What a Good Idea ~ Lacey Sugar

Cover a chocolate cupcake with lace and sprinkle with powdered sugar! 

Too pretty to eat! 

Thank you Slice of Life

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Nana B's Yorkshire Puds

My mother really disliked cooking. When we were little, she always provided my brother and I with hot, nutritious food, but she always saw it as a complete chore, and her meals weren't very varied. Dad, on the other hand, was an excellent cook.

Having said that though, she made a wonderful Sunday Roast, and her Christmas dinners were fabulous. Part of her secret, was the excellent recipe she used for making Yorkshire Pudding, the traditional accompaniment for to Roast beef.

Nana B's Yorkshire Puddings

This recipe has been handed down from mother to daughter for a few generations, and I must admit, they always turn out amazing

1 cup (140g) plain flour
200 ml milk
4 eggs
salt and pepper
Vegetable oil for cooking

• Heat the oven 230C/ Gas 8
• Pour a little oil into into a 12 hole non stick muffin tin
• Put in the oven to heat until sizzling hot
• Put flour into mixing bowl
• Beat eggs into milk and add gradually to the flour
• Beat until there are no lumps, add salt and pepper to taste then pour into a jug
• Remove tins from oven and carefully pour batter into holes
• Cook undisturbed in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown 
• DON'T KEEP OPENING THE DOOR!
• Serve immediately or if you leave them to cool they can be frozen for later use

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x 

I Pink I Love You

Did I mention I loved the colour pink? I did? Oh good. I know its a bit fluffy and girly, but then so am I. 

I have always loved pink. Growing up, if I had the choice, I always had the pink candy, the pink outfit, the pink bedroom. Anyone who gets me a gift knows that if its pink, its a winner. Having said that, my home isnt very pink. Not everyone can live with a lot of pink. But, I could. Next year I am moving to a new home, so I think pink will be on my list. I'm not sure what my new husband will think....

I spend an lot of time in my kitchen, cooking and baking. I have seen some beautiful kitchens incorporating pink. What do you think?

Cool Vintage Candy

Kirsty Alley's Pink Kitchen

Homestead Style

Shelterness

Pretty Little Things

 So pretty and delightfully vintage. Makes me want to go bake some cupcakes

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

 

          

Mmm, Mincemeat

The cottage is full of lovely Christmas smells again as I have been making mincemeat ready to make pies. Again, it is a Delia recipe that I've used for years, and its incredibly easy to make. I always make a few extra jars to give as gifts to friends, just to say thank you to them for being in my life. My friend, Mrs P, uses hers in the most incredible mince pies I've ever tasted. She makes far better pastry than me. I wish I knew her secret ...but she'll never tell

Ready for the oven...lovely colours and aromas

All done...and ready to label

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 32:8

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

When I was at the market yesterday, I managed to pick up a bag of 12 bananas, past their sell by date, and reduced to 31p. Ideal for baking another of our family favourites.. Banana Bread  I used 3 in the recipe and mashed the rest, put them in zip lock bags and put them in the freezer, ready for next time. I have enough to make 3 more bakings

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love this recipe as it is, but you could tweak it to your own taste, by using soft brown sugar, or adding 1/4 tsp cinnamon or chopped nuts.

You could also separate this mixture into muffin tins.

1 cup granulated sugar

4oz butter, softened

3 bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups plain flour
1tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips

• Pre heat oven 170C, 325 F, Gas Mark 3
• Cream together the sugar and butter
• Beat in the bananas, eggs and vanilla
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
• Add the dry ingredients to the banana mix and stir until just moistened
• Fold in the chocolate chips
• Pour into two greased and floured 9x5x3 baking tins
• Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer, when inserted, comes out clean
• Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes
• Remove from tin and leave until completely cool before slicing

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Hello Little H....

The wait is over and he's here..

How did I know that my grandson would choose to arrive during a thunderstorm.

With high winds and flooding they just made it to the hospital..

and my baby boy ..now has his own Baby Boy.

Welcome Little H..

Nana loves you very much

 

Love and Hugs xxx

Doily Cookies

Aren't these cookies amazing. What a wonderful and simple idea, why I hadn't thought of it before I dont know. I saw these on Bliss and just had to share. They would make a wonderful gift

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x.

One Good Turn....

With all the dreadful weather we have had recently, the cottage has luckily escaped the storm and flood damage so many have endured. Today, the rain finally stopped and the sun came out, but the wind is bitterly cold.

Early this morning, a good friend of mine telephoned. We were supposed to be going to the market today but she had to cancel. She told me that one of their trees had come down, knocking another one which was now partly up rooted and hanging over the driveway.Once the children were in school, they were going to pull it down. After putting the phone down, I grabbed my coat, wooly hat and gloves, my wellies...and a homemade lemon drizzle cake and went to their house. My idea was to help keep the workers supplied with tea and coffee.

They were surprised to see me, as was I, because the workers turned out to be my friend, her husband and her seventy year old father in law. So, I got stuck in too, helping to pull down the dangerous tree, and cutting and barrowing away hundreds and hundreds of logs. It was hard work but also, it was great fun, though I have a feeling my shoulders will be suffering tomorrow.

This evening, there was a knock on my door and it was my friend and her husband. They had brought me a trailer full of logs as a thank you for all my help. I was totally speechless, as I didnt help out to get a reward, but I was very grateful. It will keep me and my daughter warm for a while.

It has reinforced in me what I have always believed, that kindness begets kindness. I have learned to not hesitate to be good, kind, and courteous to others, and I hope I have passed this on to my children.  I remember the saying

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can 

do or any kindness that I can show any human being, let me do it now. 

Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again” 

- Stephen Grellet

 Never underestimate the power of your benevolent actions. It will always come back to you. You can never tell when, but it will.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Here Come The Girls..

Meet my Lovely Ladies...

Rosie..

Poppy..

and Tulip.

All the room they have in the Han House... 

and they would prefer to cuddle up

But who cares as long as they lay these beautiful eggs..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Where Do I Begin.....

Welcome to my blog. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a nice cup of tea and make yourself comfortable. Let me tell you all little about myself and why I am here.

I love reading other people's blogs. I have learned so much, and am always inspired by the words that are written. Its a great way to connect with other people, share their highs and lows, and relate with other homemakers out there. 

Phoebe's World is something I have wanted to start for quite awhile now. I am jumping in at the deep end as I am a total novice and am learning as I go. My main aim is to share the aspects of my daily life with you, my homemaking interests, the struggles I have and the many blessings. I would also like to share some of the things that I love and inspire me, whether it is a beautiful photograph, a touching piece of music, a mouth watering recipe or a heart warming quote.

I am a mother to three wonderful children, all, but one, of whom have left the nest. I live at my cottage, on top of a hill with my nineteen year old daughter. I also have a grandson due any time now.

Im an old fashioned girl at heart and try to keep an organized, cosy and simplified home. I like to think I am thrifty and love scouring charity shops, car boots sales and yard sales in the hope of finding a bargain.

I love my family, friends and my Heavenly Father very much, as they all have blessed me with so much.
I love to cook and bake. I am always on the look out for new recipes to try.

I love gardening. Watching beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables growing from a little seed is absolutely amazing.

I love books, all books. I have so many, but I am always on the look out for more.

I love music, any music, and it fills my home from morning til night. It helps to make the housework more enjoyable, even if my singing is a little off key.
I also love all things vintage, the colour pink, long walks, the ocean, butterflies, laughter, old movies, ice cream, snuggles, and so much more

I hope you will enjoy reading my little blog and will come back and visit soon. Please leave a comment, I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you .

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x