Happy Homemaker In Texas

Hello Welcome to my Happy Homemaker post.  Recently I have been publishing this post on Saturdays.  On Saturday I was a
little under the weather.  So for this week  I am back on Monday
and joining Sandra at Family Corner for . . . 

Sandra provides the prompts.  I add a few of my own.  

The weather

Very pretty weather.  Sunny and in the 70's will be in 80's 
this afternoon.

Outside my window

My yellow rose bush is blooming. So pretty.

I am thinking

I am glad the rose bush is blooming.  I cut it way back in the fall and was worried I killed it!

In the kitchen 

A mess!  The door handle broke on our fridge.  Here's the duh moment it wouldn't open.  I pulled too hard and broke it last night. 
The Cowboy realized we had too much stuff on the door.  
There were only 3 opened bottles on Worcestershire Sauce. 
2 bottles of ketchup.  

On the menu

Nothing really planned.  Winging it this week.  I do have some ideas but not settled on when, will need some produce and a few other things.  
Here's a list of what I hope to cook 
Lasagne/Eggplant Parmesan
Kielbasa/Sausage Grill
Chili Rellenos, rice and beans
Steak, bakers and salad

Last weeks menu...What worked/What didn't
No menu last week just ate out of the freezer

My 'Ta Da' moment

A green tomato! Yea!

On the 'To Do' list

Mix up some bug spray.  Something is eating my Sun Flowers!
Need to get some peppers planted and cucumbers.

In the craft basket

I've decided to re-arrange my sewing/crafting room.  It is a mess. 
Moving a small desk that was my grandsons out of the closet and 
replacing a bigger desk for both of us to use.  We will do our paper 
crafts in the closet so I don't have to switch from sewing to paper
on the other table. 

On my reading pile

My phone is full! Lots of reviews coming up.  It's a busy month. 
Visit me at My Reading Journeys to read the reviews.  
Click here. 

Fabulous features

 Click here to read post. 

Click here to visit the post. 

From the camera

Scripture/Devo

Thanks for visiting.  I am linking at Happy Homemaker Monday

and the Fabulous Party and a few others the list is below the post. 

Click here

Click here

Rediscover Sunday Supper

Welcome to Sunday Supper.  A new feature I started a few weeks 
ago.  Each week I share stories and ideas, thoughts and discoveries.  
Each week I've used a different photo that I've found when I 
googled Sunday Supper.  I have also found some really interesting 
sites, programs and fundraising programs with the title. 
Today at the end of the post you'll find the information about the photo below.

Each week as I am writing my post I am thinking what your thoughts, impressions and memories are of Sunday Supper. 

Do you even think about it or care?  Does Sunday Supper bring back memories of family dinners at home? 

By the time I was a teenager we had pretty much done away with Sunday Supper because of church activities. 

When my children were young we had Sunday Supper at our house.  Sunday Supper was just us me, The Cowboy and our two kids.  They were always simple prepared meals.  We called them

Smorgasbord because we would try fun, new and interesting things.  Once we tried making egg rolls.  We are lovers of fried foods and we tried frying all kinds of things.  

Back in the day when our kids were home there were not cell phones.  Yep you guessed it I am that old. Gasp!

Sunday Supper was a meal that we shared together.  We talked.

The Cowboy was typically home on Sundays (he traveled a lot).

So it was a time we spend together.  After our meal we would 

watch a movie together or play a game.  

Sunday Supper was a special time for our family.  

I kind of think we were lucky back then.  No cell phones. 

It's different now.  

I think it's harder for families.  Even if mom stays home sometimes it's hard with all the activities that kids have to find a day during the week to just have a dinner time together.  

One without the phones or electronics.  

I kind of like the idea. 

 I kind of like the idea that Chip & Jo Anna Gaines incorporated

at their new restaurant Magnolia Table.

No these handle Hello leather pockets are not for menus they are for cell phones. 

Diners are encouraged to hang up the phone.  

Maybe.  Just maybe hanging up the phone is a good thing? 

Maybe turning off the electronics is a way for families to 

Rediscover Sunday Supper.  

What do you think?

About this Sunday Supper program offered by a church in Oregon.

FREE Community Dinner every Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.

McMinnville Covenant Church offers a FREE supper ministry open to the community. Each Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. we will serve a healthy meal consisting of a soup or stew, bread and fruit or veggie. This meal is FREE and open to anyone in the community. If you have any questions please contact the church office at (503) 472-9021.

Sunday Supper Mission StatementSeeking God’s heart for our neighborhood 
We offer a warm, nourishing place of hospitality 
Where every person is recognized as a child of God

 This dinner is completely run by volunteers, including cooking, setup and cleanup, serving, and more.

Click here  to visit the site. 

Did you know I host a link party?  I would love for you to link your family friendly posts.  The party goes all week long.  

You never have to wonder when you can post. 

Any day. Any time.  All week long.  No limit to the number of posts you can link.  Although I suggest a couple posts a day.  I know when I am visiting parties I get burned out going to the same blog.  If I only have a short time to visit I like to go to as many places/blogs as I can.  That's just me.  This is not a rule if you want to link 10 posts at a time go for it! 

And, if you host a party feel free to link up!  

Each post is pinned on The Fabulous Party board.  Click here 

to visit the board. 

Each week I feature 2 posts on my Saturday Happy Homemaker post.  

The featured posts are also featured on the sidebar at the 

Our Holiday Journey blog. 

Ready to link up?

Click here to link at Our Holiday Journey

Simple Sunday-The Fabulous Party

Welcome to Simple Sunday

Source

Welcome to the party

Please link your family friendly posts. 

One Of Those Weeks

I don't know how it happens.  But I just feel like I am 

And I am!

I was hoping today would be . . . 

But alas it's not.  And so there is no real post today.  Nor was there one on Friday.  Or Thursday.  Or Wednesday . . . well 

actually since last Saturday I think. 

Keep Calm.  That sounds good.  So I guess I'll just stay calm and catch  you up on what's been going on. 

So during the week I visited some friends . . .

Have you met Molly the Aire Girl?  Her week started not too great because the big 'ole mean vacuum came out.  She hid in the tub

where it was 'Safe'.  Click here to read her post.  By Friday all was better and she got to go on a fun 'walkie' and she shared some of the beautiful flowers she saw.  

 Click here to read her post. 

I made a new friend.  Katie at Sweet Home Life. Katie shared a post at The Fabulous Party and lured me over to meet her at 

her blog.  Click here to visit Katie.  Click here to visit the 

Fabulous Party.  

  The link up is also here at My Journey Back on Sundays.  Link up at either blog.  You can link any day!

And then while I was visiting blogs I played a game on the Kindle.

I was totally multi tasking because my computer loads soooooo

very sloooooow.

I spent hours trying to fix my phone because it decided to stop letting me open books that were on it that I need to read for reviews. 

I have to say that is probably the biggest thing that kept me from 

writing posts!  In the end I have one app working now. 

And I was able to get all the books loaded again.  

I added the Kindle app so I can sync the P.C., the phone and Kindle so I can read the same book on all three.  Just haven't 

figured out how to do that.  

I finished reading these two books for reviews.  

Just sayin' I love print copies.  No figuring out all that techie stuff!

Ice by Lauren Carr one of my favorite Cozy Mystery Authors is touring with I Read Book Tours.  My review is here. 

Primary Suspect by Laura Scott is touring with Litfuse.  I'll be writing my review here at My Journey Back this week.  

I began putting away the bunnies.  Bye Bye Bunnies.  I need to clear off the mantle because it will be used at the wedding in May.

#HavingATexasWedding. 

Speaking of the wedding I want to get my hair cut and I've been looking for ideas.  The only one I could find I really like is this one

Do you think I'll look this cute?  Nah.  I just love Meg Ryan. 

Are you old like me and remember her from As The World Turns.

Yes she started on a soap.  Opps that's a rabbit trail.  But I love rabbits.....

Anyway I wanted layers like this last time.  But the girl that cut my hair just couldn't  'get it'.   I mean hello what part of I don't blow dry my hair straight do you not get.  I know it's the style but first of all I don't have the proper hair brush plus I don't have time! So I gave up and just sat there and let her do her thing.  It looked good just not what I wanted. 

  I think I'll go back over to the place I went years and years ago and have it cut.  They 'get me' there.   But it is expensive and takes forever!  

And I spent some time just enjoying my dog; she makes me smile.

Sometimes she cracks me up.  Like when she looks through a tiny

hole in the fence to see the neighbor dog!  

It is so hard to get a good pic.  Because she is always running and playing with her toys.  I need to figure out how to video.  But part of the problem is if I step outside she stops because she is all about me playing with her.  I loved this pic of her looking at her basket of toys.  She can't quite figure it out.  And I can't quite figure out why my phone did this border!  It's really cool though. 

So well.  That is how my week went.  Did I accomplish anything. 

Not a lot.  But it was a good week.  

I hope your week was Great!  Thanks for stopping in!

Sunday Supper-A Repost-Why?

Today I am sharing with you a repost and a little about my plans for tomorrow night. 
First the plans and why this particular repost is significant. 

First I have to admit I have a thing for table linens, dish towels, napkins and table scapes. 
I am totally not over the top nor am I fancy.  I am more into vintage than fancy. 

I have always used cloth napkins to set our table on a daily basis.. Not because I am trying to be fancy.  I just think they are frugal.  I always thought why buy paper. 

Well tonight.  Our table is set with a vintage table cloth.  My pottery.  A crystal vase with flowers.  

And guess what? 

Paper napkins.  The thing is they are the pretty ones and they actually go with my color scheme.   

I will write a post during the week about our little dinner party. 
I hope you'll enjoy it. 

Until then here is my repost. 

This towel was made by mother many years ago. It is actually hand applique. I don't think my mother ever did anything like this again. She was never a quilter. 
And stopped sewing when I was in elementary school. She began working full time. 
I began cooking the evening meal at our house when I was in 5th grade. My mother worked at Montgomery Wards at night. She would cook the meat and leave in the oven and I was responsible for the rest. I was even allowed to choose the vegtables. 
Which BTW was rather funny because once I learned to cook frozen peas and liked them I cooked them a couple of times a week!
Here is another towel that I purchased on Ebay
Can you guess why? Yes the donkey. I love anything that has donkeys on it. I love both of these towels. They are displayed on my kitchen counter. They are called "no no" towels. Cowboy isn't allowed to touch! Do you have a man that spills tomato sauce and grabs a white towel to clean it up? I mean this man drives me crazy there can be a red towel and a white towel on the counter and which one does he pick up.  The white of course! 

Back to today....so I am totally expecting my daughter to gasp when she sees the paper napkins.  I'll have the camera ready to catch her expression. 

Thanks for visiting.

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday Supper

Simple Sunday-The Fabulous Party

Please forgive me I forgot to add the party link
It is here now.  Link up!

Source

The Fabulous Party

Link any day any time.

Link your family friendly posts.

Happy Homemaker In Texas

Welcome 

I am a Happy Homemaker in Texas

 

Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker 

on Monday

Sandra provides the prompts.  

I add a few of my own

The weather today it is actually cold and a bit drizzly.  It looks more like winter than spring. 

Right now I am Thinking  I don't know how I will possibly get done what I need to today.  I hurt my knee yesterday and it is 

giving me fits!  I am thinking The Cowboy may have to go to work with me on Monday.  We'll see how that works!

In the garden everything is about the same. I did notice how

nice the mums in the back yard garden are looking and how 

different the front yard looks.  More on that later I'll write a post about my front yard. 

Everything was looking great and I had blooms on the tomatoes.  I hope it isn't too cold now! 

On my reading pile

Nothing new that I haven't shared.  I always have a book on my phone waiting to be read for a review.

My reviews are posted over here. 

In the kitchen

I made this soup this week for my lunch.  It was so yummy.

I've been mentioning this for a couple of weeks here at 

HHM.  I finally made it and loved it. 

On the menu I am taking a break this week from stressing about a menu.  We have tons of stuff in the freezer and I am determined to get it cleaned out and organized. 

Last weeks menu what worked what didn't

What didn't work was me!  I didn't not stick to the menu.

And I didn't keep track of what we actually ate. 

I do know on Tuesday we were talking way to late and I didn't get dinner started so we ordered pizza. 

Oh it is coming back to me.  The Cowboy found chicken fried steak meat on sale so that was the plan that night (Tuesday)

Since I didn't cook it on Tuesday I cooked it on Wednesday.

Thursday was corned beef because our daughter comes on Thursday and it is one of her favorites. 

Friday night we had left overs I made hash with the meat and potatoes and cooked fresh broccoli.

Tonight we are eating left overs out of the freezer!

In the craft basket nothing much.  No spending anytime creating.  Spending more time decided what I can keep and what needs a new home.  My only dilema is finding a home for my cast offs. 

Something fun to share

Have you made the trip to Magnolia Market?  And now there

is the new cafe Magnolia Table.  I've already been to the market but we didn't do anything around town. 

Waco is actually going to be our first road trip. 

We are thinking of going in a few weeks because it is so 

close and just look at and check out the r.v. parks there. 

Click here to read the post about 15 things to do!

Features from The Fabulous Party

Ellen who is new to the party this week shared a post about Essential Oils for relaxation.  I need that!

Click here to read her post. 

I loved the idea of a Classic Roast Beef Po Boy.  I always have left overs of Roast.  But Jaxx has a new cool way to cook it.  

His recipe for Instant Pot or Crock is here. 

I am adding this one to my list for On The Road Recipes!

From the camera

There is a new baby in the family!

Deco/Scripture

A little different I thought this was cool.

Click here to check it out. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

I'll be linking with 

Happy Homemaker Monday

The Fabulous Party

and a few others the list is below

Have a great week!

It's A Boy! and This/That

Yes it's a boy.  And he's finally here.  We are delighted.

Have you ever seen a 1 hour old colt?  He is super sweet isn't he!

So a lot has been going on this week and I am preparing ever so slowly for a big dinner tomorrow night.  

But

Some how late yesterday afternoon I injured my knee.  And I am 

miserable.  Went to bed at 9 last night.  It was much better today but I had to go out to get produce and flowers and a cake because I didn't get baked what I intended too. 

And

It's cold here!  And wet and drizzly.  Ick.  I was limping across 

the grocery store parking lot.  And my first stop didn't have pretty flowers and no pretty romaine so I then I had to go to another store which I intended to because they have better cakes anyway but usually higher on produce and they were but the flowers were cheaper and the soda was too!  So I got flowers and dessert.

Which 

Turned out to be a mini cheesecake sampler which I think worked out o.k. in the end anyway. 

And Now

I am off to rest my knee before I pull things together for tomorrow.

Have a Happy Day!

We are!

On The Dinner Plate-They Call it Fried Rice

A couple of weeks ago we had one of the Cowboys favorite suppers his mom cooked. 

They called it Fried Rice

it's not

This is what it is.

Begin with some ground beef.  Yes ground beef.  In Fried Rice?

This is the Cowboys plate.  Complete with saltine crackers. 

Now to me that is just weird.  But that's the way his family ate it! it!

I added the stir fried veggies for a side.  They never had a side!

Begin by steaming some long or medium grain white rice.

I steam mine in the over at 300.  1 cup rice.  2 cups water plus a

little more.  I saute it briefly in the pan first with a little olive oil then add the water.  It cooks in my oven 20 minutes and comes out

perfect.  

And then you start the ground beef.  Cook it up in a skillet with salt and pepper and chopped white onions. 

Drain off the grease and give it a little taste and then you realize you forgot the onions.  Never fear.  I chop them real fine so I can add them now. 

Once the onions are cooked with the beef set the skillet aside.

Clean and rough cut some celery.  Dawng I hate it when my celery starts to go bad.  Need to cook all this up!

  Chop up some garlic.

In a non stick skillet cook the celery and garlic.  The Cowboy 

doesn't like it crunchy so it's cooked well.  Now just dump them out on top of the meat in the first pan.

Peel and chop a carrot and pre cook it. 

At this point now you have your beef and the veggies waiting in the skillet for the last step.

They will sit and rest a few minutes while the side is stir fried 

quickly.  I bought this . . . 

The package contained way more than we needed so I divided it.

I tossed the veggies in the freezer for another meal.  I separated

the carrots out because I don't really like the way the crinkle 

cut carrots cook.  I saved them for Domino.  She will love them boiled and put on top her kibble. 

At this point I set my mixture back on the burner and turned it on low to begin to warm while I stir fried the veggie mix.

First I fried a piece of bacon then added some olive oil to the skillet and stir fried up the veggies. 

I didn't add the sauce that was included because I wasn't sure if we would like it.  I am glad I didn't it was hot!  That surprised me. 

I expected sweet not hot!

Once it was all done I quickly finished of the Not Fried Rice.

Add the rice and then douse the entire thing with Soy Sauce. 

As in more than you think it needs.  That is how they eat it!

This is how my plate started.  

And the way it ended.  The sauce ended up being good but a little goes a long way.  Can you tell I am not a fan of snow peas. 

I did eat 2!

And so that is how Cowboy likes his mom's Fried Rice.  

Give it a try you might like it too! It's a fast a simple and yummy meal!  I'd leave off the crackers!  

Do you eat crackers with Fried Rice?