UNDER THE SINK SPRUCED UP

GREETINGS FROM THE PRAIRIE.  May you have a blessed day.  

After watching videos about getting organized, it rubbed off and I started rethinking where things are to go in my KITCHEN.  I started with UNDER THE SINK.  

HUBBY painted the dingy cabinet under the sink during my week of working over the KITCHEN.  Under the sink wasn't ignored. It has been painted, lined and organized. That's one down and more to go.

Whaalaah...she's prudee once again.  

One lady that I watched used foam board first before lining the cabinet with contact paper.  I never would have come up with this idea on my own.  The foam board was cut to fit then covered with contact shelf liner paper.

This way you do not have to concern yourself with messing up the wood surface of the cabinet with sticky contact paper.

   

Onto to continuing CLEANING the KITCHEN.  Much to do.  I am using a folding table in the middle of the room as a staging station to work out the wrinkles in the room.  It has filled up to over flowing.  The countertops the same.

Keep in motion and it will eventually be done.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d
 

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

SUNDAY PRAYER

 

PRAYER is lovely communication with our Creator.

Inner Radiance and Attractiveness is something to pray about.

Blessings,

d

OCTOBER 10th

THE 10th MONTH...the 10th day.  How quickly the time has passed for me as we are already a third of the way through OCTOBER.  

OCTOBER continues to blow cooler winds into the neighborhood causing leaves to twirl off the tree branches.  

Apple Cider time with pumpkin treats.  Candy.  Some sweet treats for my Grands, children and Mom.  Treats a plenty.  Healthy vegetables found in pumpkin soup, zucchini bread, veggie pies.  Autumn Harvest at the door steps.  Pumpkins on the porch.  

HARVEST WREATHS for the front doors?  I hope so.  If I don't get to this before November 1st than I'll just accept that I am where I am concerning wreaths.  I'm gathering the items for the wreaths this week to come.  Hope to hang them as soon as I complete them. 

We got up early and drove to a Cross Country Meet.  MASK and SOCIAL DISTANCING a must.  The course was on a Country Club Golf course.  Very pretty countryside.  Our Grand ran and did well.  Afterwards I wanted to go on over to see a different town.  Have mercy, the trees were so gorgeous with colors changing to oranges and yellows.  Twas gorgeous.

Came HOME and had chips and salsa instead of a big meal.  NAP TIME came nigh.  I feel ruined.  Sometimes when I nap I do not wake up refreshed.  This is one of those times.  I didn't sleep well last night and then with getting up early, I think I am over tired.  Needed more rest.

I'll rise to the occasion and continue cleaning and tidying the KITCHEN.  It is the biggest mess I have created in years.  Terrible.  My decluttering is turning into a nightmare.  It has gotten really messy.  The mess happens before order is birthed.

I've got the grouping of items under control just not the muscle to move very fast.  I have to take breaks often.  Heave ho and away I go.

I will forge ahead and Lord help me make order.

As I read about more cases of Covid 19 and outbreaks, I don't know why our President is saying it is getting better.  It is disheartening.  A second wave is on the way.  Masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, social distance and be kind to yourself as you hunker down some more.  We can do this and do it well.    

HOME LIFE is for me,

d  

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE: French Pork Chops

Dining On The Prairie made easy.

Followed through with a recipe that I saw on the internet.

~French Pork Chops~

Slow cooking the Pork Chops in a crock pot for 5 hours 

made the Chops extremely tender and easy to chew.

SLOW COOKING is a key for tender Pork Chops.

One of the things I really like about using a crock pot is that you place the ingredients in the pot, turn the pot on and walk away allowing you to do other things while the meal is cooking.

Great for multi-taskers that juggle different things at the same time.

