Wednesday, July 29, 2026
possibilities
This was a pretty simple week for meals, especially since I planned 2 nights out to eat. The only planned meal we did not have was the steak dinner, which will carry over to this week's possiblities.
Steak, baked potato, tossed salad
Am I a master of going out to eat or what???
Son3 is working in Birmingham for about 12 days and staying at our house. He may or may not be eating with us for dinner, but I am planning meals that will be easy for him to grab on the fly.
I made this week's suggestions with the hope of having all meals at home, but with the understanding most likely we will go out to eat or take out one night.
This week's possibilities
1. Spaghetti, meat sauce, tossed salad
2. Grilled fish, rice, grilled veggies
3. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad
4. White bbq chicken, potato salad, coleslaw
5. Lemon garlic chicken thighs, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes
6. Veggie dinner TBD
7. Hot dogs with all the fixings, dilled green beans, baked beans, chips
Monday, July 27, 2026
Last Week Was Heavenly
Once again I was relying on the first song on my Spotify playlist to determine what I would be listening to for the week. Monday morning bright and early I opened Spotify, clicked on Discover Weekly and the first song I heard was this version of Pennies From Heaven. Since the only penny song I could think of off the top of my head was Penny Lane, I chose Heaven instead. Yes, I choose the easiest path.
Monday: Pip wanted to go thrifting again and we went to Vapor. It is a humming store that is crowded all of the time. Son1 went with us and even he got in on the thrift trend. Pip found 2 shirts and a pair of sunglasses there. I found a couple of silver necklaces to layer with some I already have, and Son1 found a couple of pairs of shorts.
We came home had a quick lunch and she decided she NEEDED to go to the Galleria. I begged out of going, but gave her some money to buy 2 things at Hollister, if she saw anything she liked. (Of course I knew she would find "likes")
Once home My Beloved Sister came over and they had a swim fest. Pip will stay in the water for hours by herself but loves it when others join her.
What I learned: Vapor really is a cool place for teens to find a lot of nice and reasonably priced clothes. Our total for everything was under 30 dollars.
Listened to: Stairway to Heaven
BBQ pork butt, potato salad, mac and cheese, collards, baked beans, banana pudding, cheesecake
Tuesday: Sleeping Beauty AKA Pip woke in time to get ready and go with My Beloved Sister and me to my happy place. Pip told her dad on the flight into Nashville that she hoped she would get to go to Independence Place. She went with me last summer just for a visit, but Tuesday was my scheduled volunteer cooking day. We did an experimental mango poke cake which they loved, and especially loved having Pip with with them while they all ate the cake.
One of the participants is non verbal and asked her (through his IPad) specifically to sit by him.
After the cake they were a little hyped up (they actually were a high energy group before we got there) and we moved into a larger room for an impromptu dance party, including learning the haka. Now we are all ready to join in the next time we see a New Zealand soccer game.
Listened to: Thank Heaven for little girls
I remember seeing Gigi when I was a kid and how much I liked it, plus having Pip around reminds me of how much I needed to see that particular girl.
Dinner: The four of us went to Trivia night at The Electric and had a lot of fun. We were a pretty decent team and only missed 2 answers.
Reuben sandwiches, coleslaw or pepperoni flatbread
Wednesday: Pip and Son1 went to Son2's house to see the 3"puppies" who weigh anywhere from 87 pounds to the runt who is just barely 62 pounds.
While they were gone I attacked the mountains of laundry that had accumulated since we left to go to the Helen Keller play.
What I learned: This is a lesson I have to learn again and again. Keep up with the blooming laundry!
Listened to: Heaven Must Have Sent You From Above
Who doesn't love a little Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell
Thursday: Son1 and Pip had to be in Nashville for their 4:30 flight. We left Birmingham at 9:30 and got through Nashville by about 12:45. Son3 and DIL3 met us at an extremely cool sandwich shop for lunch. We ate and visited until a little after two, dropped them off at the airport then started the trip home.
By the time we were out of the airport and on the interstate, the traffic had picked up considerably. Ugh!!! It took us quite a while to get through Nashville, but once we were past the last suburbs we made decent time and got to Birmingham just in time to be in the drive time traffic. Another Ugh!!!
We did finally make it home and thankfully we had nothing to unload.
What I learned: We are getting a little long in the tooth for an 8 hour driving day.
Listened to: Tears in Heaven
What a lovely tribute to his son
Dinner: We got in the house and I raided the refrigerator for a zap and eat dinner from the bbq leftovers.
Pulled pork, mac and cheese, potato salad, tomato slices ( And yes I understand we had no vegetables. Deal with it.)
Friday: This is what I am calling a perfect day. I stayed home all day, got the sheets from the upstairs bedrooms washed and folded (did not go back up to make the bed) and had what I am calling a "fix it" day.
I did a good bit of mending, cut several inches from a dress to be hemmed to tunic length (did not start hemming) and repaired several pieces of jewelry. I had 2 necklaces that had lost the lobster claw clasp, a few bracelets that needed new jump rings, another bracelet that needed to be restrung, a couple of other necklaces that needed some quick renovations to be a little more current, and earrings that were too long for me to wear now (they just looked a little too young for my old face) but could be easily shortened.
Years ago I bought a set of jewelry tools, that sat unused until Friday. I was very glad I had them because it made the repairs very easy to do. I am also glad at the same time I bought them I bought packages of jump rings, earring backs, ear wires, lobster claw catches, and etc. Having what I needed on hand made all the difference in the world.
What I learned: If you have the proper tools repairs are so much easier.
Listened to: Knocking on Heaven's Door
Just in case you are wondering Bob Dylan is co-founder of Heaven's Door Whiskey
Dinner: Our tomatoes are going hog wild now and they need to be used at every meal.
BLT salad, crackers
Saturday: It was a beautiful morning, and because we have had so much rain lately, was a huge treat. Most mornings lately I have been greeted by overcast gray skies, so this was wonderful.
Mid-day TheHub and I went to play bingo at the Parkinson's of Alabama Jr. Board fundraiser. It was a fun event and one I think they can easily build on next year. Neither of us won, other than making a contribution, which we both think is a win since Parkinson's affects so many.
And right as we were leaving a gully washer hit complete with lightning and thunder. So much for the beautiful day!
What I learned: The Jr. Board has a brilliant game plan. A registration fee provided you with 2 bingo cards and some refreshments. However they were playing 3 games, which meant you needed to buy an additional card if you wanted to play the third game.
Listened to: Heaven is a Place on Earth
Belinda Carlisle after her Go-Go's days and " We've Got the Beat"
Dinner: We had a few taco shells left over from last week that needed to be used, along with some ground chuck that was thawed
Tacos and all the fixings
Sunday: We were back in our usual Sunday routine of waking early to go to the communion service before going into the sanctuary for our traditional morning service. Our Sunday school class does not meet in July and will start back the first Sunday in August.
So, as church was over at 9:30, we headed home to make a big breakfast. I am not normally a breakfast eater, but I had been awake for several hours and was getting hungry.
We hung around the house for the rest of the day and both of us were tired. Not sure why but we were.
TheHub took a nap while I worked straightening 2 shelves in the freezer
What I learned: I learned that the biblical measure for flour, 1 ephah is roughly 5.8 gallons of flour
Listened to: Heaven Knows
I have no idea how I thought of this song. I had to do a google search based on the few lyrics I knew to come up with the song title and band.
Dinner: I found a large pack of vegetable soup in the freezer, so our dinner planned itself. I also found a can of fruit cocktail in the pantry that needed to be used.
Vegetable soup, fruit cocktail cobbler*
Book read: Once There Were Wolves
Have a great week.
May all your weeds be wildflowers
Anne
*This was an experiment using canned juice packed fruit cocktail and pancake mix. I was surprised how well it worked out.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Wednesday through Tuesday Maybes
The past Wednesday - Tuesday meal plan
Tacos and all the fixings
Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad
Just in case meal ___White bbq chicken, coleslaw, corn on the cob
Yikes! We went out to eat 3 nights and brought in take out bbq another.
I guess this is just what happens when Pip is in the house!
Moving the steak and taco dinners to this weeks meal plan.
Now the only question is, will I actually stay with the plan*?
A new week is filled with possibilities.
1. Out to eat (planned final dinner with Son1, Pip. Son2 and DIL2)
2. Out to eat (driving home after drop off at Nashville airport )
3. Soup and tomato sandwich
4. BBQ meal leftovers
5. Tacos and fixings
6. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad
7. BLT salad, toast
*The coming 7 days are fluid and our plans could change at the drop of a hat. Judging by our July so far, they probably will.
Monday, July 20, 2026
Remembering the past week
I seem to be letting my Discover Weekly Spotify playlist determine my music selections for the week. Monday the song Banana Bay appeared as the first song on the week's suggestions.
So this week's music will be all about bananas, or at least it will be until I can't think of any more banana songs when I might shift to any other tropical fruit.
Pretty song
I had not seen my friend, F, in several months. We caught up with all the comings and goings of our lives, as well as our (now adult) kids. It is hard to believe this group of little folks that used to run around playing in the yard are all now grown, and starting families of their own. Time flies!
What I learned: All the latest details about F's family. They had a lot of great news!
Listened to: Yes, We Have No Bananas
This was the first banana song that popped into my mind
Dinner: Finally. no more leftovers!
BBQ ribs, tossed salad
Tuesday: I woke to rain and an incredibly sore knee. There is definitely a correlation between barometric pressure and joints, no matter what "they" say.
I had mostly a stay at home and rest the knee type of day, which included a ton of reading, until late afternoon.
We had a surprise phone call. Son1 and Pip were coming for a visit later this week. Yay!!!!
TheHub decided he wanted to go to trivia. I really did not feel like it but I am trying very hard to be accommodating, so we went.
It was actually fun once we were there.
What I learned: At trivia I learned that a chiropodist is a term other countries use for what we call podiatrist.
Listened to: The Chiquita Banana Song
When I was a kid my mom and her sister used to sing this song they remembered hearing on the radio ad when they were kids
Dinner: We were at The Electric for trivia so we ordered dinner.
Pastrami sandwich, coleslaw
Wednesday: This was another stay at home day when I should have been getting the guest room and Pip's room ready for their visit instead of reading a good part of the day. Oops!!! And to think, I began the day with really good intentions.
What I learned: Put the book down and do what needs to be done before reading!
Listened to: Day-O!
Settled for lyrics rather than bananas in the title
Dinner: Tacos and all the fixings
Thursday: This was a different kind of day for us. A while back we bought tickets to see "The Miracle Worker" play performed on the grounds of Ivy Green, Helen Keller's birthplace.
It is located in Tuscumbia, Al. right in the far north west corner of the state. We had plans to do a little sightseeing, dinner, show, and then spend the night.
We got away a little later than we hoped we would because I still had to get the bedrooms ready for Son1 and Pip's visit, and TheHub had some business he had to take care of. In fact, I had to drive so he could be a part of a Zoom call scheduled for when we would be in the car.
We arrived at the hotel, unpacked, and drove to Muscle Shoals to have dinner, which was only a total of 15 minutes from the hotel then went back to the hotel, freshened up and headed to the play.
If I say it was wonderful, it is an understatement. The young girl who played Helen was truly amazing in an extremely difficult and physically challenging role. I would like to go back next summer to see it again.
Not very good photos of the staging for the play
Out building where Annie and Helen lived in seclusion
What I learned: Tuscumbia is a more vibrant place than I ever thought it was. Our next visit to the area will include a visit to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (Had no idea it was there)
Listened to: Banana Phone
Pip reminded me of this song when I FaceTimed with her Tuesday afternoon. I would sing it along with her when we were talking on the phone when she was much younger.
Dinner: We ate at Champy's
Grilled tnederloins, coleslaw
Friday: This is when our plans changed. Son1 and Pip flew into Nashville Thursday. (It was several hundred $ cheaper than flying into Birmingham) They spent the night with Son3 and DIL3 and we left Tuscumbia and picked them up there after taking everyone out for lunch.
The ride back to Birmingham was brutal. It took us about 60 minutes just to get out of East Nashville. I am going to investigate alternate routes to bypass 40 and 65 until outside of the city. Nashville has definitely grown to big for its interstate system. In addition to moving at a snail's pace we were driving through torrential rains, almost the entire trip home.
Once here, Pip wanted to swim. She has always been a water child.
After swimming we were watching Young Sheldon. Her body was operating on a different time zone than mine, and finally at about 2:30 am she decided to go to bed. I stayed up about 30 minutes later straightening things up a bit.
What I learned: Traffic is as bad at 2:30 in Nashville as it is at 5:00
Listened to: Banana Pancakes
I love this song and listen to Jack Johnson a lot.
Dinner: We did not get home until much later than we planned. It was easier to order take out than to make anything.
Beef and broccoli, orange chicken, kung pao chicken
Saturday: I woke, still extremely tired at about 8 and all I could think (evil thoughts) was about waking Pip. I didn't, but I thought it!
Instead, I stumbled to the kitchen to make coffee___lots of coffee!
Son1 woke and came downstairs to join me (he went to sleep way before we did) and I enjoyed talking with him.
When Pip finally made her appearance at about 2:30 (though she swears she was awake by 1:30, TheHub and I were dressed to go to a wedding at 3. Our neighbor's son was getting married. We have known him since he was a little fellow and we were happy to get to be a part of his happy day.
We made it to the church in ample time and found a totally empty parking lot.
Unfortunately I did not have my glasses on when I checked the time (Friday evening ) I had written on my calendar. The 3 o'clock wedding was actually at 5.
Decisions! We contemplated going home, changing clothes for about and hour and a half, redressing and going to the wedding. (We had already decided to skip the rehearsal since Son1 and Pip were in town)
Once back at the house, we figured we did not have time to go at 5 and be back in time for Son2, Dil2, and My Beloved Sister who were all coming over for dinner at 6. Even a traditional protestant ceremony would be pushing it, leaving no time to cook.
One day this will be something funny we look back on, but Saturday there was no humor in it at all.
What I learned: Wear glasses when reading and double check everything.
Listened to: Banana Wind
Just a pretty Jimmy Buffet instrumental number. He must have needed a few more minutes for his album, but had no extra lyrics in his tank.
Dinner: We had invited family over to a simple dinner
Burgers, all burger fixings, Voodoo potato chips, watermelon
Sunday: Once again we skipped church because Pip and Son1 were here. We see them so seldom ( Usually 2 times a year) and I don't want to miss a moment they are here.
Sleeping Beauty AKA Pip woke with a plan. She wanted to go thrifting. For a non shopper like me, I would ordinarily take a big pass, but for my only grandchild, yep, I went happily.
On our way home from Goodwill we passed an Asian grocery store. Suddenly Pip NEEDED tteokbokki. I had never heard of it before but you can bet your boots we stopped there. $42 dollars later we left. It turns out just the front aisles were all Asian, but the back half of the store was International. We only walked down the African and Mediterranean aisles because Pip was ready to get home to have lunch. She made it once we got in the house and wanted me to try it. The taste is fine but it has the consistency of a savory gummy worm. It's definitely something I can do without, forever.
The soccer game was going, Son2 and DIL2 came by, so we had a partial crew here to watch. DIL1 joined us, via Facetime, though she was really watching on her own tv and just commenting about the game.
Listened to: Loving You Has Made Me Bananas
When I was a freshman in college some friends and I were playing truth or dare. I chose dare and had to learn and sing (just the song part) to a total stranger without revealing it was part of a game.
More than a little embarrassing
Dinner: Chicken alfredo, sliced raw veggies, green beans
Books read : Rock, Paper, Scissors
I See You've Called In Dead
Have a great week!
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
Bonus Banana Song: The Banana Splits ShowTheme Song
My Beloved Sister reminded me of this show she watched when she was a kid, and how she was terribly disappointed when she turned 16 and could not find a 6 wheeled car.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Wednesday through Tuesday Possible Meals
The past week had one planned dinner out, but in reality we ate 2 meals out. I also did not count on as many leftovers as we had. You all know that no food waste thing, and I was not about to toss perfectly good food.
I am not moving any meals we did not eat forward. We are having guests for the week that we did not plan on, but are thrilled they are coming. I am not sure how they would like some of the meals I would have made if it were just for TheHub and me. So a totally new plan
is in order.
The Past Week's Plan:
Chicken paprikash, mashed potatoes, cucumber tomato onion salad
Picadillo over rice, green beans
Chicken and dumplings, brussels sprouts, sliced tomatoes
Soup and sandwich TBD
This Weeks Plan:
Out to eat
Out to eat
Out to eat (I know we will go out at least once, but possibly thrice)*
Burgers and all the fixings
Tacos and all the fixings
Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad
Chicken alfredo, tossed salad
Just in case meal ___White bbq chicken, coleslaw, corn on the cob
*Excessive? Yep, but we have a very unusual Thursday and Friday happening which changes just about everything.
