!

Hot water and strawberry banana smoothie

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I got caught up on laundry yesterday GROCERIES & ERRANDS I do need a few groceries for this week’s menu and hubby and I both have doctor’s appointments PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have some paperwork I have to get done this week RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menus are made through the first week in July and the heat has really set in so I may reevaluate it a bit

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Tried to watch Black Summer, but not my kind of Zombie series DISNEY+ Hoping to try LOKI this week TUBI We’ve been watching Petticoat Junction which were before my time, but kind of cute for a black and white sit com from the 60’s and have started HIGHLANDER with Adrian Paul 😀 We also saw SNITCH with Dwayne Johnson and an old Jerry Stiller/Anne Meara movie, A Fish in the Bathtub CABLE Just catching up on cooking and baking shows

I’m between books and will be starting one of these this week. A Fire Sparkling by Julianne Maclean, The CookBook Club by Beth Harbison, Seaside Manor Bed and Breakfast by Lilly Mirren or What We Find by Robyn Carr

When we re-did the flower beds, garden beds and whiskey barrels last year we purchased all new garden soil to fill the new beds. While it can’t be explained, evidently there were calla lily bulbs ground up into the new garden soil somehow. We have NEVER planted calla lilies before, but now have them coming up like volunteers beautifully everywhere we placed the new soil 😀

The bees have been having a hey day with the pink mallow and heather especially.

The hummingbirds have been flitting about everywhere with all the flowers in bloom.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	RIBS with PINEAPPLE HABANERO GLAZE, CORN on the COB and FRIED POTATOES	TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE	HOISIN MEATBALLS and SLAW	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN and SALAD with BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE	LEMON THYME CHICKEN and FRIED POTATOES	ALFREDO MEATBALLS and CUCUMBER SALAD
DESSERT

• GARLICKY SHEPHERD’S PIE
• INSTA POT STICKY PORK LETTUCE WRAPS
• BETTY WHITE’S CHICKEN WINGS
• BAKED HAMBURGER STEAKS

• SHRIMP PAD THAI
• TOMATO SCALLOPED POTATOES
• P3 PISTACHIO PLUM PLATZ
  

• CHICKEN MADEIRA
• CHERRY BBQ CHICKEN THIGHS
• ORANGE BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS
• GRILLED SPICY LIME PORK CHOPS

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

Good morning dear friends! I feel like I’ve been gone from blogland for months instead of just days, but I’m back!

How was your weekend? We helped my mom with her garage sale for the citywide community sales. The weather was horrible on Friday – cold (50’s), windy, rainy and then great on Saturday at almost 80 and almost sunny. We had more people on Friday by far and in the end did quite well with sales. That said I have at least 3 loads of things to drop off to Salvation Army this week, but at least it’s over and mom’s house is cleaned out.

It’s supposed to cool and even a little rainy today and tomorrow and then we’re supposed to head into Father’s day weekend and the beginning of summer with a serious bang in the 80’s and 90’s.

Hot water and peach yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to get caught up a bit yesterday with what I didn’t get done prepping for the sale. I got the bed changed and caught up on laundry, but I have to be honest I’m exhausted! GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have appointments Monday (pedicure), Tuesday (hair) and Wednesday (endocrinologist) mornings where I can also work in a couple errands (groceries, walmart and post office) each day and dropping off a load of Salvation Army each of those days too. Thursday we need to do a few long distance errands and I have baking to do for the Eagles dinner my friend is hosting on Friday night. She’s making French Dip sandwiches with individual Angel Food cakes topped with a strawberry & blueberry sauce. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I need to sift through a pile and get quite a few things done. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I was able to get the meal plan done for the next 10 days and have several recipes set aside to make the plan through mid July, but haven’t had the energy yet to get it done.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Outside the Wire, Beyond Skylines, Time Trap and a couple episodes of Outlander REDBOX The Marksman with Liam Neeson, The Little Things with Denzel Washington, American Traitor, the Trial of Axis Sally and The Courie DISNEY+ We didn’t have a chance to get to Mandalorian this last week. CABLE Most shows have finished up for the season, but Christmas in July is coming to Hallmark soon! 😀

I finished THESE TANGLED VINES by Julianne MacClean which I really enjoyed and am following it up with her THE COLOR OF DESTINY.

I hadn’t even picked up a camera this week with all the garage sale prep, but I did do a little Pinterest surfing and fell in love with this kitchen! so thought I’d share the picture with you.

And then yesterday evening there was a group of #Teenagers that showed up at the #Front door and wanted to trade new tires or $25 for #ANYTHING. They were on a #ScavengerHunt. They started with a single #Penny and had to go #DoorToDoor trading up to larger and #Odder items. Having just had a #GarageSale Friday and Saturday my car and garage were full of the #Leftovers that I need to haul off to #SalvationArmy starting today. So I told them to keep their tires and their $25 AND take whatever they wanted from the pile of donations. They took the #MudFlaps for a #Bounder #MotorHome a #ChristmasCookieJar a #Vacuum 2 #BeachChairs a #BeachUmbrella #Honda #TireChains and … have fun #FamilyChurch #YouthGroup I hope you won😉

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	SHEPHERD’S PIE & SALAD	CHERRY BBQ CHICKEN THIGHS & PASTA SALAD	KUNG PAO CHICKEN with FRIED RICE & CUCUMBER SALAD	CHICKEN, CORN & BLACK BEAN SALAD	EAGLES dinner (French Dips & Angel Food cakes with Strawberry Blueberry Sauce	BEEF & GREEN BEAN STIR FRY & FRIED RICE	HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN with SALAD & BALSAMIC DRESSING
DESSERT		ANGEL FOOD CAKES

• LEMON CAKE with LEMON CURD FILLING, LEMON BUTTER FROSTING & CANDIED LEMONS
• MEXICAN MANICOTTI
• COWBOY COOKIES

• ZESTY GARLIC GREEN BEANS
• CHILI LIME CHICKEN
• SOUR APPLE SLAW
  

• SHEET PAN BAKED HAMBURGER STEAKS with MUSHROOMS AND ONIONS
• INSTA POT STICKY PORK LETTUCE WRAPS
• BETTY WHITE’S CHICKEN WINGS