Happy Homemaker Monday

Return to DOASAHM here

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Terribly rainy...  we  have had  water in our basement and the outlook for the week spells out more water!  ARGH!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

We  ate out at Bojangles... I got a deconstructed  egg, ham and biscuit

RIGHT NOW I AM:

I am listening to the radio... and  working hard to  get this post finished...I forgot it was Monday!!!

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

I am putting out  an unwelcome sign to  Mr. Alberto... Nothing personal,  but rain, rain go away!!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

Not much change from last week...  can not seem to  get motivated to  refresh the main level....  with  a new look...  Too many interruptions!!!

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:
This week  is so full I cannot share about it today...  will gladly write all about it next week!!!!

Monday~~

Tuesday~~

Wednesday~~

Thursday~~ 

Friday~~

Saturday~~ 

CURRENTLY READING:

A Fine Romance by Susan Branch

      With Every Breath, by Lynn Kyrland        
Ecclesiastes
                                                                                                                                                                    ON THE TV :

Lots of  things on Netflix,  but didnt like anything Ive seen so far this week...I have  a hard palate to please.. I guess Ive seen all the good stuff ...

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

Same as the answer to things to do this week..  all will be revealed!

MONDAY:  

TUESDAY:  

WEDNESDAY: 

THURSDAY: 

FRIDAY: 

SATURDAY:  

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

A better way to pack my clothes! HINT!

FROM THE CAMERA:

Time to celebrate!

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wednesday Hodge Podge

To return to Joyce's page click here!

1. The last place you visited/patronized where you felt like you were given 'the royal treatment'?

We received the royal treatment at the Martha Washington Inn last fall.

Located in Abingdon, Virginia, it is the epitome of southern grace!

Dining is  exquisite...

2. The last task you completed that was a 'royal pain'?

The  one that automatically popped into my mind  was  an assignment I had to do  as I was chairman of the benevolent committee of my church.. It was the Thanksgiving food baskets  and from beginning to end it was one fiasco..no matter how hard I worked on this to get the food picked up for Thanksgiving baskets,  everything went bust and  we were  barely able to  tend to our task.. mainly because the church office double booked the space we always use for  this  annual   out reach program... I was a miserable mess by day's end.

   

3. How have your strengths helped you succeed? How have your faults hindered you?

Somehow over the course of my life  I  was  thrust into leadership  in  the manner  of "help's in my church...  I was a willing pair of hands and I enjoyed helping...  but my weaknesses failed me because I am not a good delegator.  I ended up doing much of  the work on my own in three different churches over  35 years.

4. If you found a remote that could rewind, fast forward, stop and start time, what would you do with it?

Use it...  just like I use one just like it now!  It was part of our Cox Cable kit!

5. Any special plans for the Memorial Day weekend? Will you in some way honor or recognize the meaning of this day (remembering people who died in service to their country)? Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery? Does your town do anything special to mark the day?

I grew up doing Decoration Day   back in the  country  where my parent's were raised...we collected flowers form the gardens and actually alongside the roads, ie. black-eyed Susan's, Queen Anne's Lace, and  chicory.  We'd create baskets of flowers to pl;ace on the graves at 3 cemeteries. I really miss doing that..We have no plans,  we will fly our US flag and  probably fly it through July 4th since there are various  holidays  coming up.  We have been to Arlington Cemetery and it is quite   amazing. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I didn't think we had plans for this week, then  a cousin called and had gotten us all together to celebrate life together... Hurray for Marnee and  for family..  especially over the holidays!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Return to DOASAHM here

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Right now it is 75 and very humid..  thunderstorms this afternoon..  yikes..more rain!!!!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

I have had my strawberry shake...  well, it almost tastes like strawberry,    and  various other nutritious concoctions....Looking forward to my  cup of coffee!

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Listening to  Sting on Pandora....  Sister Moon

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

Last week's rain is rally making the flowers grow!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

I see  rooms downstairs that need a bit of refreshing...  Time to  do a bit of late  spring decorating..

