Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope everyone had a wonderful week.  Can you believe it’s August already?  Summer is already half over and I for one am looking forward to fall, one of my favorite seasons! 

We spent a few days away last week researching one of the areas we are considering for our move.  While we were there, a large vintage, antique fair was at the fair grounds.  I made out well with a few antique recipe boxes full of old recipes and some beautiful cruets for my flavored oils and vinegars.

I absolutely LOVE finding old recipe boxes!  Some of the recipes are really unbelievable and irreplaceable finds.  This time I even found some written in old pen and quill type ink – apparently quite old and many of them were signed 😀 And the cruets were bargain priced!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This week is going to be about 10 degrees cooler and sunny 😀  I’m going to do some errands and shopping this morning so I have on Levi’s and a favorite t-shirt with flip flops

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE weak coffee with saltine crackers

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

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… ALL caught up
  
• YARD… nothing
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… one doctor appt for hubby and more sorting and repacking for me
  
• BLOG… a few new recipes to upload and some ETSY research for a new idea
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… researching some alcohol painting and homemade inspired gift ideas from the antique show we went to last week.  I also started the Christmas garland (pictures below) and am looking forward to finishing it soon!
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY & FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I FINALLY was able to get the garland started and am about a third of the way done!!

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH/SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED Nothing really, ALL caught up here also.  We did watch Disney’s John Carter which was quite entertaining!

I’M READING I finished the Ava Miles series Dare Valley Meets Paris series and have moved on to Karen Ann Hopkins Lamb to the Slaughter Book #1 of the Serenity Plains secrets series.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – CHILI & CHILE CORNBREAD
TUESDAY – CANTONESE CHICKEN & MUSHROOMS with SNAP PEAS
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N. / Y.O.Y.O.
THURSDAY – APPLE ORANGE SALAD & CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN
FRIDAY – TERIYAKI SALMON & WALNUT COLESLAW
SATURDAY – BALSAMIC BROWN SUGAR BRISKET & ROASTED SALT and VINEGAR POTATOES
SUNDAY – SWEET & SOUR CARAMELIZED CHICKEN and SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS
• CHICKEN & STRAWBERRY SALAD with STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE
• BAKED APRICOT PINEAPPLE GINGER SALMON
• GREEN BEAN CAESAR SALAD
• IRISH NACHOS
• PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH SLAB APPLE PIE

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• BALSAMIC BROCCOLI & BRUSSELS & CHICKEN SAUTE
• CARAMEL APPLE PIE BOMBS
• SEAFOOD SALAD & PARMESAN CHEESE ROLLS
  

GOOD MORNING How was your week?  Mine was kind of a blur as we were quite busy dealing with our storage units and the boxes crushed by the movers.  We are at least consolidated into a single unit for now.  Unfortunately, I now have to begin the arduous task of repacking all the crushed boxes.  I also have several totes of clothes that are going to need to be tried on piece by piece to see if I can salvage anything with the extreme weight loss. I see a HUGE donation load or two in my future as we minimize our life.

We are taking 2 more research trips this next month to check out several regions we are looking at.  This too is an arduous task trying check out EVERYTHING from churches, volunteer programs, health care… to daily traffic patterns, grocery stores and entertainment.  We really only want to do this move one last time so are being thorough in our research and trying to immerse ourselves into the local cultures.

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 Later this week we leave for a few days to check out one of the areas we are thinking about.  One of the things I have been watching every so many days is the weather in each area.  Here are the four areas we are thinking about.

The upper one is we live and the next one is where we will be visiting later this week.  Not much difference now, but the winters are quite a bit different with the lower area being a bit drier and cooler than where we are now on average.

These 2 lower areas are certainly warmer now and really quite similar to here, but are both quite a bit colder in the winter with actual snow and 4 actual seasons each year!  Hubby and I are fonder of the cooler drier climates.

