
Tag: SWEATPANTS & COFFEE
BLOG 365.26 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 4 of 2026 ~ RECIPE LINKS & MENUS

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

Last week was a bit of a blur. I can’t believe we’re into the 4th week already!! I’m still working on some organizing and downsizing, but some of it will have to wait until it gets warmer!!!! I just don’t seem to get as much done when my toes are cold!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
BRRRR it’s cold here, but no complaints from me as I know first hand just what going through a “SNOWMAGGEDON” is like. So, I’ll just keep layering and layering the hoodies, flannels, UGG’s and warm socks 🙂 until I’m warm. Highs this week were only in the 30’s, but it looks like they will be in the 40’s this week and the lows were in the 20’s aka “let the faucet drip” phase this past week, but look like they’ll bump up to the 30’s this week. The freezing fog is always an issue at this time of the year as are the deer and animals on our country roads.

TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS, ON MY MIND & DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I’m currently reading the FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY by Heather Webber. I really like her stories. They are just short of fantasy while still living in the real world.

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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1/26
MONDAY
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1/27
TUESDAY
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1/28
WEDNESDAY
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1/29
THURSDAY
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1/30
FRIDAY
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1/31
SATURDAY
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2/1
SUNDAY
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DINNER
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TRIVIA & MEETING NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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LEMON CHICKEN & GREEN PEA CASSEROLE
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TRIVIA & MEETING NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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SWISS STEAK & COWBOY POTATOES
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CHICKEN & POTATOES
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HUNGARIAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
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SLOW COOKED PEPPER STEAK
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DESSERT
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
Like I said above, I won’t complain because we could live anywhere else in the country this week and be much worse off, but pictures this week of the freezing fog and the frozen spider webs on the hose bib were telling of just how cold I am! We haven’t seen any snow to speak of this year either so I don’t mind at all that the rest of the country stole our “SNOWMAGGEDON” tag line 🙂


INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- CHRISTMAS MORNING WIFE SAVER

- CHICKEN BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

- PEANUT BUTTER MOLASSES COOKIES

- GREEN ONION CHEDDAR CORN BREAD

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
- CHOCOLATE CARROT CAKE

- TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

- BROWNED BUTTER TOASTED COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS


WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 365.21
BLOG 365.19 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 3 of 2026 ~ MENUS & RECIPE LINKS

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

Once again the year seems to be speeding by! We’re already in the third week and I haven’t completely cleaned up from Christmas! I have a super busy day starting early this morning so will jump right in!APPOINTMENTS

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The past week has been clear of an evening making for some REALLY COLD nights and mornings with freezing fog! This is supposed to continue until Friday when the rain returns and will warm it up slightly! Not enough to change how I dress in layers and UGG’s!
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV
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READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
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1/19
MONDAY
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1/20
TUESDAY
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1/21
WEDNESDAY
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1/22
THURSDAY
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1/23
FRIDAY
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1/24
SATURDAY
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1/25
SUNDAY
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DINNER
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TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out fridge night or you’re on your own
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TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
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PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS with GRILLED ONIONS
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PORK CHOPS & STUFFING
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COOKING @ EAGLES SO CORN/YOYO clean out fridge night or you’re on your own
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CHICKEN ARTICHOKE CASSEROLE
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CAESAR SALAD PARMESAN CUPS
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DESSERT
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S’MORES MONKEY BREAD MUFFINS
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
The strawberry Hummingbird cake was a HUGE hit on Friday night and the FREEZING FOG was beautiful on Thursday, though it delayed many a flight and made the roads a bit treacherous in the early morning. This picture was taken late morning as it was burning off.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- CHOCOLATE CARROT CAKE

- BROWNED BUTTER TOASTED COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS


BLOG 365.12 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 2 of 2026 ~ with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
LAST WEEK RECAPPED
The first part of the week was full of errands and trying to get back on track with a routine. My girlfriend and I ventured to the BIG (ha 😂 ha) city on Wednesday to go shopping at the mall and have a nice lunch. Then we stopped at the Chef’s store (Cash & Carry, Smart & Final) to get the food for our Friday dinner and the rest of the month’s shopping for the Eagle’s kitchen. YAY my last time shopping for the kitchen, but at least I was able to set them up for success, now it’s on them to find the wherewithal to follow thru and keep it going “correctly” without getting lazy and short cutting everything which unfortunately is the tendancy. Thursday was the shopping for the Eagle’s bar, my girlfriend’s bar & grill and some food prep for Friday’s meal.
I cannot believe the first full week of January flew by that quickly! I NEED things to slow down a bit so I can catch up!
We’re NOT really college football watchers other than the Rose Bowl, but we live in a small town only an hour or so away from the Oregon University Ducks, so they are a BIG deal around here. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, they played Friday evening during the Auxiliary charity dinner that my girl friend and I were preparing so we ended up twice as busy as we’ve been in recent months. The unfortunate part is that we didn’t plan for that many people, but, the fortunate part is that we SOLD OUT and didn’t have leftovers 🙂
Saturday I was finally able to get my own shopping and errands accomplished and picked up some fried chicken for lunch on the way back so hubby and I could watch WILD CARD NFL games. 4 of the 5 times we rooted for won 🙂 Sunday was more football with friends and then some relaxing before the week started all over again. I did get some meal planning done and a few odd organizational tasks accomplished.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Last Friday we finally woke to the first snow of the winter, NOT on the valley floor, but absolutely beautiful none the less on the hills around us. Our rain is gone for the next week or so, but it’s not full sun either. All week should be highs in the 40’s with lows in the low 30’s. Lots of layering still going on here.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV
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READING TIME
Book club was kind of a wash I guess and they haven’t picked a new book ::SIGH:: so I’ve just bee reading whatever strikes my fancy. Right now I’m reading WHY I HOLD YOUR HAND by Augusta Reily.

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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1/12
MONDAY
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1/13
TUESDAY
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1/14
WEDNESDAY
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1/15
THURSDAY
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1/16
FRIDAY
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1/17
SATURDAY
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1/18
SUNDAY
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DINNER
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CORN/YOYO
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BEST MEATBALLS and PASTA
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MARRY ME CHICKEN & NOODLES
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ASIAN POT PIE and SALAD
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CORN/YOYO
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CHICKEN FETTUCCINE CARBONARA
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ORICIETTE with BROWN BUTTER WALNUT SAUCE
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DESSERT
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PUMPKIN APPLE POKE CAKE
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
Incredible sunsets over the pond again this past weekend!!!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- CREAMY TUSCAN TORTELLINI SOUP

- APPLEBEE’S COPY CAT ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD DRESSING

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS
- CHICKEN LEMONAISE
- ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH BISQUE with CRANBERRY COULIS

- SLOW COOKED CHICKEN ala KING



BLOG 365.5 ~ HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY ~ week 1 of 2026 ~ MENUS & RECIPE LINKS

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
LAST WEEK RECAPPED
Happy New Year! Here we are again starting a fresh new year, yet it’s really just another Monday. I always get a bit turned around with what day is what when the holidays fall in the middle of the week, but I’m looking forward to getting back on track this week.
I ordered new footlocker totes with wheels to reorganize some Christmas decorations into and they arrived early, but I’m just not ready to take down the tree, so they sit here empty for now, at least until Wednesday or so.
I’m not one for making resolutions, but I am one for being organized and have plans in place. I’m going to once again do BLOG 365. It will be year 4 for me 🙂 I’m also planning on an even more organized approach to this year. Of course I’ll do Happy Homemaker Monday like always since it’s my cornerstone for being grounded to the week ahead, but in order to stay on track for the WHOLE year, I am going to assign different tasks to specific days, similar to what I did last year, but even more organized. All my recipes will post on Thursdays for Cooking Thursday, Sundays will continue to be for inspirational thoughts, Wednesdays will be funnies or wordless pictures and Tuesdays will be my day for some tutorial ideas, etc… The beauty of this method is that when I have some down time, like rainy or snowy days, I can pre-schedule multiple posts like recipes and such that don’t require same day thoughts. And my word for this year? PROGRESS. In everY possible aspect of my life and world; tangibly, spiritually, physically, psychologically, emotionally, technologically etc… I need to make progress. And I have the faith and belief that 2026 is just that year to make it happen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’re still waiting for the other shoe to drop around here and announce that winter has arrived. The last time we got too complacent with a mild winter, Mother Nature walloped us with SNOWMAGGEDON, so we’re careful what we wish for since then. This week will be somewhat wet with highs in the high 40’s to low 50’s and lows not too far off in the high 30’s. That said, it’s still layer weather.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S
TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
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READING TIME
Book club was last Saturday and we FINALLY had a great discussion (so I hear) about a very complicated book, GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspoon and Harlen Coben. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it 🙂 Not sure if they chose a new book, but I still need to finish the new mystery thriller I started, FORGET ME NOT by Stacy Willingham while waiting on book club to decide.

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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1/5
MONDAY
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1/6
TUESDAY
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1/7
WEDNESDAY
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1/8
THURSDAY
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1/9
FRIDAY
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1/10
SATURDAY
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1/11
SUNDAY
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DINNER
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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BAKED HAM & BEANS
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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CLAM CHOWDER & CRUSTY BREAD
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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ASIAN POT PIE with SCALLION PANCAKE TOPPING
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HAM & CHEESE QUICHE
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DESSERT
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
I just fell in love with this absolutely gorgeous original “fire painted” copper art piece that my friend bought for her daughter. The picture just doesn’t do it justice. My mom knew we didn’t really “need” anything so she made this fun little money tree for us for Christmas which will help with that trip next month.

And who can resist fresh baked cinnamon rolls? And our son found this fun tank that is a whiskey dispenser for hubby with engraved glasses.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- CHOCOLATE CARROT CAKE

- CRANBERRY UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS


SATURDAY COFFEE TIME ~ BLOG 365.3
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ~ BLOG 365.365
HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, RECIPE LINKS & MENUS week 51 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.356

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
LAST WEEK RECAPPED
GOOD MORNING sweet friends! Grab your coffee and join me.
Can you believe we’re only 3 days from Christmas? And only 10 days from a brand new year?!!!!! I just don’t know where this year went so quickly!!
That said, I am basically ready early for Christmas or as much as I can be and am enjoying each day as it comes for a change. I did make some pre-planning and organizational changes to the scheduling and shopping for the Eagles to ease my stress and well, if they don’t like it, they can find someone else to do my job. 🙂
BLOGMAS is in full swing with these completed posts:
- BLOGMAS #1 days 1,2 and 3 ~ Holiday Schedule, Christmas Cards, Elf on the Shelf/NISSE & Wrapping Ideas
- BLOGMAS #2 days 4 and 5 ~ Christmas Music and Movies
- BLOGMAS #3 days 6, 7 and 8 ~ Real Tree vs. Artificial, Decorating & Favorite Ornaments
- BLOGMAS #4 days 9, 10 and 11 ~ Advent Calendars, Presents, PJ’S, Books, Last Minute and Homemade Gifts ~ updated with 2 new soups ~ FRIENDSHIP & SPICY BLACK BEAN CORN SOUPS
- BLOGMAS #5 days 12, 13 and 14 Presents, WISH Lists and Stocking Stuffers
- BLOGMAS #6 days 15, 16 and 17 Quiet Christmas or BIG Get Together, Favorite Family Traditions and Christmas Memories
- BLOGMAS #7 days 18, 19 and 20 Winter Wonderland, Lights and Parades, Christmas Markets and Fairs, Winter MUST Haves and TAGS
- BLOGMAS #8 days 21, 22 and 23 Christmas Menus, Party Foods and Favorite Recipes
- BLOGMAS #9 days 24, 25 and 26 12 Days of Christmas, Meaning of Christmas, Merry VS. Happy, Inspirations and Stories
Coming up this week will be:
- BLOGMAS #10 Christmas Eve, NORAD, St. Nick and Merry Christmas

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’re FINALLY getting some winter temperatures, but I’m fairly confident when I say we’ll NOT be seeing a white Christmas this year. 🙁 Highs this week will be in the 40’s with lows in the 30’s and a bit more rain.
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I finished GONE BEFORE GOODBYE by Reese Witherspoon and Harlen Coben – WOW a slow start, but what a bunch of twists and turns to a surprise ending! I started something lighter for now until Book Club meets on January 3rd, Merit Badge Murder Merry Wrath Mysteries #1 by Leslie Langtry. I’m not sure if she was trying to emulate Jana Deleon’s Miss Fortune series, but it sure has similarities. It’s not bad, but it’s not as good as Jana’s books.

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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12/22
MONDAY
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12/23
TUESDAY
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12/24
WEDNESDAY
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12/25
THURSDAY
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12/26
FRIDAY
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12/27
SATURDAY
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12/28
SUNDAY
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DINNER
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CHICKEN STEW & BISCUITS
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BUTTERMILK CHICKEN & BAKED BEANS
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BLACK EYED PEA CHILI & CORNBREAD
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PRIME RIB, TURKEY BREAST, MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY and GLAZED CARROTS
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CORN/YOYO clean out the refrigerator night OR you’re on your own
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ONE PAN CHICKEN & VEGGIES
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BEEF BARLEY STEW |
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DESSERT
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SALTED BROWNED BUTTER COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
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BUTTERFINGER COOKIES and SLOW COOKER CANDY
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BRIGADEIROS, PEANUT BUTTER MOLASSES CRINKLES and HAYSTACKS
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CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
A friend popped by yesterday with this beautiful flower arrangement that she made me.

And I made headway on my soup mixes.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK
- LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN PARMESAN

- MODIFIED UNITED KINGDOM BAKED BEANS
RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
- CHICKEN LEMONAISE

- SLOW COOKED CHICKEN ala KING

- ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH BISQUE with CRANBERRY COULIS

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS
This is usually a favorite thing for me to do, but to relieve a lot of stress on myself this year I’ve decided to forego doing these link parties until 2026.


















