Task it Tuesday - Nov 24

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Well, Thanksgiving week is here. The Christmas tree has been pulled out of the basement. I vainly am attempting to get the house in order despite a work schedule that seems to fill my days. I keep trying to take days off, but it's not happening. As of this morning, I've added four client meetings to my schedule. Here is what I need to accomplish this week

• Daily Bible reading
• Walking five days
• Meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Blog Wednesday
• Cleaning Wednesday
• Cooking Thursday 
• Review Around the World in More Than 80 Days on Friday
• Come up with marketing plan for the new edition of A Christmas Kindness--since the book is now out, I'm a bit late on this one
• Mail out a copy of A Christmas Kindness 
• Look into a new publisher for my GAP books--moving to January 2021
• Look into getting a small dumpster--moving to January 2021
• Prepare for new listing 
• Put up Christmas decorations Saturday
• Take Sunday off

I am probably forgetting something, but let's see how it goes. What is one thing you want to get done this week?

Mailbox Monday - Oct 26

 

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

There really should be a law against feeling this exhausted. Between a hectic work schedule and the tinnitus making it challenging to sleep, my behind is dragging. The holidays can't come soon enough. Things should slow down then... believe it or not. 

This week I participated in an online cooking class for the first time. A local chef helped us make falafel and rice with a tomato and cucumber salad. I plated mine before he showed us how to plate it. I'm not much on presentation. The third plate I did his way: rice on the bottom, falafel on top of the rice and the salad on the side with some tahini sauce. 

The Lil' Diva bought the animals Halloween costumes. The animals were not impressed.

Theo the Lion

Dwight the Pumpkin

Travis the Bat

The one really nice thing about the pandemic is that I've been walking in the woods behind the house. Tonight, the man about the place and I took a leisurely stroll with Theo. Not the best photo, but the fall colors in the woods are beautiful. 

On the mailbox front, I received two books for review.

I also picked up these freebies for my Kindle.

I used credits to buy this seasonal story.

It looks like that's it from my end. Hope you have a great week.

Mailbox Monday - Oct 19

 

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

October is chugging along. It's hard to believe we are three weeks in. Before we know it, Halloween will be here. I'm not sure our town has made a decision about trick or treating. How is your community handling it?

This weekend was crazy busy. I staged and listed a new property, continued editing a large project, and did some baking and cooking. Check out this great looking chicken stock. I used a different recipe than the last time and it smelled divine. 

Travis and Dwight enjoy hanging out in the kitchen when I'm there.

My physical mailbox was empty with the exception of an order of some of my books. The publisher is going out of business and I wanted to make sure I had some copies to sell if I needed them.

I picked up these freebies for my Kindle.

I also downloaded a sample of this book.

That's it from the homestead. This week is going to be filled to the brim, so I'm not sure how much I'll be blogging. Hope you have a great week.

Bargain E-Book: Every Grain of Rice by Fuchsia Dunlop

Fuchsia Dunlop trained as a chef in China’s leading Sichuan cooking school and possesses the rare ability to write recipes for authentic Chinese food that you can make at home. Following her two seminal volumes on Sichuan and Hunan cooking, Every Grain of Rice is inspired by the vibrant everyday cooking of southern China, in which vegetables play the starring role, with small portions of meat and fish.

Try your hand at stir-fried potato slivers with chili pepper, vegetarian "Gong Bao Chicken," sour-and-hot mushroom soup, or, if you’re ever in need of a quick fix, Fuchsia’s emergency late-night noodles. Many of the recipes require few ingredients and are ridiculously easy to make. Fuchsia also includes a comprehensive introduction to the key seasonings and techniques of the Chinese kitchen. With stunning photography and clear instructions, this is an essential cookbook for everyone, beginner and connoisseur alike, eager to introduce Chinese dishes into their daily cooking repertoire.

File Size: 37774 KB
Print Length: 353 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0393089045
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (February 4, 2013)
Publication Date: August 15, 2013
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00E6L8LOG

Purchase here!

Task it Tuesday - June 9

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome back to Tuesday. I have a busy day planned, but the rest of the week should be better. I am thinking I will never be a planner person. Last time I looked at it was mid-May. Such is the life of a panster. I don't outline before I write at all.

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings Tuesday and Friday
3. Meal planning (done)
4. Editing more of The Sisterhood 
5. Clean bonus room (probably not this week, but needs to stay on the list)
6. Prospecting
7. Catch up on planner (maybe)
8. Take Saturday and Sunday off

What does your list look like this week? What is one thing you've been putting off that you want to accomplish this week?

Task it Tuesday - June 2

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

This week is quickly going to hell in a hand basket. I'm trying to stay positive. If I don't get a chance to clean the bonus room soon, I might smack my head against the wall. Well, not really. My hard head might break it. :)

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
3. Cooking 
4. Editing more of The Sisterhood 
5. Clean bonus room 
6. Prospecting
7. Vet for Giggle and Boots
8. Home inspection Thursday
9. Take this weekend off!!!!

What does your list look like this week? Have you accomplished a lot lately or do you feel like you're carrying over the same tasks week to week? 