I when I look in the basement I see where water got into the store room and  things are  a complete chaos,...  I am so glad I recently purchased some new tubs..  time to  reorganize  the  seasonal  items  in tubs and get them  on shelves where they belong!

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

Monday~~A stay at home kind of day and get things done!!! Correspondence...Call and get an appointment with the podiatrist...    I have  a lame foot with a  bad callous..    yikes!

Tuesday~~Early eye appointment  several eye tests and   probably  take a long time

Also, hoping to hear this week from our project manager on our bathroom redo  

Wednesday~~choir practice

Thursday~~ work on getting clothes ready  ironing etc  (yuck)

Friday~~make some contacts  and plans  for lunches 

Saturday~~ open for surprises

CURRENTLY READING:

A Fine Romance by Susan Branch

              Latest editions of  3  magazines... Magnolia, Charisma,Cottage Southern Style                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ON THE TV :

I loved the show I found on Netflix last week...

Dare to be Wild.

Starring Tom Hughes from Victotria...

click the link above to watch the trailer...  it is a wonderful film!

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY:  fish fillets and  slaw

TUESDAY:  lunch out...  at Zaxbys...    southern chicken salad

WEDNESDAY: pork loin strips and   veggies

THURSDAY: Mexican taco salad

FRIDAY: as far as I  have gotten

SATURDAY:  ??

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

A plan to lighten up the downstairs rooms for summer.. one reason I got that  Cottage Southern homes  magazine.. some  great ideas in there!!!

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Mexican Taco Salad

Ingredients 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef

1 package (3/4 ounce) taco seasoning

1/4 c. water 

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped 

1 can (11 ounces) corn, 

drained 2 tomatoes, chopped 

1 small jar (8 ounces) low-fat Catalina salad dressing

1 package (8 ounces) baked tortilla chips, crushed 

Directions 

Coat a large, nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place it over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook for 5 minutes, or until it's browned. Drain any accumulated fat and add the taco seasoning and water. Stir until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from the heat. 1 In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, corn, tomatoes, and dressing. Toss gently to coat. Top with the meat and the chips just before serving. 

TIP OF THE WEEK:

Use shower hooks to store purses

FROM THE CAMERA:

Items for our new bath... from the Kohler Devonshire collection

 Plumbing items by Moen  the Hamden Collection

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Click here to return to Joyce's page!

1. What would you say is your biggest day to day challenge?

I know I need to get more exercise,   but  bad feet and    and  extra weight   really limits me...  I am glad to say I am starting a new regimen  today  that should help! 

   

2. May 16th is National Biographers Day. What's a biography you really enjoyed reading? Is this a genre you read regularly?

The trilogy of books I  have just finished by Susan Branch,  Fairy Tale Girl, Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams,  and  A Fine Romance,, a travelogue to Britain  was one of the most  engaging autobiographies I've ever read..   I do not regularly chose them anymore. While teaching I read many historical biographies  pertaining to the founding of Virginia!

3. How important is keeping a clean house? Do you need to de-clutter your life?

I like a home that  is  sorted out,  things in their place,   attractively  decorated,  and  comfortable.  Do not  wear white gloves here...  I  get around to dusting when I notice there is a need... Hubs vacuums for me every couple of weeks..  vacuuming  stirs up my allergies too much... I have friends who go around wiping everything all the time.. that isn't me. I have never lived to clean my house.  I always need to  de-clutter..  things  in the  main house  are  getting much better.  but the basement.... that is another story

4. You're the 8th dwarf. What's your name?

Mrs. Oakenshield... what can I say,  I have this thing for  Richard Armitage  ever since I saw him in North and South, the British drama. 

 You did ask me... after all! Of course, I could be his mother.... 

5. What's surprised you the most about your life or life in general?

Lately is how quickly time flies...   and everyone seems to agree...  Also, I have physically endured things in my life that as a younger woman I never would have thought I could have endured... I suppose I am  surprised at how  strong we  become over time and with  God holding us up  to meet life's challenges!

6. Insert your own random thought here.I love how God puts people in our lives  at  exactly the right time.. and little beknownst to us at the first meeting we do not realize the impact they will have on our lives.. I am meeting  with a lady  at 9am who is one such person and  I  am giving God the glory for  supporting me  through  knowing this young lady!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Return to DOASAHM  here

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

It is a bright and early Monday morn...the sun is bright and temps are mild, but not for long!

The yarrow has shot up so quickly I can scarce believe it and the blooms are turning yellow.. Soon we'll have butterflies!

Hubs is out early taking advantage of the cooler morning breeze!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

Earlier this morning I enjoyed my first cup of coffee and the fruited yogurt Hubs always prepares for us both, usually before I rise!!

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Enjoying my second half of coffee , listening to Pandora to my Sting Station,,, but they love to throw in a bit of The Hobbit, and I like it too!!!!It speaks to my fanciful nature.... fairies, elves, and dwarfs... you know!

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

I took this through the screen door window... this weekend we got the porch cleaned off, all that hideous pollen... I was able to put out my new table cloth which I bought to go with our new rug!!! The cushions have yet to be brought up,,, but this week will be much milder and we will fully enjoy life on the porch!!!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

We are so enjoying our sun room now that it isn't a dining area... so much room now to live and enjoy our many activities. We eat lunch and dinner there sometimes and enjoy nature, Friday and Saturday I sat there and wrote encouraging messages on 30 postcards to send to the delegates suggesting the reasons they support our candidate at the GOP Convention next weekend... so glad I got them mailed Saturday.. I only picked them up on Friday, wow, that was an act of love to wrote all of those.. And I keep our boxed cards there so I can do my card ministry for our church.. I have many cards to write today.. so much suffering and loss right now!!!

and I love to sit there and watch the birds,, I love to photo them and send them to my girls so they too can learn to identify them!! 

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

Ah,, there's a Sting song.. I just really love him!!!!

My favorite song is "When We Dance"!!!!AHHH!

Tuesday~~we prayer gals meet at Dottie's home for scones, coffee, delightful banter, and hopefully planning for another prayer event.

Wednesday~~ I have a therapy session mid morning and we are discussing a new diet plan for me... very excited about that... praying I can really stick to it.. She promises to encourage me along!!! I'm well on my way on my own I've lost 20 pounds , Id love to lose 50 more! 

Thursday~~ of course, everyday I will do this and that around the house, but we go to dinner with a great group from church Thursday evening to hear a Bible Prophetic teaching (this is a teaching that is open to everyone interested in prophecy and probably 15 churches around the valley are represented. .. we've been doing this now for 5 years.. and our group for our church has grown significantly ... I think it is great because Biblical prophecy is happening in our world today which is leading up to the Great Day of the Lord!

Friday~~ I finally got a hair cut appt. I kept putting it off, then my girl took a while to get to me I really need a haircut. my hair is way past my shoulder../Hubs likes it, but it feels slouchy to me! heheheh

Saturday~~ The GOP Convention for the 6th District of Virginia.

Please pray that God's best will be elected to the ticket of November!!

CURRENTLY READING:

We are still studying Ephesians in Sunday School. I guess that is one of my favorite books of the Bible.

Slowing savoring Susan Branch's book A Fine Romance.. a Travelogue of England

Lessons from Emily by Caroline Jones... I met this author at our class reunion and she told me about her lovely daughter who died from cancer at age 14.. her faith and great will to accept her situation.. was so remarkable that her mother wrote this book. I said I'd love to read it, and so Caroline mailed a copy to me.. I 've just been browsing it, but want to read it this week and take it on my trip next week!

ON THE TV TODAY:

I watched all of the last episodes of Blue Bloods yesterday...ah, the last one was so great..I suppose that was the season finale.

