MEMES & LINK PARTIES – Page 124 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

FRIED CHICKEN and DUMPLINGS – MY WAY

FRIED CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
3 pounds chicken thighs
2 tablespoons GHEE
2 tablespoons avocado oil
3/4 cup AP flour
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Wash and dry chicken pieces.
Sift together 3/4 flour, salt and pepper.
In a large sauté pan or stock pot heat GHEE and oil.
Dredge chicken pies in flour and place skin side down in hot oil. Brown chicken skin side down until chicken starts to bleed before turning, about 15 minutes per side.
Remove chicken pieces to plate.

STEW
2 shallots, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced thin
2 ribs celery, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup AP flour
6 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Barefoot white Moscato
3 tablespoons sugar
8 whole peppercorns
1/2 cup heavy cream (added in at the end)
2 teaspoons fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste

Add carrots to pan and stir for a couple minutes.
Add celery and shallots, stirring a couple more minutes.
Add garlic and 1/3 cup flour stirring constantly until flour is golden.
Gradually add chicken stock, constantly stirring until well blended.
Add wine, vinegar, sugar and peppercorns and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, covered and cook for 15 minutes.
While the stew is simmering shred chicken from the bone into bite size pieces and begin the dumplings. Be sure to shred crisp chicken skin into bite size pieces also.

DUMPLINGS
1 1/3 cups AP flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon LITEHOUSE basil
1 teaspoon LITEHOUSE chives
1 teaspoon LITEHOUSE red onions

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
In another bowl whisk together the butter and milk.
Add basil, chives and red onion to milk and let sit 5 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the dry ingredients JUST until combined.
Skim any fat from stew.
Gently stir in cream.
Add the chicken pieces and crispy skin back into the stew.
Drop dumplings on top of stew and simmer covered another 15 minutes or so until dumplings are plump and cooked through.
Sprinkle with parsley.
Serve immediately.

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APPLE POMEGRANATE SALAD with HONEY GINGER VINAIGRETTE

APPLE POMEGRANATE SALAD
1 bunch romaine lettuce, torn and washed
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
2 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup candied walnuts (recipe below)
1/2 cup shredded cheese, Parmesan or cheddar
1/3 bacon, diced
vinaigrette dressing (recipe below)

In large skillet cook bacon until browned and crispy. Drain on paper toweling and cool.
Toss apple pieces with lemon juice.
In a large bowl toss together the lettuce, green onions, apples and pomegranate seeds.
Top with bacon pieces, cheese, walnuts and toss again.
Drizzle with vinaigrette, toss again and serve immediately.

VINAIGRETTE DRESSING
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup golden balsamic or apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Sipping Vinegar – Ginger Honey
1 tablespoon Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon tarragon
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery flakes
1 tablespoon Ponzu

Whisk everything together.
Chill for several hours before serving.

CANDIED WALNUTS
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 pound chopped walnuts
1 egg white, beaten
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 225°.
Place butter on 15×10 jelly roll pan and place in oven to melt.
Whisk together the egg white and water.
Toss nuts with egg mixture until well coated.
Sift together the sugar, cinnamon and salt.
Toss nuts in dry mixture until well coated.
Spread in a single layer on jelly roll pan.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring to mix EVERY 15 minutes.
Cool completely.

NOTE: Nuts will be sticky and gooey if not turned regularly.

Linking up to FULL Plate Thursday.

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER and MENU PLAN MONDAY week 42 of 2017

Oh my gosh, it’s Monday! Where did last week go? We are down to the last 10 weeks of the year and you know what that means – Christmas is only 70 days away! I lost 2 days last week with invasive testing and another 2 days with just feeling like crap. The good news is the doctor announced that even though the recovery time is the same, he can do the better for me in the long term surgery. The bad news is he decided he needs one more test this next week and unfortunately it is the uncomfortable test he previously changed. Oh well, at this point I’m just praying this is all over before the holidays.

