Nearly Spring..

Miss C asked me to put some flowery wallpaper up in the living room for her. It was awful stuff to work with. It kept ripping, and somehow it took ages to get the match right. Still, I did it, but lesson learnt...don't buy from an Internet company that no one has heard of..and doesn't have any reviews

 

It dosn't look too bad though..and as she only wanted the walls either side of the fireplace done...I was finished quite quickly. As it was a rather pleasant sunny day, I couldnt wait to take a walk in the sunshine

I walked out of the town and followed the old stone walls

Past the old Melin Yr Ogof windmill, built in 1825 to grind corn

And out into the countryside, where sheep were happily grazing

 

Some of the fields are still waterlogged from all the months of rain

 
It was so good to see the bare branches starting to bud


Very soon they will burst into beautiful colours


 Some are already sharing their delicious hues

 
And with the daffodils ready to blossom...Spring is almost here

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

80 Years.....

Happy 80th Birthday to my wonderful Dad, I couldnt have asked for anyone better

I was so blessed to have you in my life, the best friend a girl could ever have.

 

Trying to find a picture of you to post was so hard cos I couldn't see through the tears.

There isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of you, 

Some days are harder than others

but as time passes it gets easier 

 

I love you and miss you very much

Phoebe xx

Old To New with Torrie Jayne

I have found a wonderful blog called Torrie Jayne.. if you havent seeen it go check it out. It is full of beautiful, creative crafts for the home. I just love her style and her eye for colour is amazing. She has some wonderfully inspiring ideas...like this..

Take an old dresser...found on ebay for 99p

 and transform it into this



Isnt it gorgeous...pure white and you cant tell its melamine. Full instructions can be found here

Im off to see what I can find on ebay

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

 

Chats on the Farmhous Porch ~ 128

Here we are again. I've looked forward to this all day. time to visit Patrice and Wendell over at Everyday Ruralty for her weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch. Come join us why don't you?

Everyday Ruralty

What is your favorite kind of bread? (wheat, white, rye, sourdough, a gluten free type, etc.)

I just love bread..the baking, the smell, the taste. I know its not the best for you, but I have a weakness for white bread, especially when its toasted. I always remember my grandmother making her Cottage Loaf and putting the handle of a wooden spoon through the layers to make a hole and join the two halves of the loaf together. By the way..did you know its National Toast Day here in the UK. Im smiling.....

 Would you go to an opera if someone you know was in it?

Of course...but I prefer operetta, I especially like Gilbert and Sullivan, especially the Pirates of Penzance. I was in it at school...very British and great fun

 

What is your favorite kind of citrus fruit?
At the moment its Satsumas. I could eat them til they come out of my ears

 

Are you doing any home renovations or decorating projects?
Funnily enough, on Friday I'm wallpapering a wall for my daughter. I quite like decorating so its no chore

If you could sit in a rocking chair and view a beautiful scene, where would you be and what would you be looking at?

My ideal place would be anywhere in Hawaii as I've always wanted to visit. But thinking about it, there is nowhere more beautiful than where I am now...Wales. Hows this for a view?

 

Thats it for another week. Hope you enjoyed it. Im looking forward to the next one.

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

Well...one week down in my six week college course, and I'm loving it. Its a lot of work, with homework every night, so again, this week, everything for dinner will be out of the freezer. Dividing my recipes into two and freezing one has really paid off.

Have a great week everyone

Weekly Plan - 24 February 2014

Monday               Cauliflower cheese, Crusty Bread

Tuesday               Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki, Vegetable Rice

Wednesday         Shepherds Pie, Green Beans

Thursday             Million Dollar Spaghetti, Green Salad

Friday                  Homemade Tuna Fishcakes, Potato Wedges, Sweetcorn

Saturday              Taco Beef Burgers, Oven Fries 

Sunday                Roast Chicken, Dry Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli

 

Sunday Thoughts ~ Colossians 3:13

 

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Marshmallow Frosting

 

I dont know if it works...but it may be worth a try

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Almond Milk

I'm on a bit of a health kick at the moment. I need to look good for my wedding later this year. I don't have a weight scale so I'm going by my clothes. Since Christmas I have lost 2 dress sizes so not bad.

Anyway being a bit of a foodie, I'm always looking for ways of cutting calories in food, without losing the flavour.

