This week is J’s birthday on Wednesday so that’s the excitement around here. Not sure how I can possibly have a kid getting ready to turn 19 (J) and one who is 22 (G). However, I’m proud of the kind young adults they’ve become.
Let’s get on with joining Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to plan the week ahead.
The Weather
The petunias are still blooming and the leaves are falling…
Well, it’s currently 61 degrees and sunny! And supposed to hit almost 70 on J’s birthday this coming Wednesday. Then, by Saturday, another cold front and highs in the 50’s (more normal). It seems to alternate cold and hot (well, warm) this fall. I would not be disappointed to see some rain which we very much still need.
Right Now
I’ve just returned from the grocery store, eaten a very late breakfast, and sat down to write up this post.
Thinking And Pondering
Pick a tab, any tab of the million open in my mind right now! J’s birthday, what we’re going to do. He still hasn’t decided. 
This area, the crime seems to be on a bit of an uptick…is it related the homeless? I don’t know. I feel as though I’m walking a fine line between compassion and common sense. Watched a homeless man biking up the road as I left for the store so had to drive around the block to see where he went. Then, he was just gone. So, back in the driveway for me, check the backyard, double check the door locks. SIGH. Remind myself everything is cyclical while being a bit frustrated with myself for not agreeing to move to a different area many years ago. Well, that took a dark, melancholy turn. Let’s try a different tab. 
Oh, Thanksgiving. We have plans! Hooray. My older brother is hosting and my other older brother who moved to Texas a few years ago is coming into town for it. Haven’t seen him in way too long.
On The Breakfast Plate
A French Toast Bagel, vitamins, coffee.
On The Lunch Plate
Not sure I’ll eat lunch, we ate dinner late last night so I wasn’t hungry this morning and just now at about 11:00 ate breakfast.
On The Dinner Plate
Korean meatballs, rice
What I Am Wearing Today
Purple v-neck Tee shirt, jeggings, socks and tennis shoes
On My Reading Pile
I lucked out at the library and was able to pick up a copy of If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos. I’m really enjoying it and it’s not making me like him any less. Finally finished Tides of Fire by James Rollins, I usually love his books but this one just didn’t work for me. Over the weekend, I read a quick thriller by Mary Kubica called Just the Nicest Couple, found it interesting. And I’ve started The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth (another thriller). I like to read the kindle books at bedtime so I don’t have to turn on the lamp (or worry about turning it off when I fall asleep reading).
On My TV
I was happy last week to discover The Holiday Baking Championship had started up for this year, I love that show. Also, watched The Mario Movie (don’t ask me why but it wasn’t bad), Fear The Walking Dead, the finale of Loki (sigh), and a few random episodes of Doctor Who. Oh, and The Masked Singer. Football games here and there.
On My Menu
My slow cooker is certainly getting a bit of a work out these days with J’s current schedule.
MONDAY: korean meatballs in the slow cooker, rice
TUESDAY: copycat Chik-Fil-A sandwiches and fries *subject to change depending on birthday plans*
WEDNESDAY: J’s Birthday. Maybe OUT? No idea. Chocolate cake and white frosting. Plus ice cream.
THURSDAY: pork schnitzel (carry over) , fried apples maybe? My basic grocery store didn’t carry the celeriac called for in the accompanying sauce. It is apparently not the the same as celery and cannot be used interchangeable. Thank you, Internet.
FRIDAY: Mexican lasagna in the crock pot (This is a new one I’m trying out)
Looking Around The House
The laundry is done, that has to count for something, right? It needs cleaning.
On My To Do List
I’ve gone back to just listing items, the who/what/where method was fun but it’s easier to just make a list.
- Clean the house
- Figure out J’s birthday plans plus get him something small to go with the big present (symphony tickets, also a present for my upcoming birthday)
- Return my broken candle to Bath and Body Works (I didn’t go over the weekend)
- Clean this desktop, both the physical and virtual one
- Do a little (more) early Christmas planning
From The Camera
From my walk yesterday afternoon.
Thanksgiving Tips, DIY, Ideas or recipes
I usually always make these pumpkin muffins around October/November. The recipe makes A LOT, even halved, I ended up with 12 muffins plus 3 mini loaves this time. The muffins do freeze well. I’ve shared it before with pictures that no longer show on my old so not organized blog but here it is again:
Pumpkin Muffins
These are my favorite pumpkin muffins. I usually add chocolate chips but they stand well on their own.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 3/4 cups sugar (you can get away with slightly less sugar)
- 1 1/4 cups raisins (I always either leave these out or substitute chocolate chips in place of the raisins)
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (I leave out completely)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground cloves
- 4 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- Combine first 10 ingredients (list up to the eggs) in a large mixing bowl, make a well in the center. Combine eggs and remaining 3 ingredients; add to dry ingredients. Mix just until moistened. Add muffin mix to paper-lined cups using a metal ice-cream scoop (fill tins 2/3 full). Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from pans immediately.
I like to substitute chocolate chips for the raisins. You can substitute pumpkin pie spice for the cloves and or/nutmeg but they’re much better if you don’t do that.
Important: This recipe makes 3/12 dozen muffins! Cut it in half unless you are planning to feed a crowd or have room in your freezer.
Quote For The Week
(Found on Pinterest)
Super nice blog post again. I enjoy reading and looking at it so much. Although I sometimes have to laugh at what Google Translate makes of some words. I can read it without translation, but I check some words just to be sure.
I wish you early happy birthdays. It’s so fun to be born in November. It’s even the best month to have a birthday. I hope to turn 56 on Saturday. That’s why, of course, haha. Thanks for your beautiful photos of your walk. And that pink flower!
I saw a few during my walk too, but I haven’t looked up the name yet.
You share a nice recipe. I bake so little lately. That’s because my son (19) works in a candy and cookie store and often brings some home. Well, I’m curious if you’ll blog more this week. It’s such a busy week for you. But maybe it’s just an energy booster.
Greetings, Aritha.
Thank you! Yes, sometimes I have to use the context to figure things out when using Google translate on blogs. Thank you! My birthday isn’t actually until early December though. Oh, I see now where your birthday is coming right up. Hope you have a wonderful weekend full of celebrations planned! The pink flower is a petunia, spring/summer flower, very odd for it to be blooming now or maybe not with our warmer fall this year. Oh, how fun to have a son working in a candy/cookie store!
Enjoyed the ‘tabs’ of your mind! haha.
Happy birthday to your son.
Have a great week
Thank you! Hope your week is going well so far!
Hello!!! Thanks for the information on the John Stamos book. I really like him and was hoping the book was good. Please tell us more about Korean Meatballs. They sound amazing! And I love the quote you shared, my friend. P.S. LOVE the crockpot. LOVE.
I finished the John Stamos book and think you’d really enjoy it. Liked him more after reading it, he’s just so real and down to Earth it seems. Korean meatballs are one of the easiest things in my rotation. I used frozen already cooked meatballs, throw them in the crockpot, then add in a jar of store bought Korean BBQ sauce (I use this brand that I buy at Target but I imagine they sell it other places), heat on low for 1-2 hours until everything is warmed together. Serve over rice. My oldest son and I add sesame seeds to the top of ours. And if I feel fancy, I chop up some green onions to add for color (but nobody minds when I skip this step either). Hope your week is going great so far!
Wonderful quote you chose.
Happy birthday to your son! I, too, marvel at how great my children are. (They’re close in age to yours.)
Have a blessed week!
Thank you! Interesting to have older children isn’t it? I look back and think it seems so long ago and yet like yesterday when they were little. Hope your week is going wonderfully so far.
Hello my beautiful Friend!
Happy new week to you and happy birthday early to J!! Birthdays are fun and wonderful – but always bring the nostalgia, don’t they? How fast the time is flying with what used to be our babies. But so fun to see where they spread their wings and fly.
Sorry to hear about the crime frustration. Praying it is something that cycles and gets better.
Your minestrone and muffins look so good and are making me very hungry and realizing I didn’t eat lunch yet! And I love all of the baking championship shows – didn’t know the new holiday one was out either. Yay!
Blessings on your week ahead. Stay cozy! xoxo
Thank you! Yes, I can’t believe how fast time flies. I’m sure the crime stuff will cycle back (hopefully), I think it’s not just here, just a sign of things in the world right now. Two episodes of the baking show out right now, already have a couple favorites, LOL. Hope you are enjoying your week.