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

1 (14 oz.) bag of frozen sliced carrots

1 (8 oz.) package sliced button mushrooms

1 (15 oz.) can of whole peeled tomatoes

1 (15 oz.) can of cannelloni beans, drained

4 boneless thick cut pork chops

salt, pepper and herbs de Provence

1 (10 oz.) can of condensed cream of potato soup

1/4 cup dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

3 Tbsp. dry sherry

2 tsp. butter

3 Tbsp. seasoned bread crumbs

1 Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS

1) Combine carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes and drained beans in crockpot.  Turn crockpot on low.

2) Season chops on both sides with salt, pepper and herb de Provence. Place chops on top of vegetables.

3) In small bowl, combine soup, mustard, tomato paste, sherry, and tsp. of herb.  Pour over chops.

4) Cover and cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours.

5) In sauce pan over medium-high heat, melt butter.  When butter is melted and foam subsides, add bread crumbs and stir.  Serve chops and veggies sprinkled with bread crumbs and parsley.

Truly tender pork chops and tasty veggies.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

 

SNACKS ON THE PRAIRIE: Beef Franks in a Puff Pastry Blanket

OINK OINK...we call these Pigs in a Blanket, but since the product was HEBREW NATIONAL, the company has a gourmet name for this that has nothing to do with pigs.  All beef, not a mixture of chicken, pork and beef.  

Beef Franks in a Puff Pastry Blanket.  Flaky crust.  Tasty.  

They are so very very small.  Eeny eeny teeny weeny tiny.  Laughing out loud when seeing the actual size.  Just the right size for a snack or appetizer.  Not the general size of a hot dog wrapped in a biscuit. 

The picture on here is not close to the actual size of the product.  

I'd buy these again for appetizers if I were having guest over.  Quick.  Pop one in your mouth treat.  They were tasty and for that I would do it again.  

Snacks are not all bad,

d   

NEW! How To Organize Under The Kitchen Sink

WEDNESDAY.  Early this morning I jotted down what I hope to get done during the day.  Yesterday was victorious as I had my SPA TIME, went through loads of mail, worked at washing inside the 'under the sink' cabinet, clearing out one of the Kitchen cabinets and revamped part of the PANTRY.  Had a lovely supper, time on the computer reading.  When I did fall asleep, I slept hard.

Woke up ready to go.  Hubby surprise me as he was painting the inside of the UNDER THE SINK CABINET.   He plans on applying a second coat of paint this evening.  I will allow this to completely dry before placing items inside.  THIS WAS A BOOST.  This will become a nice refreshed cabinet for a cleaner and neater area.

Being sensible, I will allow myself an entire year to completely declutter and add order to my HOME.  I have some of those acrylic storage bins already in the fridge.  I would like to get more of these for the fridge and inside of the cabinets.  For the best price I'll check DOLLAR TREE and FAMILY DOLLAR.  I know DOLLAR GENERAL has some.  A container store is no where to be found in these parts of my world.  The bins are very handy for organizing and storage which helps to create an atmosphere of order.  

If I allow myself a complete year to get over the top organized throughout my HOME then I believe I can achieve what I want the outcome to be like.  If I get done sooner, all the better.  

This morning I have been working at continuing revamping the Pantry and the cabinet that will hold all the medicines, Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes, etc.  

I'm steadily working these spaces over, but I am extremely slow.  

As I walk past the Dining room table, I tweak about working on the Grandchildren's Halloween Treats.  I need to get some sugar-free candy for some of my children.  More cards.  Acrylic storage bins.  Writing out the grocery list.

Last week, I was at Hobby Lobby and purchased Christmas Ornaments for my Grands.  I'll need to get these wrapped and sent in November.  So in this respect, I'm ahead of the game.  By November, the KITCHEN will be tidied and organized to where I can give it more thought what foods and candies I will make.  If I work on Christmas cards and a letter, I'll be better off.  SO many times I make these plans and they get spoiled.  I'm writing Christmas cards out after Christmas.  It's doable.

WITTY WEDNESDAY.  Wednesday wisdom comes to mind.  

Dear Lord, I need your help.  If I read and think upon your guidelines for life, then actually apply these to my life, I will succeed.  I'll be victorious. I'll be far better off. 

