TUESDAY 4 ~ A MATTER OF TIME

Tuesday 4, is a collection of 4 questions each week that is kept up in honor and memory of Toni Taddeo, founder of the meme.

1. Are meals eaten at certain times in your home or are they more spontaneous? Dinner is usually around 6PM, but the other meals depend on the schedule for the day.

2. If you attend religious services or club meetings, are they morning, afternoon or evening? Are there advantages/disadvantages to that time? Depends on the event and the schedule.  I never really thought about an advantage to either. 😀

3. Are you in bed and up in the mornings at a regular time each day? Yes

4. Do you set apart specific times during the day or week to do certain things like study, shopping, laundry, visiting?  Nope, make the schedule according to appointments and plans for the week.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 34 of 2020

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  I’m getting back into the swing of things and will be visiting you all later this morning.  The excessive heat has kept me from getting a ton done, but am hoping to get more organized this week. 🙂

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING I know everyone has been hot lately, but we had an EXCESSIVE heat here the past few days – like triple digits not normally seen here so we laid low.  This week is still supposed to be warm, but better than last week.  I’m wearing Levis and a soft t-shirt with bare feet 😀

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Hot Water & Yogurt

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

MONDAY
  • PAPERWORK & CALLS
TUESDAY
  • PLAY DAY – OUR ANNIVERSARY
WEDNESDAY
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING
THURSDAY
  • RECIPE SORTING, PHOTO EDITING FROM TRIP
FRIDAY
  • GARDEN
SATURDAY
  • ??
SUNDAY
  • ??

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV We rented a few movies, added the new Peacock App to watch some old shows including the original SNL’s!  We even watched a few shows on NETFLIX, AMAZON and HULU too. We started a new British who done it last night called UNFORGOTTEN that is pretty interesting.

I’M READING Marie Force’s new series MIAMI NIGHTS book #1 How Much I Feel.  I finished Gill Paul’s ANOTHER WOMAN’S HUSBAND while we were traveling and really enjoyed it.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA I have an affinity for old graveyards.  This is one of my favorites in a quaint little town we went through on our way back from my SIL’s house.  I love how it creeps its way up the hillside with odd paths and stairs here and there. We hadn’t been there in a LONG LONG time.  I’m also aware how ironic putting my blog name on a cemetery photos is 😀

INSPIRATIONAL Unfortunate, but true 🙁

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
CHIP CRUSTED LOADED CHICKEN & SALAD
Y.O.Y.O.
C.O.R.N.
TARRAGON CRUSTED CHICKEN & CHEESY BAKED HASH BROWNS
BUTTERMILK ROAST CHICKEN & SALAD
CHEESESTEAK STUFFED PEPPERS & PEPPERED DRAGON TONGUE BEANS
CAMPFIRE FOILS with CORN ON THE COB
DESSERT
BLUEBERRY CRUMB CAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

  • CHEESE STEAK STUFFED PEPPERS
  • SPICY GREEN BEANS
  • TERIYAKI BEEF & VEGGIES
  • CAMPFIRE FOILS

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

RECIPES TO LOOK FOR THIS NEXT WEEK OR SO

  • BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE CAKE
  • CHICKEN PARMESAN STUFFED GARLIC BREAD
  • LOADED CHIP CRUSTED CHICKEN
  • CHEESY BAKED HASH BROWNS
  • APPLE GLAZED PORK ROAST & GRAVY
  • COBBLER COOKIE PIES

CAMPFIRE FOILS ~ BEEF, CHICKEN & ROOT VEGGIES

CAMPFIRE FOILS ~ BEEF, CHICKEN & ROOT VEGGIES
4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon FRESH, FINELY chopped tarragon
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 cup baby carrots, halved
1 LARGE sweet onion, cut into thin wedges
3-4 beets, peeled and chopped
3-4 red potatoes, cut into large chunks
1 lemon, THINLY sliced
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1/2 pound grilled medium rare flank steak, rested and cut into bite sized chunks
1/4 pound salt pork, diced (or substitute 4 slices thick bacon)

  • Preheat oven to 375° or grill to medium heat.
  • In a small skillet rendered salt pork or bacon until ALMOST crisp.
  • Add butter, tarragon, garlic, salt and pepper in a small saucepan and simmer until melted and well blended.
  • Toss veggies and lemon slices with the melted butter mixture. Drain veggies, reserving butter mixture.**see note
  • Arrange 4 large (12×16 or so) pieces of foil on the counter top.
  • Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Divide veggies evenly among the foil pieces.
  • Toss chicken tenders with the drained butter and arrange evenly on top of veggies.
  • Drizzle any remaining butter on top of each packet.
  • Bring the edges of the foil up, folding a couple times to seal, but leaving air space.
  • Bake or grill 50 minutes until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender.

NOTE: If you would like to prepare this in advance as I have many times, cut the chicken tenders into thirds.  Then toss to coat well all the meats and veggies with the butter mixture in a large mixing bowl.  Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to prepare foil packets.

CHEESE STEAK STUFFED PEPPERS

CHEESE STEAK STUFFED PEPPERS serves 4 PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS with a TWIST!
4 bell peppers, halved and seeded, your color of choice
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large onion, sliced thin
16 ounces sliced mushrooms
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pound flank steak, grilled and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
8-16 slices provolone
FRESH chopped parsley, for garnish

  • Generously season flank steak with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Grill steak 2-3 minutes over a greased medium grill.
  • Remove from grill and rest on cutting board covered with foil.
  • Preheat oven to 325º.
  • Place peppers in a large baking dish and bake until tender, 30 minutes.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil.
  • Add onions and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper, cooking until soft, 6 minutes.
  • Add steak, tossing to coat well and blend.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes.
  • Stir in Italian seasoning.
  • Add provolone to bottom of baked peppers and top with steak mixture.
  • Top with another piece of provolone and broil until golden, 3 minutes.

SPICY GREEN BEANS

SPICY GREEN BEANS
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 shallot, sliced
1 pound green beans, washed and trimmed
6 cloves garlic, peeled and FINELY minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup banana pepper rings, drained of juice
2 tablespoons chicken broth or water

  • Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add shallots cooking 1-2 minutes
  • Add green beans and garlic.
  • Generously sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
  • Cook, stirring often 6-7 minutes until green beans turn dark.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of chicken broth or water, reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook 1-2 minutes until green beans are crisp tender.
  • Turn off heat, add banana rings, stirring to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Serve immediately.

TERIYAKI BEEF & VEGGIES

TERIYAKI BEEF & VEGGIES
1 1/2 pounds thin flank or flat iron steak
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 bunches green onions, sliced on bias
3 carrots, peeled and sliced on bias
2 cups snow peas, trimmed of strings and ends
2-3 mini peppers, seeded and cut into rings
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4-1/3 cup chopped cilantro, optional

  • Whisk together teriyaki sauce, water, vinegar and cornstarch.
  • Pat steak dry and GENEROUSLY season with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in skillet.
  • Add steak and cook 2-3 minutes per side until 125°.
  • Transfer to cutting board and tent with foil.

 

  • Add remaining oil to skillet.
  • Add carrots to hot oil for 2 minutes.
  • Add onions, snow peas and pepper rings, stirring to sear.
  • Add garlic, stirring until fragrant.
  • Transfer the vegetables to a platter and keep warm.
  • Add ALL the juices into the skillet along with the teriyaki mixture simmering 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  • Slice steak on bias and add steak to the sauce, turning to coat.
  • Add steak and sauce to vegetables on the platter.
  • Serve over rice.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 33 of 2020

GOOD MORNING dear friends.  I’m going to get right to it as we get on the road.

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING We’ve left the WONDERFULLY cool weather (mid 60’s) of my SIL’s house and are already dreading the higher temperatures! It’s supposed to be in the high 80’s as we head home. 

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – HOT water, yogurt and a banana

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

MONDAY
  • still on trip
TUESDAY
  • still on trip
WEDNESDAY
  • ?? LAUNDRY & CATCH UP
THURSDAY
  • ??
FRIDAY
  • ??
SATURDAY
  • ??
SUNDAY
  • ??

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV We’ll see when we get home 😀

I’M READING I started Gill Paul’s Another Woman’s Husband while we were on the trip, but haven’t really gotten into it.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA We’re still traveling, but here are a couple of favorites from last week.  Hubby caught me testing out the tree swing for the nieces and nephews and my SIL’s neighbor showed us her Argentine Giant flower.  The bloom only lasts 24 hours and fell off 2 hours after I took the picture!

INSPIRATIONAL

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
??
??
CHICKEN PARMESAN STUFFED GARLIC BREAD
LOADED CHIP CRUSTED CHICKEN with BACON & CHEESE
CHEESE STEAK STUFFED PEPPERS
CHEESY BAKED HASH BROWNS
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT
BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE CAKE
 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

  • GRILLED PORK CHOPS & PLUMS
  • GRILLED BALSAMIC BEEF KEBABS
  • HOISIN GLAZED PORK CHOPS & PINEAPPLE CHERRY SALSA
  • MEATLOAF BURGERS

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

RECIPES TO LOOK FOR THIS NEXT WEEK OR SO

  • TERIYAKI BEEF & VEGGIES
  • SPICY GREEN BEANS

HOISIN GLAZED GRILLED PORK CHOPS & PINEAPPLE SALSA

HOISIN GLAZED GRILLED PORK CHOPS & PINEAPPLE SALSA
CHOPS
4-6 bone in THICK pork chops
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Whisk together the Hoisin sauce and vinegar in a small bowl.
  • Transfer 3 tablespoons to a small bowl and set aside.
  • Pat chops dry and generously season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Brush pork chops with the sauce mixture.
  • Grill pork over hot grill 3-4 minutes per side until seared and cooked through.
  • Transfer pork to platter and brush with reserved Hoisin sauce mixture.
  • Tent with foil and let rest 5 minutes.

SALSA
1 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch rings
1 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced OR 1/4 cup minced mini red peppers
1/4 cup FRESH chopped cilantro
2 teaspoons FRESH grated ginger

  • Brush pineapple all over with oil.
  • Grill over hot grill 3 minutes on each side until charred.
  • Transfer to cutting board.
  • When cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Toss pineapple, green onions, cilantro and ginger with sesame oil.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.

MEATLOAF BURGERS

MEATLOAF BURGERS
1/2 pound ground sirloin
1/2 pound ground pork
1 LARGE egg
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon FRESH minced thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
4 buns

  • Combine ground sirloin, ground pork, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper in mixing bowl.
  • Shape into 4 patties.
  • Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar. Set aside 1/3 cup for serving.
  • Grill patties on greased grill 5-7 minutes until browned.
  • Flip burgers and brush with glaze, cooking another 5 minutes.
  • Transfer burgers to platter and serve with buns, cheese and reserved glaze for dressing buns.

GRILLED BALSAMIC BEEF KEBABS

GRILLED BALSAMIC BEEF KEBABS
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup avocado oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed into 1 inch chunks
1 red onion, cut into wedges
Colorful Mini peppers, cut into chunks

  • Whisk together vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes and oil in a small bowl.
  • Season steak pieces GENEROUSLY with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add steak pieces to a large ziploc bag.
  • Pour oil mixture over steak pieces and marinade 2-4 hours.
  • Drain steak pieces and add drained marinade to a small sauce pan.
  • Cook marinade over medium heat until slightly thickened,
  • Thread meat, onion wedges and pepper pieces alternately onto prepared skewers.
  • Grill kebabs, turning every 2 minutes and basting with reserved sauce until charred and cooked through.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS & PLUMS

GRILLED PORK CHOPS & PLUMS
4 thick bone-in pork chops
2 tablespoons avocado oil
4-6 LARGE plums, halved and pitted
Juice from 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons PACKED brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • Whisk together the avocado oil and lemon juice. Set aside.
  • Rub plums with half of the brown sugar.
  • Whisk together the remaining brown sugar with the coriander, ginger, salt and pepper.
  • Lightly brush the pork chops with oil mixture and then sprinkle with spice mixture.
  • Sear chops on an oiled grill over medium heat 3-4 minutes per side until you reach 140° and a good sear on each side.
  • Transfer chops to platter and tent with foil while you grill the plums.
  • Add plums to grill 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and skins are peeling away.
  • Peel away skins and toss plums in remaining lemon juice mixture.
  • Serve immediately.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 32 of 2020

GOOD MORNING I can’t get Willie Nelson out of my head! On The Road Again is playing over and over as we trek back to SIL’s house for an important meeting…

I hope you all had a GREAT weekend.  Since we had to cancel our anniversary trip later this month to make this trip instead, we left a little early to make a stop at the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay. I do find it ironic though that you cannot go ANYWHERE and have it truly relaxing when you know there is a LIVE webcam on the area.  SIGH, I do suppose that keeps us safer though. At least there was serious social distancing going on. 

We had planned to spend the day and not get to SIL’s until today, but changed our mind when it was 99° and too people so we powered through to finish the trek instead and arrived last night.  We’ll find something fun and relaxing to do on the way home to complete the trip.

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING It’s high 80’s at home and higher yet where we wereyesterday, but SIL’s house is in the high 60’s.  I’m in love! 😀

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE Not sure yet – traveling is still really hard for me.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST, HOUSE & CRAFT PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS
Nothing this week as we deal with out of town issues.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV Absolutely nothing except what will record while we are gone.

I’M READING I finally finished Hurricane Season by Lauren Denton and loved it.  I’m also finally beginning Lost Friends.  I did read part of the Marie Force’s Green Mountain Vermont series, All My Lovin’ in the middle of those.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA Here are a couple quick pictures from yesterday’s visit to the Sundial Bridge (it really works) and this amusing one from a tiny border town.

INSPIRATIONAL

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
SIL’S CHOICE
SIL’S CHOICE
SIL’S CHOICE
 SIL’S CHOICE
SIL’S CHOICE
SIL’S CHOICE
SIL’S CHOICE
DESSERT
 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPES TO LOOK FOR THIS NEXT WEEK OR SO

  • GRILLED PORK CHOPS & PLUMS
  • GRILLED BALSAMIC BEEF KEBABS
  • TERIYAKI BEEF & VEGGIES
  • MEATLOAF BURGERS

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK