Happy Homemaker Monday - 04/07/2025

 

Good morning friends!  

Welcome back to another Happy Homemaker Monday!  

 

I am sorry this post is going up later than usual, but I've been running back and forth all morning, and am only now sitting down with a cup of coffee, to get this post out for you.  So, without any more delays, let's just get right on with it. 

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

It's so cold this morning.  We went from wonderful warm weather to freezing temperatures and ice the last two days.  I give up trying to understand this insane weather.  

Monday - Sunny, 68

Tuesday - Sunny, 78

Wednesday - Sunny, 87

Thursday - Sunny, 84

Friday - Sunny, 80

Saturday - Sunny, 90

Sunday - Sunny, 95

As I look outside my window:::
After a week of cloudy, dark and rainy weather, the sun is shining with not a cloud in sight.  It's so bright that it's almost blinding in certain areas.    

   

Right now I am:::
Just finished my morning chores, got the bed made fresh and am sitting at my desk to work on this post.     

 

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

I have been following Punkin's Patch blog, since it started in 2007.  It's one of the very few that have continued to post, which makes me so happy.  I wish more of the older original blogs had continued.   

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
About my kid's birthdays.  Nick turns 22 on Friday and Jasmine turns 26 on the 25th of April.  I can't believe those little kids that I shared with you all when I first started blogging, are now in their twenties.  Boy do I feel old.          

 

On my bedside table:::
My current read, a bottle of water, a tv control my hand lotion. 

 

On my tv:::
Homemaking vlogs

Book vlogs

SIC Portuguese channel

Amor Maior Portuguese Soap

Listening to:::

An episode of my Portuguese soap on the tv.

Our newest baby chicks, chirping away in the office.  

On the menu for this week:::

Newest meal plan will kick in later this week, so these are the meals for now.

Monday - Stuffed Peppers, Sauteed Squash
Tuesday - Chicken Thighs with roast potatoes, Salad     

Wednesday - Scacciata with Sausage and Potatoes, Sausage with Broccoli

Thursday - BBQ Ribs, Pasta Salad, Steamed Broccoli

Friday -
Saturday - 

Sunday - 

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Crochet 

Meal plan and grocery list

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Cosmic CAL.     

My simple pleasure:::
Playing with our baby chickies.       

Looking around the house:::
I already gave a tidy up around the house, cleaned the kitchen and opened the curtains and doors.  The house is fresh and clean for the beginning of the week.      

 

 
From the camera:::
 

 

 

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to manking by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:12 NIV

Sandra's Saturday Surfing

 

 Let's take a surf through the past week, and the sites that I have visited, found and so on.

 

Thriftbooks - well this is a non shocker, of course.  I actually managed to get the entire Brambley Hedge collection.  I had been wanting it for a while, but it was quite pricey, and was able to get it at a much cheaper price, so grabbed it immediately. 

Turbotax - because you know.  I held off as long as I could this year, but it was time to just pull the bandaid and get it done.  It's done, it's filed, it's over with for now.  Ugh, anyone else hate tax season as much as I do?

 

Hot Topic - Jasmine's birthday is coming up and she loves all things Superhero and X-Men in particular, so I was online looking for some ideas. 

Amazon - Had to order Elliott's food and my Weetabix cereal.

 

YoTurkish - Where I watch all my Turkish shows.

Friday's Letters

 

Dear Heart...You just scared the living daylights out of me, but thank you for hanging tough and helping me through a scary situation.  There was a lockdown at our base and an active shooter.  My husband works on base as an instructor supervisor, and the hour and a half this went on, was terrifying. 

Dear Rain....I love you.  I love how you smell, I love how you sound, I love what you do to the earth, the trees and the plants.  I just love you ♥  

 

Dear Chocolate....Can you please break the hold you have over me?  For Pete's sakes, just let me go already.  Why are you so delicious?  Why do I struggle so much trying to ignore you? 

Cooking Thursday - Bacon, Honey Mustard Chicken

 

Bacon, Honey Mustard Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I like the thin sliced so that I don't have to pound it down)
Bacon (I do 2 slices per chicken breast)
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. Dijon mustard
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 t. paprika
1/2 t. salt
pepper to taste
American cheese slices (1 per breast)


Preheat oven to 400 F.

Mix together Honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper, in a medium bowl.

Rinse chicken breast and pat dry. If you didn't get the thin sliced breasts, then pound the chicken breast between 2 sheets of wax paper until about 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick.

Add chicken to the marinade bowl, swish around a bit to cover completely and set aside.
Fry the bacon in a skillet, remove when cooked and set aside.

Keep the bacon grease in the pan. Pour off the excess marinade and fry the chicken, 3 pieces or so, at a time, for about 2 minutes on each side or until nicely browned.

Transfer to a baking sheet covered in foil. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, then remove. Place two pieces of bacon on each chicken breast, then top with a slice of cheese.

Return to the oven for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
Serve immediately.I served mine with garlic mashed potatoes. YUM!

Wordless Wednesday - Nectarine Blossom

Musical Throwback Tuesday - Listen to your Heart by Sonia

A total throwback to the 80s and my childhood. This used to be one of my favorites back in the day. Such a fun tune to dance to.