HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY wtih MENU PLANS & RECIPE LINKS week 17 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.113

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

The weather has been ALL over the place! We are getting an hour or so each day that’s nice, but still having multiple weather patterns each day. We are seeing a couple of spring poppy blooms finally though and the hummingbird vine is coming in quite well. Today is Levi’s and a favorite hoodie kind of day. Highs in the low 60’s (maybe) and lows in the high 30’s to low 40’s.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ve been doing some deep cleaning, sorting for donations and a friend’s garage sale and just some much needed overall organizing. Laundry is up to date and actually folded as well as put away.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have some grocery runs to do for the Eagles this week and an oncology appointment in a neighboring town an hour+ away so hubby and I will take that day to maybe do a little antiquing and have a nice dinner.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS This is all part of my organizing. I have notes everywhere and am attempting to organize my busy life into a single notebook in hopes of simplifying things – wish me luck 😀
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m still taking this one week at a time…

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • We are finally caught up on the DVR shows and even watched an old movie that we’d never seen before Tidal Wave – No Escape with Corbn Bernson and The Homesman with Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank. We started watching COACH at night when we go to bed – hubby can’t seem to fall asleep without the TV while I read.

I am back to finishing The Alice Network at night on my kindle, but have been so tired I only get about 10 minutes in before I fall asleep. During the day when I have time I’m reading I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg on my phone app.

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

4/22 MONDAY
4/23 TUESDAY
4/24 WEDNESDAY
4/25 THURSDAY
4/26 FRIDAY
4/27 SATURDAY
4/28 SUNDAY
DINNER
FIGGY BALSAMIC PORK & RICE
 LOOSE MEAT CHEESESTEAK SAMMIES 
 CHICKEN FAJITA BOWLS
BAVETTE STEAK IN DEMI-GLACE
 BALSAMIC TOMATO & HERB CHICKEN
SWEET CHILI PORK & CABBAGE STIR FRY
BROWN SUGAR BOURBON PORK CHOPS
DESSERT
 
 BUTTER BISCUIT BERRY CRUMBLE
 

Years ago we rehabbed a Queen Anne Victorian that was 120 years old. It came with some really old German bearded iris bulbs. When we left there I dug up several and brought them with us. Obviously they were VERY hearty stock! They still look beautiful today.

Hubby has been working diligently on the power washing after the long wet winter. This year is the worst it’s ever been! Each section is taking a very long time, but it is starting to look better little by little. And aren’t these baby chicks adorable? I check them out every time I go to the feed store. 😀

FIVE ON FRIDAY

A lot of my friends have done Five of Friday for quite some time, but I’m new to this meme. I’ll start with something simple, the 5 most favorite recipes I’ve recently developed TO OR TASTES this year.

MAGIC DUST HOT WINGS These are PERFECT for tailgating, race days or backyard picnics.

INSIDE OUT CHICKEN POT PIES 

These are perfect for a cool fall or winter evening.

BANANAS FOSTERS BREAD

I have used the same Banana Bread recipe for 20 years, but NO more!  This is my new go to recipe!

BRUSSELS BISQUE

Another perfect fall or winter evening bowl of yumminess.

FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS with SWEET PEPPER SAUCE

It was really hard to narrow this down to 5!

PEANUT PORK & NOODLES SALAD AND A CHAT

Seems like a VERY long time since I’ve sat and chatted here on my blog.  The past 2+ years have been such a jumble of care taking others, the BIG “C”, multiple medical appointments, VA red tape and just plain messed up events that it seems life has gone on without me.

Well, I’m here to tell you I’m taking my life back!  I do have one more surgery to get through, but it is trivial in comparison to the past couple years. Fortunately my mom’s winter place is empty for the summer and near my doctors so we are here and able to get it spruced up for her before winter while we deal with everything else.  The pool has also been a godsend for me to get some exercise and try to get my strength back.  All the anesthesia has taken a toll on me!  Right now we’re painting.  The house is 5 years old and had never been painted other than by the builder so boy is it soaking up the new paint!

If a messy kitchen truly is a sign of happiness, I must be freaking delirious!  We are taking a break tonight and enjoying a new recipe for Peanut Pork and Noodles salad while we watch the Nascar race.  I hope everyone had a great 4th and long weekend!

Peanutty Pork & Noodles 2

PEANUT PORK AND NOODLES SALAD

DRESSING

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon garlic chili paste

SALAD

1/2 pound boneless pork chops

2-3 ounce bundles ramen noodles

8 ounces snow peas, trimmed and cleaned

8 ounces bok choy, trimmed, cleaned and sliced

1 sweet red pepper, cored, seeded

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons dry roasted unsalted peanuts (optional)

  • In a small food processor combine dressing ingredients and blend until smooth.
  • In a large ziploc bag combine pork chops and half of the dressing.  Marinade for 15 minutes minimum.
  • While chops are grilling bring a pot of water to a boil.
  • Add ramen noodles for 2 minutes.
  • Add peas and bok choy, boiling for 1 minute more.
  • Drain and rinse in cold water.
  • Place in large salad bowl.
  • Heat grill to medium high.
  • Grill chops and red pepper just until done, turning half way through.
  •  Transfer to a cutting board and thinly slice both chops and pepper.
  • Toss salad with remaining dressing and salt.
  • Scatter pork and peppers over salad.
  • Top with peanuts. (optional)
  • Serve immediately.

Peanutty Pork & Noodles 3Leftovers (minus the bok choy) chill well and would make a perfect lunch to go.  Just don’t add the bok choy, which in my opinion can be left out and double the peas for my taste.

LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN

LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

4 teaspoons Italian bread crumbs

  • Preheat oven to 425Ëš.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and one half of the Parmesan cheese,
  • Spread each piece of chicken with the mayonnaise mixture.
  • Sprinkle with bread crumbs and remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and tops are golden.