First, yes I know it’s Tuesday. Day late seems to be the usual for me lately.

And now, for my unpopular opinion at this time of year. I love when we switch off Daylight Savings Time. It makes me so happy to have daylight in the mornings again. No more taking J to school in the dark. No more missing the beautiful sunrises because I am already at work or busy with other chores.

My only complaint this year is the later switching really did mean it gets dark already at 5:30! Ugh. If we’d switched a bit sooner, we could’ve eased into the darker evenings a bit more.

Okay, enough about that. Time to plan the rest of the week ahead by joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

Breakfast Plate…What Is On The Plate This Morning

Something different for a change! A pumpkin English muffin and a bowl of maple sugar instant oatmeal. Coffee and vitamins remain constant breakfast fare.

Looking Around The House

Giving it a decent tidying and perhaps some cleaning definitely on the list for today.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Laundry
2. This post/menu plan
3. Write another blog post
4. Figure out plans for J’s birthday next week
5. Whatever the Flylady kitchen missions are for yesterday and today
6. Write and mail a letter

Currently Reading

Midnight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall (book 4 in the series) by Alison Sherlock. I read a couple of her other books over the weekend. They’re not long reads and are just happy, feel good romances.

On The TV This Week

The Voice and La Brea tonight, Masked Singer tomorrow. Not sure about the rest. Probably finish up The Flash for my laundry folding show.

The Weather Outside Is

Beautiful! Back to a late summer/early autumn feeling. High of 70 degrees yesterday, low 60’s today. Still a bit windy though so not quite as warm. Cloudy this morning. Then, good chances for rain tomorrow and cooler temps for the weekend. It’s typical up, down, and sideways weather for us.

On The Menu This Week

Continuing to struggle with what to fix….went to the store yesterday but we’ll see if that helps me think of anything.

MONDAY: No idea what G ate, J and my husband had rotisserie chicken and I had a bowl of cereal *I worked 8:30-1* *J had a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Hamburgers/cheeseburgers on pretzel buns, maybe I’ll make onion rings on the side

WEDNESDAY: Pork chops in crock pot, rice (depending on my mood, may just switch this and make tacos)

THURSDAY: Spicy potato soup

FRIDAY: Grilled cheese, soup

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself, I Will

Take my camera and go for a walk!

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

I have a very few red tomatoes left from our garden (turned them red in a brown paper sack) and thinking I’m going to half this recipe for tomato crostini to use them up before they go bad.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Seeing the sunrise in the early morning hours

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Didn’t take many photos at all last week so all my photos are of the same first day of no daylight savings sunrise. This one was my favorite of the bunch.

Praying For

Friends, family, strangers. That the people from the car accident blocking the road last night were okay.  A peaceful holiday season.

Quote For The Week

Darkness cannot drive out darkness.

Only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate.

Only love can do that.

(Martin Luther King Jr.) 

 

**********

My calendar says November 1 but my e-mail says Christmas! and my mind says, wait what happened to August? Ha. Guess we’ll just have to believe the calendar.

Hope everyone had a good Halloween weekend. Mine was busy but good. Friday I helped out at the preschool Halloween party, exhausting but fun. Saturday morning the high school band marched in a local Halloween parade and then that night my husband and I attended a bonfire at a friend’s house. Yesterday was a bit more low-key. I made taco soup in the crock pot, watched a few Harry Potter movies, and we all played Uno while waiting for the trick-or-treat kids to arrive. Not as many as last year. However, lots going on around town this year.

And of course, my boys are excited to see leftover candy in that bowl. Unfortunately, J woke up not feeling great today so he’s home with a sore throat. No fever so I’m hoping it’s not serious and since tomorrow is a no school day (election day) that he’ll be back on track for Wednesday.

Time to plan the week ahead with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

Breakfast Time…What Is On The Plate This Morning

Something different today. Pumpkin spice English muffin and then the usual vitamins and coffee.

Looking Around The House

Time to pack up the Halloween specific decorations, fall can stay though.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Finish paying bills
2. Cancel our trash service (We are going with a new company! Local and cheaper!)
3. Laundry
4. Take down outdoor Halloween decorations (Hoping it warms up a bit today)
5. Make grocery list/maybe go to store
6. Write and publish final post in my 31 days series, didn’t make it quite the full 31

Currently Reading

Just finished Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft. She’s definitely one of my favorite kindle authors. I’m only sorry I didn’t save this one for the Christmas season. On my “real” book pile, I’ve started Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier. Very interesting so far.

On The TV This Week

The Voice, La Brea, hopefully, The Masked Singer is back, also watching Legends Of Tomorrow on Netflix. And may finish up my Harry Potter movie marathon I started (made it through 3 movies yesterday).

The Weather Outside Is

Chilly! It was nice for the parade on Saturday but now it’s turned and we’re getting lower than normal temperatures for the first week of November. It’s 43 degrees this morning. Predicted lows in the upper 30’s all week with highs in the mid 40’s to upper 50’s. Cloudy out there as well.

On The Menu This Week

Trying to eat out of the freezer this week a bit. However, I also have an appointment for a vaccine booster on Tuesday morning so they might be on their own depending on how I feel later. I’m going to try and keep it simple.

MONDAY: Maybe leftover taco soup, rottessire chicken?

TUESDAY: Roast in the crock pot  *Election Day* *No school* *I have an appt at 9:30*

WEDNESDAY: Chicken strips, French Fries

THURSDAY:  No idea, maybe minestrone?

FRIDAY: Frozen pizza, salad

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself, I Will

I don’t know. Sleep?

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

The taco soup was my husband’s grandmother’s recipe and I’d never made it before. It turned out good and we all liked it. Husband wanted a bit more heat but I thought it had good flavor.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Covering up with soft blankets or throws while watching tv or reading

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Another week where I just didn’t pick up the camera very much. The two other photos in this post were from my cell phone & I grabbed this one with the bridge camera as it was handy. Holiday treats from the “good” bakery. Two words: pistachio cream. YUM (Okay, that was 3 words) 

Praying For

My son that it’s nothing serious and he wakes up feeling fine, friends especially those dealing with grief, family, strangers. The neighbors I always hear yelling. Teacher at work who has to quarantine for 2 weeks. Bit of bravery for myself tomorrow.

Quote For The Week

 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

(2 Timothy 1:7)

 

********************

I’m feeling a bit behind this week. Probably because once again I’m posting on a Tuesday. The end of last week and the weekend were both busy with work and activities. And I also worked again yesterday.

Today, I woke up ready to take back the house and maybe do a little bit of planning for the upcoming busier months of the year. And as always, I’ll link up to Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom where Sandra hosts these Happy Homemaker Mondays each week.

Breakfast Plate…What Is On The Plate This Morning

A bit of a change up today. Pulled the pumpkin spice English muffins from the freezer so toasted one of those and added a bit of butter. Plus coffee. And vitamins.

Looking Around The House

Did I mention I was on a bit of a mission to take it back today?  (Just a quick note: If you’ve been following my 31 Days Series, I haven’t forgotten. Life just got busy without much blogging time.)

On Today’s To Do List

What isn’t on today’s list would take up less space. Just a quick sampling of today’s list:

1. Wash all the household bedding (Long overdue, in progress)
2. Regular laundry
3. General house cleaning
4. Pay rest of the bills including the once a year big ones (homeowners insurance, car insurance)
5. Clean out fridge/freezer
6. Outdoor tasks, not sure if it’s too late to plant bulbs? Need to trim the peony leaves (to try and stop disease)
7. Perhaps a bit of Christmas planning
8. Return library books
9. Work on blog/computer stuff
10. Make a list for errands/maybe go to store to get all the stuff I forgot last night

Currently Reading

Finished Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte last week. Started a bit slow but once I got further into the story, my interest increased. Also, read Boston Scream Murder (Deputy Donut Mystery #4) just because it sounded fun. Not my favorite though I do love this Ginger Bolton series. Needing something quick to read during J’s lesson last night, I downloaded Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft.

Also floating around on the kindle app on my phone is the Chaos to Clean: in 31 Babysteps by Marla Cilley. Not making much progress. I do better with physical books on that type of subject matter. And in the pile of actual library books half-started is Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker. Not sure why I couldn’t get into it. Going to try one more time before I take it back to the library.

On The TV This Week

Watched Dune over the weekend and really enjoyed it. Never saw the original so wasn’t sure what to expect or even the plot. Probably a good one to see in theater if you’re into the series (I watched on HBO Max).  La Brea tonight and The Masked Singer tomorrow unless the World Series pre-empts them. Not sure about that. Whatever catches my eye on the streaming services. Thinking of doing a Harry Potter movie marathon on the weekend, depending on the weather.

The Weather Outside Is 

Much cooler though it’s supposed to get up to 61 today. The mornings have been in the low to mid 40’s.  We had some storms (most went around us) over the weekend and are due for 2 solid days of (much needed) rain tomorrow and Thursday. It’s supposed to chilly and sunny on Saturday (nice as we have a Halloween parade to attend, high school band marches) and then, just partly cloudy but still nice on Sunday, Halloween. Fall is finally here, I think.

On The Menu This Week

I’ve been struggling so much in this area lately. Not even sure why. Feels like we’ve just been doing the same meals on repeat but it’s been too warm really for the homey, meals of fall/winter. Maybe this week.

MONDAY: G and I had BBQ pulled pork (from freezer), husband had leftover tacos, and J had pizza rolls *I worked 8:30-5* *J had a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti, breadsticks, salad

THURSDAY: Stuffed peppers

FRIDAY: Leftovers/Out/Cereal *I work 8:30-12:30*

SAT/SUN: Not sure about Saturday but I plan to make taco soup for Halloween.

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Probably waste it playing a stupid game on my phone. Or hopefully instead of that, read. Maybe sit outside if the weather is warm enough.

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

Might give these quick yogurt scones a try with some of the Flip yogurts as we seem to have an abundance of cookies and cream flavored ones (A certain teenager burned out on that flavor after I bought a bunch, not my favorite breakfast flavor either).

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Getting into bed at night when the sheets are freshly cleaned.

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Still working on getting back into the groove of picking up my camera more but I didn’t want to miss the full Hunter’s moon last Tuesday night. (Note: these two photos were with the bridge camera as it has a special setting for the moon.) 

Praying For

Friends, family, strangers. The neighbors. A healthy “normal” fall/winter season for all of us. A lessening of the all that divides us and return to civility, respect, and kindness.

Quote For The Week

This verse popped into my head just now as I typed the end of my prayer list.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

 

****************

The weekend was busy, all good. My husband was out of town so I was on my own for the football game and parade on Saturday. Plus most of Sunday. Then, yesterday was also super busy with work, J’s lesson, and a grocery store trip.  I almost skipped going to the store last night. However, I wanted my KC Chiefs gas discount (31 cents off a gallon!) so pushed myself to get there.

I’m glad I went as it’s another sort of busy day today with parent-teacher conferences and Bunco later tonight. Still wanted to take time for the Happy Homemaker Monday link up, hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom, even if I’m a little bit late with it.

Breakfast Time, What Is On The Plate This Morning

The usual, flip yogurt, coffee, and vitamins. However, I have some pumpkin spice English muffins in the freezer that are calling my name. Might end up having one as a mid-morning snack.

Looking Around The House

It looks like we had a busy weekend.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Laundry (always, in progress)
2. Straighten up a bit
3. Gather all trash/take out trash containers (DONE)
4. Fly lady missions from yesterday and today
5. Attend a few parent-teacher conferences, so glad I can go in person this year.
6. Plant the crocus bulbs, maybe a bit more yard clean up
7. Figure out where to put the plants vacationing outside as they really need to return indoors soon
8. Take an inventory of what is in our deep freeze

Currently Reading

I’m almost finished with Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, still undecided on my opinion of it. Started reading Boston Scream Murder (Deputy Donut Mystery #4) by Ginger Bolton last night, seemed a good October choice.

On The TV This Week

Not sure outside of The Masked Singer, maybe a few more episodes of Lost.  Over the weekend, I did watch a couple of movies. First, I’d never seen Hocus Pocus and they’ve been talking about it on the radio quite a bit so I took the time to watch it. I loved it! Just might have a new Halloween favorite. I also watched Black Widow as it’s now free on Disney plus. Gave it a generous 7 out of 10 when my older son asked how I’d rate it. My thought was they tried to tell too many stories in one movie.

The Weather Outside Is 

Gorgeous fall days! Jacket weather in the morning, warm in the afternoons. Windy. Leaves have barely changed here though which is odd for this late in October, I think. Upper 60’s/low 70’s during the day and high 40’s/low 50’s over night. This past Friday night it did dip down to the low 40’s overnight into Saturday so I took the opportunity to make sure the heat worked just to get the morning chill off the floors.

On The Menu This Week

Really need to go through the freezer for this part.

MONDAY: Frozen pizza *I worked 8:30-5* *J had a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Grilled hot dogs, French fries? *I have parent-teacher conferences in the afternoon* *Bunco at 7**J had early morning band*

WEDNESDAY: Roast in the crock pot *J has early morning band*

THURSDAY: Chicken sandwiches of some sort *J has evening band practice*

FRIDAY: No idea, leftovers, out? *No School for J*

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Work on my garden journal

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week 

Tried a new recipe by accident this week. Planned to make these banana crumb muffins but accidentally clicked on this banana muffin recipe instead. Didn’t notice my mistake until I had combined too many ingredients to correct things. Still put a quick crumb topping on them. The first recipe is definitely much better!

One Of My Simple Pleasures

The quiet of the house in the early morning hours

Favorite Photo From The Camera

I didn’t pick up the camera nearly enough this week! 

Praying For

Family, Friends, Strangers. The kids at preschool, especially a few who seem to be going through some rough (emotional) growing pains. The teachers during parent-teacher conference time (and the rest of the time as well). End to the virus, our country. A return to happier, kinder, and calmer times.

Quote For The Week

Autumn tucked me in her honeyed home,

a honeyed spot for my soul to roam.

(Angie Weiland-Crosby)

***************

 

We are finally getting some much needed rain around here. After what seemed like never ending rains in the spring, lately it’s been incredibly dry here. The ground feels like concrete dry. Yesterday’s sunrise before the rain moved in last night was a good one:

Thankfully, we got a good soaking overnight that continues into this morning.

Getting my Happy Homemaker Monday post going early today as I go into work at 11 today. Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for this fun way to start my week.

Breakfast Time…What Is On The Plate This Morning

Original plan was to rebel and have a piece of apple cake but since I work later, I’ll be good. Flip yogurt and vitamins. Already drank a bit too much coffee.

Looking Around The House

It’s really not all that awful this morning.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Wash masks (DONE. Meant to do it last night and forgot so did at 5:30 this morning)
2. Work
3. Bit of Laundry
4. Flylady mission for today
5. Take J to his baritone lesson
6. Renew library books

Currently Reading

Finished two books last week, The Archive of the Forgotten (Hell’s Library #2) by A.J. Hackwith and A Day Like This by Kelley McNeil. The second book by A.J. Hackwith was good but I really loved the Kelley McNeil book. A rare thing to enjoy a Prime Reads first choice book so much. Basically about a woman who woke up in a different life and while it’s not super suspenseful, it did leave me wondering throughout much of the book how it might end. Was she crazy? Were they plotting against here? Just super interesting.

Need a new book for tonight. Might start my library copy of Jane Eyre.

On The TV This Week

The Voice, La Brea (bad but I’m still watching), Masked Singer, and Lost on Hulu.

The Weather Outside Is

Rainy! All weekend was very warm, warmer than usual. So, the 59 degrees and rain feels quite cold this morning. We’re back to having fall this week with highs in the upper 60’s to mid 70’s.

On The Menu This Week

Not super sure, still sticking to basics.

MONDAY: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30* *I work 11-3:30*

TUESDAY: Tacos *J has early morning band*

WEDNESDAY: Chicken (I may just cheat and throw the heat/eat chicken strips in the oven) or Roast in the crock pot (If I feel ambitious) *J has early morning band*

THURSDAY: Scrambled eggs and French Toast Sticks *J has evening band*

FRIDAY: OUT *I work 8:15-3:45* *Football game night*

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Look through some of our October magazines

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

Nothing new this week, made an apple chip cake yesterday, one of my mom’s old recipes. Not new but I did make a full size cake this time. Usually I cut the recipe in half and make it in an 8×8 pan. Think it had better flavor in the 9×13 pan. Probably my imagination

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Dreaming up new garden spaces and layouts for the front and backyards. I don’t sketch them out but I can picture them.

Latest project idea:  The kids don’t really use the swing set anymore (they are 16 and 20 so I suppose that ‘s to be expected). Husband took down all the swings and my plan is to spray paint the entire frame, plant vines to go up the poles and an entire mixed flower/vegetable garden area underneath. (Note: this isn’t the area, we had to move the frame yesterday as my husband wanted to trim a tree branch near it.) Husband wants to cut it down a bit but I’m fighting for the entire former swing set area.

Favorite Photo From The Camera

 

Praying For

Friends, family, strangers especially those who’ve had recent (and not so recent) losses.  Those who read my blog (though I consider most of you friends). An end to this virus. A peaceful fall and winter.

Quote For The Week

Rainy days, rainy nights,

wash the world, set to right.

Cleansing streets, set apart,

rainy days, cleanse the heart.

(unknown)

***********

What’s on your agenda for the day?

P.S.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning! It’s a beautiful fall morning around here and though my post is going up a little later, our Monday started off great.

Everyone (except the college kid who doesn’t have classes until tonight) woke up not only on time but a little early and in decent moods.

Joining in with the Happy Homemaker Monday link up hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. Definitely, a great way to start off the week.

Breakfast Time…What Is On The Plate This Morning

Boring usual. However, I did treat myself to a caramel macchiato at the grocery store. Last Saturday, we visited our new favorite local bakery.

No kolaches this time but they did have their yummy cinnamon rolls and eclairs “donuts”. Eclairs are their specialty and I guess people were asking for donuts which they don’t do so this was their answer. Pistachio cream in the center. Note we split the eclairs “donut” between my husband, myself, and saved some for G.  When we came home for a break from the band competition (the beauty of being local) in the late afternoon, G spent at least 15 minutes talking about the wonder and deliciousness of the eclairs “donut”. The cinnamon rolls lasted the entire weekend with someone eating the end of last one either late last night or early this morning.

Looking Around The House

So much stuff everywhere. Hoping to alleviate that a bit today.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Grocery store (DONE)
2. Laundry (In progress)
3. Pay Bills
4. Flylady Stuff (See my 31 Days Series)
5. Work Training Stuff (at home, on-line stuff)

Currently Reading

Finished a pretty good thriller titled Good As Dead by Susan Walter last week, bit predictable but not until the very end. It was a September First Reads and now, I’ve moved on to the October selections. I’m reading The Passing Storm by Christine Nolfi. Good enough for a before bed on my phone kind of read. Also reading my library book, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire by Jen Hatmaker. Need to finish it as I think it’s due back to the library soon.

On The TV This Week

The Voice, La Brea, Masked Singer, and I’m re-watching Lost on Hulu (La Brea seems to be a bit of a Lost knockoff. As I told my husband, I might as well watch the real thing. I’ll still watch the new show for awhile as well but I’m not going to get excited about missing episodes unless it gets quite a bit better). Really, the only one listed I make time to watch is Masked Singer.

The Weather Outside Is 

Beautiful but still fairly warm. Okay with me but even I wouldn’t mind a few raindrops. It did rain on Saturday but it was spotty around our area, enough chances that the band director brought our band kids back early but not enough to really wet the ground around here. Friends just to the east of us got a good downpour.  More watering of gardens and flowers for me this week.

On The Menu This Week

J’s schedule is a little different this week as his baritone teacher is out of town and the band practices are moved around as well. So, I get to be slightly more relaxed this week.

MONDAY: Skillet Lasagna

TUESDAY: Grilled Balsamic Chicken, vegetables *J has early morning band practice*

WEDNESDAY: Ham steaks, spicy black-eyed peas, cornbread, and salad *I have a hair appointment at 9* *J has evening band practice at 6*

THURSDAY: Fried pork chops, baked potatoes, something else? *I’m on standby to work 8:15-4:45*

FRIDAY: OUT/Subway/Football Game tradition *I work 11-1*

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Be outside doing something or just sitting on the front porch

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

Tonight’s skillet lasagna is a new one from last month’s grocery store magazine. It calls for a lot of fresh herbs which I just happen to have growing in pots on the porch.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Going outside each morning to check on the flowers and vegetable garden, watering things if needed and just observing the changes in the flowers plus inhaling the scents of it all.

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Morning glories always make me smile!

Praying For

Friends, Family (Especially my estranged sister and niece, had a dream about them 2 nights in a row. Odd? I do miss them.), Strangers. Those who have recently lost loved ones or who are sick and struggling whether with physical or mental pain or simply to get by. An end to this pandemic.  Kindness to overtake all the bitterness out there.

Quote For The Week

I liked my AM Daily Bible Devotion this morning.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

************

How did your Monday start?

Please tell me you sang the song with me about late September? Of course, around here we’ve been back in school for over a month now. And of course, my preschool’s been in session longer.

First, let me apologize for not coming around to visit any of my fellow bloggers last week.  Life got busy with work, high school activities, and family. 

Ended up working all week. Had to go to the high school football game Friday evening. (Football team lost but band performance was great!) Saturday, we had a local band competition. We went a little early to go the local farmer’s market in that city. I bought some local honey! Then a farm/outdoor store where I found a new bench for the front porch on clearance. It was beautiful weather for a band competition though a little hot in the sun. Our young band made the finals and then placed 9th (out of 12) so not the best but pretty good for having 2 classes (both the freshman and sophomores) who were marching for the first time this year. They’re only going to get better!

Sunday, G recruited his best friend, his best friend’s girlfriend, and J to help him with his homework for his film class. My husband and I mostly hid out in our bedroom and watched the Chiefs game (UGH on that game!) to give them their space. Spent sometime doing outdoor things as well.

Now, it’s time to focus on the new week. Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

Breakfast Time…What Is On The Plate This Morning

Pumpkin harvest flip yogurt, coffee, vitamins

Looking Around The House

Shall we just move on from this category? G moved a bunch of stuff to make his movie and has yet to move it back. I still need to decorate for fall.

On Today’s To Do List

Short one because I work later today.

1. Get some laundry going (DONE)
2. This post (In progress)
3. Work
4. Take J to his lesson tonight
5. Charge camera battery
6. Change Hulu to annual subscription

Currently Reading

Last week I finished up Being Dead is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral by Gayden Metcalfe. A light and funny read. I think I finished that up on Monday. Then, the rest of the week, during my downtimes, I read Beyond A Reasonable Donut by Ginger Bolton. Just a silly, cozy mystery but I enjoy this series and the characters quite a bit.

Now, I’m working my way through The Library of the Unwritten (Hell’s Library #1) by A.J. Hackwith. I guess this is classified as fantasy, not a genre I generally read but I am enjoying this book. Fun premise for a story, a library of all the unfinished books out there.

On The TV This Week

We’re watching The Voice and The Masked Singer. Not sure what else. Maybe football.

The Weather Outside Is 

back to summer feeling for us though the mornings/evenings are cooler. Highs in the low 90’s and then, chances of thunderstorms later in the week. Just hope Saturday is nice again as there’s another local band competition.

On The Menu This Week

While I’m ready for the fall foods, the weather is not cooperating. Not eating soups and chili in 90 degree weather.

MONDAY: Tacos, might also put the chicken enchilada stuff in the crockpot, yellow rice *I work 1-5:30* *J has a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Pork chops (already cooked, in freezer), homemade potato chips (making on the grill) *J has early morning band practice*

WEDNESDAY: Steak bites, salad *J has early morning band practice*

THURSDAY: Some sort of chicken? Maybe chicken and spaghetti? *J has evening band practice*

FRIDAY: On their own/leftovers *I work 8:15-3:45*

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Make a list of some of the outdoor garden tasks I need to complete before it gets cold again.   Read on the front porch.

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

Not a new one but I want to make oatmeal butterscotch and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Sitting outside on the front porch petting the cat and enjoying the flowers

 

Favorite Photo From The Camera

 

Praying For

A coworker who just lost her father-in-law last week to Covid-19, another coworker dealing with anxiety, my sister-in-law who’s in the hospital recovering from surgery for her throat cancer (surgeon got it all so that’s a huge blessing), friends, family, strangers, this country.

Quote For The Week

All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today. 

Note: I saw this on Pinterest credited as a Chinese proverb, then my google “research” shows it credited as an Indian proverb as well as a few different authors including Robin Craig Clark in The Miracle of Flowers. Great sentiment no matter the source ( please let me know if you know the correct source).

And just to leave you with the song I referenced above, here you go:

Just two little days of summer left around here. The weekend was hot and dry but this morning, I could feel things cooling off. The leaves aren’t changing quite yet but the ground is starting to have a fair scattering of acorns. And I watched a squirrel busy carrying a walnut across the wire one morning in preparation for the colder weather. The spiders are taking up residence all around the front porch and gardens. 

Not much happened over our weekend, it was a slow one. A bit of a calm before the storm I suppose. We’ll have plenty to do over the upcoming one so it was nice to simply relax a bit.

Already spent some time this morning grocery shopping and having a nice long catch up chat over the phone with a friend. Time to see about planning the rest of this week. Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

Breakfast Time…What Is On The Plate This Morning

Back to boring around here, lemon meringue flip yogurt, coffee, and vitamins. However, I did have a nice treat after grocery shopping, a non-caffeinated one if you can believe it! Tried the caramel apple spice at Starbucks. If you enjoy apple cider and/or caramel…get one! So good. One for those of you who don’t like coffee flavor as it contains not one drop of the stuff.

Looking Around The House

Same tune, different day. Really do need to get out the fall decorations after a bit of a clean up, of course.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Grocery Store (DONE)
2. This post (In progress)
3. Laundry (In progress)
4. Pay a couple bills
5. Make cookies (no reason, just want to do it)

Currently Reading

Last week I  finished Heart of Junk by Luke Geddes, just wasn’t my thing. And read an odd memoir that I only discovered because some random marketing type company has my information mixed up with another blog (maybe? I keep getting people plugging their books to me to feature on “Just the Little Things” which I cannot locate on-line. Did finally e-mail a couple of them and one children’s book author kindly said he’d let the rep know the information wasn’t correct. The poor people are paying for these incorrect leads.) While I wanted to support the author of the memoir with a positive review, I could not in good conscience give it one, two stars was really overly generous.

However, hope is not lost because I am now reading and very much enjoying two new books.  One book I had on my summer reading list was published by a fellow blogger. Afternoon Coffee: Thoughts on Motherhood, Family, Home, and All Things Cozy by Billy Jo Stoltz is a smaller book but I’m enjoying it so much. A very cozy read that feels just like having an afternoon coffee chat with her. The other book is a just for fun library book, Being Dead is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral by Gayden Metcalfe. I’ve laughed out loud while reading this one.

On The TV This Week

Maybe whatever new shows premiere, Masked Singer? The Voice? Or is that all next week? Found out Lucifer season 6 was on Netflix so watched that. It took up most of my tv watching time over the weekend. A satisfying ending to the series with all the character arcs complete. That said, seasons 4 & 5 were much better. As I told my son, only Netflix could take an absurd show about the devil and make it feel like a Hallmark special. I also re-watched The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe over on Disney plus.

The Weather Outside Is 

Starting to feel like fall today! The wind is blowing, clouds are moving in, and we’re supposed to get rain this afternoon! It’s supposed to cool down a bit for this week with mornings in the low 50’s. Time to think about bringing in a few house plants. (Mainly just the lemon tree and the monstera plant we picked up on clearance at Sam’s Club yesterday. The plant was on clearance for $9 marked down from $70! And I have no idea where to put it in here. Too good a deal to skip, pot is worth more than $9 even if the plant doesn’t make it.)

On The Menu This Week

Hoping the weather change and cooler mornings might inspire me to want to cook dinner again. Been so unmotivated lately.

MONDAY: Ham steak, cornbread, asparagus *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad *J has early band* *BUNCO for me* *Last day of summer!**I work 815-345*

WEDNESDAY: Pork Chops, apples, salad *J has evening band practice*

THURSDAY: Enchilada Chicken in the slow cooker, rice

FRIDAY: OUT *I work 8:15-3:45* *Football Game*

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Sit on the front porch and read. Maybe take a nap? That actually sounds kind of nice today.

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week 

I made a scaled down version of this eggplant casserole for my lunch last week. Other than accidentally burning some of the eggplant slices and setting off the smoke alarm, it turned out pretty yummy. I did use a bit too much salt so will tone that down if I make it again. And I’ll pre-cook the eggplant slices on the grill outside!

One Of My Simple Pleasures

When everyone is safe at home. Of course, I also enjoy when they’re all out doing stuff and I’m home alone just as well.

Favorite Photo From The Camera

Praying For

Peace, this country, friends, family, and strangers.

Quote For The Week

One of my favorite autumn quotes:

And all at once summer collapsed into fall. (Oscar Wilde)

 

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Monday things: Ready to put the finishing touches on my post and *poof* it’s gone. I thought I saved it but alas…apparently not. Second try today. Update: and now that was yesterday and I’m finishing this (again) today.

Maybe the computer thought I was too wordy and needed to edit my post down quite a bit. Well, it worked as this will be the shorter version of things.

Had a pleasant weekend, high school marching band/football game on Friday (so nice to be back in those stands. The football team lost but the marching band half-time show was fabulous!). Saturday morning, my husband and I went to the local farmer’s market and spent a few minutes watching the 9/11 memorial held in front of the local courthouse. I spent the rest of the day doing outside stuff (mowing mainly). Yesterday, a bit more outside and of course, watching the Chiefs win!

Now it’s time (again) to join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom and plan the week.

Breakfast Time…what is on the plate this morning:

Same thing as always (yogurt, coffee, vitamins) so let’s talk about Saturday when I tried out a new local bakery. And learned about kolache by eating one (not pictured) with cherry and cheese filling. So good! The cinnamon roll and banana cake were also amazing (and so very rich, they lasted the entire weekend because a little slice of either went a really long way).

Looking Around The House

Lots of things that need put away, projects that need finished.

On Today’s To Do List

1. Shower (overslept but DONE)
2. Grocery Store (DONE)
3. A bit of laundry (In progress)
4. Sort out dresser (not going to happen today)
5. Repot plants to start transitioning them indoors (made a new outdoor herb planter instead)

All above was yesterday, here’s today’s list:

1. Repot plants
2. Lots of laundry now!
3. Make at least one freezer meal
4. Pay bills
5. Sort out dresser

Currently Reading

Finished The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney over the weekend. It was a well-written “slice of life” type novel but I didn’t care much for it. I think I was thrown as the cover alluded it was supposed to be a funny take on a dysfunctional family regarding their inheritance being blundered by one irresponsible sibling but I found it rather depressing.

Need to finish a couple library books this week, mainly Electric City by Thomas Hager.

On The TV This Week

Master Chef finale probably. Not sure what else other than maybe Cry Macho, the new Clint Eastwood movie on HBO Max when it comes out. (Have to admit I do enjoy the movie part of that streaming service, watching movies I’d want to see in a theater but probably not get around to going to see…)

The Weather Outside Is

Still summery here though we are supposed to get a bit of rain later this afternoon or tonight. I still watered the vegetable garden just in case it doesn’t happen. Highs have been in the upper 80’s/lower 90’s most days. Mornings have been a bit cooler though.

On The Menu This Week

It’s been a weird one so far as I was supposed to work half-days all week but then they cancelled it. Then, I was supposed to maybe work all day today but she found someone else (I didn’t see the message as I was at the visitation when she texted me). It’s okay this is typically my slow time as a sub but it always feels a bit strange to go from super busy to super slow…

MONDAY: Hodgepodge (We ate out late, J ate cooked chicken I pulled from the freezer, G worked) *We attended a visitation an hour north of here for the father of a good friend*

TUESDAY: Hawaiian Chicken and rice *J had early morning band practice*

WEDNESDAY: Roast in the crock pot *J has early morning band practice* *J has his baritone lesson at 6:30*

THURSDAY: Grilled pork chops and potatoes *J has evening band practice at 6*

FRIDAY: Ribs? Out? Homemade Pizza? Not sure….

If I Have A Few Minutes To Myself I Will

Pick up my camera and head outside. I’m out of practice with my camera a bit…

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try This Week

I’m thinking I might like to try making moussaka (Egyptian style so sans the béchamel sauce) or if only my husband would eat ricotta cheese (he hates all cheese except mozzarella on pizza), I would try this vegetable lasagna. Might do it anyway just in a smaller batch.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Dark chocolate

Favorite Photo From The Camera

 

Praying For 

My friends who just lost their parent, family, strangers, this country, the world. For kindness, compassion, and understanding to overtake this virus and all the hate and hardened hearts that seem so prevalent in the world lately.

Quote For The Week

I recently downloaded a bible verse/devotion app on my phone and it has an am/pm bible verse and devotion. However, I usually read both the pm from the night before and the am of the day at the same time.

Spending time with old friends (we hadn’t seen them in over a year!) at the visitation last night made me miss family gatherings. Our family on both sides (husband and my own) became so splintered over the last few years (The pandemic just made things worse).

This one from last night really spoke to me as I’ve been struggling to look past the political views of some friends and family members. Accepting people as they are used to be something that came easily to me. It reminded me I need to get back to that place. Perhaps we all do or at least to a place where we can see other positive things beyond all our differences.

Since sometimes my graphics don’t show up in e-mail, here’s the verse: Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

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Guess I got chatty after all. Oops!

Getting a bit of a later start on this holiday Monday. We’ve had a busy holiday weekend doing quite a bit of stuff.

As I drove home from work on Friday, I pondered if 4:30 would be too soon to switch into my pajamas. However, my husband and youngest actually had plans for us to go eat the junk at a local festival for dinner. So no clothes changing but no cooking either. Worked for me.

Saturday, we took Chip and delivered him to a sweet family that lives on acreage for him to be their outdoor cat. The kids were so excited. Unfortunately, he bolted into a wooded area behind their house. Hopefully, he’ll come back to them or their neighbors in a few days. (Pro tip: Don’t name the stray cats you aren’t planning to keep! Chelsey is back to being the happy queen of the castle around here once again. However, I admit to missing my little under the feet all the time outdoor guy.)

Yesterday, my husband and I got up early and borrowed my brother-in-law’s boat to go fishing at a conservation lake about an hour east of town. It was busy and the fishing wasn’t great but it was still fun.

A nice little weekend and an extra day today to relax or do all the things. Planning my week as always by joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday Link Up. And new categories for a new season!

Breakfast time…what is on the plate this morning

Cinnamon rolls from a tube, then I needed my usual protein so chocolate trifecta flip yogurt and vitamins

Looking around the house

I see so many spaces I want to clean and organize. The fall cleaning/organizing bug bit.

On today’s to do list

1. Clean out and reorganize fridge (Labor day tradition, I’ve cleaned all of it but the doors. Plan to reorganize as well)
2. Grocery store (Don’t want to go…SIGH)
3. J’s baritone lesson tonight
4. Outdoor stuff (moving a raised bed planter to the front porch to see how it works, replacing herb garden wall with mums. Finding a home for the herbs. Maybe trimming back lavendar)
5. Dollar tree trip for stuff to organize fridge (Note: husband thinks this is nuts but I have ideas I want to try)

Currently reading

Too many books at once. An e-book, I’m almost finished, called The Clutter Connection: How Your Personality Type Determines Why You Organize The Way You Do by Cassandra Aarssen. Colletta from Colletta’s Kitchen Sink mentioned it one Monday and I was intrigued. I’m so glad she did as I’ve found the book so inspiring! It’s kind of like a five love languages book except for organizing. There’s even a quiz to find your organizing style. (I’m a ladybug and my husband’s a bee, polar opposites, unsurprising!)

Then for fun, I’m reading Heart of Junk by Luke Geddes as well as Electric City: The Lost History of Ford and Edison’s American Utopia by Thomas Hager.

On the tv this week

I need to do a serious evaluation of all our streaming services. That said, I downloaded a free 7 day trial of Discovery plus so I could check out Hot Mess House (tv show hosted by the author of the book mentioned above) and a few other home/garden/cooking shows. Hoping I have time. Watched the old Westworld movie but have sort of lost interest in the series. And also re-watched Dr. Strange with G. Not sure what else I’ll find if anything to watch.

The weather outside is 

Not so hot, thank goodness. Yes, this summer loving person just said that. It’s still warm though. Mostly mid to upper 80’s, cooler evenings. I can do that. We had a few good thunderstorms over the weekend Thursday into Friday and Friday into Saturday, so no need to water gardens for a few days.

On the menu this week

Honestly, still at a loss with this. It’s as if I’ve lost my menu planning ability!

MONDAY:  Pasta salad with odds and ends vegetables (see fridge clean out on to-do list) and grilled chicken *J has a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY:  Grilled pork chops, baked potatoes *I work 8:30-2 or 3?* *J has early morning band practice*

WEDNESDAY: Waffles, bacon *J has early morning band practice*

THURSDAY:  Chicken strips (from frozen if I work, homemade if not), Fries *J has evening band practice*

FRIDAY: OUT-Subway, tradition *First football game of the marching band season, hooray for a season!*

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will

Be outside messing around with the flower garden areas.

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week

Sadly, none of us were really a fan of the crunchy lemongrass chicken. I’ve never seen G spit any type of a chicken dish in the trash after one bite. He apparently hates all things lemon-chicken. The rest of us thought it was okay but not a keeper dish (especially for the work involved in chopping lemon grass sans a food processor).

One of my simple pleasures

Wandering around outside and seeing what I find in the flower/vegetable garden areas. Two things I discovered yesterday, a monarch caterpillar and a black-and-yellow garden spider!

Favorite photo from the camera

My sunflowers all fell over but they’re still blooming!

Praying for

The wife and family of my husband’s friend who recently passed away, a dear friend from high school and her husband as her father-in-law passed away last week, for a semi-normal if not completely normal and healthy school year for all the kids, Afghanistan, those dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Ida as well as those in the path of the wildfires out west. That Chip returns and finds out how much that sweet little family wanted him. For those in the world and this country to be kinder and gentler to each other, remembering the traits of respect and compassion.

Bible verse/Quote for the week

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

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