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Happy Homemaker Monday

Exciting news!  We have opened the blueberry-basil vinegar I canned last fall.  We love it.  It's perfect for salads!  I'm so glad I made the vinegar.  I have not yet drained the vinegars that are being infused with chive blossoms just yet, but those will also be used for salads and marinades this summer.  Yum!



Joining Sandra today at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for today's Happy Homemaker.  Enjoy.  It's my last time participating in this.


If you didn't see it until now, I did a spring clean on my blog, and so far love it.  What do you think?

More organizing?  After using up some older note paper, I have splurged, and obtained a magnetic meal planner pad, with perforated grocery list that tears off.  Talk about getting organized.  Too often, I will sticky note the heck out of the kitchen with meal ideas, and then get so off track.  Not anymore.




Has anyone noticed on blogger, that when you have a draft post in the works, and you make a change on it, it does not move to the top anymore?  I have to click drafts now and find what I last worked on if I have had posts published in between.  I loved that feature, and now it's not longer a feature?  Urgh.

 



The Weather . . . 
88°F/61°, possible rain today (went from a 90% chance to 20-30 now).  Rain possible all day Tuesday.  We need it.


Right now I am . . .
Drinking coffee and planning out the week.


Thinking and pondering . . .
-Canning more blueberry basil vinegar this year. 
-Canning roasted red peppers this year, or pickling them.
-Planting about 5 more red bell pepper plants. 
-Calling around for local strawberries.  There is a lack of supply.  We have yet to build our raised beds (still on the list).



How I am feeling. . . 
My ears are still draining and starting to feel better.  I am sun burned, and have very sore muscles, but read yesterday's post to catch up on what's going on.


On the breakfast plate . . .
I have no idea yet.  For once, we were both so busy that we have no idea what either of us want as well.

On the dinner plate . . . 
Grilled burgers to go with our pasta salad, watermelon.


On the menu . . .
Popped open a jar of home canned blueberry basil vinegar for a homemade salad dressing.
Made a new pasta salad for meals these current hot and busy days.  It is delicious, but I would add white beans next time, and use fusilli pasta. I wanted to use up some shells we had in the pantry.

-brats, grilled veggies
-leftovers


On the reading table . . .
Well, I finished another book over the weekend (only thanks to long travel times for errands), and started another one, but will need to update you later.  I am too tired to go fetch it and get the title.


On the TV this past week . . .
-movie Crazy about the life of Hank Garland (good movie)
-series Dutton Ranch, the few episodes that are available now


Looking around the house . . .
Kitchen is a hot mess, but that happens when you are putting your garden in, and maintaining it, trying to work on setting up AC, fixing things, repairing fences and so forth.


On the to-do list . . .
-make some sort of breakfast
-run dishwasher, wash pots and pans (dishwasher is full)
-water all seeds planted
-get mail out
-sweep/mop
-dust
-errands
-sweep porch and patio
-write
-order organic canola oil (there is a shortage right now, and stores are empty of it)


What I am creating . . .
Have not had time or energy to work on any handiwork this past week.  If things progress, and work lets up a bit around here, I'll work on getting a photo to share.


From the camera. . . 
Visited an antique store last month, and there was a room downstairs that was specifically Christmas items.  I did not buy anything for Christmas, but I did leave with a (gulp) cookbook.


Prayers, Devotionals, Bible Verses . . .
Prayers for locating a missing 17 year-old boy in the local area.  They sent out a search party more than once, and still have not located him.

Prayers for complete healing.  It's no fun when it's hot out and your AC is not up and running yet.

Prayers for a friend and her husband working to sell their business.  

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Comments

Betsy said…
I liked your post today. Learned lots about how you plan your time. I have tried so many times to make meal plans and it never works out. I used to do it when the kids were home and we stuck to it pretty well. But, in retirement, it seems we get calls from friends to go somewhere or we don't feel like what's on the menu, etc. I really need to be better about it.
Tonight is tortellini with sausage and veggies.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
June 8, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Pioneer Woman at Heart said…
Betsy, your dinner sounds wonderful! Yeah, I get so off track when the garden goes in, but it's temporary madness. We are still getting asparagus too, which helps decide a vegetable.
June 8, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Luludou said…
Blueberry / basil vinegar sounds good. I'll make pasta salad for supper thanks for the idea. I like the clean new blog. Have a good week
June 9, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Pioneer Woman at Heart said…
Luludou, thanks. We are really enjoying the vinegar for salad dressings overall. I just needed a change on the blog, as it appeared too much on the page to me, and needed something new.
June 10, 2026 at 6:47 AM
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