Category: MISC

BLOGMAS 2016 – DAY 4 ~ FAVORITE MUSIC

I’m all over the place with Christmas music – depends on the day, the occasion, my mood, what food we’re eating – just sooooooooo many factors!

I love the old standards, but I also love country Christmas and Mannheim Steamroller.  I love Christmas carolers, not that you see many these days.  I was even part of the handbell choir at church for Christmas programs.

As for favorite songs I have a few that top the list:

  • Silent Night

  • White Christmas

  • Jingle Bell Rock

  • Winter Wonderland

  • Frosty the Snowman

  • Little Drummer Boy

  • The twelve days of Christmas

  • Deck the Halls

  • Come All Ye Faithful

  • It Came upon a Midnight Clear

  • We three Kings of Orient 

  • Joy to the World

  • Rudolph the Reindeer

  • Do You Hear What I Hear

  • The Most Wonderful Time of Year

  • It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

  • Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

BLOGMAS 2016 ~ DAY 2 ~CHRISTMAS MOVIES ON THE MUST WATCH LIST

Today’s category is an easy one for me.  I start taping Christmas movies on Lifetime, Hallmark and INSP as soon as they air so I can watch all year long.  I’m a sucker for a happy ending and let’s face it, Christmas movies have happy endings.

So this list could be reallllllllllly long, but I will just keep it to the top 5 MUST watch each and every year movies.

 It’s a toss up for me about whether White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye or It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore and Donna Reed is my absolute favorite, but I think I’m leaning towards It’s a Wonderful life! This year we watched it on our wonderful early Christmas present from my mom, a 50 inch SMART TV!
 Which Miracle on 34th street version (the original with Natalie Wood or the remake with Richard Attenborough) is the best?  BOTH versions of course!
The Santa Clause with Tim Allen quickly became a favorite – who could resist visiting the North Pole every year?
 Now Home Alone is just silly, but it never fails to make me laugh!

BLOGMAS 2016 ~ DAY 1

✨What is Your Favorite Holiday Movie? Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street and they never get old.  

✨What is Your Favorite Christmas Color? Red and silver. 

✨Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas? I always dress up.

✨If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be? WOW, can “one” person just be one age group, all the kids in my life? This is a hard one.  I love buying presents for everyone. 

✨Do You Open Your Present Christmas Eve Or Christmas Morning? It used to be Christmas Eve when I was a kid though we saved the Santa presents for Christmas morning. Now we open them Christmas morning.

 ✨What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break? Wait, there’s a Christmas Break? I don’t seem to get an actual break, but I do allow myself a holiday movie or two throughout my day as I’m working.

✨Any Christmas Wishes? To have my house done so we can actually enjoy it for awhile before we sell it.  Safe travels for everyone over the holidays and world peace.  Was that too Miss America?  I really do want peace for EVERYONE!

✨Favorite Christmas Smell? A fresh cut tree, baking cookies full of spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves)

✨Favorite Christmas Meal Or Treat? Prime Rib, Fudge, Corn flake wreaths

✨What are you doing for the holidays this year? Staying home and having Christmas 3 times.  My mom will be here later next week, Christmas day with hubby and I and then again on the 27th with the rest of the family

✨What’s your favorite holiday drink? Coffee and hot toddies

✨Candy cane or Gingerbread men? I like the chalk style peppermint, but not real keen on actual candy canes and I like soft gingerbread men.

 ✨What’s your favorite holiday/Christmas song? That’s a tough call – depends on my mood… White Christmas, Silent Night and I’ll Be Home for Christmas

✨What is most important to you about the holidays?  That it is genuine and homemade for the most part.  It is not a commercial holiday for me.  I believe in trying to remember the real reason for the season and keep the Christmas spirit in my heart and life ALL year long.

BE SURE AND JOIN UP WITH SANDRA AT DIARY OF A STAY AT HOME MOM TO PLAY ALONG WITH BLOGMAS 2016.

CINNAMON PUMPKIN PULL APART BREAD

I wish I could tell you where or who I got this recipe from because I would LOVE to thank them for this incredible bread and it is the PERFECT bread FOR FALL!  I modified it slightly, but we think t is even better. This is like a sideways monkey bread.

CINNAMON PUMPKIN PULL APART BREAD
Bread
2 + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup whole milk
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground GOOD QUALITY cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup spiced rum

Buttered Rum Glaze
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon SPICED rum

  • In a saucepan over medium-high heat, brown 2 tablespoons of the butter until it is a dark golden brown. Be careful not to burn it.
  • Once browned, remove the pan from the heat and carefully whisk in the milk.
  • Return the pan to the burner and heat through, whisking regularly.
  • Pour the milk and butter into the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with a dough hook and allow it to cool to lukewarm (about 100-110 degrees F). 
  • Add the yeast and 1/4 cup of sugar. Allow to proof until it is foamy and the liquid cloudy – about 8-10 minutes.
  • Add the the pumpkin, salt, and 1 cup of the flour.
  • Stir until combined then add the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time and knead for 6 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic and just slightly sticky.
  • If the dough is too moist, add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Move dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean  cheesecloth towel.
  • Allow to rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes or until doubled in size.
  • Pour rum over raisins and set aside to soak while bread rises.

  • While dough is rising, brown the other 2 tablespoons of butter. 
  • Add the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mixing well.
  • Set aside.
  • Grease and flour a 9×5 loaf pan and set aside.
  • When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and flip out onto a clean floured surface and knead with your hands for 1-2 minutes.
  • Roll dough into a 20×12 inch rectangle.
  • Drain raisins well.
  • Evenly sprinkle the dough with the cinnamon sugar mixture and press into dough with the palms of your hands. 
  • Cut the rectangle into 6 strips. 
  • Top with rum soaked golden raisins.
  • Lay strips on top of each other and cut each strip into 6 even squares (cut in half then each half into thirds).
  • Stack strips vertically into the loaf pan.
  • Cover the pan with a clean towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
  • In the meantime preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until top is a very deep golden brown. 

  • To prepare the glaze, heat the butter, milk, and brown sugar in a small saucepan.
  • Bring to boil then immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum and powdered sugar.
  • Drizzle over cake. 
  • Serve with a dollop of fresh whip cream.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY 11~21~2016

Good Morning everyone. I hope you had a great week.  Monday is upon us again and it’s time to kick it into high gear with Thanksgiving only 3 days away.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s absolutely GORGEOUS.  The overnight temperatures have been so low that the days are EXTREMELY pleasant and today will be no exception. The rest of the week is supposed to be ALL the same except for some rain on Wednesday morning. Thanksgiving should be PERFECT.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Oatmeal with brown sugar and golden raisins with coffee of course.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It’s a managed chaos as I am compiling everything I can into the dining room to make the carpet installation go quickly and smoothly.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
The carpeting was supposed to be going in right after Thanksgiving, but there is delay – (of course there is) and it won’t be installed until December 6th  so we are doing double duty this week and next trying REALLY hard to finish up ALL the messy projects that require paint or grout. I’m still being a squeaky wheel trying to get them to move it up to the original date.

  • Monday – paint kitchen ceiling now that it has set for an entire week and should be really dry from the new mud.
  • Tuesday – finish caulking nail holes in all the new molding and paint as much as we can.  Molding and all the fine lines seems to take twice as long.
  • Wednesday – finish painting and do last layer of grout on entry way.
  • Thursday – HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It’ll just be the 2 of us so I have ALL day to cook and watch the parade and football. I’m going to try an apple cider brined turkey.  I figure with just the 2 of us, it’ll be a good time to experiment.  The rest of the meal will be tried and true traditional recipes
  • Friday – SORT, SORT, SORT in the studio.
  • Saturday – SORT, SORT, SORT in the studio.
  • Sunday – ?????  and Football

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • PURE GENIUS
  • 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
  • MADAM SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ICE PILOTS
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
As soon as Thanksgiving is over I will get started for real – I have NO choice!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
OUT
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
all from scratch: APPLE CIDER BRINED ROAST TURKEY, PARMSAN MASHED POTATOES, DRESSING, GRAVY, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE, CRANBERRY SAUCE
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND
Praying for my Uncle Bob and his condition.  He’s had managed (treated and then in remission) bone cancer for many years, but unfortunately it has now metastasized to his brain in a late stage form and we are on a day to day basis as he struggles with this.  My mom will be flying back to Pennsylvania to see him on Thanksgiving day.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • My ability to roll with the punches as we experience more delays at completing the house from hell.
  • A small, but planned relaxing Thanksgiving weekend.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
The wall crack is from the large vent to the slab and was more noticeable before the foundation work.  He has now taped it twice (the first taping was done poorly and bubbled and cracked immediately) and retextured the ENTIRE wall to match. Even with him here for 2 days he left imperfection “issues” that I was able to sand and patch.  I really didn’t want that man in my house a 3rd time.  After the first time I asked his boss to make sure he brought different tarps with him the next time as the tarps smelled to high heaven with mold and mildew and I have such a compromised immunity it was too much risk.  Well, he fooled me.  He just didn’t bring any tarps the 2nd time.

So much with waiting 3 months for the highly recommended contractor.  He won’t be receiving any recommendations from us!

These are the before and after from the recent dry wall guy hassles.  I was able to sand and fix his imperfection “issues” and they are no longer noticeable.

Once the carpeting goes in and the furniture is back in their proper places it will look more finished.
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.

BUFFALO CHICKEN PULL-APART BREAD

I found this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Pull-Apart Bread on Facebook, you know one of those that they show you in video form in 30 seconds or less AND looks really scrumptious?  I was thinking of making it as an appetizer when our son and family are here at Christmas time, but needed to test it first.

Well, this recipe did not disappoint.  I made some of my homemade Farmhouse Buttermilk Dressing to go with it and the combination was addicting! Instead of an appetizer we added a salad and made it a meal.

BUFFALO CHICKEN PULL-APART BREAD
2 packages Pillsbury pizza dough (I used 1 recipe of my homemade pizza dough)
2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded (I used original recipe Costco Rotisserie chicken)
1 cup Buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s Original Hot Sauce)
1/4 cup scallions, chopped (I used more, about double – we like onions)
2 1/2 cups grated pepper jack cheese (I used regular jack cheese)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 jalapeno, sliced (OPTIONAL – I didn’t use)
Ranch dressing for dipping (I used a batch of Farmhouse Buttermilk Dressing)

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a bowl toss together the chicken, buffalo sauce, green onions and half the cheese.
  • Roll out dough and cut into 3×3 inch squares (about 30 squares total). **SEE NOTE
  • Brush each square with the melted butter.
  • Top each square with a spoonful of chicken mixtures and then a sprinkling of the remaining cheese.
  • Brush loaf pan with butter.
  • Stack each square on top of each other in your loaf pan with the chicken side up.
  • Brush top of bread with remaining butter.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 40-50 minutes until golden and set.

NOTE:  The original recipe had you doing each square one at a time, but I found it much easier to do them all at once and then stack them in the loaf pan while it was standing on end for a more even and less messy build.

HONEY CARAMEL MACADAMIA TART

THE WEATHER IS FINALLY COOLING DOWN ENOUGH TO BAKE AGAIN!!! There is nothing like the aroma of tasty treats baking with roasted nuts and caramelizing sugar and honey – YUM!

HONEY CARAMEL MACADAMIA TART
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/2  tablespoons water
1 large egg yolk

1/3 cup fragrant honey
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
3 1/2 ounces heavy cream
3 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 cup chopped walnut
1 cup macadamia nuts, breaking half of them into small pieces
1/4 cup fine granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1½ teaspoons ground cloves
6 large egg yolks

  • Add flour and 3/4 cup unsalted butter in a food processor, processing to a sand-like consistency.
  • Add the one large egg yolk and water, processing again quickly.
  • Pour out and quickly bring together to form a disc. Layer it between two pieces of baking paper.
  • Rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven 400°.
  • Roll the pastry out evenly and lay over a 10 inch loose-bottomed tart tin. NOTE: It is important that there are no gaps or breaks in the pastry anywhere or your filling will leak.
  • Chill for 10 minutes.
  • Line the inside of the tart tin with parchment paper.
  • Fill with a baking chain, baking weights or dried beans and bake for about 25 minutes, removing the weights and parchment paper for the last five minutes – the pastry shell needs to pick up a hint of golden color.
  • In a small saucepan whisk together the honey, molasses, stick of butter, cream and rum untill well blended and warm.
  • Set aside to cool.
  • Toss walnut pieces with macadamia nuts and both sugars with the ground cloves.
  • Lightly whisk the 6 egg yolks and then whisk them into the cooled honey mix.
  • Pour this over the nuts and sugar and blend well.
  • Place the tart tin on a lined baking tray to catch any drips and pour the filling into the pastry case.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until well caramelized.
  • Carefully remove the tart from the oven and cool for 20-30 minutes. NOTE: the filling will be very hot straight from the oven.
  • Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut into wedges and serve with whipped cream if you like.

HARVEST SOUP – CREAM of TURNIP PUMPKIN SOUP

HARVEST SOUP – CREAM OF TURNIP PUMPKIN SOUP
2 LARGE white turnips, peeled and cubed
1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1 leek, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 cups chicken stock
1 15 ounce can pure pumpkin puree
1/3 cup heavy cream**
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Parmesan cheese

  • Sauté green onions and leeks in butter, stirring often until softened. 
  • Add potato and turnip cubes and sauté another 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the chicken stock and pumpkin puree. 
  • Add salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the vegetables are soft. 
  • Puree soup in a food processor or blender. 
  • Return soup to saucepan, whisk cream and heat through 15-20 minutes.
  • Serve in hot bowls.
  • Top with bacon and cheese.

**NOTE: For a more inense flavor use 1 can Classic Coconut milk

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY 11~14~2016

WOW where did last week go?  I did get some rest after the dry wall guy from hell left Thursday afternoon on the 2nd day of a one day job and I got the initial clean up done.  UNFORTUNATELY, we had to call his boss out to see the problems that DID NOT get dealt with and he will be back AGAIN today! GRRRRRRRRRRR & UGHHHHHHHHH! I hate delays, especially those caused by carelessness.  On top of it the dry wall guy actually asked for more money because he felt he’d been asked to do more than the original (and VERY expensive) quote called for!!!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weather has been GORGEOUS this past week and this upcoming week is supposed to be more of the same – cool evenings (I even needed a light jacket last night when I walked the dogs) which lead to cool mornings and extremely pleasant days.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Peach Yogurt and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see the covered furniture and am already looking forward to the dry wall guy being gone so I can clean again.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Paint Living Room after dry wall is done.
  • Finish caulking and painting kitchen trim.
  • Paint kitchen ceiling now that repairs are dry.
  • Sort studio boxes.

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
I was supposed to have started things by now, but that’s life!

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
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
RUSTIC CHICKEN and PASTA
C.O.R.N.
CHICKEN CHILE and CORNBREAD
DESSERT

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • We FINALLY get to order the carpeting tomorrow!!!! Enough said.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – recipes soon

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 11~7~2016

MONDAY! HERE WE ARE AGAIN! 

A week ago was our 1 year “anniversary” of arriving here to the house from hell.  I’m still working on a post FULL of before and after pictures which I hope to have up yet this week.

Unfortunately we decided last Wednesday night to go to one of our formerly favorite TEXMEX restaurants to celebrate – BAD DECISION.  I say unfortunately because 10 hours later I was in the hospital with a severe case of food poisoning and a concussion from where I fell in the bathroom after I became violently ill. The ER doctor said it was the 2nd case that week from the same restaurant. So this will be a quiet and SLOW week for me and I hope to get back on track next week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had some SERIOUS thunderstorms last night and it is a little rainy this morning with a chance of more serious thunderstorms throughout the day. The temperatures have dropped into the 70’s (FINALLY!!) and so it is quite pleasant.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey nut cheerios with banana and milk and of course COFFEE!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m happy with the condition for a Monday after a week of issues.  I have tons to do, but as I’m on a modified bed rest will do it SLOWLY! AND I won’t be entirely upset if i doesn’t ALL get done.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Keep sorting craft parts in the studio.
  • Finish the marbelizing on the bar area and utility counter and hoping the delay of sitting several extra days before the top coat hasn’t changed the process.
  • Dust and vacuum.
  • Shade cloth for backyard behind our bedroom.
  • Prune roses and trim lantana.
  • Grocery store and errands.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We did find a new NETFLIX show, ICE Pilots, this weekend while I was forced to lay around and are really enjoying it.  Amazing show about keeping WWII planes in service in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.

  • 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
Unfortunately last week’s issues changed everything so I’m going to try this menu again this week.

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES or FRENCH TOAST
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
GRILLED STEAK and SALAD
CHICKEN & NOODLES
C.O.R.N.
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

MONDAY! HERE WE ARE AGAIN! 

I was hoping to be redirecting you today to my new and improved website, but my webmaster has been called to do some photography field work and we are encountering another small delay while he is out of town.  That said, it has left me with time to continue my passionate “donation project” in an effort to clean out TONS of things.  I especially wanted to get jackets and blankets taken care of before any old weather sets in here.  I’ll keep those separate to take to the local homeless shelter along with towels and bedding.

