HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 6 of 2019

Happy Monday and Happy February!  I’ve been having trouble sleeping or should I say staying asleep.  I get to sleep just fine, but then I’m WIDE awake just a few short hours later and can’t seem to get back to sleep which is leaving me sleepy and lethargic! So I’m up early today and hoping to get a bunch of things done before I’m out of energy again.

 OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING I’m certainly glad we’re not in Chicago or even in our old community in the Upper Peninsula this past week, but we are cold for here.  A little snow is predicted for today and tomorrow – nothing that will be really bad, but cold none-the-less and they just aren’t prepared for it here.  The last time they predicted it like this we had a bunch of snow that turned to ice and made traveling a PAIN in the butt.  Fortunately I do not have to go anywhere and am able to stay warm and toasty.  I have on comfy yoga pants, warm fuzzy socks and my favorite well worn sweatshirt.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE  Honey Nut Cheerios, banana and green tea

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

  • LAUNDRY… ALL caught up except for the towel folding
  • LIVING AREAS… need to dust and vacuum
  • KITCHEN… need to tidy up A LOT I made a mess making snack food for the Super Bowl and was too tired since I didn’t sleep the night before and had been up since 5AM on a Sunday
  • YARD… nothing
  • BLOG… I want/need to get back into some form of daily posting
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… working on some ideas to start an ETSY store with… not ready to show anything yet – will wait to see if what’s in my mind comes to fruition in reality
  • APPOINTMENTS… nothing much
  • TO DO… paperwork, VA follow up, makes some appointments…

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY  In addition to the Blessings Gratitude jar this year I’m also doing the 52 week deposit challenge in the same jar.  It really is amazing how fast it adds up!  I do it on Mondays so it coincides with this post that always has the week number in it and I don’t really have to even think about it that way.

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED I’d like to say the SuperBowl, but honestly it was boring and not even the commercials were up to par as in years past.  My favorite commercials were:

  • Christinia Applegate and M&Ms
  • Budweiser Dalmation Blowin’ In The Wind
  • Toyota Supra Pinball
  • Bud Light Corn Syrup deliveries
  • CBS “eyes”
  • Harrison Ford in Amazon’s Alexa “FAILS”
  • Charlie Sheen and Mr Peanut
  • Hobbs and Shaw movie trailer
  • The football awards just before half time

I’M READING Ava Miles The Patchwork Quilt of Happiness (Dare River Book 6)

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH not a darn thing except Worst Cook

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I didn’t get anything this week

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

 

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DINNER

 

MONDAY – FRIDAY

BREAKFAST

GREEN TEA,

BANANA & YOGURT

LUNCH

CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD

MONDAY

R.E.D.

PINEAPPLE RAISIN TAMALES

TUESDAY

ALOHA RIBS

WEDNESDAY

C.O.R.N.

THURSDAY

RED CHICKEN CHILI

FRIDAY

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS

SATURDAY

CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST

CHEESY SOUR CREAM CHICKEN

SUNDAY

BAKED OMELETES

CHICKEN WINGS & SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK I’ve now eliminated 14 sites from my ‘WHERE I LIKE TO PARTY” list since the first of the year. I find it refreshing to be downsizing and eliminating those blogs from the list that are too multi-layered and problematic in their effort to be a money making platform instead of the fun blogging experience.  I find a lot of inspiring projects and recipes at these blog hops and I still do this for the fun of it – I really want to keep it that way 😀

BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE


BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE
CAKE

1 cup all purpose flour + 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon for dusting
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup Stevia in the raw
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup frozen small wild blueberries DO NOT THAW

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease and flour dust 13×9 baking dish. Set aside.
  • Sift together 1 cup flour, baking powder and salt.
  • In a larger mixing bowl cream the butter with an electric mixer.
  • Add Stevia and brown sugar, beating until fluffy.
  • Add eggs 1 at a time beating JUST until blended in.
  • Reduce mixer speed. Add flour mixture and milk alternately until well blended.
  • GENTLY toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour.
  • Fold blueberries GENTLY into batter.
  • GENTLY spread batter into prepared baking dish.