Task it Tuesday - May 26

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

After a busy weekend, I'm looking forward to Thursday when I can concentrate on some editing of The Sisterhood. I finished taking photos of the crafts we needed to complete for additional material in A Christmas Kindness. I'm not sure if the publisher's plan is still to release it this fall. COVID-19 has changed so many things that I didn't want to ask. I'll find out once I send the photos.

Here is my list for the week

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
3. Cooking 
4. Editing The Sisterhood 
5. Clean bonus room (This really isn't happening this week, but I want to keep it on the list.)
6. Prospecting

Did you have a  nice weekend? What's on your list to accomplish this week? 

Mailbox Monday - May 25

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Happy Memorial Day! I am behind in getting things posted, but it was a hectic weekend.

My baby celebrated a birthday. Hard to believe he is 33.

I planted the garden.

I am learning a new diet because the Lil' Princess insists she wants to eat healthier. 

Well, at least the furry residents of the house enjoyed some relaxation.

Being busy actually feels good. I'm out showing houses again--had an accepted offer from Saturday showings. I'm still ordering groceries online and having them delivered, but I go shopping for special occasions--like cupcakes for the birthday boy. I'm editing the first full length novel I ever completed. We are making plans to visit the Outer Banks like we do each summer. 

Massachusetts is in Phase 2 of re-opening. Do you know what that means? I can get a haircut! I'm not sure when the last time is that I've been so excited about that. 

My physical mailbox had a fun little surprise this week.

I also grabbed a couple of Kindle books.

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you have a great week.

Task it Tuesday - May 19

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Lately I am goofing off more than accomplishing anything. Today is my day to get a few things done. I need to get the crafts photographed for one of my books so the publisher can proceed with it. I have a busy two days of meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will be an easier day.

Here is this week's list:

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings 
3. Continue closing out my father-in-law's affairs (almost done)
4. Cooking 
5. Re-organize The Sisterhood ( one of my works in progress) to figure out what to do with it
6. Clean bonus room
7. Crafts 

Did you create a to-do list this week? What does it look like?

Task it Tuesday - May 12

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

We are back to Tuesday. Last week was a productive one; I even organized my home office. My planner is updated, I am caught up on reviews needed right now and am working on the past due reviews, most of the craft supplies are in, and Friday's closing went off without a hitch.

Here is this week's list:

1. Bible reading
2. Meetings 
3. Book reviews (done)
4. Continue closing out my father-in-law's affairs (almost done)
5. Cooking 
6. Re-organize The Sisterhood ( one of my works in progress) to figure out what to do with it
7. Clean bonus room

What does your to-do list look like? What is the most pressing item on your list?

Task it Tuesday - Apr 28

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Yesterday was a productive day. Despite two online meetings and an unexpected trip to pick up a kit to help me get these half-falling-off genre nails fully removed, I posted to three blogs and cleaned up my lead generation software program a bit.

I'm really liking online grocery shopping. Yes, it costs me $3.99 per delivery and a tip for the driver, but no more dealing with crowds is great. Amazon pantry is a bit slower getting things to me, but if I plan right it doesn't matter when I order those supplemental items. I scored some toilet paper yesterday, but still no flour. We are being careful with how much we use.

Here is what is on tap for the rest of the week:

1. Update my planner
2. Bible reading
3. Meetings (ugh)
4. Book review
5. Stamp postcards for newest mailing
6. Start digging into closing out my father-in-law's affairs (this might take a while)
7. Cooking (good thing I love it)
8. Maybe, a bit of writing

What does your to-do list look like this week? Anything I can do to help support you?

Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet from NeighborFood

A few weeks ago, I made this delicious and easy meal with ground beef from my Butcherbox shipment. The recipe can be found on the NeighborFood blog.


1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cups diced yukon gold diced potatoes
3 carrots, diced
3 ears corn, cut off the cob
1 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Truly, the most time consuming part of the recipe is chopping up the vegetables. After that, it comes together easily.

The ground beef from Butcherbox comes in a vacuum sealed packaging. The beef and steaks were our favorite parts of our first shipment. 

Reading the comments on the NeighborFood blog, it seemed some people had challenges getting the vegetables to soften in the allotted time. I cut my potatoes fairly thin, but I also decided to cover the meal for 5 minutes to help soften the potatoes and carrots. This was the only alteration to the recipe. 

This came together so easily and my family loved it. I'll definitely be making it again. 

Honey Orange Chicken Recipe with Melora UMF Maunka Honey

I was contacted by ExportX, who I have purchased products on Amazon from before, to review the Melora UMF 15+ Manuka Honey they sell. One evening when I was looking for something different to make for supper, I came across a chicken recipe on Paleo Foodie Kitchen. It was very simple to make and tasted great.*

INGREDIENTS

1 lb chicken breast, cubed into bite sized pieces
2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
2 tbsp coconut aminos
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp chili sauce
juice from 1 orange (about ½ cup)
fish sauce to taste
green onions, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

• Stir fry chicken pieces in coconut oil over high heat until it starts to brown.
• Add ginger and garlic, saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Lower heat and add coconut aminos, honey, chili sauce, orange juice and fish sauce.
• Stir to incorporate everything together and simmer for 8-10 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked.

I honestly had never given Paleo a try. I heard about it, but didn't know much. I've never cooked with coconut oil before either. It looks like lard but, when heated, it becomes a clear cooking oil. Coconut oil is said to be good for your heart and for weight loss. 

As far as the Maunka Honey goes, it looked nothing like what I buy in the grocery store. It comes in a small jar (8.8 oz.). It's darker and thicker than the honey you buy in a grocery store, which made it easier to measure and add to the recipe. I also tried some right out a jar. What a fabulous flavor and texture. 

According to the product page on Amazon, "Melora UMF Manuka Honey is sustainably harvested from New Zealand's remote Manuka forests. UMF Manuka Honey is renowned worldwide for its "Unique Manuka Factor" (UMF). The UMF grading system appraises natural markers found in Manuka honey and assures purity & quality."

I'll definitely be using this product again. I'll also be searching out more recipes so I have an excuse to us my Melora UMF Maunka Honey more often.


I received a free jar of Melora UMF Maunka Honey from ExportX. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.


* I did not use the last two ingredients from the list because they were not on hand when I made this dish.

Hidden Valley® Ranch Fest House Party

Last month, my Hidden Valley® Ranch Fest party pack I received through Crowdtap arrived. It included a Hidden Valley Team Ranch T-shirt, a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch Original Dressing, a packet of Hidden Valley Original Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix, a packet of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dips Mix, packets of Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Italian with Herbs Dressing, and a party insert with activities, recipes, and a coupon. It also came with samples for my guests, inserts with coupons, and a surprise gift.

Because it's tough to get everyone together this time of year, I opted to use Thanksgiving Day as my party date. We invited family and friends to join us. In all, there were nine of us. Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving is the largest meal I prepare each year. We had standard Thanksgiving Day fare, starting out with cheese and crackers, chips and salsa, and cut vegetables served with Hidden Valley Ranch Original Dressing (because they think ranch dressing is the perfect companion for them), then moving on to the main meal of salad with Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Italian with Herbs Dressing, turkey, mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, gravy, squash, and rolls.

I set the table so that every guest had a package of Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Italian with Herbs Dressing in their salad bowls. We're all game to try just about anything foodwise, so the rest of the group was on board.

My sister-in-law loved the individualized packets of dressing because they were the perfect size and amount for her salad. I liked that I didn't have to find room in my crammed refrigerator for yet another open bottle of salad dressing. I sent my guests home with some Ranch to Go packages I received. They are the best size to tuck into a lunch bag or bring up to my desk while I'm working so I can catch a quick and healthy snack. Guests also received coupons that came with party pack.

Finally, I used the remaining packets of Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Italian with Herbs Dressing in a slow cooker recipe this week. You can find the recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore at https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/962/slow-cooker-chicken-cacciatore/ With the exception of pizza, no one but me is a huge fan of tomato based meals, but everyone ate this one up. The best thing for me is that it took very little time to prepare, and then I turned on the heat and left it alone to cook for four hours.

I've usually stuck with Wishbone or a store brand for dressing, but this party convinced me that Hidden Valley dressings need to be regular purchases for our household.


I received my Hidden Valley® Ranch Fest party pack through Crowdtap. This review contains my honest opinions, which I was not compensated for in any way.

Menu Planning for Busy Moms

I love cooking, but with the girls' schedules, it can be hard to fit in time to prepare a healthy meal. That's why menu planning has been something I've done since my girls first came on the scene. Menu planning isn't a new idea, but many busy moms have advice on how to go about it. In "25 Blogs with Menu Planning Tips for Busy Moms" you'll find tips for beginners, how to put your menus together, weekly menus, grocery shopping tips, and even online meal planning services.

Coming downstairs from my office and asking "What do you want for dinner?" is never appealing to me, especially because the answer is usually, "I don't know." By having a plan for each day of the week, I'm able to get in and out of the kitchen faster.

I hope you'll enjoy exploring these other blogs for tips.

Thursday Books: Thursday Night Pizza by Fr. Dominic Garramone

After twenty years of testing recipes on his fellow monks, Father Dominic of public television's Breaking Bread offers a surprising variety of pizza recipes sure to please every palate. With his customary detailed and easy-to-follow directions, Father Dom shows you how to make the perfect crust (the real key to first-rate pizza), flavorful homemade sauces, and savory toppings. You ll discover a delicious reduced-fat sausage that is both easy and economical, the way to avoid soggy crusts, and a magic trick to have warm, crusty bread waiting for your breakfast the morning after pizza night. Recipes include six different doughs, seven sauces, and dozens of pizzas like Pesto and Prosciutto Pizza, Muffaletta Pizza, The Denver Diner Special, Mediterranean Vegetable Pizza, Pizza Diavolo, and Fig and Papaya Dessert Pizza.


Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Reedy Press (October 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933370653
ISBN-13: 978-1933370651