Have a good week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all
Monday, July 13, 2026
Another Week Has Flown
Monday morning, my Spotify Discover Weekly list had a song I had never heard before "Clarinet Marmalade" . I listen to Bix Beiderbecke sometimes so I get this is a result of that.
After listening to it, I thought it might be fun to listen to "marmalade" songs this week. Of course without really thinking I can only think of three right off the top of my head. I guess I will see how this works.
Monday: I did leave the house but I only went outside to do a few things. I was just glad to be at home for the majority of the day.
TheHub needed to take his car in to fix what was ailing it, so I drove to the shop to pick him up. Once in the car we did a few errands, gassed up my car, then I sat in the parking lot at Costco while he ran in to grab a couple of things. I would have gone in with him if I had on "go out in public and be seen clothes". Instead I was wearing "stay in the car and maintain a low profile clothes", so I did just that.
We got home and I took my shower for the day and did a little self care. I know some of you have beautiful long manicured nails. Once mine reach a certain length they drive me nuts and I cut them very short. I use my hands a lot and long nails get in my way.
After the shower, applying a face mask, and clipping and filing my nails, it was time to do a little cuticle treatment. Then pamper time was over and was back to the grindstone AKA housework.
That night we watched America vs. Belgium. It was not a pretty game, and I hate the USA team lost, but I knew I would continue watching the rest of the games (or at least halfway watch while reading)
What I learned: When leaving the house make sure I have on decent clothes. If TheHub dawdles too much at Costco, I might have to make an emergency pit stop before I reach home (and you know, the not being seen in public clothes. . . ).
Listened to: The obvious choice "Lady Marmalade"
Dinner: Chicken rice and broccoli casserole
Tuesday: I wanted to stay home the entire day, and I did mostly until TheHub declared he wanted to go to The Electric for their trivia night.
I enjoy going there but had visions of staying in my shorts, tee shirt, and flip flops with no makeup for the duration of the day. Didn't happen.
What I learned: Once dressed and there, trivia was a lot of fun and worth spending time getting ready to go.
Listened to: The Jelly Jungles of Orange Marmalade
Dinner: I had not planned on eating out, but we were at The Electric.
Reuben Sandwich, coleslaw
Wednesday: My Beloved Sister and I were able to go to my happy place again. I had not been since our big trip and I missed seeing all the participants.
I brought back a recipe from a side dish we had in Hungary, but had to purchase a safety mandoline slicer before I would try it there..
I try to insure the participants safety first and foremost, which means I have accrued an array of gadgets I would not normally need or use. But honestly they enjoy using them.
With the exception of a couple of participants who hate cucumbers, the Hungarian cucumber salad was a pretty big hit.
After time there, we arrived back at the house and I found a package near the front door.
We will be going to a Parkinson's Gala in September and the dress I had ordered arrived. TheHub will be wearing a tux and I needed something formal. I am not a shiny glitzy person and found a fairly simple navy dress. It was not my first choice but it was very inexpensive, and I knew if I did not like it, I had time to return it and order another
I tried it on right then and there while My Beloved Sister was available to offer an opinion on how it looked. We both agreed it would be perfectly fine, especially since most likely it would be worn only once.
What I learned: Sometimes the cheapest option can be the best option
Listened to: "Marmalade from Paddington the Musical)
Dinner: I had a brisket that needed to be used, so I thawed it and stuck it in the crockpot on low for about 15 hours. Wow it was good!
Brisket, coleslaw, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers
Thursday: I woke, got dressed and picked up My Beloved Sister. She had to had a little procedure (she's fine) that required some sedation, so I was her designated driver. While she was inside, I was in the freezing waiting room. You know the room is too cold if the nurses are wearing sweatshirts under their scrubs, and the receptionist will occasionally open the window asking if anyone needs blankets.
After it was over I pulled my car into the pickup spot and had to go inside to get her and listen to their instructions for aftercare. It would not have been a big deal except my knee popped partially out of joint and hurt like a son of a gun.
I was supposed to be taking care of her instead of gimping along saying a lot of really ugly words as we made it to Walmart to pick up her scripts, and ice cream. (I think it is the law if you have any sort of procedure you must have ice cream afterward.)