After surgery I will not be able to lift anything for 6-8 weeks so I have been working like a dog to get as much sorted, packed and donated that I can before the surgery. We are so ready to be done with this house from hell and move on to a better way of life soon.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We had a “COLD” front move in last night LOL so we are only supposed to be in the mid 80’s this week, but the night time lows are supposed to drop into the 60’s and the humidity is supposed to drop 20-30% so I’m hoping for a more enjoyable week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Banana, red grapes and Coffee

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

LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
LIVING AREAS… mostly tidy, but as always with animals and husbands I need to do floors
KITCHEN… mop and empty the dishwasher
STUDIO… I did a DEEP clean last week when I started piling boxes in this room so it will be okay for awhile
YARD… A little pruning
BLOG… some recipe updating, planning for future recipe posts and BLOGMAS 2017

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I’m reading Ava Miles Dare Valley #7 The Perfect Ingredient.

BIG BANG THEORY and the new YOUNG SHELDON when it returns in November
NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS
MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED
LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0
MACGYVER, SCORPION, BLINDSPOT
Z NATION, WALKING DEAD, FLASH, DC LEGENDS
THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE,
THIS IS US, ONCE UPON A TIME
GUY’S GROCERY GAMES,

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	FRUIT & COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	FRUIT & COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS	SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH DICED HAM	TOASTED FRENCH TOAST
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP	MEAT ROLL-UPS	SALAD	MEAT & CHEESE	C.O.R.N.	??
DINNER	SLAM DUNK WINGS	SHEPHERD’S PIE QUESADILLAS	BRUSSELS BISQUE	MARRY ME CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN	CHILI MAC CASSEROLE	GRILLED TWICE BAKED POTATOES	PEANUTTY CHICKEN WINGS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND

I grew up in California and unfortunately fires are a fact of life out there, especially in October with the Santa Ana winds. I’ve also been mandatorily evacuated more times that I would like and even watched from a cruise ship one year while our tiny town of 500 was on CNN in one of the fastest moving fires in LA history, but there was usually a lot of brush and trees burned and even a few structures, but in ALL those years I cannot remember any combination of fires as horrific as what California is experiencing now, especially with loss of life. Please keep California in your prayers that containment comes soon and there is no more loss of property or life.

As horrible what California is going through, there is still so much destruction and rebuilding going on that is also impacting people ALL over the country and world!

Several months ago I told you about some roof leaks that we had that required major patching and when we went into the attic to investigate the source were confronted with 40 years worth of crap that my grandfather and cousin had accumulated back in a corner we “missed” originally because it was just that, in a hard to reach corner. Unfortunately we had to bag it and move it in order to reach the area that was leaking. We also discovered about 500 pounds of “good” (by my grandfather’s terms) boards that I’m sure he was saving for a project as well as a bunch of bricks – really bricks in an attic? I can’t even begin to figure out what those were for. So, we bagged it all up and moved to a pile in the center to be removed later. Well, it’s now later!

In order to get all the bagged stuff and boards down from the attic we needed several things, the first of which was cooler weather which we don’t have yet, but are running out of time on. The second was to empty out the master closet so we didn’t get all the insulation and dirt all over our clothes. So, we bit the bullet the other day and emptied the closet so we could bring down 11-30 gallon bags the next morning. It got too warm so we’re saving the boards for later this week. Trash will pick up large items on Fridays so we are trying to time everything for every other Friday.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I took this picture several years ago down at Brazos Bend State Park, but always find myself looking for the alien cow every time we go back.

My birthday was last month, but I got a WONDERFUL birthday surprise just this past week from my brother aka PINYON RIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY. He is a VERY talented photographer with a vast array of BEAUTIFUL photographs and yes I am biased, but they are truly SPECTACULAR. This one is printed on metal, my new favorite medium and is just awe inspiring.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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CARAMELIZED FRENCH ONION CHICKEN

This is a delectable Caramelized French Onion Chicken that is juicy, a one pan meal and makes super saucy caramelized onion gravy. Oh and did I mention cheesy? 3 kinds of cheese that also make it ooey and gooey!