HOME LIFE is for me,

d      

Denise Cooper helps me with this task.

RING MY BELL

TUESDAY and forging ahead.  I can only work for about 15 minutes then my back begins giving me so much trouble.  When I rest in my recliner, the cramping leaves.  I will have to make a visit to my Doctor about this and see what he thinks is going on. 

Not this week though.  I want to go prepared with questions written down so I can have an intelligent conversation with him that is time effective.  Questions about switching out the meds I am on that cause weight gain, elevated sugar levels and fatigue.  Curious.

I switched from one medicine that my endocrinologist's assistant thought might be causing coughing after I ate.  When I switched the coughing let up.  I think he was spot on.  Soooooo...I will forge ahead and ask my medical doctor about the other meds I take when I go to see him next.

I'm trying to avoid Doctor visits as much as possible.

The electric door bell rang.  On the other side of the door was a delivery man holding a box for a Traditional Victorian Mechanical Door Bell in Oil Rubbed Bronze that we ordered over the week-end.  I was delighted!!!  to get it as I have waited 40 months to improve what was there.  Mission accomplished.  THAT is satisfying. 

The interior door had no ringer dome on it as it just had a hole where one should be.  The original twist door bell was broken with no ringer dome.

Hubby immediately installed it to the front door then touched up with paint.  She has a nice tone to her.

To some, this is just a dumb clump of metal.  To me it is MUSIC TO MY EARS.  Looking at this puts a smile on my old face.

Not sure when we will paint the house a new color.  Giving it some thought and will have to wait until we can actually paint.  First comes the rebuild of the screened in porch.  TV Room.  Dining room painted.  Blah, blah, blah.

I continue cleaning my KITCHEN.  On my hands and knees washing the inside of the cabinet under the sink.  Getting up off the floor is a ridiculous endeavor.  It's a sight for sure. Truthfully, this needs a new coat of paint to completely freshen it up, but this will not happen this week.  The washing is as much as I can mustard up.  I'd like to complete the washing today and line with shelf liner tonight.  So tonight I have this completed and forge ahead full speed to the PANTRY project.  

KEEP MOVING.  Stay in motion and keep moving.

After I get this washed out I'll promote to SPA TIME for me.  The simplest thing becomes more challenging with a bad back.  I have to rest almost immediately after a shower.  I'll let my hair air dry to where I can do some other things while it's drying.  Like go through a week's worth of mail.

DURING the evening, I'll pop in and out of the Kitchen tweaking the PANTRY.  This is a slow moving project as I am very limited on the space being used.  

*Okay. let me get this all down.  This morning I worked on cleaning out the Kitchen Cabinet that has Baking Staples and moved items to the PANTRY.  Will pick this back up this evening.  

*Third round of washing inside of Kitchen Sink Cabinet.

*Afternoon Spa Time.

*MAIL gone through.

*Under Kitchen Sink Cabinet washed again.

*Back to organizing Baking Staples this evening.

*Line Sink Cabinet.

*Rest.

*Movie Time.

Before I go to bed, I will ring the new door bell.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

    

AUTUMN MAKES A GREAT TIME FOR DEEP CLEANING

VIDEOS ABOUT ORGANIZING.  Sunday, I overdosed on binge watching YouTube videos about organizing.  I got carried away and liked it.  Newest crush is ORGANIZING. Organizing.  This is more productive for me then watching regular television programs.  Seldom do I turn the tv on during the day.    

I don't miss the programs anymore.  I should have a spotless HOME, but I do not.  Perhaps if I get on the BAND WAGON I will be able to say once again, I do.  

Last evening, I decided to do some more shuffling of the Kitchen cabinets.  My Mixer has been hiding in a pull out drawer for 3 and half years.  This drawer was originally designed for the Kitchen Waste Can.  So, I placed the Mixer on the countertop until I can figure where to place it elsewhere. 

