Category: MENU PLANS

HAPPY HOMMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL fall weekend. I LOVE this time of year.  My neighbor and I went to a local craft fair and then hubby and I went to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.  After the Farmer’s Market we had a late lunch at Bernie’s Burger Bus which had been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. Dang if those weren’t the best burgers ever!

I spent Sunday then sorting through scrap booking, jewelry beading and craft items filling donation bins and boxes for friends.  I’ve made a decision to scale back on my activities  to only those that give me pure joy.  LOL yu will notice I didn’t mention quilting, card making or canning.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Last weekend WAS gorgeous and this week is supposed to be even better!  FINALLY!!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey Nut Cheerios with a banana and Coffee

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m amazed it’s as tidy as it is after I tore through all the crafts yesterday.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Renew tags on the car.
  • Deep clean the living room and prep the wall area for the drywaller.
  • Couple loads of laundry.
  • Drop of next load of donations.
  • Seal garage inside and out so we can begin backyard work.
  • Do some eBay listings.
  • Do some organization in my studio.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing this week, BUT next week… I’m going to start some canning projects.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.


CREAM OF CELERY SOUP (new recipe)
DESSERT







SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their 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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Good Morning everyone. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for a new week.

My new webpage is still in the making as my brother/webmaster/server has had a FULL plate, but LOL I’ll keep you posted on the unveiling.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s a beautiful morning with fluffy clouds.  LOL then I opened the door and it’s going to be another scorcher of a day.  This Indian Summer is killing me, but most my projects will be inside this week so I’ll just pretend we’re having a crisp fall day.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Banana walnut oatmeal and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m fairly happy.  I had a super productive weekend and just need to finish sorting a few totes and boxes and then tomorrow will do a super deep clean.

One of the things I did was sort through ALL of our Christmas decorations.  I pulled out several totes worth of things that I will “probably” donate.  I decided to use these things this year for the season and see if there was anything I couldn’t live without.  If not, it will all be boxed up and donated on January 7th. Seemed like a plausible way to make a decision to minimalize.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I sat down yesterday and made a chart for what needs to be finished before my mom’s visit in early December and am going to do my best to stick to it!

  • A couple of molding pieces that need to be added.
  • Paint Carlie’s closet.
  • Floor molding in Carlie’s closet.
  • Finish sorting Christmas ornaments.
  • Do some ebay listings.
  • Do some organization in my studio.
  • DEEP cleaning.
  • A craft fair with my neighbor.

We are so close to finishing, but it still feels like it is a lifetime away.  I do have to share this amazing transformation though.  The atrium as we call it was an actual atrium when grams and gramps bought the house.  They had it enclosed with a rook and turned it into a part of the house.  In doing so one of the bedrooms “lost” it’s window as it now looked into an extension of the living room.  Gramps paneled it in a dark brown as was popular in 1980 and put in a makeshift bookshelf closing off the bedroom from any natural light source and it NEVER changed!  Below is the picture of when we arrived and below that is the pictures of the transformation and the re-installation of a “window” for that room allowing natural light again.

BEFORE AS MY COUSIN LEFT IT. It still astonishes me what a difference we’ve made.

Cleaned and primed – ready for window.  I love the white color as compared to the heavy dark paneling look!

NOW “WINDOW” READY FOR CARLIE TO MOVE IN. We used a multi paned door turned sideways and trimmed to fit as a permanent window.  Add a little trim moulding and voile’ it looks like it was always there. It doesn’t need to open.  I’m putting together curtains and beaded tiebacks for the bedroom side so there is still privacy.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I borrowed these from my “daughter of my heart’s” facebook page, but they fill my heart with such joy I just needed to share. Since this picture Am has cut off about 10 inches and I LOVE the new style!

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!
TELEVISION

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
SHIRRED EGGS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N
SWEDISH MEATBALLS
SLOW ROASTED ITALIAN CHICKEN
POACHED WHITE FISH WITH KIWI REDUCTION
PORK AND PINEAPPLE
CHICKEN & NOODLES
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THAT THE FOLLOWING IS NOT 
AN ABSOLUTE ABOUT ALL PEOPLE.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE WONDERFUL SAHM AND PARENTS 
WHO ALREADY FEEL AND ACT THIS WAY!

We have a cultural decay problem in this country. Life as we once knew it will NEVER be again. We have a lack of parenting problem in this country. As parents, our jobs are to raise children into functioning adults first and to be their friend second. Teaching children to be independent, hard working, respectful, happy and gracious is the best thing you can do for them, you and for ALL the people they will encounter in the future. Teaching them about the ups AND the downs of life is realistic and responsible.

There is an apathy, a lack of respect, a lack of accountability, a lack of responsibility, a lack of courtesy… A silver spoon entitlement complex is taking over. Political correctness has become an insane concept trying to make life fair. WAKE UP PEOPLE! Life ISN’T fair and NO ONE every said it would be. Doing the best you can each and everyday is all you can really control.

Watching the news is not always just hearing the factual events as it once was. Commentary and social media have taken over – everyone wants to be the first to break the “NEWS” whether it is complete or correct. Fact checking seems to be a thing of the past in many cases. Spin doctors manipulate news every day.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME VENT.  I’m stepping down from my soap box now. 

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • COUNT DOWN TO HOUSE COMPLETION
  • COUNT DOWN TO CARLIE MOVING IN
  • COUNT DOWN TO ELF ON A SHELF PICTURES FOR MY MUNCHKINS

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

We had a fairly productive, yet lazy weekend here.  Sunday was the lazy part with A LOT of NASCAR since the races were both postponed due to Hurricane Matthew and Sunday being our big football day anyway.  The evenings have finally cooled off so we can enjoy the outside a bit.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The breeze is blowing and the temperature is absolutely beautiful this morning.  Our days are still heating up to the low 80’s, but the evenings are FINALLY cooling down into the 50’s and 60’s so it all equals out better and the humidity is finally MUCH lower so the little bit of heat is really tolerable.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Waffles and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see a HUGE mess! LOL it’s a GOOD mess though as I continue sorting and preparing Carlie’s room.  This week is the BIG craft room purge and looking for good homes for all the parts I no longer need.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Pick up the tub enclosure and get it installed for Carlie’s bathroom.
  • Sort craft room 1 last time and organize new rolling tool box.
  • Drop off the 2 HUGE boxes of Hallmark ornaments at the Children’s Hospital. 
  • Buy new fabric storage boxes for quilting material.
  • Paint Carlie’s closet.  While we got the rooms painted, we did not do the closets right off, but the time has come to do just that.
  • Laundry and Cleaning.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

With everything else going on I’m in between books right now.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I really need to get going on the things I am canning and making for Christmas.   I did get my list made for what I will actually be making, now just to get it done.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT







SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

ON MY MIND
Praying for ALL of those affected by Hurricane Matthew.  There are so many countries and communities fighting just to restore basic needs, Haiti in particular.

We are never ALL going to agree about EVERYTHING, but am thinking we should ALL be nicer to each other – especially in this politically charged presidential election season.  So many people seem to be adamant on serious battle lines being drawn and everything being black and white ONLY.  I hate to break it to everyone, but life is rarely black and white.  Learning to compromise and live in the gray area of intersected commonalities is probably the best we can do this season.  But seriously, BE KIND to each other no matter what your personal views are.  The other person’s views are just as important to them.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • LOL that the election is almost here and hopefully things will settle down a bit for everyone when it’s finally over.
  • Progress on the house and the cooler weather so we can begin to work on the outside.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

DOUBLE WOW flew by and here we are back on another Monday. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for the first week of one of my favorite months.

We’re still here trying to finish this rehab!  You know the drill 2 steps forward only to take 10 backwards.  I did finally hear from the contractor and hopefully the last two ig things will be done by mid month and then we can order the carpet.  Looks like we really will be done by the 1 year mark.

I’m still working towards my new web page and hope to have it up and running soon with everything all combined.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER
The sun is shining and the temperatures as well as the humidity have ebbed a bit making life so much more enjoyable.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Oatmeal and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE I SEE & MY
WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I started cleaning over the weekend and some deep organizing as I try to combine two rooms together giving Carlie a completely empty room to move in to. I’ll try to finish the cleaning and de-cluttering today.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • THE PITCH
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

With everything else going on I’m in between books right now.
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
C.O.R.N.
??
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
C.O.R.N.
DINNER
HOT WINGS
something in my new crock pot
C.O.R.N.
BUFFALO KING RANCH CHICKEN
SLOPPY JOES
CHILI & CORNBREAD
SOMETHING ON THE GRILL
DESSERT







FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Hubby has been working like a dog on the garage. We are at the 11 month mark and it has been a long haul, but hubby finally reached his happy place.  Just to refresh your memory here are a couple of the before pictures of what we “inherited” with the garage followed by pictures from yesterday.

 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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a great week and weekend. I didn’t quite get around to visit everyone, but I will do better this week. I have to be honest, I’m tired! I’m a big believer in staying positive and “showing up” every day to live life, but like I said, I’m tired. 
 
Part of it is day 335 on this house.  We’re still working towards completing it by the one year mark for several reasons: 

  • 1) we’re just tired of living in a construction zone 
  • 2) the one year mark is only 3 weeks before Thanksgiving and we’re planning on having a normal holiday season this year – that includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas AND New Years.
  • 3) my mom is coming to visit just before Christmas
  • 4) Our son and his family are coming just after Christmas and bringing our granddaughter to stay while she begins college here locally. 

The other part of it is medicinal in a round robin kind of way.  Finishing this house would help with a couple of my conditions that are aggravated by heavy manual labor and stress. The last part is trying a new medicine and the side effects that go along with it. I committed to a 3 month round of it and am told it will get better if I just hang in there.

Many of you know I’ve been involved in several different blogs while I was “finding” myself.  It has all become too much though.  With my brother’s help (he’s my server) I am combining and collapsing all my irons in the fire into one new site that will be ALL encompassing no matter where my life takes me from here on out. I will be staying with my original “roots” from 3 Sides of Crazy. I bought my new domain and have made a couple selections for my new header and am now waiting on the behind the scenes completion so I can get busy combining and importing.  I’ll keep you posted on when I make the BIG move.  I’m really excited at de-cluttering my virtual life as well as my real life.
WHICH ONE DO YOU GUYS LIKE? 
Or do you think I need something entirely different?

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The sun is shining, FOR NOW, but we’ll see.  We are supposed to be a bit cooler this week with off and on thunderstorms. It is still not where I’d like for fall, but at least it is tolerable enough to get going on the backyard soon.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal and coffee.

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

  • I started cleaning on Saturday and got distracted so I’ll finish the cleaning and de-cluttering today. 
  • I’m also getting more serious about donating as I’m beginning the “Make room for Carlie” changes.  We’re so excited to have her coming to live with us until her parents move this way. I keep wondering where ALL this stuff came from, but then I remember, sigh and get busy again.
  • Finish the inventory and call the woman from Texas Children’s Hospital AGAIN.  I’m donating my Barbie and Hallmark ornament collection to them for the kids and am trying to coordinate a drop off.
  • List a few things on eBay.
  • Try and finish the Painted Churches tour post once and for all – I ended up with way too many pictures to edit.
  • Start the drywall work in the living room.  Alas, the great contractor who was going to work us in before October is not returning calls or texts so I guess I’m just going to have to do it myself.  Hubby is busy working on putting up the interior walls in the garage.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • THE PITCH
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

With everything else going on I’m in between books right now.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in HOLES
BACON & PANCAKES
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
C.O.R.N.
??
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
C.O.R.N.
DINNER
HAM STEAK with MAC & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.


