Happy Homemaker Monday 07/06

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Happy Monday!! We had a nice Fourth of July weekend. It’s a big deal for us, since my youngest son was born on the 4th, this year he turned 10!! We started our festivities with our town’s firework show on Friday night. We just walk over to the next block and we can see them perfectly. We used to be able to just sit in front of the garage, but then all the big new houses went up, obstructing our view. Saturday was the parade, which is always fun. This is a small town, and the Fourth of July is pretty serious around here. My sister actually put out our lawn chairs the night before to claim our spot for the parade on the main street. #mayberry. The parade begins with 3 planes flying over, (which I just love), and our local American Legion Veteran’s Color Guard carrying the flags and rifles, followed by the mayor. My dad was part of that Color Guard for several years, this is the 3rd Fourth of July without him, and it’s still a little difficult not seeing him at the start of the parade, but we have great memories of his involvement with the Veterans and this town. We ate a lot of food, and of course birthday cake, and fireworks again at night. From 9 p.m. until midnight, it sounded like a battle zone out here, literally non-stop firework blasts the whole time. A lot of people out here buy the professional fireworks, so we didn’t have to leave our backyard, to enjoy another fantastic fireworks display.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
I haven’t completed anything lately, I’ve only read 1 book for the Summer reading program. 😦

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
I need to do some more shopping, but have these few things planned:
Cheesy Chicken Pasta, salad and garlic bread
Pork Fajitas

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
My mom actually found this recipe in a magazine, and knew I had to do it for the Fourth of July. I thought these would be pretty loud with the Pop Rocks candy and carbonated pop. It wasn’t too bad, and it actually was good…once you got past the effects of the Pop Rocks. 🙂

Firecracker Floats

Vanilla Ice Cream
Pop Rocks Candy
Strawberry Crush (original recipe called for Lemon Lime pop, but I wanted mine to look more festive, and the Strawberry pop with vanilla ice cream was delicious.

Scoop ice cream in a tall glass, sprinkle 1/3 package of Pop Rocks over ice cream. Repeat twice ending with Pop Rocks. Top with Soda

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST/VIDEO THIS WEEK:
Showed this to my boys and they were like, “you have to make these mom.” It’s nice that they have such confidence in my cooking abilities, but I think these are a little out of my league. Besides I don’t think I’d want to eat them, they look way too cool!!

A FUN EXPERIENCE:
I did attend the Handwriting Analysis Program at the library recently. It was so interesting. The speaker was Dale Roberts and first he had us write our signature a few times, then he had us write it with our eyes closed, then with our opposite hand, and then with our opposite hand with our eyes closed. He asked how we felt when writing with our opposite hand and our eyes closed, most people felt the loss of control, and it was more difficult. I actually felt it was easier, because I was trying to picture it in my mind, so I felt like I had more control, and there were a few other people who felt the same way. He said that usually when he does these programs, 10% of the group is left handed, so he was surprised that our group was all right handed, and there was about 20 of us.

He explained how handwriting analysis or Graphology is used in corporate America when hiring employees. Employers will have the employee answer two questions and hand write their answers, as well as include their signature. This sample gives insight into the employees personality and determines if they would be a good fit for the job, because it can disclose up to 250 different personality traits, including, energy and perseverance, integrity, dependability and how well they follow directions.

There was a lot to it, and it takes quite a bit of knowledge and practice to analyze a handwriting sample. One thing Mr. Roberts said is that sadly, 10 years from now, there might not be a use for it. This really showed how important handwriting is, that it’s not just an art form, or something that our kids don’t need to learn with the use of technology. Here is an excerpt from his book:

A person’s handwriting is an individual’s personal and legal identification for life. It reflects a personal conditioning since birth and is just as individual as one’s fingerprint. It has been said that a fingerprint is the oldest and truest personal signature.

Dale Roberts has a website you can check out here: Write Insights

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:
This was the float that our Library had in the parade.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

Happy Homemaker Monday 06/22

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

I think it is safe to say…SUMMER IS HERE!!

As always Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
Recently I posted a couple of titles that I had just started reading. I think I will go back to posting once they are actually read. So this is a re-cap.

The Teller by Jonathan Stone. This one sounded really good, and I did start reading it. I thought it would be your usual suspense type novel. But it did take an unexpected turn. This one was a bit dark, and took a turn I was not expecting, with some pretty graphic criminal activity. This is why I will go back to suggesting books that I have read all the way through. 🙂

The Memory Thief by Emily Colin. This one was good. It had some good twists and turns, romance and was overall the type of book I was trying to figure out as I turned each page.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
It’s nice to see the “Welcome to our Garden” sign hanging on the detached garage. My mom and I have been fighting with it for a couple of days, trying to hang it. The garage is old (and in desperate need of painting, but the weather just won’t cooperate), so the wood was not very strong, and we needed to put some new hooks up to hang it. These two Polish ladies never give up, therefore we used our trusty tape measure and ingenuity and got it done…and it was actually straight on the first try!!

ON THE TO DO LIST:
Made a nice long to-do list for the summer. Is it just me, or does anyone else add items to their to-do list that they have already done, just so you can cross it off?

I have a lot of organizing I want to do, and I just signed up for an online class to learn how to code Java Script. (I really am a geek, so this sounds fun to me).

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
I haven’t made out my menu plan yet, and need to grocery shop.

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
Here is a recipe I tried a couple of weeks and ago, and it was really good. A delicious sweet summer salad/dessert.

Banana Split Fluff Salad

1 – 3.4 ounce box instant banana pudding
1 – 20 ounce can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 – 8 ounce container Cool Whip
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts + 2 Tablespoons for garnish (I used peanuts)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
2 ripe bananas, sliced
1 – 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries, halved
Instructions

Stir together the pudding mix and pineapple until dissolved and thickened. Fold in the Cool Whip. Gently stir in the marshmallows, nuts, chocolate chips, bananas, and cherries. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to chill. Makes about 8 cups salad.

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST/VIDEO THIS WEEK:
I love to watch this guy’s videos. He has to be the best photo editor out there. So much fun to watch!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEK:
There is a handwriting analysis program at the library!! I have known about this for awhile, sooo looking forward to it, it’s going to be very interesting.

The Art Gallery in town will have its reception for the art show that my daughter has submitted a photo for. Never been to one of these before, so not sure what to expect. There will be photos, and paintings displayed. This will give us an opportunity to meet some of the other artists as well.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:
These are pictures I actually took about a week ago. My one son was the one who discovered these clouds as he looked out the window. So we went outside to look at them closer. I have never seen anything like this before. They looked like cotton balls, it was really something to see.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

Happy Homemaker Monday 06/08

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Hope everyone is having some nice weather, and making plans for the summer. Can’t believe another week has gone by, but here’s what’s been going on, and what’s up ahead.

As always Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
Looks like a rainy week ahead. Today started out hot and sunny, and then out of no where we got hit with a storm, heavy downpours and hail. I do like a nice summer storm every once in awhile.

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
The Memory Thief by Emily Colin. Actually my mom found this one for me (she is the librarian) to read for the reading program. Haven’t started it yet, but it looks really good. The summary on the back describes Madeline losing her husband in an avalanche, the news is delivered to her by her husband’s best friend, who has been in love with her for years. She is left to raise her son, who has some kind of secret. Then across the country this guy wakes up from a motorcycle accident with his memory wiped clean. But he is haunted by dreams of a mysterious woman and a little boy, neither of whom he has ever met. Sounds really good!!

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
This actually happened yesterday. I was finishing up the dishes, and I look outside the kitchen window, and there right in front of the garage was a furry creature. I was like “What the heck is that?” I’ve never seen anything like it before. It looked like a rabbit and a squirrel. We have had a lot of rabbits in our yard recently, but I’ve never seen a gopher before, and yep that is what is was. If you happened to read my Blogbattle Week 8 story, you’ll understand why I was a little bit freaked out, isn’t he cute though? (well…he looked just like this…this is a stock photo, lol).

ON THE TV:
Not much now that summer is here.

ON THE TO DO LIST:
Tomorrow is our last day of school. I’m finishing up report cards. Also on the last day of school I give the kids a candy bar with a customized wrapper, congratulating them on their next grade level promotion.

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Chicken Parmigiana, Alfredo noodles, green beans, Italian bread
Need to shop and plan further

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
The Chicken & Rice Casserole was very good. Here is the recipe for that. It’s definitely a good meal for the winter, very hearty. But it worked well last week when we had some chilly days.

Chicken & Rice Casserole

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced
2 cups cooked rice
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, divided
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400º F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter, then whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth.
3. While whisking continuously, gradually pour in milk and chicken broth and stir until totally incorporated.
4. Add chicken, rice and veggies to the broth mixture and season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer chicken and rice mixture to baking dish and sprinkle parmesan and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
6. Cut up remaining butter into small pieces and dot those over the breadcrumbs.
7. Place baking dish in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and serve hot.

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST/VIDEO THIS WEEK:
Sunday morning as I was drinking my coffee and catching up on some of the bloggers I follow, I came across this. This made my day, I was laughing so hard reading it, too funny. Blondewritemore never fails to put a smile on my face when reading her posts, or completely draws me in with her story writing.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:
I have posted this one before. But I am so proud of my daughter, she submitted some of her photography to our local Art Gallery, and this one was chosen for Concepts and Compositions, a national juried art show. This photo will be on display at the Art Gallery for several weeks, and there will be a reception towards the end of June. There are also prizes for each category represented in the exhibit, which includes painting and mixed media art as well as photography. (It is actually her in the photo). ♥

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

Happy Homemaker Monday 06/01

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Hi There!! Running a little later than usual on this post today, but it’s still Monday, so here we go. 🙂

As always Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
Better. The sun is shinning today. We had so much rain over the weekend, and it was cold!! Looks like a much better week ahead, I hope summer is on its way, and will stick around for awhile.

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
The Teller by Jonathan Stone. I just started this one, it’s a thriller. So far a bank teller witnesses the death of one of her wealthy customers, he is hit by a truck just outside the bank, and while everyone is scrambling in the commotion of it all, she transfers all his money into her account, all 1.3 million of it. This should be good!!

Going to start the third book in the Callaway Series from Barabara Freethy for the summer reading program at our library. For every book the adults read they get to put their name in for a drawing for several prizes. The children’s department has a big event at the end of summer, I think this year it’s some kind of water party. The teens, are having an in door camping event. All of these events take place on the grounds of the library. It’s a lot of fun for the kids.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
The third house being built behind us, is having its siding put on today. So it’s time again for What’s The Winning Color, where everyone in our house picks the color of the siding for our new neighbor’s house. This time, my mom was keeping the list of votes for the color all to herself. The winning color is…green…a light celery green. I picked yellow. 😐

ON THE TV:
I finally watched the finale for Castle. I still like to watch that show, it’s just an all around good cast, glad they will be around for another season. Today starts Devious Maids, so I’ll watch that one again, it has a lot of good characters.

ON THE TO DO LIST:
Home School – our last full week. We are ending later this year, because they added some days on to the school year, and we usually start after Labor Day. As a home schooler we just have to follow the amount of days in session as the schools in the area.

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
Haven’t done my grocery shopping yet, just picked up a few things, but what I do have planned so far are:
Chicken & Rice Cassarole with some type of bread
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs on the grill
Pork Chops, green beans, Flavored noodles and corn bread

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
The Chicken & Rice Cassarole is new, so I’ll let you know how that one turns out. What I did try that was somewhat new for me is a Dr. Pepper cake. I LOVE Dr. Pepper. This cake was really good, but it was similar to a cake my mom used to make called Texas Sheet Cake. I liked this version because it has a unique flavor and not as sweet as the Texas Sheet Cake.

DR. PEPPER CAKE

1 c. butter or margarine
1 c. Dr. Pepper
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat Dr. Pepper with margarine, but do not boil. Set aside.

Sift together flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa.

Beat together eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and baking soda

Add hot Dr. Pepper mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in egg mixture and blend well.

Pour into greased and floured 15×10-inch sheet cake
image: Bake for 25 minutes.

DR. PEPPER ICING:
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. Dr. Pepper
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 (16 oz.) box confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts

Heat butter, cocoa and Dr. Pepper and blend well. Stir in other ingredients. Mix thoroughly and ice cake.

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST/VIDEO THIS WEEK:
This was one of my favorite’s from the BlogBattle. Denim Dreams Come True for Local Shopper By Marnie S.

I could so relate to this story because I have a pair of jeans that every time I put them on, I think to myself, these are the best fitting jeans I have ever had. But…they have been discontinued. I bought them from Victoria’s Secret ,when they had a whole line of clothing that I just loved, but they discontinued the whole clothing line except for lounge wear. UGH!!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

Row of colorful flip flops on old weathered blue painted beach decking. Space for copy.

Happy Homemaker Monday 05/18

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Had a nice weekend. The forecast had predicted rain all day Sunday, but it missed us completely. Such a beautiful day for our town’s Battin for Boobies Softball Tournament to raise money for Breast Cancer research. The Guns & Hoses (police department & fire department team) were the reigning champs!! Probably because their pitcher, our Fire Chief, was escorted to the pitcher’s mound by a fully uniformed police officer, LOL. Good fun for a good cause. #smalltowns

As always Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
Beautiful…finally. The windows are open, and a nice cool breeze is coming through. Looks like a great week ahead.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
Coffee with Sweet Cream creamer.

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
It’s a Waverly Life by Maria Murnane. This is the second book in the series. These books are really funny, and Waverly is just such a fun character. This is definitely “Chick Fic(tion)” as her and her friends recount their dating escapades in great (sometimes embarassing) detail.

ON THE TV:
Still need to catch up on Castle. Voice is coming to an end, would like to see Sawyer win, but really any of the finalists who win would not be a disappointment, such great talent. Also want to watch the Red Nose Day special on Thursday. My youngest has his red nose ready…found it at Walgreen’s.

ON THE TO DO LIST:
Home School
Laundry
Plan Menu and shopping list
Would like to get out and play tennis

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
Still need to get my menu together and grocery list. Have some leftovers that I’ll be pulling out for the next couple of days.

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
Made the Apple treats that Carrie posted. These are really good. Such a refreshing snack, and easy too. Slice an apple, spread peanut butter on it and I added finely chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips and butterscotch chips to mine. My sons loved them!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEK:
Wednesday is our first Cruise Night for the season. My uncle has been running this event in our town for the past 10 years. Ten blocks of muscle cars, old and new, 50’s music piped throughout the main street of town. To kick the season off and to raise money for our Paint the Town Pink, there will be a car decorated by the high school’s art department and you get a sledgehammer to take a whack at it, and “smash cancer.” I thought it would be easy to use a sledgehammer to make a dent in a car, but yeah…it’s not that easy…but definitely fun to try!!

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST THIS WEEK:
The Aspirations of a Hot Cross Bun

This was from the #blogbattle from last week. I just loved this unique perspective of the word, Blondewritemore always has something fun to read on her blog.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA: