Category: HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

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

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 a wonderful week and is ready to jump into this last week of March wit both feet.  I had a good week, but am still a bit under the weather with a couple new issues (low blood pressure coupled with low blood sugar) that make too much activity an issue so have not accomplished as much as I had hoped to.  Here’s hoping this week will be better.  So let’s get right to it.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING  Well it seems that the false spring that sprung last week for a couple days is over.  It started raining again on Friday and the temperature dropped back down so we are cold, damp and dreary again for the most part. I have on Levis, a long sleeve purple t-shirt and gray pops.  I will be adding at least one sweatshirt when I venture out as it is currently in the 40’s with a breeze.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Blueberry bagel and cream cheese with hot water

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

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of t-shirts and jeans
  
• LIVING AREAS… a little dusting and vacuuming
  
• KITCHEN… clean 😀
  
• YARD… fence repairs continue as rain allows
  
• BLOG… a couple recipe updates
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… ???
  
• APPOINTMENTS… a couple doctor follow ups
  
• TO DO… make appointment with primary to discuss new health issues, a little organizing, a couple appointments…
  

ON MY MIND When I was young my grandmother, who was extremely set in her ways, taught me that a load of laundry should never be more than 8 pounds.  Honestly I never really paid attention to her and have done just fine.  I know the concept of weighing laundry sounds really odd and recently I decided to actually look this up and see WHY???  I found this article that will make you tired just reading about all the work our ancestors went through to do a load of laundry!  Evidently the “OLDER” machines manuals would call for weighing the load so you didn’t put a strain on the motor.

And why oh why do grocery checkers and baggers NOT know how to bag groceries??  Twice last week at 2 DIFFERENT stores items they tried to put on the bottom of the bag belonged on the top!  You have to watch with an eagle eye these days to avoid smashed bread, eggs and delicate herbs!  The first time the checker put my Italian parsley and bananas on the bottom of the bag and was going to put the bags of potatoes, onions and oranges on top of those.  I don’t know about you, but I do NOT like bruised bananas or herbs.  Another time the bagger put the eggs and bread in a bag together which was great and then she was going to put a couple gatorades and BAI water bottles on top!

I’M READING I’m trying to get into the current book, but have been trouble reading at night – hopefully this week goes better.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Just a few shows as basketball is playing havoc with the current shows being new.  There is Seal Team from last week and a couple cooking shows.  I did see a couple more “CLASSIC” movies that I’d never seen before.  The most interesting was Lost Horizon about Shahgr-La by Frank Capra (It’s A Wonderful Life) starring Ronald Coleman.

FAVORITE PHOTO Remember that trip I told you we took to get away from the snow a few weeks ago?  We went to the beach for hubby’s birthday and guess what?  It snowed there too 😀 The house faces the ocean.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – Cream of Potato Ham Soup and Buttermilk Biscuits
TUESDAY – C.O.R.N.
WEDNESDAY – Cream of Carrot Fennel Soup and Buttermilk Biscuits
THURSDAY – Lasagna with Bolognese Meat Sauce
FRIDAY – Roast Turkey & Wild Rice Soup & Garlic Toast
SATURDAY – Chicken Fried Chicken with Peppered Gravy
SUNDAY – Tropical Glazed Pork Tenderloin and Asparagus

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP
• LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN
• CINNAMON BUTTER MONKEY ROLLS
• BUTTER DIP BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
• CREAM OF POTATO HAM SOUP
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

BLACK EYED PEA CHILI
TANGERINE MARMALADE
GRANS BUTTER CRACKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE

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?  Mine was pretty nice.  We even got out for a nice drive and walk on Saturday where we were able to see more of the local side roads and the true impact of the amount of trees that came down during our #TheNightTheLightsWentOutInOregon storm 3 weeks ago – let’s just say road crews will have work for months to come just cleaning up the downed trees.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s going to be a BEAUTIFUL day!  No rain predicted until later in the week.   Right now temperatures are going to get to 60-65 mid day for the next couple days (I know it says 74, but it will never happen) and then drop into the low 50’s with the storm due to roll in Wednesdayish.  Right now I’m wearing Levis, 3/4 sleeve t-shirt and POPs on my way out the door to an early appointment.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Green tea, banana and yogurt with wild blueberries and granola

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

• LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of sheets and towels
  
• LIVING AREAS… vacuuming and dusting
  
• KITCHEN… empty dishwasher, recipe prep
  
• YARD… Fence repairs continue
  
• BLOG… a couple recipe updates, edit trip photos
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… ??
  
• APPOINTMENTS… some blood work, a couple doctor follow ups
  
• TO DO… cable research to change providers, project research
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY Spring appears to actually be thinking about making an appearance this week, but I’m watching it closely as the temperatures are forecasted to take a 10-15 degree dip with the storm moving in later this week.  LOL 😀 This past week has been gorgeous from about 11am to 4pm 😀  We took a drive on Saturday morning and it was wonderful to see all the daffodils and tulips starting to pop up though it was ironic to see it happening right next to the piles of still melting snow.

I’M READING Healing You Book #2 in the Maple Grove series by Katana Collins

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH  There are a few new shoes starting like Proven Innocent, the Spring cooking/baking competitions and the adorable kids on Master Chef Jr.

We did watch an interesting Band of Brothers style movie on Netflix called Triple Frontier with Ben Affleck.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I’ve always loved this neat old farmhouse that sits on a hill in a neighboring town.  It’s hard to see, but it has a 3 sided wrap around porch  on the front and then on the back side is a nice sun room with BIG windows that opens onto a really nice deck.  I LOVE <3 all of the gingerbread trimmings and simple paint scheme.

I think that after witnessing the damage done when a LARGE tree fell splintering picnic tables at the Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park that we can truly answer the age old question of whether or not a tree makes a noise in the forest when it falls if no one is there to hear it.  I have to say that I COULD hear the tree falling in my head as I took the pictures. Here is the link to the overall post I wrote with pictures.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP with BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
TUESDAY – BLACK BEAN, BEEF & POTATO BURRITOS
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN JALAPENO BITES & SALAD
FRIDAY – CAJUN HONEY BUTTER SALMON
SATURDAY – PIRI PIRI CHICKEN
SUNDAY –BROWNED BUTTER HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BRAISED SHORT RIBS
• CREAM OF TOMATO CHICKEN RICE
• APPLE BREAD PUDDING
• COWBOY SMOOCHES
• LOADED GARLIC BREAD
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• STICKY GLAZED PORK CHOPS
• CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN
• HONEY ROSEMARY ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
  

 

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!  We had a lazy weekend here other than the laundry and the deep clean I did to catch up after Snowmageddon and the trip we took after to get away.  We take trips instead of presents for our birthdays and hubby had a significant birthday last week so we took off for the beach to get away after the stressful power outage snow week. Unfortunately, we came back from that trip needing a rest.  I’m hoping to edit the pictures from that trip this week and get a post done this week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE  It’s still a bit foggy and gray, but supposedly it will get sunny today. The snow from SNOWMAGEDDON 2019 should finish melting today with that sun!  There are even a couple days predicted to be in the 60’s this week LOL 😀 we will see if they actually materialize though!  The weather seems to change way too fast lately and the forecast is only about 10% reliable.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE A cup of hot water, banana and mixed berry yogurt.

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

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up
  
• LIVING AREAS… clean and tidy
  
• KITCHEN… empty dishwasher
  
• YARD… too soggy, fence repairs
  
• BLOG… a couple recipe updates, trip posts after some photo editing
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… ??
• APPOINTMENTS… some new blood work
  
• TO DO… groceries, errands…
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

2017 was a rough year.  My MIL passed away on the 7th and it was difficult to process. Mom was only 4 days shy of her 97th birthday so doing the math, today would have been her 99th birthday.  Can you believe she was almost 90 in this picture taken at a family camp out several years ago? She lived a VERY FULL and mostly happy life leaving behind a long legacy of love and family.  While at that age you know it’s natural causes and inevitable, it never lessens the severity of the impact and we still miss her, A LOT!  She had been saying for years that she was ready to go, but we just never wanted it to happen. Just knowing I’ll never be able to hear her sweet voice again still leaves me with a heavy heart.

Then on the 21st my favorite BIL, Ray, entered hospice as his cancer continued to eat away at his body.  He passed quietly surrounded by family on the 25th.  Ray was one of the best men I have EVER known in my entire life. I LOVED talking to him for hours – we have so many beliefs and ideals in common, almost like we shared the same thought process despite the HUGE age difference (hubby is almost 20 years older than me and his sister is 7 years older than him and my BIL was 3 years older than her – you get the picture). He also lived a VERY FULL and happy life also leaving behind a long legacy of love and family.

His death hit me the hardest.  I think because we were so close and were both diagnosed with reproductive cancers within weeks of each other. He did everything right, just a bit too late for when his was diagnosed. I have had to struggle with moving past the Survivor’s Guilt of a high mortality cancer for the past 8 years and 99% of the time I’m doing well with it, I just wish he was walking that same path with me!

I REALLY MISS THEM BOTH!  MARCH IS ALWAYS A DIFFICULT MONTH.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – TURKEY & RICE SOUP with BISCUITS
TUESDAY – TOMATO BISQUE with PARMESAN CRISPS
WEDNESDAY – CHICKEN & NOODLE SOUP with BUTTERED CROUTONS
THURSDAY – CREAM OF POTATO and HAM SOUP with CORN BREAD
FRIDAY – C.O.R.N.
SATURDAY – LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN & SALAD
SUNDAY – COWBOY GOULASH 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CHICKEN & CHEESE ENCHILADAS
• HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE
• APPLE CHEDDAR SLAB PIE
• APPLE STREUSEL SLAB PIE

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• CARAMELIZED FRENCH ONION CHICKEN
• STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD with BACON VINAIGRETTE
• PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CUPS

 

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 So last week did NOT go as planned.  In fact it was COMPLETELY the opposite!  I’m calling it the 2019 Snowpocalypse, “Black & White” outage of 2019 or better yet 2019 Snowmageddon.  Ironically on Sunday evening last week I had posted this to facebook:

Snow had started gently and exceptionally pretty on Saturday and then several hours later this happened:

and then a 3 day power outage came along on Sunday during while it continued to snow along with 4 days with no heat, no internet or no TV and even after it came back it wasn’t reliable.  LOL 😀 when the power, internet and TV came back on Verizon  and AT&T cell towers then went out for several days and we could no longer even text to next door or use cell phones.  At 5 days we still couldn’t leave the house and ONLY because of the STUPID way this cul de sac was built!  It slopes down with IMPROPER drainage so ALL the slush ends up in front of the driveway forming a wonderful ice sheet even after the snow begins to melt that makes traction impossible!  Thank goodness we had just gotten new tires on my car.  We would have used hubby’s 4 wheel drive truck, but it’s diesel that needs the block plugged in when it’s under 40 degrees or it won’t start, so with no power that wasn’t an option either!  

This is a screenshot picture I took from a local story showing just a single highway not too far from us (yep, there’s a major road under all those trees) that is closed indefinitely (at least 3 weeks) while they clean up all the fallen trees.  They are BIG trees too.  The interstate was even closed for the same reason in several places. My theory, which of course is just my opinion, is that the ground was just so saturated from all the rain we’d been having and then these trees became laden down with ALL that snow, ALL at once and literally just started “tipping” over.

The worst part was losing ALL the food in the refrigerator and freezer.  That is going to cost a small fortune to replace.  At one point it was warmer in the refrigerator than in the house!

ALL that said we are blessed to be warm again while so many are still having issues during this horrific winter!  FORTUNATELY for HHM last week I had just finished last week’s post and scheduled it for Monday morning.  However it will take me all of this next week to catch up visiting everyone for 2 weeks worth of posts!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING Gray, cloudy and there is still white stuff everywhere.   Night time lows are still in the 20’s and 30’s and days are getting into the high 30’s and low 40’s sometimes for an hour or two 😀 I have on Levis , long sleeve t-shirt and comfy lightweight sweatshirt.  Last week’s forecast wasn’t originally bad… until it was so when I saw this pesky white stuff in this week’s I cringed A LOT 😀 I really like snow and don’t mind it, but I am fearful of another power outage since the whole thing isn’t even completely up yet!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE I’ll have hot lemon water and a banana after my fasting bloodwork.

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

• LAUNDRY…still playing catch up from last week
  
• LIVING AREAS…needs a deep clean from last week
  
• KITCHEN…needs a deep clean from last week
  
• YARD…nothing as it is soggier than ever!
  
• BLOG…not sure yet
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS…nothing this week
  
• APPOINTMENTS…dentist and reschedule appointments from last week that were cancelled due to the “BLACK & WHITE” outage last week.
  
• TO DO… BIG grocery shop
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY power, warmth… praying for all those still impacted by the flooding in California and the south and ALL the snowy cold areas in the rest of the country, especially those with power and heat problems.

I’M READING I did get a ton of reading done during the outage so not sure what is on the list yet for this week.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Will try and watch ON DEMANDS for the shows we missed last week, but lost ALL the DVR shows during the outage.  Once the power did come on and we were stuck in the house with no internet or cable, we were fortunate to have a neighbor that had a vast DVD collection so we watched a BUNCH of movies.  I didn’t realize how many movies I had never seen! Here are the ones I can remember.

• Spy Game with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford
• THOR 1, 2 & 3 with Chris Hemsworth and Anthony Hopkins
• The Prestige with Michael Caine and Hugh Jackman
• The Kingdom with Jamie Foxx and  Jennifer Garner
• The Town with Ben Affleck and Jon Hamm
• Man on Fire with Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA WOW there are several actually, but I’ll just pick a few 😀 The rest of the pictures can be found here 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY – LOADED GARLIC BREAD & PINEAPPLE CHEESE PIE
TUESDAY – BRAISED SHORT RIBS with MASHED POTATOES & SESAME SNOW PEAS
WEDNESDAY – PIRI PIRI CHICKEN
THURSDAY – SLOW ROASTED HONEY GLAZED PORK
FRIDAY – GRILLED SWORDFISH with LEMON BASTING SAUCE
SATURDAY – BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN JALAPENO BITES & APPLE BREAD PUDDING
SUNDAY – ROPA VIEJA

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• SWEET GARLICKY PORK CHOPS 
• CAJUN BARRAMUNDI & REMOULADE SAUCE 
• COWBOY GOULASH
• VEGGIE CHEDDAR SOUP / BISQUE

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead next weekend!