What I'm planning to do with my week
It's a holiday here in the U.S. today, which means many of our regular readers will be busy doing holiday things.
Sooo, for those of you who aren't holidaying and need some entertainment today, how about I just fill you in on some things I'm planning to do this week?
(I recognize this is not highbrow entertainment, but hey, if you are realllllly bored, maybe my upcoming week will feel interesting.)
This week, I'm planning to:
Try Princess Diana overnight oats
These have been all over social media recently and they look intriguing because you soak the oats in orange juice instead of milk.
I really want to try them, although I probably will have to add in some protein powder if I'm going to eat them on a work morning. Workday breakfasts need to do a lot of heavy lifting.
Someone suggested using the super high protein Greek yogurt to help with that, but I looked at the ingredients, and it's just Greek yogurt with protein powder added. I'm not paying $7.99/quart for that!
I already have plain protein powder and I can just mix that in myself, thankyouverymuch.
Please note: there is some dispute as to the authenticity of the "Diana ate these oats for breakfast!" story. But as someone who is not very interested in the royal family, I am not invested in this issue; I just want to try the recipe.
Use my random gift cards
On a whim, I gathered up the gift cards that have been collecting dust in my drawer, and I swear this time I'm going to actually use them.
The reason the gift cards have sat unused is that they have fairly small amounts on them. But I did a little poking around, looking at online prices, and I think I can manage to use them without spending much out of pocket.
I'll update you!
Work three nurse shifts
I actually worked my first one yesterday! And then I have two more on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Do three weight workouts
Ideally, I'd like to do four, but I will settle for three if necessary.
And today is going to have to be an at-home workout day because my gym is closed on government holidays.
Have a TV night with Zoe
As I was planning my week, I found an evening when we are both home, and I texted her to see if she wants to watch a show with me. 🙂 We're also gonna use one of my gift cards that night!
Do online class work and take an online exam
I was told (and so was at least one of my classmates) that this RN to BSN program didn't involve exams. BUT APPARENTLY THAT WAS WRONG, because we have exams every other week in this class. Sigh.
They are all multiple-choice, though, and so far the material in this class seems like a pretty basic review of stuff I already knew from nursing school.
Also, the exams are not nearly as heavily weighted as they were in nursing school.
Still...I am a little salty about being in exam world again.
Try some oatmeal/cottage cheese pancakes
A friend recommended these; they're just oats, cottage cheese, eggs, and a little salt, blended together.
30 grams of protein, with no protein powder in sight? That's worth a try to me!
Of course, I will be adding blueberries. 😉
Whoa! I may need to try those pancakes! My kids love regular pancakes, but it has become my least-favorite breakfast because they don't keep me full and I don't feel great after eating them. That recipe sounds worth a try.
This week I am:
* tackling a bunch of stuff I didn't do over the summer while we were moving. My Children's Director role has started and our program kicks off next week, so I'll be busy shopping (these kids need snacks! and craft supplies!) and organizing and printing and cutting.
* getting back into coaching. My daughter's 5th/6th grade team needs another coach and the one they have is a stellar human that I'm happy to help. Neither my husband (a former college VB coach) nor I could do it all on our own, so we're going to tag-team helping to coach.
* going back to my regular Thursday catering job now that the kids are back in school.
* hoping that our schedules work out to help my best friend move. This friend and I have had babies together and now have sold our beloved family-starter homes together. The move puts her closer to their work places and kids' school, but doubles the distance from church and from our house. I'm trying to be optimistic about the drive because not only are we best friends, but our daughters (both sets of them) are best friends as well. Saturday is full of soccer games and volleyball games and a birthday party, but I really want to help my friend unload and see her new house.
Let's see, today is the parade, so I need to bring band boy down so he can march then pick him up at the end. I might make his siblings go to watch- a few are still young enough to pick up the candy some groups throw. ( and the occasional pencil - the tradesmen groups can be very practical!). Then make birthday treat for kid - he wants a white chocolate cheesecake. Our last attempt wasn't very good due to me not having all the right ingredients and having to adjust on the fly. I'm trying biscoff for the crust instead of Graham crackers. Also brownies, as his siblings don't like cheesecake.
Regular boring week after that. ACT on Saturday for another kid, which is in a town with Sam's club so I can take care of our shopping list while he suffers.
Enjoy the holiday!
I'd be kind of interested to know people's plans for the actual day of Labor Day, now that I think about it. It's a holiday, but it doesn't feel like it has as many traditions as, say, the Fourth of July. We don't have any as a family, anyway, and usually just spend the day, well, laboring at home, ironically. So I was curious if anyone has specific Labor Day traditions?
Around here, people often use it as a last hurrah beach vacation and they travel to the Ocean City area. But it’s been unseasonably chilly here so water activities feel a little unappealing right now!
@Kristen,
It is also typically the last day swimming pools are open. Where we live they are generally private swim clubs but I grew up with municipal pools. Again, the cooler weather may dampen those plans though not if you're mostly there for the social aspect.
@kristin @ going country, We don't have a typical thing we do. Today we will be maybe/maybe not doing school. Some of us got back really late from a concert (the kids paid for their tickets) last night, so I will be dragging. We also have some family visiting, but they will be leaving after breakfast to go on vacation. Also, my pastor-husband is working; we have a Bible study at a parishioner's house. That will have standard picnic food, and I still don't know what my contribution will be.
@kristin @ going country, today is the last day of the Great New York State Fair, which is a harbinger of the end of summer in my area.
@kristin @ going country,
I always make potato salad while my husband cooks a steak for Labor Day dinner. But! We deviate this year…
My son is taking us to see the Wizard of Oz at the sphere here in Las Vegas. I’m excited for that….. there may be potato salad tomorrow though.
@Kristin, Ah yes, The Great New York State Fair, always in caps. 🙂 I have many memories of that. Mostly of the interminable sheep show and how hot it always seemed to be in Syracuse that weekend.
@kristin @ going country, We don't, except we've always started our homeschooling year the day after Labor Day, just like when we were growing up and school started in September, rather than mid-August. It always meant we could enjoy some kid-friendly (usually packed in the summertime) places like museums and parks, without the crowds, and my kids always felt they were getting away with something. 😉
@kristin @ going country, We don't celebrate it all in Europe although I wish we did! I always forget it's a thing (along with the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving lol).
@kristin @ going country,
We have never really had any traditions surrounding Labor Day. When I was young and later when my children were little, school started the Tuesday after the holiday. Therefore, Labor Day was filled our usual summer activities, but in the late afternoon, we began making preparations for the first day of school. This may be partially due to the fact that it's more or less summer 300 days out of the year in Florida.
@kristin @ going country and @Kristin, I personally can't wait for the allegedly Great New York State Fair to be over. All it does from my perspective is tie up traffic on I-690 for umpteen days and bring out all the people with tank tops and too many tattoos who like to eat things like deep-fried Oreos. You can tell I'm kinda burned out on all this.
@A. Marie, The tattoos were one of the most fascinating parts of The Great New York State Fair. The most memorable I saw was the dude with the "Mama Tried" tat on his neck, obviously done without the benefit of a certified tattoo parlor. Must be quite a story there, although since he was wandering the midway at the fair he must not have literally followed the life path of the Merle Haggard song, the lyrics of which go "I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole."
@Sophie in Denmark, no, but we celebrate May Day (International Workers Day) on May 1st!
@Joan from Dublin, Ireland, Ah true! We also celebrate that in Denmark (although I don't get the day off work, which seems to defeat the point 😉 )
@Jane, Wow, that's so cool, but one expensive movie! Please let us know what it's like.
@kristin @ going country,
My family doesn't have any specific Labor Day traditions. I have to work today (health care never sleeps when it's given in a hospital), DH and son are hanging out at home. DH is doing some chores, so is "laboring" today after a trip to Ikea with son. A lot of people around here have cookouts, outdoor parties, and the like. A local church has a free community carnival on the Sunday before (we have never gone). And, like so many communities, today is typically the last day that pools are open - which never made sense to me, because it stays hot at least through the end of September around here. Oh well, not my call.
@Sophie in Denmark, that's a pity, it's a public holiday here in Ireland.
This week:
*working my regular 12 hour shift today
*picking up some supplies from Home Depot to spiff up the newly vacated bedroom for the LAST BIRD TO LEAVE THE NEST. (anyone is welcome to visit me and weigh in
https://cannaryfamily.blogspot.com/2025/09/bonus-room-plans.html)
*video visit with doc
*one night of on-call
*mowing my yards
*general putseying around my house
I am one of those people who just eat cottage cheese as is. I love it.
I was wondering if Zoey is still a student . Does she have a major yet? It’s tough out there for college recent grads. My GS was fortunate to get hired with a big company but he had to move to another state. He’s 23; just got Masters in economics. He went to all the college fairs and sent out many resumes. It’s supposed to rain off and on here so no picnics. I’m going through my desk and purging papers.
An atypical Labor Day meal for us today. I had a small turkey in the freezer that needed to be baked (eating up the freezer contents because of hurricane season). Friends are coming over to eat and play dominoes.
Back in the 90s, I had a friend who poured orange juice on her Cheerios instead of milk because she was lactose intolerant. She always claimed it was a tasty option!
@Robin, My dad did this with extra-fiber All Bran when he was vegan. Never appealed to me (neither the cereal nor the orange juice).
@Robin, I remember accidentally pouring orange juice over my cornflakes instead of milk once as a kid, but I didn't try eating them!
@Robin, I used to do that after my grandfather recommended it. He disliked milk (I think he may have been lactose intolerant) and I loved it.
One time in high school, I tried cornflakes with orange juice instead of milk.
Do not recommend.
Syrniki, Russian cottage cheese pancakes, though?
Do recommend.
Every time I read about cottage cheese I wish with all my heart that I did better with dairy. I used to LOVE cottage cheese.
This week I am:
Helping DH cut down brush near a sidewalk that is making the neighborhood hazardous for bikers. The land is not anybody's personal property, so the greenery has brown over the sidewalk so walkers and bikers have to go on the road, and it's a sharp curve so cars can't see people on the road until it's too late.
Starting homeschooling with my youngest, though to be honest, my DH will be doing math and science, and I'll be handling the easier subjects, history and writing and literature.
Only cooking dinner once this week! Not counting prepping for homemade pizza on the weekend.
Revising the Commodore's feeding schedule, breaking his breakfast up into first and second breakfast due to his habit of horking down his breakfast at 6:30 am and then going hungry all morning until lunch. Getting half his breakfast when I wake up and the other half later in the morning should help. And yes, I know there are automatic feeders out there. No, we will probably not buy one. With six people in the household there is always somebody home to feed the darn cat. Some might say, but Karen A., why don't you wait until later in the morning to feed Mr. Fluffin? Because I have tried that, and if I feed him at, say, 7, he will hork it down even faster, then come find me and hork it RIGHT BACK UP because he ate it too fast due to his gnawing hunger.
Pushing my comfort limit and biking to class at least once a week--thank goodness there are showers at my school. It's about 16 miles roundtrip. If this works it will be awesome. DH did a test ride with me on Saturday, partly to test out my new bike!
@Karen A., I have to feed Betty in small amounts too, for the same reasons. Tell Clark she extends him an invitation to the "My hoomin(s) never feed me enough" club.
@A. Marie, He actually seemed to enjoy the new routine this morning; normally by 10 am he's howling that his dish is empty, so getting a portion at 6:30 am and then 9:30 am was a pleasant surprise. He was friskier and asking to play more than usual. Then when he got his lunch, which is when he gets his beloved Churu treat, he actually left quite a bit of it. I'm thinking we may do the same with dinner--half portion at dinner and then a half portion at bedtime.
@Karen A., Thank you for making your area a safer place for walkers and cyclists! And so awesome for you to do that commute!
This week, I am working on a project on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I am working with my sister on this which poses some challenges. Our brains are wired differently.
My PEO chapter is meeting tomorrow evening.
