Category: MENU PLAN MONDAY

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’m still on the road, but VERY rural at my SIL’s house this morning so this will be an abbreviated post. We will be heading to the family reunion on Tuesday. We had to cancel last year due to COVID so we are really looking forward to this year.  We changed the location a few years ago and many people want to move back to our original location so I have some research to do.

We received some bad news last week with hubby’s oldest sister passing away suddenly. Last year we were going to have a tribute to my MIL & FIL who have both passed away in the past couple years so we will have that this year and add in my SIL.

Hot water and apple, carrot baby food squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

Just lots of food, fun and family! Safely too!

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

I’m reading Frightfully Fortune by Jana DeLeon.  Hubby is actually listening to the series with me on Audible while we’re on the road. Last week we heard books 1 Louisiana Longshot & 2 Lethal Bayou Beauty and we will start book 3 Swamp Sniper on our way home from SIL’s next week.

I took a ton of pictures this past week, but many still need edited. For those of you that follow my instagram you know what I mean 😀 Here is one of my favorites though. SIL has her own beehives and they produce the best sage honey! My new jar is packed and ready to take home 😀

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP & WINGS	??	BBQ STEAKS	STREET TACOS	CHILI DOGS	POT LUCK	??
DESSERT

• BACON CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS
  
• SHRIMP PAD THAI
  
• P3 PISTACHIO PLUM PLATZ
  
• TOMATO SCALLOPED POTATOES
  
• PARSLEY SAGE ROSEMARY & THYME ROAST CHICKEN
  

• ZESTY GREEN BEANS
• SOUR APPLE SLAW
• ITALIAN CHICKEN & 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

I hope you’re all having a wonderful spring and had a GREAT weekend. We’re on the road again this week and having a great trip so I will make this VERY quick 😀

The weather has been quite nice until yesterday when we began to encounter rain and a cold front. We were treated with a nice thunderstorm last night and today is on the cool side so I’m back to flannels and many layers.

This doesn’t change much for me unfortunately no matter where we are at 😀 but it has been challenging with hotels and the way they handle breakfast during the pandemic. We’ve encountered everything from nothing, bagged to go continental breakfast, regular serve yourself buffet style (which we opted to stay away from) to room service only.

I did pack a supply of my squeeze pouches though so today is hot water with a splash of green tea and baby food squeeze – apricot peach this morning. It’s also a hotel with room service so hubby will choose something easy – fresh apple slices, hard boiled egg, a danish and coffee.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

SEARCHING FOR OUR NEXT PROJECT 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

WHATEVER IS ON THE HOTEL TV 😀

I’ve downloaded 2 new books to start this week during our trip. RETURN TO SENDER by Jennifer Peel and THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA by Hannah Ellis.

There have been so many favorite photos from the past week, but this one is probably the most poignant. I love the history of why Borglum chose these 4 presidents and I LOVED seeing how much the monument has changed and grown with the addition of the state flags and history since I was here last many years ago.

Some of the most fun were the 40 miles of Burma Shave like billboards for Wall Drugs in Wall, South Dakota. We didn’t stop this trip, but have before and it’s a fun once in a lifetime stop if you’re in the area.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	*STILL	*OUT	*OF	*TOWN	*FOR	*THE	*WEEK
DESSERT

• RUSTIC CASSOULET
• SWEET & SOUR BROWN BEANS

• PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY & THYME ROAST CHICKEN
• P3 ~ PISTACHIO PLUM PLATZ
• TOMATO SCALLOPED POTATOES

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 everyone had a WONDERFUL week! We had a rare late spring/early summer like week here so hubby and I took a quick trip to the coast and REALLY enjoyed the beautiful weather. It is so unusual for this time of year here that we were able to snag a a beach side room for almost nothing!  We literally turned on the fireplace and slept with the door open and we LOVED hearing the waves ALL night!

We did a little antiquing too and just had a relaxing trip.

Now this week we’re back to the highs in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s. So the sandals are stuck back into the closet and the tennies and sweatshirts back out 😀

Hot Water and Strawberry Pineapple Superfood Smoothie

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Laundry is done except for a load of sheets tomorrow. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m doing most of the groceries & errands today and baking tomorrow. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I need to finish the maps and trip planning for the upcoming family reunion and project search. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I will be searching through my new found recipe treasures to see what will be on the experiment list. Many of the “new” recipes are so old that they need ingredient research before I attempt them – I just LOVE those types!

