On the Move

My life is a bit of a whirlwind of change at the moment. After Miss C. left home, this old house of mine if far too big and far to empty for one person. And..suffering badly from empty nest syndrome, I was wondering what to do with my time.

After long telephone conversations with my children, family and friends, and, after some arm twisting and some plotting behind my back I fear, I have come to a final decision.

For the next few months I will be living as a bit of a hobo. I'm going to give up this house, downsize, put my things in storage and travel the country visiting family and friends, some I haven't seen for years. I have four short weeks to get myself organised.

I have made a start. The hardest part is this down sizing. I'm a bit of a collector. For example, if I find an author I like, I have to read every book that person has written. But honestly, do I really need over 300 books....

When I lost both my parents a few years ago, I inherited many of their things. Many of them I didn't really need, and have been in the attic, gathering dust. I didn't have the heart to throw anything away. I thought by holding on to their things, I was somehow holding on to them. But, as time has passed, the pain of losing them has eased, and I'm ready to let go. My mother was very practical, and I really think she would be appalled that I was hanging on to things hiding them in boxes in darkness.  So, its time to let other people enjoy the things that gave her pleasure. Pictures, china, tea sets, dinner services, furniture and so much more, will be sold or given to Goodwill. Of course there are some things I will keep, things that I just cant bear to part with. So many photographs of the people I love, that are unique and part of my life. 

When my travels are over, I'm going to have to make a home again. But now, I think its time to let go of the past and start looking to the future. My children are grown, and what wonderful people they are. They have all persuaded me to do this, and are happy for me. I am so proud of them and I can actually say, I did a good job. Now is the time for me. I am looking forward to a fresh start and I know I will have a happy future.

So, I hope you will bear with me. I have so much to do in such a short time, but I will post when I can. I still have so much to say. And of course, I hope you will share my journey with me. Where we will go, I'm not too sure, but it will be fun finding out 

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Lemon Aids

I always keep a bowl of lemons in my kitchen. As well as looking nice, and having a slice in your drink, there are so many other uses for them

 Have you any uses for lemons that you would like to share?

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~ 78

Its my last visit of January to Patrice and her chat on the Farmhouse Porch..why dont you join us

Everyday Ruralty

Have you ever been on a boat? (Motor boat, sail boat, cruise ship, ark, or Good Ship Lollipop)

I have been on the Ferry over to France a couple of times, on a row boat in a London Park, on a little motor boat whilst on holiday with my family, on a speed boat in Marbella, and on a narrow boat on the canal... so yes I have..and loved every time

Do you need an alarm to wake up in the morning, or do you wake up naturally? If you have an alarm, tell us what type.

I have a clock radio that comes on each morning  with music...a much nicer way of waking up.

 

Have you ever had a yard sale?

We dont really have Yard Sales in the Uk...we have Car Boot Sales, where people sell items from their car. And yes...I love them..you can get a bargain. This is the one I go to...

Do you like kitchen gadgets? What are some of your favorite?

My trusty food mixer is my favourite gadget. It makes the most perfect cakes...But if Santa is looking...I would love one like this next Christmas..hint hint

Do you read labels at the grocery store?

Always..I like to know whats in the food I feed my family

 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

 

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 97:7

 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

 

How to fold a T-Shirt

I love a closet that is neat and tidy, slightly OCD I know, but I like to know where everything is at a glance

Who knew there was an art to folding a T shirt. Anthea Turner is a Domestic Goddess and she makes it look so simple.

Give it a try, its easier than you think

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Minted Lamb Casserole

A warming, tasty family meal that is incredibly easy to throw together. You can use fresh ingredients, or leftover meat and vegetables.

As with most recipes, tweak it to your own taste

400g lean diced lamb or leftover cooked
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
frozen peas
500 ml lamb stock
20g gravy granules
1 Tbsp mint sauce

• Preheat oven to 170c, Gas Mark 3

• Put meat and vegetables into a casserole dish

• In a jug, make the stock. Add the gravy granules and mint sauce to make a gravy

• Pour over the meat and veg in the casserole dish

• Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is tender

What a Good Idea - Heart Shape Cupcakes

Want to make heart shape cupcakes , but don't have a heart shape pan. Just drop a marble, or a ball of rolled up tin foil, behind the cake liner. Saw this idea on facebook and just had to share 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~ #77

Tuesday morning...its time to go visit Patrice and her Chats on the Farmhouse Porch...come join us

Everyday Ruralty

Do you eat eggs? What is your favourite way to serve them?

Yes..I love eggs...boiled, fried,scrambled. But I think my favourite way, is just lightly poached on some lovely toast 

Do you have a favourite item that you really like having around?

I must be honest...no. To me..things are just things. I would much rather surround myself with people, especially three of the most incredible people I know...my children. Especially when they were younger

Is most of the furniture in your home dark wood, light wood, painted, lacquered, or distressed?

Dark wood...but the house is big and light enough to carry it

Please fill in the rest of this sentence. "I could write a book about____________."

My Life so Far...honestly...you would never believe it

If money and calendar/family obligations weren't an issue, would you prefer to spend next weekend at a Bed and Breakfast, a posh hotel, a cabin in the woods, or on a sailboat on a calm body of water? I guess the last thing, the sailboat, would have to be someplace warm. :) (It's 30+ degrees here.)

Definitely a cabin in the woods. Long walks, peace and quiet, and snuggling down to read a book in front of a blazing fire...heaven 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Storing Earrings

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

Winter is definitely here, at last. Thick snow has finally hit and the days are much colder. The meals at the cottage this week are substantial.

At breakfast, porridge is on the menu, topped with fruit, honey or golden syrup. I have it early as I start my day early and wont get hungry before lunch.

Lunches have become warming too, with homemade soup, leftover stews and casseroles being to be eaten with some nice chunks of nutty homemade bread.
Im eating leftover food from the freezer.. and Im finding it really hard cooking for one.
It quite difficult right now.... at least I will have company for Sunday lunch

Weekly Plan - 21 January 2013


Monday            Leftover Roast Beef Casserole

Tuesday           Honey Mustard Chicken with Curry, Vegetable Rice


Wednesday      Hawaiian Pork & Rice Casserole


Thursday          Chilli Philly Pasta Bake


Friday               Fish Pie


Saturday          Pesto Chicken Pizza


Sunday             Roast Beef, Roast Potatoes and Parsnips, Veg

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 37:23

 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Let it snow......

After two years, we finally have snow, and boy did it come down, over 10 inches of it. Its very pretty, but living on top of a very steep hill, it was impossible to get down to the town today

It started yesterday morning...just light flurries...then didnt stop til this morning

And what a beautiful morning it was. The sun was shining over the mountain

 Even the town looked pretty

 Had to dig a pathway to the chicken house

But Charlie loved it

Its the first time hes seen snow

 He jumped in and nearly disappeared

By this afternoon, the mountain disappeared in the fog and it began to snow again.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Awful Tooth !!

Well I had my wisdom tooth out. It wasn't as bad as I thought. It aches a little today, and I keep forgetting not to chew that side. At least I should be able to open my mouth wider now as the tooth was digging into my cheek .The dental nurse asked if I wanted to keep the offending article, ummmm no thank you. The dentist said I was very brave...but I didn't get a lollipop....

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea - Nail Polish Rack

Use an old spice rack as a nail polish rack. You can pick them up all the time in charity shops. Ideal for teenage rooms

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Spiced Apple Waffles

When I found this recipe over at Recipe Girl, I just had to try them. And they were delicious. Apple pie for breakfast...oh yum

Just pop into my kitchen, for this recipe, and others from my own favourites and from around the web.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #76

Happy Tuesday everyone, and hello to my new Fabulous Friends. It really warms my heart that you are interested in what goes on in my head. I would like to thank you all for all your lovely comments too, it really makes this girl feel good. I look forward to getting to know you all.

So while my Banana Bread is baking in the oven, time to grab a mug of coffee and make my Tuesday morning visit to Patrice and her Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Everyday Ruralty

Here are this weeks questions, and my answers

1. What was your favorite game as a child?

I spent a lot of time at my Grandmas when I was growing up playing with my cousins. We played French Skipping, Ball Against the Wall and made a 'house' in the woods behind Grandmas. In wet weather, we pretended to be fashion designers, or made up dances to 70's records on a scratchy old record player

2. Have you ever had your own business? (home business, a shop, Etsy, lemon-aid stand, etc)

I used to have a Village Craft Shop, which sold knitting, tapestry, cross stitch and patchwork supplies. I loved it. Im an avid cross stitcher, so it was like being a kiddie in a sweet shop

3. How's your spelling?

 

Not too bad. I have loved reading since I was a child, and I think that always helps with spelling. The biggest problem I have is I still write the British way when writing to American friends..eg.. favour, colour, saviour, etc.

4. How are you about going to the dentist?

I hate needles, but going to the dentist isnt too bad. Im trying to convince myself because I have to have a wisdom tooth out on Thursday

5. Do you enjoy board games?

Love them. We have always played them as a family. Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and  Cluedo are amongst the favourites. And of course, like the family in the picture, we NEVER have arguments.

Thank you Patrice for the great questions

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x