My sweet granddaughter turns two this week. I will be helping with the "Winnie the Two" birthday party on Saturday.
I will go shopping for a small gift for her to open at the party. I have opened bank accounts for each of my grandchildren and make deposits on special occasions, but I always give them something little to open.
My husband and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary later in the month. We leave on the 15th for a celebratory trip. I need to make a packing list and buy anything that I may not have.
I really, really must to do some housekeeping and gardening.
I will order my book club's next selection. I am still 63rd on the library loan list for this one, so it is doubtful that I will receive it in time.
I would like to get in a workout or two.
I haven't thought about food for the week yet. I can't wait to hear about your new breakfast options, Kristen. I make scrambled eggs with cottage cheese, but I've never tried pancakes. I imagine they'll be quite tasty.
I hope all of you enjoy this unofficial last day of summer.
@Bee, Winnie the Two! How sweet!
I made cottage cheese pancakes once and they turned out pretty good! I didn't try them with oats though.
This week I'm just planning on work and trying to fix a bank issue. Not very exciting! I am going to the cinema with some friends to see the new Conjuring film though, which I'm looking forward to.
Yesterday I went for a walk and some women who were picking plums from a tree kindly gave me a bag. I made a crumble with most of them yesterday and am deciding on a recipe to use up the rest - I thinking smoothies.
As this is a miscellany post, I'm going to take the opportunity about The Americans which I've been watching lately. My god, it's so good. If you haven't heard of it, it's set in the eighties during the Cold War where an American couple are undercover Russian spies. It takes a really good look at the politics of the time and I think one of its strengths is that it doesn't just say US = Good and USSR = bad. It examines the moral complexities and failings of both systems. I do have to skip a few scenes because it's fairly graphic, but I really, really recommend it. I expect it's even more interesting if you remember that time (I was a baby so obviously don't!). It's also depressing, to say the least, so sometimes I have to watch something light afterwards! It's funny because Keri Russell plays the main character and I know her from Felicity, which is essentially the polar opposite and one of my comfort shows.
That was a long ramble but basically my evenings have all been taken up by watching The Americans and procrastinating on anything else 😉
@Sophie in Denmark, ah, sorry for the typos! I meant the opportunity to geek out about the Americans and I'm thinking smoothies for the plums!
@Sophie in Denmark, I really enjoyed The Americans. It did get more graphic as the show progressed, but I thought overall they did a good job.
I immediately made the pancakes after reading your post! They were VERY good and now I feel good about pancakes again!
Thank you
Oooh that was so fast! I’m impressed. And yay for a good review…now I feel even more hopeful about this recipe.
@Kristen, I tried it, too, for lunch, because I happened to have some cottage cheese that really needed to be used. (You're an influencer!) I was lazy and just used my immersion blender, which made them probably not as smooth as a real blender, but they were still pretty good. We ate them with just apricot jam on top, and they got the seal of approval from 5/6 of my family. Thumbs up.
@kristin @ going country, Don't know why that posted twice, but . . . it occurs to me that this would be a good use for my quick oats that I get free from excess commodities, since they're sort of pre-blended.
@Vallie D, thanks for posting how they turned out. I am going to try them!
This week we are leaving for two weeks in Alaska. An 11-day cruise starts Thursday. We have never been on a cruise before -- or ever taken such an expensive vacation. We've talked about doing this for years and pulled the trigger as sort of a 45th/46th anniversary celebration (our actual anniversary is in December.) We booked this two years ago and I can't believe it's finally here. So today I'm doing the last-minute packing and cleaning. Our pet/house sitters will be here in a few hours, then we're headed to spend the night in a hotel near the airport (two hours away) and fly out very early tomorrow morning.
@Cindi, Happy Anniversary! Alaska is beautiful. Of all the trips I've taken, it remains one of my favorite ever. It's hard to contemplate the vastness of Alaska until you are there. Bon voyage!
@Bee, Thank you!
@Cindi, have the most wonderful time. I hope we can hear all about it once you're back.
My moms blueberry muffin recipe involves soaking oats in equal measure orange juice while mixing other ingredients, then adding the OJ oat sludge. Best blueberry muffins in the world because of the hint of acidity.
I think I’ll make some of those this week.
And i start the new school year in a new position that is not my first love, so I’m a bit nervous.
@Kaitlin, Would you be okay with sharing the full recipe?
@Karen A., sure thing. Formatting is how I think about this recipe because the written copy is a mess. I guess it means it’s well-loved!!
1 cup oats
1 cup Orange juice
Mix oats and orange juice in small bowl and set aside.
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix sugar and cinnamon in small bowl and set aside.
3 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup neutral oil
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3 cups blueberries
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in medium bowl.
Combine oil, sugar, and eggs in large bowl. Mix well. Add flour mixture and OJ oats sludge until well combined. Fold in blueberries.
Fill cupcake tins 2/3–3/4 and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Bake at 400 for 12-16 minutes.
@Kaitlin, Thank you!
I’ve not done oj with cereal, but I did rinse out the last of some kefir using grape juice to put on cereal when I was out of milk. It was pretty good.
Today I'm defrosting the minifridge I keep in my bedroom. It doesn't have auto-defrost like most full size refrigerators, so I need to do it manually a couple of times a year. Otherwise, I'm planning to enjoy a relaxing day before going back to work tomorrow. I've been working less than usual over the summer because I had to help out my mom after surgery, but she's back on her feet now and I'll be goimg back to my normal schedule. I also want to hang up a few pictures this week. They've been sitting on a shelf for months.
This week I will be packing up work stuff because our office is moving to building 3 miles down the road.
I will be making a batch of turkey chili and freezing it for meals throughout the week/month. I got some of those souper cubes and LOVE being able to freeze in exact quantities and then pop the cubes out and store those instead of using freezer containers which take up a lot more room in the freezer.
I will be trying to whittle down my reading. Right now I am reading too many books at once!
I will be getting out the few fall decorations i have because I like to put those out right after labor day.
I will be making some goals for things I would like to accomplish by the end of the year!
My last 2 weeks were VERY busy and I overdid it a little, recovering from hip surgery,I am a little sore and over stimulated.Too many people!!! Too much walking!!
So this week I am laying low. Doing my online watercolor class, cooking healthy meals, starting my new light weight program here at home.
I have a few TV series lined up to try out. And a couple of old movies to rewatch. I love Miss Potter and Julie and Julia. They are once a year movies for me!
I have to finish up a really good book : A Girl Named Samson,for book club in 2 weeks.
Simple week ahead.Yay!
I highly recommend these cottage cheese pancakes, courtesy of Catherine Newman: https://cronesandwich.substack.com/p/cottage-cheese-pancakes
My college-aged kids and I cannot get enough of them. They also reheat fantastically in a toaster oven.
Ooh, those look good too!
@Kristen, can you talk about your kettlebell weights? I've been thinking about getting some (for a few years now) but haven't yet because every time I look into buying some I have no idea what brand, size, etc would be the best investment for me. So it's easy to put off due to indecision.
No specific holidaying going on here today, but other than the typical horse and chicken chores (and Monday changed-the-bedding laundry) DH and I are just working on small projects or small pieces of larger projects. I'll be grilling some pork ribs for dinner and probably making zucchini fritters to go with since I harvested three more zucchini from the garden yesterday. For the first time in several years all our grown kids are busy or away for the weekend, so we're not having any company or big cookout today.
I have a mixture of kettlebells; some were from Aldi (ha!), some from Amazon. Honestly, I don't think the brand matters a whole lot. The Aldi set is good for just starting out because it was mostly light weights (5, 10, and 15 pound). For movements that involve the lower body (like squats or swings) I use a 35 pound one, but for other movements that require upper body, I find 15-20 pound kettlebells to be better.
But, of course, this depends on the person! I would caution to make sure that you are using good form; I see so many people doing things like kettlebell swings with terrible form. They're a move that drives from your hips; the weight isn't supposed to be lifted by the force of your arms. There are some good videos on Youtube that show correct form and common errors.
If I needed some more kettlebells, I'd go the Facebook Marketplace route. I just did a quick search and founds some very affordable second hand ones available. Kettlebells are so durable, I wouldn't be faintly scared of buying secondhand!
@Kristen, This is reminding me that what I should do this week is go to the gym. Whether it will happen is another question!
I will be curious to see what you think of the pancakes--could you please update us?
Also, I'm so impressed with your picture of Shelly. Black cats are hard to photograph.
Zoe gets the credit for that photo! And yes, that is SO TRUE of black cats.
Of course I will give you all pancake updates. 🙂
@Kristen, I read that black cats are slower to find homes because they're supposedly harder to photograph and because of superstition. It makes me so sad! I had a black cat as a kid and called her my lucky black cat!
I have definitely heard the superstition one! And yes, it's so sad for these black cats; they can be just and sweet and lovable as other cats.
@Kristen, Black cats are actually considered good luck in England, traditionally, but I think the more American view of bad luck has become more usual. I think any black cat (or cat in general) is lucky!
That photo of you and the kitteh. .. identical expressions of disgust! It made me chuckle. I'm very sorry about the misinformation on the exams!
Chiquita is helping me be salty about the exam life!
We have signed up for shag dancing lessons at our county leisure center. I've lived in SC long enough, I should learn to shag. Lessons start this week for 6 weeks.
DH is out of town one day this week...I usually take advantage of that day to do activities that he normally gets in the middle of LOL...sorting through the garage, cleaning out a closet, etc. I get much more done when he isn't in it. I also usually watch some trash tv he wouldn't enjoy those evenings.
I'm having 4 yards of dirt delivered tomorrow. It will take a few days for me to move it all over the yard to where I want it...that will be my exercise for the week.
My parents are in Hilton Head...they'll be passing through my area on Thursday on their way home so I will meet them near the interstate for lunch.
Lastly, I am hoping to get a haircut this week. I normally cut it myself (or my mom does, she was a beautician 30 years ago) but it's been more than a year (maybe 2!) since I've been to a salon. I think I've found someone to cut it, so I need to see how long to get an appt.
@Marlena,
Lucky parents! Hilton Head is one of my favorite places ever.
On a warm-weather holiday like Labor Day, I usually plan for husband to grill something for our lunch but he is just getting over being sick so I made lunch. Gift cards never last long in my hands. It’s free money! I can never understand people who find them forgotten in a drawer. I forget no gift card!
It’s Labour Day in Canada, also. In northern BC, people go to their cabins for one last weekend before school starts. There are usually golf tournaments, ball tournaments, etc. on this long weekend. There is even a big beef barbecue which has been happening for over 100 years.
The weather is very warm for this time of year, so many folks are enjoying more lake time.
As a retired teacher, I used to spend Labour Day getting things organized at home after spending the previous week getting ready at school. Now I can just relax!
ooh, sorry about the exam surprise. You will of course do well, because you put the work in, but still...so disappointing!
On the other hand, I wish I had a stash of gift cards to play with. That sounds fun.
I hate to be the one to bring it up, but as an RN the exams will never end! Most states require continuing ed to maintain a license (which comes with a test). If you do any additional certifications, they also require CE and passing the accompanying exams. I am a peds NP, officially retired but maintaining my licenses and certifications through my current certification cycles. Just did 20 hours of pharmacology with five exams for one of my state licenses. Been awhile since I had to think about the Krebs cycle and was all those enzyme pathways that I don't think were even identified in my college days. Good luck! Your education really is just beginning.
Labor day for us to in Canada, sept 1st.
My plans this week :
- working 4 days (instead of the regular 3). And sending my 2 weeks' notice for my current position to go back on the casual pool. I have lots of seniority so I'll be fine picking up shifts, but the change is still stressful. But, hey, something has to change...
- Going to family therapy with my 15 yo and hubby
- Moving my body everyday, even if for just a 20 min walk with the dog
- Reading my library book
- Spend time with hubby and the kids
- See my mama
- Go to bed at a decent hour!!
yeah.... that's about it 🙂