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX We have 2 more seasons of Stargate SG1 and then will move on to Stargate Atlantis reruns DISNEY+ A couple of Mighty Ducks episodes to watch as well as a couple of Secrets of Sulphur Springs and Mandalorian 😀 CABLE I’m starting to weed out and narrow down my focus – too many shows are becoming repetitive or too dark ALL the time – GGG, DDD, Beat Bobby Flay, Tournament of Champions, Ellen’s Game of Games, Bull, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, 911, 911 Lone Star, FBI, FBI Most Wanted, Young Sheldon, The Unicorn, Last Man Standing, MOM, NCIS, NCIS New Orleans, NCIS LA, Magnum PI, MacGyver, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Chicago series

I finally started (I didn’t do much reading last week) SPY MISTRESS by Jennifer Chiaverini. I’ve read her many times in the past with her quilt series and always enjoy her stories.

“enthralling historical novel set during the Civil War era, this time inspired by the life of “a true Union woman as true as steel” who risked everything by caring for Union prisoners of war — and stealing Confederate secrets”…

On our trip I had GREAT success on finding 2 separate vintage recipe boxes FULL of old time recipes! I wish I had taken a picture of the old (1940’s ish based on the color and bakelite handle) American Home Maker Menu box before I did a quick paint job.

And hubby is about to start working on my other old hope chest soon!

The drawer in the bottom needs some repairs as does the swinging drawer on the inside. It’s painted white now, but if you look 👀 under the blemishes you can see it has also been painted yellow, olive and pink at one time or another over the years. I can’t wait to see what the original wood looks like.

It’s really kind of sad that this beautiful old “HOPE” chest that has held so many other people’s hopes, dreams and memories over the years ended up discarded in an old junk shop. We even found a couple of OLD school pictures caught in the bottom drawer edges. ☹️ But we’ll get it restored and it will again be cherished and eventually be full of my quilts and extra blankets. I love that it’s completely cedar lined.

My other one is painted candy apple 🍎 red, but I think this one will end up painted teal blue 😊

If you look 👀 close there are even a couple of future hidden projects inside – some old vintage sewing machine cabinet drawers that he’s turning into part of my kitchen spice cabinet and a great wooden box with beautiful wood that someone had tole painted black! I can’t wait to see what it looks like after he sands off that horrible black paint! The unpainted wood on the inside is gorgeous 😀

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	BBQ PORK TENDERLOINS & SALAD	PULLED PORK PASTRY PUFFS & SALAD	CHICKEN & SAUSAGE CASSOULET	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	Y.O.Y.O. YOUR ON YOUR OWN	PAN SEARED CHICKEN IN HERB SAUCE & BALSAMIC CARROTS	CHICKEN VESUVIO & BROCCOLI
DESSERT		CINNAMON PEAR PLATZ (GERMAN COFFEE CAKE)

• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO GRAVY & FLUFFY BUTTERED MASHED POTATOES
  
• BUFFALO CHICKEN SLIDERS
  
• BACON RANCH CHICKEN SLIDERS
  

• BEEF YAKISOBA
• PLUM SLAB PIE
• ROMAN CHICKEN
  

• BEER BRAISED CHICKEN
• SHEET PAN MAC & CHEESE
• PISTACHIO CRUSTED CHICKEN STEAKS

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 spring is treating you well and that you had a beautiful Easter holiday. Spring has FINALLY come to our area and we had a very quiet Easter here. I made an abbreviated menu and had a quiet and simple day 😀

While our lows are still in the high 30’s, we are reaching the high 50’s and low 60’s during the day. It’s now time for light layers as you never wear the same thing all day 😀

Hot water, cottage cheese and pineapple

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING – a couple loads of laundry, pack away Easter decorations, garden clean up, attach garden hoses… GROCERIES & ERRANDS pedicure and a BUNCH of little stops today to complete my to do list for the day PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’ve been trying to get a hold of the same medical office to change an appointment time for a week without a call back and I’m getting VERY frustrated so will stop by there tomorrow while I’m in town. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I spent a good deal of the weekend working on the April menu so I can use up the pantry and freezer items before we travel in May.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX We’re still watching Stargate SG!, but we’re up to season 7 REDBOX We saw WW84 – not my favorite Wonder Woman movie DISNEY+ Watched an episode of the Mighty Ducks which was pretty cute CABLE – Great American Food Truck Race, Easter Baking Challenge, GGG, DDD, Beat Bobby Flay, Spring Baking Challenge, Tournament of Champions, Clarice, Ellen’s Game of Games, Bull, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, 911, 911 Lone Star, FBI, FBI Most Wanted, Young Sheldon, The Unicorn, Last Man Standing, MOM, Call Your Mother, NCIS, NCIS New Orleans, NCIS LA, Magnum PI, MacGyver, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Chicago series, Law & Order SVU – I was waiting for the new Law & Order with Elliott’s return last week, but was a bit disappointed 🙁

