Home Management Monday - July 13, 2020

Good morning all!!!! It's Monday! 💗

How was your week and weekend? Our week was full, but good here! 

Prairie Gentian

I worked on Monday; Tuesday was spent working around the house and running errands. Wednesday morning I took grandson, Isaiah, out for a belated birthday treat and on Thursday it was granddaughter, Audrey's, turn. 🥳

Grandson, Isaiah, and I

With the whole COVID thing going on I've not been taking the grands out for lunch for their birthdays like I had been. Instead, we've been running up to Casey's for a treat of their choice, then we go to the park or something and just hang out and visit together.

Granddaughter, Audrey, and I

Most of the grands have been perfectly content with this because they understand that it's more about the time we spend together than it is about where we go or how much money we spend. Some of our best memories are being made this way, because instead of focusing on how to entertain ourselves over a longer period of time, we are focusing on quality time together and good conversation. Plus, we purpose to make it fun and we choose to let it be enough for the season that we are in. 💗

Thursday evening we were invited to Audrey's birthday party (it was a tea party and, as you can see from the photo below, everything was absolutely lovely!) and Friday was spent shopping and running errands with my cousin. 

The Table Layout @ Audrey's Birthday Party Was Absolutely Lovely

I worked on Saturday and Papa and I enjoyed time, that evening, sitting with the grands. Sunday afternoon was spent catching up on things around the house. Then, John and I enjoyed a little-bit-longer-than-usual walk in the evening. 

Blazing Star Getting Ready to Burst Forth In a Colorful Display
 on the Tallgrass Prairies of Southwest Missouri
Prairie State Park - 7/11/20

Now, I'm ready to face the week ahead with all its ups, downs, joys, and challenges. I do have to be heading to work soon, though, so I guess I better get right on into this post. 😊

I awoke to...

... an early alarm and thoughts of the day and week ahead.

What I'm thinking...

... am thinking about and praying over extended family members that have lost a loved one and the many within our county and community that have tested positive for COVID-19.

What I'm thankful for...

... that, despite the many COVID cases that have been confirmed in our county and community, there have been zero hospitalizations and zero deaths. Praise God for His continued hand of mercy and protection!

On the breakfast plate...

... Fat-free turkey slices, Laughing Cow cheese, and an egg on toast with hot tea

Blackberries

The weather...

... right now it's 68 degrees, but the high today is expected to be in the low-90's. After that highs in the upper-90's with more triple-digit heat indexes.

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Breakfast for supper

Tuesday - Chicken fajita tostadas

Wednesday - Half sandwiches, potato soup, and salad

Thursday - Butter and garlic pasta with salad and homemade French bread
Friday - Grilled salmon, oven-roasted baby carrots, and cheesy zucchini

Saturday - Turkey burgers and oven fries
Sunday - Leftovers

Trumpet Vine

On my 'to do' list...

Monday - Finish this post, work

Tuesday - Work

Wednesday - Do the middle-of-the-month budget, go to the bank, run errands

Thursday - ?

Friday - Clean house, do laundry, host our WLMO movie night - Image of the Beast (A Thief in the Night III)

Saturday - ?

Sunday - Church

Black-eyed Susans

On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Night Sky With The Naked Eye by Bob King

From the camera...

An Armful of Kittens
Tiny Tom, Milo, Sanford, and JoJo

Scripture verse...

Well, that's it for this week. I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close to the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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First Margarita Pizza Of 2020

Fresh-baked Margarita Pizza

Although summer officially arrived weeks ago, it really doesn't get started for us until we've had that first slice of Margarita pizza (named for Queen Margarita of Spain) made with fresh tomatoes and basil from our own garden. 💗🍕😋

Fresh Tomatoes Right Off The Vine, Provolone
Cheese, and Garlic Powder

A Margarita pizza is really easy to make. Simply make your crust (see recipe below), sprinkle generously with garlic powder and dried basil or oregano (whichever you prefer or both).

Fresh Basil

Then top with fresh, meaty, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and slices of non-smoked provolone cheese.

Raw Pizza Before Baking

Bake pizza at 450 degrees until crust is done and the cheese is bubbly (13 to 15 minutes) and enjoy!


Pizza Crust
 

2 1/2 teaspoons or 1 package yeast

1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 cups unbleached or whole wheat flour

Mix well. Then flatten out in pizza pan that has been drizzled with olive oil. Brush top of crust with olive oil.

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Home Management Monday - July 6, 2020

Good morning, Dear Ones! 💗

I pray that you and yours had a lovely holiday weekend and that your Monday is off to a great start!

Our week here was full. I worked Monday and filled in for a co-worker on Thursday and Friday. The rest of the week was spent shopping and preparing for the 4th, enjoying time with family and friends, and just relaxing.

This year's Independence Day celebration was one of the best EVER! There was a lot of good food, tons of fireworks, lots of fun, and great fellowship with family and friends. It was altogether a lovely holiday!

Granddaughter Esther

During the course of the evening, we set off two lanterns...one in memory of Gina (6/6/20); the other in memory of Josh (6/19/20). Both passed from this life way too early and neither will ever be forgotten. 💔

On Sunday we were invited back to our daughter and son-in-law's for another round of fun and fellowship in celebration of grandson, Isaiah's, 9th birthday. 

Grandson Isaiah

Isaiah's other set of grandparents spent the weekend, too, so it was great getting to spend time visiting and catching up with old friends and extended family. 

My Friend, Darla, and I

Little did Darla and I know, when we first met thirty-some-odd-years ago, that God had some awesome plans in the works! We went from co-teaching Bible School and Wednesday night 'Camp-Can-Do' sessions to being mothers-in-law and grandmas together! What a mighty God we serve!

Well, I've got to be heading to work shortly, so I better get right on into this post. 😊

I awoke to...

... cloudy skies and a determination to get up and get going even though I still felt tired and probably could have used some more sleep. 😴

What I'm thinking...

... that, even though it was tons of fun, I'm glad that the holiday weekend is over and, hopefully, things will be in more of a normal routine this week. I ate way too much food over the weekend and didn't walk at all. It's time to get with it!

What I'm thankful for...

... that the garden is finally starting to produce. The tomatoes are loaded and John picked our first zucchini last night. 

Tomato Plants Planted Along South Side of House

The Tomatoes Are Hanging In Bunches Like Grapes

On the breakfast plate...

... fat-free turkey slices, a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese, and an egg on toast and watermelon wedges.

The weather...

... hot and humid. Over the weekend we had a couple of major downpours that came out of nowhere...then...as fast as they came, they left and the sun would be shining. Looks like we might be in for more of the same throughout the foreseeable future.

This week's menu plan...

This week's menus will focus on cleaning up leftovers and fresh foods that need to be eaten as soon as possible. I will freeze what I can, but the rest will be featured at mealtimes...breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacktime.

Monday - Taco salad

Tuesday - Rachel sandwiches with oven-roasted sweet potato fries

Wednesday - Chicken leg quarters, brown rice, and cheesy sauteed zucchini

Thursday - Turkey burgers and oven fries
Friday - Grilled salmon, baked potatoes, and oven-roasted carrots

Saturday - Dh's night to cook

Sunday - Leftovers

On my 'to do' list...

Monday - Work, finish this post

Tuesday - Clean house, do laundry

Wednesday - Get in a good visit with my BFFF and sit with the grands

Thursday - Celebrate granddaughter, Audrey's, birthday 

Friday - Take a family member grocery shopping

Saturday - Work

Sunday - Church

On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Night Sky With The Naked Eye by Bob King

From the camera...

Butterfly on Purple-headed Coneflower

Scripture verse...

Well, that's it for this week. I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close to the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

Recent and related posts that you might enjoy reading...

Celebrating The Red, White, and Blue

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Celebrating The Red, White, and Blue

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 4, 2020) the United States of America will celebrate her 244th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! 🎂 

And HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to YOU AND YOURS! 🎆🎉🎇

Five of the Middle Granddaughters Back in 2013
My! How they've grown! 💗

How do you and your family celebrate the 4th of July at your house? Here are some of the ways that our family has celebrated at ours...

💓☆💙 Have a backyard barbecue and invite the neighbors or extended family over to join the fun!

💓☆💙 Make red, white, and blue Jell-O refrigerator cakes (also known as Jell-O poke cakes)! (I've got a white cake baking in the oven right now and will add the Jell-O and Dream Whip after I get home tonight.) For the recipe click HERE.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

💓☆💙 Have a blast at your picnic by putting out table crackers, which look like giant firecrackers, but are actually cardboard tubes filled with treats. Save toilet paper rolls, and cover the tubes with red, white, and blue tissue paper. Before sealing ends, fill with such things as printed out patriotic sayings, small red, white, and blue toys, foil-wrapped candies, or other treats (use your imagination). Seal ends, adding a piece of gold starred and glittered wire garland on top for fuse.

💓☆💙 Make red, white, and blue fruit kabobs! 

Granddaughter, Abby, With Her Red, White,
and Blue Fruit Kabob Creations - 2014

💓☆💙 Make red, white, and blue Jello! (For recipe, click HERE.)

Red, White, and Blue Jello

💓☆💙 Put a patriotic spin on party games. For example, pin the name of an American icon on the back of each guest's shirt. Choose important people, places, symbols…even quotes found throughout our country's early history. For example…Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, Philadelphia,Boston, the Old North Church, Constitution Hall, American eagle, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, "One if by land and two if by sea!", "Give me liberty or give me death!", "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.", etc. Each guest goes around and asks questions of the others, obtaining clues until they guess correctly who, or what, they are. Get creative with your selections and have fun!

💓☆💙 Wear red, white, and blue clothing, patriotic jewelry, and sparkly hair accessories.

💓☆💙 Watch The Patriot with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.

💓☆💙 Give small children large pieces of bubble wrap to stomp on. When they stomp it sounds like firecrackers going off. The kids love it and…just think…no mess, no smell, and no danger!

💓☆💙 Make a patriotic pie!

Red, White, and Blue Cherry Berry Pie

💓☆💙 Read the Declaration of Independence aloud as a family. Talk about what it really means and discuss the men that signed it.

💓☆💙 Plant red, white, and blue flowers in your flowerbeds and window-boxes. Things like petunias, inpatients, salvia, alyssium, and geranium work well. If you have enough space, and the ambition, plant them to resemble a flag!

💓☆💙 Fly your flag!

💓☆💙 Make Minuteman Ice Cream Sandwiches by spooning ½ cup vanilla ice cream between 2 chocolate wafer cookies. Roll edges in red, white,and blue sprinkles. Freeze until time to serve.

The Grandsons - 2014

💓☆💙 Memorize this verse of scripture as a family...

💓☆💙 Attend parades and local firework displays in your area.

💓☆💙 Put on your own firework display.

Doing Snakes in the Front Yard - 2014

💓☆💙 Enjoy a big slice of cold watermelon!

💓☆💙 Help the children decorate their bikes, tricycles, and scooters with red, white, and blue streamers, flags, and other patriotic doo-dads and doo-hickeys and let them put on their own parade for the rest of the family.

💓☆💙 Watch Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney

💓☆💙 Have a red, white, and blue water balloon fight.

💓☆💙 Make a cool, patriotic dessert.

Photo Credit

AMERICAN BERRY NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE

2 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar

2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping

1 ready to use graham cracker crust
2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
1/3 cup blueberries

Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Whisk in Cool Whip. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. Arrange berries in rows to resemble flag.

That's some of the things that we've done in the past to celebrate the 4th of July at our house. Now feel free to share some of the ways you do at yours!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

P.S. - Before I go, I just want to say...

Despite our current difficulties, the United States of America remains one of the strongest, most independent, and greatest nations on earth! May God's tender hand of mercy be over us and, through the cries and prayers of those that are called by His name, may He heal our land and restore her to her former glory. In Jesus' name I pray! 

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The Low-Down on Watermelon

Granddaughter Esther Enjoying
a Big Slice of Cold Watermelon
July 2017

I love watermelon! 🍉

When I was a child I can remember our family getting those great big Black Diamond watermelons! Those things were HUGE!!! I've heard them described as 'the king' of the garden and have read that they can weigh up to 50 pounds a piece!!! Wow! 😲

Black Diamonds were so sweet and juicy! And, even though my mom didn't like it, I became quite an expert at spitting watermelon seeds! The problem is, I don't see too many Black Diamonds around anymore. (Actually...I don't see ANY!) 😞

Now days the only watermelons I can find are small, round, and seedless. They're definitely not the watermelons that my cousins and I enjoyed as children.

But...watermelon is watermelon, I suppose, and what we've got available is what we've got...so...here are some tips for those of you, who like me, enjoy having watermelons around in the summertime...

Photo Credit

🍉 When buying a watermelon, pick it up. Big or small a watermelon should be heavy for it's size.

🍉 Check for ripeness by looking for a buttery yellow underside. Avoid melons with soft spots or bruises. Depending on the variety, the color of the rind may vary from deep emerald green to grayish green to various shades of green with stripes.

🍉 Before buying a watermelon, give it a thump on its underbelly. Ripe watermelons have a deep hollow sound; under-ripe or over-ripe melons will sound dull.

🍉 Uncut watermelons can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

🍉 Keep fresh-cut watermelon in an airtight container.

🍉 Don't chop watermelon too finely or it will lose it's texture and turn mushy.

🍉 Did you know that eating watermelon improves cardiovascular health, soothes the tummy, reduces blood pressure, improves circulation, reduces inflammation, treats kidney stones and acne, and cures constipation? Read more about the health benefits of watermelon, find fun ways to serve watermelon this summer, and get a free recipe for fresh fruit popsicles by clicking here.

🍉 How about trying watermelon s'mores? To find out more, click here. 

Watermelon S'mores

🍉 This Watermelon Strawberry Sorbet is ready in minutes and is the perfect treat for a hot summer day. For the recipe click here.

Watermelon Strawberry Sorbet

🍉 For a whole host of other yummy watermelon recipes check out this page on allrecipes.com.

Granddaughter Mercy Enjoying
a Big Slice of Cold Watermelon
July 2017

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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