HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY – Page 3 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 20 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.138

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Monday morning was spent fighting with the first exhaust fan! You have to love (or really hate) builders sometimes! The fan was put in from below BEFORE the ceiling and whoever installed it obviously didn’t care whether or not it was ever going to need to be replaced one day. Mind you this was an area with ZERO attic access also. The installation screws were angled downward AND stripped! A downward angle means that when they then installed the ceiling they were now inaccessible without breaking out drywall and doing major repair so we spent the better part of 2 hours prying the old unit out of the joists as gently as possible. It only took 20 minutes to install the new one! Of course the ventilation size on the new ones was an inch larger so we did have to adapt from the original 3 inch to the new 4 inch. Where there’s a will, there’s a way! I gre up watching MacGeyver LOL 😀 and hubby says I’m the female version!

Most of Tuesday was spent at the VA dealing with hubby’s change in doctors and meeting a new team. We then did Taco Tuesday and came home so I could get the BBQ sauce done for Sunday’s competition.

Wednesday was a repeat of Monday except worse, because of the tight quarters in the attic! I spent over an hour in a face mask up in the attic working on breaking the housing loose from the screws with a pry bar. We also found that the drywall had been weirdly pieced in above the laundry room and was already broken from the top side so it will require much more repair. But, MacGeyver won again as we were able to reinforce the fan area from in the attic making it only a cosmetic repair from the laundry room side. We were about to get cleaned up when our friend and neighbor suggested we share a load of mulch/bark for the front yards that he was about to go get. Since we were already hot and sweaty it seemed like the prudent thing to do so we didn’t have to haul the individual bags next week.

Thursday was also a busy day. I got the car washed, did the shopping for the Eagles, the OFFYCE, myself for the BBQ needs and got a pedicure before I came home to deep clean the laundry room and .

Friday was spent helping my bestie set things up for the Eagle’s yard sale that corresponded with our neighbor town’s ALL CITY WIDE garage sale on Saturday. After that was done I came home to make the BBQ MAC & CHEESE, assemble the parts for the BBQ BAKED BEANS, smoke the cream cheese and make the BBQ CHEESECAKE for Sunday’s entries for the BBQ.

Saturday was the actual garage sale and it went really well considering the weather took a nosedive and became cold, windy and rainy. The rain and wind were inconsistent making it a wet and LONG day!!!! . In the afternoon I made the Blackberry Jalapeno jam for the Brisket on a Biscuits we were entering in the BBQ competition as well as the pans of biscuits. I started the slow cooker of beans for the competition and let them go through the night to enhance the flavors.

Sunday was FINALLY the BBQ and we had such a good time. The weather had turned quite cool on Friday afternoon and Saturday was downright cold. It stayed VERY cloudy and cool through the BBQ and the wind kicked up, but it’s the Pacific North West so we roll with the punches, ESPECIALLY in May! We have a wonderful OFFYCE team made up of Siana, one of my besties, her daughter Hetaher and son-in-law Tony along with my book club bestie Nicole, her hubby Dan as well as my hubby and I. Dan took 1st in one of the beef categories for his Carne Asada Meatballs, but Nicole gets the credit since it was her idea!!!! Dan’s brisket was the bomb also, Tony’s burnt ends rocked and Heather’s Pig Shots were so yummy!!!!😋 My BBQ Baked Beans were pretty yummy too! The 1st place aprons this year were so tiny too!! We talked about framing his for the wall since it’s too small for him to actually wear.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Our lows are still in the low 40’s and the weatherman say we’re going to be in the 70’s, but after last week I’mm taking it one day at a time! May weather seems to be changing on the drop of a hat these days! I pulled a few hoodies back out and am keeping layers handy.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Pretty caught up, but I’m still trying to the stains out of the jeans I wore in the attic last week 🙁 I had cut my arm and got blood on them that just won’t come out!!!!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS Wednesday will be shopping day for us, the Eagles and the OFFYCE.
APPOINTMENTS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Thursday will be a long day at the VA again for hubby.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING
DVR/TV
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY completed projects… organized and clean dresser drawers… books that draw me into their world… the feel of fresh sheets…

READING TIME

The book club that my girlfriend and I belonged to died a natural death and we decided to start our “own” two person club. We’ve read Books #1 & #2, EVERYTHING WE KEEP and EVERYTHING WE LEFT BEHIND and are about to start the last book #3, EVERYTHING WE GIVE.

“Award-winning photographer Ian Collins made only one mistake in life, but it cost his mother her freedom and destroyed their family, leaving Ian to practically raise himself. For years he’s been estranged from his father, and his mother has lived off the grid. For just as long, he has searched for her.

Now, Ian seemingly has it all—national recognition for his photographs; his loving wife, Aimee; and their adoring daughter, Caty. Only two things elude him: a feature in National Geographic and finding his mother. When the prized magazine offers him his dream project on the same day that Aimee’s ex-fiancé, James, returns bearing a message for Ian but putting a strain on his marriage, Ian must make a choice: chase after a coveted assignment or reconnect with a mysterious woman who might hold the key to putting his past to rest. But the stakes are high, because Ian could lose the one thing he holds most dear: his family.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – these days it is generally a few sips of coffee and a fruit yogurt 😀

	5/18 MONDAY	5/19 TUESDAY	5/20 WEDNESDAY	5/21 THURSDAY	5/22 FRIDAY	5/23 SATURDAY	5/24 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN ORECCHIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE	OLD SOUTH PORK LOIN with GLAZED CARROTS AND BABY POTATOES	MEATBALL PARMIGIANO with BAKED TOMATO BASIL ORZO	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BAKED PORK CHOPS with NUTTY BROCCOLI GRATINS
DESSERT		STICKY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

The BBQ went wonderfully and we raised A LOT of money for the Children’s Foundation! We just started participating last year. Someone took the group shots, but they haven’t made it my way yet 🙂 These are from my phone – In order they are this year’s winning apron, last year’s winning apron, my BBQ cheesecakes, Dan & his apron, Diana and her guys, judging rules, Heater and Tony and Heather in her familiar stance 🙂

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CAJUN COLA GLAZED PORK LOIN
SLOW COOKED BROWN SUGAR CORNED BEEF
PINEAPPLE PEACH OR CHERRY BREAD PUDDING

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

MEATBALL SOUP
CIDER BRAISED BEEF BRISKET
ENCHIRITOS aka SMOTHERED DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
SWEET CHILI GLAZED CHICKEN SLIDERS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 19 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.131

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Good morning dear friends. I hope you had a blessed and beautiful Mother’s Day! I cooked for mom and 2 of her friends while they watched The Devil Wears Prada from 2006 to prepare themselves to see the sequel 🙂 I made BBQ ribs, BBQ baked beans, Four Winds Coleslaw and Strawberry Lemon Delight. Dessert was a HUGE hit. I’ll be posting that recipe soon.

Last week was busy, but good for me. I met with an elderly friend’s restoration contractor on Monday, had a wonderful Taco Tuesday at the Offyce for Cinco de Mayo (they even ran out of meat long before the dinner hour was over)! I got my hair cut and did the shopping for the Eagle’s Bar also on Wednesday. I took an older friend out for a Mother’s Day lunch on Thursday. We were able to get the sprinklers going for the season with minimal effort. I deep cleaned the storage garage on Friday morning and did a run to drop off donations and recycling. And of course there was the ALL member’s meeting at the Eagles on Friday evening that could have been better. We are not losing our charter, but it really doesn’t look like much will change 🙁

Saturday hubby and I did some hardware store runs to get what we need to replace the 2 different exhaust fans that went out a week apart. What are the odds that they would BOTH go out within a week? We picked up the few groceries I need for this week’s menu, ran past the Farm Stand to pick up the veggies needed for the fresh slaw I made yesterday and we finished the afternoon with BBQ brisket sammies and onion rings at a favorite brewery with Burgers & Q food truck. Not sure about everywhere else, but around here the breweries team up with food trucks and have a rotating schedule of trucks that provide the eats.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This will be another beautiful week of low 70’s for highs and low 40’s for lows with LOTS of sunshine! I don’t want to jinx anything, but we are so far behind in rain this year and really need it as we approach a hot summer. I pray that with the drought we DON’T have a high wild fire year! My veggie starts are LOVING this warmer weather though! I planted 3 kinds of tomatoes, 4 kinds of cucumbers (all of which mature at different times), carrots, zucchini, snap peas and Walla Walla onions.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of jeans and delicates to do and there will be A LOT of clean up to do after we do both of the exhaust fans because we have cut new holes in the ceiling drywall.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a pedicure on Thursday.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS Saturday is the Eagle’s yard sale planned to coordinate with the next city’s citywide garage sale day. One of the main routes to that city literally is up our road. My friend is chairing it and needs my help on Friday and Saturday.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned through this week. I need to start deciding on the rest of the month and June.
DVR/TV I’ve been watching 24 in 24 and BBQ Brawl started last night, I’m also watching THE WAY HOME on Hallmark along with Hope Valley and binging DROP DEAD DIVA and NCIS early years.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fresh growth on my veggie starts, purring cats, clean yards, completed projects, purging unwanted items…

READING TIME

The book club that my girlfriend and I belonged to died a natural death and we decided to start our “own” 2 person club. We just finished reading EVERYTHING WE KEEP by Kerry Lonsdale. Yesterday we started book #2 EVERYTHING WE LEFT BEHIND.

“From the bestselling author of Everything We Keep comes the highly anticipated sequel. Told from one man’s two perspectives, Everything We Left Behind effortlessly blends suspense, mystery, and romance in an exploration of loss, resilience, and the compelling need to protect the ones we love at all cost.

Two months before his wedding, financial executive James Donato chased his trade-laundering brother Phil to Mexico, only to be lost at sea and presumed dead. Six and a half years later, he emerges from a dissociative fugue state to find he’s been living in Oaxaca as artist Carlos Dominguez, widower and father of two sons, with his sister-in-law Natalya Hayes, a retired professional surfer, helping to keep his life afloat. But his fiancée, Aimee Tierney, the love of his life, has moved on. She’s married and has a child of her own.

