House Hunting...Long Distance

 

Mr D and I have been having long discussions, mainly about were we will be starting our married life together. The house we have now needs so much doing to it. The more we do...the more needs doing. Mr D really dislikes the time taken for the long drive to and from work. Plus, the truck uses a lot of gas and propane prices are soaring. Also, in a year or so, we will have to move with his work again. Is it really worth ploughing money into somewhere when we are not really happy?

The answer is no. So we have decided to give up the 'Money Pit', move closer to where he works and find somewhere reasonably priced where we can stay til we have to move again

We don't want anywhere fancy, just something nice, comfortable and clean. So for the last couple of weeks, Mr D has been looking for a new home for us to rent. Its been difficult because lots of places wont take a cat...and we wont leave Scruffy behind. He has been sending me emails of different property so we can look at them together. Being five thousand miles apart is no obstacle

Last Monday, we found one we both liked, and applied. What do you know? We were accepted and yesterday Mr D picked up the keys. This weekend he will be moving in. Theres no cable yet so no Superbowl for him...Poor Mr D.

Now I have the fun of choosing what we need and what goes where...like I say five thousand miles is no obstacle

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Spices for Weight Loss

 

Good to know

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Welcome Little Miss

 Just in case you didnt know
My daughter has had a new addition to the family

 

Meet Miley

We got her from the local animal rescue


She was found in the town just before Christmas

Shes about five months old


 Shes naughty, and playful, and loves being tickled under the chin

 
 Shes made herself at home already

Love and Hugs
 Phoebe x

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~ 125

Wow...Tuesdays seem to be coming around so fast. I dont mind, because it means we get to visit Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty and her Chats on the Farmhouse Porch. lets see what she would like to chat about this week

Have you tried any DIY cleaning products or skin care products from the many recipes on the internet?

I make my own laundry detergent, and kitchen cleaner, both with great success. Beauty wise I have tried a few things, but the best has to be the Body Scrub I found a few months ago. It seems to be working well, and has made some lovely gifts for friends

Body Scrubs Recipe

Do you like to enter sweepstakes, giveaways, or prize drawings?

Well..I try...but never win. I used to play the lottery but Im not tempted now. But, I do buy raffle tickets for local charity fund raisers..so even if I dont win..the charity does

How often do you visit your local library? Do you have a local library?

The library here is within walking distance, and I tend to go at least once a week, not only for books, but for the computers and printers. They also have a lovely little tea room.

Do you have a simple mobile phone or one that does lots of things?

Im a lucky girl...I have two. A very basic cheap one that I use for calls while Im in the UK, and a Smartphone that I use to skype and send text messages to the the States, plus lots of other things. 

Tell me something new or interesting. Please:)

My daughter has a new kitten, Miley. She and her brother were taken to the cat rescue after they were found in the town on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, her brother didnt make it. At least Miley has a good home now

Until next week everyone

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

The weather is turning colder. More rain, turning to ice and snow. The wind is bitterly cold, just the weather for warming, comforting food.
All the recipes are my foodie blog... Phoebes Kitchen

Weekly Plan - 27 January 2014

Monday           Crispy Top Macaroni Cheese

Tuesday          Chicken Breast stuffed with Pepper Jack Cheese and Spinach,
                         Potato Wedges

Wednesday     Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops, Baby New Potatoes, Green Beans

Thursday         Spanish Rice

Friday              Fish Pie,  Peas, Sweetcorn

Saturday         BBQ Chicken Pizza

Sunday            Church Fellowship

Sunday Thought ~ James 4:8

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus

Happy Saint Dwynwens Day

On the 25th of January each year, people all over Wales celebrate St Dwynwen's Day, the Welsh equivalent of Valentines Day.Whilst the occasion is still little known outside of Wales, exposure grows each year with events, dinners and special occasions being held all over her home country of Anglesey

 

Legend has it  that Dwynwen, whose name translates to 'she who leads a blessed life' was the prettiest of 5th Century Welsh king Brychan Brycheiniog's twenty-four daughters. She fell in love with a man named Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had already arranged for her to marry someone else and refused to give permission

On finding out, Maelon cruelly forced himself upon her and fled. Broken hearted, and grieved to have upset her father, Dwynwen ran to the woods and begged God to make her forget. An angel visited her in her sleep and gave her a potion to erase her memory of feelings for Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

An Angel visits Dwynwen

Dwynwen was horrified to find her love frozen solid. She prayed again to God, who answered her prayers by granting her three wishes. Her first wish was to have Maelon thawed and for him to forget her; her second, to have God look kindly on the hopes and dreams of true lovers whilst mending the broken hearts of the spurned; and her third was for her to never marry, but to devote the remainder of her life to God, as thanks for saving Maelon.

The Chapel ruins on Llanddwyn Island

With each of her wishes coming true, Dwynwen devoted her life to God. She became a nun and set up a convent on the island of Llanddwyn, off the coast of Anglesey, the remains of which can still be seen today. along with Dwynwen's well. It's believed the well is home to sacred fish who can predict whether couples relationships will succeed; if the fish are seen to be active when visiting the well, it was seen as a sign of a faithful husband

Dwynwen's Well

After her death she was declared the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers and ever since, Welsh lovers have looked to St Dwynwen for her help in courting their true love, or for forgetting a false one.

 

 Her most well known saying is “Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness” 

Welsh Love Spoons

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Enough Already...

And its cold...and windy...and raining... again!

 

One nice day and we have to pay for it

 

 Ahhh well...I should be grateful

 The rain is why Wales is so green

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Necklaces for Necklines

 

When it comes to fashion I can be a bit clueless. So I was really glad when I came across this styling chart on how to choose the right necklace based on what type of neckline you are wearing. I hope you find it helpful too

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x 

What a Good Idea ~ Chocolate Bananas

                             Slice bananas and spread a little peanut butter in between,

 Freeze for an hour, then dip in chocolate. 

Refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes 

Voila you have an awesome snack.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~ 124

After all the rain, today the sun is shining, and I swear I just saw a patch of blue sky.....I think. A lovely walk is on the cards, but first, lets visit Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty and her weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch

Everyday Ruralty

How many seed catalogs have arrived at you home?

None this year. Im staying with my daughter and she has no garden.I miss growing my own vegetables. But ...next year...

My Seedlings..2 years ago

Will you be learning to do something new this year?

Hmm, good question. There are so many things I would like to try. But I have put my name down for a First Aid course..and am trying out for a Health and Safety Certificate. You never know when they may be needed

 

How many pair of boot do you own?(This can include casual, dressy, hiking, farm, riding, snow, or any other kind of boot.)

Boots and shoes...my passion. I have 3 pairs of of knee high boots, 2 pairs of ankle boots, and a pair of hiking boots. The pair I love the best...are my wellington boots with pink and purple spots, too nice to get wet and dirty

My Beautiful Boots

 Valentine's Day is just around the corner. There are decorations in the stores. Do you have anything planned for Valentine's Day?

No, nothing this year. Mr D and I will be 5,000 miles apart. We will skype no doubt. I miss him dreadfully. But, it wont be forever, then everyday will be Valentines Day

So True

Please tell me your favorite breeds of dogs. If you don't like dogs, tell me something about a favorite animal.
I love all dogs, big, small, cute, ugly..But I must say, the favourite dog we had as a pet was Bertie, a Cavelier King Charles Spaniel. He was good and gentle and I wouldnt hesitate to have another

Arent they Gorgeous?

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Blue Monday

Apparently..today is Blue Monday... again. Its supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, even though we had another Blue Monday two weeks ago.

Well, its cold, its wet, the days are darker, Im struggling with my New Years resolution, bills are arriving, and Mr D is five thousand miles away. 

But hey... Im here, Im loved, Im with my daughter, I have hope for the future... and Im.....

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

It's Family Favourites this week. I thought I would ask if there was an thing special Miss C would like for dinner...so its all what she says she has missed since I have been away

Weekly Plan - 19 January 2014

Monday          Cauliflower Cheese, Crusty bread

Tuesday          Beef and Mushroom Pie, Mashed Potato, Peas

Wednesday     Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake 

Thursday         Baked Ham , Eggs and Chips 

Friday              Salmon and Leek Parcels, Potato Wedges

Saturday         Chicken Fajitas 


Sunday            Church Fellowship