Despite having all last week at home, it went by in a blur. Probably because there was a holiday in there plus we traveled to Oklahoma on Friday. So technically, I guess I only had 3 “real” days at home.

New week, same 3 days at home routine except I work the last two days of this week. And then, I work every day for the following two weeks. I need to spend the next 3 days getting a bit organized.

Happy to get started by joining in with Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday posts. Let’s just move straight on to the categories….

The Weather

Oklahoma sunrise

Typical July stuff around here. Hot and a bit humid with highs in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s. Don’t see many chances of rain this week. A good thing since we’ve had more than enough rain for a while.

On The Breakfast Plate This Morning

I’m not sure. Just coffee so far although there are two boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts sitting on the kitchen table. We drove by there on the way to and from Oklahoma and my husband had to stop. We used to have one just down the road but they shut down for some reason (the store was always busy so we don’t know what happened but we miss it!).

Right Now I Am

Working on this post in a quiet house while I impatiently wait on the dryer to finish so I can get dressed for the day.

On My Bedside Table

It’s surprisingly somewhat clear. The only things on it right now are the blue ray remote, a small bird book, and an empty hanger.

On My Reading Pile

Still working on Simply Clean. I did take a break from it to read Little Broken Things by Nicole Baart. It was good but not as engaging as the other book I read by her.

Movies Or Shows I Watched This Weekend

We’ll have to count Thursday (the 4th of July) as the weekend because we went to Oklahoma to clean out my husband’s late grandfather’s house. And stayed there with no Wi-Fi or TV! The boys stayed with his aunt so they didn’t melt from lack of those things, ha!

I did have my traditional viewing of the movie, Independence Day on the 4th of July as well as watch some of the Jack Ryan series on Amazon (I thought it was pretty good).

On My TV This Week

I’ll probably finish the Jack Ryan series and then see if they’ve added anything new and interesting to Netflix.

On The Menu This Week

Still not excited by the cooking vibe but after lots of eating out over the weekend, we do need to make an effort to eat at home this week. And I do need to grocery shop so all this is subject to change.

MONDAY: Taco salads (I’m planning to make extra taco meat and throw it in the freezer)

TUESDAY: Pork chops, baked sweet potatoes

WEDNESDAY: Chicken legs, salad

THURSDAY: Spaghetti *I work 8:15-4:30*

FRIDAY: Grocery store chicken and salad unless I think of something else *I work 8:15-4:30*

On My To Do List

1. Laundry!
2. Pay bills
3. Clean out fridge and clear out trash before tomorrow (trash day)
4. Start cleaning out this desk (we’re moving it out of the bedroom)
5. Take J to get birthday card for friend’s birthday party (have to do today as party is tomorrow)
6. Renew library books and/or return some
7. Go to grocery store!!
8. Register J for school next year (just the computer stuff)
9. Stuff I didn’t do last week: write dates on calendar, go to bank
10. Pick a garden area in the yard to finish

What I Am Creating

A new garden area where the wildflowers were planned. Realized maybe it wasn’t sunny enough so going a new direction with things… 

Looking Forward To

Is it too early in the week to say the weekend? So far, whispers it…no plans on the calendar for Saturday or Sunday.

Looking Around The House

It looks like we just got back from out-of-town and brought stuff home with us. Need to find places for stuff.

From The Camera

My flowers by the front porch are finally really blooming!

What I’m Wearing Today

I’m still in my nightshirt while waiting on the dryer. Probably just shorts & a tee-shirt later.

One of My Simple Pleasures

Being in my own house to get ready for the day, fix meals, etc.

Quote For The Week

This framed saying graced the wall in my husband’s grandparents’ bathroom and I have always loved it. It’s now going to hang somewhere (not sure where yet) in our home.  

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What are your plans for the week ahead?

And just like that….it was time to turn the calendar page to a new month.  

Happy July! July is a busy month around here. So, I’m glad to have these weekly planning posts to keep me somewhat focused.

Joining in as always with Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, our wonderful host of the link up. Let’s get to the categories and see what’s on the calendar for this first week of the new month.

The Weather  

Finally, some normal weather around here! Highs in the low 90’s all week with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms. Sounds like swimming pool weather to me!

On My Reading Pile

Finished Beyond The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It was okay. Started reading a house-cleaning book called Simply Clean by Becky Rapinchuk, the founder of the Clean Mama website. As much as you can enjoy a book on how to clean the house, I am enjoying this one. Probably going to write a quick review once I finish it.

Movies or Shows I Watched This Weekend

My expectations were low when I said, “I think I’ll watch this Netflix movie about the giant metal dog.” However, A.X.L. turned out to be a pretty good movie. A bit reminiscent of the 80’s movies I enjoyed.  I also tried the first episode of Into The Badlands to see if I wanted to watch it. Still undecided on that one.

On My TV This Week

Not sure, I may try another episode of Into The Badlands to see if it hooks me. Should be new stuff for July on Netflix so depends on what pops up….

On The Menu For This Week

My desire to cook in the summer especially on warmer days is about a negative 2. Yet, they still insist on eating dinner.

MONDAY: Fajita salads. We made steak and chicken fajitas on Saturday so I think we’ll just throw the leftovers on salads for tonight. *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Spaghetti *I have plans with friends*

WEDNESDAY: Mongolian Beef & Chicken, rice *carry over* *Firework display for our city*

THURSDAY: Chicken strips, macaroni & cheese, salad, dessert? *Happy 4th of July!*

FRIDAY: Pizza maybe…

On My To Do List

1. Write all the dates on our July calendar
2. Go to Target for household items (I didn’t go last week)
3. Go to bank
4. Usual house cleaning things: laundry, dishes, etc
5. Put out U.S. garden flag
6. The things I forgot to do last week (when I remember them)

What I Am Creating

A clean and peaceful home….maybe?

New garden area for the backyard, wildflower garden didn’t work out thanks to a well-meaning neighbor who saw weeds. And so, he brought over his weed-eater to fix things for me. Sigh.

Add buy small fencing for garden area to my list of things to do.

Looking Forward To

Being at home and giving the house (and family) some attention this week.

Looking Around The House

It’s been worse but it needs some attention today.

From The Camera 

A cuter little fledgling showed up this week:

red-bellied woodpecker fledgling

And this fun little bird returned to the yard as well: 

What I’m Wearing Today

Right now I’m wearing my STAR labs tee-shirt and navy blue skorts.  I threw these clothes on to go put out my bird-feeder so I’ll probably change after I shower.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

A quiet house on summer mornings

Quote For The Week 

Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them. (A.A. Milne)

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P.S. Happy Canada Day to those of you to my north!

What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?

Happy Monday and happy summer!  I have the first 3 days of this week off work and I’m excited for a little down time.

Planning my week as always with Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and the other lovely bloggers who join in this weekly link-up of hers. Let’s go straight to the categories.

The Weather 

Storm clouds building on Saturday evening

Not currently cooperating. Too much rain for many of us. Some sun and normal summer temperatures due later this week. And another (!) chance of rain tomorrow and Thursday. Hopefully, the rain will be a no-show. And the sun will fill in for it.

On My Reading Pile

Thursday afternoon, I wanted to find a book about summer to read to the preschool class on Friday morning. I ran to the library and realized I also didn’t have anything to read during J’s baritone lesson. I quickly grabbed a couple of books off the shelf.

You Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart sucked me right in and I finished it by Saturday morning. Currently, I’m reading my other quick choice, Beyond The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. It’s interesting but I am able to easily set it aside.

Movies Or Shows I Watched This Weekend

I mostly read or was outside (when it wasn’t raining) or did other things. I did catch a bit of Holey Moley, the mini golf show last night. It was okay not something I’d seek out but enjoyable for a random summer night.

On My TV This Week

I’m not sure. If the weather is nice, I plan to be outside more than inside watching anything.

On The Menu For This Week

It’s one of those time to stretch the grocery budget weeks around here. So, menu is coming from what’s in the pantry/freezer/fridge. I am, however, over-due a grocery store trip.

MONDAY: Chicken, probably fixed in a simple way. *I have a hair appointment at 9:45*

TUESDAY: Spaghetti or if I may search out a calzone recipe as I have some pizza crust mixes in the cabinet and am a bit tired of spaghetti

WEDNESDAY: Mongolian Beef in slow cooker

THURSDAY: Fish/Shrimp in air fryer, baked potatoes *I work 8-4:30* *J’s baritone lesson at 7:30* *MNO*

FRIDAY: Frozen pizza/Salad for boys *I work 8-4:30* *Dinner plans with friends*

On My To Do List

1. Get Haircut
2. Mow the lawn this afternoon (hoping it’ll be dry enough by then)
3. Pay bills
4. Grocery store
5. Go somewhere to get storage tubs (Target?)
6. Bank
7. Spend some time with the boys
8. Write July activities/my work schedule on calendar
9. Clean off this desk (and the rest of the house!)
10. Plan a date night with husband?

What I Am Creating

Lots of fun garden spaces around the yard in my mind. In reality? Not so much…

Looking Forward To 

Seeing the summer blooms on my flowers 

Looking Around The House

I spent time cleaning over the weekend (though not enough) and tried to stay on top of it. Overall, I can see where it might eventually feel calm and welcoming again.

From The Camera

This bird startled me on Saturday afternoon. I had to look it up and see what on Earth it was… A grackle fledgling! 

His parents were not making me very happy taking over the suet feeder and chasing this sweet little fellow away. 

What I’m Wearing Today

My S.T.A.R. labs tee-shirt and navy blue Capri pants plus fancy Crocs.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Dreaming about how I’m going to decorate the house and planning my garden areas around the yard.

Quote For The Week

There shall be Eternal summer in the grateful heart. (Celia Laighton Thaxter)

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What are your plans for this first full week of summer?

A bit of a late start with this post today as I was off on an adventure with a friend. However, I have some free time now to share about our adventures and plan the week ahead!

We started off in search of an Iris Farm. Arrived only to find a not super friendly proprietor who directed us to the Internet as it was past bloom time (though a message on their answering machine had told a different story). Wound up in Weston and had lunch, browsed the few open shops, and then made a quick stop at the state park. Not the day we’d planned but still a fun adventurous sort of day.

Joining in with Sandra from Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to keep my weekly planning motivation moving. Go check out her blog, lots of encouragement there.

The Weather 

Can you believe it’s not quite officially summer? It arrives Friday! It feels a bit summery today at least. Highs in the 80’s all week with chances of thunderstorms here and there.

On My Reading Pile

Managed to get a little reading done last week thanks to Amazon Prime reading. Read Memory of The Butterflies by Grace Greene which was somewhat enjoyable and then, my Kindle First selection of False Step by Victoria Helen Stone. I wasn’t impressed with that one. And now, I’m working my way through The Day The World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede.

Movies Or Shows I Watched This Weekend

Friday night, I watched Wreck-It Ralph Breaks The Internet, cute but not as good as the first movie.  On Sunday, we watched My Cousin Vinny together as a family (it was my husband’s Father’s Day gift from the kids).

On My TV This Week

Probably a few more episodes of Lucifer but I’m going to try to focus on spending more time reading.

On The Menu For This Week  

I made an angel food cake (from a box!) for Father’s Day yesterday. Served with fresh sliced strawberries and whipped cream.

Another busy one! Today was my only day off this week…

MONDAY: I finally actually put a roast in the crock pot

TUESDAY: Fish, baked potatoes *I work 8:30-4:30* *J has band camp 3-6* *I have Bunco*

WEDNESDAY: Pork chops, salad *I work 8:30-4:30* *J has band camp 3-6*

THURSDAY: Leftovers, maybe frozen pizza, salad *I work 7:30-4* J has band camp 3-6* *baritone lesson at 7:30 (should reschedule this)

FRIDAY: steak fajita tacos *I work 7:30-4*

On My To Do List

1. Still need to get stamps
2. Finish the laundry
3. Mow the lawn
4. Still need to look into the travel arrangements
5. Reschedule J’s baritone lesson

What I Am Creating

Hoping to get back to my garden areas some day…

Looking Forward To

A slower paced week….maybe in July?

Looking Around The House

I did a little cleaning over the weekend but it still needs a bit more

From The Camera 

my bird feeder bandit

We spotted one of these at Weston Bend State Park today!

What I’m Wearing Today

Navy blue Washington, D.C. tee-shirt with United States Seal in white/gray lettering and jean shorts plus tennis shoes

One Of My Simple Pleasures 

Sleeping on a freshly made bed with clean sheets

Quote For The Week

Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. (Plato)

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What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?