The one thing we have learned is that summer is summer and it’s hot EVERYWHERE!  The big differences (snow, rain, etc…) are the OTHER 9 months of the year 😀

Today I have to go to an early doctor appointment so I’m already dressed in Levis and a comfy blouse with my favorite sandals.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Hot water and grapes

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

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… pretty good – got the laundry finished yesterday and vacuumed
  
• YARD… nothing
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… doctor appointment for me to remove the stitches and one for hubby too
  
• BLOG… still updating some recipes and hoping to get to the past trip posts soon
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… LOL 😀 as always the garland is pending
  

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH/SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We watched the NASCAR races and a few old TCM movies I’d never seen, but other than that the DVR is empty:D  Looking forward to the fall line up.

I’M READING I finally finished Ava Miles’ Love Among Lavender (Merriams #2) and picked up  Jana Deleon’s Cajun Fried Felony (Miss Fortune #15) for a fun summer read

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Wow I just realized I didn’t take many pictures this week except on my phone and have yet to convert the HEIC to JPG so don’t have anything today.

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – GRILLED CHICKEN STRAWBERRY SALAD
TUESDAY – BAKED APRICOT GINGER SALMON & SALAD
WEDNESDAY – BALSAMIC BROWN SUGAR BRISKET & SALAD
THURSDAY – OUT
FRIDAY – OUT
SATURDAY – OUT
SUNDAY – OUT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BEEF & CABBAGE STIR FRY
• ORANGE PEANUT APPLE SALAD

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• FRENCH ONION PASTA BAKE
• BLUEBERRY LEMON CHEESECAKE CAKE
• PAN SEARED CHICKEN with BROWNED PARSLEY BUTTER

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.

GOOD MORNING everyone!  How was your week?  Mine was long, but somewhat productive.  I have an early morning here so will get right to it.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This whole week looks like a ground hog day episode with very little change from day to day – nice mornings, hot afternoons and warm evenings.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and coffee

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

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… not too bad
  
• YARD… nothing
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… looking for paperwork in storage and organizing
  
• BLOG… same as always LOL 😀 recipe uploads
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… we’ll see how the storage bit goes, but I hope to FINALLY get started on the garland.
  

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY The human condition, you know the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of our human existence, things like growth, emotions, aspirations, conflicts, and ultimately our own mortality.  Sounds deep right? LOL 😀 Yet, they are all relevant to where we are and where we ultimately want and/or need to be.  A neighbor asked us recently, why not here?  There are many answers to that question and ultimately the big one is the health care or lack of it with all my health issues as well as not getting any younger.  We have a whole list of things (health care, economy, church, activities and things to do, property taxes, local government, demographics, base life, groceries, shopping… etc…) we research with each area.  Health care though seems to top the list each time. I have to say health care was the best in Texas, but that was also a double edge sword with the source of my ailments coming from the HOUSE FROM HELL and being complicated by the hot humid weather of the area not to mention the family betrayal that just left a sour note EVERYWHERE!

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH/SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED I wish I could say there was plenty to watch (which of course there is, but so much of it just doesn’t interest me!  Honestly I wonder how someone spent money to produce half the crap that show up on the screen!) We did watch an old movie on Amazon with Tom Selleck and Ellen DeGeneres called the Love Letter and another on Netflix called Secret Obsession that were both pretty good. We also rented Dumbo and Pet Sematary – I know what a combo!  I’m a fan of both Disney and Stephen King – go figure!

I’M READING LOL still reading the same book, just haven’t had the energy to finish this one, but not for the lack of trying 😀

Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA When we first moved back here, our storage unit only had 3 small units available so we had to take what was available.  This has made it really tough while trying to locate things.  We also hired movers since I was in such poor health and unable to do much at the time.  My strength and stamina as well as my energy are still a bit fleeting with not being able to consume enough food, but we’re making the best of it as a larger single unit has become available.  Hubby and I are spending mornings moving things into the new unit so we can begin to sort and find the necessary things.  The moving men were given IMPLICIT instructions on stacking things.  As we began emptying the first unit we quickly realized that the moving men just didn’t listen nor were they evidently too bright as they stacked heavy garage items on top of clearly labeled TOP ONLY FRAGILE boxes or turned things on their sides when they had clear messages saying NOT to!  To say I am beyond ticked off would be a serious understatement!  We are having to ALSO re-box many things as we begin this arduous process!  FORTUNATELY for me we just helped our friends move a mile and a half away and they used ALL new boxes that they are filtering back to us so we can re-pack the broken by the movers boxes!  Thank you Heather & Josh!! 😀 

We still haven’t narrowed down the next project or the area, but we are working hard to do just that and want to be prepared to move when that happens so all this work will be a godsend in the end.

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS or ASIAN CABBAGE STIR FRY
TUESDAY – SWEET & SOUR CARAMELIZED CHICKEN with MIMOSA ASPARAGUS
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – TAMALE PIE FRIDAY – SALMON with ASIAN WALNUT SLAW
SATURDAY – MINI CHICKEN POT PIES
SUNDAY – Y.O.Y.O.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• Pan Seared Chicken in Lemon Wine Sauce
  
• Braised Tomatillo Pork
  
• Braised Green Beans & Potatoes
• Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
• Creamy Chili Chicken
• Mandarin Chicken Broccoli Salad FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK YAY! My Honey Lemon Pepper Salmon and Shrimp was featured last week at Eclectic Red Barn and at Life with Lorelai!

• HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
• STUFFED BALSAMIC CHICKEN
• CREAMSICLE CHICKEN
  

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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I’m still playing catch up after our trip, but I’ll get there this week.  We had a good trip and it was informative in the way that it ruled out several places and routes for us for.  I took yesterday to do not much at all other than catch up with my friend and munchkins, prep parts of today’s dinner which is labor intensive, made a Pennsylvania Dutch Apple pie, dishes, vacuumed, organized, laundry… oops I guess I didn’t take yesterday off after all!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s been a tad warm in the afternoons, but with a slight breeze so not really too bad at all… for summer… 😀 This morning’s uniform is cutoffs and a soft t-shirt

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE hot water and yogurt

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

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… done and clean
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… just a couple
  
• BLOG… still working on some updates and new recipes
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… ?? maybe depends on some other activities this week
  

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH/SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED all caught up and DVR empty – summer makes TV watching just plain weird

I’M READING same book as last week – just came seem to stay awake long enough to get more than a paragraph or two read which kind of sucks since I am enjoying the book.

Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA We’re back and I haven’t yet sorted pictures, but I love this one of Multnomah Falls.  I wish I knew the people in the bottom of this picture, but they gave it context either way 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

I laughed at this much… Just thought I’d share!

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – CREAMY CHILI CHICKEN & BRAISED GREEN BEANS with POTATOES
TUESDAY – ORANGE PEANUT CHICKEN APPLE SALAD
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – CHICKEN ANDOUILLE GUMBO
FRIDAY – MANDARIN CHICKEN BROCCOLI SALAD
SATURDAY – PORK TENDERLOINS & ??
SUNDAY – CHICKEN & WINE SAUCE with ROASTED SALT & VINEGAR POTATOES 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CUCUMBER SALAD
• ASIAN SESAME VINAIGRETTE
• FLOATING FRUIT CAKE
• PORK TENDERLOIN with PEACH BOURBON SAUCE
• CASHEW CREAM AVOCADO RANCH DRESSING
• RICOTTA MEATBALLS & GRAVY
• BROCCOLI PARSLEY SLAW

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• SESAME CHICKEN
• BEEF & BROCCOLI ALA CROCK POT
• BACON WRAPPED MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS

Be sure to join us.  You can 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.

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies.  I hope you had a wonderful week and enjoyed your Independence day celebrations!  Ours was a quiet 4th.  I helped a friend paint her new house and hubby pulled his back so spent it on the heating pad! 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING We’re still trying to narrow down “where” we are going to settle for good and are taking a small trip this week to immerse ourselves into one of the areas we are considering.  And by immerse I mean walk the streets and neighborhoods, talk to the local people and get a true feel for the area.  The weather was predicted to be MUCH warmer when I first started watching it, but a “cool” front has evidently moved in and dropped the temps by 10 degrees!  We’re going to be LOVING it!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE hot water and cheerios

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

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… pretty tidy and caught up until we get back Friday
  
• YARD…  hubby had to sideline the gate repair with his back and will hopefully get it finished today and if not after we get back Friday
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… nothing but research this week
  
• BLOG… there are a few recipes set to post this week, but I need to get caught up on translations 😀
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I was hoping to get some of the garland done this past week, but it will wait until next week 😀
  

