Linda's Lunacy

Faith, Home, & Family

An End For A New Beginning

by

I have made the decision to close Linda’s Lunacy.

I started this blog when I was homeschooling my kids. They are all now grown.

There is a LOT that goes into a blog behind the scenes.

And my life is taking me in a different direction.

I want to put my time into my new ventures.

I’m looking forward, not back.

I have already handed off my Facebook page to someone else. Your decision if you want to unfollow. Just be aware that it is no longer me.

I am keeping my Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube accounts.

If you don’t follow me on any of those, please check them out.

I would love for you to stop by and see what I’m up to!

I will now be concentrating on my new companies!

A clothing company, a health and wellness business, and I am now a Travel Advisor!

So I have lots going on still!

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for visiting Linda’s Lunacy.

For following me, linking up, and just for being here!

God bless you all!

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

by

*This In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu post contains affiliate links

It was a good week in my kitchen last week. I only made dinners, though, nothing extra. None of the good stuff. lol

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Past with meat sauce is a family favorite. That’s why it’s on the menu every week. And it’s a budget friendly meal. Especially if you get the meat on sale.

Plus, it’s good! And yes, I like a lot of parmesan cheese. lol Yes, this is the shelf stable parmesan. I would prefer the fresh, but my whole family likes a lot of parmesan. And that gets too expensive.

Tacos are another family favorite. Yes, that is a jar with restaurant taco sauce packets. lol When my husband goes out to lunch there sometimes, he brings his packets home.

When I bake potatoes, I like to bake extras for future meals. In this case, my mother and I had taco potatoes on taco night. “Planned over” baked potatoes make awesome fried potatoes, too!

I got whole pork loin on sale recently. This package ended up having to skinny pieces instead of one bigger one. So these pork “chops” are tiny. But so good. Nice and tender. If you don’t use a cast iron skillet, it’s great for cooking meat. It browns nicely.

I served the pork with rice, veggies, and rolls that my daughter brought home from the restaurant she works at. They are so good! I didn’t have rice. Just rolls for my carbs. lol

Rice is another thing I look to cook extra of for planned overs. On this day, I ended up spending several hours in the ER with my mother. When I got home, my husband had made stir fry. So planned overs make it easy for others to cook dinner, too!

Our local mini mart type store started selling ground bacon. They started mixing the ground bacon with hamburger for burgers. When I sent my husband to the store on Saturday to get some, they were out of the premade burgers. So I had him get them separately, and we mixed it ourselves. We used 2 pounds of hamburger to 1 pound of ground bacon.

We cooked them on the grill. Well, my husband did. lol As you can imagine, the extra fat from the bacon cause more flare ups. But we figured it would, so we were prepared. He cooked them on low, instead of medium. And had a water bottle on hand to calm the flare ups down.

The burgers were so good! So if you see ground bacon in your store, you should try it!

I served the burgers with a quick pasta salad. Yes, it in fact was one of those boxed pasta salads. They are quick, and surprisingly yummy. When I sliced the tomato for the burgers, I put the extra tomato in the salad.

I had my burger with out a bun, with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions. That’s may and ketchup mixed on the side for dipping.

So a successful week in the kitchen. Now I just need to make some snacks and desserts! lol

Check out my In the Kitchen with Linda page, where all my kitchen tips, ideas, and recipes are linked!

In the Kitchen with Linda

Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Monday – chicken or turkey – Baked Chicken, potato salad, corn

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Pasta with meat sauce, green beans

Wednesday – Taco Night- Tacos with all the fixin’s

Thursday – pork or chicken – pork chops, rice, beets, and peas

Friday – Quick & Easy  – take out or leftovers

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – Burgers on the grill, pasta salad with lots of veggies

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Soup, sandwiches, or leftovers

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

by

*This In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu post contains affiliate links

I did indeed work in my kitchen last week. And even sorta followed the dinner menu. But guess what I didn’t do? I’m sure you’ll guess it. lol

I didn’t take a a lot of pictures. In fact, I took 1. Yes, one. lol

But in my defense, I had a couple of dentist appointments and ended up having oral surgery last week. These people, aka my family, did indeed eat. I just didn’t take pictures.

