Daily Bits of Domestic Bliss

Monday, June 18th, 2012

{Sorry I missed a few days ... it's been a bit crazy getting ready for - and recuperating from - our big Sunday cookout!}

Of Note:

Housekeeping: clean bedrooms, start laundries

(post-party cleanup)

Weather: sunny, high 60s

Dinner:

kabob leftovers served in wraps

(grilled cheese and veggies/dip for some)

steak fries

leftover birthday cake

Nature:

- For the first time ever (that we've seen) there were two hummingbirds at the feeder today. Usually they spar mid-air until one gives up and flies off.

- A crow was calling all day from somewhere in the woods. Made us wonder what on earth was going on!

- Crackerjack spotted a great heron fly over the house - not just once - but twice today!

Notes of the Day:

- Was housebound due to the van being serviced. Considering how much I had to do here, that was probably a good thing!

Posted at 07:32 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

Of Note: Flag Day, National Strawberry Shortcake Day*, Last Day of "Classes"

Housekeeping: trash/recycling (boys), clean dining room, clean family room, start new file folder/start planning next week, organize coupons, peruse store flyers, start dinner menu for next week

Weather: bright sunshine, 70s

Dinner:

grilled turkey burgers on wheat rolls with toppings

steak fries

tossed salad

*strawberry shortcake

Nature:

- Watched a pair of red squirrels under the feeders today. Usually red squirrels fight and are quite tempermental, so we wondered if these two were a mated pair or perhaps mother and offspring.

- Stepping out to get the paper this morning, spied a big HUGE orange slug on the walkway. They're kind of gross, but I find them interesting.

Notes of the Day:

- Hung up my "chauffeur hat" for a few months as the boys' outside classes wrapped up for the year. We still have home learning to work on, of course. :)

- Spilled my first cup of coffee ALL OVER the arm of my reading chair this morning. Actually, the floor got the brunt of it but the arm of the chair was fairly soaked. Luckily the fabric has a "beige" background, lol.

Posted at 06:28 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

Of Note: The Feast of St. Anthony, Sewing Machine Day

Housekeeping: clean the kitchen, clear fridge/freezer/cabinets of old food, scrub and soak sink, begin weekend marketing list, organize trash & recycling

*Ack, fell behind!

Weather: drizzly, mild

Dinner:

*meeting night = easy supper*

baked ziti with cheese

tossed salads

garlic bread

Italian (bakery) cookies

Nature:

- Spied another bunny in the yard - this was a big one!

- Watched a flock of smaller black birds chase off a huge hawk. Made quite a racket in the neighborhood.

Notes of the Day:

- Took the older boys to see Madagascar 3 with friends. Really great movie! EB will love the DVD - it featured a Mount Kiliminjaro sighting (a favorite landmark of his) as well as a colorful circus train.

- Worked out Sunday cookout menu with Mum.

Posted at 07:22 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

Of Note: National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, my cousin (and EB's godmother) Kara's birthday

Housekeeping: clean upstairs bathroom, continue laundries

Weather: partly cloudy, coolish but nice

Dinner:

turkey taco hash with peppers, onions and potatoes

tossed salad

baked tortillas with pineapple salsa

(plain cheese quesadillas)

lemon-lime spritzers (non-aloholic)

molasses cookies & fruit

(Wish I'd made pb cookies - but alas, did not have the time!)

Nature:

- Goldfinches are plentiful and so vibrant!

- The daylilies are getting ready to bloom already - this is very early. They're usually an Independence Day bloomer.

Notes of the Day:

- Started a planning page for Sunday's cookout.

- Started a planning page for a summer trip.

- Prepared a new journal to begin tomorrow.

- Rescheduled my haircut for the end of the month. (Too busy this week!)

Posted at 03:36 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (2)

Monday, June 11th, 2012

Of Note: St. Barnabas Day

Housekeeping: clean bedrooms, start laundries

(This was a crazy-busy day with back-to-back out-of-the-house classes - will try to "catch up" tomorrow.)

Weather: partly cloudy, mild

Dinner:

no-nitrate hot dogs on wheat buns

Alphatots :)

baked beans

salad

ice cream and fruit

Nature:

- Found garter snake nest in a stone wall by the driveway. HUGE snake inside the nest (lots of shedded skins beside the crack in the wall) ...

- Today spotted a tiny garter snake in the front lawn. (Must be one the "hatchlings.")

- Attended a geology class/hike with our homeschool group today. Walked through a boulder-filled woodland, and learned a lot! (Post to come soon at my main blog.)

- Heard a wood thrush trilling in the woods ... the hike leader helped us identify it.

Notes of the Day:

- Fell woefully behind this weekend, and so missed both Saturday and Sunday posts. (It was bound to happen sooner or later!) I have to tell you though, we had a wonderful supper last night ...

grilled "teriyaki" chicken and beef

rice

soy-butter asparagus

roasted garlic bread

grilled pineapple with coconut sorbet

Posted at 06:49 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, June 8th, 2012

Of Note:

Housekeeping: clean learning/sitting room, neaten desk, sort/organize school supplies, finalize weekend errand lists, organize soccer gear

Weather: morning fog, midday sun, afternoon storms

Dinner:

soccer practice night!

baked ziti

meatloaf "meatballs"

salad

rolls

cookies & fruit

Nature:

- Crackerjack spotted a hawk flying over with *something* in his beak. Eek. :-/

- Checked the robin's nest today ... it appears to be abandoned. :-(

Notes of the Day:

- Mum came over to stay with the boys while I did my food shopping (and several errands) this morning. No more Saturday shopping for me! :D

Posted at 07:08 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Of Note: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day*

Housekeeping: trash/recycling (boys), clean dining room, clean family room, start new file folder/start planning next week, organize coupons, peruse store flyers, start dinner menu for next week

Weather: crazy midday storms ... nice evening

Dinner:

grilled chicken-spinach-cheese panini

(plain grilled cheese for the less adventurous palates)

tossed salad

waffle chips

*chocolate ice cream with fresh berries and homemade raspberry sauce

Nature:

- So many bugs in the house, it's driving me nuts! I love observing bugs/insects in their natural habitat, but in my house ... I DON'T THINK SO!

- Drove through an unnerving thunderstorm taking Bookworm to Art.

Notes of the Day:

- Spent a good deal of time tackling the linen closet. Went through old toiletries and medicinal supplies. Added fresh contact paper to shopping list.

Posted at 06:50 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (4)

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

Of Note: Anniversary of D-Day (1944)

Housekeeping: clean the kitchen, clear fridge/freezer/cabinets of old food, scrub and soak sink, begin weekend marketing list, organize trash & recycling

Weather: drizzly morning, afternoon sun

Dinner:

leftovers night!

leftover rhubarb crisp for dessert

Nature:

- We have not seen the robins near the nest in a few days. It's been too wet to go peek.

Notes of the Day:

- Started cleaning out our bedroom closet today ... fixed a dresser drawer on my own!

- Filled a bag with clothes for donation.

Posted at 07:04 PM in Diary Entry | Permalink | Comments (0)