Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a WONDERFUL Father’s Day weekend full of family and FUN.  Ours was quiet and we had brunch out for father’s day at a fun new place (to us) – a restored Victorian home turned restaurant, watched a couple movies and made a few tentative trip plans.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This week is looking like it will be GORGEOUS!  We’re taking the day to play and run errands in a neighboring town so I’m dressed for comfort in my favorite Levis and a navy flowing blouse with sandals.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE was weak coffee and peach yogurt

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up or at least as caught up as you can be while you’re breathing, wearing clothes, using towels…
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  
• KITCHEN… pretty good
  
• YARD… pretty good
  
• BLOG… some more recipe updating and need a plan to get back into daily blogging beyond recipes
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I did get the garland supplies down and in arm’s reach, but have yet to start
  
• APPOINTMENTS… a few Tuesday and Wednesday…
  
• TO DO… hubby is going to do some repairs to the new gate, paperwork, research
  

I’M READING I need to start a new book, but have yet to figure out which one!

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We watched a cute and fun  Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston movie, Murder Mystery , an episode of Dead to Me with Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as well as started season 3 of Jessica Jones.

• Beat Bobby Flay
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Hailey Dean Mystery Prescription for Death
• Good Witch
  

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I have to get some pictures this week!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD with HERB TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN with RICE & PEAS
FRIDAY – CHICKEN and GRAVY with MASHED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS
SATURDAY – LOOSE MEAT BURGERS and SALAD
SUNDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT with  SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BLUEBERRY LIME CHEESECAKE
• BACON WRAPPED SPAM BITES
• POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE
• PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE KOLACHES
• PEPPERED COLE SLAW
• MALASADAS – PORTUGUESE DONUTS

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• PORK MARSALA
• BUFFALO CHICKEN PINWHEELS
• PINEAPPLE RAISIN TAMALES with ORANGE BLUEBERRY JAM

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING everyone!  How was your weekend?  Ours was quiet mostly.  We did BBQ with the BEST neighbors we’ve ever had on Friday night and they let me use them as guinea pigs for some new recipes 😀 Unfortunately they are moving soon and while I’m really happy they will be getting a bigger, better house I am really going to miss having them around!  We were also able to celebrate the munchkins getting out of school Tuesday, which should have been Friday except for those pesky snow days 😀

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING The weekend WAS fabulous, this week NOT so much!  We went from 64 degrees Saturday to 90 degrees today and a predicted 101 degrees tomorrow – GO FIGURE!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peach Yogurt, weak coffee and a banana

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty clean and tidy
  
• KITCHEN…  deep cleaned
  
• YARD… flower box is now pending to fall
  
• BLOG… a few experimental recipe updates
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I may start that garland Tuesday when I don’t plan on leaving the house or even opening the blinds due to the excessive heat
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… keep researching new areas, organizing
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We started NOS4A2 this past week. We like the SYFY supernatural kind of shows and haven’t seen a new good one in awhile so are hoping this show is good. It was supposedly suggested by Stephen King as a NEW kind of Vampire story.   We also saw a bit of a strange movie, Electric Mist on Amazon, but I think?? I liked it with Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman.

I’M READING nothing at the moment

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH DVR is empty, but NetFlix, Amazon and Sling are available 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA WOW I can’t believe I didn’t take anything but food pictures this week 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS
TUESDAY – CHICKEN NORMANDY & BROWNED POTATO LOAF
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT
FRIDAY – CROCK POT CHICKEN & GRAVY
SATURDAY – GRILLED ?? & HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
SUNDAY – BBQ RIBS, COWBOY BEANS & STREET CORN

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• TEXAS BBQ BEANS
  
• CHICKEN BACON APPLE STRATA
  
• PIRI PIRI CHICKEN
  
• PEPPER PASTA SALAD
  
• COWBOY BURGERS
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• MEYER LEMON TARTS
• CHICKEN & CHEESE ENCHILADAS
• PAN ROASTED STREET CORN
  

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you had a lovely week.  Can you believe it’s June already??  Where does the time go these days.  Time is moving so fast that I’m still trying to get caught up on comments and blog visits from last week. 

Kids will be getting out of school  next week (they should have gotten out this week, but those darn snow days made it a pain for all) for the summer later this week here and it’s time to make those summer plans.

I got a lot of organization done this past week as well as a few other projects, but don’t really feel well accomplished – just that time of year!!  We also watched a couple movies and NASCAR over the weekend.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s going to be a BEAUTIFUL week in the neighborhood.  We had some mid 80’s over the weekend, but there was a nice breeze.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and dried fruit with hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a load of towels and sheets
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  
• KITCHEN… LOL never all caught up 😀
  
• YARD… flower box re-do
  
• BLOG… as always working on some new recipe postings
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… LOL I still haven’t started the garland, but all the parts are ready 😀
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… feed the peacocks, finish organizing a few files, pay some bills, make some phone calls
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED ??

I’M READING Seaside Dreams – Love in Bloom #1 by Melissa Foster

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Actually all caught up!  Wen finally finished getting caught up on Amazing Race and American NINJA Warrior.  I have been watching some super old game shows on cable also.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Spent some time drinking ice tea and sitting outside soaking in the sun with my friend and munchkins as they attempted to fly kites in the breeze.  Also LMBO 😀 as Heather “tried” to show the girls how to do it!   Unfortunately the breeze just wasn’t enough to do more than cause some frustration 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – ITALIAN TOMATO MEATBALL SOUP with GRAN’S HONEY MUFFINS
TUESDAY – SUPPER STRATA
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – GARLIC BUTTER GRILLED PORK CHOPS & SALAD
FRIDAY – BACON WRAPPED SPAM BITE APPETIZERS, BBQ BURGERS, POTATO SALAD, BBQ BEANS & POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE and MALSADAS
SATURDAY – BACON ASPARAGUS FRITTATA & UPSIDE DOWN APPLE HONEY CAKE
SUNDAY – HOMEMADE NOODLES with MEATBALLS BOLEGNESE with CORN & CUCUMBER SALAD and KOLACHES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CREAMSICLE CHEESECAKE
• STUFFED BALSAMIC CHICKEN
• ROAST LEMON CHICKEN
• SAVORY FRIED CABBAGE
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
• GARLIC CREAM CHICKEN
• MAPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL CAKE with OOEY GOOEY COCONUT TOPPING

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I’m still traveling and for the most part having a GREAT trip.  We had a bittersweet family reunion. One of my SIL’s (hubby’s baby brother’s wife – SIL #4) had a major stroke from a brain aneurysm and passed away earlier last week just prior to the family reunion. 🙁 We also found out that SIL#2 is not doing well at all and will need to make a special trip for hubby to be able to see her.  SIL#3 is a whole other story not worth my time or effort to fill you in if I want to keep this positive (HA HA)!

I had no internet for 5 days this week so feel like I’m really behind, but I will be back to normal Monday posts by next week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s been alternating rain and sunny since we got home to SIL#1’s  house yesterday afternoon, but it’s cool enough for a light jacket or sweatshirt and cloudy still with rain predicted for tomorrow.  I won’t mind though since we don’t leave here for home until Wednesday.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… will have several loads later in the week after we get home.
• APPOINTMENTS… several scheduled for early next week that may need to be changed depending on funeral arrangements for my SIL#4.
  
• TO DO… 🙂 everything.
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We did watch a couple movies with SIL#1 last week, The A Theory of Everything about Stephen Hawking and The Silence with Stanley Tucci that were quite good.

I’M READING My friend Heather loaned me 3 books for the trip – Diane Chamberlain’s Summer Child and The Midwife’s Confession as well as Kristin Hannah’s Night Road. With everything that’s been going on I’ve yet to get anything read and will probably do them all next week afterI get home.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH will see when we get home

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There were a ton of favorites from the camera this week, but most still need edited so I chose one at random.  This is my nephew, Tyler consoling his young son, Rigley. Tyler is not only a fantastic person, but a truly wonderful father.

And then we have 5 generations here!

The hot dog vendor was nice enough to come take a group shot of us! And we’re only about half here!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• MIMOSA ROAST CHICKEN
• BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE
• PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DROPS

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you have all had as great a week and weekend as we did.  The weather has been PERFECT and even though I haven’t gotten everything accomplished I wanted to, I did get enough done for now. 🙁

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year here and unseasonably dry too, but after such a wet winter I’m not complaining. 

That said, I’m glad we leave on our trip later this week and the temperatures will be cooler which I soooooo much prefer. Note the 29 degree difference on Thursday.

We’re going to take the last trailer full of wood to the re-cycler (there’s a local guy who will chip up all the cedar pickets into mulch) so I have on old Levi’s, a t-shirt and pops. Then I’ll change to head into town for errands.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peach yogurt, hot water and a banana.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… one load before we go
  
• LIVING AREAS… a bit of tidying
  
• KITCHEN… pretty clean
  
• YARD… YAY! hubby finished the fence!
  
• BLOG… nothing much for a couple weeks while we travel
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing at all for a few weeks
  
• APPOINTMENTS… Tire rotation, fill up on gas, pedicure, mammogram
  
• TO DO… last minute errands, pack…
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY We leave later this week for our family reunion trip later this week and we’re REALLY getting excited!  We have a side trip planned on the way there AND on the way back besides visiting with hubby’s elderly father.

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We rented Serenity with Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jason Clarke and Diane Lane.  Such a different part for MATTHEW!

I’M READING Kristin Hannah’s Night Road that my friend Heather loved and recommended I read.  It will be perfect for vacation 😀

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH things will build up while we’re on our trip so I’ll sort it out later 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Hubby finally finished the fence!!! What a feat.  This was the last leg of the 300+ linear feet.  Fortunately the 100 feet to his right was done 4 years ago by our neighbor.   His feet are killing him from working in the rocks so our vacation is well timed.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – TACO CASSEROLE & SALAD
TUESDAY – C.O.R.N.
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – ??
FRIDAY – ??
SATURDAY – ??
SUNDAY – ??

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BAKED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES
• GRANDMA DOLL’S POTATO SALAD
• BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
• ORANGE CHICKEN PANDA EXPRESS COPY CAT
• BAKED HAM with CHERRY SAUCE
  FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK
• FIRECRACKER PORK CHOPS
• REUBEN PINWHEELS
• HONEY CARAMEL MACADAMIA TART

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you had as nice a week and weekend as we did.  The weather has been wonderful and allowed us to catch up a bit after the less than stellar winter we had!  Hubby has been working on the fence and I’m trying to get caught up on a shelf that he built me, but it’s been too cold to paint before now.  Hopefully I’ll get the shelf finished later today.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING We have another BEAUTIFUL week predicted with no rain in sight!!! YAY!!!! It’s starting to finally feel like spring.  I’ll have on my usual uniform 😀 Levi’s, a comfy t-shirt and my gray pops.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Carrot and Apple baby food squeezer with hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… all done for the moment 😀
  
• LIVING AREAS… need a bit of tidying
  
• KITCHEN… needs a bit of tidying
  
• YARD… fence repairs continue and a bit of gardening
  
• BLOG… updating a few recipe posts and planning for some trip posts
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing this week or probably the next couple of weeks either, but then I’ll get started on the wool ball garland so I can get a picture posted for you to see
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple this week which will give hubby a bit of a break from fence building…
  
• TO DO… errands, groceries, paperwork and a few phone calls
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY Our family reunion trip is coming up and we’re looking forward to catching up with those we haven’t seen in a few years.  We always have such a GREAT time together.  I recently found this image that TRULY depicts our group.

We’re also going to spend some time with hubby’s elderly father while we still can.  He’s still sharp as a tack, but his body isn’t cooperating 🙁  

While we’re gone we’re also going to tour the Winchester Mystery House, a story and place that has always intrigued me!  Right now they have a “Mansion and More” package that also tours areas that have been previously closed for more than 90 years AND as a bonus you can now take pictures!

I’M READING Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series is always a fun read.  I’m finishing up Fortune Furlough book #14 and then beginning Kristin Hannah’s Night Road that my friend Heather loved and recommended I read.  It will be perfect for vacation 😀

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We are still getting used to the new system and with it being the end of the season for most shows I’m really glad there isn’t an overwhelming list of things to catch up on 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I always find it amazing how others do things.  And while this was an older builder grade fence, it still amazes me that they installed parts wrong and didn’t even bother securing the frame pieces to each other.  Hubby is doing a GREAT job of updating AND securing the pieces together.  He even built himself a template for spacing the boards evenly 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – C.O.R.N or TAVERN for sandwiches
TUESDAY – SESAME CHICKEN SALAD
WEDNESDAY – BAKED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES with SALAD
THURSDAY – BAVARIAN MEATBALLS & BOSTON BAKED BEANS
FRIDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN
SATURDAY – CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE
SUNDAY – TROPICAL LIME CHICKEN BITES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
• FRENCH ONION MEATBALLS
• PORKY PIG FARMER’S MARKET SALAD
• BALSAMIC POMEGRANATE CAPRESE CHICKEN
• CHILI GLAZED MEAT LOAF
• THYME ROASTED POTATOES

