Category: MENU PLANS

With the BIG move a few weeks away, I’m at that point of trying to finish up the packing for the moving truck. There are always the little things that need a corner of a tote or box and then the things you really need to use right up to the last minute, but don’t really want to take with you so are trying to gauge the use so you don’t need to buy a fresh bottle or pack an almost empty one.  I’m trying to make menus to use what’s still in the pantry and freezer without doing a lot of shopping except for fruits and veggies.

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.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s heating up again with some higher humidity so I am trying to get all outside activities done first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Finish inventory and ty-wrapping totes closed for the move early in the mornings
• A couple of appointments for hubby
• Clean BBQ and pack
• Put together “1st Week” tote – it will have clean sheets, towels, kitchen towels and sleeping clothes so we don’t have to unpack anything immediately which is good since the trucks (from 2 different places) aren’t going to arrive until a week after we do.
• Put together “1st Week” suitcase of clothes for each of us.

CURRENTLY READING

• The BeeKeeper’s Ball by Susan Wiggs

TELEVISION / DVR
Since we’ll be moving in 3 weeks, I’m really trying to get EVERYTHING off the DVR that I had saved to see.  In addition to those old shows we’ll try and work in the normal summer shows that are quickly coming to season finales.

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Hell On Wheels
• Complications
• The Strain
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• Devious Maids
• The Last Ship
• Falling Skies
• Under the Dome
• Rookie Blue

LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

• Harvest Muffins

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
A few more recipes from the “I promised myself NO MORE recipes until after the BIG move, but couldn’t resist these” file:

• Tomato and Peach Salad
• Braised Chicken Thighs with savory marinated peaches
• Caramel Apple Cookies
• Maple Sugar Cookie
• Pumpkin Banana Bread
• Pull apart Pumpkin Loaf
• Salted Caramel Cheesecake
• Apple Carrot Cake Muffins
• Maple Bacon Cheesecake Bites
• Cherry Swirl Brownies
• Pumpkin Raisin Doodles
• Chicken in Sweet Zesty Raisin Sauce
• Coconut Lime Curd Bars

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

• To lighten up a homemade creamy dressing you can substitute yogurt for mayonnaise or use a half and half combination.  It’s still creamy, but much lighter and more pourable.
• Freeze thinly sliced green onions in air tight containers to use in scrambled eggs or salads.
• When making spaghetti, cook your pasta for less than al dente, drain and add to sauce to finish cooking.  You end up with more flavor in the pasta.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Being married to my best friend.
• ORGANIZATION!
• Looking forward to a more settled lifestyle.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

My inspiration for 30 years has been my best friend and husband.  I’m still IN love with you and my love grows stronger each and every day.  Thank you for your undying love through this roller coaster we call life.  The ride keeps getting more exciting each and every year.  You have proven in sickness and health more times than anyone should have to.

Seems like summer is passing by pretty quickly.  We’ve been really busy with multiple projects and now we’re finishing up some medical appointments and packing before our move.

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.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It was supposed to be several degrees cooler today, the day I have to work in the steamy hot storage area, but evidently that weather pattern has stalled until later in the week, but I need to get this done now in preparation for the BIG move.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Monday – STORAGE! Prep and organize for the BIG move
Tuesday – not sure yet – it is so rare to get a free day 😀
Wednesday – Hubby Physical Therapy & grocery shopping
Thursday – Hubby Eye surgery
Friday – Post Op appt.
Saturday – Blackberry Festival (if hubby is up to it)
Sunday – D.W.Y.W. day (Do What You Want day)

CURRENTLY READING

• Apple Orchard – Bella Vista Chronicles by Susan Wiggs

TELEVISION / DVR

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Hell On Wheels
• Complications
• The Strain
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• Devious Maids
• The Last Ship
• Falling Skies
• Under the Dome
• Rookie Blue

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• Roasted Pepper Beef Goulash

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I promised myself NO MORE recipes until after the BIG move, but couldn’t resist these:

• Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cobbler
• Bananas Foster Bake
• Blackberry Apricot Slump
• Pear Cheese Danish Slab
• Pumpkin Pan Pie
• Ginger Cookies
• Sweet Raisin Tamales
• Pluot upside-down cake
• Bacon Buttermilk Scones
• Salted Caramel Pie
• Summer Corn Chowder
• Oven Roasted Tomatoes
• Mandarin Sunburst Salad
• Tandoori Chicken
• Marinated Skirt Steak
• Skirt Steak Pinwheels

• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
• You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Fall approaching – it’s my favorite season
• Completed Projects
• Sweet Pineapple
• Cool breezes

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

We had a great week, but pretty busy so I’m a little behind on most things.  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.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s been much nicer temperature wise, but really overcast so pretty muggy when the sun breaks through in the afternoons.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Hubby’s physical therapy appointments (2)
• Hubby’s eye surgery appointments (3)
• Grocery shopping
• A few Phone Calls

CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been slacking a little on reading lately.

• Dead Wrong (Blackmore Sisters series) by Leighann Dobbs

TELEVISION / DVR

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Complications
• The Strain
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• The Last Ship
• Falling Skies
• Under the Dome
• Rookie Blue

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS

• Baked Carbonara Tortellini
• Broken Balinese Chicken

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER

• Ham & Cheese French Toast
• Coconut Chicken Salad w/ Warm Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

ON MY MIND
It’s been chaotic the past two weeks.  Two weeks ago today I received one of those early morning phone calls that no one wants to answer.  My mom’s winter home in a Desert Resort (that hubby and I just finished painting inside and out for her along with other tasks) was broken into and apparently “squatters” had been systematically cleaning it out prior to someone finally noticing and calling us.  She and my step dad made a whirlwind trip down to change locks, take inventory and clean-up from the vandalism.

The hard part was after they returned trying to locate receipts, fill out forms and organize it all together into a semblance of order.  One of the things that ticks me off is that people always ask for your receipt, but most receipts are now printed on thermal paper.  As I was sorting through receipts many that were only a few months or a year old were already beginning to fade so bad they would hardly photocopy. I have to say, I think that thermal paper receipts should be done away with!!!!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Planning our upcoming house projects
• Thinking about minimalizing and donating a bunch of things after the move

HELPFUL TIP
I had my truck detailed recently and it looks so pretty!  I added new seat covers, but felt I was missing something so I wanted to add air freshener, but I hate most of the air fresheners – they just don’t smell real. I bought 2 wax melts, removed the tops and placed them under the seats and now my truck smells like a pina colada!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

We had a quiet week and 4th at home. I did quite a bit done, but also got some serious relaxing done.  I hope you had a great holiday.

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. 

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Still warm and a bit muggy, but we’re supposed to drop  about 10 degrees by the end of the week! YAY!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Dr. appointments
• Receipt Research for a problem
• Calls & Letter re: medical billing issues

CURRENTLY READING
I didn’t get much reading done last week so am still reading:

• What a Girl Wants by Kate Perry
• Resurrection in Mudbug  by Jana DeLeon
• Dead Wrong (Blackmore Sisters series) by Leighann Dobbs

TELEVISION / DVR
The Strain and Dominion start this week as well as catching up on

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Complications
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• The Last Ship
• Falling Skies
• Under the Dome
• Rookie Blue

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
The Christmas cards are finished as far as the craft work, but still need addressed and personal notes at Christmas time. The sun was glaring a bit so it is hard to tell, but I was spraying them with glitter and snow.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• Sandwich Stackers

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Finished Craft Projects
• Fireworks
• Smiling Children 
• Hugs
• BBQS/PICNICS

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

We were at the river having lunch at a favorite hamburger joint and went down the local boat ramp to check out the water level and there was lone flipper at the bottom of the ramp.  You have to wonder how someone stepped out of their flipper without knowing it.

