HHM 10/12/2015

You know, even though I'm not a SAHM I'm still a homemaker.  I have a family to take care of and a home that should be kept it neat and clean.  I do also have the responsibility of 2 businesses to keep neat and clean, and a multitude of customers to care for as well.  Wow!  So....I've decided it's going to be Happy Homemaker Monday, because my home AND my businesses are my home.  They are where I spend my time, with my family none the less, 24 hours a day.

The weather..... 

Right now I am.... 
sitting at the computer at the shop, writing this post, chewing a double piece of bubble gum and listening to Love Shack on the radio.

On my Kindle....
Twin Willows by Kay Conrelius  *affiliate link*

TV on my Computer.....
Switched at Birth (ABC Family)

I found a couple NEW show to watch...... Home Fires on PBS
I've also been watching The Great British Baking Show on PBS

What I found while surfing the net.... 
Been looking at crochet stuff, as usual.  Way too many cool patterns, not enough time to make them all.

Favorite Find on Pinterest...... 
This Steampunk Tabistry Hat.  They have other stuff on their web page that they make with pop tabs too.  Way cool.

My Menu....
Tonight: Mini Oven Pizzas (cause I need to go to the store)
For the rest of the week and in no particular order.....
Mushroom Bacon Swiss Chicken

Cheesy Bacon Pull Apart Chicken

Crockpot Orange Chicken

Mexican Lasagna (minus the olives)

Crockpot Cheeseburgers

Crockpot Baked Potatoes

On my to do list this week....

• Finish the "emergency hat" before tonight.  It's getting cold at night and youngest son has a paper route that he walks.....in the wee morning hours.  He's going to need a warmer hat than what he has been wearing.
• Finish the "special Christmas gift" so I can work on something else
• grocery shop
• sweep upstairs
• wash dishes (and keep them washed  LOL!  easier said then done for me)

In the craft basket....

Still working on that special scarf for a Christmas gift. I should have it done sometime this week.
Working on the hat I want to finish before tonight.  Also still have those 2 shawls to finish up.
I will share when I have them finished.

Looking forward to this week.......
The MTG Draft Friday night.

Looking around the house....

Living room isn't too bad

Kitchen needs work

Bathroom could use cleaned

Bedroom needs swept

From the camera....

Remember the other day I got some yarn?  This came today from the same person.....a container of knitting needles.  Guess 2016 is the year to get serious about learning to knit.  No excuses now that I don't have the right size needles.

Tips and Tricks...... 
If you're like me you have trouble remembering things and loose paper notes.  I put reminders in my calendar on my phone so I can remember to do things.  I also use my alarm on my phone as a timer to help me remember when I need to check on something (like supper in the crockpot).

On my prayer list.....

• Youngest son to get a "real job" before winter so he isn't out walking in the cold for 3 or so hours a night delivering papers
• Business
• Extra money so I can get my beetle fixed

Praises this past week......

• I was given a big bag of yarn.  I kept some and put some in a bag to give to my sister.
• I was also given a bunch of knitting needles
• Business this weekend was good

  This post linked to Happy Homemaker Monday over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Menu

Mushroom Bacon Swiss Chicken

Cheesy Bacon Pull Apart Chicken

Crockpot Orange Chicken

Mexican Lasagna (minus the olives)

Crockpot Cheeseburgers

Crockpot Baked Potatoes

Sunday ~~

Sunset over downtown Saturday night.

Hello everyone! How has your Sunday been?  I've not had too bad a day.  First off, we DID make it to church, only about 10 minutes or so late for Sunday school.  Not too bad considering the neighbors (remember, it's a bar) didn't get quiet until about 3 am.  *sigh*  That gave me about 4 hours of sleep after actually getting to sleep and the alarm going off an hour before time to get up and hitting the snooze for about 45 minutes. (it's a habit it's done on purpose)  Then I could not stay awake in church, slept through nearly the whole service.  I diddled on my kindle during Sunday school so that kept me awake.

I totally forgot I had started lunch last night.  I put a roast and some taters in the crockpot.  Thank goodness the longer it cooks the better it is.  It was amazing by the way, and we have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Hubby had a board meeting at church, so he dropped me off at the laundromat.  I washed 3 loads and dried 2.  I did try using 2 less quarters like I mentioned last HHM post.  I did it on the under-things cause the other load was towels and needed the 6 quarters.  It did work just fine, even though the dryer was cold.  I was the only one there at first.  After I was done I waited about an hour for hubby to get done.  It was nice sitting outside in the shade and reading my most recent book, Twin Willows**, *affiliate link*  on my kindle.

After he picked me up we went to the castle and I hung up my wet things to dry.  We then went out of town.

When we got back I had people in my living room.  They were here playing MTG with the boys.  I went upstairs to hang up and fold my dry clothes.