BLACK BEAN CHILI & CORNBREAD
SOMETHING ON THE GRILL
DESSERT







FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

It’s been a very long week and an even longer weekend and I’m just not feeling up to par. We worked outside several days on the backyard area and it is super slow going.  Digging in clay like mud/dirt and rock is horrible, but worse in the 90+ degree heat and humidity we are still having.  At least things are dry right now near the garage edge so we will be getting the garage sealed inside and out as well as possible and get things fairly level before they deliver the pallet of 100 bags of sand and pavers for the patio area.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The sun is shining and there are a few fluffy clouds, but it is already stifling with high humidity.  We are supposed to hit 95 degrees today so I’m enjoying the AC inside before I tackle outside again.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
French Toast and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I see tons of things I need to do, but things that will take a backseat to getting the bathroom floor and entryway grouting and a patio area done.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
Looking forward to the premiers this week. Oh and we found a cool new show (to us), American Pickers, on the history channel that we’ve been enjoying A LOT!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
TOASTED FRENCH TOAST
SAUSAGE AND CHEESE FRITTATA
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
OUT
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
LOBSTER CAKES
ROAST CHICKEN with MASHED POTATOES and GRAVY
OUT
SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE
SLOPPY JOES
CHICKEN POSOZLE
ORANGE CHICKEN & CHOW MEIN
DESSERT

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
My brother and SIL got me 2 new cookbooks for my  birthday and I’ll reading those this week to fill this list.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Honestly I haven’t even downloaded the pictures yet so next week I’ll post double.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

WOW Last week really got away from me and here we are back on another Monday. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for another week – one week closer to FALL!  I can’t wait.

We’re still here trying to finish this rehab!  You know the drill 2 steps forward only to take 10 backwards.  We really were hoping to be done by now, but it looks like another couple months.  We did hire a contractor for the drywall work, but we’re waiting for him to work us in between other jobs already scheduled.  And until he’s done we can’t finish painting and until the paiting is done we can’t begin the carpeting… you see the way it’s going.

It’s been WAY too warm and humid to work outside, but we did have the opportunity this past week to have a tree company working in the area do a side job for us.  For a very very reasonably expensive price they removed the HUGE, but suffering Magnolia tree from the back yard.  Now the problem is that they don’t do stumps, but there is supposed to be a stump crew out next week and hopefully we can slip them some cash to do ours while they are doing the big one between us and the neighbor.

Our neighbor down the way had a battery emergency this past weekend after her son cleaned the garage while listening to her car radio and ran the battery down.  I was waiting with her for AAA to come so we were chatting and learned so many things about my cousin and her cry for help.  It breaks my heart to hear a neighbor tell me how she didn’t understand why her brother or parents hadn’t done something to help her because it was so obvious that she was drinking and possibly doing drugs. She often sounded like she’d been drinking when we chatted, but it was usually later in the evening and on the phone you can’t see anything. I really wish we hadn’t been 2000 miles away, maybe I would been able to do something…

Just a reminder that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.   Know the warning signs. More detail here.

 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The sun is shining, FOR NOW, but we’ll see.  We are supposed to be a bit cooler this week with off and on thunderstorms.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A buttermilk waffle and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE I SEE & MY
WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I started cleaning on Saturday and got distracted so I’ll finish the cleaning and decluttering today.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
Dancing with the stars begins tonight as well as Monday night football, but other than that we have cleaned up the DVR and are waiting for new shows.

I’m in between books right now also.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
C.O.R.N.
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
C.O.R.N.
DINNER
HOT WINGS
PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS
C.O.R.N.
OUT FOR MY BIRTHDAY
SLOPPY JOES
CHILI & CORNBREAD
SOMETHING ON THE GRILL
DESSERT







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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I’m going with a shortened version today since it’s a holiday.  I hope you are all having a relaxing labor day weekend with your friends and family.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
A little gray and VERY humid with the chance of thunderstorms all day.  I just hope it gves us the grill time with no issues for dinner.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Sausage and Gruyere Fritatta.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m very happy with what I was able get done on the deep clean last Saturday and there is just a few things to be finished and picked up.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • eBay pictures and listings
  • Caulking and trim painting
  • some sorting and organizing

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

We signed up for NETFLIX this weekend and am going to binge watch a few shows we missed during the past year.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing much this week, but hoping to get started on Christmas projects in the next couple weeks.  I have been sorting through some recipes and ideas for the homemade portions.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
GRILLED STEAKS, MAC & CHEESE, and BRUSSELS SPROUTS
C.O.R.N.
SWEET CORN SOUP and BISCUITS
GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS
SLOPPY JOES
CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS
ORANGE CHICKEN & CHOW MEIN
DESSERT
DUMP CAKE

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER AND MENU PLAN MONDAY

I can’t believe this is last week of August, but it really doesn’t make me sad.  I’m not sure about the rest of you but I am SOOOOOOO ready for fall! And while the actual cooler weather is still several weeks off, just the word September makes me start feeling closer to it.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had a couple BIG, but short storms over the weekend, but all in all it was cooler and pretty nice.  Hurricane season this close to the coast can be unpredictable and ever changing so you just roll with the changes.  It’s clear right nowas the sun begins to rise, but there are some seriously gray and threatening clouds around the perimeter so we’ll see as the day goes on.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Apple Cinnamon oatmeal and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see a little tidying up to do and a load of laundry, but all in all, not too bad.  I finished a painting project on Saturday and then went into deep cleaning mode.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • I have lots of paperwork to do this week.
  • Get some packages wrapped and shipped.
  • Photos for ebay sales.
  • Make appointments for getting the A/C fixed on the car and have it detailed.
  • Make appointment for last big drywall project.
  • Finish editing the photos for my post about the Painted Churches, Fredricksburg and the Pacific War Museum.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
CINNAMON GRANOLA STUFFED FRENCH TOAST
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
??
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
FRIED FISH with SWEET & SPICY AVOCADO SAUCE
PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS
SWEET CORN SOUP
SHALLOT LIME CHICKEN with PEACH & STRAWBERRY SALAD
SLOPPY JOES
PIZZA
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT
COFFEE CINNAMON PEAR FUDGE CAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and links FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
While we were away last week we went to lunch with my oldest, er maybe I should say longest friends.  We’ve known each other since we were 2 and 3 years old, LOL Lisa wasn’t even born yet.  Leslie and Lisa took us to a favorite restaurant of theirs, Jack Allen Kitchen, but it was new to us.  ALL 4 of us cleaned our plates.  The food was AMAZING!  I even bought the cookbook the next day.  I’ve successfully made an appetizer, Pimiento Cheese so far.  When I was a kid Pimiento cheese in a jar was a favorite with crackers on Thanksgiving, but it grossed me out.  I now know that was NOT real food LOL!  Anyway I have read the cookbook from cover to cover and made labels for the recipes to be tried soon:

  • Fried Fish with Sweet & Spicy Avocado Sauce
  • Crunchy Fried Shrimp with Blackberry Sauce
  • Sweet Corn Soup
  • Pickled Cucumbers
  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Sweet Dried Tomato Basil Vinaigrette
  • Cucumber Relish
  • Red Wine Vinaigrette
  • Taco con Todo
  • Turnips & Pot Roast
  • Enchilada Tejana
  • Chocolate Ice Box Cake
  • Blackberry Cobbler
  • Red Velvet Cake with Strawberries
  • Manor Punch
  • Skirt Steak
  • Artichoke Gratin
  • Mustard Caper Dressing (for hubby only)
  • Carrot Soup
  • Cilantro Pesto
  • Pumpkin Bread
  • Pumpkin Goat Cheese Tart
  • Mama’s Chicken
  • Pumpkin Spice Butter
  • Pear Ricotta and Pecan Tart
  • JAK’s Slaw
  • Pickled Beets
  • Gingerbread Cookies
  • Broccoli Casserole
  • Potato Casserole
  • Carmelized Onion Sauce
  • Meatloaf
  • Balsamic Syrup

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Last week I finally started the sealing of the brick on the atrium wall. Once it was done we realized that we weren’t going to be able to save the natural look because of all the repair spots so we would have to paint it.  Let me tell you what a pain that was.  The brick just soaked up the paint.  If only we’d known before we could have had the painters spray it way back when.  BUT, we LOVE the finished look even though it took me 2 days to get into ALL the crevices.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope you all had great weeks and weekends. We took our getaway trip and had a great time albeit too short.  I took tons of pictures and will do a write up later this week. The air conditioning went out on the car on the way home, but at least had the decency to wait until we were home and I didn’t actually discover it until Saturday morning. So that is on the top of the list to get handled.  Running short on time this week so will make this short and sweet.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s gray and ugly, but at least 15 degrees cooler than last week when it looked the same.  We are experiencing a few thunderstorms in and around the area so am not sure what it will be like in an hour and the humidity is still REALLY high because of it.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A scrambled egg and toast with coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m happy with how things are moving along. I found an overstuffed display chair for the living room that I need to find an ottoman for, but all in all I’m getting more excited about being done.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • I spent last Saturday doing LOTS of laundry and cleaning, but still need to vacuum the living room and work on the donation inventory for the pile to be boxed up.  Today begins day 121 of the 30 day project, but it is still going strong so I’m going to stick with it for another 30 days at least.  We are now up over 6000 items and loving it.
  • Grocery shopping
  • Some mailing and shipping
  • Studio sorting and organizing
  • Get an estimate to fix the air conditioning on the car
  • Get an estimate on the drywall repair in the living room
  • Some ebay listings

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We’re finishing up the recordings from last week from when we were away. I really want to finish cleaning out the DVR before the fall season begins.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
CINNAMON GRANOLA FRENCH TOAST
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
GRAZING
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend. I have been so busy trying to get ALL the little projects done before we leave on our anniversary trip that the ENTIRE week got away from me before I had a chance to visit with everyone.  I will be better this week!

We are using a “dog sitter” for the first time instead of kenneling the kids.  She came highly recommended by many of the neighbors, but I still have a bit of trepidation in using her. One of the neighbors (who is a perfectly nice woman) BUT is also a “GLADYS KRAVITZ” (you know the extremely nosy, frequently peeking through her curtains type) and a good friend of the dog sitter. I really don’t want her in our home when we are not here and have expressed that in a diplomatic way to the sitter… Our own Gladys Kravitz has gone so far as to tell the sitter to tell us how a few things need to happen.  I’m pissed off and annoyed, but also NEED to get away for a few days so will just pray that the sitter respects our wishes and keeps her friend out by going there if they want to socialize.  I’m also not sure how the animals will react to too many strangers in the house when we’re not here.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had some wonderfully vibrant and loud thunder and lightning storms with quite a bit of rain over the weekend and are expecting more today and through the week, but for now it is just gray and ugly though a bit cooler so am thankful for that.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Homemade waffles and Coffee – I made waffles yesterday and froze the extras for the toaster on weekday mornings.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m fairly pleased with all that we got done last week and that I was able to keep it picked up and cleaned as we went.  I do have another pile that will load the back of the SUV for donation later this morning.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Monday & Tuesday
  • Wednesday & Thursday 

  • Friday – Lazy day and Lunch with my oldest and dearest friend on our way home at Jack Allen’s Kitchen
  • Saturday – Nascar
  • Sunday – NFL

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
I tried the planned new recipes last week from Count Me In The Houston Fire Department’s Hottest chefs share their sizzling secrets.  I haven’t had a chance to get the recipes up yet, but was quite happy with most of what I tried!  I will get them up next week.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
OUT
OUT
OUT
BACON & WAFFLES
QUICHE
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
OUT
OUT
OUT
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N
C.O.R.N
OUT.
OUT
OUT
MEATLOAF
PORK CHOPS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • ANNIVERSARY trip this week.  First time we will get away for a LONG time! We are really looking forward to it.
  • Daily completion of projects.  It’s the little finishing work projects that seem to take the longest!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is sunny but already in the 80’s at this early hour and supposed to top out in the mid 90’s with 75% humidity so in otherwise, MISERABLE by noon time.  Fortunately I have been able to make all our appointments and do all the running around first thing in the mornings so I’m in the rest of the day after.  My health just can’t take it and is eagerly awaiting FALL and winter!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Maple cinnamon oatmeal and grapes with at least 2 cups of coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I need to do some serious straightening up.  Our room and bath are perfect though as I took the time to deep clean them after we were done painting.

A few years back we were caring for my aunt I was working A LOT caring for my uncle, his home, my aunt and her care facility as well as volunteering for christian re-sale store! At some point hubby instituted a “Sunday Rule”.  Sunday was my day to do ONLY what I wanted to do and my uncle was on his own for meals. For the past 9 months we kind of ignored that rule, but yesterday I re-instated it!  I spent the day watching the Olympics, Nascar and football was the plan, but they cancelled the football game and we ended up watching more Olympics all the while sorting through the bookcases and now I have stacks of books everywhere to be listed on the donation list and packed up for transportation.

Long story short, I need to straighten up around here!

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Vet follow up for dog. 
  • Grocery shopping.
  • Finish caulking and touch up paint from last week’s front door installation.
  • Last coat of paint for spare bathroom.
  • Work on kitchen ceiling repair.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
I haven’t started anything new – just too tired at the end of the day right now.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
While I was going through the bookshelves I found a copy of Count Me In The Houston Fire Department’s Hottest chefs share their sizzling secrets.  While I was skimming through it I found several recipes that sounded interesting so am going to cook from this book this whole week.  I’ll post them soon if they are good.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES & BACON
QUICHE
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SALAD
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
SPICEY RICEY BACON SALAD
HOT DIRTY RICE & APPLE COLESLAW
C.O.R.N.
ITALIAN CHICKEN
TERIYAKI CHICKEN
HAWAIIAN CHICKEN
CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
DESSERT
BANANA CARAMEL PIE

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Our anniversary trip is coming up in a couple weeks and I’m really looking forward to that.
  • The master bathroom with all the  HORRIBLE angles and out of square corners is FINALLY done!  It had to be gutted and re-plumbed with ALL new fixtures, walls and floors. The shower itself is large and was salvageable, but with a ton of work. LOVE the wainscotting paneling, but HATED having to paint all those grooves! Here are the horrible before pictures from the bathroom.

Here are the working and after pictures and I am so happy with the outcome considering ALL the issues we had in this room.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
My poor old guy (going on 15) keeps rallying and even seems like a pup again some days.  The humidity here is so bad on his ears and he shakes his head a lot.  Large dogs are prone to hematomas in their ears.  He had one several years ago in the left ear when we were in the desert working on my mom’s house when he was attacked by a lose dog and it left home with a cauliflower ear (similar to a boxer’s ear that has been punched too much).  The good news is that the cauliflower ear reduces the chances of it happening again.

Last weekend he ended up shaking his head and bapping the ear against the sharp edge of the desk leg and we woke up Monday morning to a swelling ear.  I iced it every hour for a couple days, but in the end we were forced into the vet.  We tried a new vet (we REALLY didn’t like the first one we found here) and were so happy to meet Dr. Plummer.  What an absolutely fantastic animal doctor! SHE CAME IN AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED HER ATTENTION TO HIS NEEDS!  It was like she spoke dog.  Now, Gunner is NOT thrilled with her bandaging, but I am!  5 days later and the bandaging is a bit dirtier, but still in place! I’m taking him in later this morning for a check up.  Hopefully all the bandaging will go away!

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.