I promise to get back to posting these on Mondays. Soon. I had good intentions yesterday but then, it was a holiday. And the grocery store was offering an incredible discount on gas that I couldn’t miss (Temperature on Sunday was 57 degrees so that’s how many cents off a gallon with that amount of purchase!). Plus, the weather. Oh, the beautiful, glorious and now, frustrating weather.
More about the weather coming up shortly. As always, joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of At A Stay At Home Mom. I’m so grateful she doesn’t close her link up on Monday nights and gives us slackers a chance to join in the fun as well.
The Weather
Were we talking about the weather? Oh, yes. So, we’ve had a serious snow storm (7.5 inches!) last Thursday, followed by 57 degrees on Sunday, almost 70 degrees (yes, you read that right) yesterday.
And today, it’s in the low 20’s with freezing rain and temperatures falling. Back to the low 40’s for the later half of our week. And creeping back to the 60’s (maybe) again next week. Chance of something again this Thursday. Honestly, I’m ready for a new ride. Let’s try the one labeled spring. I know, get in line, huh?
How I Am Feeling This Morning
See rant about weather. I have spring fever. And I didn’t sleep great so I’m tired. However, I’m motivated to get some procrastinated items off the to-do list today.
On The Breakfast Plate
A switch! I’ve been on an oatmeal kick and actually so has my husband. Much better than his usual breakfast of toaster strudels or bacon and Eggo waffles. I don’t like that he’s eating all my instant oatmeal packets. Good thing I bought more at the store yesterday. Also, coffee. Just realized I forgot to take my vitamins. Better do that.
On My Reading Pile
Still going through quite a few books. (Just a reminder note: I read very fast and probably procrastinated quite a few tasks while reading these books) The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah was very good and pretty emotional, I think I preferred The Four Winds, however. I do now know that Alaska is definitely not on my places I’d like to live list. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware was a good, twisty murder (maybe?) mystery that kept me guessing. And Mercy by David Baldacci brought the Atlee Pine series to a satisfying close. It’s the first set of his books I’d ever read and see he has written quite a few. I’d give more of his books a chance.
That said of all the books I’ve read over the past week (into this one, remember I had 2 snow days in there!), the one I’d suggest over all the others is The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. WWII historical fiction isn’t usually my thing but this one sucked me in from the very first page. I noticed from the Goodreads reviews, it’s a love it or hate it kind of story but I loved it. About a Jewish woman who flees with her mother to rural France and ends up forging documents to help children escape to Switzerland. Her mother disapproves of the work (completed at a local Catholic church) and her budding relationships with the other members of the resistance. I could not put this one down at all!
Now, out of necessity, I’ve moved on to a lighter subject and am reading Spring Blooms at the Hummingbird Hotel by Daisy James. And a nice, practical non-fiction book The Minimalist Home: A Room by Room Guide to a Decluttered, Focused Life by Joshua Becker.
On My TV
Not much really. Next Level Chef when I remember. Joe Millionaire, guilty pleasure TV. Forgot to watch Around the World in 80 Days on Sunday so I need to catch up on that some time today. Tried watching some random show last night, The Endgame. Seemed ok. Reminded me of a female version of The Blacklist.Â
On The Menu
I was tired of looking on-line/at Pinterest so picked up some new cookbooks at the library attempting to get out my cooking rut. Tried a couple new recipes from them last week. The fusion (not called that but I think it was that) Italian/Chinese stir fry from Lydia’s A Pot, a Pan, and a Bowl cookbook wasn’t a hit. However, the porkchops from Gordon Ramsay’s Quick and Delicious were a “can make again” winner. Unfortunately, I saw nothing in the Jamie Oliver cookbook that I thought would work around here so I need to give it back. (Library is a great place to try out cookbooks before you buy one).
MONDAY: Pepper steak, rice *J had a baritone lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: Spaghetti, maybe minestrone. Depends on my mood later.
WEDNESDAY: Moroccan chicken (another Gordon Ramsay recipe)
THURSDAY: Spicy Potato Soup (Grateful that Schotzy mentioned this recipe a while back. I’ve made it many times since then)
FRIDAY: Turkey tacos using leftover turkey (in freezer), yellow rice
SATURDAY/SUNDAY: homemade pizza, hot dogs/French fries
From The Camera
Back yard on Saturday afternoon:
South side of the house at the same time: 
Yes, my daffodils have sprouted and have buds. No idea what to do about it. Going with the information that said they’d be okay as long as they haven’t flowered. If not, I guess I’ll learn for next year.
