Felt a bit like just another manic Monday (wish it was Sunday…are you singing yet?) around here. Oh, and random trivia before I get my actual post: Did you know that Prince wrote the song Manic Monday? Heard it on the radio a few weeks back. Please share any trivia winnings with me. Ha!

On to the weekly planning post where I join the link up hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Hot, hot, and hotter still. Was I wearing my winter coat last week? Highs in the 90’s most of this week with chances of rain for the weekend. It’s a bit windy out there right now, comfortable but I can feel the heat building.

As I Look Outside My Window

Clouds from the weekend are blowing away and the sun’s appeared. Wish I could stay home and play in my garden areas. However, it’s a working day.

Right Now I Am

working on this post while the laundry goes, I’ve just returned from the grocery store, and need to run up and grab my caramel macchiato (iced) from the kitchen counter before it turns watery.

Thinking And Pondering

Lots of things. Had a really nice Mother’s Day weekend, hope everyone else did as well. Of course, I’m paying a bit of the price for a lazy day yesterday. However, it was worth it for a nice low-key day. We just ordered in pizza, then went and got some rocks for my butterfly garden area. Main excitement came when I picked up one of the rocks and there was a baby copperhead (we think, very small but venomous head shape) underneath it. Gigantic wolf spider under a different one. YIKES! Glad I had on gloves. (I’ll share photos of the “new” area later probably in a separate post)

Homemaking Tips

I think of these during the week and then forget them when posting time comes along. Going to have to start writing them down.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Motivated but tired. Didn’t sleep well. And then, J overslept but managed to get to school on time. Hooray!

On The Breakfast Plate

Lemon curd full milk yogurt (lots o’ protein), coffee, vitamins, apple cider vinegar tabs, and more coffee from the grocery store.

On My Reading Pile

Finished a really good non-fiction read over the weekend: Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari. Went ahead and reviewed it over on Good Reads.  Yesterday I started reading The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. I love Ruth Ware’s books but this wasn’t a great choice to start reading prior to bed. A bit scary for me though I’ll finish it.

On My TV

Better Call Saul, season finale of Masked Singer, not sure what else.

On The Menu

Dropped J off at school and went straight to the store this morning. Still trying to eat from freezer/pantry as much as we can.

MONDAY: chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo skillet *I work 12-5*

TUESDAY: Ham steaks, green beans, corn *I work 7:45-4:45*

WEDNESDAY: Likely out *J has 6:30a.m. band practice* *J has an appt at 3*

THURSDAY: Going to try the shrimp tacos Billie Jo from Afternoon Coffee and Evening Tea mentioned in her post last week.

FRIDAY: Freezer foraging day

From The Camera

Looking Around The House

Laundry mountain on bed, rest needs a bit of a clean, not awful but not great

On My To Do List

1. Organize bills to be paid
2. Fold all that laundry, ugh
3. Get some more outdoor plants/clean front porch/work on garden
4. Grocery store/DONE
5. Pick up things I forgot at Target last week plus look for some summer work clothes

On My Prayer List

Friend diagnosed with skin cancer, another friend having some family issues, co-director at my school, family, strangers. Health, peace, compassion, and kindness to overtake all the sickness and hatred that seems so prevalent in the world lately.

Quote For The Week

Not a quote this week but how can I not end my post with this iconic song? Sing along with me…

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Is it Monday or Tuesday? Is it March or is it May? 

Well, I know it’s Tuesday (worked yesterday so a day late with this) and that it’s indeed May. However, it sure feels a bit more like March around here. Cold and rainy. Woke up to hear our heat running as it was in the low 40’s.

Going to join in with Sandra and the other lovely bloggers over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday, even if it is a Tuesday. Let’s just get straight to the categories.

The Weather

Cold, windy, off and on rainy. We did have a nice thunderstorm last night. And the weather on the news this morning promised a sunny weekend full of temps in the 80’s. Hope so!

As I Look Outside My Window

I saw a hummingbird this morning! There is hope. Of course, I wasn’t prepared as it’s been so cold. Hope he comes back since his feeder is out there now.

Right Now

Working on this post before I leave to go get my hair cut in about an hour.

Thinking and Pondering

It’s a very rare thing (luckily) but I somehow put the wrong dates down on my calendar at some point. Thought G’s band concert was tonight but it’s tomorrow. Turned things down because of it. My whole week feels kind of off now. However, everything worked out in the end.

Homemaking Tips

Whenever I use Clorox wipes, I always run out of wipes but still have a bunch of liquid left in the container. I always shove some paper towels in the container and shake it up to use every drop of the wipe fluid.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

A bit tired, the cat woke me up at 4:00a.m. this morning and then I got up and finally let her outside about half an hour later (she’s quite vocal when she doesn’t get her way). Normally, I’d just stay up but I fell back asleep on the couch and woke up with a start when the 5:30 alarm sounded.

On The Breakfast Plate

Boring oatmeal. I’ll probably go have some toast and take the vitamins I forgot later though. Yesterday, I had a new kind of yogurt (not the Flip stuff) that was cold brew coffee cream flavored. A new favorite!

On My Reading Pile

I’m on a bit of thriller kick. I’ve discovered a new (to me) author, B.A. Paris and have been reading through her books. Quick reads. The first, Bring Me Back, was mildly predictable but still fun. The second one, Behind Closed Doors was a bit darker but scary good. I’ll need to find the title of the next one, I’ve started reading the preview of it after Behind Closed Doors, hoping it’s a kindle unlimited read as well.

On My TV

My husband and I finished Ozark over the weekend. I found the ending completely unsatisfying but he didn’t mind it. We don’t do well watching tv series on Netflix together. I’m a want to know the name of the episodes, what episode I’m watching, how many are left in the season kind of person. He’s a just let the next episode load and watch it type. I wasn’t mentally prepared for the last episode to be the last one. He didn’t get it. Please tell me I’m not the only one who likes to know when  watching the last episode of something?

Also watching Better Call Saul, Masked Singer, and Moon Knight. Sometimes Fear the Walking Dead (I have to be in just the right mood/have it the right time of day-no night-time for zombie shows)

On The Menu

Found myself a little fed up with prices/things the grocery store didn’t have yesterday. I just want normal chicken breasts, not pre-cooked, not wings, just the normal bag. And for it not to cost a million dollars. Too tall an order in 2022 apparently. Ha! It’s see what’s here already week, I think.

MONDAY: Spaghetti *I worked 7-3:30* (and then went to the store)

TUESDAY: Chicken sausage, broccoli, and orzo pasta *I have a hair appt at 10:30**J now has an appt at 5*

WEDNESDAY: OUT (Subway per tradition) *J has a band concert at 7*

THURSDAY: Ham steaks, green beans and new potatoes, cornbread *I work 7-1:30*

FRIDAY: Maybe homemade pizza or shrimp or whatever else I dig out of freezer? No idea basically.

From The Camera

I made more of an effort to pick up the camera but with the weather, not much luck in photos.

Looking Around The House

Last Friday, I spent some time giving it a good cleaning, the kind you do with music blaring. However, it needs attention again today.

On My To Do List

More to do than I have time to do.

1. Pick up suet for suet feeder in backyard
2. Go get more flowers
3. Laundry (always)
4. Clean the house
5. Organize the bills, pay a couple that are due
6. Make sour cream softies (cookies) with sour cream that’s about to go bad, trying to be more frugal with what we have around here

   

7. Attempt violet jelly (I have the violets and the pectin, stay tuned for more info)
8. Target trip, need space saver bags for winter clothes along with the usual
9. Check calendar and confirm some work dates for summer
10. Other stuff I’ll think of after hitting publish on my post

On My Prayer List

Friend who just lost her father, friend diagnosed with skin cancer, co-director at my work who suffered cardiac arrest and is currently hospitalized in critical condition (and his family, so sad and scary as we just had a conversation about a week ago! A lot of Covid-19 complications, sigh). Family, strangers.  A healthier, more peaceful world.

Quote For The Week

It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see. (Henry David Thoreau)

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Can you believe this is the last week in April?  I’m spending this last week of the month with a fairly full work schedule so I’m just going to get right into things this morning.

As always, I’ll be joining in with Sandra, our host, over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

The weather continues to be up and down and even sideways here. The photo above was from one day last week when the sun was shining and it was raining all at once. We could just pick our weather depending on which direction we wanted to look.

After a warm weekend, it’s 45 degrees this morning and we’re under yet another frost advisory for overnight. I hope that’s the end of those! It’s back up in the upper 60’s/low 70’s for the second half of the week.

As I Look Outside My Window

I see birds at the feeders and spring flowers finally blooming. Plus blue skies and sunshine!

Right Now

A bit of laundry and trying to get this post up before I head off to work at noon.

Thinking and Pondering

The weather warmed up and so I’m pretty much focused on the outdoors right now. I have too many projects going but picking just one is a struggle. Front porch? Flower garden beside it? Vegetable garden? Adding a garden in front of the porch? New garden area in back yard? And on and on my mind spins.

Homemaking Tips

Not sure if I’ve shared this before but I’ve found storing kitchen storage containers with the lids on makes such a huge difference. No pile of random lids falling on my head. An automatic control on the cabinet filling with too many containers (my husband never met a take out container he didn’t want to keep, drives me nuts!).

How I Am Feeling This Morning 

Not too bad. After feeling under the weather most of last week, I had lots of energy for the weekend and it’s spilled over into today.

On The Breakfast Plate

Oatmeal, water, coffee, vitamins.

On My Reading Pile

After finishing The Betrayal of Anne Frank by Rosemary Sullivan, I was quite shocked to find it was a very controversial book.  Mainly because of the conclusion that likely another Jewish person had been the betrayer in an effort to save his own family. Apparently, there were concerns it was anti-semantic .And that the publisher had apologized, removing it from the shelves in many countries. I thought it was well-written and researched and did not get that vibe from it at all (the last 20 percent of the book was nothing but footnotes/bibliography material many times listing the number of people killed in the various concentration camps).

After all that, I picked a lighter read for my next choice. Alison Sherlock never disappoints and I enjoyed a much needed return visit to Cranbridge in The Village of Happy Ever Afters.

On My TV

Probably not much tv watching this week. Masked Singer, Just Call Me Kat, Moon Knight on Disney+, catching up on Fear the Walking Dead, and also watching Better Call Saul on AMC+.

On The Menu

I had lots of inspiration at the grocery store yesterday and was making a mental list of meals while shopping. Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten it already. Let’s see if it comes back to me.

MONDAY: Leftovers/whatever is in freezer (we had roast yesterday) *I work 12-5:30* *J has a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Lasagna *I work 7-3:30*

WEDNESDAY: Ham steaks, cornbread, salad *I work 7-3:30*

THURSDAY: Pepper steak maybe? *I work 12-3:45*

FRIDAY: Probably OUT *I work 3-6*

From The Camera

I didn’t really pick up the camera over the weekend as I was busy doing yard work. So with the exception of the rainbow, all the other photos in this post are from this morning.

Looking Around The House

I still don’t want to do that! It’s not terrible but I spent too much time outside doing other things this weekend. Like feeling this Lamb’s Ear plant. I might have a new front porch favorite!

On My To Do List

Tried to do a few things over the weekend as I knew this would be a busier week. Not making a super long list at all for this week.

1. Laundry
2. Figure out when my next hair appt is scheduled
3. Check kitchen pantry for ants (don’t really want to do this but thought I saw one)
4. Write and mail a letter
5. Sort out winter/early spring clothes and switch for late spring/summer clothes
6. Continue to research plants/flowers for garden areas

On My Prayer List

A friend recently diagnosed with skin cancer who is struggling with the news, friends, family, strangers. The people of Ukraine. The continued receding and a disappearance of the Covid-19 virus. A return to a kinder, gentler world. Peace.

Quote For The Week

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12: 14-15)

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We had a good, cold, and rainy Easter. Really, I wondered if perhaps I was supposed to be saying Happy Thanksgiving or Merry Christmas. These freeze warnings are getting old. However, the sun is out and shining brightly today so let’s just get to planning the week.

Joining in as always with Sandra of Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom who hosts this wonderful link up.

The Weather

Wishing spring would just get here already. It was a chilly weekend and we woke up to freeze warnings and mid 30’s. Same for tomorrow. Highs in the 50’s today. Can’t remember the last time we had to run our heat over night this late in April. It’s currently 41 degrees and sunny. Supposed to hit the 60’s later in the week with a few rain chances.

As I Look Out My Window

In the basement, the sun is coming in strong through the privacy glass. Outside the back door, the clouds are clearing off, the birds are busy, and it’s still a bit wet from yesterday’s rain.

Right Now

Trying to get this post done quickly as I work later this afternoon.

Thinking And Pondering

I missed hosting Easter brunch yesterday (3rd year in row we didn’t host it). However, it wasn’t all bad considering that it was cold and rained all day, Easter with a large group is always nicer when you can spread outside. Planning (no promises) on a post about our Easter, maybe tomorrow. *update: you can read about our Easter holiday here* The holidays continue to look different as our kids get older. Trying to figure all that out. Wondering when a good time might be to try and have family over for an non-occasion.

Homemaking Tips

Had one but I can’t think of it. Maybe it will come back to me as I type up the rest of this post.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Tired, not feeling 100%. Think it’s allergies or sinus, my nose was running a bit last night (took a Covid test just in case but thankfully, that was negative) Would kind of like to go back to bed but think I’ll be fine.

On The Breakfast Plate

Oatmeal, coffee, vitamins, apple cider vinegar tabs, and black elderberry syrup. Plus a few white chocolate pretzels (Easter leftovers)

On My Reading Pile

Currently, I’m reading The Betrayal of Anne Frank, A Cold Case Investigation by Rosemary Sullivan. Just started it yesterday but I can tell it’s going to be a very interesting non-fiction read. Over last week/the weekend, I read a couple of Heather Gudenkauf books. A new to me suspense/horror author. I enjoyed The Overnight Guest as it was twisty and while a bit predictable at the end, still a good read. This Is How I Lied, not as good and just didn’t do much for me. I also read The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and enjoyed it very much.

On My TV

Masked Singer, Moon Knight on Disney +. Watched a couple of Netflix movies over the weekend. From their “90 minute movies” category, I watched The Cleaner. A good, basic suspenseful movie. And then, I watched The Adam Project, enjoyable but I doubt it would be as good without Ryan Reynolds.

On The Menu

I’m really not sure. Not going to the store today because of my work schedule/J’s lesson so probably going to try to pull things out of the fridge/freezer for this week.

MONDAY: Maybe pork chops? With Easter Leftovers *I work 12-3:45* *J has a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Korean meatballs, rice *J has an appt at 3*

WEDNESDAY: No idea?

THURSDAY: ????

FRIDAY: Out?

From The Camera

Looking Around The House

Pass.

On My To Do List

1. Work
2. Pay Bills
3. Laundry
4. Grocery Store
5. Outside stuff
6. Sort out some work dates (In progress)

On My Prayer List

Friends, Family, Strangers. A friend who just got some unsettling news regarding her health. The people of Ukraine. The World. Peace.

Quote For The Week

All my hurts, my garden spade can heal. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

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Since I had a full work day yesterday followed by J’s lesson, today is Happy Homemaker Tuesday around here.  Of course, I’ll be linking my post to Sandra from Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom, the host of Happy Homemaker Monday, even on this Tuesday.

We had a weekend with really nice weather and managed to get a few things done around the yard. Finally, got rid of some junk that’d been taking up real estate in the backyard for much too long. Excited to get back a planting area at the back of the house. It’s all shaded in the morning with just a bit of afternoon sun so I’m still in the research phase of how I’m going to fill it. Right now, it holds a single bleeding heart plant. I planted it last spring to claim the free space in the area. Excited that it returned and bloomed again this spring!

The Weather

We’ve had some picture perfect spring days. Chilly mornings followed by warm “no jacket needed” afternoons. However, today is gray and cloudy with a wind advisory. Chances of severe storms later tonight into tomorrow. And it’s supposed to dip back into the 30’s for overnights later this week. Thankfully, the daytime highs all stay above 45 degrees.

As I Look Outside My Window

Can’t see out this basement window as it’s covered in privacy stuff. However, I think judging by the brightness that the sun might’ve just made an appearance for a moment. Maybe it’ll stick around. I was hoping to get the garden tilled prior to the wind advisory and storms.

Thinking And Pondering

All the outside projects I’d like to complete. Picture day at school tomorrow (I’m helping) and hoping the rain/storms are gone by the time I’m shuffling kids between their classrooms and the picture area. Taking a vacation or even just a weekend get away soon. It’s much needed.

Homemaking Tips

Don’t store potatoes and onions together. Just learned this thanks to the Farmer’s Almanac. I have them in separate bins but I do wonder if I still might have mine a bit too close together as our potatoes seem to turn pretty fast around here.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Tired, a bit frustrated (had planned on cleaning today but it turns out everyone is home with me, makes it harder to clean with everyone underfoot). Honestly, a little down as well.

On The Breakfast Plate

Oatmeal (the new usual) and croissant. Coffee. Forgot to take my vitamins. Better do that when I finish up here.

On My Reading Pile

Had a book from my library e-book hold pile come up so I read The Lying Game by Ruth Ware over the weekend. I really enjoy her twisty suspense novels. The setting was as interesting as the story in this one, however, I don’t think it was my favorite of all the ones I’ve read. And I also finished Don’t Look For Me by Wendy Walker, a skip the line loan. The story was engaging and yet forgettable. I enjoyed it but her writing didn’t really leave me wanting to read more. And finally, I’m still slowly working my way through the Will Robie series of David Baldacci books. I’m on book 5, End Game.

On My TV

When I’m not reading, I’ve been either at work or outside mostly. I did watch The Greatest Showman again on Friday night. And I’m enjoying Moon Knight on Disney plus. Masked Singer, Don’t Call Me Kat, sometimes I watch The Good Doctor if I happen to catch it. Probably other things but nothing too memorable. Happened to catch The Masters on Sunday and watched the end of that (I usually don’t watch golf).

On The Menu

I’m at a loss this week. Might be a wing it kind of week, those tend to go well. We seem to have gone through our rotation and then some. SIGH. Let’s see…

MONDAY: We had deli chicken *I worked 8:15-4:45* *J had a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: pork chops, baked potato, asparagus

WEDNESDAY: Korean BBQ meatballs, rice *I work 7-1*

THURSDAY: Italian chicken recipe from last week

FRIDAY: Shrimp, either honey garlic or scampi or we’ll just go out

From The Camera

Dreaming of a finished front porch garden area Get to work, lady!

Looking Around The House

Needs a good cleaning, maybe tomorrow. Sad to say I didn’t really decorate for Easter this year.

On My To Do List

1. Laundry
2. Work on the garden areas of yard if weather allows
3. Visit garden centers to get ideas for new backyard areas (try not to buy all the plants and flowers)
4. Mail some Easter cards
5. Get out the calendar and plan a weekend getaway, maybe just to a local state park

On My Prayer List

My sister in law & her family as one of their dogs passed away last night, friends, family, strangers, the country, the world.

Quote For The Week

Where flowers bloom so does hope. (Lady Bird Johnson)