HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 4 of 2017

As many of you know I have been working to get my new website, Chasing MY Life, up and running.  Well, it's up and it's running.  It still needs some tweaking, but all in good time. I will mirror post here for awhile and eventually just use this site as my personal recipe box. Come over and visit.  Tell me what you think about the new site.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We have had a torrential week of rain with major flooding in the area.  Fortunately we have not been flooded here in the house, only the garage and we did end up with 2 fairly severe leaks that make me think of the old house in It's A Wonderful Life when they first moved in.  All I can say is thank god for beach towels and buckets!  Hubby is waiting for things to dry out a bit so we can assess the damage and do the repairs.  Once the rain moved through we ended up with severe winds that required emptying the backyard of anything not nailed down, but on the up side it's helping to dry things off up on the roof.

Today though is GORGEOUS! We are supposed to be sunny all week.  Unfortunately this close to the coast I NEVER bank on anything.  The torrential rain we had last week occurred while we were only under a 20% chance of rain and those days started out gorgeous too.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Ensure Clear and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It looks pretty good.  I had a very productive week stuck inside with the rain.  I was able to go through the baking cabinet and the linen closet and took another 5 bags to the women's shelter.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I've been up and mostly down with laryngitis and a cold or something last week also so will take it fairly easy this week.  I may be making a doctor's appointment otherwise.  I just have ZERO energy! With NO immunity because of the SLE hubby thinks I picked up a bug from all the digging in the filthy dirt (the local cats as well as my cousin's cats had been using that area as a BIG cat box) it last week. I wore gloves, but evidently that wasn't enough.

• Paperwork
• EBAY
• Phone Calls
• Make appointments
• Sort China Cabinets
• ERRANDS 

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

• BIG BANG THEORY
• WHEN CALLS THE HEART
• PURE GENIUS
• NCIS
• BLUE BLOODS
• THIS IS US 
• GRIMM
• THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE
• GOLIATH
• BULL
• SCORPION
• SUPERGIRL
• CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
• HEARTLAND
• HEART OF DIXIE
• STRANGER THINGS
• Z-NATION
• DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
• MADAM SECRETARY
• ONCE UPON A TIME 
• CHESAPEAKE SHORES
• ICE PILOTS
• ETC....... I'm sure I forgot a few...

READING
Secrets and Lies ~ THE OKLAHOMA BRANDS #3 by Maggie Shayne 

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Probably nothing this week, but hopefully soon.

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	PANCAKES	BACON & EGGS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	GARLIC WINE CHICKEN	PEPPERONI MAC & CHEESE	C.O.R.N.	CHICKEN with MAGGI CREAM SAUCE	SLOPPY JOES	CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN	WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• 5 CHEESE GOURMET MAC & CHEESE
• PARMESAN ROASTED CARROTS (recipe to come this week)
  
• GARLIC CREAM CHICKEN (recipe to come this week)
  
• SHEET PAN SWEDISH MEATBALLS (recipe to come this week)
  

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Between storms hubby kept plugging away on the fencing.  He was able to get the new downspout area done which I for some reason did not yet get a picture of as well as this section near the utilities.  Eventually there will be a short privacy fence keeping all these utility pieces out of sight.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 3 of 2017

Guess what? It's Monday - AGAIN!  This past week just flew by for me and I didn't get anything I planned on doing anywhere close to done! I know it's actually a holiday, but NOT around here. I ended up spending most of last week helping hubby on the backyard and fencing.  I'm also trying to do more frequent posts to help me get through all this.  Here are the links from last week's updates if you are interestd.

• DAY 442 UPDATE of the HOUSE FROM HELL
• DAY 445 UPDATE of the HOUSE FROM HELL
• DAY 446 UPDATE of the HOUSE FROM HELL

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Seems like every week starts out on the gray side lately.  This week is the same.  It is also unseasonably warm STILL!  I hate it!  I REALLY MISS having four seasons!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
An English muffin with homemade BlackRaspberry Curd and COFFEE.  I tried to give up the coffee one day last week. And that is exactly how long it lasted - 1 DAY!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It is a bit of a wreck this week as I put aside everything to help hubby outside and so my projects from last week will carry over to this week.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
MONDAY

• GROCERIES
• ERRANDS
• ORDER SAND FOR BACKYARD

TUESDAY

• WORK ON STUDIO ORGANIZATION
• LAUNDRY
• CALL CONTRACTOR FOR A COUPLE BIDS 

WEDNESDAY

• SHOWER DOG 
• WORK ON STUDIO ORGANIZATION

THURSDAY

• EBAY
• WORK ON STUDIO ORGANIZATION

FRIDAY

• BACKYARD

SATURDAY

• EBAY
• PLAY OFF GAMES

SUNDAY

• PLAY OFF GAMES
• READING

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We're watching our normal shows, but are starting to try more and more shows on Netflix and Amazon. I've been too tired to read at night so have yet to start anything new.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Still nothing yet, but I have hopes for next month after the backyard is done. 

I'm starting to get the cooking bug again and have lined up a week for trying a few new recipes. I'll post the recipes as I go if we think they are worth making again.
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	SALMON QUICHE	CARAMEL APPLE CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	GOURMET MAC & CHEESE with SHEET PAN SWEDISH MEATBALLS	PORK CHOPS AND CARROTS	C.O.R.N.	CHICKEN with MAGGI CREAM SAUCE and PARMESAN ROASTED CARROTS	PEPPERONI MACARONI & CHEESE with SALAD	GARLIC WINE CHICKEN and SALAD	C.O.R.N.
DESSERT		LIME ANGEL FOOD CAKE				MOLTEN CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 2 of 2017

Good morning and Happy Monday. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and if you are a football fan that your teams won.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is gray, but no threat of rain, at least I think.  Last week was COLD (for here) and this week is supposed to warm up into the 60's and 70's.  I will never get used to the heat in the winter or the quickness that the temperatures flux here.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
I made an omelette in a cup with my coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I'm happy with all we have gotten done and there is very little actual mess.  Just the standard after the weekend clutter. Hubby and I have agreed to continue paring down the house. There are just so many things we don't use anymore.  Technology has changed things a lot so we rounded up 50+ DVD's to donate also. I've started a new spiral binder for 2017.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
MONDAY 

• Home Depot run - order 100 bags of leveling sand for backyard.  We brought home 900 pounds (12 bags) the other day to see how far it would go and I have to say it will be worth the delivery fee for a forklift to bring the pallet right to where we need it.  
• Grocery Store
• Errands
• Paperwork

TUESDAY

• STUDIO!!!!!!!!!!!! I get started and even make headway, but then get discouraged as there is not enough space.  Deciding what to keep is such a daunting process especially while this space is being used as a catch all for Christmas decorations that I refuse to store in the attic or garage because of the ungodly weather here, the cat, our office, etc... Downsizing seemed like a great idea, but going from 3000 square feet to 1750 square feet is HARD!!! My studio here would fit in my last studio twice over and the Christmas decorations were in the barn there so that alone gave more space.
• EBAY!

WEDNESDAY

• Work on leveling backyard.
• Install new back gate and start on fence planks.

THURSDAY

• Backyard again

FRIDAY

• Cleaning 
• Laundry

SATURDAY

• Studio
• EBAY
• Football Playoffs

SUNDAY 

• Studio
• Football Playoffs

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

• BIG BANG THEORY
• WHEN CALLS THE HEART
• PURE GENIUS
• NCIS
• BLUE BLOODS
• THIS IS US 
• GRIMM
• THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE
• GOLIATH
• BULL
• SCORPION
• SUPERGIRL
• CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
• HEARTLAND
• HEART OF DIXIE
• STRANGER THINGS
• Z-NATION
• DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
• MADAM SECRETARY
• ONCE UPON A TIME 
• CHESAPEAKE SHORES
• ICE PILOTS
• ETC....... I'm sure I forgot a few...

READING

• THE BRANDS WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS by Maggie Shayne

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
??

KITCHEN WISHES
This category is always in flux!  Especially in this house as I continue to go through and downsize unnecessary dishes and Tupperware.  I am trying to get to my "CORE" pieces.  You know the ones you gravitate to on a regular basis.  If I haven't used it in the past year, I probably never will and will be leaving it behind.

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	HAM & CHEESE BRUNCH CAKE	EGG NOG PANCAKES
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	TUNA CASSEROLE	WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA	C.O.R.N.	SNAPPER WRAPPERS	MEATLOAF AND SALAD	CHICKEN & NOODLES	C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA
• HAM & CHEESE BRUNCH CAKE

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER

• EGGNOG PANCAKES with MAPLE BUTTER RUM DRIZZLE

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND
I've been trying to decide what to do next after this house.  We know we'll end up with another project house, but one of OUR choosing so are trying to pick an area that suits us best so that hubby has some outside interests, places to go, organizations to get involved with to help others... preferably a LARGE military base so we can go back to commissary/PX shopping...

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• RESEARCH for getting the hell out of here.
• Minimizing the studio stash.
• Completed projects.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Not a great photo, but it does show progress on the dog run area! Especially compared to what it looked like a year ago when the air conditioner was slanted and the area was so overgrown and filled with dead plants and trash that you couldn't even tell.

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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY ~ WEEK 1 of 2017

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas and a safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

We had a quiet New Year, at least as far as the 2 of us were concerned. We went to a neighbor's house early for a little get together, but were home for the actual event which was good as the neighborhood was alive with fireworks and gun fire.  When will people realize the dangers of both?  I wasn't too worried about the fireworks as it was raining, but the gun shots made me cringe.  What goes up will come down.

Did you know about the NEVER ON SUNDAY rule for the Tournament of Roses Parade and bowl game? This will be the 15th time this rule has come into play since its inception.  Originally the rule was made to prevent horses "parked" outside of churches from being spooked along the parade route as people attended church.

I also brought the BEFORE & AFTER of this house up to date in a post this past weekend. I should have done it room by room instead of all at once.  I can't wait to be able to do an AFTER & DONE post!

Now it's on to the business of 2017.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weather is gray, cloudy, windy and super thunderstormy, but at least it is a bit cooler than it has been.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
An English muffin and peanut butter with COFFEE of course.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I am VERY pleased.  Everyone is gone now and Carlie has settled in well.  The tree is down which is unusual for us since we usually wait until King's Day or so, but this year it was practical. All the Christmas decorations have been packed away and those that are being donated are in the car ready to drop off.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

• GET NEW PHONE!! Mine is OLD, won't hold a charge, changes the settings on its own..., but I wasn't going near a phone store until the holidays were over!
• Start on studio organization. You may see this EVERY week for a while.  That room has become the catch all of the house and will takes WEEKS if not MONTHS to get handled.
• Work on new Website.
• Start leveling backyard.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
I'm between books again and the old standards will begin again this week as well as the final season of GRIMM.

We finally dealt with the wire mess around the TV and hooked up the WiiU as well as Amazon Prime.  So far have found Goliath with Billy Bob Thorton and The Man in the High Castle (I LOVE anything WWII) that are catching our interest.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Soon, really soon.

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	BREAKFAST CASSEROLE old family recipe - link to follow soon	BACON & EGGS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS & SALAD	CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN, MASHED POTAOES, PEPPERED GRAVY & GREEN BEANS	C.O.R.N.	BLACK EYED PEA CHILI & GRILLED CHEESE	WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA new recipe link to follow soon & SALAD	KRAB SALAD with 1000 ISLAND DRESSING	C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND
I'm praying for a good start to the new year and getting this house finished before the hot weather sets in.  I'm also concerned for my uncle who appears to be exhibiting all the classic tell tell signs of dementia and Alzheimers, but is also stubborn as a mule and won't recognize the need for medical help.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Every morning when I get up and feel the wonderfully plush carpet under my toes I realize the house is almost done.
• I'm loving the research into a new place to call home and a new house.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Hubby took this beautiful dramatic shot of the clouds out back.

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.