Looking Around The House
It could stand some spring cleaning. Or regular cleaning. It’s not awful though.
On My To Do List
- Pay bills
- Measure freezer shelves
- Go to Target for bins to organize freezer (Note: This was my husband’s idea/suggestion. I’m not passing it by when my husband suggests I go to Target!)
- Fold laundry/do a bit more laundry
- Clear out one tub in basement
Quote For The Week
Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter. (Henry David Thoreau)
Or maybe even a kind of spring?
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Am I the only one with spring fever?
Nope. My Flynn is ready for spring!!! So is Rhett. We had a couple warm days, but this week is supposed to get cold and possibly snow. Thanks for the recipes. I am always on the lookout for new things to try. Joe Millionaire is so good, don’t you think? Those two guys are so cute, and I like that they are friends. Well, I am off to take a power nap! Have a cozy evening, my friend.
BillieJo recently posted…Monday Morning Coffee Talk…With Muffins!
I tried really hard to enjoy winter this year but it’s hard to get back into it after the warm, sunny days. We ended up with snow flurries all day today. Thankfully, nothing stuck. I might feel different if I wasn’t trying so hard to get my kid back into a good routine. The pepper steak one is always a winner with all the picky eaters around here (though I do make part of it into “pepper chicken” for my oldest who doesn’t like steak). It’s pretty forgiving as well, used lemon juice last night as I completely forgot to pick up a lime at the store and it still tasted fine (the lime is better in it). Yes, I am really enjoying Joe Millionaire. I kind of think the guys should just leave all those women behind and go off on their own “bromance” trip. Ha! Hope you enjoyed your nap and that you have a cozy evening as well!
Hello lovely Lady,
Nice to see you whenever you get here. Lol 😊
We are currently slowly being buried alive by snow (maybe almost a foot by the time it’s done). So I envy at least your moments of sunshine and warmth in between the crappy weather. 😆
That turkey looks yummy and now I’m craving a turkey sandwich. Lol Geesh I’m so subliminally easy.
That book sounds so good – like they should make it a movie! I have such a lineup of books I’m so behind. I’ve finally been carving out time each day or night to read and I hope I can catch up.
I hope you have a blessed week ahead. xo
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook recently posted…Happy Homemaker Monday
That’s a lot of snow! It’s been years since we had any kind of snow like that around here. Hope you don’t get buried by it too much and that maybe the sun pays you a visit soon. We have sunshine today but I think those winds from your area are blowing down this way, it’s 7 degrees this morning with negative 10 a wind chill(cold for us!). If you were closer, I’d definitely share some turkey with you 🙂 The book would have made a good movie, maybe they will. I usually read a little in the afternoon and before bed. Hope your Wednesday is off to a wonderful start!
Oh yes we’ve had snowstorms like that this year, at least 3!
Lovely quote
Lucie recently posted…Happy Homemaker 2022-02-21
Our snow is once again (mostly) all melted and the world is back to brown around here. We used to get more snow than we do now. Undecided if I like it better this way. I think I prefer to get the snow in December and January but our snows always seem to come in mid-late February when we’re all ready to move forward into spring. Hope you’ve had a wonderful week and now weekend!
Sorry to be running so late, but I guess better late than never 😀 YUMMY looking turkey and ironic that you picked up the cookbooks at the library – I just drug out a half dozen myself and having been going through my markers for some new recipes. My bulbs have sprouted also, but it’s true that they’re fine as long as they haven’t bloomed. Seems like mine have done it for the last several years, but the blooms know to hold off until the last minute. The Book of Lost Names is on my to read list, so I’ll be sure and move it up the list now. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday. 😀
It was odd that I happened up on a cookbook in the library that I’d been toying with the idea of buying (The one by Lydia, now I’m glad I didn’t as I see fewer things in there than I thought that my family would eat.) I did check on my bulbs this afternoon (we’re back on an uphill, warm weather trend) and it looks as though most are okay. One close to blooming looked sad but the rest seemed fine. I had another book by the same author on hold come up and also found it extremely engaging, The Forest of Vanishing Stars. I seem to be back on a historical fiction kick lately. Hope you had a great weekend!