There's no denying The KITCHEN is a mess.  All righty then.  Moving right along.  It's not the end of the world.  Just looks it.  Late in September, I cleared off the counter tops, rearranged where things went.  Still merging along on this.  A foldable table was placed in the center of the room to hold the items.  I still haven't cleared off this table.  Boggles the mind how much there is to deal with.  

Do I need a KEEP area or a THROW AWAY area verses GIVE AWAY???    

This will take some effort to make all better.  I think about where items should go and shuffle some.  If I don't like it then I move things some more.  Still moving things.  I will that I will make headway.  I have to.  We cannot live like hermits burrowing into a cave.  

First the waste can relocated to the pull out drawer for a waste can.  I like it so far.  

Next under the sink.  Under the sink will be tidier for sure.  I'll wash the inside of the cabinet before lining it with shelf liner paper.  I got a great deal on this shelf liner from Dollar Tree. Pretty black and white floral print.  

After I finish the task, I will reorganize the pantry shelves that are behind the door leading to the basement.

 

The Pantry shelves are actually a book case with shelves.  

*I believe I will place on the top shelf of the book case, paper towels.  

*Next shelf down, the baking condiments such as salt, pepper, vanilla, flavorings, shortening, oils.  

*Two shelves for canned goods and nuts.  

*Close to the bottom shelf should be flours, sugars, beans, rice and noodles.  

*Bottom shelf will house spring water in bottles.  This will only take a couple of hours to complete, but with my bad back I will have to double the work time.

*There's the top of this book case that I might place paper plates, napkins and plastic ware.  Perhaps these ought to be in a basket.  

Relocating my baking and cooking staples will free up a cabinet to hold medicines, minerals, vitamins.  Maybe large mason jars full of spices and antique dishes.  

This first full week of October will be dedicated to revamping my KITCHEN.  I don't understand how this becomes such a big project.  Sounds easy enough, but isn't.  

AUTUMN does make for a great time to deep clean.  I pray that I do not FALL behind on my goals.

I may have to order on-line some Mrs. Meyer's Vinegar GEL Cleaner.  I hadn't heard of this before yesterday.  You make a paste with the gel and baking soda to clean splash tile.  I'll have to keep my eyes open for this.  I'd like to try it.

  

The two places that I know of that sells her products don't carry these.  The pleasant young woman that I visited with on the phone said due to what is going on, they are having difficulty getting products.

I know that Clorax Disinfectant Wipes are none to be found.  Has been this way for months.  I am having to use other products instead of my favorite Coconut Scented Wiping Clothes. 

A few years back I came across Nikki on the internet.  I was so impressed by her talent with organizing and decorating.  She's fantastic.  As luck would have it, I could not for the life of me remember her name.  I lost her in all of my clutter.

This week-end she reappeared.  I'm hooked.  

https://athomewithnikki.com     

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

SUNDAY PRAYER

Dear God, Fill us with beauty and happiness.  

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

d

 

TIME OUT

 

Late Thursday night I read that President Trump was waiting for the results of COVID 19 test and within minutes of seeing this, the results came in which our President tweeted that he and Melania tested positive.  Stunned. 

Frequently, he did not wear a mask nor did he social distance.  During the White House Covid 19 News Briefings, I was appalled how President Trump and Vice President Pence, the head of the task force, ignored following their own advice of wearing a mask and social distance.  

Many called his Rallies Covid Spreaders.  Many said the Pandemic was a hoax including our President.  When I saw how people crammed in to the rallies and ceremonies at the White House Rose Garden, I thought they were being foolish to not heed the warning that this is a highly contagious disease ignoring warnings to protect oneself.  Boggles the mind.    

Senators, Advisers, Campaign Manager, Honored Guest that were at the Rose Garden Announcement of Amy Coney Barrett being nominated for the Supreme Court Justice are becoming the latest victims of infection.  Could this virus shut down the Congress?  Shall see.    

Friday our President went to Walter Reed Hospital and began experimental meds to combat this virus.  As he walked across the lawn to get into the helicopter waiting to transport him to the Hospital, I noticed the tips of his ears were very red.  

This is something that happens to all three of my children when they have a fever.  President Trump had a fever at the time.  

I don't think it sounds good for experimental meds like Regeneron to be used on him, but he isn't taking Hydroxychloroquine as he promoted earlier this year to combat this horrid virus.  So many did not like the idea that Hydroxychloroquine should not be used for Covid.  Trump didn't listen.  He took it early on.  Where is Dr. Stella Immanuel that made news about promoting Hydroxychloroquine in Houston these days?  Remember her?  She believes that Demons have sex in your dreams to create illness in people.  Bizarre and not Biblical.  

     

I wonder why he isn't using it this go round with actual virus?  Did it cause mini-strokes and weakness before?   

I will continue to wear my mask, frequently washing my hands with soap and hot water, social distancing from others.  Avoiding coughing people and people in general.  Sometimes I wear gloves inside stores while shopping.  Getting prepared to HUNKER DOWN AGAIN before Winter comes.  Ramping up on Vitamin C.  DEEP CLEANING our HOME.  It's a LOVE GIFT to us to have a clean HOME.

Autumn seems to promote colds and flu.  This is a concern.  For now, I believe we need to protect ourselves and do things differently.  I don't see it as a violation of my freedoms.  

Many are praying for our President and Family.  Many.  Prayers for all needed.  Stay well hydrated and rest.

Yesterday, I worked on bills, sorted through paperwork, washed dishes, laundry, took time to rest and think, physically worked over at Retirement Cottage shuffling things to make way for an Exercise Room and gave myself an hour long foot treatment with frozen bagged green peas, watched the movie JUDY again.  We missed the first few minutes of the movie, Judy when we went to the Movie Theatre last year.  When I saw it was available to watch, I decided this would be the time to see the entire movie at HOME.  Very sad what happened to Judy Garland.  Very sad.  Enormous talent.      

I did make FRENCH PORK CHOPS in the crock pot.  The chops were tender and full of flavor.  All the rest was alright, but... I will probably never fix this again.  Very expensive to make and when I like plain 'ole pork chops better, I cannot see going to all the extra expense just to say they are FRENCH PORK CHOPS.  

Pleased that I tried something new and followed through with it.  Blue Ribbon for doing this.

I will say that the crinkled carrots cooked with white beans, mushrooms and tomatoes made a pretty good vegetable dish.  I'll cook white beans again with crinkled carrots.  I cannot believe my Husband ate the mushrooms without complaining, but he did.  grins.

Lord willing, this week I will continue working on the new TV room and the Exercise room.  Catch up on laundry.  Do some more paperwork.  Throughly clean the Kitchen.  Dust and vacuum Living room and Dining room and finish Halloween goodies for Grands.  Get in the mail or deliver in person.  Freezer needs defrosted and organized.  Hug my Husband.  Take some time out.   

Meals:  More Salads and cooked veggies this week.  Organic.  Eat smaller portions.

Exercise:  More stretching.  Walk short distances.

Study:  Research and spend time in the presence of the internet.  

Blessings to you.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE: All Beef Hot Dog with Amish Relish and Chips

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE sparks simplicity at times.  Easy on the energy level to prepare.  Easy on the pocket book.  Our WORLD is a better place when a meal can be extremely simple and fun to eat.

Oh HaPPy Day.  Blessings to you.

HOME LIFE is for me,

d

SNACK ON THE PRAIRIE: Strawberries with Whipped Cream and Pecan Sandies Cookies

Delicious Strawberries for an afternoon snack and PICK ME UP.  Low calorie Cool Whip topped the Strawberries.  The cookies added some crunch.  Nice combination.

Once I heard to curb a SWEET TOOTH you can eat a spoonful of Whipped Cream.  It works.  One little spoonful instead a large dessert.  It works for me.

Our SNACK in the afternoon was a treat, 
d