TOPPING
2/3 cup frozen small wild blueberries DO NOT THAW
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  • Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon.
  • Toss blueberries in the sugar mixture.
  • Scatter blueberries and sugar evenly on top of batter.

 

  • Bake cake 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool cake in pan 10-15 minutes before cutting.

NOTE: You can use FRESH berries.  But, if using FROZEN berries DO NOT THAW!!  Thawing the berries makes them too watery and will turn your batter blue.

BAKED SOUTHWEST PORK CHOPS

BAKED SOUTHWEST PORK CHOPS
6 -8 boneless pork chops
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small red onion (I use the purple because it gives it more flavor), halved and thinly sliced
1 can Campbell’s cream of sweet corn soup
1 small can green enchilada sauce
1 small can chopped green chiles, DRAINED WELL
1 can shoepeg corn, DRAINED WELL
4 ounces sour cream
1 package Laura Scudder’s green onion dip mix
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 large white potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
sliced mini peppers

  • Generously season pork chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Melt butter and avocado oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Sear your pork chops in a skillet.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Whisk together the soup, sour cream and enchilada sauce.
  • Fold in the corn and green chilies.
  • Spread half the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Top with the potatoes slices.
  • Top with a thin layer of the sauce.
  • Place browned pork chops in the baking dish in a single layer on top.
  • Top with the sliced onions.
  • Pour remaining sauce over the top and spread even.
  • Top with sliced mini peppers.
  • Bake in the oven for about 60 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
  • Serve hot.

TERIYAKI & ENCHILADA CHICKEN MARINADE RECIPES

CHICKEN MARINADES adapted from ala Gimme Some Oven

These easy chicken marinade recipes are VERY simple to make, freezer-friendly as well as dependable and delicious too!  AND they are perfect for ANY cooking method whether it’s baking, slow cooking or grilling.

Teriyaki Marinade:
1/3 cup BRAGG’S LIQUID AMINOS
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons peanut oil (or avocado oil)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

Enchilada Marinade:
3/4 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 tablespoons enchilada seasoning (see below)
2 tablespoons avocado oil (or avocado oil)

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

Enchilada Seasoning
1/2 cup chili powder or chipotle (not cayenne)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

Honey Mustard Marinade
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup avocado oil

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

NOTE: Cooking times will vary depending on the cut of chicken that you use.  Be sure and test your chicken temperature to be sure that it reaches a safe 165°.

These are basic recommendations for 8-ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts.

BAKING

  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Place chicken on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and bake another 8-10 minutes until it is cooked through (165°) and the juices run clear.
  • Remove from the oven, and loosely tent with aluminum foil.
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

GRILLING

  • Heat grill to medium-high.
  • Oil chicken breasts.
  • Grill for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and grill another 8-10 minutes, until it is cooked through (165°) and the juices run clear.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate, and loosely cover with aluminum foil, letting the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

SAUTEING

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes, flip and cook another 5-6 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (165°) and the juices run clear.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate, and loosely cover with aluminum foil.
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

SLOW COOKING

  • Add chicken and marinade to the bowl of a slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low, until the chicken is cooked through (165°).
  • Serve warm.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 5 of 2019

WOW here we go into week 5, only 47 to go this year LOL 😀 This is always an emotional week for me as it is also the “anniversary” of my Ovarian Cancer surgery.  The first 5 years were the worst waiting for that “NED” (NO evidence of disease) designation each follow-up, but now at 8 years I’m feeling more comfortable that there will NOT be a recurrence!  I had my yearly check up last week and the blood work is all back and ALL is good til next year! 😀 Of course ALL the health issues that came after the cancer and because of the cancer are enough to deal with 😀

That said, I have been under the weather the past week  with some sort of fever and infection, but because of the issues from the stomach surgery last year I cannot take even Tylenol to get the fever down and just have to wait it out.  It is always such a fine line trying to get the proper nutrients and minerals, keep some weight on and get my energy up.  I’m hoping this week will be better.  On the up side my oncologist thinks the weight loss, no matter how it happened has made me healthier and even less at risk for a cancer recurrence 😀

Anyway on to this week:

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

and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – We have had a few dry days and even a couple sunny ones, but we’re back to mostly gray and cloudy and the rain will be back by Wednesday.  Temperatures have been running in the 40’s during the day and 30’s at night.  I always laugh because it predicts our high will be say 49 degrees, but it doesn’t tell you that’s only for 30 minutes before it starts dropping again!  I have on Levis, a comfy lightweight teal blue hoodie and super comfy socks.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – This morning is a bowl of peanut butter oatmeal with a banana and green tea.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – My 8 year cancer anniversary is Friday and I am ecstatic to report I had my follow-up last week and I am still NED (no evidence of disease)!!  Everything else may be falling apart and eating is STILL a challenge, but I am STILL cancer free! 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I didn’t get as much done last week as I would have liked because of not feeling well, but I did FINALLY get this project finished – the antique file (4 stacked units with oodles of drawers) sits on the wood floor and had old broken and flattened sliders under it that needed changed out.  Unfortunately the ENTIRE thing has to be taken apart piece by piece, drawer by drawer to get it apart and accomplish this job.  At least it is DONE!!

INSPIRATION

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

  • LAUNDRY… just a load or two
  • LIVING AREAS… good and tidy, but do need to vacuum
  • KITCHEN… also good and tidy, but need to dust mop
  • YARD…hubby has been working on the moss that is making an appearance on the bricks and concrete
  • BLOG…I have a few NEW recipes lined up to post, but nothing much otherwise.  I did chop 2 more off my “Where I Like To Party” list 😀
  • PROJECTS…need to finish research on getting new tires for my car this week
  • APPOINTMENTS…I hate beginning and ending the week with appointments, but LOL that’s EXACTLY what this week will be 😀

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – NOTHING this week though I’m researching a NEW project working with alcohol inks that I’m excited about. 

I’M READING – Ava Miles Dare River #6 The Patchwork Quilt of Happiness  I really like reading multiple series.  By the time you finish book 6 of this series, book 12 is out on another series and you can jump back and forth without feeling like you really ever went very far. 😀The Patchwork Quilt of Happiness (Dare River Book 6) by [Miles, Ava ] SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED – I finally got around to watching The Longest Ride with Scott Eastwood and Alan Alda – wow a REALLY poignant movie!  We also watched a movie on Netflix or was it Amazon, oh well either way it was good too with James Garner and Julie Andrews called One Special Night.  Then we switched to comedy and saw a cute one with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant called Did you Hear About the Morgans? Oh, and did I mention Sam Elliot was in it? 😀

WHERE I’VE BEEN SURFING ON THE NET I really haven’t been surfing much at all.  I’ve been unplugging more and more, especially of an evening.  It just feels so refreshing to not be “attached” ALL the time.  I did watch a few you tube videos on the project I’m researching.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK I’m adding this category to show which recipe links are being shared with “WHERE I LIKE TO PARTY” sites now that I have considerably narrowed down this process and the number of sites I participate in 🙂

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER & DESSERTS

MONDAY – FRIDAY

HOT TEA,

BANANA OATMEAL

& YOGURT

CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD

MONDAY 

R.E.D. recipe experiment dinner

TUESDAY

CHEESY SOUR CREAM CHICKEN

WEDNESDAY

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

THURSDAY

SLOW COOKER RIBS & BAKED BEANS

FRIDAY

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

SATURDAY

BACON & EGGS

BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS

SUNDAY

PANCAKES

CHICKEN ALFREDO PIZZA

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

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CHEDDAR CHICKEN POT PIE

Making this recipe as individual pies you can taste the homemade pastry and rich cheddar flavored sauce in EVERY bite. You can make this as rustic or as elegant as you’d like by cutting the crust into cute little decorative shapes or leave it as a single layer. We like to invert the individual pies so the crust is on the bottom absorbing all the yummy gravy.

CHEDDAR CHICKEN POT PIE – serves 6
CRUST
1 cup soft flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons cold vodka

  • 5 minutes before you begin the crust place the vodka and butter cubes in the freezer.
  • Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Cut in butter until crumbly.
  • Gradually add vodka, mixing until forms a ball.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate AT LEAST 30 minutes.

FILLING
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 can petite peas, drained WELL
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Wondra flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 cups diced rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Bring the broth to a SLOW boil over medium high heat in a large saucepan.
  • Add vegetable and simmer 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • Whisk together the milk and Wondra flour.
  • Stir milk mixture into broth mixture and simmer 10 minutes more or until desired thickness.
  • Stir in cheese and chicken.
  • Fold in peas.
  • Season to taste.

ASSEMBLY

  • Spoon filling into baking dish(es). Set aside.
  • On a floured pastry mat roll crust 1 inch larger than baking dish.
  • Ease crust over dish, sealing the edges to the side of the dish.
  • Make several slits in the dough for steam to escape through.
  • Bake uncovered, for 40 minutes or until golden.

NOTE: DO NOT forget to cut slits in the crust to allow the steam to escape.

HONEY ORANGE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER

HONEY ORANGE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER serves 6-8

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup orange pineapple juice
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup QUALITY honey
1/4 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
1/4 cup Heinz Chili sauce
8 ounce can crushed pineapple
1 small can Mandarin orange segments, drained WELL
1 small onion, finely chopped

1 cup sliced carrots
Prepared rice
chopped green onions for garnish

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together orange pineapple juice, lemon juice, chicken broth, honey, preserves, brown sugar, cornstarch, teriyaki sauce, Chili sauce, Country Bob’s sauce and crushed pineapple.
  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place chicken breasts in slow cooker in as shallow a layer as possible.
  • Top with onion and carrot pieces.
  • Pour juice mixture over top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • Cover and cook 1 hour more.
  • Top with Mandarin orange segments, turn off heat, cover and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Serve over hot cooked rice. Top with fresh chopped green onions.

MEXICAN TORTILLA BAKE a.k.a. FOLD OVER TACOS

Your favorite taco in a casserole – perfect for potlucks!

FOLD OVER TACOS
1 pound ground beef
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 cans Rotel tomatoes
1 cup red enchilada sauce
1 can re-fried beans
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
12 6 inch tortillas
6 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature 30 minutes
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook beef until crumbled and pink is gone.
  • Drain off excess fat.
  • Add tomatoes, sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Pour half of the meat and sauce into the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish.
  • Top with half the beans.  Set aside.
  • Stir together the cream cheese and one half of the re-fried beans.
  • Spread cream cheese mixture on each tortilla and top with a spoonful of the sauce.
  • Fold each tortilla over and arrange in baking dish partially overlapping.
  • Pour remaining meat sauce over top of tortillas.
  • Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes more until cheese is melted.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 4 of 2019

GOOD MORNING! Here we are beginning week 4 of 2019 and I find myself wondering where the first 3 went?  I’m having such a tough time getting all my energy back – so much so that I already feel behind for the year 🙁  Oh well, onto this week’s Monday post as I pray to find some energy.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING Welcome to the Pacific Northwest where the weather is almost always wet at least some of the day and ever changing at this time of the year.  When I looked at the weather yesterday there were supposed to be having several days of sunshine later this week and now today there aren’t any forecasted  🙁  We’re supposed to be a bit dryer this week which won’t take much since we were SUPER wet last week with flash flood watches and such.  The highs are supposed to be in the mid 40’s and the lows in the mid 30’s.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peanut butter Banana Oatmeal and Lemon Green tea

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Our favorite munchkins spent a rainy Saturday night with us and after an uneventful game of CLUE we landed on a game of Monopoly that still sits waiting to be finished next weekend. 😀

INSPIRATION

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED The NFL playoff games were on yesterday and kept us entertained through a rainy Sunday.  We’re long time RAMS fans and were thrilled that they are advancing to the Super Bowl!!  We REALLY wanted the Chiefs to beat the Patriots, unfortunately it just didn’t happen.

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

  • LAUNDRY… Just a couple loads to get caught up on
  • LIVING AREAS… clean and tidy
  • KITCHEN…clean and tidy, but need to add felt stops to the self-closing cabinet doors
  • YARD… nothing
  • BLOG… still need to write up a few more new recipes and I’m still adjusting the party links to downsize the ones I participate in.   Three weeks into the new year and I have eliminated yet another 3 party links bringing it up to 16 gone.  There are at least 5 more on the chopping block for this week.  So many blogs have become too commercial and the ads as well as the layer of pages to get to the content have become just too much to bother with.
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… working on some garland for next year’s Christmas tree – I’ll post about it if it works out the way I’m hoping
  • APPOINTMENTS… oncology follow up that is also a day away with shopping and food 😀
  • TO DO… some paperwork, cable comparisons for my mom to get her bill to a manageable price, phone calls and still working on my cookbook cross reference system for upcoming recipes I want to make.

I’M READING Five Years gone by Marie Force

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Not much on the DVR, we’re pretty caught up for now and I’m just NOT getting very excited about TV except for a couple cooking shows.

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

DESSERT

MONDAY – FRIDAY

GREEN TEA,

BANANA & YOGURT

CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD

MONDAY

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

TUESDAY

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

PORK EGG ROLL BOWL

FRIDAY

FRENCH ONION PENNE PASTA

PINEAPPLE

RAISIN

TAMALES

OR

BLUEBERRY

COFFEE CAKE

SATURDAY

PANCAKES

CHICKEN LASAGNE

SUNDAY

BACON & EGGS

OUT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 3 of 2019

GOOD MORNING everyone! WOW we’re already entering week 3 of 2019,  Why is the time passing by so fast? I’m up early and hoping for a VERY productive day.  My energy levels are still lagging, but I need to take advantage of the better weather today before the next set of storms roll in.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – The past few days have been pretty nice, days in the 50’s and nights in the 30’s, at least for a couple hours midday LOL 😀 Mornings have been quite gray and foggy, but the sun makes an appearance in time for the sunset most days.  Today will be no exception, but we’re supposed to be back to mostly rain by Wednesday and stay that way for the rest of the week.  I have on Levis, my favorite canvas tennies and comfy sweatshirt.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peanut Butter Oatmeal with Banana Slices and Green Tea

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

  • LAUNDRYALL caught up as of yesterday.
  • LIVING AREAS… Need to vacuum and do a bit of tidying.
  • KITCHENREALLY clean as I’ve been polishing counter tops.
  • YARD… nothing
  • BLOG… still need to write up a couple more new recipes and I’m still adjusting the party links to downsize the ones I participate in.   Two weeks into the new year and I have eliminated another 5 party links bringing it up to 13 gone.  There are at least 5 on the chopping block for this week or at the most the end of the month. A few blogs are still on break so I’ll continue evaluating this category until I have it where I want it.  So many blogs have become too commercial and the ads as well as the layer of pages to get to the content have become just too much to bother with.
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I’m working on next year’s Christmas gifts and will tell you it involves the fabric in the picture below and I found these great pieces on sale this past week.
  • APPOINTMENTS/TO DO… I need to get the oil changed on the car, track down a few medical records to have transferred, am hoping for enough sun today to get at least the small storage space gone through in search of more needed paperwork for the VA…

CRAFTS / PROJECTS What I CAN show you  😀  but CANNOT tell you what the parts will equal.

If you know me, then you know I LOVE to cook!  I usually get several cookbooks for Christmas and I REALLY look forward to them.  The first thing I do is sit down and read them cover to cover, tabbing the recipes I want to make in the weeks ahead.  As you can see, this year was no exception.  My brother sent me the Half Baked Harvest, my girl friend Heather and munchkins gave me the Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines and Santa brought me the Six Sisters Stuff

For some odd reason this process always brings to mind a specific friend, Julie.  Julie’s dad was a professor at our university and they had a lot of talented kids in her family, several of which were in college at the same time which was quite costly so they lived very modestly on a professor’s salary. Julie was the middle girl of 5 and was quite used to getting the hand me downs.  Julie and I became fast friends and hung out a lot.  Many times there were three of us hanging out in Julie’s rec room as Julie’s friend Joann spent a lot of time there too.  Joann wasn’t into the college scene, but came from money and had other priorities most of the time – parties and such while we studied our butts off and worked several jobs.  Anyway, we all had our talents that we brought to the group.  

Julie used to borrow Joann’s designer clothes, A LOT!   Julie also had mad sewing skills.   The funny part was (and I doubt Joann even knows this now) late at night when we were studying Julie would take a break, disassemble whatever piece she had just borrowed from Joann and whip up her own version by using Joann’s piece as a pattern.  Then she’d put Joann’s dress, skirt, etc… back together, no worse for wear.  Long story short (I know, too late) I think I approach other people’s recipes the same way Julie approached designer clothes by taking it apart piece by piece, tweaking it to meet my flavor desires or textural expectations and putting it back together as an all new piece. 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I just LOVE that sliver of moon that made an appearance just in time for my picture.  The clouds covered it almost immediately.

INSPIRATION

I’m ALWAYS trying to remember that life is FULL of change and my favorite saying is,

“Man plans, God laughs!”

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We watched BIRD BOX with Sandra Bullock this past week – scary, but interesting movie.  I’m really sad 🙁 though to hear that teens are actually being so stupid and using movies like this to act out stupid scenarios for social media challenges/DARES.

I’M READING I still didn’t get much reading done this past week so I’m still reading: The Misadventures of Catie Bloom: a romantic comedy (Bloom Sisters Book 1) by Brooke Stanton

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH With shows just coming off hiatus we are actually pretty caught up on prime time shows with no DVR backlog.  There is a growing list for NetFlix and Amazon Prime.

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

DESSERT

MONDAY – FRIDAY

GREEN TEA,

BANANA & YOGURT

CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD

MONDAY

MEXICAN LASAGNE

TUESDAY

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

TORTILLA BAKE

FRIDAY

CHICKEN & RICE CASSEROLE

FUDGY BROWNIES,

CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

OR

CRANBERRY PEAR CRISP

SATURDAY

BISCUITS & SAUSAGE GRAVY BAKE

CHEDDAR CHICKEN POTPIE

SUNDAY

QUICHE LORRAINE

PERUVIAN SHEPHERD’S PIE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

ROAST PORK with APPLE PEAR CREAM SAUCE

MAGIC COOKIE BARS

PUB BURGERS with TANGY PUB SAUCE BAKED SPICY BACON GREEN BEANS

CHICKEN & RICE CASSEROLE

WHISKEY CHILI MEATBALLS WHISKEY BBQ CHICKEN

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY – week 2 of 2019

We took a little unplanned trip to the coast for a couple days last week right after a quiet New Year’s Eve and had a wonderful time.  MY BIL and SIL were supposed to be here for the New Year and bailed last minute so we decided a little fun was in order.  Traveling on New Year’s day was actually a FUN experience.  Our biggest issue for the entire trip was that a couple places we wanted to visit were National Parks and closed due to the governmental shut-down.

We were able to get a discounted room on the beach because of the last minute holiday time for the same price as a regular room anywhere else so we were ABSOLUTELY thrilled when it came with a balcony, ocean view and fireplace. The weather was GORGEOUS, the food was WONDERFUL and the scenery was FANTASTIC.  We came home to a beautiful mild end of the week while we finished de-decorating and cleaning up from Christmas.  The timing was PERFECT because by Friday night the weather had turned into a winter storm watch with LOTS of wind and we were inside once again.  At least it was a football playoff weekend and I tried a couple new recipes and got caught up on the laundry.

How was your New Year?

Be sure to link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday

and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING The entire week looks pretty much the same – gray, 40’s, rainy, maybe some wind gusts… You know me it’s my daily Levis, a pink long sleeve t-shirt and my favorite lightweight sweatshirt with BIG fluffy socks!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Huckleberry Green Tea, Kiwi and granola

CRAFTS / PROJECTS Don’t laugh, but I’m actually working on a couple ideas for next Christmas.  I’m also working on getting all the pictures form all our trips the past year edited and the posts completed.  We realized with this last trip that EVERYWHERE we stayed in the past year was under some form of construction which made it a bit of a pain!

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY We used up most of our back stores of Christmas gift tags, bags, ribbons and such this year so I ventured out a couple days after Christmas and into some awesome 75-90% off sales and was able to rebuild our stash for literally pennies on the dollar.  Certainly not something I do every year, but I scored BIG this year 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA This little guy was obviously fed by the people before us!  The fireplace in our room worked so well that we actually had to leave the sliding glass door to the balcony open at night so we didn’t roast which LOL 😀 was such a hard ship to be lulled to sleep by the crashing waves 😀  On our first morning we awoke to this guy squawking LOUDLY!! from our balcony railing as he stared expectantly at us.  😀 LOL When it happened again on day 2 we knew he was expecting to be fed.

INSPIRATION

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

  • LAUNDRY… ALL caught up 😀 though as long as you’re wearing clothes and active this is a perpetual category!  I should just say that the hamper is not overflowing 😀
  • LIVING AREAS… ALL clean and neat except for a few Christmas boxes to be put away after the rain stops – I just don’t want anything wet to go into storage.
  • KITCHEN…  need to put away the dishwasher
  • YARD… nothing
  • BLOG… need to write up a couple new recipes and I’m still adjusting the party links to downsize the ones I participate in.  So many blogs have become too commercial and the ads as well as the layer of pages to get to the content have become just too much to bother with.  Last week alone I eliminated 8 party links.  Many blogs have been on breaks so I’m still evaluating this category and how to handle it.
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… just a bit of prep work on the new personalized Christmas gifts ideas before I pack them away for a few months
  • APPOINTMENTS… dentist
  • TO DO… finish updating my “Where I Like to Party” list and the same old, same old paperwork….

I’M READING I didn’t get much reading done this past week so I’m still reading: The Misadventures of Catie Bloom: a romantic comedy (Bloom Sisters Book 1) by Brooke Stanton

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Shows are just starting back up after the holidays so not much on the DVR or list right now. We rented a couple movies this past week.

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

Essential Oils really work!

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

DESSERT

MONDAY – FRIDAY

GREEN TEA,

BANANA & YOGURT

CHICKEN or TUNA SALAD

MONDAY

CARAPULCRA

TUESDAY

MEXICAN PORK ROAST

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

CHICKEN with TOMATOES & HONEY

FRIDAY

CARIBBEAN TURKEY

SATURDAY

CHICKEN with BABY PEAS

SUNDAY

FARMHOUSE CHICKEN CASSEROLE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

 

HORSERADISH POTATO CRUSTED BEEF STEW

Another RECIPE SCRAP recipe wins!  The horseradish and cheddar cheese combo is AWESOME! and really elevates a basic stew to the next level.

HORSERADISH POTATO CRUSTED BEEF STEW

STEW
1 1/2 pounds lean stew meat, diced small bite sized
1 cup blended red wine
1/2 cup Moscato white wine
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 orange, sliced
1/3 cup Wondra
1 large Vidalia onion, quartered and sliced
4 carrots, sliced into thick chunks
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup beef bone broth
2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • Place half the orange slices the bottom of a non-metallic bowl.
  • Top with beef pieces.
  • Generously season with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Top with the remaining orange slices.
  • Whisk together the wines and caraway seeds.
  • Pour over beef, cover and marinade over night or at least 4 hours.

 

  • Preheat oven 325°.
  • Drain the beef WELL, discard oranges, but reserve the marinade.
  • Heat the oil over medium high heat in dutch oven.
  • Generously season the beef with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge the beef in the Wondra.
  • Sear the beef pieces.
  • Add the onions, garlic and carrots and simmer 5 minutes or so.
  • Add mushrooms.
  • Whisk together the cornstarch with the beef stock and marinade, whisking until blended. Stir into stew.
  • Season to taste.
  • Cover and cook in oven 45 minutes.

CRUST – prepare potato crust so it is ready at the 45 minute mark
1 1/2 pounds YUKON potatoes, grated
1 tablespoon Avocado oil or 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons creamy horseradish
2/3 cup grated SHARP cheddar cheese
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Blanch the grated potatoes for 5 minutes in boiling water.
  • Drain well.
  • Use a cheesecloth to squeeze any remaining liquid from the potatoes.
  • Stir in avocado oil, horseradish, cheese and season to taste.
  • Layer potatoes evenly over the stew.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 400°.
  • Cook 30 minutes more until the potato crust is crisp and golden brown.