Devastated, James and his sons return to California. But Phil is scheduled for release from prison, and he’s determined to find James, who witnessed something in Mexico that could land Phil back in confinement. Under mounting family pressure, James flees with his sons to Kauai, seeking refuge with Natalya. As James begins to unravel the mystery of his fractured identity, danger is never far behind, and Natalya may be the only person he can trust.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	5/11 MONDAY TRIVIA & MEETING NIGHT	5/12 TUESDAY TACO TUESDAY	5/13 WEDNESDAY	5/14 THURSDAY	5/15 FRIDAY	5/16 SATURDAY	5/17 SUNDAY BBQ COMPETITION DAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN POTATO PIE	CHICKEN ORECCHIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE	MEATLOAF & CORN SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT			HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

On Saturday we took the back roads into town and it was a beautiful day. I captured two of my favorite barns that are not long for this world. And my friend Lu gave me this adorable thyme plant that is growing like a weed!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

MEATBALL SOUP
CIDER BRAISED BEEF BRISKET
ENCHIRITOS aka SMOTHERED DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
SWEET CHILI GLAZED CHICKEN SLIDERS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPE LINKS week 18 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.124

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

How is it that we’re in May already and we’re half way through Spring? I really am trying to find ways to slow things down and enjoy life more. I had to make multiple trips into town last week trying to accomplish several Eagle’s tasks.

On Friday we went to a BBQ at a friend’s house and then on Saturday went to the Farmer’s Market, Butcher and grocery store before having a nice lunch out. After we got home Saturday I spent 8 hours prepping the jam for yesterday’s fundraiser breakfast, the BBQ sauce for the upcoming BBQ competition, cupcakes for Tuesday’s Cinco de Mayo at a friend’s bar and grill. Sunday was the fundraiser breakfast in the morning and relaxing with NASCAR in the afternoon and catching up on some DVR shows in the evening.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re going to FINALLY and consistently be in the low 70’s this week with lows in the upper 40’s. There will be some cloud cover which will keep the mornings cool with the highs happening around sunset. This will be a good week for my veggie starters to get their roots.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING The laundry WAS all done… yesterday… 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a haircut on Wednesday morning when I’ll also do the Eagle’s shopping and my friends Bar & Grill shopping.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m just planning a few recipes a week for now and doing more CORN/YOYO nights as our schedule is so busy.
DVR/TV I have just a couple Christmas movies left to finish and some food network shows.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY new plant starts starting to grow… successful new recipes… majestic sunsets… fluffy kittens…
ON MY MIND There’s an ALL member meeting on Friday night with the state representative that will probably determine the fate of the charter.

READING TIME

The book club that my girlfriend and I belonged to seems to have died a natural death. We decided to start our “own” 2 person club. We’re reading EVERYTHING WE KEEP by Kerry Lonsdale. I say we’re reading, but I’m starting today and she’s just about finished LOL It’s a 3 book series so I need to get going! 🙂

EVERYTHING WE KEEP ~ “A luminous debut with unexpected twists, Everything We Keep explores the devastation of loss, the euphoria of finding love again, and the pulse-racing repercussions of discovering the truth about the ones we hold dear and the lengths they will go to protect us.

Sous chef Aimee Tierney has the perfect recipe for the perfect life: marry her childhood sweetheart, raise a family, and buy out her parents’ restaurant. But when her fiancé, James Donato, vanishes in a boating accident, her well-baked future is swept out to sea. Instead of walking down the aisle on their wedding day, Aimee is at James’s funeral—a funeral that leaves her more unsettled than at peace.

As Aimee struggles to reconstruct her life, she delves deeper into James’s disappearance. What she uncovers is an ocean of secrets that make her question everything about the life they built together. And just below the surface is a truth that may set Aimee free…or shatter her forever.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	5/4 MONDAY TRIVIA NIGHT	5/5 TUESDAY TACO TUESDAY	5/6 WEDNESDAY	5/7 THURSDAY	5/8 FRIDAY	5/9 SATURDAY	5/10 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CAESAR SALAD PARMESAN BOWL	OUT after ALL member meeting	MISO CHICKEN & SLAW	CHICKEN ORECCHIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE
DESSERT	CHOCOLATE CHILI CUPCAKES for CINCO de MAYO @ TACO TUESDAY	HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

We were able to Feng Shui the backyard last week with all the wonderful weather. I was able to clean up all the vegetable beds and get them prepped for this year. I did a ton of weeding and pruning also. Fresh flowers have been planted for spring along with all the seedlings for the garden. I planted 3 types of tomatoes, 4 types of cucumbers, carrots, onions, snap peas and zucchini.

Hubby was able to get the new hose reel hung to make sprinkling everything easier until he get all the misters and individual water systems up and running.