This past weekend was our 1 year “anniversary” of arriving here to the house from hell.  I’m working on a post FULL of before and after pictures which I hope to have up yet this week.

We have been really working on this project with everything from tools to craft supplies and are EXTREMELY happy with the results over the past year, but especially the past 193 days with our total now over 8000 items.

One of the sad items I had to finally give up was my Girl Scout sweatshirt.  I was an advisor/leader for 3 sister troops – brownies through cadettes for several years and we had such a great time, but alas I have officially worn out this sweatshirt.  I will post this picture to facebook as I know it will make my niece/daughter smile.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is a little foggy, but is supposed to clear into a beautiful day.  We do have a chance for some showers later in the week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey nut cheerios with banana and milk and of course COFFEE!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m happy with the condition for a Monday.  I spent ALL day Saturday doing a DEEP DEEP CLEAN on our bedroom after I sorted the cold weather clothes and fabric stash so I’m happy with that room especially.  While I was doing that I also did 3 loads of laundry so have none to start the week with.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Keep sorting craft parts in the studio.
  • Last coat of paint on Carlie’s closet.
  • Dust and vacuum.
  • Shade cloth for backyard behind our bedroom.
  • Prune roses and trim lantana.
  • Grocery store and errands.

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
I spent a good deal of the week sorting through craft “PARTS” for the donation piles, but hope to get busy in this category within the next couple weeks.

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
PANCAKES or FRENCH TOAST
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
GRILLED STEAK and SALAD
CHICKEN & NOODLES
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I FINALLY was able to empty 2 steamers trunks of cold weather gear and re-load them with my quilting fabric stash – so even the fabric was sorted and some donated.
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.

APRICOT COFFEE CAKE ala KITCHEN MACGYVER

My neighbor calls me MACGYVER. No, not because of the new remake MacGyver (which BTW I don’t like near as well as the original, but wanted to because I like George Eads) or even because the original MacGyver with Richard Dean Anderson was one of my favorite shows growing up, but because I have this God given ability to look at mundane items or recipes and see what they COULD be.

She recently cut a recipe out of the paper and thought it sounded “interesting”. It didn’t really interest me AS IS, but for what my mind pictured it COULD be. Boy am I glad I took a chance on this remake of what turned out to be excellent when she made it AS IS, but even better with the tweaks I made to it.

It was originally called Date and Cardamom Cake with Coffee Frosting by Meera Sodha.  I kept the basic recipe template, but added a few embellishments and enhanced the flavor a bit. I’ll list the original recipe with my changes in green. I thought the cake was completely cooled, but as you can see the icing started melting just a bit.  Good thing it didn’t change the flavor.

APRICOT COFFEE CAKE – adapted from Date & Cardamom Cake
CAKE
1 stick butter, softened
1 1/4 cups soft dates, pitted (1 1/4 cups soft dried apricots)
1 cup water, (1 cup peach nectar)
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cardamom (1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg)
(1/2 cup dried ground lemon peel)
(1/2 cup small walnut pieces)
(1/2 cup golden raisins)
(1/8 cup cold coffee)
(1/8 cup spiced rum)

  • Chop apricots into small pieces and place in sauce pan covered with the peach nectar.  Cook on low until VERY soft!
  • Pour coffee and rum over raisins and set aside to soak.
  • Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper.**
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • When apricots are soft and most of the nectar absorbed transfer them to a small chopper and pulse until pasty.
  • In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar together until smooth.
  • Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.
  • Sift in flour and spices gradually, mixing until well blended. Batter will be thick like cookie dough.
  • Drain raisins WELL.
  • Fold in apricot paste until evenly distributed.
  • Fold in nuts.
  • Fold in raisins.
  • Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake 45 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
  • Cool cake COMPLETELY in pan before frosting.

NOTE:** I use a springform loaf pan for a “pretty” cake.

FROSTING
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
6 tablespoons, softened
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon boiling water (boiling  peach nectar)
Apricot pieces for decorating

  • Mix together the nectar and coffee granules until all coffee is dissolved.
  • Add coffee mixture to butter in medium mixing boil and blend well.
  • Add sugar, blending until smooth and creamy.

NOTE: I still had half a can of peach nectar so decided before I made a cocktail with the remains that I would substitute nectar for water in the frosting to enhance the flavor a bit.