Monday, March 13, 2023

Happy Homemaker Monday


Hello Friends! 

I'm sending you lovely Spring wishes, as I'm still buried under snow in the northwoods. We got another foot of snow over the weekend. Ugh!! It truly feels like Spring is never coming this year - so just wanted to send you well wishes to enjoy yours! Lol 😆  I just don't have patience for any of this with the horrible cabin fever I'm feeling. It is what it is as they say (but it doesn't mean I have to like it 😉 )

Matt & I were able to get out for dinner when the weather was just beginning to get snowy and blowy - and that was fun. We brought Annie back some goodies too (she didn't feel like braving the weather). Then yesterday we were snowed in an had a game marathon with Annie and that was a lot of fun! Then later on Matt and I watched some shows and it was nice just to snuggle in and chill. 

Today the sun is shining and the week looks lovely...until Thursday. Potentially another huge storm system. 🙈 Please send help in the form of prayers for this winter to end!!! 

For right now, enjoying the sunshine in the windows and diving into the week ahead...




















THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
































ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

overnight oats with apple, coffee



















ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands on Matt's day off including bring in winter comforter to dry cleaners, get together with my Mom, Annie's conferences, my son coming for dinner/games one night, house projects, gift I'm working on, hospice work.



















THINKING ABOUT:  


the sunny getaway trip I'm taking with my daughter in the future...can't come soon enough ☀️ 






 












CURRENTLY READING

Spring magazines 🌸 















ON THE TV TODAY:

Shark Tank, Ghosts, Quantam Leap, The Good Doctor, Survivor, HGTV and cooking shows, Breaking Bad, Greys Anatomy, Reign, and I watched the Academy awards last night 🌟 
















ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:


    MONDAY - mandarin chili pork chops with rice and roasted zucchini and carrot medley (HF meal)


TUESDAY - croque madames with pickled shallot salad (HF meal)


WEDNESDAY - loaded pork taquitos w/ pico de gallo & guac (HF meal)


THURSDAY - beef tenderloin w/ creamy kale & fingerling potatoes (HF meal)


FRIDAY - out for dinner?









 









TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

working on some fun projects















TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:





yum 😋 











FROM THE CAMERA:

I have been loving overnight oats and I've been making different kinds. I now fast most week days - but I still need some pain meds as my back continues to heal...so I eat a little something in the AM and then fast for anywhere from 9-11 hours during the day. And then eat a reasonable dinner. I workout almost everyday, as well as do my therapy exercises. I have been feeling so much better doing this and the weight has started to come off steadily. And I've been getting stronger and my herniated disc issue is really starting to diminish, thank goodness! 




Even though the weather isn't cooperating, I'm continuing to think Spring in other ways. Painted my nails a Springy color and doing pretty wallpapers as the backdrop on my smartphone. ;)


Brought some food to my Mom and step Dad last week - and they're thinking Spring thoughts too. 😊 🌸 





I baked a really yummy quick bread last week - that was almost more like cake in texture and was pineapple coconut flavor. Annie's faves, and it was nice to have something feel tropical around here! Lol I will share recipe this week. 









Last week I scrubbed up this master bath vase and got different flowers to arrange in it. The previous all cream flowers were in it for many years. I had washed them a lot through the years, but they were old and need to go. I wanted a change, so I went with greens, golds, cream and even deep burgundy red tiny accent flowers to suit the stained glass window above the tub. 



I've started a few fun projects - some to be gifts 🐑 






Some shots of the snow out my windows this weekend. The master bedroom has screens on them so that's why they look that way. And one is looking down at the lower level of our house - look how buried that section is! 🙈 



My sweet neighbor bestie and her daughter were embracing the crazy weather and streets being empty and were skiing around the neighborhood and paid me a visit. Lol 



We played 3-person cribbage and other games during our marathon with Annie. It was a lot of fun making due with being trapped in the cozy. 










PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflict in the Ukraine and other areas of the world living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain or fear... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the dark everywhere. For so many dealing with crazy weather this winter to remain safe, patient and not lose faith in the
Spring that is to come. 🙏 












PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


Have a very blessed week ahead! I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Busy Day Soup

 




Hello Friends! 

It's still soup weather here in the northwoods. And there's nothing like a good soup when you're still wanting to feel cozy. Matt and I both love just a good soup, bread and salad kind of dinner. I wanted to use up a zucchini and made Matt his favorite savory healthy cheesy zucchini bread. It's made with almond flour, baking soda, salt, eggs, grated zucchini, spices, grated cheese, and melted butter. Just simple healthy ingredients. And then I decided to try and make this soup I found on pinterest. It's under my "soups" board. You can find my pinterest link in the right hand column.




The soup is made by browning hamburger, draining grease, adding in diced tomatoes, water, and lipton onion soup packet and letting it all simmer for an hour. Then 15 minutes before serving throw in some frozen mixed veggies and macaroni noodles and you have a very tasty cozy meal. The only changes I made from the recipe were adding in a few more seasonings besides the lipton onion soup. I also added closer to 6 cups of water and I added a little bit of sugar to offset the acidity of the tomatoes.



Throw in the homemade bread and a salad (we did Costco's creamy Italian salad kit) and it was another delish dinner! I will definitely make this soup again. Here's the recipe:






Enjoy! xo


Monday, March 6, 2023

Happy Homemaker Monday





Hello, Happy Monday and:



Unfortunately March came in like a lion with a big snowstorm. Then we've had some sunny decent days. And now today started with some heavy snow again but is trying to brighten up. Mother Nature is crazy y'all. Lol Spring in the north is always this way. But knowing it's March and so on the calendar we're headed in the right direction brings comfort. I'm finally fully over my cold too. So feeling better and ready for any Spring moments ahead.
 C'mon sunshine! ☀️ 👏 


We had a lovely weekend here in the northwoods. Matt and I went out for fish fry Friday night. He got stuck at work Saturday and I decided to go to Saturday mass on my own (we often go to Sunday mass together). Then we went to hang with our friends the C's. Mr. C was coaching their daughter in a volleyball tourney. Matt and I sat with Mrs. C and watched them make it to 2nd place in the tourney. Yay! We were supposed to go out to dinner with them after but Mr. C wasn't feeling well and turns out he has covid. Thankfully we weren't around him much. 🙈 So fingers crossed we stay well. We went out to dinner on our own then and came home and chilled and watched some shows. My back continues to improve - though not 100%...but it's getting there. I've started fasting more daily and I'm going to work on this more. Not only for Lenten season - but also for health and continued weight loss...which helps my back too. 

Then yesterday we slept in. Matt made one of his famous and wonderful breakfast scrambles. We played some cards. Went shopping and Matt got some golf clothes for Spring/Summer and I got a few Spring items. Then we went to visit with my Mom and step Dad who are both doing GREAT! Thanks for all the prayers over the time frame of both of their heart surgeries!!  And we helped them get their Spring decorations out. 

Then we came home and hung out with Annie. Made a nice Sunday dinner and shared that time with her. And then played some more cards and watched a show together to end the night. It was a relaxing and wonderful weekend. 😊 




















THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:






























ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

half a piece of zucchini bread, coffee w/ protein creamer



















ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands, groceries this week on Matt's day off, work on school project, home projects, hospice calls, hospice work at facility, call and catch up with a cousin, work on spring break trip plans



















THINKING ABOUT:  


future ways to give to hospice work that may include some new opportunities for me creatively....still researching but excited to explore






 











CURRENTLY READING

Spring magazines 🌸 















ON THE TV TODAY:

Shark Tank, Ghosts, Quantam Leap, The Good Doctor, Survivor, HGTV and cooking shows, Breaking Bad, Greys Anatomy, Reign, might check out That's my Jam too















ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

*my hello fresh is delayed this week so not sure about meal plan but thinking:



    MONDAY - leftovers from pork chop dinner 


TUESDAY - roast beef melt sandwiches, salad


WEDNESDAY - busy day soup (if I make this & it's yummy will share recipe later this week)


THURSDAY - tacos


FRIDAY - out for dinner?


*I might try to bake a pineapple coconut quick bread this week to think tropical thoughts (& my Annie loves these flavors) 🍍 Will share this recipe if I make it too.







 









TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

get some back rubs from Matt, work on fun projects 















TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
















FROM THE CAMERA:

March keeps coming in like a lion 🦁 




Matt's breakfast scrambles are the best! And cleans a lot of leftovers out of the fridge. 😂 



Found som cute Spring/summer pillows out shopping this weekend





Think Spring! 💐 








PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflict in the Ukraine and other areas of the world living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain or fear... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the dark everywhere 🙏 












PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


Not exactly an inspirational - but it sure gave me a giggle, as I relate  with these bad back issues. 😆  
I hope you have a joyful week ahead! (with very few aches and pains 😉 ) I'm sharing with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Friday, March 3, 2023

Ways I'm Dreaming on Spring (some Inspiration)

 


I have cabin fever so badly. I think the feet of snow currently surrounding my home doesn't help the situation. Lol So I have been dreaming on all things Spring lately. Here are some of the ways I've been doing that:



Decorating for Spring around my home.












Whenever the weather cooperates even a little (meaning any sunshine and no snow and blowing) - I open the windows a while for fresh air. It helps me dream on the mild weather to come.








I like to look at some of my flowers from last Spring and dream on what I want to plant this year. And dream on deck life -sipping wine during a pretty sunset perhaps. ;) 












And I always love looking at pinterest for inspiration of activities, crafts, Spring images, and recipes. These are all from my Spring/Easter board. You can follow or look at my pinterest by clicking on my link to it in the right hand column.



















                             How do you get in the Spring spirit? 

Have a blessed weekend. 

Think Spring!  🌷

xoxo






Wednesday, March 1, 2023