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 (22x18), 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

• Easy Love - Boudreaux Series by Kirsten Proby

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	S.O.S
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	OUT	SANDWICH	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	CHICKEN with LEMON SAGE SAUCE	CARNITAS & SALAD	C.O.R.N. or RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT	CHICKEN  CHOW MEIN	RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT or C.O.R.N.	SLOW COOKER BALSAMIC CHICKEN	BBQ CHICKEN
DESSERT					PINEAPPLE POUND CAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• PARMESAN PEPPERONI PIZZA CHICKEN
• SLOW COOKED BALSAMIC CHICKEN
• ROYAL CHOCOLATE CAKE

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.