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• KENTUCKY HOT BROWN CASSEROLE
• FARM STYLE MEATLOAF & GRAVY
• SPICY CHICKEN POT STICKERS

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a WONDERFUL Easter celebration full of family and friends. We had a quiet day with a wonderful meal if I do say so myself 😀 I’m also off and running early this morning so am moving right into it.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING We had 2 glorious days last week that were extremely warm for this time of day and then it turned cool again, but this week looks like it’s going to be really nice and sunny too, perfect for the fence repairs and new garden frame building 😀 We have to return the old cable equipment today, run some errands and pick up more wood and parts for the fence so I’m wearing jeans and a comfy t-shirt with pops.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Mixed berry yogurt, a banana and hot water

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… sheets and towels
  
• LIVING AREAS… needs a bit of tidying up
  
• KITCHEN… is like laundry and there is always something to do 😀
  
• YARD… finally getting the weeds under control with this longer stretch of sunny weather we’ve had and hubby is making good progress on the fence.
  
• BLOG… trying to organize some older trip posts before we start taking more 😀
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I have the parts for making some wool ball Christmas garland that I want to get started on even though it’s only April – Christmas will be here before you know it if I don’t get it done.
  
• APPOINTMENTS… hubby has one Thursday, but I get the week off other than errands 😀
  
• TO DO… same old same old daily chores and food prep
  

I’M READING Wild Irish Rose, The Merriams Book 1, by Ava Miles

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We switched cable services around here so this is a serious work in progress category!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There is a pond just one street over that is a favorite to migrating geese and even some that seem to have made it a year round home.  There is one couple I call “Fred and Ethel”.  Fred has been hanging out on the actual road near the edge of the pond for several weeks now and I decided Ethel must have her nest very close to that edge.  A couple days ago I was rewarded to see Fred and Ethel with 5 new little ones in tow crossing the road.  They actually let me get close enough to take a few pictures. 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – OUT – TYEE
TUESDAY – BLT SALAD
WEDNESDAY – OUT – OT
THURSDAY – BBQ PORK TENDERLOIN, BAKERS & SALAD
FRIDAY – BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE & SALAD
SATURDAY – PORKY PIG FARMER’S MARKET SALAD
SUNDAY – BAVARIAN MEATBALLS

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• ROASTED ASPARAGUS IN CAJUN HOLLANDAISE
• BUFFALO CHICKEN SLIDERS
• SLOW COOKER BUTTER CHICKEN MEATBALLS
• BUTTERMILK PORK CHOPS ala SLOW COOKER
• SHEET PAN CHICKEN MEDLEY
• CHILI GLAZED MEATLOAF

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• FRENCH PEAR TART
• CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP
• GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH RASPBERRY CHIPOTLE BBQ SAUCE
  

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a wonderful week and weekend.  I know many of you are on Spring Break and hope your weather is cooperating!

Can you believe we’re already 4 months into 2019?  Easter is late this year and there’s only 253 days until Christmas!  Why does time seem to be going so fast?

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This is the craziest prediction I’ve seen in a while – look at Thursday’s high – there must be some weird anomaly about to come through our area.  This is the longest stretch of expected sunshine since last fall, but alas it is actually gray and about to rain right now so I’ll believe the high AND the stretch of  sun when I see it 😀 It’s early here and I’ve yet to actually get dressed, but I have my favorite jeans and long sleeved blue t-shirt set out.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE coffee (I’m trying a weak cup here and there), banana & yogurt

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
  
• LIVING AREAS… needs a bit of tidying
  
• KITCHEN… clean and ready for a new week
  
• YARD… fence repairs continue and so does the garden weeding.  Every time I get the weeding just about finished it starts raining again and the weeds grow right back!
  
• BLOG… a few new recipes to put the finishing touches on…
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing this week
  
• APPOINTMENTS… Drop off rings for flashing…
  
• TO DO… paperwork, errands, a few phone calls
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY Starting to put together a list of packing items for our upcoming family reunion.  There will be so many weather changes and the time at the beach that I’m really having to put some thought into the layers I’ll need not to mention the bedding and towels for the rental.  Most of the groceries will wait until we get there, but a few of the specialty items for the bloody Mary’s and such as well as the “bread and Butter” gifts for my SIL are already packed and waiting 😀

I’M READING From her Love Letters series about WWII

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH not much – we’ll be making that BIG change this week some time

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Hubby has been working hard between bouts of rain at getting the fence repairs/replacement done. The snow really accelerated the need as there are a few sections that really started the BIG sag after the snow sat on them. The termite tracks and rotted areas were disintegrating from all the moisture.

He’s such a perfectionist.  It is completely level and he even made himself a spacer template so each board is exactly the same distance apart.  Unfortunately, there are over 500 boards plus the gate!

I think it’s taken him longer to take down each section and remove the nails than it has to put up the new sections.  Fortunately, he’s been able to reuse the posts and the termites were only in some of the planks.

The bonus is that my SUV smells like a cedar chest from picking up all the boards. 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – BUTTER CHICKEN MEATBALLS
TUESDAY – SHEET PAN CHICKEN & ROASTED VEGGIES
WEDNESDAY – CHILI GLAZED MEATLOAF
THURSDAY – FRENCH ONION CHICKEN MEATBALLS
FRIDAY – CASHEW CHICKEN
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – We did decide on an Easter menu around here.  Looks like we’re having ham with a cherry glaze, roasted baby potatoes with asparagus, Ambrosia salad and carrot cake.  What is on your Easter dinner menu?

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CARAMEL APPLE PIE BOMBS
• ITALIAN CHICKEN & NOODLES
• BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN JALAPENO BITES
• HAWAIIAN MILANESA
• BALSAMIC MUSHROOM CHICKEN
• WHISKEY FIG COMPOTE
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• CHERRY APRICOT GALETTE
• MISO GINGER CHICKEN
• RED PEPPER GLAZED HALIBUT
  

Be sure to join us by linking up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  I hope you had a wonderful week full of springtime, sunshine and were as productive as you hoped to be!  My week was busy and productive despite everything 😀

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING Guess what?  It’s raining!  I know that’s a HUGE surprise to you LOL 😀 This has been such a wet and sloggy winter and appears to be turning into an even wetter and sloggier spring!  It was supposed to pour all weekend, but Saturday was just cold and windy with the wet stuff starting later in the evening.  Yesterday was just SUPER wet with almost 2 inches of rain.  I did venture out to the grocery store and that was enough for me!  I’m not going anywhere today, not even outside probably so I have on yoga pants, a favorite coffee t-shirt and fuzzy socks.

This week comes with an upgraded warning… “As a result, heavy rain will continue to surge into the area prompting rivers to rise. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Landslides and debris flows are possible during this event. Areas below steep slopes and in canyons are at risk from landslides. Do not drive through flooded areas or roads. The water may be too deep or there may be unseen damage to the roadway. A Flood Watch means that flooding is possible but not imminent in the watch area. Prepare to take immediate action if flooding is observed or a warning is issued. “… ” * Through this evening * Storm total rainfall amounts are expected to be 4 to 8 inches. Amounts could exceed 10 inches in localized areas of the Curry coastal ranges. Lesser amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected over inland Douglas County and 1 to 3 inches around Grants Pass. * Extensive runoff is likely due to saturated soils from preceding rainfall. Rapid rises are expected on all major rivers, with flooding possible along smaller creeks and streams. Areal flooding is possible in urban areas and pastures. There is also a threat of landslides, rock falls, and debris flows which could cause roads to be impassable. ”

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Green tea, cheerios and a banana

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
  
• LIVING AREAS… deep clean done
  
• KITCHEN… deep clean done
  
• YARD… fence repairs continue as weather permits
  
• BLOG… party link up updating continues
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing at the moment
  
• APPOINTMENTS… a couple
  
• TO DO… paperwork…
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY We have an upcoming family reunion for hubby’s LARGE Italian family.  We haven’t been in several years while we were working on the House from Hell  in Texas coupled with my surgeries and health issues so we  are really looking forward to going this year.  It has been moved to a more central location for everyone (YAY the beach location we scouted out last year won out). 

Hubby’s recently widowed sister didn’t want to drive herself so asked us to go with her which of course we are thrilled to do and be able to spend even more time with her.  She’s rented a 5th wheel at the RV campground and the 3 of us will be staying together. I LOVE being able to help my favorite SIL (shhhh don’t tell the other SIL’s she’s my favorite) 😀

The 3 of us are also going to spend some time visiting their elderly father who is sharp as a tack, but his body is just giving up on him so he doesn’t get along very well.  We’ll go to him since he won’t be able to go to the reunion.

SOMETHING INTERESTING I READ This BLOG POST AND this follow up BLOG POST over at Debbie Dabble Blog about the disenchantment of blogging is a MUST read if you’re into blogging for yourself and the friends you make along the way and NOT the ads and popularity ratings.  Especially if you just need a reinforcement of why you blog for personal enjoyment.  I really agreed with most ALL of her points.  Reading this also had me readjusting the parties and link ups I participate in (again). 😀

I’M READING Letters across An Open Sea which is the prelude to Ava Miles’ third series, The Merriams – Wild Irish Rose #1. 

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH There really isn’t much on the DVR – we’re getting ready to switch companies around here so we’ve stayed on top of any back-up so as NOT to be disappointed with losing too much on the DVR.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I’m actually getting the Christmas Cacti to bloom yet again this year! I re-potted my mom’s for her and mine had gotten so big I had to split it in two and re-pot it also.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN JALAPENO BITES
TUESDAY – PORK CARNITAS TACOS
WEDNESDAY – ITALIAN CHICKEN & NOODLES
THURSDAY – PINEAPPLE CASHEW CHICKEN & NOODLES
FRIDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – C.O.R.N.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• LEMON BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE CAKE
• CREAM OF CARROT FENNEL SOUP
• EVERY SUNDAY PANCAKES
• CINNAMON ROLL FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
• CAJUN HONEY BUTTER OR HONEY LEMON PEPPER SALMON
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OAT BARSFEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• CARAMEL CHEESE APPLE BREAD
• CHICKEN MARSALA
• SWEET GARLICKY PORK CHOPS

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING!  I hope everyone had as nice a weekend as we did.  The weather was gorgeous and I was able to get a few projects accomplished and a little weeding done as well as the regular chores.  

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – WOW I know it’s a BIG surprise, but it’s raining! LOL 😀  The weekend was GORGEOUS! We even hit 68 most of Saturday.  That’s over though as this morning is gray, cloudy, foggy and rainy too!  I have on Levi’s, a long sleeve Life is Good Tee and flip flops LOL I’m getting my toes done so I’m stuck with those until I get home! 😀

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Having a bit of an issue again so we’re back to baby food. Today is Carrot Apple Pineapple – It’s actually not bad – I love these squeeze packs 😀 Tea is bothering me again so I’m back to hot water instead of tea also.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

• LAUNDRY… just 1 load
  
• LIVING AREAS… dust, vacuum
  
• KITCHEN… deep clean
  
• YARD… fence repairs continue, weeding
  
• BLOG… recipe updating
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… nothing this week
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… errands and groceries today – making a list for the rest of the week
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

I’M READING I just finished the 2nd book in a series that doesn’t have another ready and I probably won’t return to even when they do and had yet to choose a new one – just too tired at night to actually get any reading done.  Then I found one of my favorite series that is a crossover to a 2nd series that I thought had ended has a “transition” book leading to a 3rd new series.  What I love is that even during the dozen books from the first series there were subtle references to this and direct links to the 2nd series.  Her crossovers and seamless and the characters end up blending together so well you sometimes forget which series they belong to.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH There still isn’t a ton to watch, but I did get a few more old movies watched as well as one I’d never even heard of despite the big names in it.

• Rumor Has It – Jennifer Anniston, Shirley McClaine, Kevin Costner, Mark Ruffalo & Kathy Bates
• The Case of the Black Cat – Erle Stanley Gardner – novels
• Larceny Inc. – Edward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman, Broderick Crawford

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I just love OLD barns!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – BROWNED BUTTER HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN
TUESDAY – BACON WRAPPED JALAPENO CHICKEN BITES
WEDNESDAY – CAJUN HONEY BUTTER SALMON
THURSDAY – C.O.R.N.
FRIDAY – PIRI PIRI CHICKEN
SATURDAY – FARMSTYLE MEATLOAF

SUNDAY – C.O.R.N.(Clean OUT refrigerator night)

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• MIMOSA ROAST CHICKEN with CHAMPAGNE GRAVY
• COFFEE POT ROAST
• ROAST TURKEY & WILD RICE SOUP
• BANANA LEMON BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS with SWEET PEPPER SAUCE
• FRIED CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS
• COWBOY GOULASH