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH in NO particular order

• The Good Witch
  
• The Great American Food Truck Race
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Beat Bobby Flay
• Reef Break
• Elementary
• MasterChef

I’M READING Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I spent the 4th of July helping my friend paint her upstairs in preparation for the carpet installation today.  We got A LOT done!  Her mom and the youngest munchkin made us a foursome for the day until the middle munchkin got home from a sleepover and joined the fun.  My favorite photo was of the munchkins helping paint their brother’s bedroom.  Just look at those smiles – I can NEVER resist them!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – RICOTTA MEATBALLS with SALAD & AVOCADO RANCH DRESSING
TUESDAY – OUT
WEDNESDAY – OUT
THURSDAY – OUT
FRIDAY – OUT
SATURDAY – ??
SUNDAY – CREAMY CHILI CHICKEN & SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• HAM STEAK & RED EYE GRAVY
• CHURCH SUPPER RINGFEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• 4 WINDS S & S SLAW
• HONEY LEMON PEPPER SALMON & SHRIMP
• LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

GOOD MORNING I hope everyone had a wonderful week!  OH NO it’s July already!  The year is officially half over! LEON day (exactly 6 months between Christmases) was last week and we are officially on a downhill road to the holidays!  That said, there is still plenty of summer to go around and I hope you have some fun trips and vacation plans as we head into the long 4th of July weekend.

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 Last week we had some fast moving and fantastic thunderstorms that brought in much cooler weather too.  This week not so much, we’re supposed to get quite warm again and be sunny all week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE The new doctor has at least assigned a name to my newest health issue.  Retroactive hypoglycemia.  Unfortunately, it does not have an easy fix, instead it puts me into a vicious never ending cycle of low blood sugar and needing to eat, but being unable to do so.  He has said the same thing as the gastroenterologist – there just isn’t much data for patients that ended up with this procedure when they didn’t need to lose weight to begin with and we’ll just have to experiment.  So, breakfast is back to hot water and baby food again most days with 2 hour grazing of a bite or 2 here and there. 🙁

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

• LAUNDRY, LIVING AREAS & KITCHEN… I hadn’t done laundry all week and needed a distraction after we were finished Saturday so I got all caught up at once as well as some tidying up after the weekend
  
• YARD… hubby is working on updating the gate repairs
  
• APPOINTMENTS & TO DO… paperwork, phone calls to set up new appointments
• BLOG… still working on some recipe work ups on new recipes and a few updates and new pictures on some older ones
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I have been working on a plan for the garland I’m assembling and actually got the pieces together all in one place AND got a picture taken.  Now just to get it started finally.  I’m going to be making this in 8 foot lengths that will get clipped together as needed with some decorative star clips.
  

I’M READING Love Among Lavender The Merriams #2 by Ava Miles

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH in NO particular order

• The Good Witch
  
• The Great American Food Truck Race
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Beat Bobby Flay
• Reef Break
• Elementary
• MasterChef

FAVORITE and SADDEST PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA We spent last week helping our friends and neighbors move to their new house, which BTW we can drive to in 2 minutes time, but it was still SUPER bittersweet.  They lived in this house for 13 years and had brought each and every munchkin home to this house as a baby so there was A LOT of sentimentality attached. Needless to say Saturday was a bittersweet day for EVERYONE and many tears were shed.  We’re super sad to see them go, but ALSO super excited for them in their new home and can’t wait to see how they make it their own. The munchkins have even picked out their room colors and painting will begin soon 😀

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – CHURCH SUPPER RING & SALAD with BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
TUESDAY – PORK TENDERLOIN with BOURBON PEACH SAUCE & BROCCOLI
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N. & PEACH COBBLER
THURSDAY – BBQ
FRIDAY – CREAMY CHILI CHICKEN & VEGGIES
SATURDAY – RICOTTA MEATBALLS with NOODLES and GRAVY & CUCUMBER SALAD
SUNDAY – HAM STEAK with RED EYE GRAVY & SALAD with ASIAN SESAME VINAIGRETTE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• LOOSE MEAT BACON CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS
• SLOW COOKED COUNTRY CHICKEN & GRAVY
• OVEN BBQ CHICKEN
• HERB SALAD with BROILED TOMATO & CREAMY CUCUMBER VINAIGRETTE

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN
• BANANA NUT ROLL
• FRENCH ONION SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS
  

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.

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  It’s been a busy, but productive week here with pretty nice weather too.  We spent Saturday and Sunday helping our friends who are moving.  We’re not thrilled to be losing them as neighbors, but are excited for them and their new adventure in their bigger house that allows ALL the munchkins their own rooms and a pretty view too!  Personally I’m just excited they’ll have a place for the ellipitcal machine LOL 😀  Right now they have to put it where the skyilght is so hubby doesn’t hit his head on the ceiling.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING I’m wearing levis and a comfy short sleeve t-shirt for today.  It does look like a GREAT week, but there is evidently a cool front moving in with the mid week storm as the temperatures are supposed to drop quite a bit on Thursday especially.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE This category has become a bit of a challenge again.  I’m 18 months post surgery and there is now a new specialist, an endocrinologist who is changing up my meds yet again to attempt to fix the new issues.  Unbeknownst to me, hypoglycemia is a common issue after bariatric surgery.  The issue here is that I only became a bariatric patient by default when the stomach was unsalvageable during a repair.  The doctor said that I’m having issues that normally happen to people after a decade or so after they have lost hundreds of pounds. But, since I DIDN’T HAVE hundreds of pounds to lose and fight to keep weight on now, my body is reacting differently and causing me problems now.  It really is uncharted territory for him and me too 😀  So, anyway I’m back to hot water and squeezable baby food in the mornings as we begin the experimentation process all over again.

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

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up as of yesterday 😀
  
• LIVING AREAS... pretty clean, but need to vacuum
  
• KITCHEN… did a good clean yesterday after making lunch
  
• YARD… hubby is going to finish the gate repair
  
• BLOG… pretty caught up on recipes, but want to get back into a better blog routine
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… still haven’t started that Christmas garland, but want to get started on it as we’re into the last half of the year now and it will go by quickly.
  
• APPOINTMENTS… nails one day and dr. one day
  
• TO DO… help our friends move this week into their new house, look for some paperwork in storage, research
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We watched Law Abiding Citizen with Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx one night and I Am Mother with Hilary Swank, got caught up on Nascar racing and tried another episode of a new binge series Dead to Me with Christina Applegate, but aren’t sure if we’ll stick with it.

I’M READING Seaside Hearts Love in Bloom by Melissa Foster

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH It’s summer so the DVR is relatively empty most the time as we wait on the new fall scheduling.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There is a bunch of wildlife over near our friend’s new house and this guy stopped and posed for me.  The homeowner’s association has a serious rule about feeding ANY wildlife on or near your property.

And here is a picture of a new restaurant in a converted Victorian home that we tried last week to make up for last week’s favorite photo. The open sign looks so out of place in the cupola that it’s actually kinda cute. 😀

INSPIRATION & FUNNY

It’s funny because it’s true 😀

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – OVEN BBQ CHICKEN with HERB SALAD & CREAMY BROILED TOMATO and CUCUMBER VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – SLOW COOKED COUNTRY CHICKEN & GRAVY & VEGGIES
THURSDAY – BAKED SOUR CREAM CHICKEN with RICE & SALAD
FRIDAY – BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE & VEGGIES
SATURDAY – C.O.R.N.
SUNDAY – LOOSE MEAT BACON CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• SPICY PIMIENTO BURGERS
  
• HONEY LIME COLESLAW
• HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
• ROAST PORK with GARLIC ONION GRAVY
• HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER
• ROOT BEER FLOAT BROWNIES

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• TROPICAL GLAZED PORK LOIN
• CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
• ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN

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.

GOOD MORNING I hope you had a WONDERFUL Father’s Day weekend full of family and FUN.  Ours was quiet and we had brunch out for father’s day at a fun new place (to us) – a restored Victorian home turned restaurant, watched a couple movies and made a few tentative trip plans.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING This week is looking like it will be GORGEOUS!  We’re taking the day to play and run errands in a neighboring town so I’m dressed for comfort in my favorite Levis and a navy flowing blouse with sandals.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE was weak coffee and peach yogurt

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

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up or at least as caught up as you can be while you’re breathing, wearing clothes, using towels…
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  
• KITCHEN… pretty good
  
• YARD… pretty good
  
• BLOG… some more recipe updating and need a plan to get back into daily blogging beyond recipes
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I did get the garland supplies down and in arm’s reach, but have yet to start
  
• APPOINTMENTS… a few Tuesday and Wednesday…
  
• TO DO… hubby is going to do some repairs to the new gate, paperwork, research
  

I’M READING I need to start a new book, but have yet to figure out which one!

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH We watched a cute and fun  Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston movie, Murder Mystery , an episode of Dead to Me with Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as well as started season 3 of Jessica Jones.

• Beat Bobby Flay
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• Hailey Dean Mystery Prescription for Death
• Good Witch
  

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I have to get some pictures this week!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY – Y.O.Y.O.
TUESDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS & SALAD with HERB TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN with RICE & PEAS
FRIDAY – CHICKEN and GRAVY with MASHED POTATOES & GREEN BEANS
SATURDAY – LOOSE MEAT BURGERS and SALAD
SUNDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT with  SALAD

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• BLUEBERRY LIME CHEESECAKE
• BACON WRAPPED SPAM BITES
• POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE
• PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE KOLACHES
• PEPPERED COLE SLAW
• MALASADAS – PORTUGUESE DONUTS

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• PORK MARSALA
• BUFFALO CHICKEN PINWHEELS
• PINEAPPLE RAISIN TAMALES with ORANGE BLUEBERRY JAM

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.

GOOD MORNING everyone!  How was your weekend?  Ours was quiet mostly.  We did BBQ with the BEST neighbors we’ve ever had on Friday night and they let me use them as guinea pigs for some new recipes 😀 Unfortunately they are moving soon and while I’m really happy they will be getting a bigger, better house I am really going to miss having them around!  We were also able to celebrate the munchkins getting out of school Tuesday, which should have been Friday except for those pesky snow days 😀

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING The weekend WAS fabulous, this week NOT so much!  We went from 64 degrees Saturday to 90 degrees today and a predicted 101 degrees tomorrow – GO FIGURE!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Peach Yogurt, weak coffee and a banana

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

• LAUNDRY… ALL caught up
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty clean and tidy
  
• KITCHEN…  deep cleaned
  
• YARD… flower box is now pending to fall
  
• BLOG… a few experimental recipe updates
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… I may start that garland Tuesday when I don’t plan on leaving the house or even opening the blinds due to the excessive heat
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… keep researching new areas, organizing
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We started NOS4A2 this past week. We like the SYFY supernatural kind of shows and haven’t seen a new good one in awhile so are hoping this show is good. It was supposedly suggested by Stephen King as a NEW kind of Vampire story.   We also saw a bit of a strange movie, Electric Mist on Amazon, but I think?? I liked it with Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman.

I’M READING nothing at the moment

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH DVR is empty, but NetFlix, Amazon and Sling are available 😀

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA WOW I can’t believe I didn’t take anything but food pictures this week 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS
TUESDAY – CHICKEN NORMANDY & BROWNED POTATO LOAF
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – SMOKED PORK CHOPS & SAUERKRAUT
FRIDAY – CROCK POT CHICKEN & GRAVY
SATURDAY – GRILLED ?? & HERBED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
SUNDAY – BBQ RIBS, COWBOY BEANS & STREET CORN

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• TEXAS BBQ BEANS
  
• CHICKEN BACON APPLE STRATA
  
• PIRI PIRI CHICKEN
  
• PEPPER PASTA SALAD
  
• COWBOY BURGERS
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• MEYER LEMON TARTS
• CHICKEN & CHEESE ENCHILADAS
• PAN ROASTED STREET CORN
  

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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I hope you had a lovely week.  Can you believe it’s June already??  Where does the time go these days.  Time is moving so fast that I’m still trying to get caught up on comments and blog visits from last week. 

Kids will be getting out of school  next week (they should have gotten out this week, but those darn snow days made it a pain for all) for the summer later this week here and it’s time to make those summer plans.

I got a lot of organization done this past week as well as a few other projects, but don’t really feel well accomplished – just that time of year!!  We also watched a couple movies and NASCAR over the weekend.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s going to be a BEAUTIFUL week in the neighborhood.  We had some mid 80’s over the weekend, but there was a nice breeze.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and dried fruit with hot water

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

• LAUNDRY… just a load of towels and sheets
  
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good
  
• KITCHEN… LOL never all caught up 😀
  
• YARD… flower box re-do
  
• BLOG… as always working on some new recipe postings
  
• CRAFTS/PROJECTS… LOL I still haven’t started the garland, but all the parts are ready 😀
  
• APPOINTMENTS… just a couple
  
• TO DO… feed the peacocks, finish organizing a few files, pay some bills, make some phone calls
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED ??

I’M READING Seaside Dreams – Love in Bloom #1 by Melissa Foster

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH Actually all caught up!  Wen finally finished getting caught up on Amazing Race and American NINJA Warrior.  I have been watching some super old game shows on cable also.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Spent some time drinking ice tea and sitting outside soaking in the sun with my friend and munchkins as they attempted to fly kites in the breeze.  Also LMBO 😀 as Heather “tried” to show the girls how to do it!   Unfortunately the breeze just wasn’t enough to do more than cause some frustration 😀

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – ITALIAN TOMATO MEATBALL SOUP with GRAN’S HONEY MUFFINS
TUESDAY – SUPPER STRATA
WEDNESDAY – C.O.R.N.
THURSDAY – GARLIC BUTTER GRILLED PORK CHOPS & SALAD
FRIDAY – BACON WRAPPED SPAM BITE APPETIZERS, BBQ BURGERS, POTATO SALAD, BBQ BEANS & POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE and MALSADAS
SATURDAY – BACON ASPARAGUS FRITTATA & UPSIDE DOWN APPLE HONEY CAKE
SUNDAY – HOMEMADE NOODLES with MEATBALLS BOLEGNESE with CORN & CUCUMBER SALAD and KOLACHES

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• CREAMSICLE CHEESECAKE
• STUFFED BALSAMIC CHICKEN
• ROAST LEMON CHICKEN
• SAVORY FRIED CABBAGE
  

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
• GARLIC CREAM CHICKEN
• MAPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL CAKE with OOEY GOOEY COCONUT TOPPING

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.

GOOD MORNING sweet friends.  I’m still traveling and for the most part having a GREAT trip.  We had a bittersweet family reunion. One of my SIL’s (hubby’s baby brother’s wife – SIL #4) had a major stroke from a brain aneurysm and passed away earlier last week just prior to the family reunion. 🙁 We also found out that SIL#2 is not doing well at all and will need to make a special trip for hubby to be able to see her.  SIL#3 is a whole other story not worth my time or effort to fill you in if I want to keep this positive (HA HA)!

I had no internet for 5 days this week so feel like I’m really behind, but I will be back to normal Monday posts by next week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s been alternating rain and sunny since we got home to SIL#1’s  house yesterday afternoon, but it’s cool enough for a light jacket or sweatshirt and cloudy still with rain predicted for tomorrow.  I won’t mind though since we don’t leave here for home until Wednesday.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE yogurt and hot water

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

• LAUNDRY… will have several loads later in the week after we get home.
• APPOINTMENTS… several scheduled for early next week that may need to be changed depending on funeral arrangements for my SIL#4.
  
• TO DO… 🙂 everything.
  

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED We did watch a couple movies with SIL#1 last week, The A Theory of Everything about Stephen Hawking and The Silence with Stanley Tucci that were quite good.

I’M READING My friend Heather loaned me 3 books for the trip – Diane Chamberlain’s Summer Child and The Midwife’s Confession as well as Kristin Hannah’s Night Road. With everything that’s been going on I’ve yet to get anything read and will probably do them all next week afterI get home.

WHAT IS ON THE DVR, I LIKE OR ON THE LIST TO WATCH will see when we get home

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA There were a ton of favorites from the camera this week, but most still need edited so I chose one at random.  This is my nephew, Tyler consoling his young son, Rigley. Tyler is not only a fantastic person, but a truly wonderful father.

And then we have 5 generations here!

The hot dog vendor was nice enough to come take a group shot of us! And we’re only about half here!

INSPIRATION & A FUNNY

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

• MIMOSA ROAST CHICKEN
• BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE
• PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DROPS