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

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:

© 2015 Liv’s Photography

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

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

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:

© 2015 Liv’s Photography

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):

Hope all you moms had a relaxing day yesterday.  I had a nice day, but the weather was a bit ridiculous, it was in the 40’s and I was fa-reezing all day, even with my sherpa hoodie on!!  I also enjoyed spending some time with my sister, niece, and one of my older brothers as they visited with my mom.

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

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
Rainy, then cloudy, then sunny, then rainy…all within the span of a couple of hours.   Looks like we’ll have several rainy days this week, but it will be in the 60’s and 70’s.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
Coffee with cream and a chocolate donut, though I was eyeing the leftover chocolate cake and cherry pie. #justwalkaway

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
Perfect on Paper The (mis) adventures of Waverly Bryson by Maria Murnane.  I am only half way through this one, but it is pretty funny.  Waverly gets dumped by her fiancé two weeks before her wedding.  The story starts from there.  Each chapter starts with one of her “Honey Notes”, and are throughout the book.  This is the greeting card line she would like to start one day.  Honey was the pet name that her ex called her.  The first chapter starts with the following Honey Note:  Ever felt like spending the rest of your life in bed?  Honey, get that sleep.  Eventually you’ll wake up, and just think how nice your skin will look when you do.  There are four books in the series so far.

ON THE TV TODAY:
The Voice, The Good Wife, and Castle.  Last night was the Good Wife’s season finale, I thought it was last week.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:
My daughter (she’s 19) posted this to my FB page for Mother’s Day…absolutely made my day!!

Happy mother’s day to the coolest mom 🙂 I love our friendship and how silly we can be! I hope you have great mother’s day! Love you ♥

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
Still have to prepare it and go grocery shopping.

NEW RECIPE I TRIED OR WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:
I did try the Roasted Turkey Breast, and it turned out really good.  I made mine on a bed of veggies.  Very Good.  Thanks for sharing Carrie!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEK:
I should be getting my new glasses this week.  I have needed new ones for awhile now, but last year I opted for the bifocal contacts (best.invention.EVER), can’t wait to see things clearly again.

Also this weekend, is the Battin’ for Boobies Softball Tournament.  Our town has all kinds of Paint the Town Pink events in the month of May to raise money for Breast Cancer.  The teams playing in the softball game are one of the local businesses against the Guns & Hoses Team (the Police and Fire Department).  Then there are the Alumni teams from the two rival high schools.  Should be good fun for a good cause.

MY FAVORITE BLOG POST THIS WEEK:
This was one of the best Mother’s Day tributes I read over the weekend from The Belle Jar, if you get time, you can read it here.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:

© 2015 Liv’s Photography

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONALS):