HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

It’s another Monday… you know what that means. It’s time to link up with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at home mom and Laurie at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Happy Homemaker and Menu Plan Monday.

I had a good Valentine’s weekend.  We stayed home and BBQed Steaks with baked potatoes and hubby’s favorite for dessert – cheesecake! Plus NASCAR started on Saturday!

Thanks go to my wonderful physical therapist who is treating the “whole” person and not just my knee.  She is very surprised that not 1 doctor put me through physical therapy after any of the 5 major surgeries I had in 2 years that zapped my strength and muscle tone and is not surprised by how weak I have been, but is happy with the path I’m on to become “whole” again! I’ve also started a new vitamin regime and have a lot of new found energy so this post is a little fuller than normal!

BREAKFAST AS I WRITE:


THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
THIS MORNING:
A little overcast, but with the supposed promise of sunny skies by lunch.  The nights have been clear and downright cold though making it cold and flu season with a hint of ear infection!! Very misleading as it is only sunny and somewhat nice for about 4 hours and then it’s bone chilling damp cold and miserable again.

FOR THE WEEK:
Pretty much the same, but less and less promise of sun and more and more promise of dreary skies as the week progresses.

TO DO LIST
TODAY:

  • Physical therapy
  • Dog grooming

THIS WEEK:

  • Laundry
  • Cleaning
  • Paperwork up the ying yang

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION & DVR

A couple of new or returning shows start this week,

  • Perception
  • Rizzoli & Isles
  • The Odd Couple remake
  • Vikings on the history channel (hubby has a thing for Norway)

but I’m still working off the DVR from last week.

  • Castle
  • Scandal
  • State of Affairs
  • Justified
  • Sleepy Hollow

PLAY TIME (If I can find any)

I built a new framework for my weekly menu and recipe links.  It is still not exactly what I’m looking for, but I’ll keep working on it. I also changed up last week’s menu and made quite a few experimental recipes and was quite happy with the results.  Recipe links below.

 Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie

BREAKFAST
DINNER
DESSERT
MONDAY
Onion & cheese eggs with Toast
C.O.R.N.

TUESDAY
Bagel & cream cheese

WEDNESDAY
Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola
Y.O.Y.O.

THURSDAY
Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola

FRIDAY
Yogurt with Blueberries & Granola

SATURDAY
SUNDAY

LAST WEEK’S RECIPE LINKS

NEW RECIPES I FOUND THIS WEEK TO TRY IN THE NEAR FUTURE

  • Pineapple Skirt Steak
  • Ham & Asparagus Stuffed Chicken
  • Country French Chicken and Rice
  • Chunky Beef Ragu

MY FAVORITE PHOTO FROM LAST WEEK

It is a very strange winter, definitely the kind where you are always fighting a cold. Warm then cold…  dry then VERY wet… rain, but no snow pack… Early bulbs that then freeze and strange fungal growths on tree roots.

BLOGS TO CHECK OUT

I keep looking for new and inspiring blogs, but honestly so many have huge ad sections or pop ups nowadays that just annoy me!

HOMEMAKING TIP

One of the worst things is reaching for an onion or potato to find that they have rotted. And a lot of people don’t know not to store them together.  I’ve always used baskets, but they can become cumbersome and messy. I found these bags at Lakeside collection and they are a big help at keeping things fresh, organized, clean and they are color coded too.  All the onion skins and eyes end up in the bags instead of the shelves.  They were relatively inexpensive too.

ON MY MIND LATELY

If the people who walk the aisles of the local grocery store and walmart drove their cars the same way they drive their shopping carts there would be an accident every 10 feet and you couldn’t drive down the street.

PRAYING FOR & INSPIRATION

I’m praying for the courage and strength to deal with the VA (AGAIN) while we continue through this process.

I also pray for forgiveness for everything I called the “WITCH” from my primary care doctor’s office last week.

I LOVE my primary care doctor.  She unfortunately works for a University system that has taken on the practice that there is NO need for actual nurses or professionals in the office and they staff with untrained or at least not well trained and uncaring people who have the compassion, understanding and follow through of a gnat.  They also use a voicemail system that allows them to ignore, avoid (you choose) calls.  I have pages and pages of documented calls that only reached voicemail that have YET to be answered by them.  Recently I had to resort to a certified letter to get a referral placed 3 months after the doctor originally requested it.

And that wasn’t the first time a referral fell through the system.  The first time they kept faxing to the WRONG insurance company – a company I have never been affiliated with and I only know this thanks to a front office girl telling me.  Obviously she will remain nameless to protect her.  By the time the referral went through 2 months later, the specialist was no longer accepting my insurance and I had to start the process over.  In all from the time the first referral was requested to me actually being seen by a specialist and then having to start over again 3 months had passed.

This time I have had to cancel and reschedule with a specialist twice and this 3rd referral was extremely time sensitive!  Their inability to perform even simple functions has not only ticked me off and forced me to make dozens of unnecessary calls to follow up (basically doing their job for them), rearrange my schedule not once, but twice and not only inconvenienced me, but also the specialist’s office staff and patients.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that she didn’t deserve EVERY single word as do the worthless office staff she works with, just that I shouldn’t have said it all.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Good Morning! I had a fairly SLOW and VERY WET weekend and have a very early appointment this morning so I’m getting going early.

I’m one of those people who unfortunately tends to remember dates and today is the anniversary of the Sylmar earthquake, my first one when I was quite young. LOL, I hate that I remember these things. I found this documentary video that I’d never seen.

Join in with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Be sure and stop by to see what it’s all about!

BREAKFAST: A big cup of green tea and a banana and a tangerine for the road.
TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
  • Dr. Appointment
  • Errands – Oil Change and tire rotation

CURRENTLY READING:

ON THE TELEVISION:

Just the same old, same old until a few favorites start again next week.

WEATHER:

January was REALLY foggy and damp, but still warmer and drier than most so I got really spoiled and wasn’t ready for the February temperature drop and rain, but here it is!

     Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


    DATE BREAKFAST
    DINNER
    MONDAY 2/9 FRUIT
    Snapper Wrappers
    TUESDAY 2/10 BAGEL & CREAM CHEESE
    Smokey Navy Bean Soup
    WEDNESDAY 2/11 YOGURT
    Pink Lemon Chicken
    THURSDAY 2/12 FRUIT
    French Onion Soup with Mac & Cheese Croutons
    FRIDAY 2/13 CEREAL
    Croque Madames
    SATURDAY 2/14 Luau Benedicts
    Grilled Steaks & Baked Potatoes with Cheesecake for Valentine’s
    SUNDAY 2/15 Farmer’s Breakfast 
    Caribbean Pork Steaks 

    I actually found (made) some time to do a DIY project.  Every year at Christmas time I go looking for decorative Christmas ornament hooks. They are always so expensive when you can find them!  Then recently I found some “country” ones in a catalog as a Christmas close out and they were 80% off!  

    The only problem was the color, but a can of silver spray paint fixed that!  The other problem is that Christmas hooks tangle up so much.  So, after these were dry I lined them up and used tie wraps to keep them in group ready for next year’s ornaments. 
    Next year before adding the ornaments I think I’ll add some red beads to each one.
    LAST WEEK’S RECIPE EXPERIMENTS
    THIS WEEK RECIPES TO TRY 
  • FRENCH ONION SOUP with MAC & CHEESE CROUTONS will post tomorrow.

      The storm broke in just the perfect spot to the west as the sun set Saturday night and then it returned to the regularly scheduled rain followed by a thunderstorm and heavier rain!

      As I rotate out my worn out (at least for my face and body) loofa wash cloth and back scrubbing cloth I use them as cleaning rags.

      I found a new blog this week to challenge my thinking outside the box while cooking and creating recipes, The Food in My Beard.

      I had a horrible week dealing with my primary care doctor’s office.  They are horrible, they don’t return calls, have an excuse for everything, promise and then never follow through, always send my referrals to the wrong insurance company… I’m PRAYING that common sense prevails with some medical issues and the imbeciles, idiots, ignorant, clueless people handling the paperwork and appointments dealing with it.

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER AND MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a fairly busy and productive weekend as well as the SUPERBOWL game and have a very early appointment this morning so I’m getting going early. Join in with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Be sure and stop by to see what it’s all about!

        • A big cup of green tea and a banana and a tangerine for the road.
        • Physical Therapy
        • Errands
        • Groceries

        A few new shows start this week and we’ll clean up the DVR from the past couple weeks.

        January was REALLY foggy and damp, but still warmer and drier than most so I got really spoiled and wasn’t ready for the February temperature drop and rain, but here it is!

         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        DATE BREAKFAST
        DINNER
        MONDAY 2/2 FRUIT
        Black Bean “Kitchen Sink” Steak Chili
        TUESDAY 2/3 BAGEL & CREAM CHEESE
        Layered Tortilla Pie
        WEDNESDAY 2/4 YOGURT
        Hot Chicken Salad 
        THURSDAY 2/5 FRUIT
        Texas Red Chicken
        FRIDAY 2/6 CEREAL
        CADILLACS – Parmesan Roast Beef
        SATURDAY 2/7 Waffled French Toast 
        Piquant Chicken with Charred Tomato Sauce
        SUNDAY 2/8 Shirred Eggs
        Pan Seared Chicken with Lemon Garlic Green Onion Tahini Sauce

        Do a little quilting and finish a few older projects though I have yet to have a few minutes to myself LOL like that’s going to happen.

        I also tried several other successful new recipes recently and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.  I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        I have a few favorite photos this week.  We headed out on Saturday to trek all the way around the pond since it was actually sunny and fairly nice out and because we are now 2 days into a 10 day rain stretch.  These ant hills were the most unique picture I took, but seeing the beaver below was one of the rarest.  Too bad I forgot to put my long lens on before we left.

        Buried under decades of blackberry brambles and moss is an old foundation and from the looks of the construction it was probably from the early 1900’s.

        This Robin jumped from tree to tree as we walked along, but I finally caught him in this pine tree.

        There’s a farm on the other side of that gate, but this road truly leads nowhere, well except into the pond.

        Take a good look, the sunny, cloudy sky is rare this time of year and the thistles made a perfect forefront. 

        And if your shoes don’t look like this when you get home, you did something wrong.

        I tend to eyeball some measurements because that’s the way I was taught, but often, especially with a new recipe, I’m exact.

        There are 2 different types (many people don’t realize this) – dry and wet measure.

        • Liquid measure tend to be glass or plastic with a pour spout.
        • Dry measures are your nested cups and spoons.
        basic MEASURE EQUIVALENTS to get you started – I’ll let you do the rest of the math
        1 cup = 8 ounces liquid or 16 tablespoons dry
        1 tablespoon = 1/2 ounce liquid or 3 teaspoons dry

        Common Sense to prevail with some medical issues and the imbeciles, idiots, ignorant, clueless people handling the paperwork and appointments dealing with it.

        RECIPES, LIFE & ALL THAT GOES WITH IT

        Good Morning!  It was a lazy weekend around here. It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

        • A big cup of Green Tea and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins.

         

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST
        • Grocery Shopping
        • Get oil changed on car
        • Appt. to get windshield molding fixed
        • Laundry

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

        Catching up on the DVR from last week:

        • Good Wife
        • Mentalist
        • Law and Order SVU
        • Forever
        • Sleepy Hollow

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

        Foggy and dreary, but with a promise of sun later in the day.

        ON THE MENU
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie

         

         

          DATE BREAKFAST   DINNER
        MONDAY 1/26 OATMEAL   Steak Tacos and Tomato Salsa
        TUESDAY 1/27 YOGURT   Chinese Orange Beef
        WEDNESDAY 1/28 OATMEAL   Sausage Bread Pudding
        THURSDAY 1/29 Y.O.Y.O   Spice Rubbed Pork Chops with Pineapple Relish
        FRIDAY 1/30 C.O.R.N.   Teriyaki Glazed Steak Tips
        SATURDAY 1/31 French Toast   Crab Cakes & Remoulade
        SUNDAY 2/1
        Bacon and Eggs
          New Orleans Chicken and Biscuits

         

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY

        I also tried several other successful new recipes recently and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.

        I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN
        Nothing this week.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
        We went out to dinner and then to the Bullriding event Saturday night at the fairgrounds and I snapped this picture as we were heading into the restaurant.  It just doesn’t so justice to how beautiful it really was.
         

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK

        Start your spring cleaning in January and do a different room each month so it isn’t so overwhelming.  See this post and chart for help eliminating clutter.

        ON MY MIND LATELY

        Trying to understand why someone who asks for advice, ignores it and then gets mad at you for giving it thinks.

        INSPIRATIONAL

        SASSY PHILLY CHEESE, or ROAST BEEF JALAPENO or ?? SANDWICHES FOR TAILGATING TIME

        The key here is in the dressing.  I have made these with ham and Swiss, different flavors of cream cheese or just plain, roast beef and jalapenos, etc… The flavor combos are endless.  Plus these are the perfect size for football tailgating or Superbowl parties and King’s Hawaiian is now making this bread in a mini sub size which is perfect for those big strapping guys who think the little squares are too dainty for them LOL.

        Tonight’s combo is Genoa Salami, oven roast turkey, roast beef and colby jack with plain green cheese for me and the same meats for hubby with baby swiss.

        Adapted from  Philadelphia® Cream Cheese Recipe

        12 Servings
        1 package (12 count) Hawaiian bread rolls or 1 package (6 count) mini sub rolls
        1 pound shaved meats
        12 slices cheese
        1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
        1 tub (8 ounces) PHILADELPHIA® Cheese Spread
        *1/2 cup butter, melted
        *1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
        *1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
        • Cut all rolls in half. Place roll bottoms in 9×13-inch pan*.
        • Layer equal amounts of ham on each roll bottom. 
        • Top with Gruyere and then green onions.
        • Spread a generous amount of the cream cheese spread on top of each roll.
        • Return the tops to the bottoms making sandwiches.
        • In a separate bowl, mix together the butter, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese. 
        • Pour over your sandwiches, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for at least 20 minutes.***
        • When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and cover with foil. If you chilled overnight, bring to room temperature before baking.
        • Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until warmed through. 
        • Enjoy!

        COOK’S NOTES:

        • I use my Lasagna Pan and it works like a charm.
        • CHANGE YOUR overall sandwich FLAVOR by changing the meats and cheeses.
        • You can make these ahead of time and allow them to sit in the refrigerator overnight. 
        • *These ingredients are the key to these delicious sandwiches no matter which flavor combos you use. 

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a pretty good weekend – hope you did too.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

        • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 with a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST
        • Grocery Shopping
        • Errands
        • Laundry
        • Cleaning

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

        Catching up on the DVR from last week:

        • Good Wife
        • Mentalist
        • Law and Order SVU
        • Forever 
        • CSI

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        YEAH!! Sunny for a change! Or at least it started that way and is now getting foggier by the minute.

        ON THE MENU
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        DATE BREAKFAST
        DINNER
        MONDAY 1/19 OATMEAL
        Salmon in a Blanket
        TUESDAY 1/20 YOGURT
        Artichoke Fritters
        WEDNESDAY 1/21 OATMEAL
        Chicken Divan
        THURSDAY 1/22 Y.O.Y.O.
        Cajun Corn Chowder
        FRIDAY 1/23 C.O.R.N.
        Watergate Salad
        SATURDAY 1/24 French Toast
        Huevos Rancheros
        SUNDAY 1/25
        Bacon and Eggs

        Baked Cod

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY

        I’m still posting the successful new recipes from December and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.  I’m also back to trying a few recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN
        Nothing this week.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
        We have had A LOT of foggy, rainy and cloudy days lately with the sun making an appearance only for some interesting sunset pictures.


        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK
        Sorry nothing this week 🙁

        ON MY MIND LATELY
        Trying to understand the world and what is going through people’s minds with all the senseless violence that is happening everywhere.

        INSPIRATIONAL

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend. ALL the Christmas decorations are organized and put away and I’m ready to do some deep cleaning.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

        I need some help!!!  I need ideas for a bread an butter gift (a gesture of gratitude for hosting) for my SIL on an upcoming trip. I always look for something I know she’d like, but probably doesn’t have, but I’m honestly out of ideas.  She loves “frogs” but think I’ve done those a little too much over the years.  What do you get or make for someone who has everything or the money to buy what they want when they want it?

        ON THE BREAKFAST MENU

        • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 wit a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

        TODAY’S TO DO LIST
        • Grocery Shopping
        • Errands
        • Laundry
        • Cleaning

        CURRENTLY (STILL) READING

        TV SHOWS THIS WEEK

        Catching up on the DVR from last week:

        • Good Wife
        • Mentalist
        • Law and Order SVU
        • Forever
        • Sleepy Hollow

        WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        Rain, fog and dreary.

        ON THE MENU
         Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


        DATE BREAKFAST
        DINNER
        MONDAY 1/12 OATMEAL
        Tomato Pie and Pan Seared Chicken with Peppercorn Sauce
        TUESDAY 1/13 YOGURT
        Chimichurri Chicken
        WEDNESDAY 1/14 OATMEAL
        Pork Chops & Rice Bake
        THURSDAY 1/15 ??
        Old World Chicken
        FRIDAY 1/16 C.O.R.N.
        Winter Soup & Pineapple Upside Down Cake
        SATURDAY 1/17 French Toast
        24 Hour Salad
        SUNDAY 1/18
        Bacon and Eggs

        Cheesy Corn Bake

        NEW RECIPES TO TRY

        I also tried several other successful new recipes in December and they will be popping up a little here and a little there over the next few weeks.

        I’m back to trying recipes from my experimentation file this month so am hopeful that there will be many to pass on to you soon.

        IN THE YARD & GARDEN
        Nothing this week.

        FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
        While our son and DIL were visiting for New Year’s we had many dreary days, but this one wasn’t one of them. We had a great lunch and despite the cool weather got some great pictures.

        HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK

          As I put up the Christmas decorations each year I save the tissue paper to reuse as stuffing in shipping boxes and then as I put away the Christmas decorations each year I use new tissue paper to wrap them in.  The new tissue paper has a stronger tensile strength to protect the ornaments and decorations.

          ON MY MIND LATELY

          Trying to understand the world and what is going through people’s minds with all the senseless violence that is happening everywhere.

          INSPIRATIONAL