So, I have to thank Cathy over at Curious as a Cathy for this fabulous tip, and introducing me to the wonders of almond milk

Like Cathy, I have been having oatmeal for breakfast. I find that it warms me up and fills me til lunchtime..no need to snack. And like her, I was making it with water, which to be honest was just ..well...watery ..and tasteless. Then I read her post, and thought...wow..must try that. And its lovely. I use half water and half almond milk..and voila..a creamy bowl of deliciousness, for barely any added calories

I use it in my coffee too...and it has a mildly nutty taste...yummy

Here are the comparisons

	100ml  Whole Milk	100ml (2%)    Reduced Fat	100ml NoFat    Skim Milk	100ml Alpro Almond Milk
Calories	62	52	35	24
Total Fat	3.35	2.03	0.18	1.1
Carbs	4.66	4.83	4.85	12
Fiber	0	0	0	0
Sugar	5.42	5.52	5.09	3
Protein	3.32	3.4	3.41	0.5

Contains almonds and may contain other nut traces of course... Dairy, lactose and dairy free. Suitable for vegans & vegetarians

If you decide to try it....I would love to know what you think

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Three Ingredient Banana Bread Cookies

 

I saw this and just had to share..

Guess what I'm going to make on Saturday.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~ 127

Its time for one of my favourite times of the week. A visit to Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty and her Chat on the Farmhouse Porch. Glad you are feeling a little better Patrice...we missed you last week

Everyday Ruralty

Have you been watching the Olympics?
No...not really. The last time I watched the Winter Olympics was when Torville and Dean were at the very top. Wonderful. I like hearing how Great Britain are doing though

Watch the full routine here

Does the grey winter affect your moods?
Im sure it would if I let it...but I can find beauty in anything..so I look on the positive...Spring will soon be here

source

When was the last time you held a baby?

All the time..with my Grandson....he's gorgeous, and cuddly and I love giving him Nana Hugs

Do you do a thorough spring cleaning each year?

Yes...its a legacy from my mother... and her mother before her..but I don't mind...I'm not a lover of clutter, and I like the house to be really clean

Please tell Wendell a bedtime story. He asked. I said I'd ask you. If you don't feel that creative, tell him a favourite book you think he might like. please:)

I'm not very good at making up stories. I used to read my children a lots of books at bedtime. One of Miss C's favourite's was 'Guess How Much I Love You' by Sam McBratney. She could listen to it over and over. Eventually I could see her mouthing the words as I read it.. And yes Miss C...'I love you to the moon ..and back'

Listen to the story

Thank you Patrice..great questions as always

Until next time

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

Still no sign of Spring....but it cant be too far away..I hope. I start a six week college course today, so for this weeks menu, we needed something that both Miss C and I can either grab ready made from the freezer, cooked in the slow cooker, or quickly throw together when we get home. No time for lots of fiddling.....I just know Miss C will be 'starving' ...

Just a quick note...most of the recipes used are for four people...so with there only being two for dinner, I halve the recipe ..or freeze half for later. And the chicken used..is leftover from Sundays dinner, plenty for the two of us.

Weekly Plan -  17 February 2014

Monday               Hearty Vegetable Stew, Crusty Bread

Tuesday               Mexican Chicken Casserole, Mixed Salad

Wednesday         Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Sweetcorn

Thursday             Chicken Tetrazzini

Friday                  Smoked Haddock Fishcakes, Potato Wedges, Garden Peas

Saturday              Steak and Onion Panini

Sunday                Roast Chicken, Dry Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli

Sunday Thoughts ~ Matthew 7:7-8

 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Ice Cream Sandwiches

 

Perfect Ice Cream Sandwiches without a mess.

You'll need 12 Large Cookies (about the size of a Ben & Jerrys Lid), a tub of your favorite flavor B&J's Ice cream and a Serrated Knife. 

Lay the tub on it's side, slice through the ice cream about an inch or so thick and transfer it to the cookie. Remove the paper and Instant Mess Free Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich. 

Can be wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and stored in the freezer for later if you prefer

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Valentines Day

 

 Mr D

I love you more, 

every second.

of every minute,

of every hour,

of every passing day.

Thank you for loving me

and making me so happy

Yours...For All Eternity

Phoebe xx

The Calm After the Storm

The storm is over, and we are all safe and well. There are a few trees down, some structural damage....and a truck overturned on the bridge leading to the island (always heed the warning signs Mr Driver...)  More storms on the way though..so they say

The sun is shining, but the wind is bitterly cold, ideal weather to use up the last of Sundays chicken and make some Chicken Noodle Soup. Served with some home made crusty bread...it was just the ticket

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x