CARAMELIZED FRENCH ONION CHICKEN adapted from Creme de la Crumb Serves 4

2 medium Vidalia onions, thinly sliced into rings
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons beef broth, divided
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
1 tablespoon avocado oil
Fresh ground Himalayan sea salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning OR ¼ teaspoon dried basil + ¼ teaspoon dried thyme + ½ teaspoon dried oregano**
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
2 slices Provolone cheese, halved
2 slices Muenster cheese, halved
1/2-3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Fresh flat leaf parsley and cracked black pepper for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to bake at 400°.
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter.
Add onions and 3 tablespoons beef broth sautéing onions for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally so the onions don’t burn, for about 15 minutes longer until browned and very tender.
Use tongs or a fork to transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
While onions are cooking, prepare the chicken by drizzling with oil, then seasoning with the fresh ground Himalayan sea salt, fresh ground black pepper (to taste) and Italian herbs.
Once onions have finished cooking and are removed from the pan, cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned on both sides (chicken may not be fully cooked through yet, that is okay). DO NOT clean out the pan between the onions and chicken.
Transfer chicken to a plate cover and keep warm.
Return the onions to the pan.
Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir for 1 minute over medium-high heat.
Add beef broth and continue to cook, stirring throughout, until mixture comes to a boil.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Return chicken to pan and spoon some of the sauce over each piece of chicken.
Top chicken with one half slice of provolone each, then one half slice of Muenster, then ¼ of the parmesan cheese.
Transfer skillet to your preheated oven and cook for about 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through completely and cheeses are melted.
Spoon some of the onions and gravy over the top of the chicken, garnish with thyme or parsley and cracked black pepper, and serve immediately.

NOTE: Sometimes I add 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

Linking up to FULL Plate Thursday.

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ROASTED PEPPER CORN CUPS

ROASTED PEPPER CORN CUPS serves 2
1 tablespoon butter
2 large ears of corn
2 tablespoons sugar
1 shallot, finely diced
1 Serrano pepper, remove veins and seeds, finely diced
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (I used whiskey flavored)
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (I used mesquite)
1 teaspoon Frank’s original hot sauce
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1/3 – 1/2 cup Jack cheese

Bring a pot of unsalted water to a boil.
Add the sugar and ears of corn. **
Boil for 4-5 minutes, then cool completely.
Cut corn of the cob.
In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.
Add shallots and chilies to butter, stirring until starting to caramelize and brown.
Add corn cooking until corn starts to brown.
Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, liquid smoke and lime juice stirring to coat.
Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed.
Sprinkle a little cheese in each bowl, top with corn mixture and garnish with a little more cheese.

**NOTE: DO NOT ADD SALT TO THE WATER. Salt will harden the corn. The sugar will actually soften the corn and add a touch of flavor.

Linking up to FULL Plate Thursday

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Miz Helen’s Country Cottage

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 41 of 2017

WOW, WHERE HAS THIS YEAR GONE? I can’t believe we’re in October already. I hope you had a great week and weekend with fun fall activities. It has turned quite warm here again and we spent most of the time indoors watching Movies, Baseball, Racing and some football as well as catching up with the DVR.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This past week was supposed to be better weather and this upcoming week was supposed to be even better… then there was Nate, Hurricane Nate entering the gulf changed everything and we’re back to temperatures in the 90’s and high humidity.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Some left over omelette and coffee

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

I had been using the spare bedroom as a storage area for all the things I have been getting packed and then hubby had an epiphany and NOT a good one. He pointed out that the boxes and totes were blocking both the window and the closet (DUH! it just never occurred to me) and that anyone looking to buy the house was going to want to see both. So I spent 2 days rearranging the spare bedroom and studio so that NO windows or closets are blocked. I did at least get a few more items into the donation box or given to my neighbor.

LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
LIVING AREAS… mostly tidy, but really need to do floors
KITCHEN… quite clean, but I plan to make a mess soon.
YARD… mowing and edging
BLOG… some recipe updating and planing for future posts. I’m even working on BLOGMAS 2017 plans and recipes

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I’m about to finish reading Book #2, Second Chance Girl by Susan Mallery and will move on to Ava Miles Dare Valley #7 The Perfect Ingredient.

We have tried a few of the new shows and are giving them a second (and sometimes a third) chance to decide before we narrow our list down. There were a couple shows that had characters depart and one in particular that we did not care for how they handled it so we are dropping that show.

