Fridays Fave Five ~ 315

Its Friday so its time to join Susanna at Living to Tell The Story. Nothing much has happened this week so I didn't think I had anything to post...But, looking back, I see how truly blessed I am and how simple things can mean so much. So heres My Fave Five

1. Lovely Gift

I'm loving the picture frame my sweet daughter sent us. Our new wedding photos fit in it perfectly

2. My Walks

I'm loving my daily walks..and I'm still amazed at seeing roses in Winter

3. New Arrivals
Recently we have welcomed two of my cousins into the greatest society on earth..... 'The Nana Club'. with the birth of their first Grandchildren. First to arrive was gorgeous little Sophie..just look at that face

Then we welcomed beautiful Rhiannon Lucy. She looks just like her Daddy..

Welcome to the world precious girls...we love you

4. Sunrise Over The City
Its not the best picture because I was walking and I caught it on my phone...but the colours were beautiful

5. Little Dresses

I saw these in a local shop and had to smile. My daughter should be grateful that I don't still choose her clothes....lol

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x



John Henry

Its Throwback Thursday...and I'm going waaay back in time.

 I love Family History and finding everything I can about my ancestors

This is my Great grandfather...John Henry



He was born in 1877 in one of a row of cottages
in Bunkers Hill in Wales,

the second eldest of eight children.

Can you imagine fitting all those people

in such a little home?

He became a Clay Miner.

Here he is with his wife Elizabeth and five of their ten children..

including my grandfather

John Henry died suddenly at his daughters house, age 68.

Family legend has it that his body was taken by train

to his home village in an orange crate

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x



Wednesday Hodgepodge

Its time to join Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has written





 1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?

Last year I was forever telling myself to 'Chill Out'. We applied for my visa to come to America in January. The process was so long, and each step took so much time.. I was very impatient. From start to me actually getting on the plane took 11 months. Mr D was more positive. He would tell ME to chill... He would say "All in God's time" ...and he was absolutely right.

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?

Being so far from my family, one of the concerns I had was that my little Grandson would forget me. But, Skype is a wonderful thing. I called my son the other morning...and Little H heard my voice and came running into the room, very excited, shouting 'Nana! Nana!' and started jabbering 100 to the dozen and kissing the screen. My heart didn't just melt...it absolutely exploded!



3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton  

Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?

My whole life is an adventure right now. When MrD asked me to marry him and move 5.000 miles from my home...I had so many emotions. Scared about moving so far away...sad about leaving my children, family and friends....worried about being in a country where I only know three people..apprehensive about my change of lifestyle! After two short months all my fears have vanished. My children are happy, and coping quite well without me.(pfffft). I'm getting to know people here and the way of life, although different ..is enjoyable. MrD and I are so happy, I know I made the right decision. Now my only concern is to remember to look the right way when crossing the street...

4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?

Honestly...I haven't tried any...yet!  I don't like root beer...but the other two will do just fine.

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why
As you can see from the above answers...I would say 2014 was quite a circus... But now...its a definite symphony. I pray it lasts

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'
'Ride a White Swan' by T-Rex. A memory filled song form my girlhood...please don't judge...I remember 'boogieing' to it at the school disco as a pre-teen..lol

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

As you can see, not only have I just left the town where I lived....I left the country too. Funnily enough...my blogpost yesterday was about what I miss about Wales. But..the hardest thing...without a doubt...was leaving my children and grandson.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Thank you Lord for Skype

 Great questions...I'm looking forward to next week

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x



Remembering....

Today I'm going to join in the
Roses of Inspiration Link-Up Party
that Stephanie is hosting over at The Enchanting Rose
Its my first time so it should be fun


Today I have been thinking back to my life in my Homeland ...Wales
I'm loving it here in the States and I have no regrets about moving here

But, I do miss the places I used to go walking

and all the things I loved to see

The cliff tops

  

My Mountain

 

The Harbour

The Waterfalls

The River where Dad used to take me fishing

The Woodland Walk

The Beach where I collected shells

The Park where I watched the model boats..

and fed the ducks

Happy memories...

but I'm even happier to be making new ones

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Simple Womans Daybook

Today I am going to join lots of other ladies and write my first ever Simple Woman's Daybook. I've been enjoying reading other peoples for so long. I thought it was about time I joined in



Outside my window...

Its warm and sunny. The weather got into the 80s this weekend. Living in an apartment, there isn't much of a view, but its very quiet here, even though we are next to the Highway. And, the neighbours are lovely

I am thinking...
I really should get off this lap top and get into that sunshine

I am thankful...
for the happy life I have now. After a few years of turmoil, I am now at peace.

In the kitchen...

a Chicken Pot Pie I made from leftovers last week is defrosting ready to go into the oven for dinner, I have some fresh green beans to go with it

I am wearing...

Jeans, a black shirt with a favourite long necklace, black canvas shoes with funky white laces, spotty socks and a bracelet my daughter sent to me for Christmas

I am creating...

I am just starting a new cross stitch sampler to commemorate our wedding. it will probably take me til our anniversary to finish it.

I am going...

out to explore a bit more of this town. I am feeling a bit more confident crossing the busy roads although they still scare me.

I am hoping...

to find a few thrift shops on my travels

I am wondering...
what my daughter is doing back in the Uk. She is working long hours at the Old Peoples Home and I hope she is looking after herself

I am reading...

the last book I brought from the UK with me. Time to look for some more.



I am looking forward to...

Mr D coming home from work. I sure love my wonderful Hubby

I am learning...

how to use US money. It was difficult to begin with as I kept getting confused...I mean why is a 5cent coin so much bigger than a 10 cent coin. And some of the notes are very similar in appearance so I have to be careful. I still think of pounds when I see dollar signs and shudder when things look very expensive. Also, items you purchase in the UK have tax already added so there is no extra charge at the checkout. I will get used to it all soon I'm sure

Around the house...

its very peaceful.  Just the clock ticking. Im blogging on the couch...and Scruffy the cat is sleeping beside me



A favorite quote for today...

From the amazing Marjorie Pay Hinckley. She says so many wise words, its hard to choose just one quote

One of my favorite things...

Photography....I'm not very good at it, but I try



A few plans for the rest of the week:

I need to get a social security number sorted this week...and then get to the DMV and get an ID card. Then I shall feel like I'm a 'Somebody' again...lol

A peek into my day...

A normal is day is the same every day.. I get up at 3am with Hubby and have Family Prayer before he leaves for work. Follow that with Housework ( I love cleaning my floors), cooking, blogging, a bit of stitching and at least an hours walking. If I'm lucky I get to Skype with the children..No 1 son already called at 4.15 this morning

Have a wonderful week everyone

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x



Meal Plan Monday

 

The weekend didn't quite go as expected. Mr D was supposed to get Saturday off from work...but a major breakdown at the plant meant he was called in...and ended up working 13 hours. My poor guy was sooo tired. But.. he was looking forward to going to a Roadster Show in Pomona on Sunday after Church. Until...that is...the car wouldn't start and we couldn't go anywhere. Miraculously though..it started perfectly when he tried it again last evening. I guess we just weren't meant to go anywhere. Still...being at home with my lovely Hubby, going for a walk in the sunshine and watching a couple of movies together was wonderful
So another week...another menu. I know Pork chops are on the menu again...but I think Mr D would go into withdrawal if he didn't get them once a week.
I always make extra Burritos and freeze them. Mr D takes them to work for lunch during the week, as well as any other leftovers
The Pot Pie was made with leftovers last week and frozen so dinner today is easy.
Im cooking extra potatoes on Thursday to make Fridays dinner.
So all in all...quite an easy week.

Weekly Plan - January 26th

Monday             Chicken Pot Pie, Green Beans

Tuesday             Burritos

Wednesday       Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Corn

Thursday          Sticky Barbeque Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Jacket Potatoes

Friday               Twice Baked Jacket Potatoes with Bacon, Salad

Saturday           Homemade Hawaiian Pizza

Sunday              Day out with Hubby

 

Sunday Thought ~ Philippians 4:13

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x



Roses in Winter

I love my walks.
Everyday I see something new

 

I know its January...and I know its Winter...

but I'm living in the 'Land of Eternal Sun'...

and its so strange seeing Roses.

I'm only used to seeing them in the Summer

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Fridays Fave Five

Its Friday and its time to join Susanna over at Living to Tell the Story for this weeks Fridays Fave Five. I've had a wonderful week...and I have so much to be grateful for. It was hard just choosing five

1. Surprise Outing

Mr D and I took a drive into Hollywood and took a walk down Universal City Walk. I'm so lucky to be living so close.

2. My First Ever Pretzel

To me...pretzels were little, hard, savoury chips....until I got to America and hubby treated me to one. Mr D and I went 'halfs'...and it was delicious

3. Hubbys Gift

Some wives get chocolate...some wives get roses...this wife got a keyring...and I love it 

4. Summer in Winter

Being new to California..it really doesn't feel like Winter. Its warm and sunny and has only rained once or twice since I arrived. While other part of the country are shivering with cold ...I am melting with heat. To walk past our neighbours house and see lemons and grapefruit growing in her front garden is a thrill. I really love it here

5. Pomona Classic Car Show

Im a vintage girl at heart...I swear I was born in the wrong decade. I loved our visit to The Pomona Classic Car Show last weekend. I think I've chosen our next car... smile

Its been such a wonderful week....I can't wait to see what happens next



Love and Hugs

Phoebe x