Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello Friends! 

Sorry I missed you last week - just one of those weeks.  And sorry I'm doing this Monday edition on Tuesday. But as always I figure better late than not at all. 

This past weekend was a cozy one accomplishing things around home. And also getting Annie ready for camp she's at this week through school. We ran and got a few more supplies she needed and worked on packing her up. She was so excited to go to a sleepaway camp in the northwoods with her class. I'm sure she'll have lots to share when she gets back later in the week and I can't wait to get the scoop! ;)  Now on to our week ahead folks...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Today is kind of a mini blizzard. We got a few inches of snow yesterday and today it's falling again and swirling and blowing around. At least temps have been warmer in the 20's above. By the time this system is done we could get another 5 inches or more. It just keeps coming. Looks like it will clear up tomorrow and stay clear through the rest of the week and stay in the 20's above zero.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING

toast with a special ingredient I will share down in photos and coffee with amaretto creamer

RIGHT NOW I AM:

watching the news a bit as I work on this

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

it is gray and snowing like crazy. Now and the the wind catches the flakes in a gust and swirls them in front of the windows I'm looking out

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Everything is tidy and feels cozy. I'm feeling in the mood to bake something so may go find something to throw in the oven and turn on the fireplace to add to all the cozy vibes

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

A lot of the usuals. I did run and grab some groceries yesterday and brought some things to my Mom she needed. I have my hospice volunteering this week. Still working on several project around here - getting closer to sharing some fun things soon with you friends!!  Other fun this week is I'm going to lunch with an Aunt of mine.  

 

CURRENTLY READING

between books right now - mainly magazines

ON THE TV TODAY:

The Resident, AGT, The Good Doctor, Outlander, The Rookie, New Amsterdam, This is Us, Kids Baking Championship, Greys Anatomy, Big Brother, Will and Grace

 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY:  we had BLT sandwiches on sourdough, chips and veggies

TUESDAY: turkey, cheddar & cranberry sliders with a side of turkey gravy for dipping, garden salad

WEDNESDAY: probably breakfast for dinner - not sure yet

THURSDAY: creamy tomato soup (red for valentines day of course), garlic cheddar and chive biscuits, fruit, and cherry nutella hand pies for valentines dessert

FRIDAY: slow cooker sweet & sour meatballs over rice with cashews

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

scrapbook gift for a relative

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

nothing really new this week

TIP OF THE WEEK:

FROM THE CAMERA

views out my windows right now

those views makes me want cozy moments with hot tea and candlelight

and here was my secret ingredient on my toast this AM. I LOVE this stuff and would put on everything if I could. It adds such flavor in general - let alone that bagel taste to things. I don't have bagels right now (& trying to eat less of them) so I really like it sprinkled on some cucumber slices for a snack. Or even on some avocado toast - or just some avocado mashed up on crackers. But this morning...

I put some on my sourdough toast spread with the tiniest but of chive cream cheese just to get the seasoning to stick. It's so good (and addicting: you've been warned!!)

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

One Pot Veggie Spaghetti

Hello Friends and happy weekend to you.  

A while back I made this yummy pasta - and one of my kids said it was the best pasta I've made yet! ;) So I thought you might like to give it a try too.  It's great as a pasta on its own...but it's also nice if you're looking for a meat-free dish.  Feel free to use whichever veggies you like or have on hand. I think the recipe calls for mushrooms, but I used broccoli instead.

I sauteed some onion and broccoli in olive oil. Added garlic and seasonings. Then added in a can of roasted tomatoes and veggie broth. Brought all to boil and then simmered the spaghetti noodles until they were cooked. Then added in baby spinach to wilt and yummy parmesan cheese. This pasta had so much flavor because the noodles soaked up all the flavor of the veggie broth as they cooked.  And the best thing of all is you cook it all in one pot! I added some cheesy garlic ciabatta bread and we had a great meal!

Here's the recipe I found at familyfoodonthetable.com 

Enjoy! xo

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello Dear Friends ~  

Happy Monday to you. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. It was a good one here with lots of nice family time.  Hubby and Annie did have hockey tryouts stuff for the summer already. Annie only has a tiny bit of hockey left for this winter season. It's gone so fast! And lots of graduation talk here for Aaron. Time just needs to slow down.  

There's been lots of cozy time here too. We've had some pretty cold days in the northwoods lately. And it looks like even more bitterly cold is on it's way. Yuck! I hope you are thinking cozy thoughts for this week wherever you are....

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Today we got a little more snow early, and now some sunshine. Only 11 above for temps. But the next couple of days are going to be absolutely frigid! 20 below tomorrow night without the windchill. That means probably in the 30's or more below zero.  And Wednesday night they're saying it could be close to 30 below zero without windchill - meaning true temp in some areas could be close to 50 below zero.  Warmth S.O.S. being sent - please send help!! 

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING

part of a breakfast nut bar and some coconut cream coffee

RIGHT NOW I AM:

listening to classical music and Ruby is laying at me feet keeping them warm ;) Sipping orange and spice tea and I added a tiny bit of sweetener and a pinch of tumeric (it's a good natural anti-inflammatory)

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

sunny and bright and the snow is reflecting blinding light in through my windows

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Love the sunbeams shining in my living room windows. The sun always brings me renewed energy - as this time of year we get a lot of dark and gray and the sun goes down so early

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

I think Ruby has appt but need to double check, help my Mom, run errands but not on the freezing days! Kids will probably have school canceled if it gets that cold too. Run to the post office.  Annie religious ed. Volunteer time. Groceries, projects etc

 

CURRENTLY READING

Betweeen Heaven and the Real World by Steven Curtis Chapman

ON THE TV TODAY:

The Resident, AGT, The Good Doctor, Outlander, The Bachelor, The Rookie, New Amsterdam, This is Us, Kids Baking Championship, Greys Anatomy, Big Brother

 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY:  probably leftovers

TUESDAY: breakfast burritos, fruit, stovetop hot chocolate

WEDNESDAY: rotini cheddar pasta, banana nut muffins, veg & dip

THURSDAY: hockey game - easy night (sandwiches?)

FRIDAY: chicken almondine, veggies

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

scrapbooks, some jewelry projects

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Nothing new this week, but I will share the one pot veggie pasta I made last week as it was really yummy! (forgot to share last week but will share this week!)

TIP OF THE WEEK:

FROM THE CAMERA:

Feeling love from a special Auntie that you can find on the blog teas and t's  Early Valentine in the form of all red Pioneer Woman goodies - which she knows I love so ;) Thank you again Dearest Auntie Patsy xo

I put the plates and mugs on shelves in the hutch in our dining room

Hubby took his Dad to an art auction over the weekend and picked up this painting. We love Cheng Khee Chee watercolors and have several in our home. Love that this is a painting of a local area and all the Fall colors 

And got lots of cozy kitchen time lately with all the chilly outside. Dance parties while baking pumpkin chocolate chip bread. If you haven't had a kitchen dance party then you are missing out! Give it a whirl ;) 

Lots of warm layered clothing and parka coats kind of looks in my wardrobe lately. Hope you bundle up this week too Friends

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.