Monday, April 25, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - April 25, 2022

Good morning! It's the last Monday of April and 2022 is movin' on! 

View From The Top of an Arkansas Mountaintop

How was your week and weekend? My week here was great!!!

The first part of the week was quiet. I worked around the house cleaning, doing laundry, etc. and sorted through my closet exchanging winter clothes for summer. 

I got quite a few things planted in the garden...corn, green beans, onions, several kinds of squash (zucchini, white scalloped, butternut), and pumpkin. This was mostly seed and sets. I've got lots of plants to set out, but it's still a bit too chilly to take a chance. 

I planted zinnias along the entire length of the north edge of the garden. My goal is to raise enough flowers to keep the butterflies happy and me in pretty bouquets all summer long.


On Thursday I went with Patrick and Amber and their family on an overnight getaway to Tulsa. It was a short trip, but, man! We crammed a lot of good stuff in!

On the way down we visited the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve at Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The state park that I work at here in Missouri has just under 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie with 2,500 of them being open to approximately 60 bison; it is the largest piece of tallgrass prairie left in Missouri. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma has 2,500+ bison running on 40,000 acres of tallgrass prairie; it is the largest piece of tallgrass prairie left in the world. It was amazing!!! Bison, bison everywhere, but no babies. When we got home I saw a post on their Facebook page that said four had been spotted on the preserve over the weekend. 






Our next stop was at the Voice of the Martyrs headquarters at Bartlesville. I plan on doing a full post on that and will share more later.


After arriving at Tulsa we settled into our accommodations, ate supper, then headed to Flashpoint Live at ORU. With over 12,000 people in attendance it was the single largest Christian/political event that I've ever been a part of in my life. It was incredible and we were blessed to have been there. 

Flashpoint Live With Mario, Hank, Lance, and Gene

On our way back to the hotel that night we visited the pedestrian bridge that crossed the Arkansas River at Jenks. After breakfast the next morning we visited it again. Night or day, it was absolutely beautiful and we were surprised at the variety of animals we witnessed from its deck. There were cliff swallows, Canada geese, mallard ducks, several kinds of turtles, even an American bald eagle! 








We followed a good portion of Route 66 on our way across northeast Oklahoma.





We even discovered and made an unexpected stop at the Blue Whale. Turns out that it is a popular site along the old, historic route. 




We had supper at a 1950's diner...


...then we headed into Arkansas to visit friends of Patrick and Amber's before heading back to Missouri and home. With the redbud and dogwood trees in bloom springtime in northwest Arkansas is beautiful! 


Saturday morning Tony and I ran out to the Amish greenhouse. Like I didn't have enough flower and vegetable plants needing to go in the ground already, I ended up bringing home more. If everything produces, I should be set for the summer on fresh vegetables and so should everyone I know. LOL! 

The hummers are back! Saw the first one of the year yesterday afternoon. What a delight!


Now, here we are, back around to Monday. Let's take a look at the week ahead...shall we?



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

- clean house
- start my spring cleaning list
- do laundry
- clean out the herb wheel and get planted
- set garden plants out daily to harden off before planting in garden
- transplant flowers into hanging baskets
- run errands
- get together with dil over breakfast
- make and distribute May baskets to family and friends
- work 

A Bison of a Different Color in Pawhuska

This week's menu plan includes...

Monday - Chicken ranch salad with matzo bread
Tuesday - Broiled salmon, baked sweet potato, sautéed spinach, and fresh asparagus
Wednesday - Turkey breakfast patty with fried potatoes, peppers, and onions
Thursday - Pasta with meat sauce, salad, and garlic bread
Friday - Turkey breast cutlet with mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, and fresh beets
Saturday - Bison roast with potato (baked or mashed) and oven roasted carrots
Sunday - Leftovers

Bison Like This Were Everywhere in Pawhuska

Well, that's it for today! You have a nice day and a great week ahead and I'll be with you again soon!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, April 18, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - April 18, 2022

Good morning! I pray that you and yours had a great week and weekend and an absolutely lovely Resurrection Sunday! Mine was sure good here!

Let's see...the last time I checked in I was rather anxious because Fiona was hidden out and in labor. It took me a while to locate her (she was in the very back corner of the closet in my bedroom), but the Lord heard and answered my prayer. Fiona was not distressed and she delivered her kittens whole, healthy, and without incident. The best part is there are only two of them!!! I am so thankful!!! 

Fiona and Her Kittens

I had read that cats can have any where from one to twelve kittens per litter; I, personally, had never seen fewer than three and was prepared for, at least, that many. I am quite pleased that there are only two. Thank You, Jesus! 

Thursday I had a doctor appointment and multiple errands to run between Lamar and Lockwood. I didn't want to go by myself, so grandson, Silas, rode along. We had a good time and enjoyed our day together.

Friday evening I was invited to Patrick and Amber's where we enjoyed a lovely Seder meal. Amber prepared traditional Seder dishes including lamb, bitter herbs, and haroset. Patrick walked us through the symbolism of each and led us through a time of prayer and blessing. It was a fine time of fun and fellowship.

Seder Plate

Saturday morning daughter-in-law, Angie, and I attended surrogate granddaughter, Chloe's, bridal shower. 

Chloe and I

Chloe and granddaughter, Heather, have been good friends since kindergarten. Through the years the girls and I have gotten together for several tea parties. 

Heather, Chloe, and I

Heather, Chloe, and I

Chloe's bridal shower was tea party themed and was a lot of fun! The only thing missing was Heather. Sadly, she was unable to attend. 😢

My Plate @ Chloe's Shower - So pretty!

Saturday evening I had an egg hunt for the grands. There were lots of eggs and plenty of candy to go around. I'm pretty sure they all enjoyed it even though it was a bit chilly.

The Grands That Were Able To Make It This Year

Grandgirls Mercy, Ruth, and Esther

While they were here Buddy got my garden area tilled. As soon as it stays warm enough I've got lots of plants ready to go in the ground and I can't wait to get started! 

Sunday morning we got together for breakfast before church, then celebrated our Resurrected Savior. Resurrection Sunday was the most important day of the year to my husband and I felt his absence more yesterday than any other thus far. I sure do love and miss him!

John and I - April of 2018

So here we are...back around to Monday and the start of a brand new week! What are your plans for the week? Here are some of mine...

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

- clean house
- do laundry 
- get a few things planted in the garden (it's still too cool to do too much, but I can at least get a few onions in the ground)
- get together with my friend, Carla
- plan an upcoming adventure or two
- mark a thing or two off my spring bucket list 
- visit the Amish greenhouse and get some bedding plants

Violets and Henbit

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Homemade pizza
Tuesday - Corned beef, cabbage, and baked potato
Wednesday - Broiled salmon, baked sweet potato, and sauteed celery
Thursday - Out
Friday - Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet with brown rice
Saturday - Turkey burger and oven fries
Sunday - Leftovers

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

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

Until next time,
~Rebecca

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Wednesday, April 13, 2022

A Cool and Rainy Spring Morning

It's a cool and rainy spring morning here on the tallgrass prairie of southwest Missouri, and it's put me in a Beatrix Potter mood. In fact, I'm watching Miss Potter even as I type this and visit with you.



I'm trying not to be anxious, but I can't help being a bit nervous. Fiona is in labor and has hidden herself away in an out of the way place. I'm praying that she is not distressed and that she delivers her kittens whole, healthy, and without incident. 

The yard looks so pretty this morning. The tiniest of spring flowers...spring beauties, bluets, violet, henbit, false garlic, and dandelion...dot the whole of it. The bridal's wreath bush and red bud tree are in full bloom. The classic pastel colors of spring...pinks, blues, lavenders, purples, and yellows stand out stunningly against the green of new grass and the newly-leafed out trees. The cherry trees, lilac, and dogwood buds are ready to burst forth into full flower at any moment. I'm so thankful for spring flowers and the beauty that they provide! 



Well, I just wanted to stop in and say hello! What are your plans for the day? What are your plans for the upcoming holiday?

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Recipe: Braided Easter Egg Bread

I made this pretty braided bread last year to serve with lunch on Resurrection (Easter) Sunday. Even though I didn't get my ends sealed good and it kind of came apart on the back side, it still turned out nice. It was really good and everyone liked it! I thought I'd share the recipe with you here in time for Resurrection (Easter) Sunday this year! 🐇

Braided Easter Egg Bread

Do not cook the whole eggs. They will bake at the same time the bread does. The eggs can be dyed for extra color, if you desire.

BRAIDED EASTER EGG BREAD

2 1/2 cups flour, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
5 whole eggs, dyed if desired
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast; stir well. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan and heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted. 

Gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.

Lightly grease or oil a large bowl (or spray with pan spray); place the dough in bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long roll about 36-inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of the dough.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Brush risen loaf with melted butter.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. 

Yield: 1 1-pound loaf
Servings: 10

Braided Easter Egg Bread Before Baking

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, April 11, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - April 11, 2022

Good Afternoon! 

Fiona was restless and kept me awake most of the night last night. I thought she might have been in the early stages of labor, but it must have been the storms that had her upset because she seems fine this morning. There is every indication, though, that her babies will be born very soon.



Once again, I didn't make it back over here to check in mid-week. How was your week and weekend? My week was full and, with help, I got a lot accomplished. 

I worked on Monday. After casting my vote in Tuesday's local election, Amber followed me to Lamar where I dropped my car off for its spring oil change and overall check-up; she took me back to pick it up on Friday. 

Carla, and I got together on Wednesday. We went for a walk, went out for lunch, and watched the first DVD session of our current book and Bible study.

The rest of the week was spent planning and preparing for Holy Week, working outside, and watching as much as I could of the Branson Victory Campaign live online. I made paper Easter baskets and bags with the Jelly Bean Gospel attached to be given away throughout the week.

Things that I managed to cross off my Spring 2022 Bucket List last week includes hanging a new hummingbird feeder, eating fresh asparagus, eating strawberry shortcake, picking a bouquet of violets, and observing Palm Sunday. 


Now it's time to take a look at the week ahead.



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

- clean house
- do laundry
- watch a Royal's game with the kids
- attend a city council meeting
- visit a friend in the nursing home
- see the doctor and get labs ran
- go to the grocery store
- dye eggs using natural dyes
- attend a Seder supper
- observe the Passover full moon
- attend a bridal shower 
- celebrate the risen Christ 


This week's menu plans...

Monday - Out
Wednesday - Broiled salmon, baked sweet potato, and sautéed celery
Thursday - Corned beef, baked potato, oven-roasted carrot, and cabbage
Friday - Out 
Saturday - Homemade pizza
Sunday - Ham, deviled eggs, vegetable tray with cottage cheese dip

Well, Ladies, that's it for this week! I wish you all a lovely Monday and a great week ahead! Happy Holy Week! Happy Easter! And Happy Resurrection Sunday! Blessing over all!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, April 4, 2022

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - April 4, 2022

Greetings and good morning! 🌷

It's the first Monday of April 2022 and I pray that your day is off to a great start!!! How was your week and weekend?

Spring Beauties

My week here was good. I had a head cold most of the week, but I didn't let it slow me down. I walked every day and spent a lot of time with family.

I went to an OB appointment with Nicole on Tuesday. While we were out we visited a friend in the nursing home, had lunch, and went grocery shopping. It was a good day and everything with the baby is great!

On Wednesday I started a savings account at the local bank, paid April's bills, and took Amber out to lunch for her birthday. We had a nice time and it was great getting together just the two of us. I also did some shopping online. 

Thursday it snowed all day! It was warm enough that not a bit of it stuck, but these great big, huge flakes kept falling most of the day. It was amazing and absolutely MADE Amber's birthday! It couldn't have been more perfect! ❄

Friday night I was supposed to go to a potato bar and bingo event with the grands, but, I really wasn't up to such a  long evening. Instead, I attended a 'meet and greet' at our local City Hall to meet our new police officer and show support for the mayor who is running for reelection. Hot dogs and chips were served at the event, so I just ended up having supper there. It was great to see old friends from my husband's days as an alderman and get caught up a bit. I really enjoyed it!

My weekend was good, too. I worked Saturday. I hadn't even got the register set up Saturday morning when my boss popped in and said, "Let's go look at the bison!" We took the ATV and headed up on the high prairie where the herd was hanging out. As soon as they saw us they came right up to say hello! What a rare and wonderful treat and what a terrific way to start the day!


This gal just cracked me up! What a face!

After work I was invited to join Tony and his family at Patrick and Amber's, where Tony and Nicole surprised Amber with a belated birthday supper of homemade Chinese. It was all good, but I especially enjoyed the egg rolls and crab rangoon! I honestly believe that I could live on those things! 😆

Sunday was quiet. Tony and his family dropped over from across the street for a bit in the afternoon. We walked around the yard to see what all was in bloom. We found part of a bird's wing, looked at crayfish holes, made a crown of bridal's wreath, and granddaughter, Kira, straightened the fairy garden and decorated it with an arrangement of fresh dandelions. I'm sure that the fairies greatly appreciate the attention that was paid to their humble abode! 🐌


Bridal's Wreath

Sunday evening the Patrick and Amber invited me up to the baseball field to engage in a friendly, family game of baseball. It was so much fun and I even managed to hit the ball a few times!!!⚾




The kids are looking forward to doing a lot more of that this summer and hope to get some of the siblings and their families involved. Like I said...it was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!

Now, here we are...back around to Monday and it's almost time to go to work. I guess I should get started on this week's post. Let's do it...shall we?

Periwinkle

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

- work
- clean house
- do laundry
- vote in Tuesday's election
- drop my car off at the mechanic for an oil change and spring check-up
- get together with my BFFF
- cross a thing or two off my Spring Bucket List
- watch the 2022 Branson Victory Campaign online
- celebrate Palm Sunday

Henbit

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Breakfast for supper
Tuesday - Fish sandwich with sweet potato fries and salad
Thursday - Turkey breast cutlet with baked potato, and oven-roasted carrots
Saturday - Broiled salmon, baked sweet potato, and sautéed celery
Sunday - Leftovers

Well, that's it for today! You have a lovely day and a great week ahead and I'll be with you again soon.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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