I was a bit shocked yesterday realizing this is the last week of March. However, I’m excited to see what good things April brings. Hoping it is going to bring the warm spring weather on a more consistent basis.
Today’s a busy Monday around here. I’ve already been to the grocery store, started a roast in the crock pot for dinner, and am now working on this post. In just a bit, I’ll take J for the second part of his testing. Once he’s done with that, he should be ready to graduate. Just a few small things to check on for that. Later tonight, I’ll also be taking him to his baritone lesson.
So far the rest of my week seems fairly open. Let’s join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to plan the week.
The Weather 
Trampoline? Bounce House? Warm, then cold. Rainy, then sunny. Today we get cold and sunny though it’s supposed to warm up later. Currently 34 degrees, we woke up in the 20’s though. No complaints as I know some of you have snow covering your ground. Supposed to be in the 50’s and gradually warm up the rest of the week. Chances of rain tomorrow and bigger chance on Friday.
As I Look Outside My Window
Birds at the bird feeder out the back.
Thinking And Pondering
Still thinking about yesterday’s church service a bit, the sermon was on compassion. Also, thinking about our Easter plans though we have 2 weeks. We’ll have church as J plays in the 11 am service but not sure what we’ll do after. The flower and vegetable gardens….my mind is all over the place today.
On My Bedside Table
The usual, just the lamp and phone charger though in the early morning hours a certain cat likes to sit on it and “talk” to me until I get my lazy self out of bed.
On My TV Tonight
Probably just The Voice.
Listening To
I can hear a few birds outside this morning.
On The Lunch Plate
No idea, J’s testing is right around lunch time
On The Dinner Plate
Roast is in the crock pot for dinner tonight
On My Menu This Week
Every time I think it’s time for lighter spring suppers, the weather turns cold again…
MONDAY: Roast in the crockpot
TUESDAY: Grilled chicken, asparagus, maybe with fettuccine
WEDNESDAY: Korean BBQ meatballs with chive pancakes (we have chives coming up wild in the yard and I thought it might be fun to use them)
THURSDAY: Turkey sausage and zucchini skillet
FRIDAY: Pizza of some sort, salad
On My Reading Pile
Just started reading Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. It’s more mystery than scary at this point and I’m okay with that. Last week I read a series of books by Rosemary Whittaker, a bunch of escape/feel good romance books. The last one was my favorite, The Feijoa Tree. While the books are presented as a series, they are all slightly different with different characters so could be read in any order, I think.
On My To Do List 
- Enjoy the sunny days!
- Pay a few bills
- Take back library book (way overdue, hangs head in shame)
- Put away winter sweaters (almost done)
- Put out some Easter decor
- Clean out fridge
- Laundry
- Cancel a few subscriptions we no longer use/need
- Take J to renew his driver’s permit
- Spring cleaning chores (walls, living room curtains hopefully, windows)
- And of course, posts for the Blog 365
Plans This Week
Spring cleaning, yard work, it’s our Saturday dinner out/game night with friends
What I’m Creating
I bought a new diamond art of a Tuscany Village scene but I’ve yet to start. Garden areas outside.
Simple Pleasure 
Spring Flowers. Dreaming of Summer flower and vegetable gardens.
Looking Around The House 
As much as I love my plants, I am ready for the outside ones to go back out there, just a few more weeks. And of course, I need to clean.
From The Camera
I bought hot pepper suet to discourage the squirrels. Not sure but I think he’s looking for his margarita to go with the new spicy food. SIGH. Our squirrels don’t mind the hot pepper suet. 
On My Prayer List
Friends, family, strangers, the homeless, J to successfully graduate, more peace and kindness in the world.
Quote For The Week
Found this one on Pinterest.
A kind word is like a spring day. (Russian proverb)
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Day 84/365
Oh man! That Penne Rosa looks so good. We are also chock full of wild chives so I’m definitely going to need that recipe! So good to see you again!
It was good, I don’t care for mushrooms and didn’t mind them in it. Not sure which recipe you want but the Korean meatballs is just a jar of Korean BBQ sauce from Target with premade meatballs thrown together in the crockpot. I don’t have a chives pancake recipe (yet) just a few to try from Pinterest. Hope you have a wonderful week!
It sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you! I hope everything goes well with J’s testing and graduation. Your meal plan for the week sounds delicious, and I think it’s great that you’re taking some time for spring cleaning and yard work. Enjoy your diamond painting and your simple pleasures like dreaming about your summer gardens.
I find the picture of the squirrel so funny. It’s my favorite animal. The Dutch ones are brown-red. Squirrels can be deterred by hanging shiny objects like CDs, aluminum foil, or mirrors near bird feeders or in gardens. You can try it when they are so “brutaal”. Certain scents and plants, such as peppermint oil, garlic, or marigolds, are known to repel squirrels too. This are a sort of “grandma’s tips”
👍 – for good luck
🍽️ – for the delicious meal plan
🌺 – for the spring flowers and gardens
💎 – for the diamond painting
🧹 – for the spring cleaning and yard work
Thanks, most of the busy is of my own making so not too bad. I did just get called to work on Thursday afternoon which I don’t mind. Thank you for the advice on keeping your favorite animals out of my bird seed 🙂 Definitely need to try a few of those. Squirrels aren’t my favorite but they certainly are smart little creatures. Hope you have a great week!
I always enjoy your posts, Jean, and, of course, your lovely photos! So many pretty flowers in this one! Like you, I am waiting for the weather to stabalize and just stay nice! I’m so tired of cold…even though it hasn’t really been THAT cold most of the winter. Just cold enough to be annoying! Like you, my mind is all over the place. I’ve got so many things that I want (and need) to do that sometimes I just don’t know where to start! That’s when pretty much nothing gets done! LOL! The penna rosa looks delicious! John’s grandfather was from Sicily and rigatoni was his favorite pasta. He said that ‘rigatoni’ means ‘sewer pipes’ in Sicilian. Your menu looks good and your to-do list is inspiring. I see a couple of things there that I need to think about doing on this end myself. Have a great rest of the week, my friend! 🙂
Thank you! I’m so anxious for all the flowers this year. How funny about the rigatoni! Hopefully, I can find enough inspiration to actually get some of the items on the to do list done this week. Hope it warms up for both of us. Have a wonderful week!
As usual, your post is particularly beautiful. I love your flowers and I know it upsets you, but I love it when you show us the squirrels .
I admire you for praying and going to church. And that you’re getting ready for Easter.
Have a blessed week! Hugs!
Thank you. I’ll keep in mind you like the squirrel pictures 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Thank you! 🙂
Hello my Lovely! I’m just so glad J’s stuff is clicking along and you will all still get the nice high school closer you’re looking for. That pasta looks so good and is making my mouth water. Lol
I’m so jealous of all of your flowers and temps. It’s finally starting to turn around a bit here -but still a ways to go. I couldn’t help but laugh about the margarita comment with the squirrel. Cracked me up 😂 I would look on pinterest and see if there are other tips?
Blessings on the rest of your week! xo
Thank you! I admit I’m still holding my breath a bit on the all of J’s stuff. Didn’t think of checking Pinterest, thanks for the idea! Hope you are having a great week so far!
I absolutely LOVE all your spring flowers and colors! Our spring is sooooooo late this year. I just can’t wait for it to FINALLY appear. At this point our snow is just an annoyance as it doesn’t last, but keeps appearing anyway just enough to keep it cold and weird.
Enjoy your spring break and I hope the weather lends itself to outside projects for you. Have a GREAT week.
Thank you! Hope your spring gets there soon. And hoping we don’t get a big spring snow storm though it seems our weather is so different lately. I looked and they’re predicting 70’s for next week! Of course, that could always change. Hope you are having a great week so far!
Lovely photos, sweet little squirrel. Cx
Thank you. Sweet is not an adjective we often use to talk about our squirrels around here 😉