I just downloaded a bunch of fun summer reads and hope to start one this week.

We did make it to the Tulip Festival last week. The day was beautiful, a bit chilly, but nice none the less. I got a few pictures, but the fields weren’t in as much bloom as we had hoped because of the late winter. 🙁

We bought this one for my mom for mother’s day.

I’ve been doing this for years and it works wonderfully!

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	PAD THAI	GARLIC LEMON CACIO E PEPE with ROASTED ARTICHOKES	PISTACHIO CRUSTED CHICKEN with TOMATO RICOTTA SALAD	CHICKEN BACON RANCH PULL APARTS and COLE SLAW	ENCHILADAS	BUFFALO CHICKEN PULL APARTS and OVEN BAKED FRENCH FRIES	BLT SPINACH ROLL-UPS and PASTA SALAD
DESSERT		CINNAMON PEAR PLATZ

• ORANGE CHILE CHICKEN
• ASIAN CHICKEN CHOPPED SALAD
• MARINATED APRICOT PORK CHOPS with ROASTED VEGGIES & APPLES
• SWEET & SPICY ORANGE CHILE CHICKEN

• CREAM SPRING SOUP
• TOMATO SWEET POTATO BISQUE & BACON JALAPENO GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS
• LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCINNE
  

• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO GRAVY & FLUFFY BUTTERED MASHED POTATOES
• PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY & THYME ROAST CHICKEN
• WHISKEY CHILE BBQ BABY BACK RIBS & SWEET CORN PUDDING

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 doing this morning? How was your first week of spring? Good morning sweet friends, hope you’ve all had a restful week(end).

Anyone else started a serious spring clean? I’m in that mode now and trying to do donations too and organize. 😀 We have a full week ahead with projects.

The “delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction” more commonly known as “COVID ARM” is a good thing, though an annoying and somewhat painful side effect of the COVID vaccine and is wreaking havoc on my ability to get things done! Especially coupled with the horrendous headache I’ve had since last week!

It scared the heck out of me when it first appeared 7 FULL days after my first vaccination.  It scared me even more when it continued to get worse AND cover a larger area over the next several days, but the Benadryl anti-itch cream is working wonders and I’ve been assured that this really is a “good thing” for my immune system. I can assure you though that the second dose will go into the other arm!

Our weather is supposed to be great (warmer and sunny) for the next couple days before taking another serious dip end of the week (last hurrah for winter I hope), but I will enjoy it while I can. This time last year we already had the garden planted! This year we’re just beginning the outdoor clean up to get ready to do that. We’ll power wash the winter away this week and uncover the garden beds that hubby informed me are FULL of ants. So there is that to deal with too.

Thursday we are planning on going to the Wooden Shoe TULIP festival in a neighboring town. I’m hoping the nice weather lasts at least that long. I’ve never been before, but I think it will be absolutely beautiful.

Hot water, cottage cheese with pineapple and a banana.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of laundry, vacuuming, changing out the winter/spring bedding and clothing, power washing the outside, window washing – a true spring cleaning week. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m cleaning out the pantry and freezer for spring cleaning so need very few groceries, just a few staples and I need to pick up my new glasses PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on April’s menu plan and getting organized

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Still working on Stargate SG1 reruns and we watched The Magic of Belle Isle with Morgan Freeman. REDBOX We rented Freaky with Vince Vaughn and News of the World with Tom Hanks – Freaky was a dark comedic horror film and News of the World was pretty good if not predictable though. DISNEY+ I need to finish Wanda Vision, I want to start The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and I finished this season’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs CABLE – Great American Food Truck Race, Easter Baking Challenge, GGG, DDD, Beat Bobby Flay, Spring Baking Challenge, Tournament of Champions, Clarice, Ellen’s Game of Games, Bull, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, 911, 911 Lone Star, FBI, FBI Most Wanted, Young Sheldon, The Unicorn, Last Man Standing, MOM, Call Your Mother, NCIS, NCIS New Orleans, NCIS LA, Magnum PI, MacGyver, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Chicago series, Law & Order SVU – I can’t wait for the new Law & Order with Elliott’s return this week.

I’ve downloaded a few books, but just haven’t figured out which one to read first. I’ve been reading some cookbooks and inspirationals.

Last Thursday was pretty stormy, but broke just in time for a gorgeous sunset. I took these pictures just a couple of minutes apart. It’s amazing how much a sky can change that quickly.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE	CHICKEN VESUVIO	PAD THAI	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	CHICKEN IN WHITE WINE HERB SAUCE	BEER BRAISED CHICKEN	HAM STEAKS, BRAISED CARROTS & SHEET PAN MAC & CHEESE
DESSERT		BLUEBERRY LEMON LIME CURD MUFFINS

• TOMATO BEEF & NOODLES
• CLASSIC POTATO SALAD
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with WILTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS
• NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S PARMESAN CHICKEN
• EVERYTHING BAGEL DUTCH BABY
• GRANDMA WARE’S SKILLET CORNBREAD

• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE CUPS
• CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE
• PINEAPPLE RAISIN TAMALES with BLUEBERRY SAUCE

• SWEET & SPICY ORANGE CHILE CHICKEN
• MARINATED APRICOT PORK CHOPS with ROASTED VEGGIES & APPLES
• ORANGE CHILE 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

I hope you are all having a great month and starting to see signs of spring wherever you are.  Winter is hanging on here and I’m not trusting that spring is here yet. I’m headed out early so will get this posted quickly.

Off and on rain this week with highs in the low 50’s and low’s in the high 30’s. I have on some comfy levis and a favorite soft and comfy hoodie.

Gerber Carrot Apple Pineapple squeezable and hot water

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING A couple loads of laundry and some vacuuming to do. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll get these done early this morning for the week. We’re still on a “PAUSE” here so staying home a lot still. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS We’re STILL trying to get some information on questions regarding the sale of the in-laws house and dealing with that nightmare. SIL is being less than straight forward with answers 🙁 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m waiting on a couple new cookbooks I ordered that should be here this week and then I’ll dive in 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX Still working on Stargate SG1 reruns PRIME I need to check, someone said we can get WW84 here DISNEY+ I need to finish Wanda Vision, I want to start The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Secrets of Sulphur Springs CABLE – Great American Food Truck Race, Easter Baking Challenge, GGG, DDD, Beat Bobby Flay, Spring Baking Challenge, Tournament of Champions, Clarice, Ellen’s Game of Games, Bull, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, 911, 911 Lone Star, FBI, FBI Most Wanted, Young Sheldon, The Unicorn, Last Man Standing, MOM, Call Your Mother, NCIS, NCIS New Orleans, NCIS LA, Magnum PI, MacGyver, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Chicago series, Law & Order SVU – I can’t wait for the new Law & Order with Elliott’s return.

I have some new devotionals from Mary & Martha that I will be working with this week.

It was a cold, rainy, windy, cloudy and lazy weekend here. Saturday was a day of off and on storms with multiple power outages. The only picture I got was of our domino game.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	HAMBURGER STROGANOFF SKILLET	PORK CHOPS with BAKED APPLES and FARMHOUSE BEER BREAD	ORANGE CHILE CHICKEN & RICE	BEER BRAISED CHICKEN	PORK with APPLE CREAM SAUCE and CREAMY MASHED POTATOES	ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE	PAN FRIED PORK STEAKS & POTATOES
DESSERT		PISTACHIO BRITTLE or CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES

• SMASHED SUNCHOKES with TARRAGON BUTTER
• PUB STYLE SHEPHERD’S PIE
• SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS
• BEEF YAKISOBA
• CRISPY POTATO BALLS
• RANCH PORK CHOP SHEET PAN SUPPER

• PAN SEARED LEMON APRICOT CHICKEN
• TUSCAN CHICKEN SOUP
• PUB STYLE SHEPHERD’S PIE
  

• GRANDMA WARE’S SKILLET CORNBREAD
• EVERYTHING BAGEL DUTCH BABY
• NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S CHICKEN PARMESAN
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with WILTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS
• TOMATO BEEF & NOODLES
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO GRAVY & FLUFFY BUTTERED MASHED POTATOES

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 a super lazy weekend here. I had a fairly severe reaction mid Saturday that ruined my plans for the weekend and the end of Saturday so I took it easy yesterday which worked well with being on a Winter Storm Advisory and not wanting to go outside anyway. We did watch the NASCAR races yesterday and got caught up on most things in the DVR.

Our county is one of only 2 counties in our state that have extended the “pause” which prevents us from going anywhere anyway. Ironically, they do know where the new cases arose from, but have chosen to close down everything else too. 🙁 I PRAY for an end to all this soon!

Today and tomorrow are supposed to be mostly cloudy with highs in the mid 40’s and lows in the high 20’s, but even though the temps go up slightly at the end of the week (50’s and 30’s), the rain returns with it.

Hot water and Carrot Apple Pineapple toddler squeeze.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I need to de-clutter a bit and do a little vacuuming, but everything looks pretty good besides that. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have an appointment in town later this morning so will also be doing my WHOLE list while I’m there. Our state has gone to a strictly age hierarchy for getting vaccines instead of recognizing compromised health which extended my ability to get the vaccine into next month.  BUT, I found a facility with a cancellation list that is offering doses that would otherwise expire to those with compromised immunities and they called me for an appointment this week YAY! 🙂 PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I’m beginning to get caught up on the backlog of recipes to post and little pieces of paper notes! 🙂 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I need to start researching what I’ll be doing for April, but I will also be participating in the April A to Z photo challenge with the theme #RailArt and I’ve been researching my old photos for that.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX We’re still working on Stargate SG! reruns CABLE – Great American Food Truck Race, Easter Baking Challenge, GGG, DDD, Beat Bobby Flay, Ellen’s Game of Games, Spring Baking Challenge, Tournament of Champions, Clarice, Bull, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, 911, 911 Lone Star, FBI, FBI Most Wanted, Young Sheldon, The Unicorn, Last Man Standing, MOM, Call Your Mother, NCIS, NCIS New Orleans, NCIS LA, Magnum PI, MacGyver, Blue Bloods, The Resident, Chicago series, Law & Order SVU – I can’t wait for the new Law & Order with Elliott’s return.

I found a couple new titles yesterday, but haven’t actually started either one yet. Ladies Lunch Club Murders by David Bishop which sounds like a good mystery and Above and Beyond by Kathryn Shay.

I think I finished my last Christmas Gnome in a snowstorm painting. 😀 I’m still not completely happy with his beard.

I’m still working with the Food Network Recipes I found last week.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	Orange Chicken ala JET TILA	Hamburger Strioganoff Skillet ala FOOD NETWORK KITCHEN	Lemon and Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs ala ANNE BURRELL	Shepherd’s Pie ala MELISSA D’ARABIAN	MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES with RASPBERRY CHIPOTLE JAM	Beer Braised Chicken ala FOOD NETWORK KITCHEN	Sweet Heat Chicken Thighs ala REE
DESSERT		CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES

• ROMAN CHICKEN
• ADOBO CHICKEN
• SALTED CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD
• SALMON TERIYAKI
• SALT & VINEGAR CUCUMBERS
• TOMATO SWEET POTATO BISQUE with BACON JALAPENO GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS
• CREAM SPRING SOUP

• CHILI PORK CHOPS with CHEDDAR GRITS & GREEN BEANS
• SWEET POTATO BROWN BUTTER GNOCCHI 
• FRENCH ONION CHICKEN
  

• CRISPY POTATO BALLS
• SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS
• RANCH PORK CHOP SHEET PAN SUPPER
  
• PUB STYLE SHEPHERD’S PIE with WHITE CHEDDAR & THYME MASHED POTATOES
  

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 everyone had a weekend full of sun and fun.  Did you do anything out of the norm? We took a drive on Saturday and then did the mundane things around the house on Sunday. I also got some recipes planned for the next couple weeks and was able to get some photo editing done.

It’s gray and dreary with the threat of rain anytime. This week is supposed to be carbon copies every day of the same with highs in the low 50’s and low’s in the low 30’s which isn’t too bad until the breeze kicks up.

AND LOL 😀 they are still throwing the threat of snow into the picture for later next weekend.

Hot water, peach yogurt and an apple

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Just a load of jeans and one of towels that I’ll get done this afternoon when I get back from groceries and errands. GROCERIES & ERRANDS Fortunately this week’s lists are quite small and should take very little time to accomplish. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS Lots to do with the whole nightmare SIL pulling her antics again. 🙁 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING:) Done for a couple weeks other than getting the ones I have chosen ready to publish on the blog.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX TV just doesn’t seem to be drawing me in this week. CABLE The standard weekly shows

I’m not sure what I’m going to start next.

Last Monday we had a RARE sunny afternoon that led into an AMAZING sunset!! I just can’t believe that I was in the right place at the right time for this one! The reflection off the pond was just perfect!!

Then on Saturday we woke up to a break in the storm and a sunny morning so we took a drive up the river to see how things were progressing after last fall’s fire.  They’re still hauling out tons of burnt trees truck load after truck load, but we still had a nice lunch by the river and finished up at the falls.

The new storm was starting to move in as we headed for home and the guy on the radio was talking about how the new storm and the snow level were dropping.  We didn’t get any here on the valley floor, but all the mountains around us are pretty white again.

And I finished the highlights on the lilac painting 😀

I went recipe surfing on the Food Network’s page and these are the recipes I’m going to try for the week. I’ve made a few changes already to a couple of them. While I know they are great as they are, I did try to simplify ingredients to more common things on hand.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	JET TILA’S ORANGE CHICKEN	JALAPENO BACON GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES and CARLA HALL’S SWEET POTATO TOMATO BISQUE	JET TILA’S TERIYAKI SALMON and REE’S CRISPY FRIED POTATO BALLS	GIADA’S ROMAN CHICKEN and PASTA	BOBBY’S ADOBO CHICKEN and RICE	REE’S RANCH PORK CHOPS SHEET PAN SUPPER	TYLER FLORENCE’S SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS & MASHED POTATOES
DESSERT		JET TILA’S SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

• AUNT SHARON’S CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE
• TUSCAN CHICKEN TOMATO SOUP

• FENNEL CRUSTED PORK MEDALLIONS with ROASTED POTATOES and LEMON MINT GRAVY 
• SEVEN LAYER DIP TACO CUPS
• GRILLED PORK CHOPS with RASPBERY CHIPOTLE BBQ SAUCE 

• BEEF YAKISOBA
• MEXICAN MANICOTTI
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO GRAVY & FLUFFY BUTTERED MASHED POTATOES
  
• NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S PARMESAN CHICKEN
• BLACKBERRY LEMON CHEESE 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

I hope everyone had a wonderful week and that the world is treating you right. We’re on a “PAUSE” here again which means stay home, no gyms, restaurants with indoor seating, etc… because of rising COVID numbers… the sad part is that they know why the numbers rose and where from (a business, a church and a school), none of which was associated with gyms, restaurants…

We’re getting a couple “warmer” dry days before the next round of colder rain returns with deceptive numbers that make it LOOK like it’s going to be warm, but beware of the breeze and the night time lows that keep it from reaching a truly warmer temperature until an hour before the sun sets 😀 The prediction is highs in the 50’s and lows in the 30’s – reality will probably be highs in the 40’s and lows in 30’s.

Hot water, peach yogurt and apple, carrot and pineapple squeezable baby food.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Definitely need to do it all this week! Just a load of sheets and towels, but need to dust and vacuum! GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be doing these today so I have the ingredients for hubby’s birthday dinner and cake tomorrow. I have a haircut on Wednesday and was hoping to wait until then, but it just didn’t work out so I guess I have to go to town twice this week. PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS Need to do some follow-up on a few things I’ve been waiting on and see if I can kick another couple things forward. RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING This week was a bit more inspired than last week so I hope not to lose momentum and do the rest of March this week.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX We’re still finishing Stargate SG1 reruns at night and also stared Kevin James new show The Crew CABLE A lot of shows were reruns last week so not sure what needs to be caught up on besides Worst Cooks, Spring Baking Championship, The Resident and the new show that starts this week Debris.

I’m still finishing Nadia Lee’s Secrets from last week, but have a couple of new genres lined up for a change in my future reads – Jennifer Chiaverini’s The Spy Mistress and K.F. Breene’s Magical Midlife Madness.

I took the painting class last week for the picture I showed you last week. This is their picture.

And I am fairly happy with my results so far, I need to finish the accents 😀 since I’m still a novice.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	TUSCAN CHICKEN SOUP	GRILLED STEAKS & BAKED POTATOES for HUBBY’S BIRTHDAY	ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	BEEF & NOODLES	SPRING SOUP & FARMHOUSE BREAD	PORK TENDERLOIN with APPLE CREAM SAUCE
DESSERT		CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

• FRENCH ONION MANICOTTI
• PAPRIKA CHICKEN in LEMON SAUCE with PISTACHIO RICE
• CRISPY CHEDDAR CHICKEN and LOADED BACON MASHED POTATOES

• BEEF RICOTTA MEATBALLS & SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO
• CHOCOLATE CHINESE 5 SPICE CAKE
• CHICKEN ENCHILADA SUIZA https://chasingmylife.com/2021/01/26/suiza-chicken-enchiladas-with-pickled-red-onions/

• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRINKLES
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with WILTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS
• NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S CHICKEN PARMESAN
• TUSCAN CHICKEN TOMATO SOUP
• WHISKEY CHILE BBQ BABY BACK RIBS
• SWEET CORN CASSEROLE
• HAMBURGER/CHEESEBURGER MEATLOAF

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? I sure hope if you’re anywhere near the areas affected by the horrific weather that you have your power back and running water! I’ve been keeping the whole situation in my prayers.

This has certainly been a horrific year all the way around for all of us. Personally, I’ve been feeling a bit blah and falling behind in just about everything.  Despite that, I think I finally got  caught up yesterday and will be back on track this week!

Same old, same old here. Highs in the 40’s and lows in the 30’s, gray, cloudy, rainy and dreary which tends to make me crave worn Levi’s, comfy hoodies and UGG’s.

Hot water, red pear and peach yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING Just the standard things this week while I continue feel 100% again PROJECTS Putting things back together sometimes takes longer than the projects themselves. Still need to adjust a couple closet doors, some paint and caulking touch-ups and the dreaded shower floor this week so I can move on to the other bathroom next week 😀 GROCERIES & ERRANDS I will be heading out soon to do a few errands, groceries and drop some things off for electronic recycling and donations PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS Quite a few – I’m so tired of not being able to reach the people I’m need to and even MORE tired of calls not being returned in a timely fashion 🙁 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m taking this category a week at a time right now waiting for weather and inspiration to meld together 🙂 CRAFTS I did get a couple paintings finished, a ladybug on a daisy and a Christmas Gnome with packages in the snow. I even got hubby to participate in one of the classes with me. These springtime gnomes were fun, but after I finish the next Christmas gnome I think I’m over gnomes for a while, at least as far as painting goes. I’m taking a CREATE & SIP class on Friday by myself that I’m actually looking forward to for some SPRINGTIME LILACS – this is their painting that inspired me to sign up – we’ll see what mine ends up like 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX – Just started season 4 in the SG! Stargate re-runs and marked a couple possibles for the future 😀 PRIME – Haven’t logged in recently, but need to as I’ve seen a few previews I’d like to check out REDBOX – GREENLAND with Russel Crowe was a really good movie CABLE – Clarice, The Equalizer, MOM, Magnum, Blue Bloods, MacGyver, Call Your Mother, American Housewife, Young Sheldon, 911, 911 LONESTAR, Bull, The Good Doctor, NCIS series, Chicago series, The Resident…

I WAS  sidetracked reading Jana DeLeon’s newest Miss Fortune Series #19 Fortune Funhouse which was a fun and quick read as always. And I had previously finished reading SINS by Nadia Lee and started SECRETS, the sequel to it, but of course now that I’m back into it I am falling asleep quickly and not having much reading time again. 🙁

The sky is ever changing at this time of the year. I saw a magnificent view out the window with gorgeous oranges and pinks, but this is what it was by the time I grabbed the camera and got out the front door 30 seconds later. 🙁 still pretty, but oh so different!

This even applies to EVERY DAY life! We are ALL compositions of our memories and experiences which is EXACTLY what gives us our unique and differing points of view, beliefs and values!  This is the true epitome of walking a mile in another man’s shoes!

Being a Texas girl with tons of family and friends still in and around Texas I’m sending out my prayers and positive thoughts for all of those affected by the recent historical weather!

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	PAPRIKA CHICKEN IN LEMON SAUCE with PISTACHIO RICE	HASH BROWN MEATLOAF	CRISPY CHEDDAR CHICKEN with LOADED BACON MASHED POTATOES	BBQ BABY BACK RIBS & SWEET CORN PUDDING	ARROZ CON POLLO	SEAFOOD SALAD & PARMESAN ROLLS	EVERYTHING DUTCH BAGEL for BRUNCH and CHICKEN PARMESAN and SMASHED CRISPY POTATOES with SOUR CREAM and CHIVES
DESSERT		PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CRINKLES

• SWEET & SMOKEY PORK TENDERLOIN with CHERRY SAUCE and APPLE CARROT SLAW
  
• SWORDFISH WITH LEMON BUTTER BASTING SAUCE
• PAN SEARED LEMON APRICOT CHICKEN

• STUFFED MARSALA CHICKEN
• BEEF & BEAN ENCHILADAS TAKE OUT STYLE
• PIMIENTO CHEESE
  

• BEEF YAKISOBA
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with WILTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS
  
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO GRAVY & FLUFFY MASHED POTATOES
• MEXICAN MANICOTTI
• WHITE BEAN, CHICKEN & SAUSAGE STEW/SOUP

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 think this is going to be the week I finally get caught up! I hope you all had a wonderful week and Happy Valentines day. I’m going to get an early start today in hopes of just that!

We had a quiet weekend and watched ALL the NASCAR races (Camping World Trucks, Xfinity and Cup series) yesterday’s race, the Cup series was rained out after a horrible wreck at lap 15 for a 6 hour delay and ended with another HUGE crash.

Our latest storms through the area are going to be a bit warmer, at least warm enough to take the snow out of the forecast, but just as cold and wet so no real change around here – lots of gray dreary wet days this week with bone chilling cold.  I have on comfy Levis, a purple hoodie and my favorite UGG’s!

Hot water, baby food and a banana.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did a deep clean last week, so this week just needs some light dusting and vacuuming.  Just a couple loads of laundry also. GROCERIES & ERRANDS I made a new recipe plan and grocery list yesterday after deciding to end the recipe delivery boxes I’ve been doing after several delivery issues and food quality issues. So, I am going to have to go the grocery store in a bit. HOUSEHOLD Need to finish a couple pieces of molding and then do all the caulking and painting of the baseboards in both bathrooms and the laundry room. I’m still working at removing the old adhesive from those stupid fish on the shower floor! I’m giving myself this week off though as my  body is protesting scooting along the floor so much 😀 I’m also re-doing my spices and minamalizing. CRAFT PROJECTS I’m STILL hoping to finish a couple of paintings I’m working on and start on the quilts I didn’t finish from Christmas.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

NETFLIX We’re still watching Stargate SG1 reruns and are going to start watching THE CREW with Kevin James as well as the Bobby Spencer Story PRIME I have BLISS to watch CABLE – Clarice, The Equalizer, MOM, Magnum, Blue Bloods, MacGyver, Call Your Mother, American Housewife, Young Sheldon, 911, 911 LONESTAR, Bull, The Good Doctor, NCIS series, Chicago series, The Resident…

I’m did finish reading SINS by Nadia Lee and started SECRETS, the sequel to it.  😀 And of course now that I’m into it I am falling asleep quickly and not having much reading time. BUT, now I’m sidetracked reading Jana DeLeon’s newest Miss Fortune Series #19 Fortune Funhouse which is a fun and quick read.

I LOVE this silly old truck and am always looking for a better picture of it. I’m NOT there yet! 😀

 

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
DINNER	BAVETTE STEAK AND SHERRY SHALLOT SAUCE	PUB STYLE SHEPHERD’S PIE	STEAKHOUSE PORK CHOPS with SHALLOT PAN SAUCE	C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT	PAN ROASTED CHICKEN with GARLIC KNOT POTATOES	FRENCH ONION MEATBALLS & SALAD	HOISIN GLAZED PORK & PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE
DESSERT		APPLE GALETTES

• FENNEL CRUSTED PORK MEDALLIONS with ROASTED POTATOES and LEMON MINT GRAVY
• BAKED PEANUT BUTTER WAFFLES
• SEVEN LAYER DIP TACO CUPS

• PEASANT CHICKEN
• COPY CAT CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
• CHILI WHISKEY MEATBALLS
  

• BEEF YAKISOBA
• PAN SEARED LEMON APRICOT CHICKEN
• FRENCH ONION MANICOTTI
• MEXICAN MANICOTTI
• GRILLED SWORDFISH with LEMON BUTTER BASTING SAUCE