Happy Homemaker Monday

The porch is fully loaded with split wood for the upcoming colder nights this week. We also moved the splitter inside the barn, and more wood, so we can split wood despite any weather.

We got more stuff taken off the porches and put in storage, all garden hoses put away (I use a lot to get out to the gardens). Got Youngest's car fixed.  Thankfully, she did not blow the transmission.  Got the larger air conditioner out and put in storage (been after Hubby for a few months on that job).

I'll try and remember to post an update on handiwork.  I'll have time this week, as the snow and rain are keeping us inside for now.

I'm finally back to cooking.  Since the passing of my Dad, I had zero motivation/mental capacity to cook or bake.  We had no meal after the service, nor any meals delivered from friends/family (we lived on take out).  First dinner we had was a ham, potatoes and corn.  The family is elated.  As for baking?  Well, that may happen in a week or two.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I'll link up when she posts.  I need to run out to the barn and fetch kindling.  

The weather outside is . . .

40°/27°F, Raining early this morning, turning to snow, with 1 inch expected.  Snow all day Tuesday.

On the breakfast plate this morning . . . 

Omelet with sausage and cheese, coffee.

As I look outside my window . . .

Cloudy, dreary, raining, cold

As I look around the house . . .

My front room is a mess, but one daughter can't lift her laundry basket and take it upstairs with her hand healing either.  I'll try and help take stuff upstairs for her.

What I am wearing . . .

As of posting this, pajamas, robe and slippers.

To do today or this week . . .

Taking it easy today.  Long mentally/physically exhausting week.

For the week?

-split wood

-clean masterbath

-vacuum carpets

-extreme clean the kitchen hutch 

Currently reading . . .

I haven't picked out a book, but will be posting in a day or two.

On the TV this week . . .

Night Shift on Netflix

On the menu . . .

-BBQ turkey cutlets, crockpot veggies

-Sweet potato/lentil soup

-Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala and Basmati Rice (new recipe to try, including homemade garam masala)

-white bean and ham soup, homemade bread

-a healthy breakfast dish with greens for the next few days

Something to share . . .

A story about my Dad.  When I was raising 3 kids as a single parent, and helping build my first home (Habitat house), I was a full time travel agent.  I was going on 10 years of that profession, when a woman was hired, did a dirty deal on my boss (a boss who I absolutely loved ), got her demoted and moved to another store, and didn't like me because I could sell travel better than her (never pushed higher priced packages and we were on commission), and I would go home with headache after headache, hating my job . . .I got sick of it and literally walked out.  When I told Dad, he smiled, raised his hands in the air and said, "Hallelujah!" (Mom said, go back and get your job back).

Biggest risk I ever took, but I found a job within 30 days, made twice as much money, holidays off, weekends off, where I met my current husband (he worked maintenance and I was an office girl). and now married 22 years and 6 kids, 3 grandkids (one passed).  

Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Just a dog and his wine bottle.

Prayers, Inspirational quotes, Devotionals . . .

Continuing to pray for our K (21 year-old) and her hand to heal quickly and good recovery, for Youngest (Romeo is no longer with us, and I am not sharing details, just know she is in a very mentally stressed state), for our daughter with Covid, our nephew with Covid, Our state, my family and health, Mom (she's been mentally worried since Dad passed), any personal requests.

Resourcefulness Tidbits ~ Wood Splitting

 

Medicine Cup Bird Feeder Ornament

The other day I suddenly realized I got my "resourcefulness" from my Dad.  Years ago, he gave me a container of craft supplies from my Grandmother.  Somehow I was the new owner of a bag of medicine cups. I think I should have added some bird seed to that medicine cup.  Anyway,  I think this trait I inherited had something to do with my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot.

I was literally searching through my crafting supplies for a container I kept old keys in.  I caught myself laughing, because I realized how much I don't throw away - container of bottle caps, old jewelry, wine corks etc.  Oh boy.  Stay tuned for some future posts on my S.C.R.A.P. blog.  I have a few up my sleeve right now.

We were back to wood splitting yesterday, but we were delayed with repairs on the splitter.  We finally got some split about 1pm, after a full morning of running our for parts etc.

We are back at it today.  Snow is in the forecast for Monday.

Depression Era Hanging Lamp and Dad

My Grandma and Grandpa (Dad's parents) lived through the depression.  They were very resourceful people.  Never threw anything away, dug stuff out of trash bins that could be used to rebuild new items to sell (many times lamps).  I am the owner of one my Grandma made using egg cartons.  It still works too.  My Dad gave it to me to use in an apt. many years ago while raising my first 3 kids.

I found this when we cleaned the garage last.  My Dad made it for me many years ago when I had my first house.  It shows his humor as well as resourcefulness.  Best I can figure, it was a key to our shed at the time, and I am sure I lost the key once or twice, so hence he recycled wooden piece in large form, sanded and polished it too.

 

I went through my photo albums and found these.  It's my Dad, his dad and Mom visiting when I gave birth to my first born child.  Precious moments.

Random Tidbits ~ The Car Saga

Thanksgiving yesterday was spent much differently, but so much more less stressed and way less dirty dishes.

We started off the day with ordering 7 meals online from Bob Evans.  We went to the "Big City" and delivered 2, then headed out of town to our daughter who is in quarantine with a total of 5 people.  We placed a box (5 meals) and bag of extra food in the driveway, and then called her.  She was ever so thankful, but still can't really taste food.  

By the time we returned home, our 21 year-old was off work and we broke out our take out meal.  I was literally back in my PJ's by then and we just hung out in the kitchen until we were all done eating.  

Porch weather returned for a short bit, so we spent some time chatting on the porch too.

We had to stop at the grocery store for an extra pie, the day before Thanksgiving.  Our 21 year-old daughter is constantly buying Christmas decor (which I told her "save your money")

Guess what she bought for me?  

Camper ornaments.  They are so cute and she insisted the tree needed them, as we are not putting up our bigger tree this year.  We are using her tree that she put up (a bit smaller).  I love them, but still told her she better be saving her money.

On Tuesday, the day before my Dad's funeral service, 3 of us went to town to take care of all of the last title/plates (deadline due to pandemic was Dec. 1st.).

We were at the title office, and I watched my daughter and husband walk back to the truck.  I said, "uh, she has to go next door and get plates."  

My husband looked at me and said, "your daughter is broke down on the highway (our 2 lane country highway).  It was raining and we drove all the way back to her.  Her car wasn't going anywhere.  My husband and I pushed her car off the road, drove her home, gave her the keys to my car and she went to work. 

We drove back to town (this is about a 25 minute drive), got the plates for the other daughter's car, went back home to get help to tow the car back home.  When we got home, we saw transmission fluid all over the driveway.  Ugh.  We have yet to look at the issues and I'm praying the transmission isn't blown.

So, guess who is back to having no car again.  I never even got to drive it again.  Sigh.

Our family needs a break from all things bad.  

 

This and That

 

Let's talk about English Muffin rings.  I had no idea these things even existed.  Do any of you have them and use them, and if you have them, do they help in the rising/baking process?

Where is a good place to purchase a wool pressing mat?

Let's talk pie.  Does anyone have a really good homemade butterscotch pie recipe?  I will be checking my cookbooks, but I really don't want to use a pudding to make it.  I'd like to try a homemade one.

I found another use for my home canned pizza sauce.  One day last week I made chicken parmigiana in the crock pot.  So easy and tasted awesome.

I sliced two organic chicken breasts in half, making 4 filets of chicken.  Dipped them into an egg beaten with salt and pepper, then dipped them in Italian panko, seared 3 minutes on each side in butter in a stove top pan.  Transferred them to the crockpot, poured a pint of home canned pizza sauce over it.  Put the crock pot on low for about 7-8 hours, then hand shredded mozzarella cheese over it at the end until melted.  Delish!

My 21 year-old daughter bought me a very cute camper blanket.  She also bought me a box of Christmas cards she found at the dollar store.  So cute!

I finally figured out what I can make for Mom for Christmas.  I will be digging out my sewing machine for part of the making.  I haven't gotten it out since I sewed goat coats for our baby goats.  I'll update as I work on it.  This should be fun.  I never figured out how to thread a bobbin with it, so I sure hope YouTube has some videos.  The book that came with it doesn't have directions.  Mom gave me the sewing machine, so I am thankful for that.  I still have her old one that I used for years until it just got to the point of not being useable.

Dad, Mom, me and my siblings with my Dad's horse Sugar.  We lived in the city, and his horse was kept at a barn nearby.  I remember us driving home one time and Dad road Sugar into town to our house.  The first kiddo on Sugar is me at the age of 2.  Such precious memories.

His service was Wednesday afternoon.  It was graveside.  It started with an honor salute, as Dad was in the Navy during the Korean war.  It was very cold and raining the entire service, but we shared many, many funny and happy stories (and we all had different ones).

By the way, not sure if I shared, but our daughter (who has our grandkids), was tested positive for covid.  She got pretty sick.  We are really worried about her family, as her husband has many health issues.

We plan to do a driveway drop today for my Mom and one daughter (meal).  Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Egg Souffle (aka Christmas Morning Casserole)

 

(note:  you could use ham or bacon or any mix of meats really, but we've always used breakfast sausage)

The original recipe was given to me by a co-worker many, many years ago.  She had brought the dish in for a potluck, and it was amazing.  We've been baking this for Christmas morning every year since then, because you can make it the night before and bake it in the morning.

Brown one pound of organic (or homemade) breakfast sausage.  Drain. Set aside.

Recipe calls for "8 slices of white bread"

I use homemade white bread, and use about 6 slices, because my loaf is much larger than one from the store.

Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.  I've also used a thin layer of organic olive oil.

Dice the bread with kitchen sheers or a knife. Layer the cubed bread into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the cooked breakfast sausage evenly over the cubed bread.

Grate 1 cup of organic sharp cheddar cheese.

Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top of the cooked sausage.

In a mixing bowl with a spout, mix 2 cups of organic milk (I use whole milk), 1 tsp. organic ground mustard and. . .

6 large eggs.  Whisk.  I used 7 as my layers are still laying small-ish eggs.

Pour the mixture over the ingredients in the baking dish.

Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until eggs are cooked.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

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

The weather outside is . . .

Cold, sunny, 40's, lows tonight 30's

On the breakfast plate this morning . . .

Egg Souffle (again)

As I look outside my window . . .

It's sunny.

As I look around the house . . .

Not really looking.  Things can wait for now.

What I am wearing today . . .

PJs.  

To do today or this week . . .

-pick out an outfit for Dad's graveside service

-try and get a hair cut

-get through the week

Currently reading . . .

Nothing this week.

On the TV . . .

Operation Christmas Drop

On the menu this week . . .

So far it's been take out.  Chicken noodle soup is in the crockpot and after that most likely take out.  To mental stressed to even want to cook/bake.

Something I want to share. . .

If you go to Cookies and Cups website you can copy and paste and print this chart.  We may all need it if things get bad.

From the camera . . .

Miss Thelma thought the food tasted better inside the feeder.

Prayers . . .

Our family (Dad passed away), Youngest, for the healing of our 21 year-old's hand surgery, Mom (staying save from the virus), our country, our daughter who has grandkids (she is sick, doctor today said he's 99% sure she has covid), and other personal requests