
Tag: NANEA HOFFMAN
HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPES week 47 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.330

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
WEEKEND RECAP
My weekend was a whirlwind that began with the bomb cyclone hitting us here in the Pacific North West with lots of wind, rain, slippery roads and power outages early in the week. It also started with prep for a charity meal that my friend Dana and I did on Friday night for the Eagles. We had shopped on Tuesday to avoid crowds and being last minute which was fortunate because the bulk of that storm hit Tuesday night and the first round of power outages.
For the dinner we made Brisket sandwiches, her yummy baked beans and coleslaw and I made a fun new recipe for dessert, Neapolitan cake full of fudgy chocolate, french vanilla and raspberry strawberry cake topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting.
Saturday I went to a friend’s craft fair, did laundry and cleaning and Sunday was the normal lunch with a friend and football. I made a yummy smoked brisket potato soup using up my portion of the leftover brisket from Friday night.
While this week is the same length as any other, it ALWAYS seems shorter because of all the prep for a mid week holiday!
Here’s your reminder to start defrosting your turkey if it’s frozen 😀 And if you’re traveling this week, be safe! HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
And don’t forget BLOGMAS begins on Friday, November 29th. I look forward to you joining in.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Highs in the 40’s with lows in the 30’s ALL week and LOTS of rain today, but then we’re supposed to get some actual sunshine for the rest of the week! 😀
TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
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DVR/TV TIME
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WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I’m reading SOCIETY of LIES by Lauren Ling Brown for book club next Sunday. It’s not a book I would have chosen on my own, but I’m getting it done!

FUNNIES


MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀 And lunches are generally leftovers or out depending on the schedule for the day.
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11/25 MONDAY
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11/26 TUESDAY
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11/27 WEDNESDAY
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11/28 THURSDAY
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11/29 FRIDAY
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11/30 SATURDAY
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12/1 SUNDAY
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DINNER
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 OUT WITH FRIENDS FOR A LATE LUNCH/EARLY DINNER BEFORE SEVERAL MEETINGS
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CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE
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OUT with a friend before PAINTING CLASS
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 BRINED TURKEY BREAST, DADDY’S STUFFING, GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY, PINEAPPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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 OPEN FACED BURGERS with BACON AIOLI and CORNBREAD SALAD
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own |
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DESSERT
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Â
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APPLE WALNUT CAKE
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
There was a short break in the rain yesterday and I came across this cat slinking across the sheep field.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- PEAR WALNUT CRISP

- PEASANT STEW

- CHICKEN CHILES HOT DISH CASSEROLE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS
HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPES week 46 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.323

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
WEEKEND RECAP
It was a whirlwind weekend, but a good one that really started on Thursday again. We went to pick up my holiday Hallmark order and made a day of it since the nearest Hallmark is an hour and a half away. Hallmark stores are far and few between here and when the one I normally dealt with closed a family owned and run old time drugstore took over for Hallmark. This drugstore is like an old time Woolworths or TG&Y and so much fun and the woman who runs the Hallmark section is so nice. Because I live so far away she puts back for me anything I need until I can get there. I even one the door prize from last month’s premiere event! So, I picked up a nice little haul to get me in the Christmas spirit.
While we were there we visited a local hardware chain that does their garden area as a Tinsel town for the holidays. We didn’t need much, but it’s always fun to look. I did pick up a white projector light for the new nativity we’re doing this year and some paper white bulbs.
We had a wonderful lunch along the river at a favorite haunt and then did some antiquing on the way back in a favorite store, 5 Flying Monkeys and finished the day with a dinner at another favorite haunt and had a yummy Thankful Thursday turkey dinner. On Thursdays they do Thankful Thursday for veterans, first responders and moms at half price. They rotate meals throughout the year doing either the turkey, pot roast or meatloaf. All three are exceptional! My favorite is the turkey or the pot roast because it comes with the BEST glazed roasted carrots I think I’ve ever had!
Saturday brought the annual craft fair at the community center. I had several friends selling their wares there so that was a lot of fun! Then Sunday was spent with a bestie. I was also able to get a lot of organization done during the weekend as well as catch up on laundry, football and NASCAR as it was super wet and cold ALL weekend.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The first one is probably better for next week, but is also something we should all remember this time of year as we are getting together with friends and family. We should all remember that our differences aren’t as important as our commonalities and love for each other. So enjoy your friends and families over the holidays.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
I’m going to sound like a broken record, but it’s cold, wet and rainy 😀 like always in November. We’ve had a fairly mild autumn up until now, but it feels like winter is going to hit a bit early. Highs this week in the 40’s and 50’s with lows in the 30’s and 40’s. Layers and flannels are a definite for this week.
ON MY MIND
There’s a “GIRLS NIGHT” in a a couple weeks to finish the Jewelry Christmas Trees we began last year. We’ve decided to “simplify” things this year and just order pizza. We’ll each provide a little something else like a favorite cookie, drink makings or ???? I’m thinking of making this cute charcuterie board appetizer board with some crackers. How cute is that?

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
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DVR/TV TIME
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WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I joined a book club that started yesterday and we’ll be meeting every 2 weeks. I missed the first meeting, but they chose the book, SOCIETY OF LIES by Lauren Ling Brown. I downloaded the book and started it last night.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
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11/18 MONDAY
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11/19 TUESDAY
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11/20 WEDNESDAY
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11/21 THURSDAY
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11/22 FRIDAY
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11/23 SATURDAY
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11/24 SUNDAY
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DINNER
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 RB BEANS AND CHARRED HOT DOGS
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 BURGERS & CHILI CORNBREAD SALAD
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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CHICKEN ALA KING and PEA STUFFING
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 COOKING AT THE EAGLES with a FRIEND – BRISKET SANDWICHES, COLESLAW, BAKED BEANS and
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 BEEF & BEAN STEW
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GOULASH and ROASTED CARROTS |
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DESSERT
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Â
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NEOPOLITAN CAKE
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
There is a BIG hardware store called Jerry’s here that reminds me of a combination Fleet & Farm plus a Menards that turns their garden area into a Tinsel Town for Christmas. I never need much, but it’s always fun to look. I LOVE how they display their lights making it easy to envision what they’ll look like on your house or project.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- PICKLED PLUM CRUMBLE/CRISP

- GO TO SLOW COOKER RECIPES ~ BLACK BEAN SALSA CHICKEN, GREEN CHILE CHICKEN, BUTTERMILK RANCH PORK CHOPS and TERIYAKI WINGS



RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 45 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.316

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

WEEKEND RECAP
AHHHHHH a weekend away was just what the doctor ordered! Last year my girlfriend and I went to a great holiday market at the fairgrounds in the county 100 miles to the south of us. We did it all in one day along with a trip to a HUGE Hobby Lobby and it was A LOT to cram in.
So this year we planned it as a weekend and took hubby along. Unfortunately, the holiday market was not as good as last year, though we did manage to find several of our favorite vendors and start the Christmas shopping with a bang!
We were also able to get in some quality antiquing time as well as some great happy hour time at a Jimmy Buffet hotel we stayed at for Friday and Saturday nights as well as some amazing food at mom and pop restaurants along the way. This picture is silly and so optical illusion like. Dana is 6 inches shorter than I am and didn’t think she could get in and out of this HUGE chair so stood in front, but it makes me like so tiny by comparison 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY


THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
COLD, WET & RAINY! This is the only way to describe this week. And so far, it’s not that normal kind of cold, but the bone chilling kind that makes you feel like you’ll never be warm again! 🙂 So it’s layers time! Highs will start in the 50’s today and tomorrow and then drop into the 40’s with lows in the 30’s along with lots of rain and gray clouds all week.
ON MY MIND
Once again weighted down by Eagle’s responsibilities and dealing with unprepared close minded people. At this point I am committed through the holiday season, but seriously wondering if there isn’t a better way to volunteer my time, talents and money.
TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
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DVR/TV TIME
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WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I’m reading THE KEEPER OF STORIES by Sally Page.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
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11/11 MONDAY
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11/12 TUESDAY
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11/13 WEDNESDAY
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11/14 THURSDAY
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11/15 FRIDAY
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11/16 SATURDAY
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11/17 SUNDAY
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DINNER
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 LEMON CHICKEN and RICE SOUP with CRUSTY BREAD
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 RB BAKED BEANS and HOT DOGS
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator nigh or you’re on your own
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 CHEESEBURGER BALLS, COLESLAW and LEFTOVER RB BAKED BEANS
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 CREAMY LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN, NOODLES and MUSHY PEAS
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 CHILI and CORNBREAD
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator nigh or you’re on your own |
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DESSERT
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Â
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 GINGERBREAD PEAR PUDDING CAKE
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Â
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
It’s my FAVORITE time of year!! Burn piles, hay barns and clouds!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- PEANUT BUTTER BREAD

- PARMESAN ROASTED GREEN BEANS

- PORK MEDALLIONS with ONION GRAVY

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 43 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.302

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
WEEKEND RECAP
4-6 PM Saturday was TRUNK or TREAT in our little town. The weather really showed up with a pleasant 71° and sunny which was great because Halloween itself is supposed to be pouring down rain and only 50° so Saturday may be the only Halloween some of these kids see.
TRUNK or TREAT has taken on a life of its own the past couple years. Surrounding towns bring their kids to our little area. It has also become quite an expensive endeavor. The kids have a great time and so do the businesses, but where and how do you draw the line on events like this? Our population is only 8,200 so how is we now have upwards of 2,500 kids participating? We did the math and between the candy, extra employees needed to man the booths and decorations it’s costing the average business between $500-$1,000 or more for a 2 hour event, especially if you’re located near the haunted house where the lines are long.
Sunday rained and the temperature dropped 20° so it was the perfect day to watch NASCAR, read a little and just do what you want kind of day. 😀 We did have a bit of a momentary break in the rain and we went and fed stale bread pieces to the peacocks and the deer that had wandered down into the park.
Let’s get on with Monday!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’re supposed to get quite a bit of rain this week which we REALLY need, so I’m okay with that. The highs are supposed to be in the 50’s and 60’s with lows in the 30’s and 40’s.
ON MY MIND
I know Halloween is this week and we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but because Thanksgiving is late this year I am trying to get a jump on ALL things December! BLOGMAS is one of those things that keeps me happy and motivated through the holidays and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
That said, I did condense a bit and I have come up with my BLOGMAS timeline for 2024. Doing as many of the posts in advance that I can also helps me keep my sanity through the busy holiday season. I REALLY hope you can and will join in whenever possible.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
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DVR/TV TIME
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WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I started reading RECIPE FOR A PERFECT WIFE by Karma Brown

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
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10/28 MONDAY
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10/29 TUESDAY
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10/30 WEDNESDAY
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10/31 THURSDAY
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11/1 FRIDAY
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11/2 SATURDAY
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11/3 SUNDAY
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DINNER
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 STREET CORN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
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 PEASANT BEEF STEW
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RB BAKED BEANS and HOT DOGS
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CORN/YOYO CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT or YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
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 SLOW COOKER LEMON CHICKEN
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 GARLIC ONION SLOW COOKER CHICKEN & RICE
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LASAGNA SOUP & GARLIC BREAD |
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DESSERT
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Â
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 SALTED CARAMEL BROWNIES
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Â
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
I found a cute “set” of sewing machine drawers at a friends store recently. They even had the rare “secret” top drawer fairly intact. The drawers had been “finished” by her brother, but they were in sad shape with too dry wood, missing drawer guides and “gummy” areas that were dried and yucky. They were also done as two separate units. I’m in the process of rejuvenating them with oil and putting the two towers into a single piece. Hubby is making me a top and a bottom for them, but this is a start for now.

And just a few pictures from the TRUNK or TREAT event. Many of the parents dressed up also. I have to say the Jack Sparrow was one of the more popular ones. He would accept candy from the businesses and then seek out one of the shyer kids to give it to. I also love the BIO HAZARD scarecrow and McDonalds pulled out the stops with their drive through window.

The deer joined the peacocks today for some joint snacking time.

Living in the country gives us some fun local displays for holidays also.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP
With Thanksgiving coming up and so many stories in the news of bacterial diseases on the rise I thought it would be helpful to remind us all that food safety is so very important.

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
- CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE

- PULL APART CHEESY PIGS & COPY CAT ARBY’S SAUCE

- BROCCOLI, BEEF & CHEESE STRATA

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS
- SWEET LEMON GLAZED MEATBALLS

- STACKED SUIZA ENCHILADAS with PICKLED RED ONIONS

- CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST


HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY MENUS & RECIPES week 42 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.295

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
WEEK(END) RECAP
Fall REALLY hit this past week with foggy mornings, a little rain and that cool crisp air in the morning that makes your coffee taste even better and your favorite sweatshirt that much more comfy.
My weekend started on Wednesday with the prep I could do in advance for my charity dinner on Friday at the Eagles. We had Baked Chicken, Creamed Potatoes, Tangy Glazed Carrots and Almond Cherry Poke Cake. My scheduled dinner in support of our charity fund was moved up a week due to another person having COVID, but my team really pivoted and rallied. We raised $250 for the general charity fund! 😀
These ladies make my life more fun and super easy to enjoy the hard work. We charge a nominal fee for the dinner and I donate all the makings for the meal so that it’s all profit for the charity fund. Thank you Diana, Dana, Pam and Lu!
Lu also made a couple fantastic raffle baskets. And a HUGE thank you to Diana for stepping in last minute when Dana took ill. We were also able to raise an additional $200 for St. Jude’s Children’s Foundation from the raffle baskets during our dinner.
Once Friday was out of the way I could enjoy the weekend fully! I’m so glad Dana had her backyard get together last week because it was truly the last “outdoorsy” weekend.
We watched MLB and NFL and NASCAR all weekend peppered with a few outings and meals. All in all we had a VERY relaxing weekend. Having grown up in SO CAL we are lifelong Dodger fans and have enjoyed them in the playoffs for the pennant. We are also RAM fans. So, both of those games were high on our priority watch list. We’re also Chiefs (YAY Jean) and Packers (YAY Carrie) fans. I’ve also been a Lions fan though there are far and few years between to be happy, but this is one of them (sorry Vikings)!
have some friends who are renovating a really cool old historic building and we spent some time with them talking logistics and ideas. I’m really excited for them and their use of the space. I really hope it all comes to fruition the way they envision. I’m so excited for them 😀

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s quite crisp! Fall is definitely here. We had a bit of rain last night through the early hours. The rest of the week is supposed to be highs in the low 60’s and lows in the low 40’s with more rain beginning on Thursday. We NEED the rain badly so I hope it happens the way it’s supposed to.
ON MY MIND
I’m so glad the political ads will be coming to an end soon. I’m so tired of the mud slinging. I did see this funny on FaceBook that I LOVE!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
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DVR/TV TIME
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WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I should be finishing THE WRECK by Marie Force tonight.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
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10/21 MONDAY
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10/22 TUESDAY
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10/23 WEDNESDAY
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10/24 THURSDAY
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10/25 FRIDAY
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10/26 SATURDAY
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10/27 SUNDAY
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DINNER
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 CHICKEN and APPLE ONION SLOW COOKER MEAL with SWEET CORN on the COB
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 SWEET & SOUR MEATBALLS with RICE
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CREAMY JALAPENO ARTICHOKE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS and REFRIED BEANS
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 R.B.’S BAKED BEAN DINNER
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 ZUPPA TOSCANA and GARLIC BREAD
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 OUT
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?? |
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DESSERT
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Â
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Â
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Above are the two baskets.
Hubby bought a “STRETCH” of tickets and won the wine basket for me! Love that man! 😀

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
- FLANK STEAK with DEMI GLACE SAUCE with SAUER MASHED & RED PEPPER GREEN BEANS

- CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO

- CHICKEN FRANCESE

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 366.287
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 366.269
SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 366.259
SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 366.252
SILENT SUNDAY ~ BLOG 366.245
HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS, RECIPE LINKS week 34 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.239

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
WEEKEND RECAP
The weekend weather was ABSOLUTELY beautiful. A girlfriend and I went to a local Vintage Street fair that is held annually. Fortunately the weekend rain fell Friday night before the event and while it was cool enough for flannel shirts in the morning, it was perfect the rest of the day. We had yummy local made sourdough lemon poppy seed treats and lavender ice tea and found some wonderful vintage finds for upcoming Christmas projects and gifts. Sunday was just a lazy day and that was okay by me!! I had so much to catch up on!!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We are supposed to heat back up a little bit this week, but fortunately the nighttime lows are going to be perfect so once again, that is just fine by me! Highs in the low 80’s for the most part and lows in the low 50’s 😀
ON MY MIND
My surgery follow up is on Wednesday and I should be released to “normal” activity though my choices for normal will be different by MY choosing. I do have a meeting tonight and expect a bit of blow back from some of my decisions to NOT be involved in some things moving forward. I will continue to do fundraiser dinners on Fridays once a month or so, but am dialing it back A LOT on other levels.
TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
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DVR/TV TIME
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WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
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READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
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8/26 MONDAY
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8/27 TUESDAY
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8/28 WEDNESDAY
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8/29 THURSDAY
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8/30 FRIDAY
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8/31 SATURDAY
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9/1 SUNDAY
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DINNER
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 BEEF TIPS & BROCCOLI
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 PORK CHOPS & SCALLOPED POTATOES
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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 MEATLOAF, SAUER MASHED POTATOES, TOMALITOS
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 PORK MEDALLIONS with ONION GRAVY and ROAST POTATOES
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LEMON CHICKEN AND GLAZED CARROTS |
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DESSERT
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Â
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Â
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WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY MACAROONS
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
I didn’t take many pictures last week, but here are a few from the street fair we went to. I adore the repurposed horse trailers. The lavender ice tea is the daughter (hence the Farmer’s Daughter name) of one of my favorite local community minded farms, LEHNE farms, that has a wonderful fruit and veggie stand and bakery at a local nursery!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
- HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD
- LEMON BLUEBERRY SCONES
- CREAMY SNAP PEA & CHICKEN PASTA with CREAMY GARLIC BASIL SAUCE
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS
- CHERRY BALSAMIC PORK CHOPS & PINEAPPLE COMPOTE

- STUFFED BANANA PEPPERS

- LEMON BRAISED CHICKEN with POTATOES & ONIONS



















