Tag: NANEA HOFFMAN

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 36 of 2026 with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.250

Be sure to join us at Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra

at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

 I’m in the “BER months mindset so HELLO SEPTEMBER!! I’m glad you’re here. 🙂

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING dear friends,

We arrived at SIL’s on Friday just in time for a wonderful lunch on the patio of a family favorite restaurant. It was a LONG drive (600 miles which in California traffic feels like 1200) and rained ALL of Thursday.

Fortunately, Friday was beautiful the further south we went. We’ve had a busy few days here at SIL’s doing some honey do’s for her, along with lots of visiting and catching up as well as getting ready to head out for the family reunion on Wednesday.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s going to be a great start to the week, but a warm ending before we head home to better weather!

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING A couple loads to do Tuesday night before we head out to the actual family reunion.
  • GROCERIES & ERRAND Wednesday we’ll go to the grocery store near where we stay to pick up everything we need for the week.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS we’ll leave SIL’s house on Wednesday and drive 1 1/2 hours our niece’s house to pick her up before having lunch with another niece at a family favorite, Paso Robles Inn and then head another couple hours further south to the actual reunion.
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY plans coming together… fresh sheets… squishy pillows that feel just right… old movies… 

READING TIME

Last week was busy and I kept falling asleep before I get very much read, so I’m still reading I’m reading the Baking Games by Rachel Hanna and Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale. 🙂 We’re about 7/8 through our audible book and will finish it on our way home.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

 9/7 MONDAY 9/8 TUESDAY 9/9 WEDNESDAY
9/10 THURSDAY
 9/11 FRIDAY 9/12 SATURDAY 9/13 SUNDAY
DINNER
out to CHAMISAL 
out to ANGELINOS 
FAMILY REUNION dinner out at SIDEWAYS
FAMILY REUNION PIZZA PLACE NIGHT
FAMILY REUNION STREET TACOS
FAMILY REUNION POTLUCK
on the road somewhere
DESSERT
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

There are way too many so far, but here a few I’ve already edited.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • NO BAKE LEMON STRAWBERRY DELIGHT
  • MEXICAN STREET CORN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
  • PINEAPPLE SALSA CHICKEN VERDE ENCHILADAS
  • TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE RICE STUFFED PEPPERS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 34 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.236

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I had a busy week that seemed to speed by faster than a NASCAR race! I did manage to take yesterday off and sort some recipes, binge watch a little Matlock and sort some fall clothes. I’m jumping right into today’s HHM so I can get going early and get back early.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We REALLY need some rain!!!! This drought is so dangerous here for fire season.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING Just towels and bedding to do. I got everything else done over the weekend. I cleaned out dresser drawers yesterday and organized by season.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’m headed to town in a bit to pick up a few things. I want to get everything done before the heat gets too unbearable. I have a pedicure later this week.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS Hoping to get word on the car today or tomorrow so we can plan the family reunion trip.
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY happy endings to books I love!… finding new authors that I LOVE as much as my favorites…a good hair cut… finding a new recipe that tastes better than it sounds…

READING TIME

I’m reading the Baking Games by Rachel Hanna and Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

 8/24 MONDAY 8/25 TUESDAY 8/26 WEDNESDAY
8/27 THURSDAY
 8/28 FRIDAY 8/29 SATURDAY 8/30 SUNDAY
DINNER
TRIVIA NIGHT
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN MADEIRA & RICE
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN CROQUETTES & TOMATO FRITTERS
SAUSAGE PENNE & SALAD
CHICKEN POT PIES
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT
 
 
CHERRY DREAM SQUARES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My hierloom tomatoes are finally starting to redden up, but my grape and cherry tomatoes are YUMMY and make the perfect evening snack bites!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • BLUEBERRY BOY BAIT
  • FRIED MAC & CHEESE BITES
  • SMOKEY CARAMELIZED BALSAMIC CHICKEN 

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 27 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.187

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY~FRIDAY Monday through Friday were quite busy, but seemed even more so because of the month changing from June to July and all while getting ready for the trip which has been compounded by car trouble. Hubby took the car to get the oil changed and the tires rotated for the trip and then had car trouble on the way home. It’s been towed to the already SUPER busy and over worked mechanic. We are crossing our fingers that it was something simple and we’ll get the call today to pick it up. Not willing to bet on that. We will be taking the other car in Tuesday for an oil change and tire rotation also in preparation of taking it instead.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY We went to the 4th of July parade during a cool cloudy morning that gave way to a super warm afternoon and beautiful evening for BBQing and fireworks. We never stray far from home  because of potential brush fires with backing up to the highway. The past several years our neighbor’s kids and their little ones have brought the excitement to the cul-de-sac and we look forward to it every year. I made red, white and blue rice crispy treats for the little ones even though LOL they were mostly eaten by the big ones 🙂 We watched INDEPENDENCE DAY with Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Vivica Fox and Dennis Quaid!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Well summer has arrived! Sunny cloudless days expected this week with lows around 50 and highs in the low 80’s. Capri’s with blouses and sandals are on the hangers for this week.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING As up to date as it can be until we return.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’ll leave Wednesday morning and be back early next week.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did get a couple new cookbooks that I will take with us to read on the road.
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY 4th of July fireworks… smiling little faces and excited aha moments… traditions to look forward to…

READING TIME

I’m about half way through THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS by Soraya M Lane. I really enjoy WWII stories, especially those with female protagonists, BUT I’m struggling to stay awake long enough at night to read much SO this reading funny is really true!!!

FUNNIES

ACTUALLY, the bottom funny is just the opposite of me, but I still thought it was hilarious. 

I have a couple girl friends that it DEFINITELY DOES apply to.

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/4 MONDAY
 5/5 TUESDAY
 5/6 WEDNESDAY
 5/7 THURSDAY
5/8 FRIDAY
5/9 SATURDAY
5/10 SUNDAY
DINNER
TRIVIA NIGHT
CORN/YOYO clean out the refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CORN/YOYO clean out the refrigerator night or you’re on your own
OOT
(out of town)
OOT
(out of town)
OOT
(out of town)
OOT
(out of town)
OOT
(out of town)
DESSERT
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

These collages are a combination of the parade and cul-de-sac fireworks. There is going to be a new Renaissance Faire this year and they were in the parade to market it. One of my favorite pictures was the Knight in Shining Armor bellying up to the bar where we were having lunch after the parade.

Small town parades are so much fun. The kids really enjoyed all the candy being thrown and just having fun!!!!! In years past they have ended the parade with the brush fire water tender spraying water for the kids to play in, but it just wasn’t warm enough in the morning.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • PIG SHOTS
  • MEATBALL ENCHILADAS
  • SMOKED BEEF BRISKET 2 ways

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 26 of 2026 ~ MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.180

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY~FRIDAY It was a fairly routine week of trivia, shopping, errands and work around the house until it wasn’t. 🙁 Sometimes I forget how delicate my stomach (or lack there of) situation is and I evidently ate the wrong combo of things on Tuesday and ended up missing most of Wednesday to a bad reaction. 🙁 But, I got myself back together on Thursday and prepped dinner and cheesecakes for the Eagles Friday night dinner. I’m still trying my best to keep the Friday night Auxiliary charity dinners afloat, but it’s not looking good!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY It rained most the weekend off and on and was much cooler so I took advantage of the indoor time and did all the laundry, some sorting and donating well as watched a few movies, lunch with friends both days and watched the Banana League baseball games (Savannah Bananas vs. Party Animals) that were being played here fairly locally which were fun and entertaining. STRANGE rules, but full of family fun.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It’s going to be an absolutely beautiful week in the 70’s with no expected rain. Despite the 80 degree prediction for the 4th of July, we almost always end up cooler and wearing sweatshirts by fireworks time in the evening. We’re. being extra cautious this year with the drought since we back up to the highway with a lot of dry tinder and over zealous celebrators. We heard our first fireworks last night.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I WAS caught up on Saturday, but as you know laundry has a definite infinity symbol attached to it! 

∞

  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I only have the shopping to do for the Eagles and the Offyce this week as I work out of the freezer and pantry and freezer for us until after we take our trip next week.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS We have a couple sprinkler leaks to fix this week before we leave for SIL’s house
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Nothing until we return from our trip
  • DVR/TV We watched a couple Banana Ball games over the weekend and a couple of movies due to the cooler rainy weather. We saw MERCY with Chris Pratt, the SHEEP DETECTIVES with Hugh Jackman and BATTLESHIP with Liam Neesom and Taylor Kitsch
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY cool cloudy days with BIG fluffy clouds… fresh popped popcorn with a good movie… getting organized and maintaining the balance… clean fluffy towels…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • PARTIES For anyone that’s interested I’m helping out a friend and  I’m having an online Pampered Chef party for the next few weeks.

The order link is: 

https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/tamybollar0611

READING TIME

I’m about half way through THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS by Soraya M Lane. I really enjoy WWII stories, especially those with female protagonists.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
6/29 MONDAY
 6/30 TUESDAY
 7/1 WEDNESDAY
 7/2 THURSDAY
7/3 FRIDAY
7/4 SATURDAY
7/5 SUNDAY
DINNER
TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN & PASTA with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE & SALAD
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
HAM& BEAN HOT DISH with SLICED WATERMELON
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
BBQ HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS, POTATO SALAD, BAKED BEANS, SWEET & SPICY PICKLES
STUFFED PORK CHOPS with ROASTED GREEN BEANS
DESSERT
 
PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE
 
RED, WHITE & BLUE WHITE CHOCOLATE RICE CRISPY BARS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My garden is doing excellent despite the cooler weather and the Calla Lillies have a mind of their own. While absolutely a beautiful color they are coming up ANYWHERE they please despite having been transplanted multiple times 🙂 and the Clematis is really starting to bloom out its beautiful purple hued flowers.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

Screenshot

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • CHILI MEATBALLS
  • FRENCH ONION POTATOES AU GRATIN
  • CARNE ASADA MEATBALLS & ARROZ AMARILLO
  • PEPPERED PARMESAN CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD BOWLS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU & RECIPE LINKS week 25 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.173

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

GOOD MORNING I hope everyone had a wonderful week. And happy Father’s Days to all your husbands and fathers! Can you believe we’re less than 2 weeks from July already? This year is certainly flying by!!!! PLEASE someone make it slow down!!!!!

MONDAY~THURSDAY was once again a whirlwind of errands and working around the house.

FRIDAY~SUNDAY, FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND was a lazy one. I spent Saturday with girlfriends at the farmer’s market and lunch at a favorite Greek place before heading out with hubby for a drink with a friend. Hubby spent the morning putting together the new BBQ (it only had 48 pieces, really it did!) so he enjoyed some down time. We made dinner on the BBQ to celebrate it. Sunday we had lunch with a friend, watched the NASCAR road race on Coronado and the movie MERCY with Chris Pratt. The movie was a bit intense, but well done and kind of scary what AI can do to us and our world.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re starting the week out with excessive heat in the 90’s and a fire 🙁 but are expecting rain and a 25-30 degree temperature drop by Thursday with some rain. Yep, I’ll need a flannel shirt on Thursday through the weekend with temperatures in the low 60’s.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I started the laundry yesterday, but quit after 1 load so have 3-4 loads to do today.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I did our BIG shopping on Friday and the fresh at the farmer’s market on Saturday so I only have the Eagles and Offyce shopping for this week.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS I need to pick up maps this week as we begin to plan our route.
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY good books and long lazy afternoons to read… longer summer days… fireworks… the thought of seeing family and friends after a long absence…
  • PARTIES For anyone that’s interested I’m helping out a friend and  I’m having an online Pampered Chef party for the next few weeks. The link to order is: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/tamybollar0611

READING TIME

I just finished Jana DeLeon’s #30 MARSH MYSTICS from the MISS FORTUNE SERIES and started Eoin Dempsey’s THE GERMAN GIRL and Soraya Lane’s THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS. I also downloaded the #27, 28 & 29 for the MISS FORTUNE SERIES on audible for our upcoming road trip.

FUNNIES

This is really a favorite photo, but REALLY qualifies for a funny!! My girlfriend asked if I wanted some FRESH garlic from her garden, which of course I did. She and her hubby thought it hilarious that they brought me bot of these. Yes, one is “normal” size while the other is the size of a large cantaloupe 🙂

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀

 6/22 MONDAY 6/23 TUESDAY 6/24 WEDNESDAY
6/25 THURSDAY
 6/26 FRIDAY 6/27 SATURDAY 6/28 SUNDAY
DINNER
TRIVIA NIGHT
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHAMPAGNE GLAZED CHICKEN & 2 1/2 BEAN SALAD
CORN/YOYO
clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
WATERMELON PEACH CHICKEN SALAD
last time cooking at Eagles for the foreseeable future CHICKEN PARMESAN SLIDER BAKE, CAESAR SALAD, GARLIC TOAST 
CHICKEN FAJITA COBB SALAD
LAMB CHOPS, THYME CARROTS & POTATOES AU GRATIN
DESSERT
 
BOSTON CREAM PIE CHEESECAKE 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

It was a good photo week. My veggies are growing like weeds in our recent heatwave… tomatoes, snap peas and cucumbers, oh my…) The covered bridge has been decorated for the upcoming holiday, a couple of finished quilted pillows (I LOVE batiks) and a memory that popped up that is close to my heart and thoughts and I found this adorable vase and flowers at the farmer’s market last Saturday when a couple of my girlfriends and I went for lunch and shopping.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • JAILHOUSE BRISKET CHILI
  • EDDIE & JOY’S ORANGE CHICKEN
  • BAKERY STYLE LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS
  • BAKERY STYLE HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENU ~ week 21 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.145

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

MONDAY was spent cleaning up from all the BBQ makings and doing the first layer of drywall patch work on the ceilings around the fans we replaced last week. I moved a couple dressers around giving hubby and I both better drawer space. Monday night was trivia night and we had a great time as always 🙂

TUESDAY was spent doing the second layer of drywall patch work and cleaning out the garage for another load to the thrift store after Taco Tuesday of course 🙂

WEDNESDAY was finally a bit slower for me! I actually sat and read for a few hours and did absolutely nothing for a change. Then reality set in and I had some gardening and pruning to do before I headed over to help an elderly friend. I was able to take another load to St. Vinny’s also.

THURSDAY we had several VA appointments and did the Eagle’s and Offyce shopping while we were in town. When I got home I was able to finally try my new Nordicware smoker and made a smoked brisket. I’m in love with smoking meat now! I can’t wait to try new recipes and techniques.

FRIDAY we had planned to go to a coastal town and do their citywide garage sales, but I just wasn’t up for it so I got some paperwork done and some chores around the house. We met with a guy about clearing the back hill that meets the rural highway before fire season which is quickly approaching and we’re being VERY cautious about it with the early drought from the dryer than normal winter season.

SATURDAY one of my besties had a wooden laser cut butterfly wreath painting class as a fundraiser for the Eagles Auxiliary so I helped out.

In the evening we went to see THE MODERN GENTLEMEN at a historical downtown theater, the ROSEBUD. We had such a GREAT time!! They were quite good and have worked with some wonderful BIG name celebrities.

SUNDAY was a day of relaxation (HA HA) I actually got 4 loads of laundry done, food prepped for 3 meals this week, made a pineapple angel food snack cake and did some reading 🙂 I LOVE holiday weekends!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re taking a down turn this week with a 20 degree temperature dip for temperatures back into the 50’s (good thing I haven’t put away the flannels yet) AND some rain. Colton is supposed to be here at 9AM to clear the firebreak on the back hill so I’m glad the rain is supposed to hold off until tonight and they are supposed to be here tomorrow to start the new roof so I’m hoping all the rain happens over night. We’ll see what happens.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING Done, at least as much as laundry can be 🙂
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be heading out for just a few things today and picking up guacamole for the Offyce tomorrow’s Taco Tuesday. Fortunately it’s a slow week for errands 🙂
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re finally planning a trip for July to go to a family celebration and then to see our oldest son.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m working on some new BBQ recipes and fresh TEX MEX recipes as well as some summer salads.
  • DVR/TV We’re binge watching NCIS (the early years) and some cooking shows ~ 24 in 24, BBQ BRAWL
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY A fun night out with friends… wonderful neighbors… spending time being creative… spring garden blooms and veggies…

READING TIME

I’ve finished Kerry Lonsdale’s book 1 and 2 of EVERYTHING WE KEEP and EVERYTHING WE LEFT BEHIND and have just started the last book #3, EVERYTHING WE GIVE in the series.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/25 MONDAY
no trivia tonight due to the holiday
 5/26 TUESDAY
 5/27 WEDNESDAY
 5/28 THURSDAY
5/29 FRIDAY
5/30 SATURDAY
5/31 SUNDAY
DINNER
BROWN SUGAR CORNED BEEF with POTATOES & CARROTS clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
MEATBALL ENCHILADAS
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CARNE ASADA MEATBALLS & YELLOW RICE
DUTCH CHICKEN POT PIE
MEATBALL PARMIGIANA & BAKED TOMATO ORZO
BAKED PORK CHOPS & NUTTY BROCCOLI GRATINS
DESSERT
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

My garden is starting to grow like gang busters. I even have pea pods already, way too soon, but cool! I hope the weather holds so I don’t lose the crop.

And this old hotel is just plain creepy! There are also some serious diehards that are trying to “salvage” it, but the ceiling has already mostly deteriorated into the 2nd story which has crashed into the 1st floor which is now crashing into the basement in oh so many places. Plus there are these seriously creepy dolls in one of the room.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SKILLET
  • COUNTRY SWISS STEAK
  • LEMON ROAST CHICKEN

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENU & RECIPE LINKS ~ week 19 of 2026 ~ BLOG 365.131

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Good morning dear friends. I hope you had a blessed and beautiful Mother’s Day! I cooked for mom and 2 of her friends while they watched The Devil Wears Prada from 2006 to prepare themselves to see the sequel 🙂 I made BBQ ribs, BBQ baked beans, Four Winds Coleslaw and Strawberry Lemon Delight. Dessert was a HUGE hit. I’ll be posting that recipe soon.

Last week was busy, but good for me. I met with an elderly friend’s restoration contractor on Monday, had a wonderful Taco Tuesday at the Offyce for Cinco de Mayo (they even ran out of meat long before the dinner hour was over)! I got my hair cut and did the shopping for the Eagle’s Bar also on Wednesday. I took an older friend out for a Mother’s Day lunch on Thursday. We were able to get the sprinklers going for the season with minimal effort. I deep cleaned the storage garage on Friday morning and did a run to drop off donations and recycling. And of course there was the ALL member’s meeting at the Eagles on Friday evening that could have been better. We are not losing our charter, but it really doesn’t look like much will change 🙁

Saturday hubby and I did some hardware store runs to get what we need to replace the 2 different exhaust fans that went out a week apart. What are the odds that they would BOTH go out within a week? We picked up the few groceries I need for this week’s menu, ran past the Farm Stand to pick up the veggies needed for the fresh slaw I made yesterday and we finished the afternoon with BBQ brisket sammies and onion rings at a favorite brewery with Burgers & Q food truck. Not sure about everywhere else, but around here the breweries team up with food trucks and have a rotating schedule of trucks that provide the eats.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This will be another beautiful week of low 70’s for highs and low 40’s for lows with LOTS of sunshine! I don’t want to jinx anything, but we are so far behind in rain this year and really need it as we approach a hot summer. I pray that with the drought we DON’T have a high wild fire year! My veggie starts are LOVING this warmer weather though! I planted 3 kinds of tomatoes, 4 kinds of cucumbers (all of which mature at different times), carrots, zucchini, snap peas and Walla Walla onions.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL,  APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a couple loads of jeans and delicates to do and there will be A LOT of clean up to do after we do both of the exhaust fans because we have cut new holes in the ceiling drywall.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have a pedicure on Thursday.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS Saturday is the Eagle’s yard sale planned to coordinate with the next city’s citywide garage sale day. One of the main routes to that city literally is up our road. My friend is chairing it and needs my help on Friday and Saturday.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menu is planned through this week. I need to start deciding on the rest of the month and June.
  • DVR/TV I’ve been watching 24 in 24 and BBQ Brawl started last night, I’m also watching THE WAY HOME on Hallmark along with Hope Valley and binging DROP DEAD DIVA and NCIS early years.
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY fresh growth on my veggie starts, purring cats, clean yards, completed projects, purging unwanted items…

READING TIME

The book club that my girlfriend and I belonged to died a natural death and we decided to start our “own” 2 person club. We just finished reading EVERYTHING WE KEEP by Kerry Lonsdale. Yesterday we started book #2 EVERYTHING WE LEFT BEHIND. 🙂

“From the bestselling author of Everything We Keep comes the highly anticipated sequel. Told from one man’s two perspectives, Everything We Left Behind effortlessly blends suspense, mystery, and romance in an exploration of loss, resilience, and the compelling need to protect the ones we love at all cost.

Two months before his wedding, financial executive James Donato chased his trade-laundering brother Phil to Mexico, only to be lost at sea and presumed dead. Six and a half years later, he emerges from a dissociative fugue state to find he’s been living in Oaxaca as artist Carlos Dominguez, widower and father of two sons, with his sister-in-law Natalya Hayes, a retired professional surfer, helping to keep his life afloat. But his fiancée, Aimee Tierney, the love of his life, has moved on. She’s married and has a child of her own.

Devastated, James and his sons return to California. But Phil is scheduled for release from prison, and he’s determined to find James, who witnessed something in Mexico that could land Phil back in confinement. Under mounting family pressure, James flees with his sons to Kauai, seeking refuge with Natalya. As James begins to unravel the mystery of his fractured identity, danger is never far behind, and Natalya may be the only person he can trust.”

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/11 MONDAY
TRIVIA & MEETING NIGHT
 5/12 TUESDAY
TACO TUESDAY
 5/13 WEDNESDAY
 5/14 THURSDAY
5/15 FRIDAY
5/16 SATURDAY
5/17 SUNDAY 
BBQ COMPETITION DAY
DINNER
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN POTATO PIE
CHICKEN ORECCHIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE
MEATLOAF & CORN SALAD
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT
 
HONEY RAISIN BRAN MUFFINS
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

On Saturday we took the back roads into town and it was a beautiful day. I captured two of my favorite barns that are not long for this world. And my friend Lu gave me this adorable thyme plant that is growing like a weed!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • MEATBALL SOUP
  • CIDER BRAISED BEEF BRISKET
  • ENCHIRITOS aka SMOTHERED DOUBLE BAKED TACQUITOS
  • SWEET CHILI GLAZED CHICKEN SLIDERS

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK