Menu Monday and I Got Mail

 Hello and Welcome

I am sorry to post a bit late.  Last night we had a nice  cooling rain and we sat outside and enjoyed the evening!  

We are really enjoying island life and all the new adventures! 

Since it's Monday it's time to share my menu plans. 

I always plan our menu on Saturday so I can include it in my Happy Homemaker post. 

Sometimes my plans change.  But planning a menu helps me stay organized and  not having to run to the store.  

At least most of the time. 

On Saturday we were out exploring and it got late.  I was tired so we decided to have the Spaghetti I had planned on for another night since I still had Sauce in the freezer. 

I really wanted Salad and so since we were out we stopped here . . .

 

They have the nicest produce I have found.  They don't have alot but they always have pretty heads of 

Ice Berg Lettuce. 

H&R is a great place to buy meat.  All the locals recommend it.  

We also bought Kielbasa and a really nice head of Cabbage which is on the menu.  Let's see what else! 

Monday 

Pizza night and Happy Hour. This week I want to try the Pizza with Chicken and Spinach. We will get an appetizer too during Happy Hour they have 3.00 & 4.00 items. Pizza is 6.00 on Monday! 

Tuesday

Kielbasa, Fried Potatoes and Fried Cabbage  

Wednesday 

Pork Chops, Rice and Black Eye Peas 

Thursday 

Shrimp Alfredo, Salad 

Friday 

Enchiladas, Borracho Beans and Copy Cat Rice A Roni Spanish Rice 

Saturday 

Beans and Cornbread 

Sunday 

Chili Relleno Casserole and Salad

We found Cube Steak at another market.  It is what I tenderize more and use for Chicken Fried Steak so I might do that instead of Enchiladas. 

So that's my menu.  Wanna see what I got in the mail? 

A pretty Yellow Junk Journal Page and some stamps.   

The ladies in this group are so sweet and talented.  I am in awe.  They teach me alot.

 

And they are all so creative.  The M&M wrapper she tore open and put paper inside to make little notebook. 

 

It is fun to see all the different pieces of Ephemera each partner makes. 

 

And fun to see where everyone lives.  

And learn about new towns in other states.  This package came from California. 

I love the clever way the Sunflower paper was cut and applied. Folded in the pocket  are 2 napkins I can use for decoupage. 

I will be getting a Monochromatic J.J. page soon.  I can't be wait! 

I hope your be having a Sparkly Day!

Sparkle On! 

To Love A Cowboy feat. Baer Truth and Series by Jocie McKade

 Welcome to the second annual To Love A Cowboy Promo Tour. 

I am super excited to have a great collection of books and authors to share this is week.  

Featuring today author Jocie McKade and her fun 

Series . . .

About the book 

Vegetarian punk rocker, Abby Clark is kicked off the band tour bus in the middle of nowhere. That happens to be Sentinel, Wyoming in the dead of winter. With a talent for cooking and the singing voice of an angel she manages to disturb a very cranky, cold-hearted bear -- Baer.

Joe Baer, is a sexy Wyoming beef rancher with women issues. His ranch is slipping through his fingers, he's been betrayed by family, and he discovers a family secret that leaves him reeling.

Snow, out of control tractors, a wayward, but affectionate Black Angus bull, one hot country superstar, an unforgettable rodeo, and two jaded souls that just might be able to melt each other's hearts when they find out, The Baer Truth.

Buy the book  

Available on Amazon 

Click Here 

The series 

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Meet the author . . . 

Jocie describes herself . . . 

I have a, well, a diverse background. I’ve lived in several states, and attended a local community college. I married a remarkable man who can fix anything. We have two daughters, and inherited two great son-in-laws and we now are the proud grandparents of, gulp, five grand-kids.

That was the official bio.

Now, for the truth. I live on Dust Bunny Farm, the name is self-explanatory. I often laugh out loud at the most inappropriate moments. I can find humor in nearly every situation, and I don’t take life all that seriously. I’ve been known to jump on stage and sing karaoke without ever having taken a sip of liquor, I am the person who pushes all the buttons on those holiday ornaments so they make annoying noise in unison and then I’ll turn around and blame it on one of my kids.

I am the person at the traffic light next to you singing to the top of my lungs and playing ‘air’ drums.

I prefer tea to coffee, and carbs to sweets.Here

I can write a story about anything. One of the first articles I ever sold was about the personality of an apron. I write stories that tend to be happy, because the world need less conflict and more happiness, and gee, we all need to laugh at ourselves a lot more often.

The above is a portion on an interview. You can find the complete interview over Here

Connect with Jocie . . .

Website click Here

Facebook click Here

Jocie is also on Pinterest and Twitter. You can links on her website  

Happy Homemaker in Texas

 

Good Morning.  Welcome to a beautiful day in the blog world!

Today is my weekly party.  It is hosted by Sandra.  She provides prompts.  

I add a few of my own . . .

The weather . . . 

Gorgeous Island life.  Upper 80's.  It is hot and stiill and a little humid.  But there is always a breeze by the water. 

On the breakfast plate . . . 

I fried 2 Eggs and some Turkey Little Smokies we found on sale at WalMart.  

The Cowboy is back to eating very little.

I really think it is because of medications. 

I am wearing . . .  

The same 'ole thing.  Shorts and a worn out T.  But!  I got new Sparkly flip flops! 

Actually I guess they are not really flip flops.  I forget what they are called. Super cheap though

 $ 9.00 with 40 percent off!

On my reading pile . . . 

To Do List . . . 

Places to see this week ... 

Dessert options on the island continue to get sweeter. ShyKatZ Deli & Bakery is an East End cafe serving baked goods, breakfast and lunch.

ShyKatZ Deli & Bakery serves breakfast all day, “Blue Plate Specials,” and features Boars Head meats and cheeses. Their bakery serves fresh baked cakes and breads daily.

The women are using old family recipes and hope to create a place where everyone knows everyone’s name.

ShyKatZ also serves up such fare as burgers and gourmet salads. 

And a Spice Shop and Deli ...

Looking for a place to buy nice and different cheeses.  

And on the list ... 

Drink more water 

Go to Big Lots for flower pots

Get plants repotted

Doctor appointments on Monday and Tuesday

Go to Office Depot for mailers

Go to hardware store for Ceiling Fan chain extensions

Go to Post Office on Thursday

And I want to . . . 

Go visit the garden in town and see how  it has changed in 3 weeks.  

Find a dog park for the girls.  Domino needs to run off some energy!  

On the menu . . . 

Monday 

Pizza night and Happy Hour. This week I want to try the Pizza with Chicken and Spinach.  We will get an appetizer too during Happy Hour they have 3.00 & 4.00 items.  Pizza is 6.00 on Monday! 

Tuesday

Kielbasa, Fried Potatoes and Fried Cabbage  

Wednesday 

Pork Chops, Rice and Black Eye Peas 

Thursday 

Shrimp Alfredo, Salad 

Friday 

Enchiladas, Borracho Beans and Copy Cat Rice A Roni Spanish Rice 

Saturday 

Beans and Cornbread 

Sunday 

Chili Relleno Casserole and Salad

Crafting . . . 

Not alot going on.  I am still unpacking and trying to get a good space created somewhere in our 'Small Space' 

I have been spending time doing Bible Journaling/Writing Scripture. 

It soothes my soul and a good activity for when I am tired.   

This week I will be making a Monochromatic Junk Journal page for a SWAP.  

I have added to my weekly planner write letters on Friday.  

Yesterday I wrote a Thank you letter to my friend who sent the gift cards. 

And I wrote a note and card to a FB friend that needs some encouragement. 

In the garden . . . 

I bought a huge hanging basket at Home Depot.  A friend sent me gift card. 

Now trying to find pots to separate it. 

I bought another plant that is new to me.  The tag says attracts Butterflies.  And it must because they were all over the garden center. 

And on the blogs this week . . . 

Featuring Cowboy romances to honor our Anniversary.  This is Mondays feature.  Each day will feature a different book. 

From the camera . . .

Scripture/Devo   

Waiting quietly and praying for my family to be restored.  I miss my daughter and my grand kids. 

My word for the year was appropriate . . . 

Sparkle Anyway

Thanks for joining me! 

Foodie Friday

 Hello 

I hope your having 

A beautiful  morning

Friday it's that day I share what I have served on . . . 

It was on odd week check it out . . .

Starting with our meal from last Friday night.  One of my friends sent us a Burger King gift card.  

The Cowboy asked for a Spicy Chicken Sandwich. 

We waited over 20 minutes for this grease fest.  The Cowboy had to get up and complain.  10 minutes later we finally got to eat.  

The only good thing about the meal were the Chicken nuggets.  Maybe I was just starving not sure which.   The rest was barely edible.  

Sad I was so hungry and needing a night out. 

I always struggle with meals the week before payday.  Mother Hubbard's cupboards aren't Bare but the fridge and freezer are.

No fresh veggies.  No Eggs. 

  I resort to Trader Joe's White Kidney Beans.  They were just o.k.  the last can was much better.  The beans were  not soft.  This can was not near as good as the first can. I also cooked canned Spinach.  It needed some Bacon fat.  They just tasted like tin.  

The Bratwurst and Kielbasa were both great.  And the Corn Bread was so good there were no leftovers!

Sunday night I tried to make Copy Cat Taco Bell Pizza.  But I couldn't find the recipe.  It was o.k. but I also used Whole Wheat Tortillas.  It wasn't so good.  

This was my lunch last Wednesday leftover Pizza from Yagga 's. The best hand tossed I have ever eaten. And only $6.00 on Monday!

On Monday night I made Spaghetti. The Sauce was from the freezer.  I added Cream of Mushroom Soup and a 1/4 cup of my favorite Salsa.  It was the best sauce I have ever made.  

I planned Tacos on Tuesday.  I actually used Italian link Sausage.  I just took it out of the casing and fried it up.  Again on Whole Wheat Tortillas. It was surprisingly good.  The Cowboy went back for seconds. 

I didn't  have to cook  at all on 

Wednesday. 

 We were celebrating PayDay and our early Anniversary.  

We began with an early lunch at Willie's G's.

The fried Calamari was the best I have ever had! 

The Cowboy ordered Shrimp and Oysters.  Look at that Shrimp.  

The Oysters were too small.  

A big disappointment for a high restaurant. 

But my Seared Tuna was delicious.  Even though there was a bit if Cucumber hiding in them.  

After lunch we went to Walmart for our grocery shopping.  

I also bought a crock pot. 

For dinner we went to  Shrimp n Stuff.  We have been driving by for weeks watching the crowds.

Look at this Catfish!  I ordered Onion Rings and Cole Slaw.  This is the Cowboys plate with fries. 

Yum . . .

He was too busy eating.  He didn't realize I got his picture. 

We had gone early. When we left the line was out the door! 

So that was our week!

What was on your dinner plate?

Good Morning-My Favorite Season A Blog Challenge

 

Today I am sharing my favorite things about each season.  

I saw this challenge over another blog and thought it would be fun.  I like this week's topic.  

My favorite parts of each Season are ...

Spring 

I would have to say my favorite season is Spring.  Since I live in Texas we have distinct Seasons most of the time.

Spring is planting season.  I guess I love dirt.  I love digging in it. 

I love flowers and vegetables! 

In Keller where I used to live we got alot of rain which made it hard to plant.  The timing of getting seeds in around  gully washers is a challenge but the rewards are plentiful ...

 

Summer 

Hot describes our summer.  We love where we live now! We live in Galveston, Texas now.  We only moved her a month ago.  I don't know what to expect.  But I am excited for a new adventure. 

Fall 

It is hard to decide if I like Fall or Spring better.  I will have to think about that.  Fall is a great time to decorate.  I love Pumpkins.  I am wondering how plentiful they will be here in Galveston.  Last summer I planted Corn and had the nearest stalks when they dried.  I planned to play several rows so I could decorate.  

My new home had no area for planting.  I wonder if I could grow Corn in a pot.  

Next year planting will be an Adventure. 

I love cooking in the fall and planning for Christmas.  

Winter 

Honestly the only thing I like about Winter is Christmas.  And I love Christmas.  

Winter is cold.  Bitter cold.  Natural Texans are not equipped for cold, ice and snow.  Our area (where I grew up) we rarely got Snow.  If we we did it was a dusting.  I remember 2 snow storms in my life.  

This year ya'll all heard about the Texas Blizzard.  And several years ago we had the prettiest snow in Christmas Eve.  We had 3-4 drifts. It only lasted a couple if days.  But it was pretty.  

Awe.  As much as I prefer Fall and Spring I am grateful God gave us the 4 seasons.  There is much good in all of them.  I am in awe of God's creation. 

Are you? 

Thanks for sharing part of your day with me.  

I am linking with Long and Short Reviews go over and check out the other posts in the weekly challenge 

Click Here. 

Until next time 

Sparkle on 

This That on a Tuesday

 Hello everyone  sorry I am a bit late posting!

I posted this picture on FB this morning.   I love it and wanted  to share it here . . . 

I never grow tired of taking  pictures of our daily  life here on the island . . . 

I love that I captured Domino looking up . . .

This what she was watching.  Both dogs love it when someone feeds the birds. 

We found a spot we call 'Ours'

We enjoy going to the beach in the early evening.   It is so much cooler.

The bench has these Starfish inlaid.

We take alit if drives looking at houses and gardens.

The flowers are all so big.  Canna's grow well here.  I hope I can find some bulbs to plant when we go shopping tomorrow. 

So cool I have seen several of this neighborhood libraries.   I found a book about Galveston.  

I have mentioned it before I love architecture.  I love doors and gates. 

I have shared this one before.  I hope you don't find.  One that I never grow tired of seeing it. 

I can't wait to go back to this garden and see what's blooming. 

I hope you'll come with me next time. 

Until then Sparkle on . . .