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

*drum roll* please…… Here is the ONE picture I took last week!

cheeseburger sweet potato fries

My bun-less cheeseburger with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and sweet potato fries! The rest of the family had theirs on buns. I didn’t so I could cut mine into small pieces so I could chew easier.

So the plan this week is to take more pictures! lol

Hey…..maybe I should put an alarm on my phone to go off right before dinner. Think I’ll remember to take pictures then? lololol

Check out my In the Kitchen with Linda page, where all my kitchen tips, ideas, and recipes are linked!

In the Kitchen with Linda

Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Monday – chicken or turkey – Baked Chicken, baked potatoes, zucchini

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Pasta with meat sauce, green beans

Wednesday – Taco Night- Tacos with all the fixin’s

Thursday – pork or chicken – pork chops, rice, beets, and peas

Friday – Quick & Easy  – take out or leftovers

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – Burgers on the grill, pasta salad with lots of veggies

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Soup, sandwiches, or leftovers or possibly my family will cook since it’s Mother’s Day!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

Sun Moon Movie Review

by

Sun Moon is a beautiful story about discovering joy and purpose despite cultural differences and difficulties. I was able to watch this new movie from Pure Flix before it’s release so I could share my Sun Moon movie review with you.

Sun Moon Movie Review

Sun Moon tells the story of Kelsey, who was just left at the altar. Understandably, she is having a hard time dealing with this. Her heart is broken, and she is humiliated. Kelsey abandons her faith and church because of this. Since the rug was just pulled out from under her, she does not know what to do, or what God wants her to do.

Kelsey does not want to see anyone, especially while clearing the wedding decor from the church. So while trying to avoid people in the parking lot, she goes inside to hide. She ends up listening to missionaries from Taiwan tell about their time there teaching. She sees a job there as an opportunity to start fresh.

This is complicated by Kelsey’s mother being sick and in the hospital. She lives with her little sister, a college student, as well. But her sister encourages her to go.


Kelsey has a, shall we say, adventurous trip to the school in Taiwan. Her first several days overwhelm her, but her pride won’t allow her to admit defeat. She also encounters some difficult students. While talking to the principal, he encourages her to learn from Horace, a fellow teacher that the students really like. She finally starts making some headway with her students.

After things start going more smoothly, Kelsey puts forth some effort to become assimilated to Taiwan. While Horace helps her learn how to ride a Vespa, their friendship begins.

Sun Moon Movie

As Kelsey’s adventures and explorations of the country continue, her students warm up to her. She is finally able to connect with them and make a difference in their lives. Like moving to Taiwan to be their teacher did in her life. Her students ask her to help them learn and perform a play based off the Biblical book of Ruth. They perform it for the school’s big Christmas party at the end of the semester.

Kelsey enjoys watching her students perform, and actually performing with them. But she knows her time there is up, her term has ended, and she must go home as her mother is dying.

Once home, Kelsey realizes how much closer to God she has gotten since being in Taiwan. She sees that even though she was struggling with disappointment and a loss of faith, that God used it all. Yes, even the hurt and the pain. She learned to trust in His timing. Since Kelsey learned what God’s purpose and plan for her life was, she returns to Taiwan.

Sun Moon Cast List


MacKenzie Mauzy, Kelsey (INTO THE WOODS, NCIS: New Orleans)
Justin Chien, Horace (Two Sides: Unfaithful)
Madison McLaughlin, Liz (Arrow, Chicago P.D.)
Michael Jong-Quin Huang, Principal (The Haunted Heart)
Jason Burkey, Braden (FEARLESS FAITH, MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE)
Leanne Morgan, Maida ((Netflix Original Stand-up special I’m Every Woman, Dry Bar Comedy, Thou Shalt Laugh 3)

Watch the Sun Moon movie trailer!

I really enjoyed watching this movie. Sun Moon is a family friendly movie about love, healing, letting go, forgiveness, and family. At some point, we all walk through difficult and challenging times. Sun Moon is a great reminder that God works through all the circumstances in our life. We see the hardships, and pain, that Kelsey goes through. We see her walk through these difficult and challenging times. How she overcomes these challenges, and returns to her faith. And discovers God’s plan and purpose for her life.

I highly recommend Sun Moon. This movie has the themes of struggling with disappointment & loss of faith, how to walk through difficult & challenging times, and there is a season for everything, running through out. Sun Moon is suitable for the whole family.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalms 27:14 (NIV)

Watch Sun Moon now streaming exclusively on Pure Flix!

For more information, visit the Sun Moon website. There are also downloadable small group discussion guides. As well as Bible study videos to watch.

Recommended Reading

7 MUST-READ BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP

10 QUOTES TO PONDER WHEN LETTING GO OF THE PAST

20 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT STRENGTH: GOD’S WORD ON FAITH IN HARD TIMES

15 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT NOT GIVING UP…EVEN IN THE HARDEST TIMES

38 POWERFUL BIBLE VERSES FOR OVERCOMING LIFE’S STRUGGLES

9 REASONS TRAVELING IS GOOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN SOUL

Pure Flix Subscription Giveaway

Enter to win a Pure Flix 3 month streaming subscription! Open to those 18+ in US. If you have won a Pure Flix subscription in the last 6 months, you are not eligible to win this giveaway.

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. (I watched an online screener.) Opinions are 100% my own.

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

by

*This In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu post contains affiliate links

Woo Hoo! I rememberd to take pictures 2 weeks in a row! lol

Alas, I didn’t get pictures of everything. But it’s still progress, right??

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Not everyone likes spinach, but it’s so good for you! I prefer it raw, but my family likes it cooked. I use the fresh spinach from the produce department. I cook it with butter, or bacon grease. Pile the pan high, as spinach cooks down to practically nothing. My mother likes to put white vinegar on her spinach. That just sounds horrid to me. lol

spinach

I was out of taco seasoning, so I made some. It’s cheaper to make your own usually. I use these lids for my canning jars. I write on them with a permanent marker, but it washes off these lids.

taco mix

When you’re making baked potatoes, make a few extra. I call these planned overs. Dice them up, and they make awesome fried potatoes in a fraction of the time. Or reheat them in the microwave. I did the latter, and served them with taco meat.

taco

My mother and I had this, the rest of the family had soft tacos. Right after I took the above picture, the below picture happened. My husband knocked over his FULL glass of water. It’s hard to see all the water on the brown table, but that’s why the towel is there. And if you look at the tomatoes, you can see they are swimming in water. lol

taco

Supper was good, the water cleaned up, and all was well. lol

I’m still loving my kitchen tablet! It’s so much easier to see and follow a recipe than on my phone. And if I’m not following a recipe, I’m watching a show. lol

kitchen tablet

Check out my In the Kitchen with Linda page, where all my kitchen tips, ideas, and recipes are linked!

In the Kitchen with Linda

Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Monday – chicken or turkey – Baked Chicken, baked potatoes, oven roasted brussel sprouts

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – skillet chili mac & cheese, green beans

Wednesday – Taco Night- Chicken Fajitas, rice

Thursday – pork or chicken – Italian sausage, fried potatoes, corn

Friday – Quick & Easy  – Venison, gravy, rice, peas, carrots

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – Burgers on the grill, pasta salad with lots of veggies

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Soup, sandwiches, or leftovers

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

Mother’s Day Gifts for Dog Moms

by

*This Mother’s Day Gifts for Dog Moms post contains affiliate links

Hi. It’s me. A dog mom. To 3. Well, actually 2. My mother lives with us and we take care of her dog, too. So technically, mom to 3. Here’s my dog crew.

My mother’s dog, Miley, is the one sitting on the couch. She thinks she’s a princess. lol The black dog on the left is Bear. He’s ours. Bear and Miley are 7 years old and brother & sister. From the same litter. Really! Their mother was a Morkie, that looked like a Yorkie. Bear looks like a Yorkie, only black. The vet said that Miley is a Jack Russell. But there are no Jack Russels in our neighborhood. So who knows! lol The big horse of a dog on the right is Bruno. He is a 6 month old Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd mix. He looks just like an Aussie, though.

I wanted them all to sit nicely together on the couch for the picture. After trying for almost 10 minutes I gave that idea up. lol They are looking at my daughter that is holding the jar of treats. lol This is the best picture we could get. Dogs! lol

Do you buy a gift for the dog mom in your life? Let me help you! Here are my picks for Mother’s Day Gifts for Dog Moms!

Mother’s Day Gifts for Dog Moms

 First, a book, and 2 movies. A Thousand Lifetimes is an emotional love story between a woman and her rescued deaf dog. I haven’t read this yet, but it’s on my list. 

Marley and Me,  and Hatchi A Dogs Tale are both great movies. I have seen both of them, and loved them.

We have made homemade dog bones in the past. They are fun to make! I love this dog treat maker. I put it on my wish list. lol

This Fur Mama tumbler lets everyone know to ask about her fur baby!

If the dog mom in your life loves charcuterie boards, this is the perfect addition. An olive boat with a pit port. It may not sound important, but it is!

This DIY Keepsake paw Print Maker makes a great gift itself. Or buy it, sneak and make paw prints of your favorite dog moms dogs, and gift her the prints. She will love it either way!

Mother’s Day Gifts

This necklace is an awesome gift to help your dog mom always remember her dog that has passed on.

Your favorite dog mom will love cuddling with her fur baby with this blanket.

Now onto the wearables. These dog mom pajama pants and matching sleepers look so comfy! Maybe your dog mom is a sock lover. These are super cute. And a nice t-shirt to round out her outfit. lol

I hope you found the perfect gift for the dog mom in your life!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

by

*This In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu post contains affiliate links

I can never seem to get pictures up on a weekly basis. I need to buckle down and share more!

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

We had 2 Easter dinners. One on Easter Sunday, and one on Monday when our daughter and grandkids came. The trick to having 2 holiday dinners is having the same menu, cooking once for the things you can you can make ahead. Less work!

First dinner, ham, scalloped potatoes, stuffed eggs (deviled eggs), asparagus, corn, and resurrection rolls.

Second dinner, I remembered to take a picture after everyone started eating. lol Same menu as above, except mashed potatoes.

More Dinner Pics

Stir fry with hamburger……

Burgers and pineapple on the grill……

Baked BBQ Chicken and baked sweet potatoes. There was another veggie, too, but it didn’t make the picture. lol

Chicken fajitas! I have to make and serve the onions and peppers separately. My adult son doesn’t like onions. lol Well, onions that he can see! lol I do this because he will waste the peppers and onions when he picks them out. I can’t have that. lol They are too good!

I had onions and peppers left, like I usually do. Because I make a lot. lol They are good as left overs. I served them this day on a shaved steak and cheese sandwich.

I made banana bread with cinnamon chips. So good! We love these chips not only in banana bread, but other baked goods, as well. Try them in pumpkin cookies!

Check out my In the Kitchen with Linda page, where all my kitchen tips, ideas, and recipes are linked!

In the Kitchen with Linda

Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Monday – chicken or turkey – Baked Chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, corn

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Pasta with Italian sausage, peas

Wednesday – Taco Night- Tacos with all the fixin’s

Thursday – pork or chicken – Hot dogs on the grill, pasta salad with lots of veggies

Friday – Quick & Easy  – Venison, rice, gravy, baked Brussel sprouts

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – out to eat or take out

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Soup, sandwiches, or leftovers

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

WOWBouquet offers fast and reliable flower delivery for any celebration.