Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Last Friday night's moon.

Saturday morning fog.

Sunday morning fog.

My husband and I tag-teamed and washed all the dishes that were laying around.   Then we sipped coffee on the front porch, but the bugs are terrible with the heat here again.

I had two of our apples go bad, as I have not felt up to taking care of them.  I am hoping that happens soon, before more go bad.

My husband also did a patchwork job on the chicken coop flooring, in hopes it holds until the new coop is finished. 

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

We are to get our first possible fall frost this coming weekend.  If we do, it will be the end of the bell peppers and any hot peppers.  We are in the 80's for now, and the rest of the week, but again cooling down after that.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's foggy again, and the sun is up.  We both slept in, and my husband called in sick.  There will be a doctor appt. today.

Right now I am . . .

Making a pot of coffee.

Thinking and Pondering . . .

I haven't baked an apple pie in so many years.  I do not have a recipe in my binder or recipe box either.  Does anyone have a recipe for the innards of the pie?  Instructions on baking temp and time?  I have the crust.  I guess I will be doing some research online if not.  Golly, it's been so long since I have made one.  I may just bake a crisp instead.  I found a few recipes for pies in an old recipe book I have.  It will all depend on my energy level.

How I am feeling . . .

Tired, still congested a bit, still have some body aches, and once again a day with no work out.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Not sure yet.

On the lunch plate . . .

Have no idea yet.  Possible a turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo roll up sandwich with thin low carb wraps.

On the dinner plate . . .

Have  no idea yet.  It could be leftover chili, so I don't have to freeze it.

What I am wearing . . .

Right now?  Jammies, robe and slippers.  I'm in no hurry.

On the reading pile . . .

Yarn labels is about all right now.  Just wasn't feeling up to reading yet.

I have made another discovery concerning my cotton yarn stash.  It will be a post of it's own, so if you are interested, you can read it or if not, skip over it.  

On my TV this week. . .

Any movies that look interesting.

On the menu . . .

-breakfasts:  Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes, Blueberry (local) Sausages or other sausage, Eggs with spinach or an egg bake
-Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash (still on the menu)

-grilled steaks, oven roasted sweet potatoes with whipped feta dip (this may roll into another week, depending on how we feel)
-will try and work on this later today (or this week)

Looking around the house . . .

It's not tidy again yet.  It will take time.  The AC units will be removed this coming weekend or early next week, and put into storage.  We really need fresh air in this house anyway.

The hallway pile up of tools is still awaiting the complete garage clean out as well.  I also have the binder deep clean job to finish, that was started way back when I started the utility room.  Some jobs just need to be finished and done with before winter.

To do list . . .

-work on stocking up herbs/medicinal herbs/weeds etc
-laundry, wash bedding

-work on a meal plan

-write up grocery/essential shopping needs
-clean camper (still on the weekly list)

From the camera . . .

Devotional, thoughts, prayers . . .

Well, I would say prayers for my husband and I, in regards to getting our health back.  We get to doing something, and start feeling exhausted 30 minutes later.  We are taking breaks, but would really like to feel ourselves again.  We are even taking immune boosters, along with medicinal teas, and whatnot.  I will be making a new medicinal soon, in light of getting sick.

 

New Tea ~ Down Memory Lane

 

Giving this new tea a try.  It is similar to the Traditional Medicinal teas, and it is good.  I have also ordered something new to try.

The carpet is all out upstairs.  It is almost completely out of the stairway as well.  It may be an all year long project, but at least the carpet is gone.

I got my stand for my starter seeds moved.  I'm starting seeds two weeks earlier than last year.  I do need to check the grow lights today.

There were a total of 9 deer out early evening last night.  I heard my husband talking and looking out the window saying, "you all better stay over there."  Ha ha!  They were all out eating the winter wheat.  The temperatures have dropped to the single digits, so it is back to cold here.

Down memory lane:   

I was looking for a specific photo and remembered I made flan for a fiesta/salsa party/tasting night.  That was the first and last time I made flan, but it was good!  You can read about the year I canned several different salsas and our fun food fest  HERE.

Our first goats!  Golly what a memory!  Reflections of 2011 can be read HERE.  We haven't had goats now for many years.  I do miss the milk, soap and cheeses.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 Long, but busy weekend.  While our handy-man had the weekend off, I was working hard to paint bathroom door trim, and juggle the laundry, put things back where I painted another smaller area of a kitchen wall, do dishes, cook, garden, and stock up.

The bathroom repairs continue.  The floor is in.  He had to make some changes with the new sub-floor.  The new shower base drain hole was about 1 inch off of where the original drain was.

The kids, when they lived here, took long hot showers, so the paint on the ceiling was literally coming off.  It's been cleared, sanded, and areas filled.  It could be another 3 days before the drywall can be put in.  The ceiling will be painted with kilz, then re-textured, and painted with ceiling paint.  Each step taking a day to dry, so I'm trying to be patient.

The garden is starting to roll in bounty.  I pulled the last of the lettuce plants and made us a big salad for these humid and hot days.  I spent most of the day Sunday in the tomatoes. Many of them need tied up again.

My husband is working every single day.  He gets no days off for a few weeks.  I'm not running out of things to do, but I do miss him.

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  Will link up when she posts later.

The weather . . . 

We will hit the 90's again, with possible thunderstorms tonight or early tomorrow morning.

As I look outside my window . . .

The sun is shining, and the weeds have once again taken over in the flower beds.  I found some smaller wild growing mullein and have moved them closer to the house.

Right now I am . . .

Doing a load of laundry, and just finished breakfast.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Trying to decide which job to tackle on rainy days - upstairs, bedroom closet, or front room (need to clean out a file cabinet that was previously in kitchen desk area).

How I am feeling . . .

Pretty good actually.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Sausage, bean, and egg breakfast burritos, topped with home canned cowboy candy, coffee.  Lots and lots of coffee.

What I am wearing . . .

Garden work jeans, tank-top and currently slippers until I head out to the tomatoes.

On my reading pile . . .

Somehow I keep adding to the pile, but not reading lately.  Just zero time for it.

On my TV this week . . .

Anything that catches our eye.

On the menu . . .
-roasted turkey, zucchini and corn saute
-chicken, apple/pecan/cranberry salad

-turkey a'la king, peas

-Mac' n' cheese (haven't made it in a long, long time)

-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .

Well, it looks as if the house is under construction, ha ha!  I'm trying to keep things organized, but half the bathroom stuff is in the kitchen, and trim is being painted in the living room.

To do list . . .
-clean out fridge
-laundry

-mail in rebates

-call body shop and make an appt.

-weed flower beds

-tie up tomatoes

-harvest kale

-dishes

-vacuum

-find Mom's camping journals

-check campgrounds for a fall camping trip (if it happens)

From the camera . . .

These were from all weekend.  Momma and her babies.

Devotional/Prayers . . .

-prayers for my friend Marilyn and her husband (Brian, and his sister Christy), as her Father-in-law suddenly passed away yesterday.

View from the porch . . .

The weekend went way too fast, but I'm happy to say my husband is home today.  However, we'll be doing early garden work to start this day off.  We'll heat up to the 90's today, so our time will be short out there.

Happy 4th of July!
 

Splittin' Wood

Although totally exhausted (from different means), my husband and I headed out early Saturday to get a good load of wood cut and split.  

Today, rain returns with high wind warnings.  A good day to do rainy day indoor repairs and what not.  Not to mention, cuddle up with a good book, crochet or other relaxing activities. 

I've seen deer on the move for the last 4 days around our place.  

Remember the stray cat that showed up?  I found it's owner via using a group on social media.  It's crazy.  They live 30 minute drive north of us.  He even responded when they called his name.  I'm just glad he's back home where he belongs.

Rain and other tidbits

Tuesday morning we finally got some of Mother Nature's medicine for the gardens.  It was very much welcomed.

We also celebrated our one daughter's 21st birthday (she baked and frosted her own cake), and we celebrated it by going out to eat and buying her first adult drink.

Daughter and I went to the "Big City" to get our licenses renewed.  Her renewal was easy, but because mine expired during this virus mess, I had to have all sorts of information brought with me.  I dug through paperwork and actually found every single thing I needed for my renewal.  It took us an hour to get through the process.  We timed it right, with only 17 people ahead of us, but a very long line behind us.

We have purchased one car thankfully too.  However, we need 2 more to be completely functional, so we are car shopping for the daughter who turned 21.

View from our front porch last evening.  

Teabag Tidbits

By 1:30pm, the wind chill was 41°F but man it felt so much colder even with the sunshine.  

I took Romeo out about 2:30pm and this gal was in the yard.

Romeo just stopped and sniffed the air, and was like "what the heck is that?"

Seeing all the beautiful colors of fall leaves, reminds me of my one Aunt.  We'd hand write letters and I do miss that so much, and I'd save leaves and press them and mail them to her in FL.  She missed the fall leaves.  We had so much fun exchanging letters.  

Christmas card idea?  He he!  I love my Christmas socks, but with my size 11 feet, I have to buy men's Christmas socks (pair on the right, which fit much better).

We are getting winter weather too quickly.  I had a lot on my plate with dinner prep, so I wasn't sure I'd get out to the garden.  Here's what got done . . .

✔Laundry on the line

✔Blanched organic spinach for the freezer.  Winter food prep.
✔Blanched organic swiss chard for the freezer
✔Folded all the towels that were on the line the day before
✔More jalapenos made it to the freezer
✔Homemade enchilada sauce made early (double batch)
✔Dishes washed, dried, put away

✔Gladiolus bulbs dug up (finally)
✔Put a kitchen crochet set up for sale (see Rooster's Crow Farm blogspot to view it)  It literally sold as fast as I put it up, and they ordered a second set, so I'm busy starting that order now.
*Had returns and pick ups at our local library.  Still on my list.
✔Baked a green tomato cake (and have more green tomatoes to use up)
✔Vacuumed some carpets

I got a call from my surgeon.  My procedure is scheduled for next week, but it's pending.  I have to have someone drive me home, so I'm working on that.  Oh, and I will not have to be put under.  They just have to do it in the OR, but it's a local for the procedure thankfully.  Crossing my fingers I can locate someone to take me there and home.  

Last night I made chicken enchiladas with homemade sauce, spanish rice and hot taco dip.  I forgot to take a picture but the dip was amazing for such little ingredients.  I'll share the recipe soon.

Rare Sight ~ Sunrise

Saw this guy a few times the other day.  A very rare sight.

Trying to take photos is almost impossible.  Traffic will be heavy on our country highway until October.  Ugh.

Saw these guys out yesterday morning.  Three bucks enjoying their breakfast.

Well, I went out and watered everything.  It's gonna be in the 90's today, and I just shook my head the entire time.  Weeds so high and thick I can't see where the plants are or the flowers.  Only where I managed to weed tomatoes.  Oh, tomatoes are on, and so are jalapenos, and I picked a handful of red raspberries.

Daughter is not interning today.  We'll see if I can snag some help weeding and get the flower beds caught up.  Hm.  She'll probably ditch me and go swimming, but I don't blame her today.

I'll be a bit slower at getting around to everyone's blogs, but will be on indoor cooling down breaks, in between weeding.  I was up at 4:44am this morning. Oh yay......

Menu ~ New Recipes ~ Tidbits

The rain has a way of slowing me down a bit, and relaxing even more. Yesterday was a good day for party planning, shopping, and best of all, baking.  

Oh, and some healthy tea drinking.  I brewed a tea for eye-sight health.  I just love this tea infuser!

While weeding the other day, I dug potatoes from another row and got some goodies. Mmmm!  My green onion is looking great now too.

I actually sat down and wrote out my menu for this week, and I'm trying three new recipes.  I'll be letting you know the family rates the new ones.  For the salmon burgers, I substituted organic oatmeal for the breadcrumbs and eliminated the bun. 

Menu: