HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Good Morning everyone. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for a new week.

My new webpage is still in the making as my brother/webmaster/server has had a FULL plate, but LOL I'll keep you posted on the unveiling.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It's a beautiful morning with fluffy clouds.  LOL then I opened the door and it's going to be another scorcher of a day.  This Indian Summer is killing me, but most my projects will be inside this week so I'll just pretend we're having a crisp fall day.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Banana walnut oatmeal and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm fairly happy.  I had a super productive weekend and just need to finish sorting a few totes and boxes and then tomorrow will do a super deep clean.

One of the things I did was sort through ALL of our Christmas decorations.  I pulled out several totes worth of things that I will "probably" donate.  I decided to use these things this year for the season and see if there was anything I couldn't live without.  If not, it will all be boxed up and donated on January 7th. Seemed like a plausible way to make a decision to minimalize.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I sat down yesterday and made a chart for what needs to be finished before my mom's visit in early December and am going to do my best to stick to it!

• A couple of molding pieces that need to be added.
• Paint Carlie's closet.
• Floor molding in Carlie's closet.
• Finish sorting Christmas ornaments.
• Do some ebay listings.
• Do some organization in my studio.
• DEEP cleaning.
• A craft fair with my neighbor.

We are so close to finishing, but it still feels like it is a lifetime away.  I do have to share this amazing transformation though.  The atrium as we call it was an actual atrium when grams and gramps bought the house.  They had it enclosed with a rook and turned it into a part of the house.  In doing so one of the bedrooms "lost" it's window as it now looked into an extension of the living room.  Gramps paneled it in a dark brown as was popular in 1980 and put in a makeshift bookshelf closing off the bedroom from any natural light source and it NEVER changed!  Below is the picture of when we arrived and below that is the pictures of the transformation and the re-installation of a "window" for that room allowing natural light again.

BEFORE AS MY COUSIN LEFT IT. It still astonishes me what a difference we've made.

Cleaned and primed - ready for window.  I love the white color as compared to the heavy dark paneling look!

NOW "WINDOW" READY FOR CARLIE TO MOVE IN. We used a multi paned door turned sideways and trimmed to fit as a permanent window.  Add a little trim moulding and voile' it looks like it was always there. It doesn't need to open.  I'm putting together curtains and beaded tiebacks for the bedroom side so there is still privacy.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I borrowed these from my "daughter of my heart's" facebook page, but they fill my heart with such joy I just needed to share. Since this picture Am has cut off about 10 inches and I LOVE the new style!

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon - thank goodness for DVRs!
TELEVISION

• BIG BANG THEORY
• NCIS
• BLUE BLOODS
• THIS IS US
• BULL
• SCORPION
• SUPERGIRL
• CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
• THE GOOD PLACE
• HEARTLAND
• HEART OF DIXIE
• STRANGER THINGS
• LONGMIRE
• Z-NATION
• DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
• MADAME SECRETARY
• ONCE UPON A TIME 
• CHESAPEAKE SHORES
• ETC....... I'm sure I forgot a few...

READING

• CHRISTMAS at COPPER MOUNTAIN (#1 Taming the Sheehans) by Jane Porter (almost finished)
• TYCOON'S KISS (#2 Taming the Sheehans) by Jane Porter at the ready

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	SHIRRED EGGS	BACON & EGGS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	C.O.R.N	SWEDISH MEATBALLS	SLOW ROASTED ITALIAN CHICKEN	POACHED WHITE FISH WITH KIWI REDUCTION	PORK AND PINEAPPLE	CHICKEN & NOODLES	C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THAT THE FOLLOWING IS NOT 

AN ABSOLUTE ABOUT ALL PEOPLE.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE WONDERFUL SAHM AND PARENTS 

WHO ALREADY FEEL AND ACT THIS WAY!

We have a cultural decay problem in this country. Life as we once knew it will NEVER be again. We have a lack of parenting problem in this country. As parents, our jobs are to raise children into functioning adults first and to be their friend second. Teaching children to be independent, hard working, respectful, happy and gracious is the best thing you can do for them, you and for ALL the people they will encounter in the future. Teaching them about the ups AND the downs of life is realistic and responsible.

There is an apathy, a lack of respect, a lack of accountability, a lack of responsibility, a lack of courtesy... A silver spoon entitlement complex is taking over. Political correctness has become an insane concept trying to make life fair. WAKE UP PEOPLE! Life ISN'T fair and NO ONE every said it would be. Doing the best you can each and everyday is all you can really control.

Watching the news is not always just hearing the factual events as it once was. Commentary and social media have taken over - everyone wants to be the first to break the "NEWS" whether it is complete or correct. Fact checking seems to be a thing of the past in many cases. Spin doctors manipulate news every day.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME VENT.  I'm stepping down from my soap box now. 

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• COUNT DOWN TO HOUSE COMPLETION
• COUNT DOWN TO CARLIE MOVING IN
• COUNT DOWN TO ELF ON A SHELF PICTURES FOR MY MUNCHKINS

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.

MID WEEK UPDATE on the MINIIMIZING DONATION PROJECT

Just a quick update.  In the past three days we've gotten quite a bit done despite my lack of energy! 897 items since Sunday have been donated, now some of those are things like Pendaflex folders and recipe cards that I counted individually because they weren't in sets. The items below are yet to be wrapped and boxed, but we did drop off a load this morning at the Women's Shelter Resale store which made more room.  There were 3 BIG bags of baskets taking up a lot of space as well as the three 30 gallon totes so I was happy to empty the car.

I did get the baseboard all painted in the living room and atrium as well as get the whole house vacuumed.

But the greatest find was this super sweet letter our niece, Amber wrote us back in 2008 when she left for home after a 2 week visit. 

POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS A MUST!

I originally ran this post back on July 18th, 2008 over at 3 Sides of Crazy. I ran it again at my recipe blog Always Eat on the Good China to remind myself why I named that blog what I did and that I always have something to look forward to.  I run it here to remind myself that I was on the right path to a positive attitude even before I knew I had Ovarian Cancer and just how surreal all these realizations became later on.

When I asked Am to unload the dishwasher today, she told me how pretty a glass she was unloading was.

I told her it was a Princess House Heritage Crystal Glass and she immediately put it down and backed away from it like it was Uranium or something. I asked her what was wrong and she said she was afraid she'd break it, so she better not touch it. I laughed and said don't worry about it, we use them every day. We even break them now and again.

Then I asked her to put the beans in the oven and she looked at the bowl and said, “You really want this pretty bowl in the oven”? Again I laughed and said yes.

So I asked her if she had ever heard of Erma Bombeck and she said no. I had to share this with her.

See many, no, most of you know me as just a fellow blogger with a positive attitude and generally friendly demeanor. What you don't know is that I too suffer from a terrible debilitating disease that requires constant maintenance, positive attitude and a stress free life as well as a preservative free diet to stay even close to healthy. To look at me you would never know I was sick, but for that all I can say is thank you as I have worked hard to maintain that appearance and attitude, because it wasn't always that way and it was hard work to get this healthy. I also know though how tenuous life is and how quickly it can change so for that reason I post this tribute to Erma Bombeck as a reminder to us all to burn the pink candle, use the pretty bowl and crystal glasses for everyday.

If I Had My Life To Live Over by Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she found out she had a fatal disease.

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

House Update ~ Chronicles of a Real Estate Nightmare ~ Amber's Room ~ Part 4

BEFORE BEFORE

Amber's room was not part of the mold issue, it was just ugly. It originally had a drab gray paneling and the molding was not done very well. The interim before pictures below don't look so bad with just primer, but believe me it needed painted. The previous owner had built a built-in desk in the alcove area and shelves above it for his daughter Amy which was cute, but not made very well and was now 25+ years old so we tore it apart and use the alcove for the dressers instead. We never got more than the primer on the walls before it started being used as a guest room.

INTERIM BEFORE

See what I mean about the molding?

DURING

Hubby has been a real trooper getting everything done on this house since so much of it wasn't even planned. I did the cutting in and the trim work while hubby did the rolling. We started early and finished just about dinner time after 2 coats of BEHR Oklahoma Wheat which dried very quickly.

AFTER

We do need to do the molding around the ceiling after the room has dried a bit more. We're going to stain it to match the closet and bedroom doors. It will give great contrast to the Oklahaoma Wheat on the walls and the Innocence on the ceiling. I just love the blues and sage green against the warm walls.

Amber, your room is ready!

REVIVAL OF THE SUNDAY DINNER

This is Am's last Sunday with us so she'll be doing the Sunday cooking again. Today she made Pot Roast, CheesyAu Gratin Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Home made Apple Sauce and Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS1/2 bag baby carrots
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
scant 1/4 cup maple syrup

• Clean carrots and slice diagonally in half.
• Melt butter in skillet.
• Saute' carrots until tender.
• Add brown sugar and cook several minutes, stirring constantly so sugar doesn't burn.
• Add syrup and coat well.
• Cook until syrup is warm and carrots are well coated.

BANANA RAISIN NUT BREAD OR CAKE
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, 1/2 soft & 1/2 melted
2 jumbo eggs
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup golden raisins, currants or craisins
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
2 large, RIPE bananas
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• Combine the melted butter, brown sugar and bananas in a sauce pan.
• Cook until smooth and then add nuts and raisins.
• Stir until well coated & set aside to cool.
• Cream softened butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
• Add this to the creamed mixture gradually until well blended.
• Add cooled banana mixture.
• Pour into greased and floured pan(s)*
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45+ minutes.

*This recipe will make 2 large loaves or 1 cake. If making bread, skip the frosting.

FROSTING
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
juice of 1 small lemon
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Add lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until blended.
• Add powdered sugar gradually until well blended and smooth.
• Refrigerate 1 hour to set icing before serving.

HOME MADE APPLE SAUCE
5 large Apples (I like Pink Lady or Braeburns)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 can peach nectar (Papaya or pineapple are good too)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

• In a large sauce pan pour nectar over raisins and let sit while you prepare apples.
• Wash, core, peel and chop apples.
• Add water to sauce pan and stir in sugar until dissolved.
• Add cinnamon and mix well.
• Add apples and cook over medium heat until until apples are tender and mush easily.
• Mush to desired consistency.
• Remove from heat.
• Cool and chill.
• Can be kept in refrigerator for a week though it never lasts that long around here. When my apples are at the height of the season and falling off the tree I make this in huge batches and put it up in canning jars for the following year.

ONE FULL SIZED QUILT ALL FINISHED

She sewed her strips and pressed her binding.

She wants to get it really straight so she is pinning her binding to her quilt.

All pinned and ready to finish.

Slow and sure wins the race!
Tied and trimmed and ready to bind tomorrow.

ALL DONE!
And boy is she happy about that!

QUILT CAMP UPDATE

Her individual pieces were all sewn into squares and now she is "squaring" them up.

Fortunately I have a king size bed so it makes it easy to lay out the pieces and decide on the design. She laid it all out, used her kaleidoscope and changed many pieces many times until she was happy.

She is starting her row piecing.

Here row 1 and 2 are all sewn together.

I told Am she wasn't the first.
Every good quilter has had to rip out a seam or two or three and start over!

Hard at work!

Rows 4, 5, 6 and 7 are all done!

She's working really hard today! I love her dedication and drive to finish.

She's just about had it for today!!
When she finishes tying her corners, we'll trim the edges and
set it aside until tomorrow when we will tackle the binding.
If all goes well, she'll be done tomorrow!