Some of the old favorites are already in the DVR line-up:

BIG BANG THEORY and the new YOUNG SHELDON
NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA
CRIMINAL MINDS
MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL
DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
LAW & ORDER SVU
BLUE BLOODS
MACGYVER, SCORPION
HAWAII 5-0
Z NATION
THE GOOD PLACE, THIS IS US, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	FRUIT & COFFEE	NOTHING procedure day	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	FRUIT & COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS	BACON & CHEESE OMELETTES	PANCAKES
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP	MEAT ROLL UPS	SALAD	MEAT & CHEESE	C.O.R.N.	??
DINNER	PORK CHOPS with PEPPER JELLY SAUCE	CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS	CHICKEN & ONIONS with WHITE WINE CREAM SAUCE	FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS	CHEESY & MUSHROOM CHICKEN	BOURBON HAM BALLS & ORANGE GLAZED BEETS	APPLE POMEGRANATE SALAD with VINAIGRETTE
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

YAY!! I’m finally having both of my tests on Tuesday. If all goes well we will know within the next week (one of the tests is a monitor I will where for 2 days that will need to have the results interpreted) which surgery and when I will be having it. The time of not knowing is hopefully coming to an end. I AM SO READY TO GET ON WITH LIFE!!!

I do find it amazing how medical technology has allowed us to determine diagnoses and treatments with less invasive procedures and wirelessly. I am not thrilled about going under anesthesia again and then again for the surgery, but am willing to do whatever it takes to get back to sleeping comfortably in my own bed instead of trying to sleep in a recliner and living life to the fullest.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I have had the most beautiful butterflies in my garden lately. They seem to especially love the yellow Lantana. The top one had the prettiest silver iridescent wings.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a wonderful week. Mine turned out quite busy in a weird, but also productive way. I can’t believe it’s October already, mainly because it’s so dang hot here still, but it also means Christmas is right around the corner and I’m not sure where we will be so it makes it seem sort of weird.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

YAY we’re finally down to the 80’s, high 80’s but at least NOT 90’s. The evenings have been quite nice, here’s hoping they continue to get better and better!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Protein drink and coffee YAY only 8 days until my tests to determine surgery type and date. I’ve been so miserable – unable to eat, sleep or completely function waiting for this. It has been one REALLY long year getting to this point.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

We found on Thursday that we did not get through hurricane Harvey completely unscathed. When we had the atrium professional painted by a contractor last year they sealed the upper windows (at the 20 foot level) first, or so we thought. I discovered that the exposed brick wall behind the bar area was discoloring from the water that had been dribbling through the defective caulking. As we began researching the issue deeper we ended up having to disassemble the cabinets in the bar area, resealing the windows (inside and out) with the proper type of caulk (what they used had shrunk horribly causing huge gaps – and you know water – it takes the path of least resistance) and repainted the wood and the bricks including those behind the cabinets. Then redid the cabinets. We thought about calling the contractor and making him do it, but so many people in the neighborhood have had bad experiences with him and we just decided to write it off to one more issue with the HOUSE FROM HELL

At least now we know it is done right this time. Hubby did the outside while I did the inside so they should seal well now. Because of tearing apart that area, I was able to get several more boxes packed and ready for the move. I had to take down all the plants so decided to go ahead and transplant them into the pots I was going to use to give the plants to my neighbor when we do move and that made quite a mess, but it sure feels good to have it done.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

LAUNDRY… just a couple loads
LIVING AREAS… dusting and vacuuming
KITCHEN… mopping and bleaching sink
STUDIO… I did a DEEP clean after reassembling the atrium.
YARD… some pruning and fertilizing
BLOG… some recipe updating from the blog compilations and planning for future posts.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I’m currently reading Book #2, Second Chance Girl by Susan Mallery

YAY the new television season is finally here. We have tried a few new shows and are going to give them a second chance to decide before we narrow our lists. There were a couple shows that had characters depart and one in particular that we did not care for how they handled it so we may be dropping that show. Some of the old favorites are already in the DVR line-up:

BIG BANG THEORY and the new YOUNG SHELDON
NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA
CRIMINAL MINDS
MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL
DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
LAW & ORDER SVU
BLUE BLOODS
MACGYVER
HAWAII 5-0
Z NATION
THE GOOD PLACE

CRAFTS / PROJECTS

We were supposed to be away for a few days, but out poor old pup is having a rough time this week so we’ll be here instead and I’m hoping to get my canvas updated since there wasn’t anything already on the calendar to get done this week.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	SHIRRED EGGS	WAFFLES & BACON
LUNCH	SALAMI & CHEESE WRAPS	GRILLED CHICKEN & TOMATOES	SOUP & SANDWICHES	MAC & CHEESE WITH HAM	SALAD & FRUIT	PASTRAMI SANDWICHES	OUT
DINNER	NOT YOUR MAMA’S MEATLOAF with MEXICORN CUPS	BACON BRUSSELS SPORUTS SOUP	PANZANELLA SALAD	KING TOT RANCH CASSEROLE	STIR FRIED CHICKEN with SNAP PEAS & BASIL	SHEPHERD PIE BITES	TACHOS
DESSERT		PB & BANANA CHOCOLATES				SNICKER DOODLES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