Got her to her house than I came home to take Advil and put on a knee brace, before getting off my feet for a bit.
Son3 and DIL3 came down for a visit which made us very happy. They were here in February when DIL3's folks were in Birmingham, and it was nice to have them at our house again.
What I learned: If the knee acts up, put pride aside and use a cane.
Listened to: I understand this might be a stretch, but it does mention marmalade skies.
"Lucy in the Skies"
Pastichio, tossed salad, garlic bread, red velvet cupcakes
Friday: Son3 and DIL3 swam until the now regular afternoon thunderstorm began. After the swim they took off to ride around and find something for lunch.
TheHub and I stuck around the house. I talked with MBS then I finished reading the most current book from my reading list, and hung out until it was time to get ready for an early dinner
What I learned: When I am reading I often have to research things I am unfamiliar with. So I now know how to test for the presence of human blood in liquids. Do not even ask why I needed to know, because I have no idea. I just know I needed that info before I could continue reading.
Listened to: I could not think of anything else with marmalade, so I switched to it's culinary cousin___jelly.
Jam Up and Jelly Tight
What I learned: Much more about recording equipment than I thought I would ever know.
Dinner: We (TheHub DIL3, Son3 and me) met Son2 and DIL2 at Perry's for dinner.* It was a great meal, mostly from the conversations and company, made even greater by our server, Alex.
I love help that is knowledgeable about all the foods and the prep without being intrusive.
Shared appetizers were shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare, spinach/artichoke dip. My entree was lamb chops. Others had fish or pork. Shared sides were asparagus, brussels sprouts, potatoes au gratin. Shared desserts were bread pudding, and chocolate towers.
Saturday: I woke to Son3 cooking breakfast and making coffee. I am not a breakfast fan, but having coffee ready when I wake is a bonus I was happy to find.
We talked about their studio build and the equipment it will take to get them off and running. (Much equipment and several instruments they do not already have)**
Listened to : Jelly Roll Blues
Dinner: I had planned on having chicken and dumplings (one of Son3's favorites) however, I had frozen a slab of ribs and a pound of pulled pork after the 4th meal. I chose simple over a favorite meal.
Ribs, pulled pork, collard greens, au gratin potatoes (leftover from Perry's) DIL3 has some dietary restrictions but had tuna leftover from her Perry's dinner. (Their portions are more than generous)
Sunday: DIL3 and Son3 woke, ate breakfast, took some duplicate garden tools we no longer need (plus they took some items from the freezer!) packed their car and said their goodbyes until we see them again. It was a very nice visit!
We missed church, but streamed the service while I had coffee and TheHub had hot tea. It is not the same as being there, but you do what you can, right?
TheHub put together an adirondack rocker I bought last week. We are replacing our existing outdoor furniture with poly-wood items. They are outdoors and exposed to the weather year round and we need a more rugged material. The metal chair frames have rusted a bit, and we decided we want something requiring less maintenance.
I was very tired after the kids left, read a bit, talked with Sluggy, talked with My Beloved Sister before dozing off in a rocking chair on the screened porch. It was hot but I had the overhead fans on and the breeze kept me reasonably cool.
What I learned: A friend's daughter is getting married . . . to a Vol fan!!!!
* Next time we are all planning to go to Gian Marcos. DIL3 has never been there.
Listened to: Jelly, Jelly
Dinner: Leftovers again
Leftover brisket, mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes (straight from the garden)
Read this week: Confessions (highly recommend)
Have a great week.
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
** They will be able to use the drum kit we have in the music room upstairs, as additional drums. That is a win/win. They will have an extra drum kit for their studio, and the drums will be gone from our house forever.
Friday, July 10, 2026
Oh no! Just (under) 6 month till Christmas
June came and went in an eye blink. I had visions of being in Europe and bringing back all sorts of gifts I would never be able to find here.
It turns out people like me who do not like to shop, don't really want to shop no matter what country they are in. Our river cruise tours kept us very busy with little free time anyway, and the last thing I wanted to do was shop.
So I came home from this trip of a lifetime, and the only thing I brought home that even remotely relates to Christmas, was a few addresses of folks we met that I added to our Christmas card list.
Then we were home for just a few days before going to the beach for a quick trip, and nothing was done toward any Christmas prep.
I guess you could say, I flunked Christmas prep in June. Hope springs eternal and there is always July!
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Wednesday through Tuesday menu plan
I am still determined to use at least one item from (food storage) both the freezer and pantry each day. Hopefully I will use more than that but who knows?
Planned for the past 7 days
3. Chicken paprikash, mashed potatoes, cucumber tomato onion salad
6. Picadillo over rice, green beans
Used from the freezer
1 pack ground chuck
2 beef filets
sugar free cake slices
4 chicken breasts
Used from the pantry
1 can Italian green beans
1 sugar free chocolate pudding mix
1 lb pasta
1 keto brownie mix
brown rice
Bob Gibson's white bbq sauce
Ollie's red bbq sauce
Gift Certificate/s used:
Vecchia
The Uneaten meals from last week will join this, the next 7 day meal plan:
Chicken paprikash, mashed potatoes, cucumber tomato onion salad
Picadillo over rice, green beans
Beef brisket, mashed potatoes, coleslaw
Pastichio, chicken alfredo, tossed salad, dinner rolls
Out to eat*
Chicken and dumplings, brussels sprouts, sliced tomatoes
Soup and sandwich TBD
* Son3 and DIL3 will be in town for the weekend. At the same time, we are trying to use some of the gift certificates we purchased at last years various charity auctions, before they all begin again in the fall. We will be using one for Perry's Friday night.
I am hopeful while they are here, some other items for other meals will be used from the freezer and pantry.
Monday, July 6, 2026
The week that passed
We were at the beach all day Monday and Tuesday I did not listen to anything. However, once we were home Wednesday night I began with what I intended to listen to all week.
Since this is the fourth of July week I thought it might be a grand idea to listen daily to some traditional 4th tunes.
Monday: Gigantic breakfast. Chris and Peggy's house. Toured Dauphin Island, visited and sat on their gigantic beautiful porch watching life on the water happen.
What I learned: The west end of Dauphin Island was seriously harmed during the last hurricane. It lost a lot of its beach. There is even one house with the front facing the gulf, that now sits directly over the water. No beach remains in front of it. Mother Nature always wins.
Listened to: Family conversations
Dinner: Broiled grouper, tossed salad, squash casserole, sliced tomatoes, crab dip.
Tuesday: We made plans to visit Bayou La Batre. If you ever saw Forrest Gump you will remember Bubba was from there, and it was where Forrest went to start his shrimping empire.
In reality it is a fishing (primarily shrimping) town on the far west coast of Alabama, and looks pretty much like it was depicted in the movie.
The bonus was eating at a restaurant (it had just a few too many tables to avoid being called a true dive) with the best sautéed crab claws I have even eaten. If you find yourself in Bayou La Batre stop in the Lighthouse for a treat.
Don't worry about what you are wearing. As long as it is clothing. it would be impossible to be underdressed.
After lunch we rode around the area before going back to their house.
What I learned: I learned about some family concerns I had never heard before.
Listened to: Family conversations
Dinner: Shrimp, salad, leftover squash casserole
Wednesday: We woke, packed and started our trip home from our family trip. It was a gorgeous day for travel and because we had nothing planned once we were back in Birmingham, we took our time and stopped at a couple of places we like to stop.
Our first was to stop at QT for gas for the car and coffee for me. They have really delicious coffee there, but be warned; their small is like a large everywhere else.
The next stop was the Conecuh Sausage Store. If you have been reading me for any length of time you know what a fan of Conecuh sausage I am. We left with 4 pounds of original sausage, 4 pounds of sausage "dogs", and 2 pounds of traditional sausage patties. (My already overstocked freezer was not happy about this, but it's a done deal, so some rearranging had to take place)
We bought a car refrigerator a couple of years ago before our cross country road trip was cancelled. It came in very handy to keep all of the sausage cold.*
Our 3rd stop was to eat at Bates House of Turkey. TheHub wants to eat there every time we pass it. Not my favorite but it is perfectly fine, and I am not about to ruin the pleasure he get from eating there by using my veto power.
The 4th and final stop was Peach Park in Clanton. TheHub has always gotten a fried peach pie there, but that is no longer working for him. It might not be a stop anymore.
We were happy to beat the rain, and got unloaded and in the house while everything was still dry.
What I learned: While talking to Son3 on the way home I learned they are coming to visit the weekend of then 11th,.
Listened to: Sirius radio one the road and, once home, heard America the Beautiful
Pimento cheese sandwich
Thursday: I began to do the laundry from our quick trip, made coffee, and made a grocery list from the week's ads while listening to music. I love having music around me all of the time.
I had to run to the bank because my credit card was due and I pay it off in full each month to keep from accruing finance charges. Also, knowing I will pay it off each month keeps my monthly use it in check.
Listened to: I was listening to my Spotify playlist for the 4th of July when this song came on. Gotta love a little Kate.
God Bless America*
Dinner: Stuffed bell pepper, green beans, coleslaw
Friday: TheHub and I headed out for a few errands, primarily buying BBQ for the 4th. Our Lady of Sorrows Knights of Columbus cooks and sells everything needed for a 4th celebration. We were only interested in the ribs and pulled pork, and wound up buying 2 slabs of ribs and 2 pounds of pork butt.
We ran that by the house then headed to Aldi for some other things we needed for the 4th. While we were out we stopped at Vecchia and used a gift card to get a couple of things for my already overloaded freezer.
(We have a bunch of gift cards and certificates leftover from silent auction purchases we have bid on, and won, at various fundraisers we attend every year. We decided we would start using them intentionally rather than letting them continue to sit in a basket. Especially since fundraiser season begins again in September.)
We put those things away before heading out for the final couple of errands we needed to do.
I did a little prep work in the kitchen for the 4th, including baking cookies and brownies, and making a pasta salad. I did not want to be baking during the hot daytime, and the pasta salad needed time to get really cold.
Later that night we watched The Capitol Fourth on tv.
Listened to: This is My CountryWhat I learned: After watching several World Cup games, and even though I have no clue what all the rules are, I really do like watching soccer (or football if you are from somewhere else)
Dinner: White bbq chicken***, mixed vegetables, cooked cabbage, cornbread
After a late, long, and conversation filled lunch TheHub showed all of his photos from Europe, to everyone. Then they all went home.
Both have dogs they needed to check on and possibly drug before the fireworks began.
I took a long nap (I don't sleep well when I am away from home and had also been staying up too late and getting up too early). Sometime during my nap, TheHub took one too. We woke in time to do a little grazing before watching a PBS 4th broadcast from Williamsburg Virginia.
What I learned: The PBS special had some wonderful mentions about some lesser known Revolutionary War participants.
Listened to: The Star Spangled Banner
Who does this better than Whitney?
Lunch: Ribs, pulled pork, potato salad, pasta salad, watermelon, chips, brownies, cookies. With all that for lunch who needed dinner?
Sunday: Because it was the 4th weekend our church only had one service Sunday, no Sunday School and no evening services. TheHub and I decided we would not go and, instead, streamed it from my laptop while we sat at the table.
It was a lazy sort of a day with reading, laundry and a whiff of deluttering.
In the evening we watched soccer. I will admit I love seeing Norway win just so I can watch their Viking row!
It doesn't take a lot to make me happy, does it?
Listened to: Nothing in particular
Dinner: Steak, potato, tossed salad
Read: Dark of the Moon
Have a great week.
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
* It will also be handy for holding sodas for the 4th holiday
** I will add, God Bless the Whole World
*** Early in the week we got a box filled with Alabama "goodies" as a thank you. One of the items was a bottle of Big Bob Gibson's white bbq sauce. I never buy it and always make it from scratch, but since it was a gift, I used it
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Possible meals for the week
I am going to the grocery store this week but only to cherry pick sale items, because we really need nothing.
I am determined to use at least one item from (food storage) both the freezer and pantry each day. Hopefully I will use more than that but who knows?
The following meals reflect that plan.
1. Stuffed bell peppers, green beans, tossed salad, s.f. chocolate pudding
2. Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad, sf cake
3. Chicken paprikash, mashed potatoes, cucumber tomato onion salad
4.Bbq ribs, pulled pork, potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, sf brownies.
5. White bbq chicken, coleslaw, squash casserole
6. Picadillo over rice, green beans
7. Chickn rice and broccoli casserole, tossed salad
At this rate I should be showing signs of having a reduced pantry and freezer inventory in about a month, maybe!
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