We finished cleaning the kitchen, the walls and now we are working our way down the wall. Washing woodwork is my least favorite job. You can imagine, I have to wash woodwork more than twice a year with three large dogs.
First, I vacuum all the woodwork; baseboards, crown molding, door jams and chair rails.
With a bucket of warm water and a 1/4 c. of all-purpose cleaner, gloves and a soft cloth, I wipe them down.
I include a scrub brush in the bucket because sometimes dirt on the woodwork can be a little stubborn.
Again, I make notes on any woodwork that needs to be painted, have loose boards or needs to be fixed.
This job is done for another 4 months… thank goodness.
This week is super busy getting ready for my knee surgery!!! Finishing the kitchen, getting taxes finished and all the other lose ends I have to get ready. Also, I have some plants to get into the ground before I have to give up planting for the next couple of weeks.
Sunday: Super Bowl Menu Monday: Spaghetti Carbonara, Cesar Salad and Italian Bread Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner Wednesday: Chicken Picatta Thursday: Pulled Pork Tacos Friday: Classic Pizza Margherita Saturday: Crockpot Beef Stew
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti pasta until al dente. Drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and set aside.
Meanwhile in a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until slightly crisp; remove and drain onto paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat; add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and heat in reused large skillet. Add chopped onion, and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add wine if desired; cook one more minute.
Return cooked bacon to pan; add cooked and drained spaghetti. Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil if it seems dry or is sticking together. Add beaten eggs and cook, tossing constantly with tongs or large fork until eggs are barely set. Quickly add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and toss again. Add salt and pepper to taste (remember that bacon and Parmesan are very salty).
Serve immediately with chopped parsley sprinkled on top, and extra Parmesan cheese at table.
Your friends and family are starving for more of you… I don’t mean more of your cleaning, cooking, etc. I mean more of the genuine you.
When I make menus, I design a menu to make dinner easier. I know what I am cooking that night (usually a source of frustration in most households including mine). But the correct ingredients are in the pantry. This step is very simple, almost too simple.
But let me tell you the result of this small step. This action frees up my time and lowers my stress level. Food is in the pantry and I love making dinner. What was once a chore, is a pleasure. Meal time is fun again and I save money because we don’t eat out as much.
My family gets more of my time.
Now let me state emphatically, you do not have to make a menu or be a clone of what I do… You may be one of those lucky people who can walk into a pantry and whip up a fantastic meal with what you have on hand… I am not one of you. I require a meal plan, written recipe and a grocery list.
Maybe because my father passed away at age 35, my mother at age 68, mother in law at age 67 and several friends who have left us way too early, I am passionate about making sure my friends and family know I love them. And yes, I sometimes show them how much I love them with food.
Third Aspiration: Your life is a precious gift, surround your loved ones with your heart felt sense of love, kindness and beauty.
You friends and family want more time with you… all of you.
What ways can you give your loved ones more of you? A handwritten note, a special baked treat, a walk around the block, or gifts from your garden?
Next week: we are taking this message to the next level…
I loved these monogrammed pillows but gesh are they expensive.
Target had some fantastic placemats and tablecloths on sale for seventy five percent off their Christmas merchandise. I thought I could use two of them for a project.
Whipped out the embroidery program and developed a monogram.
Monogrammed it.
Look how pretty!!
Sewed along the inner stitching to make a flange, leaving a six inch opening. Just follow the line of the placemat.
Sewed again, on the outer edge. You cannot see the pins, but I pinned it carefully matching the placemats. Also, leave the same six inch opening around the outer edge that you sewed for the flange.
Stuffed with polymer filling.
Sewed both openings shut.
Fantastic!! Exactly what I had envisioned.
Total cost of the project; $.98 for each place mat and $3.00 for polymer filling. Total cost $4.96.
I am joining Twice Remembered and her Make it Monday party. She has a fabulous blog and is a very sweet person!!!