We only have 2 episodes left of season 3 Outlander... Yes. I love it,, I read the books years ago and I adore Scotland, so I close my eyes at the bad parts! really, there can be some pretty graphic stuff, but the storyline is so great and adventurous... I do not want the season to end!!! WAH!! So one tonight and one tomorrow I suppose!

Then I am behind in scads of podcasts I love so this week will probably be dedicated to podcasts!

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY: BBQ from Mission bbq, slaw. Army day is today!

TUESDAY: Chicken fillets , baked potatoes, salad

WEDNESDAY: Fish fillets, slaw and a few crispy fries

THURSDAY: Bellacino's pizza and salad

FRIDAY: Chef Salad

SATURDAY: Who knows!

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

I have an idea to create address data base for our church directory ~Hubs keeps the church directory upstairs in his office and I need one down here for my card ministry

I might even create some cards to send ~I think that would be pretty special..

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Quick Chicken Piccatta

Total: 25 min Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Yield: 3 or 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound thin sliced skinless, boneless chicken breast, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon hot paprika, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large lemon-half thinly sliced, half juiced, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 medium shallot, chopped, 1/3 cup white wine ,1/3 cup chicken broth

Directions

Some thin-sliced chicken breast has been sliced crosswise, so they look like thin rounds and strips; others look like large cutlets. If your market has the large ones, slice them on an angle into 2 or 3 pieces, so they look like veal scallops. Trim any fat from chicken and slice if necessary as described above; arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on a large plate or a tray. In a small bowl, mix flour, salt and hot paprika. Sprinkle half of seasoned flour over chicken. Turn pieces over and dust with remaining seasoned flour. In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add lemon slices and cook 1 minute on each side; remove and set aside. Add chicken pieces to pan in a single layer and cook until golden brown outside and white inside but still juicy, 1 to 2 minutes on each side; remove to a platter. Melt 1-tablespoon butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Pour in wine and broth and bring to a boil over high heat, scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spatula; boil until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and remaining butter, strain sauce over chicken, garnish. 

TIP OF THE WEEK:

My favorite summer appliance

Cuisinart CCJ-500 Pulp Control Citrus Juicer, Brushed Stainless

Sold at Amazon for 24.00.. makes homemade lemonade a breeze

FROM THE CAMERA:

Hubs and I ready to go to our 50th class reunion.. it rained to beat the band and my hair was a real flop... but we had a grand time!HAHAHA We have a hard time with selfie... hard for us both to be ready at the same time! hahahahaha

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Click here to return to Joyce's page!

1. What are your ingredients for a perfect Saturday?

Sunshine, moderate temperature, breezy weather, a good book, a quiet porch, and glass of fresh squeezed lemonade.. if at home.. if Hubs is amenable, a drive up the parkway when the rhododendron are blooming, and picnicking at an overlook., coming back the long way around stopping at the nursery to pick up some wonderful bedding plants, a couple of Knock Out roses, and then stopping at Dairy Queen for a chocolate coated cone of ice cream!

or A May drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway

stopping over for a picnic

coming back by the nursery

and a special treat

2. What skill do you wish more people took the time to learn?

I guess it may be a bit of a pet peeve for me, but so many friends and acquaintances really just never learned how to properly set the table...and I wish manners were still in vogue.. I almost majored in Home Ec.. but,  indeed, it seems to be a lost art!

3. What's something you ate as a child you can't stand now as an adult?Buttermilk... I only now use it for baking biscuits...

4. Something parenting has taught you? If you're not a parent tell us one important lesson you learned from your own parents.

Choose your battles , but make sure the battles you choose that you win... not by fit but by wit...  Speak  authoritatively in a small and  direct  voice  directly into the child's face...  letting them know that  you mean what you say. Ask the child to agree verbally  by saying "Yes, Mother" after  any correction.  I am  always  concerned when I see child backtalk and sass their parents.

5. Share a favorite quote or saying about mothers or motherhood.

We used to play this on the piano and sing it every Mother's Day back in the 50's and 60's.

M-0-T-H-E-R

6. Insert your own random thought here. Circa mid 50's.