Soon as I get done here I'm going to work on an "emergency" crochet project.  My youngest son has a paper route and he has to deliver in the early morning hours, when it's cold and dark.  I'm making him a stocking cap.  I'd like to have it done by Monday night so he has it to wear.  I hope he likes it, he's kinda picky.

Later hubby and I will be off to the gym.

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back tomorrow for my HHM post.

Yarn

I was given a bunch of yarn again the other day.  I am thankful for it! I decided to share with my sister.  Here is what she is getting so far.  I still have a few skeins to decide whether to give or keep.

And just in case you're wondering....here is my current WIP.  (I still have 3 other WIP's as well)  It has a rainbow, for part of it anyway.  Super excited about this, it's going to be a Christmas gift.

Better get back to making that rainbow.  The "kids" (they aren't really kids but I call them that) will be here soon to play games.

And one last thing.....I took this at the gym last night....I look totally silly.  Think I would be a good candidate for "what not to wear"?  LOL!  I don't always look this frumpy, it was comfy and it was late.

Halloween Stuff

We probably decorate a little different than most for Halloween.  Here are some of our decorations this year.  Many hubby has made/created himself.

Skellys playing poker

Throne o' Bone

Spooky green water in the fountain, or a Mana Pool or health fountain, as some call it.

Dead Ringer coffin

More skellys....the one on the right in the cage was here for pirate day.

What do your Halloween decorations look like?

Getting Organized

Getting organized isn't easy. For me anyway it isn't.  Baby steps I guess.  Last night I started organizing my yarn stash. I still have a few messes, that will be wound into balls, to work on. I also have started a bag to give to my sister. Most all my stash was given to me so I'm sharing.

HHM 10/5/2015

You know, even though I'm not a SAHM I'm still a homemaker.  I have a family to take care of and a home that should be kept it neat and clean.  I do also have the responsibility of 2 businesses to keep neat and clean, and a multitude of customers to care for as well.  Wow!  So....I've decided it's going to be Happy Homemaker Monday, because my home AND my businesses are my home.  They are where I spend my time, with my family none the less, 24 hours a day.

The weather..... 

Right now I am.... Sitting here at the shop computer.  Hubby just left for a job (so I get the computer for a few minutes).


On my Kindle.... I am currently reading  Her Irish Surrender by Kit Morgan *affiliate link*

TV on my Computer..... Switched at Birth again tonight.  I'm looking forward to that. I won't watch it live, but will watch it sometime this week online.


What I found while surfing the net.... always looking for some new crochet pattern or recipe.

Favorite Find on Pinterest...... I got stuck looking for candy bar pins and ice cream pins this past week.

My Menu....

Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
 crockpot roast beef   with potatoes cooked in the crockpot
BBQ Beef sandwiches
Mini pizzas

and I need to figure the rest of it out.......Maybe, just maybe I can get buy with just getting a few things instead of a weeks worth of groceries.  I'm hoping so.


Check my side bar updated as to what I have on hand to make, or what's in the freezer.

On my to do list this week....

crochet
clean
Menu plan
Grocery shop

In the craft basket....

Started a special scarf for a Christmas gift.  Shhhhh don't tell.

Looking forward to this week.......
Nothing special happening this week that I know of.

Looking around the house....

We are in the process of rearranging in preparation for our April target for serving ice cream and sodas. Moving and storing things we won't need and organizing things we will use.  Kind of tiring, but it's going to be so worth it!

From the camera....

Tips and Tricks...... I keep my crochet projects in BIG zippy bags. Helps keep them all together and easier to take along.

On my prayer list.....

• PayPal transaction to show up. Sent some money to hubby and its not showing on either side. 
• Business to pick up so we aren't scraping to pay bills
• We are able to find some scaffolding to borrow so we can work on the kitchen area
• The drain up front works so we can at least serve ice cream and drinks and baked goods come April 2016
• Oldest son and his Finance
• Youngest son to get a better job.  Delivering newspapers doesn't pay much at all.

Praises this past week......

• The weather has been cooler and we haven't needed to run the ac.
• PayPay transaction I mentioned on the prayer list has been taken care of.  Thank you Jesus!

  This post linked to Happy Homemaker Monday over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Sunday

At church we started "The Story" today.  All the Sunday school classes are studying it.  We watch a short video then break up into our class and discuss the questions.  The sermon is based on the "weekly chapter" and children's church lesson is also based on the weekly chapter.  There are 40 chapters, so this will take us 40 weeks.....almost a year.  Today Preacher did a comparison in the sanctuary of the sun, which was the size of a pea that he sat on the upper ledge of baptistry, to a globe he has in his office.  He set that about 3 feet away.....then walked through the sanctuary and helped us visualize just how far each planet was from the sun.  Neptune, which was a blue paper, was at the very back of the room, and pluto was somewhere out in the parking lot.  LOL!  Very interesting, and unfortunatly, like every Sunday, I had a hard time staying awake.  *sigh* (clicking on the book picture is an affiliate link)

We ordered out Pizza for lunch.  While I was waiting on it, I got a call.....someone locked out of their truck at the lake.  Told them they would have to wait, lunch came first.  After lunch Hubby and I headed to the lake to unlock the truck.  It was at one of the boat docks.....with boat on the trailer behind.  The guy said there was a big catfish tied to the back of the boat.

There sure enough was.  Look at the size of that one closest to his leg!!!!!  I don't think I've seen one that big in person.  On the way home I asked hubby if he thought they were going to eat the fish.  He said probably so.  I had a bad experience with fish once, and haven't had fish since.

While we were there unlocking I seen this wooly-bear caterpillar.  Unfortunately he was dead, he got squished, but I took it for the colors.  Just a bit of black on each end and all brown in the middle.  He was pretty fluffy too.

Heading back to the Castle, the weinermobile was at the grocery store! Even at my age it was exciting to see!  Might be fun to take a ride in it some day.  I peeked in but didn't take pictures because there were people in there.  

Next stop was the laundromat.  I had to wait on a couple of washers when I got there as they were all being used.  I washed 2 loads and dried 1.  The other load got brought home and hung up to dry.  Next time I go I think I will try 50 cents less in the dryer.  The clothes come out so hot, they almost feel like they are on fire.  They are dry though.

While I was there I started another hat.  It is going to be a piggy hat.

When I got back Fuzzy was enjoying the afternoon sun.  I was too.  It is kind of chilly today, but in the sun it felt kinda hot actually.

I found a practical use for hubby's weight tree, which we aren't using right now.  It's perfect for hanging my extra hangers on.

Remember I said Hubby said we need to get more organized?  Well I cleaned off this shelf and folded and put the towels and under things on it.  It's nice and organized now, and both my laundry baskets are currently empty.  Well DuH! I just washed clothes today.  I'm trying......it's a slow process for someone who is not a naturally organized person.  One thing at a time.


Oldest son came by this afternoon and stayed to play MTG.  I told him he had to stay and I fixed supper.  Mac and Cheese with hot dogs. Both boys had venti chocolate lattes, I had a venti hazelnut latte and hubby had a pepsi.

The rest of the evening was spent organizing shelves and cabinets in preparation for our target April opening for serving ice cream and coffee ans sodas at the Castle.

BURRRRR

These past few days have been chilly!  I think summer is officially over and we have moved into fall.  I have added a blanket to the bed.  The new arrangement has help with sleeping too. The street light isn't shining in my face all night. This week the neighbors (the bar) have been petty quiet as well.  For that I am VERY thankful!

Just Another Bag

If you remember a few weeks back I made a new dice bag for my oldest son.  Hubby said he wanted a new one too.  SO.....I made him one.  I finished it up this afternoon, just in time for Friday Night Magic tonight.  Hubby doesn't have near as many dice as my son has......yet, anyway.  SO for now this will be big enough.  If he gets more I will either have to add on to this bag, or make him a bigger one.

 It will sit open on its own and is big enough around to get dice out of.

Crockpot Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes -- Cooking Thursday

I found this recipe twice on Pinterest. One was a crockpot version the other an oven version. Being the busy person I am I opted to make the crockpot version first.  It was pretty good. Both Hubby and I agreed that it was better the next day as leftovers.  Next time I make these I want to make the oven version.  The potatoes should be more crispy. (I'll share that when I DO try them in the oven.) Also I only used about half the ranch seasoning mix.  Next time I think I will use the entire package.

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes

(Link to original recipe)

Here's what you need:

A crockpot

Aluminum foil

Non stick cooking spray

Potatoes (I think I used 12)

Ranch dressing mix

Cheddar cheese or cheese if your choice

Bacon (I used 6 strips but more would be good too)

Line your crockpot with foil leaving enough extra to fold down over the potatoes, making a package.  Spray with non stick cooking spray.

Cook your bacon and set aside to cool so you can crumble it.

Peal and cut your potatoes.

Put potatoes in a single layer in the bottom of your crockpot. Sprinkling with ranch mix, cheese and bacon. Repeat two more times. 

Save some cheese to add later. 

Fold foil down over the taters, put lid on and cook on low about 8 hours or on high about 4 hours.  

When done cooking,  turn off crockpot and sprinkle the remainder of the cheese on top, cover and let melt.  Takes a couple minutes.

I served these potatoes with Dorito Crusted Chicken Strips, which in Hybby's, Youngest Son's and My opinion, needs work.  It was good, but not worthy to make again, without some changes.

If you make either of these recipes I shared today, stop back by and let me know what you thought and/or any changes you made.

Linking up with Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Cooking Thursday