Photos this week are of the planting updates, yesterday’s Bloody Mary sample for the Mercy Foundation Fundraiser breakfast we had to kick off the BBQ competition coming up on the 17th and the beautiful majestic sunset last night. Oh and the bees are back and loving the azaleas! 🙂

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

PUB ROAST
ORANGE GLAZED MEATBALLS
CHICKEN PARMESAN SLIDER BAKE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPES & MENU week 17 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.117

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

OH MY, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’S THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL??? I want this world to slow down!!!!!

Last week was a culmination of things coming to a head at the Eagles. I had to get the newsletter prepped and ready to mail in 2 days time with a special letter to members for a meeting on May 8th that will determine A LOT of things, starting with whether we keep our charter or not. To me it looks like we are going to lose our charter and I’m actually not as sad about that as you would think. In a weird way I’m okay with that. I’m so over the drama. I’m more upset by the amount of time I’ve tried to help keep things afloat and others have just laughed it all off. There is such a small handful of the 350+ members that have stepped up to do ANYTHING to help keep the place running and the doors open. Most treat it as a social club only.

I will be looking for other service projects to fill my time.

Hubby and I went to a painting class on Thursday night, but it had been canceled. She felt so bad that she hadn’t contacted me to keep us from driving so far that offered me a free class on Friday that I enjoyed! I do need to finish some of the top flowers, but am pretty happy with it.

We took a spontaneous trip to the coast on Saturday to meet up with our neighbors for lunch and gallery browsing. They had taken their trailer up for the weekend to attend their grandson’s invitational track meet. The hubby’s got a kick out of us driving 80 miles to visit with friends that live 200 feet away 🙂

Sunday was very relaxed and I got a lot done clearing my desk, laundry that had piled up the past week, prep for this week’s recipes…

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

I sure hope the weather forecaster got this week right!! Highs in the mid 60’s and lows in the low 40’s and partly cloudy will make it the perfect week to get the garden started. We have A LOT of clean up and organization to do that will take some serious time so we can get the new top soil in.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING WHEW I did 7 loads yesterday! Usually I do a load every other day, but it’s been SOOOOOOOO busy this past week it built up – especially since I’m still wearing multiple layers of tops and flannels, 🙂
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I will be going for us on Friday, but will do Costco on Wednesday for the Offyce and groceries for the Eagle’s bar.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re starting to plan a BIG trip for late June, but are also planning a small trip for the coast in late May.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned for the next 3 weeks, but my girlfriend gave me a new cookbook with vintage Ellis Island recipes in it that I’m researching to do soon.
DVR/TV 24 in 24 started last night. I still have a couple taped HALLMARK MOVIES to get through as well as a HOPE VALLEY episode and a couple THE WAY HOME.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY warm toes… purring kitties… fluffy clouds… empty laundry baskets, like that every happens ∞…

READING TIME

I’ve been falling asleep quickly and haven’t had time to read even in the evenings so…

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	4/27 MONDAY	4/28 TUESDAY	4/29 WEDNESDAY	4/30 THURSDAY	5/1 FRIDAY	5/2 SATURDAY	5/3 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MEATBALLS & BEAN BREAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BBQ at a friend’s house I’m taking Macaroni Salad	CHEESY PIZZA ROLLS & SALAD	CHILI BALLS & FRENCH ONION AU GRATIN POTATOES
DESSERT			BANANA BREAD CINNAMON ROLLS		HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s pictures are some of my favorite barns that have been collapsing year after year. A burned copper piece I found at a favorite gallery and a hand carved nativity I found at the kitchen store of all places. I found both pieces on our spontaneous coast excursion.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

BAKED CARROT CASSEROLE
CRISPY EDGE BAKED MAC & CHEESE
CORN CHILE CHICKEN RELLENO SOUFFLE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

I didn’t even have time last week to get link ups done so I’ll try it again this week. 🙂

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 16 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.110

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN!

On Saturday we went to the Farmer’s Market and couldn’t find a thing on my list. I ended up at the butcher and Farm Stand instead. Then we went to lunch at a favorite brewery for pizza and beers – well hubby had beer 🙂

I have to wonder if it will always feel like this! I spent most of Sunday doing some organizing and sorting for donation and getting back on track to get caught up on blogs, hopefully by tonight 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weekend was pretty nice, actual shirt sleeve weather, but that was seriously short lived. We’re back to cooler weather and rain to begin the week. Temps will be in the low 50’s during the day and high 30’s and low 40’s at night.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a load of towels as well as hubby’s stuff.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS not much other than a pedicure and my normal shopping this week…
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m starting on a new pile of recipes to sort through…
DVR/TV We watched the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM trilogy on Saturday night. And we started binge watching DROP DEAD DIVA after we finished YOUNG SHELDON as we go to sleep at night.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY spring baby animals… beautiful spring blooms… fluffy clouds in a beautiful spring sky… clear evenings where you can see all the stars…

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	4/20 MONDAY	4/21 TUESDAY	4/22 WEDNESDAY	4/23 THURSDAY	4/24 FRIDAY	4/25 SATURDAY	4/26 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own TRIVIA begins at 6PM	MEATBALL SALAD & BEAN BREAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	DATE NIGHT RE-DO dinner and sail boat painting	CHICKEN DIP SANDWICHES & COLESLAW	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	SWISS STEAK & ALFREDO CORN
DESSERT		LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are a bit of a revival for a couple days of the warmer weekend weather and of the new goslings at the pond. Aren’t they adorable?

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CHEESEBURGER WRAPS
BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC & CHEESE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 15 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.103

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN and you know the old saying, Best laid plans of mice and men… well our week didn’t go as planned (fortunately we are good at pivoting…) and we did still go out to eat that day, but painting class didn’t happen.We split a Cara Cara salad with a Champagne Vinaigrette and a seasonal cheese board with FRESH made fig jam that were both absolutely delicious.

We’ve rescheduled painting class for another class, but unfortunately the lighthouse is no longer an option so hubby chose the sailboat sunset.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Shorts, AC and flip flops for Easter last Sunday. Layers, hoodies and Furnace for this Sunday. Cold and rainy again this week. Spring is strange around here 🙂 A lot of cloudy and rainy days with highs in the low 50’s this week and lows in the 30’s and 40’s.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING & YARD Laundry is up to date. I’m starting to clean out older clothes for donation and am working on a supply list for updating garden beds that desperately need repairs. I have bought some garden starters (Tomatoes – grape, cherry and celebrity, snap peas, carrots and cucumbers. They are under the patio cover for protection from the unpredictable weather. I only buy the Peoria Farms starters and because we’re rural you have to buy them when they are available whether it’s time to plant yet or not.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I need a bit of produce, some string cheese and not much else this week. There are appointments almost every day this week though and a couple are over an hour away 🙁
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Planned through April, but like always it may get changed up based on produce availability.
DVR/TV I’m finally working my way through the Christmas movies and can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY completed lists… spring cleaning… fresh garden plantings… spring blooms… dinner and a play with a good friend this week…

READING TIME

I STILL didn’t have a chance to do any reading last week. I Kept falling asleep before finishing a paragraph!! Unfortunately I haven’t been STAYING asleep!

I did start Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye and I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but now I’m also looking for a secondary read as I’m not always in the mood for a heavier topical historical read late at night. I’m leaning towards ACRIMONIOUS by Marie Force.

FUNNIES

Shorts, AC and flip flops for Easter last Sunday. Layers, hoodies and Furnace for this Sunday.

MENU PLANS

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

	4/13 MONDAY	4/14 TUESDAY	4/15 WEDNESDAY	4/16 THURSDAY	4/17 FRIDAY	4/18 SATURDAY	4/19 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN PARMESAN BALLS, REFER PICKLES which are just refrigerator cucumbers and onions 🙂	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MEATLOAF, MASHED POTATOES and ALFREDO CORN	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN SHEPHERD’S PIE	MONTE CRISTO ROLLS
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are my German Bearded Irises from last week. Unfortunately the cold returned and they didn’t get to finish blooming 🙁 and the flowers my friend brought by my friend for Easter that have FINALLY opened. Every other photo was of food for upcoming recipes.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE
BUTTERMILK CHICKEN CORN PASTA
GARLIC BUTTER BANG BANG STEAK BITES
SAGE BROWN BUTTER LEMON CHICKEN PASTA

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY and MENU and RECIPE LINKS ~ week 14 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.96

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN and had so many errands to get ready for Easter yesterday. I hope you all had a very blessed and family oriented Easter Sunday. My week was full of A LOT of little errands and appointments that took up A LOT of time ~ so much so that the week was over before I knew it. This week will be a chance to regroup. 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Weather underground says 146 million people are about to experience below average temperatures. We’re not included in that number, at least not this week. We’re supposed to be sunny and around 70 this week – at least until Saturday when we drop back down into the 50’s and 60’s with rain.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have just a couple of loads to get done ~ towels, bedding and denims.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I went to the farmer’s market for produce on Saturday, but do need to pick up a couple cuts of meat this week for the menu.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned through April.
DVR/TV A couple of cooking shows and old movies to keep emptying out the DVR.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY finishing a good book and longing for the next… spring cleaning and simplifying… comfy old jeans… trying a new recipe that is more than successful than I originally planned… spring blooms popping up everywhere…

READING TIME

I didn’t have a chance to do any reading last week. I started Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but I’m also looking for a secondary read as I’m not always in the mood for a heavier topical historical read late at night. I’m leaning towards ACRIMONIOUS by Marie Force.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	4/6 MONDAY	4/7 TUESDAY	4/8 WEDNESDAY	4/9 THURSDAY	4/10 FRIDAY	4/11 SATURDAY	4/12 SUNDAY
DINNER	TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	TACO TUESDAY CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STEAK PIZZAIOLA & COLESLAW	DATE NIGHT dinner at TRUE KITCHEN and CREATE & SIP	CREOLE DAUB & SALAD	SWISS CHICKEN SUPREME & ROASTED CARROTS
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are from a visit to the Peacock Ranch.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

GARLIC PARMESAN SALISBURY STEAK
ORIGINAL MARRY ME CHICKEN aka HERBED SUN-DRIED TOMATO CHICKEN

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 13 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.89

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN. Why is it that I now have more time, but don’t seem to be getting caught up? LOL 🙂 On top of that can you believe we are ALREADY 25% through this year??? How the heck did that happen?

Monday I was able to get my shopping done quickly and efficiently. I love that I no longer try to cram it in with all the other shopping for the Eagles and the Offyce, but I do have to make 2 separate trips to town. We did Monday night Trivia like normal last week and we won 1st place!!! That win bumped us up into 2nd place for the league this season!!

Tuesdays almost always start with and are dedicated to Taco Tuesday with friends. I also get the local and “odd” errands done on Tuesdays like dropping off donations and such.

Thursday was spent waiting around for the new roofer to come do the inspection. When we finally got a hold of him, he had “forgotten” making the appointment (his appointment was between 12-1 and we finally got a hold of him at 3PM) and hepromised to be out first thing Friday, which he was, but I was not entirely impressed or happy because I lost most of Thursday waiting for him 🙁 Unfortunately in a small town there aren’t always many options!

Most of Friday was spent at the VA dealing with “their” screw up on a prescription that of course they tried to turn around and make our fault. Fortunately, I keep very precise records and they lost the fight, but it took us all day to get it fixed!!

I did get the pantry cleaned out and the laundry room deep cleaned on Saturday after we watched a corn hole tournament and went out for a pizza lunch. Sunday was brunch with friends, watching NASCAR, catching up on cooking shows and making a new Roast Lemon Chicken Recipe on a lazy Sunday. I realized the difference between a Saturday and a Sunday is basically 10,000 steps 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather has been ALL over the place. Last week we went from thinking about using the air conditioning on some days to thinking about putting the electric mattress pad back on the bed. This week will be highs around 50° with lows in the 30°s and an inch or 2 of rain towards the end of the week. We have also been having some really cool breezes that chill even the warmest sunny days.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I was able to do all the laundry (not that it’s ever really done) over the weekend.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS the new roofer will be here sometime today to do some re-installation on the only 6 year old roof. The company who did the original installation did a horrible job and there have been repetitive problems to fix. They have also now gone out of business and have several pending lawsuits 🙁 After he leaves I’ll go do my shopping for Easter supplies. I’ll do the Eagle’s bar and the OFFYCE shopping on Wednesday.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Not much this week.
DVR/TV LOL 🙂 STILL trying to clean out Christmas from the DVR, TOC season 7, ULTIMATE Baking…
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY deep cleaning and organizing… being adopted by friendly stray animals…successful and satisfying new recipes that make everyone at the table smile… laughing kids playing outside… curling up with a cozy book and blanket on a rainy day…

READING TIME

I started Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but I’m also looking for a secondary read as I’m not always in the mood for a heavier topical historical read late at night. I’m leaning towards ACRIMONIOUS by Marie Force.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	3/30 MONDAY	3/31 TUESDAY	4/1 WEDNESDAY	4/2 THURSDAY	4/3 FRIDAY	4/4 SATURDAY	4/5 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN / YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SKILLET	CORN / YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STUFFED PORK CHOPS and BRUSSELS SPROUTS	CORN / YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STUFFED HAMBURGERS and MACARONI SALAD	BAKED HAM with ALOHA GLAZE, MASHED POTATOES and GLAZED CARROTS
DESSERT							CREAMSICLE PIE

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are my Christmas cactus that is still blooming in late March, a friend’s homemade Bloody Marys (with his special blend of mixer and homemade peppered bacon) for his morning as guest bartender at our favorite brunch spot and Tango the cat who has a home, but adopted us anyway. I don’t know what his “real” name is, but he’s tangerine colored so I nicknamed him Tango 🙂 And don’t forget my favorite heart faced cow 🙂 I LOVE traveling the back way to town in the spring because of the green colors and baby animals. The Osprey are starting their nests and the baby sheep and cows are literally frolicking together in the fields.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

COWBOY POTATOES
FRENCH TOAST MUFFINS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 12 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.82

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN with mainly mundane errands and appointments! I was able to stay on top of the laundry and house chores – enough so that Saturday and Sunday were both pretty lazy days with sleeping, hanging with friends and watching NASCAR. (For a nice change).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re back to early spring weather with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the high 30’s with a lot of clouds this week and a little rain too. I did pack away the heavy jackets, but left plenty of mid weight and light weight hoodies for layering.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ve started some spring cleaning trying to de-clutter and downsize.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m headed to town in just a bit to pick up groceries.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I went through quite a few recipes yesterday while watching NASCAR and sorted by category, even throwing away duplicates and flavor profiles that just didn’t appeal to me.
DVR/TV Not much except some cooking shows and a couple old movies.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Successful new recipes… clean closets… spring flowers… baby geese in the pond… pink and gold sunsets… organized chaos…

READING TIME

Tonight I’m going to start Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’m really looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	3/23 MONDAY	3/24 TUESDAY	3/25 WEDNESDAY	3/26 THURSDAY	3/27 FRIDAY	3/28 SATURDAY	3/29 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	MEATBALL SOUP & BISCUITS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN PARMESAN BOWLS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	STEAK PIZZAIOLA & PASTA	BLACK BEAN SALSA CHICKEN
DESSERT		COFFEE CRUNCH MUFFINS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are last Thursday’s beautiful sunset over the pond, a crazy bartender on St. Patrick’s Day and a favorite new BBQ sauce.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES ~ week 11 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.75

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN. They did a fundraiser “paint and sip” on Friday before my dinner that I wanted to support, but just couldn’t bring myself to paint because the picture chosen was just too juvenile and flat out hideous in my book (it was a snail on a mushroom in the moonlight) so my friend who owns the paint and sip brought me a different one to do at home (it’s in my favorite photos below) and I prepped for mu dinner instead. I cooked my LAST dinner for the Eagle’s on Friday and am looking forward to some serious down time! This week I’m going to get caught up on a few projects I’ve been putting off as well as packing away some winter things and making some donations.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This week is going to be absolutely gorgeous – 70’s in the afternoon and 40’s overnight through Friday!!!! Too bad it’s not supposed to last, but while I can I will enjoy it. I’m planning on packing away many of my winter things this week. Low 50’s and rain are due back by the weekend.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I FINALLY got caught up on laundry – 6 loads Saturday and 1 yesterday. This time of year with all the layering makes for so much more laundry!!!
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I don’t need much this week… so I’ll play it by ear. I do need to get the tires rotated on my car sometime this week. I tried to drop off the recycling yesterday, but they were seriously busy so will try that again today. And my Tuesday filled up really fast with taking a friend to her physical therapy appointment, meeting the towel guy at the canteen for his delivery, meeting the trustee to show her how to open the new register and then meeting with the bartenders to teach them the new electronic register, but best of all having smoked baked potatoes for taco Tuesday on Saint Patrick’s Day 🙂
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned through Easter for now.
DVR/TV Cooking shows ~ TOC, FLAVOR TOWN, Wild Card Kitchen, Spring Baking Championship…
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fluffy Banana cream cheesecake… a warm cup of tea on a cool evening… cute little kittens… new blooms on flowering plants… daffodils popping up everywhere… cherry blossoms…

READING TIME

I’m about to finish Marie Force’s STATE of PRESERVATION tonight from the First Family Series and the next book won’t be out until July so I’m going to start Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’m really looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while.

“Carrie Cromwell, fiery and strong-willed, finds herself torn between the South’s traditions and the dangerous truths she discovers through the Underground Railroad. As war erupts, every choice she makes risks her family, her freedom, and the lives of those she loves most.

Storm Clouds Rolling In launches The Bregdan Chronicles, a sweeping saga of courage, sacrifice, and resilience told through both Black and White, Free and Enslaved, Northern and Southern characters. For readers of United States Historical Fiction, this is history made unforgettable.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	3/16 MONDAY	3/17 TUESDAY	3/18 WEDNESDAY	3/19 THURSDAY	3/20 FRIDAY	3/21 SATURDAY	3/22 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHEESE BURGER WRAPS & FRIES	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BAKED PAPRIKA CHICKEN, MASHED POTATOES & SALAD	DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are my completed (at least until there are new recipes) recipe book collection with index, adorable “HOGWASH” soaps and the “FLOWER POWER” painting.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

TERIYAKI BEEF STEW
CHICKEN CARBONARA with PEAS
APPLE PUMPKIN RAISIN WALNUT CAKE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 10 OF 2026 ~ BLOG 365.68

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week went by way too quickly, but was VERY productive for me. I finished my recipe books, donated several bags to St. Vinnies, finalized the February books for the Eagle’s kitchen, the shopping for the Eagle’s bar and a friend’s business, prepped a good deal of the parts for the Loaded Baked Potato Bar I’m doing on Friday as my last Eagle’s meal. I also helped a friend set up a new computer/printer for her mom and will finalize that later this week. And I can’t believe it’s already time to change the clocks! Did you remember to do yours? I know a couple people who didn’t and ended up missing appointments yesterday. 🙂

I’m hoping to keep up the momentum this week though I have a few appointments and am taking a friend who had knee replacement surgery to physical therapy this week.

There is an Eagle’s meeting tonight, but I’m REALLY backing away and will be attending Trivia night with my team instead. It’s not the same, but I will be resuming my “normal” larger monthly donations to my favorite charities until I decide what to replace my Eagle’s time with.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weekend was absolutely gorgeous, but today we’re back to highs in the low 50’s with rain and night time lows in the 30’s and 40’s. It’s time to put away the UGG’s (I hope) and go with some lighter tennies and cute spring shoes though I’m still in the layering phase.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to do, but did get some deep cleaning done last week as well as pack a few totes of unused winter clothes.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I spent last Saturday out shopping all by myself which was heaven. It was a beautiful day and I got the car washed and vacuumed, went to the butcher for chicken, Marshalls for a couple spring blouses and a dress and sweater, the Farm Stand for produce and danish, the grocery store for a few can goods and only because I had to, Walmart.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I just finished printing out our favorite recipes and creating an index of the recipes. A friend just gave me the old recipe boxes from Barbara, one of her charges and in them I found even older recipes from Barbara’s mother Thelma. I’m looking forward to making some Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies and Biscuit Rhapsody soon while I continue combing through the recipes. I try to make the least common recipes first 🙂
DVR/TV Cooking shows ~ TOC, FLAVOR TOWN, Wild Card Kitchen, Spring Baking Championship…
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Sunny days… Rainy weekends… Cozy fires… lunch dates with old friends… dinner dates with hubby… Shiny balloons… spring flowers

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	3/9 MONDAY	3/10 TUESDAY	3/11 WEDNESDAY	3/12 THURSDAY	3/13 FRIDAY	3/14 SATURDAY	3/15 SUNDAY
DINNER	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CORN CHICKEN PASTA & SALAD	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	CHEESEBURGER WRAPS & TOTS	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BAKED PAPRIKA CHICKEN, MASHED POTATOES & GLAZED CARROTS	CORNED BEEF & CARROTS with BABY POTATOES
DESSERT					CHERRY PINEAPPLE PANDOWDY aka BREAD PUDDING

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This week’s favorite photos are one of my favorite barns that is going to probably collapse any day now. I’m always afraid the cows that hang out near it and even in it are going to get hurt. There is also this really cool mushroom I found near the Japanese maple tree and I’m going to paint this picture soon.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

SCRUFFED CARBONARA POTATOES
MANHATTAN (RED) CLAM CHOWDER

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 9 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.61

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

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

To start my week I have to wish a VERY happy birthday to my wonderful husband today! The biggest thing we’re doing today is playing trivia tonight! 🙂 Don’t tell him, but there’s a birthday get together just before that he doesn’t know about 🙂 We will go to dinner on Thursday for his birthday dinner.

Hubby had several appointments last week trying to get him back on schedule with VA medical care. They had lost SEVERAL providers over the past year and are way behind on regular care so we took every appointment we could get to get him caught up!

I’m really loving my reduced Eagle’s duty schedule. I only had 1 day of minimal shopping to do last week for both the bar and my girlfriend’s business. So, with my newly found free time I’ve already this past week gone antiquing and thrift store shopping with a girlfriend and we had a super tasty lunch on Saturday and then on Sunday helped throw a birthday party for another friend! I also deep cleaned my bedroom closet and made several donation piles.

This week will be even better! 🙂 Replacing those duties this week will be updating my password book, address book and recipe books (yes I like a clean printed recipe in the kitchen versus using my phone or computer). ~ ALL of which have suffered for a couple years now because I just didn’t have the time to sit down and focus for enough time to accomplish the tasks. All of these books were old and held together with MANY notes and rubber bands. I started to do the recipe books last week and am so happy they are about 75% complete 🙂

It took me a REALLY LONG while to learn this lesson, but I’m here now so that’s all that’s important ~ MY SAILS are FULLY adjusted and headed to calmer seas!!!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

As of right now we should be able to see the blood moon this week. I’ll be setting a timer, BUT the weather changes so quickly this time of year I won’t hold my breath! As of now we’ll have lots of rain this week with highs around mid 40’s to 50 degrees and lows in the mid 30’s.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

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

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple of small loads of laundry, but that’s about it.
GROCERIES & ERRANDS I do need to pick up a few groceries for this weeks recipes.
PROJECTS & TRAVELS No travels, but I do want to get the password book, address book and sort through my desk area to clean it up.
RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING A friend that used to run a local deli we ate at often wrote a small cookbook with her recipes. I ordered a copy that will be here Tuesday so I’ll look to make some of her recipes next week.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY clean and organized spaces… warm towels fresh out of the shower on a cold morning… spring cleaning and donating clothes to St. Vinnies… spring flowers… sunsets…

READING TIME

I should be finishing STATE OF ALERT by Marie Force tonight and then I’ll see what’s next.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

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

	3/2 MONDAY	3/3 TUESDAY	3/4 WEDNESDAY	3/5 THURSDAY	3/6 FRIDAY	3/7 SATURDAY	3/8 SUNDAY
DINNER	BIRTHDAY PARTY before TRIVIA	PAPRIKA SOUR CREAM CHICKEN & MASHED POTATOES	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	TRUE KITCHEN	CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own	BUTTERMILK CHICKEN CORN PASTA	DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
DESSERT		PINEAPPLE CHERRY PANDOWDY

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Here’s a picture from yesterday’s birthday party that got crazy REALLY fast so I was lucky to get any. We’re also having a “false” spring so my daffodils and crocuses are making an unscheduled appearance 🙁 And Dana and I ate at one of our favorite restaurants and had yummy grilled cheese sandwiches to help support the food bank in February.