I am a homemaker and empty-nester mom and grandma. I've found some great tips from some talented bloggers. This blog is where I gather it all.
August 29, 2015
Monthly Menu August 2015
23 Sun hamburgers, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob
24 Mon lasagna, salad, bread
25 Tue honey mustard pork tenderloin, salad
26 Wed Philly steak sandwiches, coleslaw
27 Thu grilled chicken, rice, green beans
28 Fri
29 Sat dinner out for S birthday
30 Sun grilled chicken thighs, Rice-a-Roni, green beans
31 Mon Back to school dinner at The Dairy Bar
June 29, 2015
Happy Homemaker Monday June 29 2015
Wow, it is almost July, my kids are out of school and working (all of my kids are old enough to drive and have jobs!), and it is grilling and pool season. Today is a beautiful day. Life is good.
The Weather
It is gorgeous! The forecast was mostly cloudy (and maybe that will happen) but right now it is sunny with blue skies, 61 degrees (high is 75, perfect!), and supposedly 81% humidity, but it doesn't feel like it to me. Humidity is an important factor around here, probably more of a concern for us than the actual temperature. We only have this issue in the summer, but that humidity level is what can make or break us on a summer day.
Things That Make Me Happy
Reading a really good book. But what may make me even happier are book lists. Oh, the possibilities!
Also what makes me happy is that all of my kids (and my husband, of course) have jobs. My oldest son, who is 21, is working for our local telephone company in business support. It is not an easy job, because it includes sales quotas, but he is doing really well. He has been earning great commissions and is paying off a lot of debt (caused by financing the band he was in). My daughter is working in a daycare and the kids, parents, and fellow teachers love her. She is really great with kids. She started there the summer before her senior year in high school, worked after school senior year, and summers and Christmas vacation when she is home from college. My youngest, who is 16 now, is working for a man from our church fixing and installing automatic pool covers. This good man has employed so many of our men and youth. The hours are long (because it requires a lot of traveling), and therefore the pay is good. It does require, however, that we leave the house at 6:25 (his hours are about 7 - 7, Monday through Friday). And my last child, my foster son, was supposed to work with his brother (biological brother), but he has not been responding to his calls or texts (this does NOT make me happy). So this morning he texted my youngest son's boss, and sure enough he told him he can start tomorrow. I am so grateful for this man, who also employed my oldest son at one time, and for the good young man who takes them all to work. We are truly blessed.
Menu for this week
can be found in separate posts here for June and here for July.
What's on tv
Two of my kids have been rewatching Glee from the first season, and I get sucked in once in awhile. Other than that, no tv, other than an occasional movie on the weekend. We watched Mockingjay Part 1 this weekend. I had seen it before but my husband hadn't.
Looking Around the House
The main floor isn't terrible. My one son who is home today volunteered to clean the house because we have a crowd of people possibly coming over tonight. I gave the bathroom/laundry room on the main floor a good cleaning on Saturday, so no complaints.
On My To Do List
I already got my menu planning done, so I have grocery shopping, straightening up the house, and making dinner for the family. Also, calling/texting a bunch of people. We are waiting for a letter with my daughter's mission call in the mail and if it comes, I have to let everyone know to come over!
Looking forward to this week
My daughter's letter! Also, the holiday weekend.
Tips and tricks
This isn't really a tip or trick, but my favorite bathroom cleaner is Borax and kitchen sink cleaner is baking soda. I use a wet microfiber cloth for windows and mirrors and a steam mop on my floors. Why? Because I am very sensitive to chemicals and cannot stand breathing in fumes from spray bottles of cleaner. So grateful for microfiber cloths and Magic Eraser sponges (for the shower).
Favorite photo
Last day of school for the two boys (my daughter's last day of her summer college class was the next day). The boys are officially high school seniors, and my daughter is now a second semester college sophomore (once she transfers the credits).
On my mind
I am in a bit of a panic now because I remembered that I need a permission form from DCF in order for my foster son to climb Mt. Washington next week with the boy scouts since he will be out of state. So far I haven't been able to get in touch with his social worker, and since it is a holiday week, the chances are that she is on vacation. So I will be frantically calling tomorrow (again) and may have to take a 45 minute drive to the office to pick it up, or else he won't be able to go. (He will be 18 in less than a month and then all of this nonsense goes away, yes!)
Devotional
Psalm 37:7 in part: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.. Something we need today as we await that mission call and await to hear about that permission form!
Have a great week!
Monthly Menu: July 2015
July is a busy month around here. We have three birthdays in our immediate family, and two more in our extended family. This year we are going to Cape Cod for a week, something we never do, but since this may be the last time our family is all together, my husband and daughter conspired to spend our money, and I am not complaining! (Although it looks like the house we rented does not have air conditioning, so we will be packing a lot of fans.) We also have at least one boy scout Eagle project to complete (and I know I will be doing a lot of the volunteering). Oh, and half of us are hiking Mount Washington. So here goes:
01 Wed sandwiches, watermelon
02 Thu grilled chicken legs, corn on the cob, salad
03 Fri leaving open
04 Sat Hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, watermelon, birthday cake for me!
05 Sun tacos
-----------
27 Mon baked chicken, egg noodles, peas
28 Tue tacos
29 Wed London Broil, baked potatoes, broccoli
30 Thu grilled chicken, zucchini, rice
31 Fri hot dogs, baked beans, macaroni salad
How to Choose: Watermelon
Have you seen the link on Facebook about how to choose a juicy watermelon? I wish I could go back and find it to link to the proper source, but to go back and find ANYTHING on Facebook is a nightmare. Anyway, when picking a watermelon, look for the ones with a yellow spot like this:
I would avoid those watermelons, thinking they are under or overripe, but now I know better. The yellow spot means that the watermelon was left on the vine longer, long enough to obtain that spot, and the longer on the vine, the more ripe (and juicy) the fruit. Also, if the bottom of the watermelon looks slightly sticky (couldn't find a photo of one that does), that is desirable because it is because of the sugar in the juice.
So I happened to have a watermelon with a yellow spot when I found this information and, sure enough, it was really juicy and delicious. Three cheers for the ugly yellow spot!
May 30, 2015
Monthly Menu June
01 Mon Pasta night: elbows with Lentil Sauce, salad
02 Tue Chicken Soup, biscuits
03 Wed kielbasi, Farmstand Potato Salad, baked beans
04 Thu
05 Fri grilled chicken legs, orzo salad, green beans
06 Sat London Broil, broccoli, baked potatoes
07 Sun Grilled salmon, rice, salad
08 Mon Pasta Night:
09 Tue grilled chicken breasts, Santa Fe Potato Salad, cucumbers
10 Wed grilled hamburgers, corn salad, watermelon, zucchini
11 Thu Chicken Taco Casserole
12 Fri grilled chicken, California Salad, baked beans
13 Sat hamburgers, store bought salads, brussel sprouts
14 Sun
15 Mon Pasta night: elbows with meat sauce, salad
16 Tue freezer leftovers, rice, broccoli
17 Wed sandwiches, macaroni salad
18 Thu taco soup, chips
19 Fri
20 Sat
21 Sun
22 Mon tacos, corn on the cob, watermelon
23 Tue pasta, salad
24 Wed taco soup, chips
25 Thu
26 Fri fend for yourself
27 Sat pizza
28 Sun shredded bbq chicken, baked beans, leftover corn on the cob
29 Mon pasta with meat sauce, salad
30 Tue oven pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans
May 5, 2015
Sides: Starch: Rice: Campbell's Simmered Italian Rice
May 1, 2015
May Monthly Menu
01 Fri It's my husband's birthday! And we will be watching Godspell! When will we eat dinner?
02 Sat Same as above!
03 Sun Time to celebrate? Grilled surf and turf, new potatoes, broccoli, salad
04 Mon Leftover pasta/chicken/salmon/broccoli/cauliflower with choice of sauce
05 Tue Grilled italian chicken, rice, salad
06 Wed Youth group: fast food
07 Thur Soup extravaganza: various canned soups with any leftovers still in the fridge, rolls
08 Fri Church prom: rice and beans for husband and I
09 Sat Grilled pork tenderloin, salad, baked potatoes
10 Sun Mother's Day picnic: hot dogs, hamburgers, salads
19 Tue Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, green beans
20 Wed sandwiches
21 Thu grilled chicken, zucchini, peppers and onions w/rice
22 Fri (prom) pizza (shop for Sunday & Monday)
23 Sat picnics/eat out
24 Sun surf and turf, macaroni salad, broccoli
25 Mon hot dogs, hamburgers, picnic food!
26 Tue spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
27 Wed (NVL's, Halos): hot dogs/sandwiches, leftover macaroni salad, beans
28 Thu (upperclassmen showcase) Sloppy Joes, coleslaw, rice, carrot and celery sticks
29 Fri Baked ziti, bread
30 Sat grilled chicken, macaroni salad, corn on the cob
31 Sun quesadillas: Kitchen Sink & Chicken, broccoli, cheesy rice
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)