INSPIRATION

Last week got REALLY warm!!!! So, to beat the heat I stayed inside and thought about snow.  Yep, I’m thinking about winter and Christmas already.  I actually started my Christmas cards and am about 75% DONE.  It’s been a while since I made my own and I forgot how hard it is to cut out all the little pieces – boy, are my hands tired!

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. 

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is STILL HOT! And super muggy – might as well be in Texas or Florida!  We are setting new records all the time.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Finish Christmas cards
• Paperwork
• Appt.s
• Phone Calls

CURRENTLY READING

• What a Girl Wants by Kate Perry
• Resurrection in Mudbug  by Jana DeLeon
• Dead Wrong (Blackmore Sisters series) by Leighann Dobbs

TELEVISION / DVR

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Complications
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• The Last Ship
• Under the Dome
• Rookie Blue

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS  FROM LAST WEEK

• Salted Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Cake
• Lemon Paprika Grilled Chicken
• Homemade Payday Bars
• Honey Walnut Lemon Chicken
• Beet Cheddar and Apple Tarts
• Beer Battered Zucchini
• Moscato/Chardonnay Chicken

FUTURE RECIPES TO TRY
My favorite neighbor ever surprised me yesterday with armfuls of cookbooks she wanted to get rid of.  I’m so in love with new recipes that I’m not sure where to start.  My nephew is coming for a week soon so I decided to start with kid friendly recipes – he’s young, but he’s a HUGE growing boy so I also needed easy, flavorful and stretching recipes.  Here are the ones I have found so far:

• TexMex Tamale Skillet
• Hamburger Strogaanoff
• Ground Beef Reuben Melts
• Pizza Calzone
• Chili Rice con Queso
• Fiesta Chicken Lasagna
• Italian Lemon Semifreddo 

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
With summer comes rough, flaky and dry skin.  Here’s a homemade exfoliating body wash that will make your skin silky smooth.

PINEAPPLE BODY WASH – makes 2 week’s worth.  I saved an old Herbal Essence bottle to keep this recipe in.

1 6-ounce can pineapple juice
2 cups castile liquid soap (Dr. Bronner’s or Kirk’s original at Walmart)

• Blend together.
• Shake to mix before using each day.
• Pour a small amount on wash cloth, lather and wash.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” ― C. JoyBell C.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Air conditioning in triple digit temperatures
• Fresh Flowers 
• Laughing children playing outside

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA THIS WEEK
We’ve been watching these ‘environmental’ platforms for quite some time now.  There are 3 of them in this particular area and all have residents.   The fledglings have been taking test flights and appear to be close to ready to leave home.

The platforms don’t look huge until you take a picture from below and then you realize their actual size.

INSPIRATION

Last week was not a real busy week, but it sure went by quickly. Haven’t had much energy to do anything special. We did head to the coast for a father’s day dinner and ran across a chainsaw competition/exhibition and I found a few favorites to get pictures of.

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.  

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Things are heating up here again this week to triple digits by the end of the week, so I am planning indoor projects.  We went to the local farm stand Friday and found some great finds so I made a fantastic fruit salad for dinner over the weekend and plan on making another one this weekend.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• a few phone calls
• a little filing
• cleaning and laundry
• Starting my Christmas cards (yep, you read that right) I’m going to actually make my own this year and NOT wait until last minute

CURRENTLY READING

• What a Girl Wants by Kate Perry
• Resurrection in Mudbug  by Jana DeLeon
• Dead Wrong by Leighann Dobbs

TELEVISION / DVR

• Astronaut Wives Club 
• Complications
• Proof
• Dark Matter
• The Last Ship

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• BBQ Baby Carrots
• Beer Baked Beans
• South of the Border Chicken Wings
• Italian Chicken & Dumplings

