HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.  Ours was quite busy, but nice.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is starting to cloud up a bit.  We’re supposed to have a little rain the next couple days and then hopefully “dry” out again.  I’m really hating the humidity lately.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I can see squirrels playing on the oak tree and for some reason the birds which I cannot see are seriously LOUD this morning.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A bit of egg salad and a cup of tea.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see the remnants of a VERY busy weekend and am hoping to finish today and get the vacuuming done.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Paint cabinet bottom support and baseboards in living room.
  • Finish caulking both bathrooms.
  • Paint Master Bath final coat.
  • Paint Spare Bath final coat.
  • Clean.
  • Vacuum.
  • Laundry.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days. We did see Now You See Me 2 this past week and really enjoyed it.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS/HOUSE PROJECTS
I recently did an update here. We’re hoping to keep working forward to get this place finished once and for all.

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
CHILE & CORNBREAD
PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS
C.O.R.N.
GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS
SLOPPY JOES
CHICKEN & NOODLES
ORANGE CHICKEN & CHOW MEIN
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.

CAPTAIN’S LOG-DAY 246, WEEK 3 MONTH 8 UPDATE

It’s been awhile since I did a decent update on the house so thought I’d sit and chat for awhile. We’ve been quite busy doing a ton of the “LITTLE” finish projects and I’ve been fighting side affects of the cure to a disease that’s actually worse than the disease itself or so it seems. So, my energy level is almost non-existent and I’m happy to get anything done. While not being able to get as much done physically I have finally gotten through ALL of my aunt’s magazines that my uncle brought over.  I’m sure it’s just in time for the next load he’ll brings.  Anyway, on to the update.

Hubby got me a father’s day present.  LOL, yeah I’m not a father, but he promised me one of these for my studio 10 years ago for my birthday and it never happened so now is the time.  I can’t wait to get organized – finally a place for everything – now to get everything in its place.

We did finally get the floor in the studio closet and then I built the cubbies on the side walls for storage.  For some reason I didn’t get a picture of those yet, but will do that for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Hubby has been working hard get the garage walls reinforced with pressure treated wood.  He’s then sistering the old studs and finishing the walls.

I have been on a very specific diet (20 carbs or less a day) per doctor’s orders, but did manage to get a couple new recipes tried and will get the recipes posted soon.

The mosquitoes are horrendously bad this year!  So, I’m planting Citronella all around trying to make a less friendly environment for them.

Hubby and I decided to finally get the living room TV hung today, but it turned into an ALL day project – one of those domino effect projects.  While we were getting ready to mount it we realized that the cabinets below where it was going to be needed to be raised for the bottom doors to clear the future carpet.  This meant we had to empty the cabinets of ALL their contents and move them.  By raising the cabinets we also found we then needed to relocate the power for the TV and accessories which required cutting a couple new holes.  At least I did get all the games, CD’s and DVD’s sorted through and donated a bunch while organizing the rest.  Love these CHEETAH mounts though!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

WOW, where did this last week go.  I was planning to post more last week, but it obviously got away from me.  I spent the week and weekend sorting through craft items, desk items, old photographs and such – SOOOO much harder than manual labor with emotion connected to each item. It also worked out well with the stormy weekend to be inside.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Still gray and stormy, but that is supposed to clear up tomorrow with temperatures soaring into the 90’s and fortunately the humidity dipping into the 60’s instead of the miserable 80 degrees and 95% humidity we had last week.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I see the damage from yesterday’s storm in broken branches and flower beds that need their dirt scooped back in which I will gt to later when I trim the roses.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey nut cheerios with sliced banana and green tea.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE & HOUSE PROJECTS
I see that I made a HUGE mess the last several days trying to sort through the last of the boxes most of which are craft items or small desk type items, but it will hopefully all come together by the end of the week and I will take a few pictures then.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Monday – Grocery Shopping for the ingredients for recipe experiment week  and Home Depot to pick up a few last minute items to install the new front door.
  • Tuesday thru Thursday – keep sorting through pile in atrium and organize my studio.
  • Friday – maybe go see a matinee and lunch out since we stay home weekends to avoid the traffic and masses of people.
  • Saturday – clean and laundry
  • Sunday – Y.O.Y.O. (you’re on your own) day and do as I please which will probably be working in my studio.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I went through my fabric stash and began to organize it. WHEW! What a job! I didn’t realize how much fabric I had accumulated.  Good thing I’m STILL going through my aunt’s magazines and finding some new patterns to try for quilts.  Boy did she like her magazines!  Here are this week’s quilt pattern finds:

  • Altitude
  • Little Red Bird
  • Patriot Parade 
  • Early Birds
  • Spring Forth
  • Garden Glories
  • Play it Again
  • Shades of Fall
  • Maisy Daisy
  • Bevels
  • Magic Stars
  • Warm Breeze
  • Squares Plus
  • Plum Spicy
  • Rainbow Hearts
  • Daffodils for Dad
  • Moon Shadow Stars
  • Blueberry Ice
  • Wavelength

HOUSE PROJECTS
No pictures this week, but we had a productive week moving forward on “little” finish projects.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
I found so many fun new recipes that I’m going to make every night this entire week an experiment night plus an interesting dessert.
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
CRISPY RAMEN CRUSTED CHICKEN with ASIAN SLAW
CAST IRON LEMON  CHICKEN and SALAD
C.O.R.N.
BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC & CHEESE
GRILLED CHICKEN with COLA SAUCE
BUFFALO CHICKEN THIGHS and SALAD
APRICOT GLAZED PORK KEBABS and SAVORY BREAD PUDDING
DESSERT


BLACK BEAN BROWNIES




SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

  • Pineapple Pound Cake (recipe will be up a little later)

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I’m STILL going through my aunt’s magazines and boy did she like her magazines!  Here are this week’s recipe finds:

  • Brown Sugar Cinnamon Peach Pie
  • Ciabatta French Toast
  • Pork Tenderloin with Orange Compote
  • Argentinean Pork
  • Salted Caramel Brownies
  • Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion
  • Grilled Chicken with Asian Pear Slaw
  • Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins
  • Fresh Raspberry Vanilla Preserves
  • Strawberry Chicken Salad
  • Grilled Parmesan Cake
  • Crawfish Bisque
  • Kickin’ Orange Glazed Chicken
  • Apricot Glazed Chicken Thighs
  • Manicotti with Vodka Blush Sauce
  • Pear Tart
  • White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
One of the things I ran across this week was “real” photos from when the pups were pups! It made me realize just how old they are and made me sad too!  But I also took this picture of our “OLD MAN” (14) and a treat.  I gently laid it there to see how long it would take for him to notice and LOL it took a long time! When he was young it would have woken him up in a heart beat!

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

Captains Log-DAY 255, Week 1, Month 8 – It has been an interesting, sad and strange 7 months. This past week we have helped my uncle several days as he is SO SO close to the flooding area.  We also started cleaning out my aunt’s closets. I have always believed you end up where you are supposed to be in life for whatever reason and even though we were not happy about the condition of this house we initially thought we landed here to help my uncle with the house because he had his hands so full with my aunt and her Alzheimers.  Now I believe it was to be here to help him through her passing and dealing with the house, floods, etc…  God really does work in mysterious ways.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We still have a small chance of thunderstorms for a few days and then they are predicting 2 FULL days of sunshine before we go back to potential thunderstorms.  Thus is the life in hurricane season.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I see a small break in the clouds and the sun is actually trying to make a glorious appearance for the first time in what feels like months, but I know is only a few weeks.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Maple Brown sugar oatmeal with golden raisins and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/HOUSE PROJECTS
I’m beginning to feel more at home.  We still have a ton of “little” projects and a few big ones, but ALL and ALL, it’s looking and feeling like a real home.

Once we finish the painting of the doors and baseboard we will order the carpet for the living room and atrium.  The living room is a great size (22×18), but these pictures make it look small.  Oh well, at least we got some shelves up and I was able to get some of our favorite things unpacked and even got a few quilts hung. The randomness of the shelves was based on the stud locations for mounting.  At first I didn’t think I would like it, but now I really love it.

 After the carpet is in we will order the matching loveseat and oversized chair to match the couch. Even the dogs are feeling more at home in their new plush beds made especially for thei old bones.
Did I mention I can’t wait for carpet?  
If we keep on momentum this month I think we can be ready by July!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Caulk and paint!
  • Lay floor in studio closet.
  • Sort 2 dozen big totes for donations or ebay sales.
  • A couple loads of laundry.
  • Vacuum.
  • Play one of the sunny days just to get out for a while!

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing new this week as I’m still working on getting the studio organized so I can work on one half of it while playing on the other half.

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


DESSERT




PINEAPPLE POUND CAKE


SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I did get through several of the magazines that my uncle brought over from my aunt and have cut out quite a few interesting recipes. I only hope to live long enough to try ALL the recipes I cut out!

  • Pineapple Pound Cake – I will be trying this one later this weeks for a neighbor’s birthday.
  • Apple Cheddar Quinoa Muffins
  • Broken Dumpling Soup
  • Sour Orange Coconut Cakes
  • Pan Seared Chicken with wine and herbs
  • Creamy Chocolate Eclair Cake
  • Slow Cooker Pork and Tomatillo Stew aka (Guisado Verde)
  • Braised Beef with Sun-dried tomatoes and White Beans
  • Picnic Fruit Punch
  • Apricot Brandy Slush
  • Salmon Party Spread
  • Lemon Grilled Chicken 
  • Chili Chicken
  • Banana Beignet Bites
  • Aunt Murna’s Jam Cake
  • Lime Angel Food Cake
  • Buttermilk Scones
  • French Onion Salisbury steak

ON MY MIND
DRIVERS! and their RUDENESS.  I swear I’d rather be driving in New York City.  I have never seen so many drivers run red lights, weave in and out of traffic at VERY high speeds and the road rage is off the charts around here AND on a daily basis!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
The PROGRESS on the 30 day, er 60 day minimalist project is going along extremely well!  We are up to 1946 items and that’s before I start the 2 dozen totes in the atrium OR the studio boxes. I am hoping to finish by 60 days, but if not I WILL extend to 90!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I have an oak room screen that needed new panels made.  I also didn’t really have a good place to put it so I stood it out of the way.  Then the light bulb went off and I thought, “What a great place to store my antique quilts.”

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.

PARMESAN PEPPERONI CHICKEN

I found this recipe in Woman’s World, but immediately thought I needed to change it to be a bit less heavy and with no bones.  The original recipe called for bone in, skin on chicken breasts.  We just don’t do skin on chicken unless it is that occasional Cajun fried chicken breast or chicken fried chicken steak.  I hate bone in chicken unless it’s at a picnic and fried or BBQed. Even with my changes this was a real treat!

PARMESAN PEPPERONI CHICKEN aka PIZZA CHICKEN
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
8-12 pieces pepperoni
2-4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 small red onion, sliced thin into rings
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice from 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Lay chicken breast in a single layer.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Top with pepperoni slices.
  • Top with garlic and onion slices.
  • Top with Mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and Mozzarella is beginning to brown.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

SLOW COOKER BALSAMIC CHICKEN

SLOW COOKER BALSAMIC CHICKEN

1 tablespoon. avocado oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound baby carrots
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ cup balsamic vinegar
1 onion, sliced
1 pound green beans
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

  • Pour olive oil and garlic in the bottom of a 6-qt slow cooker. Line the bottom with baby carrots, then place the chicken thighs over the carrots.
  • Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil and vinegar. Top with sliced onion.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Add green beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
  • Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

ROYAL CHOCOLATE CAKE

    This recipe is the perfect moist chocolate cake that is great with a simple fruit topping or a simple cream cheese frosting or better yet a decadent chocolate frosting – your choice.

    CAKE
    6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
    3 cups all purpose flour
    1 tablespoon baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 1/2 cups sugar
    1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
    1 1/2 teaspoon PURE Vanilla Extract
    1 1/2 cups cold water

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
      Grease and flour two 8-inch or one 13×9 cake pans.
    • Sift cocoa, flour, baking soda, salt and sugar into a medium bowl, mix well. 
    • Combine mayonnaise, vanilla and water in an electric mixer at low speed until smooth. 
    • Slowly sift in dry mixture until just incorporated (do not over beat). 
    • Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 
    • Cool on wire racks and frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

    CHOCOLATE ICING
    1 cup butter. softened
    1 cup cocoa
    1 tsp. vanilla extract
    5-6 cups confectioners’ sugar
    6 or more tablespoons milk

    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cocoa with whisk attachment until smooth. 
    • Add vanilla. 
    • Add confectioners’ sugar alternately with milk until icing reaches a spreadable consistency. 

     NOTES:

    • You may not need all 6 cups of sugar 
    • You may need more than 6 tablespoons of milk

    CREAM CHEESE CHOCOLATE ICING
    8-ounces cream cheese, room temperature

    1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
    2 tablespoons cocoa
    3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
    1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
      • In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
      • With the mixer on low, slowly add sugar and cocoa, scraping down the sides of the bowls as necessary.
      • Add vanilla and increase mixer speed to medium. Blend until frosting is fluffy, about 1 minute.

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        I hope everyone has plans for a Memorial day full of family and friends tempered with just enough solemness for the occasion.

        We had a VERY productive weekend – mainly because Saturday morning we awoke to find that hubby had left the freezer open Friday night and all the ice and everything else had melted right onto the kitchen floor.  So, it put me into a major cleaning and sorting mode and boy did I go!!!  I filled the car twice with donations plus did 2 loads of wet towels.

        THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
        Cool and sunny, but looks are deceiving as I know we will be near 85 today.

        AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        I see squirrels chasing and running all over – up and down trees.

        ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
        A scrambled egg and English muffin.

        AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
        I am VERY happy with ALL that we accomplished this past weekend and am grateful for not needing to jump up and dive in to make the house presentable for when my uncle comes for dinner later.

        TO DO FOR THE WEEK

        • Paint new molding in living room.
        • Sorting and organizing studio.
        • Sorting donation pile.
        • Hang living room fan.

        CURRENTLY READING

        TELEVISION / DVR
        I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet.

        KITCHEN WISHES
        I’ve been doing some “soul” searching in this department.  There was a time when I wanted and “needed” kitchen gadgets.  The older I get I realize that I truly get my enjoyment from the basics in cooking – chopping and prepping the way my grandmother used to. One of the things I did over the weekend was to sort through gadgets and kitchen tools.  I only kept my very favorites and LOVE how cleaned out my drawers are.

        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
        BURGERS & POTATO SALAD


        C.O.R.N.
        DESSERT







        HOUSE PROJECTS

        Not much of a picture, but it’s of the molding. We had to shift things around to get the whole room done, but we had put ALL the furniture on those heavy duty felt pads so it was a bit easier.  Hubby got the last of the outlets changed out for me too.  All that’s left are the few electrical things that the electrician will be here Tuesday to finish.

        This pile for the trash man is getting smaller each week, but still a mess when it rains.  We did get a portion of the Magnolia tree pruned and the gutters cleaned on the garage.  I don’t think the tree had been pruned since grams planted it 40 years ago.

        THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

        These are just a couple of the piles we donated to the women’s shelter this last week.

        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.

        GRAN’S POUND CAKE

        2 sticks butter, room temperature
        1/2 cup crisco
        3 cups sugar
        5 large  eggs
        3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
        1/2 teaspoon sea salt
        1/2 teaspoon baking powder
        1 cup whole milk
        1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
        1 teaspoon lemon juice

        • Preheat oven to 350 degrees°. 
        • Using a stand mixer cream the butter and shortening together until creamy. 
        • Add sugar, one cup at a time. It may be a little grainy, but don’t worry it won’t stay that way.
        • Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.  I break each egg into a small bowl and whisk it before adding it. Grams always thought this was best.
        • Sift dry ingredients together into a bowl.
        • Alternately add milk and flour mixture, starting with the flour and ending with the flour until creamy and smooth. 
        • Mix in lemon juice and vanilla.  Batter will be a bit thick.
        • Use a spatula to move batter into a greased and floured tube pan.
        • Bounce the pan on the counter top several times to remove the air bubbles and level it out for an evenly baked top.
        • Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. I start my timer at 1 hour and then check every 10-15 minutes after that.
        • Cool for 15 minutes.
        • Invert onto a plate and cool for 15 minutes more and then invert again so the pretty side is up.
        • Serve with your favorite topping.

        HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

        I hope everyone had a great week and weekend.  I have not been around much, let alone on the internet. The past several weeks, er months have been chaotic to say the least.  The move here, the unexpected shambles of a house we committed too unknowingly, the massive clean out of my cousin’s things coupled with grams, gramps and even my great grandmother’s things along with my aunt’s declining health with the Alzheimers ALL before she even fell shattering her knee and ALL the ensuing surgeries, hospitalization and ICU time from the infections and stroke before her unexpected death have left me feeling a bit overwhelmed.

        The past several weeks with the chaotic weather and family flying in and out have given us a break from the house for the most part, but also left us anxious to truly finish it. We are hoping to get quite a bit done this week and I’m hoping to also get back into a regular posting routine and try some new recipes too.

        THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
        It is warm with expected thunderstorms all week, but that’s Texas for you.

        AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        It’s a bit dreary and gray, but dry for the moment.

        ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
        Nothing as I have fasting blood work later this morning after we drop my mom at the airport. We are going to try a new Cajun place for lunch though that I’m looking forward to.

        AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
        I see tons to do, but will get a running start at it this afternoon after we return.

        TO DO FOR THE WEEK

        • Drop mom off at airport.
        • Blood work today with a follow-up appointment for the results later in the week.
        • Clean spare bedroom and bathroom.
        • Return a chair to my uncle that my mom was using during her stay.
        • Start the sorting on the studio that is piled to the ceiling to get it all out of the rest of the house during my mom’s visit.
        • Drop off donations from the minimalization project at women’s shelter re-sale shop.
        • Drop off hundreds of magazines to the hospital for their waiting rooms.
        • Clean top to bottom.
        • Several loads of laundry.
        • Paint all the new molding hubby has been putting up. This alone will take me weeks.

        CURRENTLY READING

        TELEVISION / DVR
        Not sure yet, need to see what the new summer shows are going to be.

        CRAFTS & PROJECTS
        LOL Nothing until the studio is sorted out.

        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.
        RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT
        PULLED PORK SANDWICHES & BBQ BEANS
        DESSERT

        ON MY MIND
        As I sat at many family events this week watching brothers and sisters interact I realized that two of the most important words in the English language are PERCEPTION and PERSPECTIVE. Each of our perceptions and perspectives are developed through OUR experiences in life and OUR interactions with family, friends and peers as well as teachers and even strangers. While much of life is black and white, many a memory falls into the gray area shrouded with personal perceptions and perspectives based on age, sex, education, playground interactions, job type, public interactions at different cultural times in society, etc…  I have chosen NOT to get involved with many of the family arguments that have ensued over the years and refuse to in the future also.  Long story short, sometimes it just isn’t worth the hassle.

        PERCEPTION per·cep·tion pərˈsepSH(ə)n/
        noun: perception; plural noun: perceptions

        • the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
        • the state of being or process of becoming aware of something through the senses.
        • a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.

        synonyms: recognition, awareness, consciousness, appreciation, realization, knowledge, grasp, understanding, comprehension, apprehension; formal cognizance, impression, idea, conception, notion, thought, belief, judgment, estimation

        PERSPECTIVE per·spec·tive pərˈspektiv/
        noun: perspective

        • the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.
        • a view or prospect.

        • a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

        synonyms:  outlook, view, viewpoint, point of view, POV, standpoint, position, stand, stance, angle, slant, attitude, frame of mind, frame of reference, approach, way of looking, interpretation
               

        THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
        We finished our 30 day minimalization project this past week and am proud to say we ended at almost 3 times the expected outcome with 1182 items! This week we will begin yet again as I begin the clean out of the studio and finish unpacking all the remaining boxes!  I’m really looking forward to this and feeling a bit more settled because of it.  The goal is to reach a point where we can have the carpet installed the first week of June and then acquire the last few pieces of furniture we want and need.

        FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
        I did not even get a chance for any pictures this week.

        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 Monday whether we want it to be or not! I hope you had a great weekend.

        THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
        It’s gray and stormy this week and doesn’t look like it will let up much any time soon.

        AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
        I see a long gray week with intermittent thunder storms.

        ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
        A banana and coffee.

        AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
        I actually see the progress we’ve made and am anxious to be done.

        TO DO FOR THE WEEK

        • Shopping for a couple family meals.
        • Cleaning.
        • ?? no BIG projects with mom visiting.

        CURRENTLY READING

        TELEVISION / DVR
        Nothing new this week.  We will look into getting cable soon after the last of the electrical work is done.

        CRAFTS & PROJECTS
        Planning a new pattern for quilts I am making my uncle and cousin from some of my aunt’s clothes.

        HOUSE PROJECTS
        Nothing new this week with family in for the funeral.

        KITCHEN WISHES
        I have so many kitchen gadgets and am finding that LESS really is more! So I no new wishes except to organize and clean out a bit more.

        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
        OUT
        BACON & EGGS
        LUNCH
        FRUIT & CHEESE
        SOUP & CRACKERS
        SANDWICH
        OUT
        MEAT & CHEESE
        LEFTOVERS
        SANDWICHES
        DINNER
        C.O.R.N.
        SALISBURY STEAK & MASHED POTATOES
        DESSERT

        RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
        My uncle sent home tons of magazines from my aunt for me to go through, many of which are cooking and recipe oriented so I’m looking forward to going through those soon.

        THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

        • Hubby finished the floor molding in the living room.
        • The new couch is the perfect color.  I can’t wait until the carpeting is complete and the companion pieces are in place.

        FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
        I typed up my aunt’s obituary for my uncle and we included this picture of her with a friend’s dog.

        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.

        LUSCIOUS LEMON LAYER CAKE

        LUSCIOUS LEMON LAYER CAKE
        CAKE
        3 cups sifted cake flour
        1 tablespoon baking powder
        1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
        1⁄2 teaspoon salt
        1 cup unsalted butter, softened
        2 cups sugar
        1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
        4 eggs, room temperature
        1 1⁄2 cups buttermilk
        1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla

        2 cups lemon curd
        3 cups buttercream icing (recipe below)

        • Sift flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl and set aside.
        • Cream butter, sugar, and grated lemon zest with an electric mixer in separate mixing bowl until pale and fluffy.
        • Beat eggs in 1 at a time, thoroughly.
        • With electric mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk.
        • Add vanilla and beat until smooth.
        • Divide batter evenly between two buttered and floured 9 inch cake pans.
        • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cakes are golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
        • Cool cakes in pans for 10-15 minutes.
        • Remove cooled layers from pans.
        • Cut layers in half horizontally with a serrated knife.
        • Spread a thin layer of buttercream icing followed by a thin layer of lemon curd evenly between the layers and stack on serving plate.

        ICING
        1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
        1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine (softened)
        1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
        4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
        1 tablespoon lemon zest
        2 tablespoons milk

        • In large bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
        • Beat in vanilla and lemon zest.
        • Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed.
        • Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry.
        • Gradually add milk; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.