Category: HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

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

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Most of the DVR is cleaned out and the “NEW” seasons are beginning to start again so we will see what shows survived the strike and go from there.

I’m reading Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini.

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

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

• CHUNKY MONKEYS
• HOT HONEY LIME CHICKEN
• CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
  

Good morning friends. I know we will ALL be super busy this week with Christmas only 7 days away. I hope you take the time to enjoy these moments as you move through this week.

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

Every year I always hope for snow on Christmas, but it really looks like we’ll be disappointed this year. It will be super cold and wet, but not snowy 🙁 Our highs will be in the mid forties (maybe) and lows in the 30’s. It really is like I have a uniform this time of year. Levis, mock turtlenecks, flannel shirts and UGG’s.

I’m making my Christmas list and checking twice, as I make sure I haven’t forgotten anyone or anything for Christmas. I’m also making several lists and preparing to make 2024 an even more organized and productive year in every way possible. I have felt discombobulated for a bit now and looking to streamline a few things.

Hot water, yogurt and a banana.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll be doing ALL the laundry and deep cleaning tomorrow as well as the rest the week as I do the holiday baking for the neighbor plates. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be doing the last of ALL the pre-Christmas grocery shopping and errands and shopping today before meeting a girlfriend for a late lunch. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS just a couple things that need a quick handling this week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING this is done through the remainder of 2023, but I know it will be in flux and many meals will hold over into 2024.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

This past week has been just holiday baking shows, Hallmark Christmas movies and  couple old classics to clean out the DVR.

I’m starting a new book tonight ~ Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini. It sounds like it will be really good.

“Rosie the Riveter meets A League of Their Own in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini’s lively and illuminating novel about the “munitionettes” who built bombs in Britain’s arsenals during World War I, risking their lives for the war effort and discovering camaraderie and courage on the football pitch.

Early in the Great War, men left Britain’s factories in droves to enlist. Struggling to keep up production, arsenals hired women to build the weapons the military urgently needed. “Be the Girl Behind the Man Behind the Gun,” the recruitment posters beckoned.

Thousands of women—cooks, maids, shopgirls, and housewives—answered their nation’s call. These “munitionettes” worked grueling shifts often seven days a week, handling TNT and other explosives with little protective gear.

Among them is nineteen-year-old former housemaid April Tipton. Impressed by her friend Marjorie’s descriptions of higher wages, plentiful meals, and comfortable lodgings, she takes a job at Thornshire Arsenal near London, filling shells in the Danger Building—difficult, dangerous, and absolutely essential work.

Joining them is Lucy Dempsey, wife of Daniel Dempsey, Olympic gold medalist and star forward of Tottenham Hotspur. With Daniel away serving in the Footballers’ Battalion, Lucy resolves to do her bit to hasten the end of the war. When her coworkers learn she is a footballer’s wife, they invite her to join the arsenal ladies’ football club, the Thornshire Canaries.

The Canaries soon acquire an unexpected fan in the boss’s wife, Helen Purcell, who is deeply troubled by reports that Danger Building workers suffer from serious, unexplained illnesses. One common symptom, the lurid yellow hue of their skin, earns them the nickname “canary girls.” Suspecting a connection between the canary girls’ maladies and the chemicals they handle, Helen joins the arsenal administration as their staunchest, though often unappreciated, advocate.

The football pitch is the one place where class distinctions and fears for their men fall away. As the war grinds on and tragedy takes its toll, the Canary Girls persist despite the dangers, proud to serve, determined to outlive the war and rejoice in victory and peace.”

We finally agreed on a menu for Christmas dinner also. I’ll be making a prime rib with stacked fondant potatoes, roasted asparagus with Hollandaise, Holiday jello salad and a Cherry vanilla cheesecake.

	MONDAY 12/18	TUESDAY 12/19	WEDNESDAY 12/20	THURSDAY 12/21	FRIDAY 12/22	SATURDAY 12/23	SUNDAY 12/24
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
	I WILL BE	BAKING	A LOT THIS	WEEK FOR THE	NEIGHBOR	PLATES!	😀
DINNER	CARIBBEAN CHICKEN & KENTUCKY SPOON BREAD	ORANGE GLAZED MEATBALLS with BUTTER ROASTED POTATOES	CAJUN CABBAGE & FLYING BISCUITS	THANKFUL THURSDAY TURKEY DINNER @ LAMPLIGHTER	CHICKEN CORDON BLEU & CORN PUDDING	I’m cooking at the Eagles and we’ll be having TRI-TIP SANDWICHES, BAKED BEANS and PASTA SALAD	SHRIMP PLATE & SNACKS
DESSERT	CINNAMON ROLLS	CRANBERRY BLISS BARS	BRIGADEIROS	BUTTERFINGER COOKIES	SNICKER DOODLES	SHORT BREAD COOKIES	WILL DISTRIBUTE THE NEIGHBOR PLATES TODAY

I actually took a few pictures this week. We also had a couple hours of no fog so I got at least one picture of Mr. & Mrs. Santa as they headed out to the parade. But, by the time the parade started the fog had rolled back in so thick that the fires truck that started the parade was inside an EERIE haze.

We have had so much rain already this year that the yard is growing mushrooms EVERYWHERE. This one is about 8 inches wide and still growing! And this is the last box for social services and will be picked up tomorrow 😀

• CREME-DE-MENTHE BROWNIES

• CIDER GLAZED CHRISTMAS CAKES
• PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
• GREEN & WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
  

Good Morning friends. It’s a cold, gray and foggy morning her in the Pacific North West. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as we get this week going?

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

2 weeks until Christmas? Are you ready? Is anyone ever truly ready? I just try and appreciate each day as it happens and like Ross said in the famous FRIENDS couch scene, PIVOT, PIVOT, PIVOT as necessary. 😀

It’s gray and foggy and supposed to be cloudy today, but at least the rain seems to have abated for the next few days, which is great. We’re used to wet weather here as a norm, but this year has been so much so fast! I’m looking forward to a non-wet week, but that usually means colder without the clouds to hold in the heat. As normal, I’m wearing Levi’s, a mock turtleneck with a flannel over shirt and UGG’s. High this week will be in the 40’s and lows in the 30’s.

I actually began feeling a bit stressed this past week with a few things (roof leaks on a brand new rook, tons of package to organize and wrap for the social worker to pick up last Saturday for the family I adopted, dead car battery…) but, things have begun to settle and life is returning to normal.

I’m also trying to get a hold of the roofer (AGAIN) this year for the same leak as last year on the BRAND new roof. I know how it’s happening, but he refuses to believe it – MEN! sometimes they are so exasperating!

Do you need some new holiday cookie recipes? There’s a COOKIE EXCHANGE going on over at What’s for dinner with some fun recipes. I shared several of our favorites yesterday.

BLOGMAS 2023 is in FULL swing. I hope you have time to join in.

Back to hot water and yogurt. I’ll just have to settle for smelling hubby’s coffee of a morning.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m taking this week to finish up wrapping presents for the foster kids that we adopted at the Eagles as well as finish making some messy homemade gifts. Hubby and I are also spending a day in the “BIG” town an hour away to finish Christmas shopping. I plan to get caught up on the laundry and deep clean next week just before Christmas. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I was supposed to go into town tomorrow to pick up my new porch trees, but that was changed for me late yesterday so I’m adapting already early here on Monday morning. Looks like today’s schedule will be moved until tomorrow and tomorrow’s schedule will be moved to Wednesday. Thursday I have to deliver the gifts for the foster kids and will finish my Christmas shopping then so I can mail packages by Friday. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I have a phone call to follow up on that has been a cat and mouse game for the past week. I’m also trying to finish up my last jewelry tree and wrapping gifts. I have the Christmas cards addressed and am finishing up the notes on the insides so I can mail them tomorrow. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING The menu is planned through December, but as with all things holidays I’m staying adaptable and changing as necessary 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

We’ve been watching Holiday baking shows, Hallmark Christmas movies and a few old classics as well as CHEERS to fall asleep by.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
DINNER	TOMATO BEEF BASIL SOUP & GRILLED CHEESE	OUT	CHICKEN PAPRIKA & APPLE DRESSING	ALMOND CRUSTED PORK CHOPS with CIDER SAUCE	WHISKEY PINEAPPLE CHICKEN & KENTUCKY SPOON BREAD	PORK CHOPS with PINEAPPLE SOY SAUCE & BACON GREEN BEANS	CARNITAS with HOT PINEAPPLE SAUCE
DESSERT		CRANBERRY BLISS BARS

The owners have finally updated Herbie this year so he’s more festive. I noticed yesterday that we’ve got some seriously large mushrooms growing under the maple tree and I want to make some of these cute little gnomes I saw at a bazaar the other day. And I’m glad to have saved those Costco boxes to help organize the gifts for social services to pick up.

• MEXICAN STREET CORN CASSEROLE

• BEEF TIPS IN ONION WINE SAUCE
  
• BUFFALO CHICKEN MONKEY BREAD
  
• PINEAPPLE CHILI MEATBALLS
  

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

Good Morning my friends. It’s cold here so grab a warm beverage and join me in getting this last week of November started. We are literally only 3 weeks until Christmas! Are you ready? Do you at least have a plan?

There’s still time to join in with BLOGMAS 2023. You can find my posts to date here.

Imagine that we’re having a ton of rain here in the Pacific North West 😀 The storm that passed through this weekend was quite warm by comparison to what we normally have, but it dropped a TON of rain and we’re on flood watch quite early in the season.

Hubby and I noticed yesterday that there is already a TON of standing water and running small “rivers” in areas that don’t normally see this until later in the season.  I checked two different weather sites and there is no change in the foreseeable future other than the temperature will be dropping back down into the normal range with highs in the 40’s and lows in the 30’s so you guessed it I’m still wearing Levis and layers of flannel for comfort as I start my holiday baking.

I can’t believe 2024 is only 4 weeks away! 2023 seems to have flown by so quickly! I have a list to accomplish yet in 2023 and have started one for 2024 that I want to efficiently accomplish, much of it in January alone.

I also took a look at the posts already published in 2023 and those that are scheduled for the rest of the year and calculated in the posts for BLOGMAS 2023. While I “missed” a few days of continuous posting I have enough days of multiple posts that I realized I’m 4 posts over BLOG 365 😀 making me extremely happy that I will have mostly accomplished this task – WHEW, but that was a lot of pressure for the year.

Nothing this morning. I’ve had several “off” days and just don’t feel well 🙁

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ll be making a few more homemade gifts today, wrapping presents as well as yeasted cinnamon rolls so will be making quite a mess today and will do a deep clean tomorrow. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I only need a few things from the store for a special dinner on Thursday and will get those when I go into meet some girlfriends for lunch on Tuesday. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m hoping to get my desk area cleaned up later today. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menus are made through new years.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Lots of Holiday baking shows and Christmas movies peppered with some old syfy movies.

I’m trying a couple novels on for size, but not sure which one I’ll settle on first. A dress of Violet Taffeta by Tessa Arlen and The Heart Match by Phillipa Nefri Clark

	MONDAY 12/4	TUESDAY 12/5	WEDNESDAY 12/6	THURSDAY 12/7	FRIDAY 12/8	SATURDAY 12/9	SUNDAY 12/10
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
DINNER	BBQ BRAISED BRISKET & BUTTER BEANS with COTTAGE POTATOES	ALMOND APRICOT CHICKEN	HOT CHICKEN SALAD	SPECIAL DINNER with a close friend before she goes on vacation PORTERHOUSE ROAST, JACKET POTATOES, WILTED SALAD, PEAR VODKA BREEZES	CARNITAS with HOT PINEAPPLE SAUCE	PORK CHOPS with APPLE STUFFING and 3 CHEESE SOUFFLES	LINGUINE and RED CLAMS
DESSERT				APPLE CRANBERRY DUMP CAKE

There wasn’t much of an opportunity to take many pictures (other than food) this past week, but I did get quite a few turkey shots at a friend’s cabin and my neighbor sent me this pretty shot of our Christmas decorations from her house.

• CHOCOLATE CARAMEL BARS
• BACON MAPLE BARS

• CREAMY RUSTIC TOMATO SOUP with GRILLED CHEESE ROLL-UPS
• CHOCOLATE FUDGE MARBLE CELEBRATION CAKE
• ORANGE BRAISED CHICKEN
  

Good Morning my friends. It’s cold here so grab a warm beverage and join me in getting this last week of November started. We are literally only 4 weeks until Christmas! Are you ready? Do you at least have a plan?

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

It’s been COLD BRRRRRR can you say layers and layers? It’s 26° right now, but we are supposed to get to 47° later today. I always laugh because that 47°, if we even reach it will only last 20 minutes. In reality as I dress for the day it will be 35-40 degrees for the majority of the day. Levis, UGGs and a mock turtleneck with a flannel will be today’s uniform and a favorite hoodie if I even go outside today. We’re supposed to be in this pattern of cold and clear until it begins raining again this weekend when we are supposed to get 5-10 degrees warmer.

BLOGMAS 2023 is in full swing and you can find the previous days here. Join in if you can and don’t forget to leave me a comment so I can know you’re playing along and I can know to visit you 😀 My organizational abilities are paying off and so far I’m up to date on BLOGMAS, but I’ve fallen a bit behind on BLOG 365, about 30 posts which I’m really trying to finish up, but I’ll reevaluate in a couple weeks since I’ll have so many days with duplicates from BLOGMAS. I bet I’ll end up over 365 LOL

I’m trying some maple brown sugar oatmeal with golden raisins this morning and a few sips of coffee.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did ALL the laundry on Saturday, including the bedding and towels so I could change out to the electric mattress pad for the winter and even folded it and put it away, but you know how laundry is – the minute you put the last piece away, you realize someone has dirtied a towel or thrown a pair of socks in the hamper. LOL 😀 I’ll call it a win! GROCERIES & ERRANDS I will be taking my friend who had the ankle replacement to the doctor on Thursday and if all goes well we’ll be having a celebratory lunch! I’ll be going to the Christmas Fair on Friday so will do ALL the shopping while I’m in town that day. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Lots of paperwork, but no travels. I have a few Christmas gift projects that I WILL BE getting done this week! RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I planned the menus through December and several to evaluate for January.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

At night we’re re-watching CHEERS to fall asleep by, but in the evenings we’re watching cooking shows and Hallmark Christmas movies mostly. There are a few odd shows that have been taping, but I guess the “new” season will be in full swing in January?

I’m still reading Jana DeLeon’s Undertow, book #3 of her Tempest Island series – just too busy and tired to get to much more!

	MONDAY 11/27	TUESDAY 11/28	WEDNESDAY 11/29	THURSDAY 11/30	FRIDAY 12/1	SATURDAY 12/2	SUNDAY 12/3
DINNER	TEXAS RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE	HAWAIIAN LEMON CHICKEN & RICE PILAF	GREEN POTATO SOUP & RANCH CRACKERS	OUT for LAMPLIGHTER THANKFUL THURSDAY TURKEY DINNER	CHEDDAR CRUST CHICKEN POT PIE	POTATO CHOWDER & PARMESAN RANCH ROLLS	SPLIT PEA SOUP with BUTTERMILK BISCUIT DUMPLINGS
DESSERT		ORANGE ROLLS				MAGIC COOKIE BARS

We had to drive out a bit further into the country to pick up a couple Christmas presents on Saturday (the only shop small I did as I’m making the majority of gifts this year) and it was super cold (our high that day was 37 degrees for about an hour!), but it was absolutely beautiful. I was actually able to get a couple pictures of some favorite old barns.

And my Amaryllis is about to make a December appearance. The paper whites are next 😀

• RUM RAISIN PUMPKIN PIE
• CHOCOLATE COVERED CHEESE ~ RUBY CHOCOLATE

• CHICKEN CHILE RELLENOS CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
• PECAN CHICKEN with MAPLE CREAM GRAVY
• HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

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

Oh my, where did last week go? It started out so great and then just flew by! I know I didn’t get to visit everyone, but am so hopeful that this week will be better with the downtime on Thursday. We’re going to be just the 2 of us for Thanksgiving so I’m planning on vegging on Thursday and playing catch up with visiting blogs.

I’m also planning on beginning BLOGMAS on Friday and will be posting this year’s LOGO and list tomorrow 😀 I was hoping to have it done for today, but spent all of yesterday helping with a Thanksgiving meal at the Eagles and was just plain worn out last night.

We have had a ton of rain and even had a pretty BIG storm on Saturday night that left what leaves were still on the trees everywhere but and the first bits of snow on the hilltops east of town 😀 This week is supposed to be drier, but also MUCH colder! Funny thing is that what I’m wearing doesn’t really change that much – I just add another layer 😀

There is still A LOT going on and I’ve been extremely busy this week also, but weighing heavy on my mind is some health concerns with my mom and uncle. My uncle is doing better this week than last fortunately. Prayers are still needed for all of them.

On the home front I can’t believe Thanksgiving is Thursday. Fortunately, we aren’t planning a big one and the pivot on the menu is something I’m now looking forward to.

I’m going to a lunch for a sweet lady later so am only doing hot water this morning.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did most of the laundry over the weekend, but still have a load of sheets to fold today and a load of jeans that I’ll set to wash before I leave for lunch so it’s ready for the dryer when I get home. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have NO intention of setting foot inside a store this week – way too chaotic for me 😀 I do have an appointment for my COVID booster on Wednesday. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS not the week for ANY of this! RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I was lucky to get this week planned, but am looking toward the planned downtime to get more organized for 2024.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

AMAZON PRIME- MAX I’m 3 episodes in on the new show JULIA CABLE – Holiday Baking shows, Hallmark Christmas Movies, Dancing with the Stars, Quantum Leap, Magnum

I just started Jana DeLeon’s Undertow, book #3 of her Tempest Island series

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	take your turkey out of the freezer to thaw!
LUNCH				HAPPY THANKSGIVING
DINNER	STEAK & POTATO SKILLET	TEXAS RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE	BUFFALO MACARONI & CHEESE BITES	STEAKS on the GRILL with BUTTER ROASTED POTATOES AND BALSAMIC CARROTS	GRILLED ORANGE GINGER CHICKEN and COTTAGE POTATOES	BBQ BRAISED BRISKET with BUTTER BEANS	SOURDOUGH TURKEY MELTS
DESSERT				RUM RAISIN PUMPKIN PIE		CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN

I finished my Highland Cow Christmas pillow Saturday. Painting on a flexible fabric canvas is so much harder than a framed canvas and uses so much more paint as well as requires more creativity to get the right textures.

• CHERRY BALSAMIC PORK CHOPS & PINEAPPLE COMPOTE
• SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN DIP
• BARNYARD PIE
  

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

Imagine that, it’s cold, gray and foggy here in the Pacific North West. We’re slated for a week of low 50’s with rain and showers all week. You know what that means? It means a week of soft, cozy flannels and maybe even an afternoon or two of curling up with a good book. 😀

There has been A LOT going on and I’ve been extremely busy, but weighing heavy on my mind is some health concerns with my mom and 2 different uncles. Prayers are needed for all of them.

On the home front I can’t believe Thanksgiving is only 10 days away. Fortunately, we aren’t planning a big one, but the meal I ordered for the day has been mis-delivered and I’m having to pivot on the menu.

I actually have a slow morning planned, well maybe not slow, but at least I don’t have to leave before 11AM for a change. So I’m having some oatmeal and a bit of coffee this morning.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Despite being busy, I’m actually caught up on both laundry and cleaning 😀 GROCERIES & ERRANDS I did the grocery store yesterday and have no other errands except a doctor appointment and hair cut later this week. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS SO much to do, but am kinda waiting to hear about one uncle in particular that may influenece things this week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING totally up in the air right now

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Christmas movies and baking shows primarily along with catching up on FEAR the Walking Dead and Justified

I’m STILL working on Marie Force’s WILD WIDOWS #4. I keep falling asleep before I finish even a paragraph.

	MONDAY 11/13	TUESDAY 11/14	WEDNESDAY 11/15	THURSDAY 11/16	FRIDAY 11/17	SATURDAY 11/18	SUNDAY 11/19
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
DINNER	CHARCUTERIE SPREAD FOR CRAFT NIGHT	BAKED ITALIAN MEATBALLS & PASTA with VODKA SAUCE	BRISKET BLACK BEAN CHILI	CHICKEN TEMPURA & SALAD	MEATLOAF, MAC & CHEESE and ROASTED CARROTS	CORN/YOYO clean out fridge or you’re on your own	SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN
	JEWELRY CHRISTMAS TREES					PILLOW PAINTING with a FRIEND
DESSERT	APPLE CORNBREAD CRISP and CARMELITAS and MAPLE BACON BARS		COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES

We went axe throwing and out to dinner with a group of friends on Saturday night and then I was at an Eagle’s fundraising event on Sunday. We had a great time at both. Axe throwing was fun, but not something I would do on a regular basis – so cross that off the bucket list. It was Niki’s first BIG night out since she got her walking boot after the ankle replacement. There were even a few BULL’s EYES thrown.

Sunday was a create-N-sip picture painting that I will have to finish later this week (I still have MANY details to add as well as the snow storm), but am fairly happy with. One of my besties added her IRL dog to her picture and it is truly uncanny how much it looks like her dog, Daisy! There were so many fun interpretations.

STILL WORKS IN 2023 OR 2024 😀

• VERTICAL SCALLOPED AU GRATIN POTATOES

• CHERRY BALSAMIC PORK CHOPS & PINEAPPLE COMPOTE
• SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN DIP
• BARNYARD PIE

I don’t know about you, but I really can’t believe we’re in November and Christmas is only 49 days away! I’ve been busier than ever (or so it seems), but still have so much I want to accomplish this year. Thank goodness they gave me an hour back yesterday (insert snickering here 😀 )

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

I cannot believe this year only has 2 months left. Hubby helped me get out the holiday decorations last week. Ever since COVID I have decorated early and leave them up late. I just love Christmas! For me it truly is about the season and the reason for the season. I LOVE doing the baking and sharing with others. BUT, EVERYTHING is so expensive this year! We’ve decided to scale back drastically and make this a truly old fashioned Christmas. If your can’t eat it or drink it or enjoy it with others, it’s not on our Christmas list. 😀

I’m really hoping that I can enhance BLOGMAS this year and increase our Christmas spirit (which is already pretty high). Our neighbors are wonderful people and I LOVE sharing with them as I bake or create new recipes. They are always honest about the new recipes which I adore so I really appreciate their input. Mark paid me the most wonderful compliment the other day when I took over a pan of Chicken Chile Enchiladas and homemade refried beans when their daughter was visiting. He said I’m always thinking of others and doing nice things for them. Isn’t that what this life (and Christmas) is all about? It is to me and I think the best way for me to start my BLOGMAS season 😀

I’ve also realized that doing BLOG 365 is something I’m glad I’ve done (mostly) this year, but I think next year will be more intentional and purposeful blogging instead of just racing to fill each day.

100% chance of cold and rain so there’s a 100% chance of flannels and UGG’s this week for me. I LOVE living where it’s cold, but I HATE being cold and especially cold toes! We had thunderstorms and pouring raining ALL of Saturday with a short break Sunday morning before it began all over again by lunchtime.

I’m in holiday mode! Don’t hate me, but my Christmas tree is up! Well mostly up, I’ll finish today. We’re not having anyone over for Thanksgiving and on those years I start with Christmas early. It’s my favorite time of year and the cold makes it seem okay to decorate early. We will restrain ourselves and not decorate outside until after Thanksgiving though 😀

I am having some girlfriends over for a charcuterie board and Christmas jewelry tree making get together later today so thought having the tree up would be inspirational.

I spent most of the rainy weekend baking for the Eagles bake sale yesterday and preparing a raffle basket for a pool tournament/memorial for a sweet man who recently passed away. It was hosted by a local bar & grill that my girlfriend manages and she asked me to help her. We raised  close to $1000.00 for his family.

Have I mentioned how much I miss being able to have a couple of cups of coffee in the morning? Especially on cold fall/winter mornings? 😀 This morning is hot water and raisin oatmeal before I brave the cold rainy morning to get the grocery shopping done.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m working on the baseboards and carpet edges that collect the dust that vacuums just don’t reach. GROCERIES & ERRANDS just a few for myself. My friend that had ankle replacement surgery is now in a walking boot and overjoyed with being a bit independent again. I need to get to town and get a few things for tomorrow’s Eagles dinner that I’m now subbing in for as the regular cook for Tuesday will be away. Her husband is having surgery later today for a bladder cancer recurrence – please keep Robert in your prayers. We’re having Creamy Rustic Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Dippers which will be perfect for this weather!! PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I made my way through another stack of notes and filing 😀 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m hoping to sit down this week and plan out the rest of the year with intention.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Christmas movies and baking shows seem to be on the forefront now that we’ve cleaned out the DVR and caught up on the summer things.

Wild Widows #3, Someone to Love by Marie Force.

 

	11/6 MONDAY	11/7 TUESDAY	11/8 WEDNESDAY	11/9 THURSDAY	11/10 FRIDAY	11/11 SATURDAY	11/12 SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
LUNCH & DINNER	SIRLOIN CAP & GERMAN DUMPLINGS	CREAMY TOMATO SOUP AND GRILLED CHEESE DIPPERS (I’m filling in for a friend at the Eagles whose husband had surgery yesterday)	BEEF STEW & CRUSTY SOURDOUGH	CHICKEN WINGS & POTATO SALAD	YOYO / CORN YOU’RE on YOUR OWN or CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT since my girlfriend and I will be out of town visiting some craft fairs in a neighboring town an hour away	OUT with FRIENDS TO a FAVORITE RESTAURANT & AXE THROWING EVENING 😀	YOYO / CORN YOU’RE on YOUR OWN or CLEAN OUT FRIDGE NIGHT I’ll be at a fundraiser for the Eagles MOST of the day
DESSERT	WALNUT POLVORONES		APPLE CORN CRISP

I left quite early on Saturday to run errands and go to the fall craft fair, which wasn’t as good as normal, but had I not gone I would have missed this incredible morning shot of the foggy and stormy pond.

• FRUIT PIE BARS

• CHEDDAR MUFFINS
• BROWN BAG APPLE PIE
• HAWAIIAN STIR FRY PINEAPPLE BOATS
  

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

BRRRRRRR this past weekend was cold, at least for this time of the year here. Later next month through February wouldn’t be too surprising, but having the bird bath freeze over before Halloween is a bit unusual.

Our highs are supposed to jump up into the 50’s this week with the lows in the 40’s and rain coming our way by Wednesday night.

Things are starting to calm down FINALLY! I’m looking forward to finally getting some sewing and quilting done. I’m also starting to get the holiday decorations out later today when it warms up just a bit.

I’m trying a bit of coffee today with my black cherry yogurt.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did a serious deep clean, baseboards and all, in the bedroom over the weekend and got all caught up on laundry. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be going to town Wednesday and Thursday to help my girlfriend with her appointments after her ankle replacement. She still can’t put ANY weight on it for another month. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I’m working on some stacks and making headway. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m hoping to have the time to get down to the nitty gritty in sorting out recipes.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Still waiting on the “regular” season to begin, but am enjoying getting caught up on cooking shows and old movies.

I finished the Heather Webber book, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities as well as the Kristen Proby book, A Single in Seattle last week and began the latest Wild Widows #3, Someone to Love by Marie Force.

	10/30 MONDAY	10/31 TUESDAY	11/1 WEDNESDAY	11/2 THURSDAY	11/3 FRIDAY	11/4 SATURDAY	11/5 SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
LUNCH	BONELESS WING LEFT OVERS	TUNA SANDS	out	out	??	??	??
DINNER	CHICKEN CHILI DIP ENCHILADAS	TACO TUESDAY	CHICKEN POTPIE GALETTE	TACO BOWLS	BACON MAC & CHEESE CORN BREAD	CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD	HAWAIIAN LEMON CHICKEN
DESSERT		CARMELITAS

Friday night hubby and I did a date night with a create-n-sip painting and then last Saturday was TRUNK-or-TREAT for the downtown businesses with a scarecrow contest and LOTS of candy for about 1500 kids and was also our Halloween party at the Eagles. I wish I had gotten more pictures of the great costumes.

We helped build the HOCOS POCUS scarecrow scene for a friend who manages a downtown bar and grill – so much fun! I’m not a HUGE decorator of Halloween, but did also enjoy building Elmira, formerly known as Elmer for our front porch on Tuesday.

 

• NORWEGIAN MEATBALLS
• VERDE CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE
• LEMON TIRAMISU
  

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

The weather is taking another dip this week that I’m loving – highs in the 50’s and lows in the 30’s by the end of the week with lots more rain on the way.

A lot going on EVERYWHERE here and in the world. Praying for several people in my life going through MAJOR medical issues as well as all that is going on in Israel and the Ukraine.

BIG surprise 😀 Hot Water and peach yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m about to start a DEEP clean before I move into serious holiday decorating mode! GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have several errands to do later this week, but will all depend on the appointments for a friend who recently had her ankle replaced. I know Thursday in particular is primarily her day as we have to start at the hospital for an x-ray in town and then back here for her eye doctor appointment before we go back to town for her surgery follow-up appointment with the doctor to see when she can begin physical therapy and apply any weight to the ankle. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS too much going on this week so this category will wait until next week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING too much going on this week so this category will also wait until next week.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Have been watching season 4 of LARAMIE which I had never seen and have been enjoying. Also watching season 2 of SHINING VALE. About to start season 5 of YELLOWSTONE and have found a couple new shows on AMC+ that we’re enjoying – WAR of the WORLDS series based in England and MAYFAIR WITCHES and DARYL DIXON. We may start HELL ON WHEELS (which we saw the first time, but enjoyed) while we wait for any new shows to begin, but I am hoping to like NCIS SYDNEY. We also started the new FRASIER, but just not sure yet if it’s going to go anywhere.

I’m about to finish Heather Webber’s At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities and to begin Dark Nights by Kristin Proby.

	10/23 MONDAY	10/24 TUESDAY	10/25 WEDNESDAY	10/26 THURSDAY	10/27 FRIDAY	10/28 SATURDAY	10/29 SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
LUNCH	BLT’s	TACO TUESDAY	TUNA SALAD	WOOD WARD’S BRISKET	BACKSIDE	CORN	CORN
DINNER	CHICKEN WINGS & CUCUMBER SALAD	GARLIC & HERB PORK LOIN with RICE PILAF	CHEESE BURGER SOUP	YOYO or CORN	POT ROAST and MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY	OUT HALLOWEEN PARTY	SALTED SIRLOIN CAP & RICE PILAF
DESSERT		BLUEBERRY PIE BARS

These pups were just so cute!

• ANTIPASTO SQUARES
• GREEN & WHITE CHICKEN CHILE

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

This week is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous with sunny mid 60’s to 70’s days after today’s rain is over. But, this is the Pacific North West and that could change by tomorrow 😀

There is so much going on around here and with family, but some of it I’m still processing.

On the Eagles front I was put in charge of a committee for an auxiliary event (the Ducks against the Beavers college game aka THE CIVIL WAR and it’s taken VERY serious around here) on the day after Thanksgiving and I love my committee members and what we are planning.

BUT, yet “that” woman started yesterday in trying to micromanage it all. :SIGH: Just when you think it’s safe to be positive again… Fortunately, I have a wonderful crew and we have a fun menu planned along with games and snacks.

Hot water and peach yogurt 😀 YUMMY insert sarcasm here

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to do, but am pretty well caught up otherwise. GROCERIES & ERRANDS Just a few groceries this week for here, but I am filling in for another woman on Tuesday at the Eagles and need to pick up some things for that meal. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I made great strides over the weekend on this category. I’m also almost caught up with my backlog of recipes that will catch me up on BLOG 365. I’ve been working on BLOGMAS 2023 and I’m also working on a new look for Happy Homemaker Monday in 2024. I’ve also been putting together a list of recipes to make for a Charcuterie Board contest on New Year’s Eve – I’ve signed up for a dessert board. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is done through this week, but I need to start thinking about November also

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

We’re finishing up the LARAMIE binge watching. We’ve also started season 2 of Shining Vale. I need to finish catching up on When Calls the Heart and Halloween cooking shows.

I’m finishing Heather Webber’s At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities and will be moving on to UnderTow by Jana DeLeon

	10/16 MONDAY	10/17 TUESDAY	19/18 WEDNESDAY	10/19 THURSDAY	10/20 FRIDAY	10/21 SATURDAY	10/22 SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
LUNCH	DIANA BURGERS	TACO TUESDAY	NELLIES	??	??	??	BLT’S
DINNER	POTATO LASAGNA & SALAD	YOYO working at the EAGLES	WHITE CHICKEN CHILI & CHEDDAR ROLLS	ALMOND CHICKEN with APRICOT SAUCE & RICE	DINNER with FRIENDS	OUT with FRIENDS TIMBERWOLF	CHEESEBURGER SOUP & BUTTER BISCUITS
DESSERT				CHERRY PEACH PIE BARS

Hubby and I took a play day on Saturday and did some antiquing, picked up a special order and had a yummy dinner out. One of the places we stopped at was 5th St. market and they have a really neat truck that they decorate for the seasons.

There was a fun coffee house that did this fun display for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The sprinklers have been off for a few weeks now, but yet the mushrooms grow.

• AUTUMN CASSOULET

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

We had a pretty weekend, but it’s finally time for FALL to really kick in around here. I FINALLY get a chance to wear my new flannels this week.

I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to get around to visiting much last week. Things came up that had to be dealt with and then my car ended up in the shop… well you know how those weeks go. This week is starting off a bit busy, but should settle down well by midweek.

I’m looking forward to the rainy days this week and being able to catch up on some book work and blog posts as well as lots of visiting with you all. 😀

Hot Water and yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I finally got all the bed linens freshly laundered and changed over for fall. GROCERIES & ERRANDS Hubby has a POWER RED blood donation appointment that I’ll drop him off for and I’ll get gas and a few groceries while he’s there. We’re hoping to pick up my car after that if it’s ready. We had taken it in last Thursday, but they couldn’t finish it before the weekend. I also have an Eagles meeting tomorrow night. PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I was able to get quite a bit accomplished over the weekend and will continue working on it during our rainy days this week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’ve been revising my menu plans a bit as the weather is cooling down and my flavor palette has changed accordingly.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Since there’s no real fall line-up yet, we’re binge watching old series shows we’ve never seen before and I’m catching up on Hallmark movies and cooking shows. We did watch a couple episodes of NBC’s new show IRRATIONAL and am liking it.

I’m still only about half way through Heather Webber’s At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities.

	10/9 MONDAY	10/10 TUESDAY	10/11 WEDNESDAY	10/12 THURSDAY	10/13 FRIDAY	10/14 SATURDAY	10/15 SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
LUNCH	??	??	??	??	??	??	??
DINNER	SALISBURY STEAK & SWISS POTATO BAKE	CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP & CHEDDAR BISCUITS	MARSALA PORK CHOPS with  CRANBERRY RICE	APPLE CIDER CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS	PORK TENDERLOIN with SUN DRIED TOMATO SAUCE	YOYO YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN or CLEAN OUT THE REFRIGERATOR	ASIAN CHICKEN THIGHS & HEARTY RICE CASSEROLE
DESSERT		PIE BARS

It’s FINALLY fall around here and I LOVE it!

• CLASSIC TIMELESS SUGAR COOKIES