Tag Archives: happy homemaker monday

Happy Homemaker Monday, November 13th

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Hi everyone! It’s been ages since I linked up with Sandra from Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday, so I thought it would be a good way to jumpstart the week (and maybe even get the blogging habit going again).

The Weather
Brr! I think this morning was the coldest yet — down to 20 degrees overnight! Yes, it definitely feels like November in the Northeast, LOL!

Monday – 43, chance of rain
Tuesday – 47, sunny
Wednesday – 49, cloudy
Thursday – 55, sunny
Friday – 59, cloudy
Saturday – 56, chance of rain
Sunday – 47, sunny

Right now I am
Taking a quick work break to type up this post and maybe even hit publish before the day is basically over!   

Thinking and pondering 
Hoping all goes smoothly for my husband who is travelling to California today. Last week he was in Texas, so it’s been a lot of air travel for him. Luckily once he is home Friday, he’s home for two weeks and then just a few days in NYC in December. 

How I am feeling 
I was down with a cold this weekend, but I feel so much better today! My sinuses are still a bit blocked, but overall I feel back to “normal” (whatever that may be, LOL!)

On the breakfast plate 
Scrambled eggs with salsa, one piece of bacon, vanilla-raspberry protein shake.

On the lunch plate 
Southwestern salad with grilled chicken

On the dinner plate 
Macaroni & cheese, broccoli (Laura’s request)

On the menu
I think it’s going to be a “wing it” kind of week. Drew is away and Laura has tech week (she is doing stage crew for the fall high school play), and we are having some major plumbing work done towards the end of the week (we are replacing our oil boiler with a liquid propane boilerfre and the propane company needs to come and trench for the piping and deliver the propane tanks). So we will just see how it all goes!

Monday – Macaroni & cheese, broccoli
Tuesday –  Chicken parm, salad
Wednesday – loaded baked potatoes, salad
Thursday –  Pizza (freezer leftovers)?
Friday –  Cheeseburgers?
Saturday – Zuppa toscana or split pea soup?
Sunday –  Diner?

What I am wearing 
Boat neck navy and white striped shirt, dark blue jeans, tan booties 

On my reading pile
This weekend I started The True Story of the Bilderburg Group, but it is way too “out there” and had to stop listening. If I had realized the author was a conspiracy theorist, I probably would not have downloaded it. So I think I have to find something else to read this week!

On my TV this week
Not sure!

Looking around the house
A few things to tidy, but all is mostly in order. I do have a basket of laundry to fold and put away

To do list 
Laundry (obviously because it is never-ending!)
Reschedule doctor’s appointment (done!)
Money for Laura’s field trip
Thanksgiving prep

From the camera
Checking off those Monday morning tasks!
Untitled

Something to share
Hmm… drawing a blank on this one

Thanksgiving Tips, DIY, Ideas or recipes
Let people help! It is just the 5 of us this year, but Jake offered to make brioche rolls and apple cider donuts. I’m going to just let him go for it. Cider donut sundaes with pumpkin ice cream sound like a fun dessert — something different instead of pie!

Devotional, Bible Verses
Still thinking about this week’s homily at Mass. In a world where it can seem dark, St. Paul, in the second reading said, “We do not want you to grieve like those who have no hope.” It is so important to remember to hold onto that hope, even the tiniest shred, no matter how hard things get.

Busy book sale week

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Hi everyone! It is book sale week here in my little world, which means 7 days of chaos! Organized chaos, but chaos nonetheless. It is busy with volunteers and organizing and training people how to use Square on iPads and praying for good weather on Saturday when we have all of the community groups in town set up tables outside. Well, it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be, right? I also have a busy work week with a number of meetings (groan!) and book club (double groan!). Jake comes home from college this week (yay!) and Noah and Laura both have field trips so there is a lot on the calendar and I am trying not to hyperventilate every time I look at it.

Linking up with Sandra again this week for Happy Homemaker Monday…

The Weather…

I need the weather forecast to stay just like this. Today is just gorgeous out, and we are being really spoiled by perfect spring weather over the past couple of days. I don’t want it to get hot or humid… just like this is fine! 

As I look outside my window…
The highway guys are mowing the field next door and birds are flittering around the feeders.

Right now I am…
Checking email, chatting with with my co-workers, typing up this post

Thinking and pondering…
Thinking about some friends who are facing some tough personal challenges right now and how much I admire their grace and strength.

Listening to…
There’s a group of ladies who meet once a month to paint and I’m trying not to eavesdrop on their conversations, LOL…

How am I feeling…
Relieved but nervous, if that makes sense! Last week I had to reschedule a doctor’s appointment, if you remember, and I was able to get in first thing this morning. The appointment has to do with some GYN issues I have been dealing with for a while now, and my doctor and I decided on a path forward that makes the most sense. So the good news is that I don’t need to go for two more invasive tests. Instead, she scheduled me for surgery in June to have a polypectomy and D&C. So I am relieved that action is being taken, but of course I am a little nervous about the surgery. I had three c-sections, but for this I will be under general anesthesia, which makes me a little anxious. It’s a common outpatient surgery, and this doctor actually is the same one who performed my last c-section, so I am extremely comfortable with her. Hopefully this all will help the variety of “lady problems,” LOL!

On the breakfast plate…
Half of a cinnamon muffin with cream cheese

On the lunch plate…
Leftover pizza

On the dinner plate…
Hot dogs, baked beans, salad. Not the most nutritious day is it? Sometimes that is how it goes, though.

What I’m wearing…
Jeans, strappy sandals, floral top, mustard cardigan

On my reading pile…
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama by Bob Odenkirk 

On my TV this week…
Finishing Season 4 of What We Do in the Shadows

Sprung

Impractical Jokers

On the menu…
Monday: Hot dogs, baked beans

Tuesday: Spinach-artichoke chicken, baked potatoes, salad

Wednesday: Ham, macaroni & cheese, ramen cole slaw (Making double of this meal and delivering to a friend)

Thursday: Chicken wraps

Friday: Burgers, maybe?

Saturday: Definitely take-out after all day at the book sale!

Looking around the house…
Not too bad because I cleaned yesterday morning (yes, on Mother’s Day! It was what I wanted to do so I could actually relax later). Just some crafting stuff that needs to be put away. I dropped off a bunch of donations for the Historical Society’s tag sale and that made a lot of extra space in the dining room, so I am happy about that.

To Do List…

– Dig out Jake’s Social Security card for his summer job

– Laundry (always)

– Update summer calendar

– Set up our new outdoor gazebo (!)

From the camera…
Sadly nothing to share today…

 

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

A fresh week

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It is a new week so I am getting this post up bright and early, and hopefully I won’t far too far behind with my blogging for once, LOL! Hopefully you all had a great weekend. We enjoyed gorgeous spring weather here in the Hudson Valley. In addition to trying out the new boba shop in town, we took Laura to volleyball practice, did a little shopping, and did a little planning for a backyard refresh.

Today is a busy one, too… N. has his AP Calculus exam this morning, I have to reschedule a doctor’s appointment (ugh… I hate having to do that), work is going to be a busy one and then I have my board meeting tonight. So let’s get off to a positive start, shall we?

Linking up with Sandra at Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday,

The Weather:::
It’s bright and sunny as I am typing this out, just before 7 AM.
 
Monday – Sunny, 51/72
Tuesday – Cloudy 44/63
Wednesday – Sunny 39/70
Thursday – Partly sunny 45/75
Friday – Rainy 49/78
Saturday – Cloudy 53/77
 
As I look outside my window:::
Spring is in full bloom and I am loving it! The kids will be outside my window any minute as well, waiting for the bus.
 
Right now I am::: 
Chatting with Laura about styling jean shorts, LOL…
 
Thinking and pondering:::
If I will be able to reschedule my doctor’s appointment within a reasonable time frame.
 
On my bedside table:::
Water cup, thyroid pills, basket of random odds & ends
 
On my tv this week:::
What We Do In the Shadows
… need to start another show or two
 
Listening to:::
It’s quiet in the house, so just me typing!
 
On the lunch plate:::
Not sure yet… 
 
On the dinner plate:::
Buttermilk grilled chicken
 
On the menu for this week:::
Monday – Buttermilk grilled chicken, potato salad, zucchini
Tuesday – Turkey burgers
Wednesday – Italian sausages and pasta, green salad
Thursday –  Halal street cart chicken (copycat recipe)
Friday – Pizza maybe?
Saturday – Pot roast (bumped again!)
Sunday (Mother’s Day) – Grab something out after L’s volleyball game maybe?
 
On my reading pile:::
The Writing Retreat  by Julia Bartz
 

On my to do list:::

Some houseplant care
Laundry (never ending right?)
 
Plans for this week:::
Visiting my folks on Wednesday
Volleyball practice Thursday
Middle school dance on Friday
Volleyball game on Sunday
 
What I am creating:::
Still haven’t completed this from early April —-> Still working on Laura’s bag. I need to take an inventory of all my crochet WIPs and finish them before starting new projects.
 
My simple pleasure::: 
That first cup of coffee. Probably one of my favorite things.
 
Looking around the house:::
As you’d expect after the weekend! I’ll sort it out a bit before work.
 
From the camera:::
Sadly, I did not really take many photos last week and I am not at all caught up on my Copperplate alphabet, so I don’t have anything to share.
 
Wishing you all a good week ahead!

Spring Break & Easter Week

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Happy Monday, everyone! I wish I had more to write about over the weekend, but there was not much happening that was very exciting. Saturday I worked on cleaning and reorganizing my craft area and then we went to Mass. Even though it is long, I always enjoy the Palm Sunday service.
 
Yesterday I drove up to meet my folks in the Berkshires — Laura is spending a few days with them, as it is spring break week here and Drew and I both have work. She may as well get spoiled by grandparents, right? After dropping her off I got home, made lunch, and Drew and I watched a few episodes of History of the World Part II on Hulu. Then I went and grabbed a few groceries, brought home dinner, and that was about it!
 
And here we are… Monday again! Today I decided to link up with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.
 
The Weather:::
It’s nice and sunny out there today! Still breezy and cool, though you can tell nicer weather is coming.   
 
Monday – Sunny, 24/61
Tuesday – Cloudy 42/67
Wednesday – Rainy 47/55
Thursday – Rainy 48/72
Friday – Partly sunny 36/57
Saturday – Sunday 31/54
Sunday – Sunny 32/61
 
As I look outside my window:::
I see some folks walking their dogs in the field
 
Right now I am::: 
Counting down until the end of the day, listening to a patron talk about an author she enjoys
 
Thinking and pondering:::
Holding good thoughts for our friend and town supervisor who underwent surgery today for a benign (thankfully!) brain tumor. Praying for a full recovery. I know it will be a long road ahead.
 
On my bedside table:::
Water cup, thyroid pills, basket of random odds & ends
 
On my tv this week:::
History of the World, Part II
Loudermilk
Alaska Daily
 
Listening to:::
The windchimes outside the door.
 
On the lunch plate:::
Salad & yogurt  – not very exciting at all
 
On the dinner plate:::
Chicken thighs, rice or potatoes, salad
 
On the menu for this week:::
Monday – Chicken Thighs
Tuesday – ?
Wednesday – Turkey tacos
Thursday – 
Friday (Good Friday) – Cheese calzones? Veggie pizza? 
Saturday – ?
Sunday (Easter) – Easter dinner out with Drew’s mom
 
On my reading pile:::
The Anomaly  by Hervé Le Tellier
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
 
On my to do list:::

Continue cleaning out craft desk
Update memory planner
Finish Laura’s granny square bag
Start dorm packing list for Noah
Pot plant propagations
 
Plans for this week:::
Dentist appointment
Driving kids everywhere (LOL)
Movies (maybe?)
 
What I am creating:::
Still working on Laura’s bag. I need to take an inventory of all my crochet WIPs and finish them before starting new projects.
 
My simple pleasure::: 
Inhaling the smell of spring! It’s like a combination of dirt and grass and rain… I can’t really explain it, but if you know you know.
 
Looking around the house:::
Laundry needs to be put away, floors could use a good mopping, and I need to finish putting away some odds and ends from the grocery store.
 
From the camera:::

Last Wednesday night Drew and I used a gift certificate to a favorite local restaurant so we could take advantage of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. I got the most delicious beef short rib with mashed potatoes and spinach; he got salmon with roast potatoes, squash & kale. It was a delight to enjoy a mid-week date night!

 
 
 
Hoping it’s feeling like Spring where you are!

Manic Monday

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Ah, it is Monday again — are we ready to do this? My Monday certainly got off to a crazy start. My 17 year old missed the bus this morning (though because the bus passes our house again after picking up the kids in our neck of the woods, he was able to catch it on the way back). One of our cats decided to use a laundry basket as a litter box. Ugh… at least things settled after that. Things can only get better as the day goes on, right? Right!

Joining in with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Money…

The Weather:::
It’s cool (37 degrees) and sunny right now, but snow is supposed to start later tonight. Our area is literally on the line in between 4-8″ and 3-6″ so it’s going to be a wait-and-see event! I would not be mad about a snow day.

As I look outside my window:::
Cars are coming and going on the Town Hall campus. There’s just a little bit of snow left from this weekend, otherwise brown grass and bare trees… but at least the sun is shining!

Right now I am:::
Avoiding work, obviously LOL! 

Thinking and pondering:::
What it’s going to be like having just one kiddo at home next year! Noah had his last college interview/audition last Thursday so now we just have to wait to hear back from the schools to which he applied. Jake will be in his senior year in college, and Laura will be starting high school.

On my bedside table:::
Water cup, levothyroxine, crossword puzzle book, basket with other crossword puzzle books, pens, headbands, etc.

On my tv today:::
We have just been watching mindless TV. My husband has been really busy with work and either too tired in the evening to focus on a new show or else he’s doing work so or go-to has been To Catch a Smuggler on Hulu. It is crazy some of the stuff that people try to bring into the country!

Listening to:::
Listening to the ladies at the table who are here for their painting club and one of the clerks shelving books.

On the lunch plate:::
Just a salad with some leftover honey BBQ chicken from the other night. 

On the dinner plate:::
I picked up some thin steaks at the grocery store yesterday and I was planning on making those, but we may end up getting subs. (Our favorite pizzeria has daily specials and on Monday it is Buy 3 subs get 1 free. It is also conveniently close to where Noah works after school so the timing usually ends up working out well, LOL!)

On the menu for this week:::

  • Sunday – Chicken parm rollatini, whole wheat penne with sauce, steamed broccoli
  • Monday – Pan-fried steak, salad, roasted sweet potatoes
  • Tuesday (maybe a snow day) – Chili & cornbread, salad
  • Wednesday – Turkey meatballs with gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans
  • Thursday – Chicken curry, rice, naan, cucumber & onion salad
  • Friday (meatless for Lent) –  cheese quesadilla, black bean soup, fruit salad
  • Saturday – Bacon cheeseburgers, sweet potato fries, cole slaw

On my reading pile:::
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (audiobook)
North of Dawn by Nududdin Farah (need to start this for book club at work)

On my to do list:::

  • Order Noah’s cap & gown (still haven’t done this!)
  • New blog design
  • Reorganize pantry
  • Work on memory planner
  • Clean out makeup bag 
  • Put away all the earrings in my dish in the bathroom (I put them there before my shower and then forget to bring them back up to my bedroom)

Plans for this week:::
I have a hair appointment on Wednesday and I will also need to pick up our prescription refills. Otherwise, just work and the usual stuff around the house.

What I am creating:::
Working on a granny square tote bag for my daughter. I am using this pattern from The Purple Poncho, but she requested longer straps. She is already thinking about camp this summer and using it as a day bag! I may have to figure out a way to line it — I can definitely imagine things slipping through the holes.

My simple pleasure:::
Coming downstairs to a clean sink in the morning. I know it sounds silly, but seeing no dishes in the sink from the night before always starts my day off better!

Looking around the house:::
I cleaned on Saturday morning so really everything is in place. I still have my (small amount of) Valentine’s stuff out. Tomorrow or Wednesday I will switch everything over to St. Patrick’s Day/Spring

From the camera:::

I can’t believe how much my hyacinth grew in a week! The photo above was taken this morning. The photo below is when I bought it last Monday!

Wishing you all a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday, 2/13/2023

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Good afternoon everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was full, but good. Friday night Laura had her best friend sleep over after the middle school dance. We got late-night pizza and they watched movies. They are adorable! Saturday Drew and Noah were in the city all day. Noah had his interview and audition for Berklee College of Music. It’s so hard to assess how you did in that stressful environment. I’m sure he was great! Now we wait… He has an interview and second audition for his first-choice school next week. Yesterday I took my daughter and her friend to see Titanic and let me tell you — 3 hours in 3D glasses is way too much! Yikes, I had a bit of a headache afterwards. But they had a blast, and really that is what matters.

Today I thought I’d join in with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Money (even though I am not technically a homemaker since I work, I feel like I am one at heart).

The Weather:::
Currently 52 degrees! This weather is crazy and I am not loving it. The flowers and trees are so confused. Some folks in town who have an apiary are suffering major bee losses. And I can only imagine how bad the tick situation will be this summer. Here’s what the week looks like in New York:

As I look outside my window:::
I’m typing this up at work so I just see the parking lot and the field next door. It is sunny and quiet at the moment!

Right now I am:::
Counting down until I can go home, LOL! I do have to come back for our Board meeting tonight, but I have checked off pretty much everything on my list today, and then some. So I don’t feel too bad sneaking in a blog break.

Thinking and pondering:::
I am working on reorganizing my craft area at home, so I have been thinking about better storage options for things like stamps, ink pads, stickers, paper, die cuts…. all that fun stuff!

On my bedside table:::
Hmm, I would have to think! I know I have my water, my levothyroxine, a couple crossword puzzle books, hand lotion, night cream, and headbands and ponytail holders. Not sure what else!

On my tv today:::
This weekend I started watching Watchmen (the HBO series) with Drew . He has watched it at least twice and I have not seen it. WOW, just wow. I can understand why he has rewatched it because there is just so much going on and so much to digest. I would definitely recommend it.

Listening to:::
Just the traffic going by! It is a very quiet afternoon here. I’m hoping everyone is making the most of this warm and unseasonable weather!

On the lunch plate:::
I had some leftover lentil soup, naan, and grapes. This was the new recipe I wanted to try and I was not crazy about it, honestly. It’s ok, but I don’t think I’ll make it again.

On the dinner plate:::
I didn’t get anything in the Crock Pot for tonight so I think I will just make some turkey burgers, oven fries, and salad. Quick and easy before I have to head back out to my meeting.

 

On the menu for this week:::

  • Sunday – Chicken piccata, roasted rosemary potatoes, broccoli
  • Monday – Turkey burgers, oven fries, salad
  • Tuesday (Valentine’s Day) – Chicken tacos
  • Wednesday – Chili, hot dogs, chips
  • Thursday – Ham steaks, mac & cheese, asparagus
  • Friday –  Breakfast burritos, salad
  • Saturday – Take-out

On my reading pile:::
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (audiobook)
Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Vuolo (ebook)

On my to do list:::

  • Order Noah’s cap & gown
  • Send in a baby picture of Laura for yearbook
  • Laundry (never ending!)
  • Car inspection & oil change

Plans for this week:::
See above, in addition to work! We have no weekend plans and I am crossing my fingers they stay that way. I would absolutely love to have a wide-open weekend to putter around the house.

What I am creating:::
Still working on my dragon fin shawlette, which I hope to finish up this week. Also working on some dishcloths for spring.

My simple pleasure:::
Drinking coffee and checking Timehop every morning. I love looking back on all the memories!

Looking around the house:::
I did a lot of cleaning on Saturday morning while the girls were hanging out upstairs, and it wasn’t too bad when I left this morning so hopefully nothing changed! I’ll be taking down my (very limited) Valentine’s Day decorations at the end of the week and starting to switch out wintery stuff for early spring stuff.

From the camera:::

I tried my hand at a French Toast bake for Saturday breakfast. Usually I don’t eat anything quite so carby, but it made for a fun (and pretty) sleepover breakfast and it was really delicious!

Happy Homemaker Monday, April 26, 2021

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How I am feeling this today…
Ready for the week! I have a pretty busy week ahead so I spent time yesterday organizing tasks, menu planning, and setting myself up for success.

The Weather…


Seems like a nice week ahead of us! I know a lot of people who would like it warmer, but I am totally OK with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Summer will be here soon enough — let’s enjoy spring!

On the breakfast plate…
Well, it’s long past breakfast, but I had an apple danish and a cup of tea today. For lunch I had a cup of homemade chicken noodle soup. (Call me a snob, but I just can’t stand the canned stuff!)

On my reading pile…
Yesterday I finished Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill, and I really liked it a lot! I think it’s a book that appeals to a certain personality, though. I can see why some people aren’t charmed by it, but I really enjoyed it. I also recently finished Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Mari, which is for my May Global Literature Book Club. I fell absolutely in love with this book. It is sad and emotional, and really got to my heart. Both are quick reads (or quick listens if, like me, you’re on an audiobook kick). Currently I’m getting a jump on the June Book Club selection, which is Disoriental by Négar Djavadi. I also have The Hands-On Home by Erica Strauss checked out. It looked like a sweet little book.

On my TV…
Drew and I started watching “The Last Man on Earth” on Hulu and it’s pretty good. Also, the usual “Law & Order: SVU” as well as the new “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”

On the menu this week…
Monday: Chicken cordon blue
Tuesday: BBQ pork chops and macaroni & cheese
Wednesday: Tacos
Thursday: Meatloaf
Friday: Take out (?)
Saturday: Kielbasa and pierogis

Looking around the house…
I did a ton of cleaning yesterday, catching up on laundry, washing the floors and organizing things so I’m not in bad shape! I have a pile of clean laundry to put away and I really need to clean up my “nest” area (as I like to call it) around my favorite chair. It’s where I have all of books, yarn, planner stuff, etc.

To relax this week I will…
I started a new blanket over the weekend (just a C2C pattern), so I’ll keep hooking away on that.

Something I want to share…
If you’re on Instagram and want to learn about government in a non-partisan way, follow SharonSaysSo. I absolutely love her Stories and at some point I want to take one of her Government for Grownups classes. She explains things really clearly, is not judgy at all, and she’s hilarious! Check her out.

Happy February!

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Well, we would appear to be starting the shortest month with a big snow storm. It’s starting to really come down as I type this! Truthfully, I am not enthusiastic about this storm. Jake is heading on-campus Saturday and needs to have a Covid test done. Yesterday he had his virtual visit and the plan was to go and get it over with this AM, but alas, the storm has closed pretty much everything, including the Urgent Care center doing the testing. So it seems our next chance to go is Wednesday. Luckily, they do the rapid as well as the regular (and the school accepts rapid results, so if the regular test doesn’t come back in time, we’re still OK). 

Ugh, the month can only get better, right? And it’s a short month too. AND we can now say that spring starts next month. I don’t really mind winter, but I’m really feeling cooped up and could use a day of nicer weather to get outside for a while.

Anyway… it’s been months since I participated, but today I’m joining in with Sandra at Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

The Weather…
Snow. Cold. Wind. Typical for the Northeast in the winter, of course, but I’m a little cranky about it this week because I have a lot going on. 

Mon: 27/20 Snow
Tue: 30/25 Snow
Wed: 31/19 Cloudy
Thu: 40/19 Sunny
Fri: 38/21 Mixed precipitation
Sat: 33/31 Partly cloudy

How I’m Feeling Today…
I’m really tired because I was up quite a bit last night thinking about the weather, getting this test done, some things for work, and making sure Jake has everything to move to his dorm on Saturday. Trying hard not to stress out over things I can’t control is easier said than done!

On My Mind…
Mostly what I’ve already been talking about. I’m just trying to focus on getting through the week, and getting the kid up on campus!

On the Breakfast Plate…
Since it was a true snow day (no school, no work, no nothing), I decided to make pancakes and sausage. Everyone was very excited about that!

On My Reading Pile…
I’m supposed to be reading Three Strong Women by Marie Ndiaye for Book Club at work, but I have to be honest… I just have such a hard time getting into these selections. I feel like I’m back in college reading for class assignments. I’ll probably end up just skimming through it and picking up something a little lighter and more fun. 

On My TV…
We’re trying to finish Season 5 of Better Call Saul before Saturday. A few episodes left — I think we can do it! 

On the Menu This Week…
This menu is highly subject to change based on weather and whims! But just to get something down:

Monday – Pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad
Tuesday – Cranberry-brie chicken, rice, mixed veggies
Wednesday – Possibly take-out
Thursday – Chicken enchiladas
Friday – Jake’s choice
Saturday – I may get Chipotle for me, Noah & Laura or if I don’t feel like going out, it’ll be frozen pizza.

From the Camera…
My snowy front yard

Looking Around the House…
The dining room table is covered with everything we’re bringing up to school for Jake. I have some baskets of laundry that need putting away. The usual post-weekend tidy is definitely required.

New Recipe I Tried Last Week (or One We Really Enjoyed)…
It’s not a new recipe, but yesterday I made a take on puttanesca sauce that I haven’t had in ages. It’s pretty simple: sauté garlic in olive oil, add a can of whole tomatoes (break up the tomatoes) with the juice, a can of quartered artichoke hearts, a can of black olives, some capers, a little chicken broth, and let it simmer. I added some diced chicken as well for extra protein and served it over bow tie pasta. So good! 

To Relax This Week I Will…
Ha! Yeah right. Just being honest on this one, LOL. I don’t know, maybe I’ll work on some simple crochet projects if I can focus long enough.

 

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Happy Homemaker Monday, October 26, 2020

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Hello everyone! Hope you are all doing well today. I am off from work for a few days and totally enjoying it! Today is my birthday, so I decided to give myself a bit of a break. Let’s link up with Sandra at Diary of a SAHM shall we?

The Weather
It’s cold and rainy today – no complaints, though! I’m enjoying a lazy morning inside before I head out this afternoon for a few errands.

Monday – 53 / rain
Tuesday – 52 / sun
Wednesday – 54 / sun
Thursday –  49 / rain
Friday – 38 / rain
Saturday – 43 / sun
Sunday – 52 / sun

How I am feeling this morning
I am in a really great mood! We had a really nice weekend and I am catching up on several projects so I feel really good about that.

On my mind
Starting to think about the holidays, what to make, what to do, etcetera.

On the breakfast plate
This morning was just coffee with heavy cream.

Right now I am
Listening to the washer finish up a load. I’ll switch it over to the dryer soon. Then I think I’ll make some tuna. I’m craving a tuna melt with bacon for lunch!

On my reading pile
I just finished reading Rage by Bob Woodward, and I would highly recommend it. Next up I need to read Delirium by Laura Restrepo for the library’s book club discussion in November.

On today’s to do list
Vacuum the house, finish up one load of laundry, grocery shopping.

On my TV
We finished watching “The Unicorn” on Netflix, which was really cute and great for the family! Funny and heartwarming without being too cheesy. I also finished “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” which I absolutely loved. It’s not that scary (though there were a few good jumps), and the story is sad and beautiful. I have one more episode of the new Unsolved Mysteries. I think this week we’ll be watching a lot of ghost shows and scary movies.

On the menu this week
Monday – Chipotle take-out, cheesecake (it’s my birthday!) 
Tuesday – Mississippi Pot Roast over mashed potatoes, green beans
Wednesday – Greek chicken wraps, roasted tomato soup
Thursday – Jerk chicken legs, red beans & rice, broccoli
Friday – Pizza & wings, salad
Saturday – Mummy dogs, turkey chili, cole slaw, French fries (Halloween)
Sunday – Meatloaf with gravy, potatoes, green beans

From the camera
We had some gorgeous weather last week and this tree by the library was just too perfect with the sun and the colors. I love fall!

Autumn in New York

Looking around the house
I need to tidy up the living room and run the dishwasher. Otherwise all is quiet for another couple of hours until the kids get home from school.

New recipe I tried last week, or one that we really enjoyed
Not really a new recipe, but last night I made delicious stuffed burgers. I mixed together some shredded cheddar, a bit of cream cheese, some bacon, and some diced jalapeno and made stuffed burgers. Everyone loved them!

To relax this week, I will
Work on some craft projects — catch up on memory planning/scrapbooking and maybe do a little sewing.

Something I want to share   
Hmm… can’t think of anything for this one.  

On my prayer list
For the safety of everyone voting early
For a more compassionate country
For family & friends

Happy Homemaker Monday, October 10, 2020

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Happy fall! Happy October! Today I decided to work on this post during my lunch break. It’s been hard to motivate to blog these days, but October always has me in the mood for projects, so this is one of them. 

Anyway, let’s link up with Sandra at Diary of a SAHM. 

The Weather… It’s cold, gray, and wet out today. If I wasn’t stuck at work it would be the perfect day for tea, movies, books, crochet… all those cozy things! Looks like a decent week ahead weather-wise. I’m not complaining!

How I am feeling… I am so tired today. I think everyone I know is feeling tired, stressed, anxious… I also have my annual work evaluation tomorrow and while I know it will be fine I can’t help but be a little nervous about that as well.

 

On my mind… Already thinking about the holidays and what that may look like. I’m coming up with a couple different plans because who knows what things will be like in November and December. I’m trying to have a good attitude about it, though, and I’m determined to make the best of it no matter what we are faced with.

 

On the breakfast plate… Breakfast is long gone! I made a ham, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich on an English muffin. Work lunch was a burrito bowl with leftovers from last night.

 

On my reading pile… Nothing at the moment, though I have the Andrew Cuomo book sitting on my desk (it’s release date is tomorrow), so I may take that home to preview.

On my TV… Last week I bingewatched the newest season of Wentworth, and I also watched American Murder: The Family Next Door. Other than that I am watching Cold Case Files and eager to start The Haunting of Bly Manor, all on Netflix.

 

On the menu this week…
Monday: Chicken & chickpea curry, cauliflower rice, naan
Tuesday: Beef Stew (slow cooker), cheddar & garlic biscuits
Wednesday: BBQ riblets, macaroni & cheese, salad
Thursday: Jerk chicken drumsticks, red beans & rice, salad
Friday:  ?
Saturday:  ?

 

From the camera… Sadly, I have not been taking many photos. I should remedy that before all the leaves fall! The colors here in the Hudson Valley have been stunning this year!

 

Looking around the house… It’s a mess. I’ll just be honest about that, LOL! 

 

Chore I’m not looking forward to today, or this week… All of it! Just being honest about that too, LOL!

 

To relax this week, I will… Truthfully, if I can get my house clean I will feel relaxed and then feel like I can start a new project. I have a ton of this putty-colored yarn (not quite gray, not quite cream), and I want to make a new blanket for the couch in the living room. I am off on Wednesday (as usual), and because of the holiday today, my kids are off from school and will attend Tue-Wed instead of Mon-Tue, so I want to use that time in the morning to really tidy up. That way, when I have my vacation day of Friday I can feel free to actually take it easy! That’s the plan at least.   Well, I guess that is about it! Wishing you a great week!