menu monday on tuesday :) / week of august 4

August 5, 2008 – 1:53 pm

Last week was very busy. On top of party prep (had 74 people here for dinner after church Sunday), my mower quit, my frig quit, I lost a diamond earring in the lawn, cut my finger and DH had to put four stitches in it, MIL was in the hospital for a few days, DD had softball tournament games, and my housekeeping help and my garden help were on the mission trip. What a week. Here’s a shout out to my friend Margaret and her niece who came over on Friday and cleaned my house for me. What a blessing! Thank you, Margaret!

This week seems a bit slower, thankfully. The mower is in the shop, the frig is working, and I am rested from getting ready for Bethany’s going away party.

going away party

More about that in another post soon.

Monday
I had planned to make Crispy Baked Chicken for supper, but I was sick in the afternoon and didn’t want to cook. DH took DD to the DQ to pick up supper and I stayed home with some chicken soup.

Tuesday
hamburgers / buns
steamed green beans and red potatoes
corn

Wednesday
eat out

Thursday
beans and ham
cornbread
coleslaw

Friday
chicken and noodles
peas / corn
green salad

Saturday
leftovers

Sunday
Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu
spinach salad
corn
green beans almondine

There are more menu ideas at Laura’s site.

The surprise lilies came up last week. I have some from my grandmother’s garden which I planted in my fenced garden. And we have some that were here when we bought the house. We’ve moved them all over the yard.

along the fence

I made a bouquet for church with the lilies, Althea, physostegia, and garden phlox. The lilies last so long when cut. I have several bud vases around the house with surprise lilies in them. Cheery and they smell good, too. 🙂

pretty in pink

It’s been too hot to work in the yard, but the next few days it is supposed to cool down and be in the low 80s for a week or so. That would be nice! I would love to work in the yard, but don’t go out much when it’s so hot and humid.

~~Rhonda

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caterpillar club

August 4, 2008 – 5:40 pm

DD found a caterpillar on the Virginia Creeper vine on the front porch. We’ve raised caterpillars in the past, so decided to give this one a home and watch it develop.

To make a home for the caterpillar, we collected a plastic jar, a small container with a lid, dirt and water for the container, a rubber band and a bit of screen. We punched holes in the lid of the small container, put the dirt in the container, and filled it with water to hold the food.

raising a caterpillar

This particular caterpillar was found on Virginia Creeper, so that is what we stocked the larder with, putting stems through the holes into the watery dirt. Putting dirt in the container, as well as water, helps to hold the stems upright.

stocking up on groceries

Here you can see the caterpillar in question.

our guest

Species Alypia octomaculata – Eight-spotted Forester

Eight-spotted Forester caterpillar

After putting the small container into the jar (I used a large pair of tongs to put it in place), DD covered the jar with screen and fastened it with a large rubber band. In the past we’ve used fish bowls covered with screen and held in place with elastic. Those are much easier in which to place the food container than a narrow mouthed jar. Keep that in mind if you want to try something similar.

covering his house

Home Sweet Home…now we wait while he eats and grows. I need to find out if this particular caterpillar will want some dirt to burrow in when it is time to cocoon.

finished product

~~Rhonda

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it’s Christmas Notebook day!

August 1, 2008 – 3:32 pm

Today is the beginning of the Christmas Notebook season!

I teach the Christmas Notebook plan for holiday preparation on the yahoo group Christmas Notebook. It helps members organize preparation for the holidays so they have more time in December to celebrate the season with friends and family. It walks them through each stage of holiday preparation: from evaluating what they want their own Christmas to be, to showing them how to make it happen.

The first introductory article has been posted to the CNB list, with many more to come as the weeks roll by. Membership will be open for a few more weeks. If you are interested, send a membership request via email soon. To do so, send a blank email to

christmasnotebook-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

After a few weeks, the membership will close for the season. Don’t delay!

~~Rhonda 🙂

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celebrating 25 years

July 30, 2008 – 3:01 pm

On July 25, DH celebrated 25 years of practicing medicine (family practice). His office gave him a surprise party, which really did surprise him. 🙂

my dh

The table was covered with pictures taken over the years of practice…not only the practice of medicine, but the practice of practical jokes, funny costumes, fun, and frivolity. Dennis commented, "It’s kind of scary to think we’re trusting our lives to these people!" 😉 Carl, seated at the table on the left, practiced with DH before retiring.

scary

DH actually delivered this young woman while he was still practicing obstetrics. Now she works for the hospital.

I remember when you were born...

Once they had a piece of cake, the girls were bored. Out came the DS.

bored

Twenty-five years, and no real plans for retirement. He enjoys the practice of medicine and can’t imagine not working. Maybe he really will make 25 more. 🙂

yup, got a few presents

~~Rhonda

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mission team

July 29, 2008 – 10:30 am

DH got up early Saturday morning to see the mission team off at 5:00.

mission team

This is the third team our church has sent this year. In January, we went to New Orleans, Louisiana, and had the privilege of drywalling Gloria’s home. Earlier this month, a team went to Atlanta, Georgia, to aid in community assistance, and this team is going to Fairmont, West Virginia, to roof two homes for those in need. At least one of these young people has made all three mission trips and several have made two trips. I believe this is the 13th year we have sent a team to Fairmont.

Over the years, mission trips like these have not only provided practical help to those in need but have also strengthened the sense of community and purpose among the volunteers. Whether it’s installing a new roof, repairing storm-damaged homes, or simply offering a helping hand, these acts of service leave a lasting impact on both the homeowners and the teams who serve.

A home is more than just a physical structure—it’s a place of comfort, security, and memories. That’s why ensuring a home is safe and well-maintained is so important. For those receiving assistance, these repairs are life-changing, giving them a renewed sense of stability. And for the volunteers, the experience is often just as transformative, instilling in them a lifelong appreciation for giving back and making a difference in the lives of others.

Just as mission teams work to rebuild and restore homes in various communities, companies like North Dallas Drywall play a crucial role in ensuring homes are structurally sound and visually appealing. From drywall installation to patching up damage caused by time and weather, professional drywall services can dramatically enhance a home’s interior. Many homeowners don’t realize how much the condition of their walls contributes to the overall feel of their space until they see the difference that quality craftsmanship makes.

DD#1 joined them in Virginia, after her summer of working in a girls’ camp in New York. We won’t see her until October, when we go east for DS#1’s wedding.

As God brings them to mind, please pray for the mission team as they work this week, sharing God’s love with others. Pray for safety, for spiritual growth, and for strength to do the work.

~~Rhonda

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menu plan monday ~ july 28, 2008

July 28, 2008 – 2:01 pm

It’s summertime and busy, but we take some time off now and then to savor the moments.

along the drive

Those busy things add up, though. This week we have softball, piano and guitar lessons, a visit planned to a daylily farm, a retirement party to attend, and lots of cleaning up to do because our church family is invited over for Sunday dinner. Here’s the plan:

Monday / softball
hamburgers / buns
sweet and sour cucumbers
tomatoes

Tuesday
chicken stir-fry
rice with summer squash
tomatoes

Wednesday / daylily shopping
eat out

Thursday
crispy baked chicken
steamed green beans
corn on the cob
spinach salad with strawberries

Friday
four cheese spinach pizza

Saturday / retirement party for a gardening friend
leftovers

Sunday / Church dinner at our house
sausage and potatoes in the crockpot
Alton Brown’s pot roast
spinach / strawberry salad
cookie bars

I have to say…I made Alton Brown’s pot roast for company at Christmastime and they practically licked the platter clean. 🙂

DH serving

More menu ideas on Laura’s site.

~~Rhonda

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bubbles

July 27, 2008 – 4:17 pm

A few weeks ago, DD spent about an hour playing with bubbles. She started out just blowing bubbles, having fun, watching them float away on the breeze.

bubbbubbbubbles

A few bubbles were caught by a web which held her attention for a while.

captured

The railing was wet with rain, so she experimented with sliding bubbles down the railing.

bubble train

I experimented with catching reflections and color on the bubbles.

reflections

She found out she could blow a bubble inside another bubble.

bubble in a bubble

one inside the other

Later, she discovered she didn’t need a bubble wand to blow bubbles.

who needs a bubble blower?

makin' bubbles

It was fun to watch her move from one discovery to the next. Lots to think about.

contemplation

~~Rhonda

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daylilies

July 22, 2008 – 10:51 am

The daylilies are beautiful. We are just past peak bloom, but the yard is still loaded with color.

front yard, west side

‘Kindly Light’

daylily 'Kindly Light'

‘Monterrey Jack’

'Monterrey Jack'

‘Baja’

'Baja'

‘Shell Drake, MI’

'Shell Drake, MI'

‘Pink Super Spider’

'Pink Super Spider'

‘Royal Ebony’

'Royal Ebony'

‘Elegant Candy’

'Elegant Candy'

‘Moonlit Masquerade’

'Moonlit Masquerade'

Aren’t they beautiful?

~~Rhonda

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menu plan monday ~ july 21, 2008

July 21, 2008 – 12:14 am

Another week ahead of us..we will have softball practice on Monday or Tuesday, so I planned easy meals for those days.

Monday
hamburgers / buns
veggies / chips / dip

Tuesday
spaghetti / sauce
corn
peapods
salad
garlic bread

Wednesday
crockpot chicken cordon bleu
spinach salad
green beans

Thursday ~ Softball tournament tonight.
hotdogs / buns
veggies / dip
grapes

Friday
Baked Dijon Salmon
crash hot potatoes
green beans, steamed
salad

Saturday
leftovers

Alton Brown has a great pot roast recipe that my family loves. We’ll have that for Sunday dinner…maybe we’ll invite company over. 🙂
Sunday
pot roast
mashed potatoes
corn
asparagus
carrots
green salad

You’ll find more menu ideas at Laura’s blog.

~~Rhonda

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four generations twice

July 8, 2008 – 9:11 pm

While DS29 and his family were here, we took a few pictures (well, OK, we took a LOT of pictures). I am especially glad we got these four generation pictures of both sides of the paternal family.

Our older son, myself, my parents, and the twins.

four generations on grandma's side

Our older son, my DH, DH’s mother, and the twins.

four generations on grandpa's side

My side of the family came over on Saturday to visit with DS and his family. It was a great day. Lots of fun. My sister, with her daughter and family, stayed over night and attended church with us Sunday morning, then stayed for dinner before heading home. Shortly after they left, DS and his family went home as well, after a good week’s visit. We had a great time while they were here.

~~Rhonda

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