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
A couple weekends ago we went down to the Local Relay for Life garage sale and it was a real bust, but I was in the mood for bargain so went a little further to a favorite antique mall and found a great garage sale along the way.  I ran across a real bargain on some recipe magazines and bought the whole lot.  Here are some of the recipes we’ll be trying:

• French onion BACON soup
• Fruit Jellies
• Beet, Cheddar & Apple tarts
• Spooky Rum Coolers
• Caramel Popcorn Pretzel Bars
• Slow Cooker Green Chili
• Roasted Beef, mushroom & Barley Soup
• Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake
• Slow Cooker Bacon Jam
• Chicken with Cornmeal Dumplings
• Pepperoni Pasta Bake
• Jamaican Spiced Upside Down Cake
• Buttered Toast and Jam Pudding
• Coconut Buttermilk pound cake
• Blackberry Oat Bran Muffins
• Backyard Jerk Chicken
• Apricot Bourbon Glazed Ham
• Bacon Pancakes
• Strawberry Rhubarb Slab Pie
• Lemon Herb Dressing
• Cappuccino Chocolate Cupcakes
• Chicken in Garlic Oil
• Slow Cooker Brisket & Onions
• Salmon with brown sugar mustard glaze
• Rocky road fudge bars
• Turnip Au Gratin
• Sausage Cheddar Balls
• Orange Cumin Pork Loin
• Baked Bacon Tortellini
• Sweet and sour sesame wings
• Frozen honey cream
• Blueberry Cream Cheese hand pies
• Lemon Pudding
• Peanut Butter stuffed French Toast
• Sticky Orange Chicken
• Chicken Gazpacho
• Spiced Parsnip Cupcakes
• Apple Raisin Cookies

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
I’ve recently begun using doTerra essential oils and have been having great success with one combination in particular for easier breathing by clearing your sinuses.

Peppermint oil
Breathe
DigestZen

• Put one drop of each oil on the palm of your hand.
• Rub hands together.
• Form a tent with your hands and breathe deep 2-3 times.

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
Tips for better batters:

• ALL your ingredients should be at room temperature (eggs, butter, milks, …
• When you cream butter and sugar, DO IT SLOWLY.  This step in your recipe is meant to aerate your batter creating a lighter and fluffier cake.
• Choose your ingredients carefully. For example, using cake flour instead of all purpose flour creates a softer, finer crumb to your cake.
• Use the proper tools for measuring For example, measure wet ingredients in liquid measures and dry ingredients in dry measures. Don’t pack ingredients unless told to do so. Flour in particular should be lightly spooned in and leveled off with a knife.
• Alternating wet and dry ingredients creates a smoother batter and prevents toughness. 
• Cake batter cannot be made in advance, but cakes can as long as you don’t frost them, they will freeze well. for 3-4 weeks.  Be sure and let them cool completely before freezing. Conversely allow them to thaw completely before icing.

MAKE AHEAD SMOOTHIES – Perfect for busy weeks

• Instead of making one serving of your favorite smoothie whip up a whole batch all at once.
• Place one serving each in freezer bags.
• Lay them flat and stack in the freezer.
• Transfer one to the refrigerator the night before and they are perfect the next morning for a meal on the run.

My favorite flavor combination is:
Bolt House Farms Green Goddess
Pomegranate juice
a banana
a handful of wild blueberries

• The secret of life isn’t what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.  
• Help other people cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with.
• Never use the word “impossible” seriously again.
• Self-trust is the first secret of success.  So believe in and trust yourself.
• Stand up to obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.
• Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself.  In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible.
• How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself, so always think positively.
• Go at life with abandon, give it all you’ve got. And life will give all it has to you.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• A lazy summer afternoon napping on the patio
• Marathon afternoons catching up with favorite shows
• Freshly painted walls
• A day at the beach

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Awesome moon on June 3rd.

INSPIRATION

I can’t believe it is Monday already. Last week just whizzed by! 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. 

WEATHER OUTSIDE
MAJORLY HOT ESPECIALLY FOR THIS AREA and time of year! Today is supposed to be 97. We only hit 93 yesterday, but it wasn’t too bad in the afternoon in the shade with the heavenly breeze that made its way in.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Hair appointment
• Pedicure
• Cleaning
• a few small projects
• a couple recipe development projects

CURRENTLY READING
I’m still reading Jana DeLeon.  I finished her Miss Fortune series and am awaiting the newest book in that series, but have begun her Ghost-In-Law Series for a fun summer read.

TELEVISION / DVR
A few new shows have started, but I’m still not sure about a couple of those.  I’m still trying to finish up a few from the spring that are on the DVR.

• America’s Got Talent
• DIG
• The Americans

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
no actual crafts his week

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• Aztec Chicken

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
My mom found these cute little books for camping recipes to make in pie irons.  Now, I’m NOT going to go camping to try them, but am going to try and convert them into everyday oven recipes.

• Individual chicken casseroles
• Muffin Tin Meals
• Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies
• Sloppy Joe Pockets
• Pepperoni Snails
• S’mores Hand Pies
• Potato Pancakes
• Dream Pies
• Chicken Pot Pies
• Caramel Banana Jumbles
• Extreme Brownies
• Onion Puffs
• Peanut Butter Waffles
• Sweet & Spicy Crescent Clubs

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
The old adage, “you are what you eat” has never been truer than in life today. I try to do anti-oxidant fruits and veggies everyday in form or another.  If you are on a tight schedule, you can make smoothies in large batches and then freeze in ziploc freezer bags.  Just place a frozen one in the frig the night before and it will a perfect on the go breakfast the next day.

My favorite recipe is Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness, pomegranate juice, banana and wild blueberries.

HOMEMAKING TIP
On sticky or squeaky drawers use a bar or soap or an old candle on the tracks to create a smooth edge for the drawer to slide along.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Reading a good book that engages my imagination
• When my favorite team wins
• Starry nights

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

These two really are inseparable (pun intended)

I can’t believe it is Monday already. It was not a real busy week, but it sure went by quickly. 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.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Absolutely beautiful and supposed to stay that way this week.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Laundry
• Cleaning
• Paperwork

CURRENTLY READING

• Miss Fortune Mysteries by Jana Deleon

TELEVISION / DVR
It’s that time of year before much new begins so playing catch up on the DVR.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing new yet.

 RECIPES IN YELLOW ARE ACTIVE LINKS

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES  FROM LAST WEEK

• HALIBUT STEAK VINAIRETTE
• HERB MEATLOAF & GRAVY
• SLOW COOKER MOO SHU CHICKEN

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER

• Apple Slaw with caramelized Cider Dressing
• Spiderweb Florentines
• Pumpkin Gingerbread ice cream sandwiches

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS
Summer is almost here and we’ll be wearing flip flops and going barefoot more and more.  So here is a little recipe for a foot soak that removes the dead skin from your feet.
1/4 cup Listerine
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup warm water

• Soak feet 10 minutes.
• Rinse and dry.  Dead skin will just fall off.

HOMEMAKING TIP
Have strong odors on your hands from onions, garlic or fish?

• Wet your hands.
• Sprinkle on baking soda.
• Rub together until hands are coated in the paste.  
• Rinse well and odors will be gone.

ON MY MIND
Just trying to understand why someone does not return phone calls, repeatedly.  I’ve called several times over the past few months, but they go unanswered and un-returned.  Obviously they are miffed about some unknown, but about what, who knows?  I wish things were different because I do miss our chats, but I can’t fix what I don’t know is broken.  Since I don’t know what I did, I figure they’ll call eventually.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

• Sunny Skies
• Hubby getting the sling off this week 
• A clean house

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

LEO the clown at the CULPEPPER and MERRIWEATHER CIRCUS

INSPIRATION