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! Here we are in the last week of 2021. I honestly DO NOT know where this year went so fast! We lost power again early this morning for several hours so I’m quickly trying to catch up.

I have high hopes for 2022 after 2020 and 2021 being such a chaotic mess. Let 2022 be the year that we prove the glass is refillable instead of half full OR half empty! Please Lord help them find a cure for this dreaded virus!

This is one of those categories that falls under the BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR titles, at least for this week. I really wanted snow for Christmas – just a little – well I got it! and got it again! 😀 It does look like by the end of the week we will be returning to our “normal” wet weather, but then again there wasn’t snow predicted during SNOWMAGEDDON 2019 🙂 We were a soggy mess before the snow, so as it melts and we return to more rain, it could be even messier.

I included Saturday and Sunday in the picture above so you could see what we’re getting. We did lose power for a short time yesterday morning, but fortunately it returned fairly quickly 😀

Hot water and baby food squeeze 😀

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING When the power came back on I was able to get caught up on laundry yesterday (just in case the power goes out again like the DISH cable has). I also deep cleaned the kitchen yesterday after the mess I’d made from all the baking and Christmas cooking. I’ll also do a bit of vacuuming later today. GROCERIES & ERRANDS & PROJECTS Fortunately we have no where to go until Thursday and then that’s just a quick errand. I have no intentions of really being out and about until 2022. I’m working on some drawings for some spring paintings I’ll begin later this week. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS Once again NOT the week for phone calls, but I will keep moving forward on some paperwork. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING LOTS of leftovers between now and 2022 using up the Christmas turkey and Prime Rib starting with last night’s Prime Rib Barley soup.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Joyuex Noel TUBI A Chance for Christmas DVD White Christmas, Home Alone 1 & 2, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th street 1947 & 1994Die Hard 1 & 2 CABLE A few Christmas movies to catch up on, Kids Baking Championship

I’ve started 3 different books, but hope to finish them all this week.

• Marie Force’s State of Grace from the FATAL series
• When Never Comes by Barbara Davis
• Lisa Wingate’s The Sandcastle Sister from the (CAROLINA CHRONICLES) series

My psuedo STEP SIL (long story there) makes these every year for her Christmas cards. I was lucky enough to receive 3 this year and they look awesome on the tree.

I still need to edit yesterday’s snow pictures, but here are a few unedited. These are from yesterday. I’ll probably get a few more today as we got several more inches last night and everything is completely covered again. I just loved the little old lady (probably about 90) clearing her driveway and walk with the wheel barrow, but I feel sorry for her as it all covered again.

Santa and his hot air balloon are buried under there somewhere. He was already on his last legs 😀 but the snow cinched it.

As you put away the Christmas wrappings, keep this in mind. Those missing/mismatched socks from the dryer that have no mates can have more use in them. I store the wrapping rolls inside of each other and then use the socks to keep them tight and protected.

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	PRIME RIB QUESADILLAS	PRIME RIB STROGANOFF	PRIME RIB & CARAMELIZED ONION SANDWICHES	TURKEY TETRAZINNI	BLACK EYED PEA CHILI	BRAISED LAMB SHANKS with MAC & CHEESE inspired by BOSTON’S DARYL’S CORNER BAR	C.O.R.N.  CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
DESSERT		WHIPPED SHORTBREAD COOKIES

• MILLIONAIRE SHORTBREAD
• TRIED & TRUE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
• DRIED BEEF PICKLE DIP
• COMPANY CHICKEN

• POPCORN RANCH BAKED
• CHEESEBURGER PASTA
• PEPERONCINI CHICKEN
  

• NONA’S TOFFEE BARS
  
• SHORTBREAD TOFFEE
  
• BAKED BEAN DIP
  

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

How is everyone? Have you finished your Christmas shopping and preparations? For the first time ever I finished a week early and have had time to just bake and enjoy! Part of that has been my self imposed simplicity for the year. I’m loving it and quite honestly there really doesn’t feel like there is anything missing!

I fell behind a bit last week with BLOGMAS having too much fun baking, but I’m all caught up now 😀

Day 1 ~ Holiday Schedule
Day 2 ~ Elf on the Shelf / Gnomes
Day 3 ~ Christmas Movie MUST Watch List
Day 4 ~ Christmas Music Playlist
Day 5 ~ Quiet Christmas?
Day 6  ~Christmas Cookies
Day 7 ~ Real or Artificial Tree?
Day 8 ~ Winter MUST haves
Day 9 ~ Christmas Cards
Day 10 ~ Advent Calendar
Day 11 ~ Favorite Decorations and Ornaments
Day 12 ~Outdoor Decorations & Lights
Day 13 ~ TAG questions
Day 14 ~ Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Day 15 ~ Neighbor Plates & Gifts / Delivery Drivers
Day 16 ~ WISH List
Day 17 ~ Party Food Ideas/ CHARCUTERIE Boards
Day 18 ~ Favorite Christmas Foods, Beverages & Recipes
Day 19 ~ Inspirations & Stories
Day 20 ~ Favorite Family Traditions
Day 21 ~ Wrapping Ideas
Day 22 ~ Weather/Winter Wonderland Pictures
Day 23 ~ Meaning of Christmas
Day 24 ~ Christmas Past, Present & Future
Day 25 ~ When Do You Open Presents?

Looks like we’re going to get that snow for Christmas day(and then some) that I wished for, BUT this forecast as been ever changing, so while I’m hoping it’s true, I know in reality it will probably change again.

Hot water and baby food squeeze 😀 this doesn’t change much

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING & PROJECTS I was able to complete the laundry yesterday after the Eagles Christmas party. I do have a few items (Christmas totes) to move to the garage before vacuuming. We installed a new LED ceiling fixture in the laundry room on Saturday to replace the old fluorescent fixture that died. And we will install the new ceiling fan in the master bedroom later today. I also deep cleaned behind the refrigerator and under the stove over the weekend. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I do need just a couple things and will do those on Tuesday morning early!!! PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’ll work a bit whittling down my to do pile of paperwork and end of the year tasks, but will NOT call anyone this week so they can enjoy their holiday week too 😀 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on a new planner and wellness guide for 2022 hoping to incorporate all my “normal” tasks into a SINGLE planner.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Christmas in the Heartland DISNEY+ I tried to watch the Home Alone knock off Home Sweet Home, but just couldn’t finish it 🙁 REDBOX The Jungle Cruise with Dwayne Johnson & Cry Macho with Clint Eastwood CABLE It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, a couple Lifetime & Hallmark Christmas movies

I just started a new series from Ava Miles, Beside Golden Irish Fields (Book 1) ~ The Unexpected Prince Charming Series but have been falling asleep almost immediately before getting too far into the book.

Saturday night we froze our butts off watching the Timber Town Toy Land Electric Light Parade which honestly they over named! We are a small town and they try hard, but this year’s parade wasn’t nearly as good as last years 🙁 but I did get a few good pictures. It stayed clear until after the parade and the storm moving in gave the full moon an eerie glow.

MAKE THIS YOUR CHEAT WEEK 😀

NOT SURE IF THIS WORKS, BUT SOUNDS WORTH A TRY 😀

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	ORANGE APRICOT CHICKEN & RICED CAULIFLOWER PILAF	BAKED BEAN DIP & CHIPS	COMPANY CHICKEN and DRIED BEEF PICKLE ROLL DIP & CHIPS	CHRISTMAS ENCHILADAS	ROAST TURKEY BREAST, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY, HONEYED CARROTS & UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE	MARINATED PRIME RIB, TWICE BAKED POTATOES, SAUTEED GREEN BEANS & AUSTRALIAN CHEESECAKE	C.O.R.N. leftovers
DESSERT		AUSTRALIAN CHEESECAKE & UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE

• MELT IN YOUR MOUTH BANANA BREAD

• UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE
• CAFETERIA CHICKEN & GRAVY aka DADDY’S ROAST CHICKEN
• HOT ITALIAN SANDWICHES
  

• BAKED BEAN DIP
• DRIED BEEF PICKLE ROLL DIP
• ORANGE APRICOT CHICKEN
• TRIED & TRUE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
• COMPANY CHICKEN

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

How is everyone this morning? Are you ready for Christmas?

I’m actually ready. ALMOST! Shopping is done. Packages are wrapped and will be ALL shipped as of later this morning. Rib roast is ordered at the Butcher. Menus are made. Food donations are arranged for the baskets being given away. Cookies are proportioned for the Cookie Exchange later this week.

But, for some reason this year I fell behind on Christmas cards (I’m usually ready by the end of November) and I’m not even sure why! I also whittled down my list this year so there are fewer cards ~ so I have no real excuse. I will get them finished today or tonight.

I’m even up to date minus yesterday’s post on BLOGMAS so all and all I’m pretty pleased.

DAY 1 ~ Holiday Schedule
DAY 2 ~ Elf on the Shelf / Gnomes
DAY 3 ~ Christmas Movie MUST Watch List
Day 4 ~ Christmas Music Playlist
DAY 5 ~ Quiet Christmas?
Day 6  ~Christmas Cookies
Day 7 ~ Real or Artificial Tree?
Day 8 ~ Winter MUST haves
Day 9 ~ Christmas Cards
Day 10 ~ Advent Calendar
Day 11 ~ Favorite Decorations and Ornaments
Day 12 ~Outdoor Decorations & Lights
Day 13 ~ TAG questions
Day 14 ~ Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Day 15 ~ Neighbor Plates & Gifts / Delivery Drivers
Day 16 ~ WISH List
Day 17 ~ Party Food Ideas/ CHARCUTERIE Boards – OOPS I’m a day behind, but will get caught up today 😀
Day 18 ~ Favorite Christmas Foods, Beverages & Recipes

Our forecast keeps alternating between rain and snow so it really could go either way since we are now on WINTER STORM WARNING! Our highs are supposed to be in the low 40’s and the nighttime lows in the very low 30’s and lots of wet, wet days ahead this week.

We’ve also been extremely windy. Saturday night we had to disconnect the Frosty and Santa blow-ups because they were trying to take flight. We also lost one of the old fashioned Christmas light posts when it blew off the porch and shattered. 🙁 The rain pounded for all of Friday and Saturday making everything a soppy mess, but there were a couple hours in the 40’s yesterday where we were able to get the blow ups drained off of excess water, untangled the wind blown lines and re-secure them. Hubby was even able to glue some of the lantern pieces back together, but this will be the last year for it.

WINTER STORM WARNING ~ PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.
* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, food, water, medications, and 
a fully charged phone with you.
* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.
* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is imminent and poses a threat 
to life and property. Take protective action now.

Hot water and Peach, Apple, Pear squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Laundry is up to date, but I need to vacuum and finish some reorganizing of the spice cabinet. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I do need to ship a couple last minute gifts today – there was a snafu and the recipe cutting boards we were having made weren’t ready until late Saturday for pick up. I had seen these all over Amazon (I included the picture in the favorite photos section) but I found a local artisan who made the cutting boards from local woods and partnered with another local artisan who did the lasering part. I’m so happy to have been able to support local mom and pop shops instead of some foreign corporate chain. I’m hoping they’ll arrive before Christmas with all the holiday shipping delays going on this year. Fortunately I don’t “need” to go anywhere else until Friday for a pedicure and I’ll do any last minute errands then. I do have a painting class/cookie exchange on Thursday night. We’re doing a really cute stockings hung by the fire scene. Here’s the sample picture, but mine will have 6 stockings. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’ve been whittling away at the stack and aim to have it completed by the end of the year. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did buy a new recipe planner for 2022 and will spend some of my down time during the wet week working on the January menus.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX The Holiday Calendar & A Boy Called Christmas CABLE HALLMARK CHRISTMAS movies, Baking shows, Mysteries of the Abandoned

I’m in between reads right now and need to decide on something, but for now have just been playing words with friends as I fall asleep.

We had this family recipe lasered onto cutting boards (made by a local artisan) made for gifts this year and I can show you how cool they are because the recipients don’t read my Monday posts 😀 I wish the picture was better, but too late to take a new one as they are wrapped and ready for shipping in a couple hours.

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	ORANGE PECAN CHICKEN	ORANGE APRICOT CHICKEN	PHILLY CHEESESTEAK EGG ROLLS	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	DRIED PICKLE ROLL DIP & CHIPS	RUSTIC TATER SOUP & HAM SANDWICHES	BAKED BEAN DIP & PIMIENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES
DESSERT		MILLIONAIRES & DROP SUGAR COOKIES

• CAST IRON SKILLET MEATLOAF
• SHRIMP SCAMPI PASTA
• NORWEGIAN MEATBALLS

• PINEAPPLE RUM PUNCH
• FRENCH PEAR TART
• HONEY BUTTER GARLIC PORK  LOIN
  

• RUSTIC TATER & HAM SOUP
• ROASTED POTATO SALAD
• BLUEBERRY SOUR CREAM BREAD/MUFFINS

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

Did you have a good week? Are you ready for the holidays? Are you going simple this year or going BIG after last year being so low key? We’re going low key, but I didn’t have to be talked into decorating this year. Wanting to downsize many things made that choice easy.

I had a pretty good week and accomplished quite a bit. I also ended it with a painting class yesterday that I enjoyed, BUT was really a bit of a pain in the butt because many people weren’t paying attention and she had to repeat herself quite a bit.

Here are mine and Jessica’s paintings. I’m fairly happy with it so far, but will probably do some touch up in the future.

Don’t forget to join in to BLOGMAS when you can. Here is a list of the links to date. I’m not doing a linky, but will visit you if you comment so I know you played along 😀

DAY 1 ~ Holiday Schedule
DAY 2 ~ Elf on the Shelf / Gnomes
DAY 3 ~ Christmas Movie MUST Watch List
Day 4 ~ Christmas Music Playlist
DAY 5 ~ Quiet Christmas?
Day 6  ~Christmas Cookies
Day 7 ~ Real or Artificial Tree?
Day 8 ~ Winter MUST haves
Day 9 ~ Christmas Cards
Day 10 ~ Advent Calendar
Day 11 ~ Favorite Decorations and Ornaments

It’s going to be quite a wet week. Snow was even in the forecast for 2 days, but we’ll see if that materializes. Our highs will be in the low 50’s and low’s in the low 30’s. Hubby has an early doctor’s appointment that I need to go to also this morning so I’m in layers of warm things 😀

Hot water and baby food squueze – apple pineapple carrot today – actually a favorite flavor!

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Mostly done except for a load of delicates. GROCERIES & ERRANDS All done yesterday on my way home from painting class. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS A few things to do, but most will wait til January now. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on a Christmas and New Year’s menu and setting aside some new soups and stews to try in January.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX We watched A Castle for Christmas with Brooke Shields, Red Notice with Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson and Father Christmas is Back with Kelsey Grammer RED BOX We watched 13 minutes, OLD and a really bad Nicholas Cage movie Prisoners of Ghosts CABLE HALLMARK and LIFETIME CHRISTMAS movies (some of which this year are just NOT up to Hallmark standards) as well as Christmas baking shows – BUDDY VS. DUFF, HOLIDAY WARS, CHRISTMAS COOKIE CHALLENGE, HOLIDAY BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP

I have been so exhausted when I fall into bed that I haven’t gotten much reading done recently. I did get 3 new Bible journaling and devotional books delivered over the weekend and will be beginning on them soon.

I did my part for shopping local and then encountered feeding time on the way home from town – only in the country do you have to wait for the cows to be fed in order to get where you’re going.

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	RUEBEN EGG ROLLS	ORANGE APRICOT CHICKEN	GRILLED CHEESE PIMIENTO SANDWICHES & SOUP	KILBOURN SANDWICHES	MEATBALLS with PAPPARDELLE	ORANGE PECAN CHICKEN	BAKED BEAN DIP, DRIED BEEF PICKLE ROLL DIP
DESSERT		BLUEBERRY SOUR CREAM CAKE, GRAHAM CRACKER BROWNIES, RUSTIC NUT BARS, VELVEETA FUDGE, MILLIONAIRES & SNICKERDOODLE POPPERS

• THANKSGIVING CASSEROLE
  
• THANKSGIVING EGG ROLLS
  
• TURKEY TETRAZZINI
  
• LOADED FRIED MASHED POTATOES

• SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN
• CHICKEN SOUR CREAM YEAST ROLLS
• GRASSHOPPER BROWNIES
  

• REUBEN EGG ROLLS
• KILBOURN SANDWICHES
• SHRIMP SCAMPI PASTA
• CHARCUTERIE BOARDS

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

How is everyone this morning? Number one question – did you take your turkey out of the freezer this morning to thaw in the refrigerator? 😀 Have you done your grocery shopping and are you ready to

I had a SUPER busy week around here preparing for the carpet cleaners that should be here around 9AM. Most of the furniture is in the dining room, kitchen or bathrooms as well as stacked on top of each other to clear a path and make their job easier! Hopefully, it will also make it go faster. I’ll go run errands after their done so I’m out of the house while it dries. A friend recently did her own and ended up sick from the chemicals so I want to be out while it’s drying.

Fortunately I have already done the grocery shopping so can avoid those stores!

I’m also working on My BLOGMAS 2021 list and am ready to dig in just after Thanksgiving this year. I’m so ready for Christmas!

It’s supposed to be a relatively mild week with highs in the 40’s and 50’s and lows in the high 30’s with a little rain starting on Thanksgiving.

Hot water and baby food squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING after everything dries this afternoon we have to “reassemble” the house 😀 GROCERIES & ERRANDS some oddball errands, a pedicure, a doctor appointment… PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS nothing this week because of the holiday that won’t wait until next week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING November is pretty much a wash, but I’m working on December dinner recipes, some cookies for a Christmas cookie exchange next month and some new gift mix recipes.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Hallmark Christmas Movies, Christmas Baking shows. It’s A Wonderful Life…

I’m still working on some seasonal recipe magazines and tagging the recipes I’d like to make this winter. I also started a new series called Five Island Cove by Jessie Newton, Book number one is ‘The Lighthouse’.

I just LOVE this old one-lane bridge near us and someone (no one knows who) puts up a new seasonal decoration on both sides of the bridge each month.

AND A FUNNY THIS WEEK

I know I shared this last week also, but it bears repeating with Thanksgiving upon us.

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	FRENCH DIPS & TOTS	C.O.R.N.  clean out refrigerator night	CHARCUTERIE BOARD	THANKSGIVING see menu	THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS	THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS	*C.O.R.N.  clean out refrigerator night
DESSERT		CRANBERRY APPLE SLAB PIE

• CHEESEBURGER PASTA
  
• BUTTERMILK POBLANO GRAVY
  
• CARAMELIZED PEARS with PORK BELLY
  
• GRAN’S APPLE CAKE
  

• CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS
• TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE STEW with CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD
• OVEN BAKED CHICKEN & RICE with SAUTEED MUSHROOMS

• HONEY LEMON (or ORANGE) PORK CHOPS
• MEXICAN STREET CORN CHOWDER
• GREAT GRAN’S CHICKEN & NOODLES

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

Can you believe we are half way through November already? And that Thanksgiving is only 10 days away? Have you bought your turkey yet? On that same line of thinking we’re only 40 days from Christmas. This year sure seems to be FLYING by!

Yesterday was gorgeous and today we’re back to 100% chance of rain. The pond that was near barren just 6 weeks ago has been refilled. There was also a rock slide last Friday from all of last week’s rain that blocked the highway a few miles from our house. I believe that is supposed to reopen later today, but now they’re sating Tuesday. They originally estimate 5-600 cubic yards of debris to remove so they could repair the road. Last I heard it was now over 7,000 cubic yards so it is taking more time.

PICTURE OF SLIDE ON THIS LINK

The rest of this week is supposed to be much cooler and quite wet which is fine by me since I’ll be home and inside working.

I’d like to say last week’s appointment with the chronic care manger went well, but it didn’t even happen… I got to the receptionist to check in and was told the chronic care manager is no longer with the practice and they’ll get back to me when they get a new one. They didn’t even call to tell me the appointment had been canceled! I cannot tell you how infuriated I am with this particular medical practice.

They did get me in with the nurse practitioner o Friday and she ordered my monitor and set into works the specialty referrals I need to go back to the endocrinologist and dermatologist.

I also have a last appointment with my primary care doctor that I love and is the one leaving. I’m hoping to find out what practice she’s going to and see about transferring even though it means it’s 65 miles away. Sometimes small town living is bad… when it comes to not enough decent medical.

So once again I’m having hot water and peach yogurt while waiting for new referrals and monitors to be ordered. The delicate balance between reactive hypoglycemia and dumping syndrome is like walking a tightrope as you move through your day – EVERY day 24/7 and it is absolutely exhausting!

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m half way through deep cleaning the ledges and everything on them in the living room cathedral ceiling area. Whose bright idea was it to do those stupid decorative ledges? Probably some man that didn’t have to think about cleaning them! I’ll spend the week finishing the baseboards and cleaning door jambs and windows so I’ll be ready for the carpet cleaners next Monday. GROCERIES & ERRANDS Hubby has a blood donation later today and I’ll drop him off and pick up the few groceries I need for the week. I have a blood draw on Friday, but no other errands as of now. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS Most things are on hold this week as I do the physical labor to get ready for next week. I’ll concentrate more on this category next week. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Everything is planned through November and I’m working on some new recipes for December and a cookie exchange I’ll be participating in.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

We’re “ALMOST” caught up on everything that was on the DVR during our trip and have been trying to watch all the new episodes as appropriate.

I’ve been reading some seasonal recipe magazines and tagging the recipes I’d like to make this winter. I also started a new series called Five Island Cove by Jessie Newton, but haven’t really gotten far enough into it to say whether I like it or not. Book number one is ‘The Lighthouse’.

I’ve also been reading up on the power of comfort food. I found a few Scandinavian recipes I plan to make over the winter. They say these recipes will brighten dark days 😀 Recipes like, Apple and Cinnamon Cake, Norwegian Cream Buns, Auntie Inga’s ‘Kladdaka’ aka sticky chocolate cake and Kanelbullar aka real cinnamon buns.

I’d really like to know the history, (no pun intended) of this billboard off the highway near where we live.

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	PAN SEARED CHICKEN with MASHED POTATOES & BUTTERMILK POBLANO GRAVY	LOADED HASH BROWN POTATO SOUP	ONE POT CHEESEBURGER PASTA	COMPANY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI SUN DRIED TOMATO RISOTTO	GRILLED PIMIENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES and BOOZY CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP	HONEY ORANGE PORK CHOPS and RICE PILAF	CAST IRON MEATLOAF and BAKED POTATOES
DESSERT		APPLE PEAR CAKE

We updated the Thanksgiving menu a bit – just decided there was too much food on it so we simplified to our favorite recipes. 😀

• HONEY BUTTER GARLIC PORK LOIN
• HOT ITALIAN SANDWICHES
• S3 SWEET, SALTY & STICKY PORK CHOPS – SWEET & SOUR 1000 ISLAND PORK CHOPS
• MELT IN YOUR MOUTH CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE
• TUNA TARRAGON

• CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
• FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS with SWEET PEPPER SAUCE 
• CHOCOLATE FUDGE MARBLE CELEBRATION CAKE 

• GRAN’S APPLE CAKE aka HARVEST CAKE
  
• PORK BELLY & CARAMELIZED PEARS
  

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

Did you remember to set your clocks back? I did, but my body didn’t get the message so I was WIDE awake at 5AM on a Sunday! Oh well, I got a lot done and was happy for the extra time. 😀

I’m anxious to jump into some normalcy and begin this holiday season! I started with our local Harvest craft fair last Saturday and did a bunch of Christmas shopping while supporting local artists. The Christmas holiday fair is in a month and I will support it also. Entry into both fairs is canned goods for the food drive which I highly support.

I also have everything gift wrapped to date which is such a relief to be ahead of the game. I even have the Christmas cards started 😀

While we didn’t have “luck” on finding a new project home this trip YET I’m a believer in things happening for a reason and know what is supposed to be will be in time so I’m okay with it. It is prompting me to spend the winter sorting and planning a HUGE garage sale for spring to downsize when I know things will work out better. I’m hoping by then we have entered the endemic phase of this pandemic and to find a bit of normalcy in the world around us.

The Pacific North West in November and it’s raining, imagine that LOL We’re supposed to be in the 50’s with low in the 40’s all week along with more rain. We needed the rain so bad that I don’t even mind! I love that all the flannel and layers are back with my comfy UGGs.

Hot water and black cherry yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry to do today and tomorrow and then will begin a DEEP CLEAN from the ceiling down later this week. And by deep clean I mean EVERY light fixture globe, everything on the “decorative” ledges above the living room, the tops of the cupboards etc… I want to get it all done before they come to clean the carpets on the 22nd. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have an appointment with the Chronic Care manager FINALLY on Tuesday and the eye doctor on Wednesday. Between being in town on those 2 days I’ll get ALL the errands done. Hubby has a follow up with his doctor Friday afternoon that I need to cancel since the doctor actually called us last Friday afternoon. I also received a letter saying my primary doctor is leaving the area for an area to our north. I have an appointment with her later this month, but I’m going to try and move it up so I can get all my referrals and prescriptions handled. Poor timing for the whole meter fiasco getting handled. I’m hoping whatever practice she’s moving to will take some of her patients – I’ll make the hour drive to stay with her. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I need to get follow up referrals from the primary doctor for the dermatologist and endocrinologist. This was already on the to do list when I received the letter (which was dated 10/25, but not postmarked until 11/4) on Saturday. The practice she’s leaving was on my S**T list already for not meeting my needs as a patient and she was the only saving grace for it. So, I have no regrets leaving them behind by hopefully following her to her new practice or finding another doctor in the area. The jury is still out on the chronic care manager as I have yet to meet her. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Everything is planned through Thanksgiving so I’m taking a rest, despite collecting a few new recipes.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Season 2 Locke & Key CABLE I finished all the Halloween Baking shows and arm beginning on the Holiday ones 😀 I also got caught up on most of the prime time shows from when we were traveling. Oh and Hallmark Christmas movies have begun 😀

I’m working on Kristen Proby’s book #3 Serendipity: A Bayou Magic Novel, but I keep falling asleep before I get but a few paragraphs in.

Hubby and I were both getting a little cabin fever from the recent rain storms so took a drive to a neighboring town and had lunch at a favorite old haunt and did a little antiquing. It was cold, but so good to get out and I actually took a few new pictures.

Buster’s Main Street Cafe where we went is too small and unable to operate under current COVID restrictions, but we were happy to find that several of the downtown businesses have banded together with a local Brewery, Covered Bridge Brewing and are able to still function and stay in business. They deliver your food directly to you at the brewery who in turn serves your drinks and is large enough to have tables that meet the social distancing requirements.

It’s a cute little town and actually has a fun history dating back to the filming of Buster Keaton’s The General in 1926 and John Belushi’s Animal House parade scene down Main Street in 1978. Cottage Grove is also home to many working covered bridges and a go to spot when people are visiting. The covered bridge below is actually only a mile and half from the house and one of my favorites that we use quite often.

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	MEATBALLS & PASTA with SALAD	LOADED HASHBROWN POTATO SOUP & BISCUITS	TUNA TARRAGON	S3 PORK CHOPS & VEGGIE	PAPRIKA RUBBED CHICKEN & RICE PILAF	RED CABBAGE SALAD	PAN SEARED CHICKEN with MASHED POTATOES & BUTTERMILK POBLANO GRAVY
DESSERT		CARAMEL MACCHIATO CUPCAKES

• ROASTED TOMATILLO CHILI
• PISTACHIO CRUSTED ROCK FISH/HALIBUT
• ENCHILADA MEATBALLS, RE-FRIED BEANS & TEX-MEX RICE

• CRAN PINEAPPLE SAUCE
• CRUSTLESS APPLE PIE ~ SPICY BAKED APPLES
• WINTER CRANBERRY ORANGE PORK ROAST

• BEEF STROGANOFF on a BUDGET
• HONEY BUTTER GARLIC PORK LOIN
• MELT IN YOUR MOUTH CHICKEN PARMESAN
  

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

I hope you are all doing well and I promise to play a better catch-up game this week now that I’m home! I’m still playing catch-up on mail, laundry, current events/news (so much happened while we were traveling), etc…, but I’m home! As wonderful as the trip was, it’s always good to get back!

Oh my can you believe it is November already? 24 days until Thanksgiving and 54 days until Christmas if you were wondering! I can say that now that Halloween is over. I hope your was great whatever you did. Ours was quiet with about 4 dozen or so kids. At one point we wondered why we heard them coming to the door, but not ringing the bell when we realized they were just taking from the delivery driver bins 😀 We brought those inside so they would ring the bell for the Halloween candy instead. HA HA, It never occurred to me to bring those in.

I was planning on doing BLOGTOBER and BLOGEMBER this year, but honestly will be lucky to do BLOGMAS. I do have high hopes of returning to a more normal blogging in 2022.

We’re back in the cool fall of the Pacific Northwest! I’m absolutely loving it, but need to get my wardrobes changed out to warmer clothes and soon! Highs will be in the low 50’s with the lows in the high 30’s and lots of clouds and rain. Flannel shirts and UGG’s are in! 😀

Hot water and pear applesauce

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Believe it or not, but I’m caught up! I didn’t do laundry the week before we left so that made things worse! I won’t be making that mistake again! Doing a month’s worth of laundry in one weekend is horrible! GROCERIES & ERRANDS Hubby has an appointment later today and we have a few errands to run. I have a pedicure tomorrow and will do the grocery shopping and remaining errands the. PROJECTS I’m trying to get ahead of the game this year on Christmas cards and presents being wrapped early and ready for shipping with all the shipping channels being overloaded. I’m also working on the “down sizing” sort for winter so we can do a BIG garage sale in the spring. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I need to go through my desk and play catch up on paperwork as well as a couple phone calls. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have the menus planned through Thanksgiving, but beyond that I need to go through and decide.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

DVD There is so much to catch up on on the DVR alone that I don’t know where to begin. We made a bit of a dent in it over the rainy weekend.

We got through 12 books of the Jana DeLeon Miss Fortune series while on the trip and I didn’t get much reading done at night, but did finish the 21st book in the series. I’m about to begin the 3rd in the Bayou Magic series by Kristen Proby.

I’m still editing the last of the trip photos, but those of you that follow my Instagram have seen most of them already. I still have the last few days of the trip to go, but hope to get them up on Instagram the next couple days. 😀 One of my most favorite is this old photo booth style composite of lunch with some of our oldest friends 😀 I know I shared it last week, but it’s still one of my favorites 😀

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE	1000 ISLAND PORK CHOPS	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT and GRANDMA’S APPLE CAKE	MEATBALLS & PASTA with SALAD	HOT ITALIAN SANDWICHES	MEXICAN STREET CORN CHOWDER	PAPRIKA RUBBED CHICKEN
DESSERT

• PORK TONKASTU with WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN  with WINE HERB PAN SAUCE
• BEER BRAISED CHUCK ROAST with GLAZED RED ONIONS
• MEYER LEMON CAESAR DRESSING

• SOURDOUGH OATNUT HOLIDAY DRESSING
• BRUSSELS SPROUTS CASSEROLE
• PUMPKIN PINEAPPLE CRUNCH CAKE aka HARVEST DUMP CAKE

• PISTACHIO CRUSTED ROCK FISH or HALIBUT
• ROASTED TOMATILLO CHILI
• ENCHILADA MEATBALLS, RE-FRIED BEANS & TEX-MEX RICE

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

Hey everyone! I know I’ve been missing in action, but this is the beginning of our last week of travel! I have to admit I will be so happy to end this trip. It has been beyond exasperating, beyond informative and tiring too (which I will do a post about soon). There were some great highlight moments too, but it was certainly an eye opener. It’s true what they say, YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN! But, that’s a story for another day.

I promise to get around to everyone and visit this next week 😀 Thanks for being patient with me.

We arrived at my SIL’s house yesterday and boy what a weather change from the past couple weeks. It’s extremely cool here, windy and rainy too. We should have highs in the 50’s all week. I’m glad I packed some of my favorite flannels and extra socks 😀 I’m also glad we’ll be here through the worst of the storm which should clear before we head home Thursday.

Hot water and baby food squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING We’ll get home Friday and I’ll certainly have a pile of laundry to do! GROCERIES & ERRANDS These will wait until next week, probably Tuesday since I already have a pedicure scheduled that day. And hubby has a Dr. appointment on our way home Friday. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’m still trying to get the doctor’s office to handle my new meter 🙁 No one seems to be following through! I do meet with the chronic care manager on the 9th and hope to have everything resolved by then. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I was able to work on menus on the trip and have next two weeks planned.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

WHATEVER is on the SIS’s and the hotel TVs. We’ll start catching up on the DVR over the weekend when we get home.

We’re still listening to the Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series and will finish Reel of Fortune #12 and Swamp Spook #13  on our way home.

I’m trying to get caught up on editing all the pictures I have taken on this trip, but some of my favorites were the ones from Cadillac Ranch.

And I LOVE this one from lunch last Saturday! We had sooooooo much fun and this series reminds me of an old photo booth series.

I will be attending our local craft fairs in November and December for just this reason!

 

 

• PEPERONCINO CHICKEN
• KANSAS CITY BBQ CHICKEN
• ROAST CHICKEN with HOT BUTTER SAUCE

• BEER BRAISED CHUCK ROAST with GLAZED RED ONIONS
  
• MEYER LEMON CAESAR DRESSING

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’re leaving on our road trip today (FINALLY) so I’ll make this fairly short and sweet. I hope you have all had a productive week and quiet weekend full of family and fun.

I’m laughing at this category today. The weather has been changing so much all over the country in just the past couple days. I packed for the trip and then repacked a second time before finally deciding on a multi-layered pack that allows for multiple weather pattern changes. Here this morning it’s raining and cool, but we’ll probably see some cooler temperatures and maybe even a bit of snow or at least a frost tonight when the low will be 27°. LOL tomorrow though we’ll be in Las Vegas by the end of the day so are planning for a bit warmer in the 70’s.

Hot water and a baby food squeeze on the go.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Whatever we see along the way 😀 We’ll catch up with the DVR when we return.

I’m reading Jana DeLeon’s Swamp Sweets, book #21 in the Miss Fortune series. Hubby and I will continue to listen to the books from the beginning on audible while we travel the next few weeks.

I went to a painting party last Wednesday for a Halloween painting that’s growing on me and I will definitely be doing some updates on, but I’m really looking forward to the Christmas cookie exchange painting party that my girlfriend is putting together. She’s thinking about maybe doing this one.

I did sign up for this cute gnome in December also.

The Eagles will be having a bake sale while we’re gone (I originally offered to bake for it when we were supposed to go on this trip months ago and thought we’d be here for the sale) so I did all my baking this weekend and prepared them for the freezer. This way they can do as they please for the sale. I made 3 Whiskey Currant Pineapple Carrot cakes, a Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake and a Pumpkin Butter Pecan Dump Cake. Needless to say I ran out of time for much picture taking this week, but hope to make up for it on the trip. 😀

with the links to last week’s posted recipes and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	??? ON THE ROAD	TRASH CAN NACHOS @ GUY FIERI’S EL BURRO BORRACHO RESTAURANT I’ve always wanted to try these	ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION dinner (FINALLY) at one of our FAVORITE restaurants CAPO’S SPEAKEASY	?? ON THE ROAD	?? ON THE ROAD	BRICKTOWN BREWERY another favorite restaurant	?? ON THE ROAD

• DADDY’S ROAST CHICKEN
• CAFETERIA CHICKEN
• CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER
• POPCORN RANCH BAKED CHICKEN
• BLACK PEPPER BUTTERMILK BISCUITS & GARLIC CHEDDAR BUTTER
• CALIFORNIA CHICKEN CLUB RING & AVOCADO CREMA

• HEART ATTACK CASSEROLE aka TEXAS POTATOES
• BEEF VEGGIE SOUP
• HONEY BEER BREAD

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

I hope you are all doing well as we head into this first week of fall! I’m so excited! We did get our rain over the weekend and it was splendid, but seriously only a drop in the bucket compared to what we need!!

It took 583 days, but I received the most precious gift yesterday!! Munchkin hugs!! I’d missed those sooooooo verrrrrry much! I can’t believe how much they had grown!!! 😀

We were supposed to be getting some cooler weather with this storm that just passed and we did, but for some reason we’re returning to a warmer week to welcome in fall. I’m hoping it’s just one of those times when the high will happen for just an hour a day since the lows are pretty good. Unfortunately, there is no more rain for this week.

The good news I FINALLY got one of my referrals to one of the specialists I need. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to eat some different things for breakfast, but for today it’s some lovely hot water and peach yogurt for breakfast!

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I THINK WE HAVE A WINNER! That is if all goes as planned! Whirlpool is supposed to be here a week from tomorrow to install the new replacement machine. I’ll then have to play catch up, but I think last Friday was the last expensive trip to the laundromat! 😀 GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a pedicure appointment tomorrow and will do a few errands and pick up a few groceries at that time. I have the first appointment with one of the specialists on Friday. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’ve been making some headway, but there always seems to be something that replaces whatever I’ve crossed off my list. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have the menu planned until we leave in a few weeks. And then I’ll start a new plan for cooler weather meals when we get home in November. I am going to try a butcher delivery service in November also.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Virgin River, Money Heist, Walking Dead DISNEY+ TURNER & HOOCH DISCOVERY + MYSTERIES of the Abandoned CABLE – We watched a cheesy OLD movie MEN at WORK on the day it rained and the original DRACULA from 1931, NFL, NASCAR, HALLOWEEN WARS, HALLOWEEN BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, HALLOWEEN BIG BAKE, GIRL MEETS FARM, GUY’S GROCERY GAMES AND THE FALL SEASON SHOWS BEGIN TODAY!

I’m between reads and trying to catch up on a few magazines while I decide what to read next.

We did get to take a walk between rounds of the storm on Saturday. It was near dusk so I was able to capture this cool shot. And then this absolutely GORGEOUS sunset last night. These are both unedited photos. I can’t believe how lucky I was to happen into them both.

This little turtle appeared a bit stranded as the pond is drying up 🙁 he wasn’t, but he was there for so long we figured he was waiting for more water so he didn’t have to slug through the mud. There is only a couple inches of water in the pond that just 18 months ago was threatening to run over the road.

But my favorite from the week is Olivia and Rizzo! I’ve really missed that smile!  I should have gotten all 3 munchkins to show how much they’ve grown!!

 

 

I know this says hello weekend, but I wish it said hello fall!!! I’m so ready!

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	CHEDDAR, BEEF & POTATO CASSEROLE & SALAD	RANCH CHICKEN QUESADILLA FOLDOVERS & SALAD	HAMBURGER SOUP with BLACK PEPPER BUTTERMILK BISCUITS	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN & SALAD	CHICKEN DIVINE with NEW POTATOES & GREEN BEANS	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
DESSERT		STRAWBERRY CAKE for DIANA’S BIRTHDAY

• ASIAGO PASTA PEAS
• BLACK FOREST DUMP CAKE
• BUTTERMILK APPLE CIDER GRILLED CHICKEN
  
• TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE STEW with CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD
  

• CHEDDAR MUFFINS
• POPPYSEED DRESSING
• CHICKEN ALFREDO STUFFED SHELLS

• BEER BRAISED CHUCK ROAST
• PLAIN ‘OL PUMPKIN SPICE DUMP CAKE
• ENCHILADA MEATBALLS, RE-FRIED RICE & TEX-MEX RICE