Good
morning dear friends.
It is the very first Happy Homemaker Monday of 2025. Routine and normal schedules are back in place, I just saw hubby off to work after two weeks at home, and as much as we enjoyed that time off, we were both ready to get back to normal life.
It is a very cold morning here in Texas, we are under a cold front bringing freezing temperatures and some snow further on into the week. Welcome Winter!
Anyway, I hope you all have a blessed week ahead and thank you for still being here, all these years later.
*** The weather in my neck of the woods***
Very cold at the moment, and getting colder as we speak.
Tuesday - Mostly cloudy, 37
Wednesday - Cloudy, 38
Thursday - Snow, 32
Friday - Cloudy, 39
Saturday - Sunny, 43
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 46
*** Things that make me happy ***
My sweet pets. Just sitting down with them near me. There is such a huge unconditional love from our babies to us, and sometimes we overlook that.
*** Book I'm reading ***
Currently doing The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble, reading the Bible chronologically. I've read the entire Bible 2 years ago, and wanted to start again, and then came across The Bible Recap through Candace Cameron Bure on Instagram and thought "This is exactly what I want to do". Loving it so far, check it out if you're interested in joining in.
Women of the West series, by Janette Oke. I just finished the first book in the series, The Calling of Emily Evans.
*** What's on my tv today ***
YouTube
I have been finding a lot of European vloggers (UK, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, etc. ) and have been enjoying following them.
Great American Pure Flix
When Hope Calls Christmas
New season of When Calls the Heart started last night, so very excited for that.
*** On the breakfast plate ***
On my second cup of coffee, don't know why but really need it today. Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream cheese.
*** On the lunch plate ***
Chickpea tuna salad
*** On the dinner plate ***
Chicken Tava with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed broccoli
*** On the menu ***
Monday
Chicken Tava with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed broccoli
Tuesday
Pork Roast with Buttered Rice and SaladWednesday
Turkish Pasta with Sauteed CabbageThursday
Winter Minestrone Soup, Grilled Cheese and HamFriday
Tortilla Pizzas
Saturday
Fend for yourself
Sunday
Gnocchi Bolognese, Garlic Bread, Salad*** On my to do list ***
Today: Change bed linens
Workout
Get my 10k steps in
Pay Bills
This week:
Women's Yearly appointment on Wednesday
Clean out and organize hallway closet
Gym workout Saturday and Sunday
This week I'll be trying the Turkish Pasta that I mentioned last week. Hoping to share that with you all.
*** New Recipe I tried or want to try ***
*** What I am creating ***
Moving along on the Nordic Winter Afghan. Really want to finish it so that I can use it this Winter. Working on cleaning out and redoing some of the closets in the home, to start the year off organized.
*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) ***
Sir Elliott ♥ I sure love this sweet boy. Never in a million years did I ever imagine having a cat, and loving said cat. Never been a cat person, but am so in love with this sweet boy. God always knows what we want and need, even when we don't. 
*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses ***
Today's verse: 
9 comments:
I've been wanting to try the chickpea tuna salad. We have been getting beans in our diet a lot more this year already. We are getting a load of snow here today. Have a great week.
I've done the Bible Recap for several years and loved it! It is much warmer where you are.
Happy New Year!! Stay in ans warm if you can! I'm so happy When Calls the Heart is back also. I've started my "spring cleaning" also - it just always makes sense to start when I'm cleaning up Christmas decorations. Have a GREAT week my friend.
Happy 2025 beautiful Sandra! I love that pic of Elliot! He's such a handsome boy. I love my Bubba too- cats really are cool. I can't wait to see that afghan all done. I've admired it every time you share it - such a neat nordic pattern. Blessings to you my friend. xo
Your cat is so pretty (err...handsome)! You can have some of our snow, we have extra! I also ready to get back to routine but looks like another few days before we get to do that around here. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Sandra, I see your mention of Turkish pasta and I have seen others post recipes of that, only if it’s the one that uses paprika it’s not the authentic Turkish “pasta” recipe that started to be popular. The original is a spin on the Turkish dumpling recipe Manti, substituting now tie or similar pasta instead of making the dumplings. In case you’re interested here is the authentic recipe, I saw it in The NY Times recipe section in 2008 titled Turkish Dumplings, Deconstructed, Fake Manti, and it’s been a family favorite.
2 to
Turkish Dumplings, Fake Manti aka Turkish Pasta
1 large eggplant, about 1 pound, cumulus in 1 inch cubes(I have occasionally substituted 3 zucchini)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 shallot, minced
1 lb ground lamb
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, they recommended Aleppo but I use regular
black pepper to taste
1½ tbsp chopped fresh mint or more to taste
½ lb bowtie or other pasta like shells
3 tbsp unsalted butter, to taste
⅔ cup plain Greek yogurt
Heat oven to 500 degrees. Bring a pot of water to boil for pasta.
Toss eggplant with 2 tbsp oil and a large pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet, making sure there is room between pieces, and roast until browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
In a large skillet, heat remaining tbsp oil. Sauté lamb, til no longer pink then drain. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and the shallot and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Stir in mint and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir eggplant into lamb. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter letting it cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, remaining garlic and a pinch of salt.
Drain pasta and spread on a serving platter. Top with lamb-eggplant mixture, then with yogurt sauce. Pour melted butter over top. Sprinkle on additional red pepper and more mint if you like. Serve immediately.
Sorry for the typo it should read cut in 1 inch cubes not cumulus
Yay! back to routines! I did like being on vacation for 2 weeks but I like to go back to my routines too. Have a great week
I'm glad you are liking & doing The Bible Recap! I've done it for a couple of years and started again. Happy New Year!
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