What a Good Idea ~ Gingerbread Skeletons

I think these are so cute..

 Give gingerbread men a Halloween makeover, 

and the results are scary delicious

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Maybe Next Year

Now I have a date to go over to the States, I can start making firm plans, about lots of things. Im afraid I wont be there for an American Halloween but I will be there for Thanksgiving. It doesnt give me much time for Holiday decorating, but I will try my best. Its time to start reading up on Thanksgiving recipes. I was too afraid to plan before, just in case I was refused. As for the decor...well possibly...

 
But....

Oh Boy....

Next year....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

They Said 'Yes'

Well...Im home. I had my visa interview aaand.......I was accepted!!

It went better than I thought. I arrived at Grosvenor Square at 8.30 ready for my interview at 9. There were lots of people in front of me, in two queues and I made sure I was in the right one. Once I got to the front of the queue and my passport and appointment checked, I was sent to join the back of the other queue. At the front of that queue, my passport and paperwork were checked again. I had been there almost an hour and hadn't even got into the building yet.

Security was tight...seeing policemen and embassy guards with big guns was daunting. I had to place my phone, belt and tablet into a plastic bag. We were ushered four at a time into a room. I was searched while my bags went through a scanning machine. 

I was then allowed to walk around the outside of the building and into the reception area, where I was given a number and told to go sit in the waiting area. There must have been around a hundred people sitting waiting. I thought I was going to be there hours. I was really nervous...and couldn't stop my hands from shaking

But suddenly things started moving incredibly fast. No sooner had I sat down, my number was called and I went to one of the many windows where my fingerprints were taken, and various forms checked. I was sent to sit down again to wait for my interview..and I swear no more than two minutes passed and I was called to another window. I answered a few simple questions..and then she handed me my chest x ray which she said I had to take with me to the States and I have to be in the US by December 18th. I asked if that was it?? I was accepted?? And she said yes...enjoy your new life in America. And that was it. I could have cried. 

So my lovely friends...my ticket is booked and on the 19th November I fly to California. Im so happy, and all the stress is totally worth it. My new life is just 21 days away and I can hardly wait.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

London Hotel

So I've arrived in London

I'm at the hotel and the room is quite nice

The bed is large and comfortable

It has a nice en suite bathroom

 and Im glad there is a television..

 as the view isnt that good

But its only for one night and it will be dark soon.

Now all I have to do is try and sleep ready for tomorrow

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Final Hurdle

I'm packed. I've got my train tickets. I've got my visa file. I think I'm ready

Tomorrow I'm off to London. My visa interview is at 9 am on Monday morning so I'm staying overnight in a hotel not far from the American Embassy. I'm traveling light as they don't allow big bags in the Embassy building

I am terribly nervous. This is what the last 9 months have been heading towards....the final hurdle...and its huge! I have no idea what its going to be like or what they will ask. Im praying that we have all the right forms and we have provided enough evidence. I hope I haven't forgotten anything. I have checked and double checked

I have a terrible fear that my visa will be refused which will devastate me. But they can't refuse me...can they?

MrD keeps assuring me everything will be ok....and he has never lead me false. But I can hear in his voice that he is nervous too. On Monday he is flying to Nashville with his work, and will be in a meeting when I get the result....but he wants to know straight away. Of course he will be the first to know....either good or bad

So wish me luck...and if you can...please say a little prayer for us. We need it

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Mummy Chocolate Bars

Here's a really simple DIY craft that you can make with your kids and give out for Halloween

 Find the tutorial here

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Another Year Older.....

Today is my 52nd birthday. I've had a lovely day with my daughter, lunch out and a birthday cake. I enjoyed it so much, even though I am still a little poorly and recovering from a bad throat and chest infection and have hardly any voice. 

It was poignant for me because it is the last birthday I will spend with Miss C for a long time...if ever. In 28 days I leave for my new life in the States.. 

The last couple of years have been incredible...full of so many ups and downs. I never thought I would get to this age and be starting over...and 5000 miles away in a new country. I honestly thought I would spend the rest of my life alone. We really dont know what Heavenly Father has got planned for us

Being 51 wasnt too bad at all....but I think 52 is going to be amazing!!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Galatians 6:9

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Halloween Witches Broomstick Swag

I just love this swag from The Painted Hinge

Next year Im definitley going to make it

Find the tutorial here

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Halloeween Candy Covered Apples

Made especially for Halloween, these are a great alternative to plain candy apples.  

 This variety of covered apples from The Partiologist are so darn cute!. 

Pop over to her page to find out just how to decorate them

 

DIY All Things have step by step instructions and a helpful video sowing

how to make these fabulous Spiderman Candy Apples

 

These gourmet style dipped apples can be found over at Our Best Bites 

and have a delicious caremel coating and a variety of toppings

These Jack Skellington Chocolate Covered Apples from 

 Wonky Wonderful are easy and impressive

And if you fancy an alternative to apples...these Ghastly Pear Ghosts

 from Taste of Home may fit the bill 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Paper Pumpkins

Im a big fan of Dollar Store crafts

And anything thats quick and easy is a bonus

So when I saw these cute paper pumpkins over at Life With Lovebugs

I was impressed

Find the full tutorial here

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Farewell Tour

So....today I gave notice in work

Four weeks tomorrow I will leave my job. It will give me a week before I fly to California to visit a few family members to say goodbye

I will be taking the opportunity over the next couple of weeks to visit as many friends and family as I can as I know I will probably not see some of them again. Its going to be a very emotional time

I hope to bring MrD back to Wales in a couple of years, and show him where I grew up and meet some of the people Im leaving behind

Until then, I have a couple of exciting weeks ahead of me as I start "My Farewell Tour" ....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought~ Psalm 62:5

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

At Last....

Its Come! Its Come! Its Come!

At last my US Visa appointment has come through

Its on October 27th...just 15 days away

Im so excited I can hardly breathe

Now I have a new focus and at last 

MrD and I can start making some positive plans

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Even Stitches

 

If like me you do a lot of hand sewing and struggle to keep the stitches even why not try this idea

By making two marks on the side of your thumb, and moving your thumb along as you work, you have a built in gauge for exact stitch length, without marking up your fabric. Genius, right?

 

I wish I knew whose thumb this is...I would love to thank them

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Painted Wood Slice Pumpkins

Pumpkins can come in all forms! 

These Painted Wood Slice Pumpkins make a great fall addition.

  

Find the tutorial over at A Night Owl

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

And....Relax

After all the hard work and long hours I have been working

and all the stressing I have been doing over my visa

I really need to unwind ...

 

Oh .....yes please.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Halloween Memories

This time last year, I was in California, sipping iced tea, and watching the neighbourhood put up their Halloween decorations

 It was such a fun time and some of the decorations were amazing. Here in the Uk we are only just getting into the swing of the 'Trick or Treat' mentality...although I loved dressing up the kids when they were little. But the US really go over the top so I really loved it

I was hoping to be back there for Halloween this this year, but its looking unlikely. But...theres always next year....and I have wonderful memories of last year

 Annnnnd...theres nothing stopping me looking for inspiration for my Halloween decorations for next year... right?. The internet is full of them and I plan to share some of my favourites

I look forward to seeing some of your ideas too...I hope you are willing to share

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x