Waking up to such horrific news in Las Vegas has me a bit unsettled. I just can’t understand so many things and people in our world these days. Senseless tragedies leave me feeling very agitated about so many things. Praying for peace for the families and friends off the Las Vegas shooting as they begin to deal with so much trauma.

About a year ago I purchased a cordless vacuum and was EXTREMELY happy with it for the first 9 months. Then it began to not always turn on and then when it would turn on I couldn’t get it to turn off without removing the battery. I set it aside to call customer service, but put it off because I haven’t had the best luck talking to helpful people at ANY customer service recently. Well, I was nearing the end of my warranty period and growing tired of using corded vacuum after using my lightweight vacuum and loving it so much so I bit the bullet and called.

The call was NOT going well as the guy I was speaking with kept insisting that I was giving him a non-existent serial number despite the fact I was reading it directly off the machine itself. Long story short he was made aware (I assume by someone monitoring the call) that I was indeed giving him a correct number and then after a brief time on hold he returned to the line with a much improved attitude informing me he would be sending me a fedex label via email and after they received my machine back would be sending me a new one.

I printed out the label on Wednesday morning, dropped the vacuum off at Fedex just before lunch. I figured I would have the new vacuum sometime in the next couple weeks. So, imagine my surprise when the doorbell rang on Thursday afternoon and my new vacuum was there!! Moral of the story, BISSELL stands behind their products and does right by their customers.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Ever since hurricane Harvey, the clouds have been more amazing – at least it seems that way to me. I THINK I’VE BECOME SLIGHTLY OBSESSED WITH CLOUDS.

INSPIRATION

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.

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CARAMEL CHEESE APPLE BREAD

CARAMEL CHEESE APPLE BREAD adapted from The Cookie Rookie

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 60 minutes

CAKE
2 large baking apples, peeled & diced
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup Malibu rum
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons QUALITY ground cinnamon
½ cup butter, softened + 2 tablespoons (divided)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3 LARGE eggs
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
¼ cup whole milk
8 caramels, each cut into 8 equal pieces
1-2 tablespoon Turbinado sugar (raw, coarse sugar), optional

PREPARING APPLES

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease and flour a 10” x 5½” loaf pan.
Pour rum over raisins and let soak 10 minutes.
In a saucepan over medium heat, add the two tablespoons butter, diced apples, nutmeg and cinnamon. Cook 4-5 minutes or until apples have softened.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Drain raisins well and fold into apple mixture and set aside.

PREPARING BATTER**

In a medium sized mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a separate large bowl, cream together ½ cup butter and 1-cup sugar.
Add eggs, one-at-a-time, beating just until egg yolk is no longer visible.
Mix in vanilla and milk.
Add dry ingredients in one cup increments, mixing just until flour is longer visible.

CREAM CHEESE FILLING**
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg
½ cup granulated sugar
Zest of one lemon

PREPARING CREAM CHEESE FILLING

In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, egg, sugar and the lemon zest, mixing until smooth.
Spread 1 cup cake batter in the bottom of the prepared pan.
Fold in the apple mixture and chopped caramels to the remaining batter.
Pour half of the remaining batter into the pan.
Spoon and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter, and cover with the remaining cake batter.
Sprinkle the top of the bread with Turbinado sugar.
Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes. The bread is done when it no longer wiggles and springs back when gently pressed in the thickest part.
Transfer bread to a cooling rack and cool 15 minutes.
Remove bread from pan and allow to completely cool.

CARAMEL GLAZE
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup chopped honey roasted peanuts, optional

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
Stir in brown sugar and cook until brown sugar melts.
Add salt and heavy cream. Cook (and stir) another 2 minutes.
Allow glaze to cool 5 minutes.
Drizzle glaze over cooled bread and sprinkle with honey roasted peanuts.

**NOTE: If you are in a hurry and want to make less of a mess you can combine the cake portion and cream cheese filling portion into the same batter as you are preparing them. The results are just as delicious and less work.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 39 of 2017

I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend. It took me all week, but I finally got caught up from being gone and even though I wasn’t able to get everyone visited from last HHM, I PROMISE to be back on track this week! I also finally caught up on all my laundry from the broken washer and with hubby’s help moved one of the recliners into the bedroom so I can sleep better until after surgery and recovery. I CANNOT lay flat and sleeping is difficult at best. The recliner isn’t comfortable either, but at least I’m not choking.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We just can’t seem to catch a break weather wise. We’re still supposed to be in the 90’s this week, but at least it has been a little better humidity wise, especially in the mornings.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

I’m at the point where I’m drinking more and more of my meals waiting on my surgery so breakfast is a PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE so I can eat dinner later.

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

LAUNDRY… WHEW after last week I’ll settle for today’s 2 loads.
LIVING AREAS… I did a serious deep clean last week and everything still looks pretty good.
KITCHEN… LOL my kitchen is always in various states of food prep, but all in all is pretty clean this week.
STUDIO… is a complete wreck as I have made it my staging area for ebaying and packing up the house.
YARD… the post hurricane/ flood grass re-seed is growing fairly well and hubby will mow and edge later this week.
BLOG… I’m still working on combining into this blog the recipes from my old blogs.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

Most of the new shows begin this week so we’ll do a lot of DVRing and try them one at a time until we narrow the list to our new favorites.

I’m reading You Say It First by Susan Mallery.

CRAFTS / PROJECTS

I’m working on a mixed media canvas that I hope to have finished soon so I can show you.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	PROTEIN DRINK and COFFEE	QUICHE LORRAINE	PANCAKES & BACON
LUNCH	SALAMI & CHEESE WRAPS	GRILLED CHICKEN & TOMATOES	SOUP & SANDWICHES	MAC & CHEESE WITH HAM	SALAD & FRUIT	OUT	BACON BRUSSELS SPROUTS SOUP
DINNER	STIR FRIED CHICKEN WITH SNAP PEAS & BASIL	BLT MAC & CHEESE	KING TOT CASSEROLE	PANZANELLA SALAD	NOT YOUR MAMA’S MEATLOAF	SHEPHERD PIE BITES	TACHOS
DESSERT		PB & BANANA CHOCOLATES				SNICKER DOODLES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND & THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

We’ve been doing A LOT of research this past week and have narrowed our search to 2 different regions. One we are fairly familiar with from a search a few years back, the other is close enough to check out for a few days before my surgery. I’m still pretty worked up about how things have worked out with helping family here with this house and TOTALLY PISSED OFF that it caused us so much grief and pain, not to mention how much money it has cost us. We would have to stay here for at least 10 years to get our money back.

On another note, but along the same topic it appears our fears regarding my uncle being pursued by a gold digger are true. We were recently notified (by her) in an almost threatening way that she has his power of attorney and that we should deal directly with her from now on. As far as I’m concerned she still doesn’t exist as she was the one notifying us without any legal proof – so she can go jump in a lake. The uncle I’ve known all my life would NEVER forsake the little family he has left without being under undue influence or duress.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Gunny gets a few more treats now that he’s older. He’s made it clear that he wants them served on a plate from here on out.

The post hurricane Harvey thunderstorms have been amazing and left us with some interesting skies. There are still debris everywhere and traffic beyond belief, but it looks like most things are getting back to normal.

INSPIRATION

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.

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 38 of 2017

I hope everyone had a great week. we were away the entire week and despite my best intentions I never did get around to visiting everyone during the evenings in the hotel. We were away at hubby’s unit military reunion. Unfortunately, it was poorly organized and planned and was not at all what he was hoping for along with many hotel issues so he no longer wants to participate with the unit one and will only do the divisional ones from here out. We had gone to the divisional one in June and had a great time as it was well organized and planned with events. We just got back late last night so I will do a quick abbreviated HHM this week with a follow up in a few days once I’ve downloaded the pictures and pulled my thoughts together.

The other part of this trip was to search for our next and hopefully last community. Despite online research that looked promising reality fell short of our hopes and dreams. So, we are still searching for that perfect community balance for our wants and needs.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

The weather was beautiful while we were gone according to my neighbor, but looks like it will be excessively warm and thunderstormy again now that we are home.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

COFFEE!! The coffee at the hotel last week was terrible! I am so in need of decent coffee.

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

LAUNDRY… the washer went on the fritz just before we left so I now have 10 or so loads to do after I get it fixed today.
ALL LIVING AREAS… a little bit of a wreck since we just got home last night so that will be my priority today as well as getting some groceries.
KITCHEN… also a wreck, but I am doing a deep clean today.
STUDIO… part of the deep clean too
YARD… hubby will take care of mowing and edging
BLOG… recipe updating and planing for future posts.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I need to do some catch up on whatever is on the DVR and then sit down to do some programming for the new season.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

I will be sitting down next and planning a menu and a grocery list so this menu is a serious work in progress.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	FRUIT & COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS
LUNCH
DINNER	TATCHOS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

INSPIRATION

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.

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 37 of 2017

Oh my I can’t believe it’s Monday again already! I hope you had a great week/weekend. We are personally back to normal after Hurricane Harvey, but so many aren’t including our house/dog sitter who unfortunately lost her car, her job and house was flooded during the hurricane. She’ll be here this week to “regroup” while waiting on materials for new walls and floors at her house. She’s on a waiting list to get a rental car – there just aren’t enough to go around!

My tests and surgery have been pushed out 6 weeks after being canceled during the hurricane. While I’m not happy about this because of the way it is affecting my life, I do understand what a scheduling nightmare it would be to push everyone out 2 weeks to accommodate everyone that was canceled.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re enjoying some milder weather finally. Unfortunately it is because of the Florida situation so I would take the heat and humidity back to save all those people from what they are going through.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

We made coffee to go, but will grab something on the road after we get out of the morning traffic.

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

LAUNDRY… washer is having an issue so will have lots of loads to do next week
ALL LIVING AREAS… perfect! I did a deep clean before the house sitter got here.
YARD… NOTHING! New seeds have begun to come up and is looking good.
BLOG… still doing some recipe updating and planning for future posts.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

READING – I seem to fall asleep after just a paragraph or 2 – Ava Miles #5 Dare Valley – The TOWN SQUARE

The new season is finally about to start. I do have some cooking shows to clean up on the DVR, but there are plenty of things still going on:

ZOO
THE STRAIN
SALVATION
NIGHT SHIFT
MIDNIGHT TEXAS
CHESAPEAKE SHORES
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT
GUY’S GROCERY GAMES
Guy’s Family Road Trip
Great FOOD TRUCK race
MASTER CHEF – there are some interesting characters left this season and some I can’t wait to see go – hint hint JEFF still HAS TO GO!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	on the road	FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT	hotel	hotel	hotel	hotel	hotel
LUNCH	on the road	??	??	??	??	??	on the road
DINNER	??	??	welcome reception	??	out for my birthday	banquet	on the road
DESSERT					cake of course

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

There are so many things going on EVERYWHERE right now that I am just praying for the world and our country to level out and be still for awhile! This kind of comically sums it up though.

INSPIRATION

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.

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MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 36 of 2017

I hope you all had a GREAT week and are taking a much deserved break today for Labor day. We have had a busy week recovering from Hurricane Harvey. This has been and continues to be chaos even as life tries to go back to normal. We were blessed to be in an area that received 3 feet of rain and tons of wind, but no serious damage or flooding except for a the few neighbors we were able to help out. But, that has left us on a “virtual” island not able to go too far in any one direction without running into closed roads and freeways. They are still releasing waters from the overflowing reservoirs so residential flooding as well as downtown is still a HUGE concern. Also of concern is a dozen or so flooded toxic waste dumps, mosquito season and raw sewage in the flood waters.

My long awaited testing for my surgery last Friday in the downtown medical center was canceled and has yet to be rescheduled, but I’m hoping to have some answers tomorrow. I know there are other concerns right now, but I am miserable and unable to sleep, eat or function well so am hoping as they reopen they have developed a plan to deal with the week’s worth of patients in limbo in a timely and efficient manner.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We are warmer and humid again, but the skies are blue and full of fluffy clouds.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Protein drink and coffee

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

I’m blessed to have a house to complain about being messy! I need to clean well though. So much time spent indoors while the hurricane/tropical storm raged and away after to help friends and now the holiday weekend that I have neglected normal day to day items, but I’ll get those back together as the week moves on.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

LAUNDRY… just a couple of regular loads – just finished 10 or so loads of towels and blankets used to help neighbor with her flood.
LIVING AREAS… mostly tidy, but need to do ALL floors
KITCHEN… laundry room is at the back of the kitchen and I have been doing so many loads of wet towels and such that the whole room needs a serious deep clean.
STUDIO… I’ve been packing so there is a bit of a mess that will remain for awhile.
YARD… Hubby just reseeded the yard and put on a layer of manure. It seems so odd to be watering after just receiving 3 feet of rain, but we really want the new seed to take root and this seemed like the best time while the ground is soft.
BLOG… still doing some recipe updating and planing for future posts.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

STILL READING – I seem to fall asleep after just a paragraph or 2 – Ava Miles #4 Dare Valley – The Holiday Serenade

Waiting for the new season to start, but there are plenty of things still going on:

ZOO
STRAIN
SALVATION
NIGHT SHIFT
MIDNIGHT TEXAS
CHESAPEAKE SHORES
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT
GUY’S GROCERY GAMES
Guy’s Family Road Trip
Great FOOD TRUCK race
MASTER CHEF – there are some interesting characters left this season and some I can’t wait to see go – hint hint JEFF HAS TO GO!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	PROTEIN DRINK & COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS & COFFEE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	PROTEIN DRINK & COFFEE	SCRAMBLED EGGS & COFFEE	SOUR CREAM WAFFLES AND BACON	SHIRRED EGGS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP	MEAT ROLL-UPS	SALAD	MEAT & CHEESE	C.O.R.N.	??
DINNER	PAN SEARED CHICKEN with BROWNED PARSLEY BUTTER	CREAMED CHICKEN & SALAD	CHICKEN S.O.S. & SALAD	PAN SEARED COD with SOUR CREAM SAUCE	RUSTIC CREAMY PARMESAN CHICKEN	WILTED SPINACH SALAD with GRILLED CHICKEN	BEEF TENDERLOIN, PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES AND MARINATED CARROTS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

I saw this on facebook and this is soooooooooooo cool and helpful.
https://www.facebook.com/firstmediasoyummy/videos/1862813597366116/

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

I’m probably hypersensitive this week with all the stress, but it just concerns me that people “stir the pot” so easily in social media. It’s so easy these days to “say” something via the written word on social media that you would have thought twice about before saying verbally without really thinking through the implications.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We were so fortunate where we were in Hurricane Harvey’s path. The rescue helicopters made it super surreal though as we were apparently in a flight pattern. My oldest friend (we’ve known each other since we were 2 and 3) Leslie called to check on us though and said her ex SIL was flooded and had to be rescued by boat. She said she was taking a 4 day weekend and driving down to Help Joan now that the waters were beginning to recede. We decided we would try to get there to help. I say try, because where we are kind of became an island of sorts. We couldn’t travel in any direction without coming upon primarily closed flooded out roads. These trucks were full of police in tactical gear coming from a heavily flooded area.

So on Friday we took boots, gloves, a HUGE pot of chili and started out for a location 11 miles away. It took us 2 hours, but we got there. It looked like a war zone! The primary goal was to get all the carpeting, flooring, drywall and ruined furniture and appliance to the curb. At some point the city will be picking these things up. With the humidity here, mosquitoes and mold are the worst fears. I have to say that for the most part my faith in humanity was restored as people just showed up and offered their services to cut out drywall, move refrigerators and just offer their talents any way they could. High school guys offering their brute strength, cub scouts passing out water, friends of friends just pitching in…

There were a couple instances of active tries at looting, but neighbors banded together and ran off these offenders. Joan lives on a cul-de-sac and the guy on the corner has been parking his car sideways at night and standing vigil with an assault rifle to keep people who didn’t belong there out. The neighbors a few streets over that were not flooded brought dinner for the whole neighborhood the first night they were allowed back in. Then on Saturday sack lunches and the kindness continues!

About half way through removing the debris and these pictures are just 2 yards of the many thousands that look just like this or worse. They are urging everyone to put out EVERYTHING that was in flood waters, even what appears salvageable because of the toxins, parasites and such that is in the flood waters.

And while we have too much water those poor people in Montana need rain desperately. Praying for ALL those affected by the wildfires.

INSPIRATION

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.

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Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES