Monday, August 29, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - August 29, 2022

I have a lot to share, but not a lot of time in which to share it at the moment. I'm hoping to simplify and build this blog by writing shorter posts but posting more often. I'll start by sharing a simplified Master List and Menu Plan Monday post today. 


The Newest Addition to the Herd @ Prairie State Park
Most calves are born in the spring, but this
late calf was born just a few days ago.

This week's master 'to-do' list...

- clean house
- do laundry
- work
- spend time with family and friends
- pick up flea, tick, and worm medicine for Fiona and the kittens
- grocery shop for fresh items
- order propane
- check fluids and tires on car
- figure September budget
- go to the bank and post office
- pay September bills
- plan (and begin) a low-spend September

Last Week's Tortellini Served w/Sauce,
Italian Sausage and Garlic Bread

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Bison roast with mashed potatoes, parsleyed carrots, and Ezekiel bread
Tuesday - Bean soup and cornbread
Wednesday - Chicken a la King over brown rice with green beans
Thursday - Taco salad with guacamole
Friday - Broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole with parsleyed carrots and bran muffins
Saturday - Breakfast for supper
Sunday - Out

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, August 22, 2022

Master To Do List and Menu Plan Monday - August 22, 2022

Good morning! I hope that you and yours had a grand weekend and that your Monday is off to a great start!

Birthday Bouquet

Things are going well here, but I'm running super short on time this morning, so will cut this post short, as well.

The Two Newest Grandgirls
Kelly Margaret Anne and Bethany Annabelle Grace

This week's master to-do list...

- clean house
- do laundry 
- read 
- spend time with family and friends
- attend a Jubilee meeting
- work 
- start looking ahead at plans for the fall

Rainbow on the Way to Work
Saturday Morning

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Grilled burgers and chips
Tuesday - Chicken with black beans and rice
Wednesday - Taco salad
Thursday - Lasagna, green beans, and garlic bread
Friday - Turkey burger with oven fries
Saturday - Breakfast for supper
Sunday - Leftovers

Tallgrass Prairie Sunset

Well, that's it for today. Have a nice day and a great week ahead, and I'll see you again soon!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Thursday, August 18, 2022

Thursday Things - August 18, 2022

Good Thursday afternoon! How your day been thus far? I hope you're having a good week.

Things are going well here. I've been working around the place most of the week and have actually accomplished much more than normal. 

Anthony mowed Monday evening and I finished up the weed-eating. It's been so dry that I don't think we've had to mow for over a month now. If we don't get some good rain soon, I don't think we'll have to worry about it again for another month, at least. We've had brief showers of rain here and there, but nothing significant. 

Dry Creek Bed on the Way to Work

Many area creeks and ponds are completely dry and it's getting harder and harder for everything out there to live. Between the effects of the heat and drought, I daresay, that it's going to be a rough winter for many...man and beast alike.

We lost, what I consider, an extended family member this week...my daughter-in-law, Angie's, Aunt Betty. She was a dear friend and quite a lady. She will be greatly missed and her absence in our town will be felt by all. God bless you, Aunty Betty! You were one of a kind and our family loved you very much! 

Betty and My Grandson, Silas
She was definitely his biggest fan!

I checked the fluids, washed my car, and vacuumed it out this week. It was so dirty! With working on the gravel roads it gets that way. Soon I will make an appointment with the vo-tech school in Lamar for it's annual fall check-up. The boys at the school and their overseer have been my mechanics for years. They do a great job and for a fraction of the cost of anywhere else. 

I delivered birthday greetings to two granddaughters yesterday, then went to the store. While I was in Lamar I ate lunch at Subway and visited with an old friend (she manages the store and my daughter, Amber, used to babysit her children). Anyway, it was nice to enjoy a leisurely lunch and catch up with her a bit. 

Today I'm working in the kitchen. So far, I've made food to take to a friend and baked homemade bread. I've also made a fresh batch of hummingbird food and packaged up taco meat for the freezer. Before the day is done, I hope to wipe down the fridge and rearrange a cabinet or two. We'll see if that actually ends up happening or not! 

Carla will be here soon, so I am going to go for now. Was just sitting down to rest for a moment or two and thought that I'd say hello. I hope that you're having a great day where you're at and I'll talk to you again soon.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, August 15, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - August 15, 2022

As of today, we're half-way through the month of August and fall is just around the corner. I can hardly wait! How was your week and weekend? My week and weekend here were great! 

Tuesday afternoon and evening Patrick and Amber and the kids and I attended a Royals vs White Sox double-header at Kauffman Stadium, and we had a BALL (no pun intended)! 😆 

The Fam in Front of Kauffman Stadium
In the Stands

60-years-old, born and raised in the Kansas City area, and it was my first time to attend a Royals game, and I loved it! Don't know why I haven't gone before, but I sure do hope to go again and often! ⚾

The Kansas City Royals Playing Field
Salvadore Perez
The Fam Watching the Game

Friday evening I led a hike out on the tallgrass prairie as the sun was setting. Afterwards, the attendees stuck around to observe the Perseids meteor shower and the full Sturgeon moon. It was the last supermoon of 2022 and, oh! What an amazing evening! We had an absolutely delightful time and got a fantastic view of both celestial events!





I celebrated my 61st birthday on Saturday and, to be honest, it was one of the best birthdays ever! I heard from all six of my children (or at least their spouses), received birthday wishes from a whole host of friends and family members, and was blessed with a lovely evening meal. Amber made roast beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions in gravy and homemade rolls. This was the traditional birthday meal that my mother always made for me as I was growing up and it meant a lot. 



For dessert Amber served homemade coconut and chocolate cupcakes and vanilla ice cream with pineapple topping. It was all so good! There were a lot of sweet offerings from the children and grandchildren and...well...the whole evening was just perfect! I enjoyed it so much! 


Now it's time to get on with the new week. Let's do it...shall we?

Hay Bales and Tall Grasses

This week's master to-do list...

- clean house
- do laundry (have purchased an indoor drying rack and haven't used the dryer for the last four loads of laundry; am super excited to see how much using it cuts the electric bill)
- figure the mid-month budget
- go to the bank
- pay mid-month bills
- trim up around the edges of the yard
- celebrate two granddaughters that are having birthdays this week
- read (am currently reading "I'm That Girl" by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison)
- answer a few cards and letters
- listen to a ballgame or two on the radio
- work

Haying on the Tallgrass Prairie

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Taco salad
Tuesday - Pasta with sauce, peas, and sprouted garlic bread
Wednesday - Oven-roasted chicken with baked potato and oven-roasted carrots
Thursday - Siesta Salmon with sauteed zucchini and oven-roasted carrots
Friday - Turkey burger with black beans, brown rice, and sauteed zucchini
Saturday - Breakfast for supper
Sunday - Leftovers

Bear Watching 'Cat TV' on YouTube

Well, that's it for today! Have a nice day and great week ahead! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Thursday, August 11, 2022

(Who And) What Are You Slaying (I Mean Saying) With Your Words?

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue.



Obviously, our mouths don't know how to speak right, life-giving things on their own. They require training. Proverbs 16:23 tells us that, if we are wise, we will "teach" our mouth and the only place we're going to find the truth to teach it is in God's Word (the Holy Bible).


God's Word in our mouths is the most powerful weapon that we have against the accuser. In fact, Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God's Word is stronger than any two-edged sword. The beauty is, that sword of truth can be used in any battle that we are engaged in at any time...even when the battle is within ourselves.


Isaiah 49:2 tells us, "He made my mouth like a sharp sword..."
We are to speak God's Word...over our life situations, over our families, and over ourselves!


But, keep in mind, words can be used on the wrong side of the battle line, too. Proverbs 12:18 says, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."


What words are you saying with your mouth? Are you speaking life into the life situations that you face each day? Are you speaking health and healing into your family? Into yourself?

If not, begin to turn the situation around today by filling up on God's Word. Open it up, read it, and ask the Lord to speak to you through its pages. Then, purposefully, begin teaching your mouth to speak right words, declaring the goodness of God at every turn.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, August 8, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - August 8, 2022

It's been a busy day and I'm just now getting a chance to sit down and work on today's post. How was your week and weekend? My week and weekend here were great!

I worked the Missouri State Park booth at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield on Tuesday and at the park on Saturday. 

Missouri State Parks Booth
Ozark Empire Fair
2022

The Road to Work

The Bison Hanging Out in the Unit
That is Currently Being Hayed

Our family celebrated several birthdays this past week and an anniversary...Patrick and Amber's 20th. It's hard to believe how fast time flies! It doesn't even seem possible.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying over Buddy and Christy. Bud had his last infusion Thursday and they removed the port. He's still having a few issues, but, overall, he's doing well and is released to go back to work on Wednesday.

I took advantage of Missouri's 'tax-free weekend' by shopping for a variety of school supplies for myself and the grands on Friday. For myself, I loaded up on spiral-bound notebooks, pens, and highlighters. I go through tons of them each year and this is the perfect time to stock up at the lowest price possible.

Christy went into labor Friday night; early Saturday morning, Miss Bethany Annabelle Grace came into the world and joined our family. 

Bethany Annabelle Grace

She weighed 9 lbs. 6 ozs. and is 21-inches long. I am very thankful that she and her mama are both doing well. 

Bethany and I Sunday Afternoon

Buddy and Christy brought the baby home from the hospital Sunday afternoon, and I was able to go over after lunch to meet her for the very first time. She's so beautiful! I wish John was here. He'd be so proud! 

Well, the day is nearly gone. I better get on with this post before the clock strikes midnight and the calendar page turns to Tuesday! Let's get started, shall we?

Rosinweed on Mid-Summer Prairie

This week's master to-do list...

- clean house
- do laundry 
- pick up three new electrical outlets
- work
- lead an evening stroll and meteor shower watch at work
- attend a Kansas City Royal's game
- celebrate my 61st birthday

Something is Eating My Sunflowers

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Chaffle pizza (turkey pepperoni)
Tuesday - Out
Wednesday - Zoodles with sauce, meatballs, and bread
Thursday - Cauliflower nachos
Friday - Sandwich and chips (sack lunch)
Saturday - ?
Sunday - Leftovers 

That's all for now. Have a great night and wonderful week ahead!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, August 1, 2022

Master To-Do and Menu Plan Monday - August 1, 2022

July is behind us, and the last full month of summer lies before of us. I pray that you and yours had a great weekend and that your August is off to a great start! 🌞

I worked Friday and it was great because I hadn't seen the bison in several weeks. They had found the area where haying was taking place on the prairie, which provides plenty of new and tender grass shoots, and they were out by (and in) the road. It was wonderful seeing them after not seeing them for so long! 

Morning Traffic Jam

Morning Reflections

Saturday afternoon family and friends gathered to celebrate granddaughter, Heather, and her upcoming marriage. Her mother (d-i-l Angie) did a great job with the bridal shower and the decor was beautiful! I absolutely loved the color combination! Everything was so pretty! 💗

Table Settings @ Heather's Shower

After the shower, I caught up with some of the kids and their families at Patrick and Amber's. It was great seeing Buddy. It was the first time I've seen him since he got out of the hospital. He's still having to go for daily infusions of antibiotic at the hospital but is doing much better. The area where the spider bite was is looking much better, too. Christy still hasn't had the baby. Please continue to remember her and Buddy both in your prayers and the baby, too, for a soon, fast, and safe delivery. Thank you all so much! 👶

Sunday was granddaughter, Mercy's, seventh birthday. It was fun celebrating her at her monkey-themed birthday supper! 🐵

Mercy Mia w/her Monka Cake

Mercy's Monkey Cake

Now, here we are...it's Monday! Let's take a look at the week ahead...shall we?

In the Van Gogh Room (a.k.a. My Office)

This week's master 'to-do' list...

- welcome that new little granddaughter into the family (she's got to come soon!)
- clean house
- do laundry
- figure the August budget and bills
- vote
- go to the bank
- pay the bills
- work the Missouri State Parks booth @ the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield
- celebrate several birthdays (Tony's, Ruth's, and Rudy's) and an anniversary (Patrick and Amber's)
- work at the park
- shop Missouri's tax-free weekend 


Gulf Fritillary Butterfly on Zinnia
(2019)

This week's menu plan...

Monday - THM Crispy Salmon Siesta (pg. 80 THM Cookbook)
Tuesday - Out
Wednesday - Chili dog with chips
Thursday - Pasta w/sauce, meatballs, and garlic bread
Friday - Turkey burger with oven fries
Saturday - Breakfast for supper
Sunday - Leftovers

Sunday Evening Sky

Well...the electricity just went, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post this, but I'm going to wrap things up so I can find out what's going on. You all have a nice day and a great week ahead!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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