Meal Plan Monday

It's hard to believe its the last day of November already. This year is going by so quickly...and Thanksgiving came and went in a flash. In the next couple of days the fall decorations are coming down, and the Christmas ones are going up. I have some pretty fabric I would like to make onto pillows and perhaps a new table cloth. Also this week, Im hoping to hear when I will be starting my little job. I hope its soon. Its going to be a very busy month...but my favourite month...Christmas is just around the corner...Eeek!

Weekly Plan - November 29th

Monday             Beef Hotpot

Tuesday             Chicken Tacos

Wednesday        Turkey Casserole

Thursday           Spaghetti Bolognese, Garlic Bread

Friday                Cheesy and Onion Baked Potatoes, Salad

Saturday            Chicken Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries

Sunday               Church Fellowship

Sunday Thought ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x



Problems...

Is anyone else having problems with their blog? 

I have noticed that many of my posts have reverted back to draft...and in others...my pictures have disappeared.

Im not happy about it...as this is lots of my memories, pictures and thoughts that I wanted to keep a record of ...All I can do is replace the photos...and re post. The problem is they then reappear in my new feed.

So I apologise if you get inundated with lots of my posts.....and old ones too! I hope it wont be for long.

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Stuffed!!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving

Just me and him.

But we got to skype family and friends

and had a long talk with mum in law on the telephone

The turkey went in the oven early...

covered in bacon...just like my mum used to do it

Dinner was delicious...

we will be living on leftovers for quite a few days

and the turkey wasnt the only thing that was stuffed!

Too full for Pumpkin  Pie??

Heck no...

but we waited and hour...

 Now to start planning for Christmas........

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Thanksgiving

From our House to Yours..

May we wish you  a very

Happy Thanksgiving

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

I Am Thankful.....

I have so much to be thankful for...the list is so long...but to name a couple..

Im Thankful for....a wonderful life in a new country, with a loving husband who treats me like a Queen. After almost a year, the honeymoon is definitely not over

Im Thankful for...amazing children who have grown to be kind, thoughtful and hardworking, and who make me so incredibly proud. Im also thankful for Skype...which keeps us so close

But today.. Im thankful for ....something extra..and unexpected. A couple of months ago my new mother in law, who I have yet to meet, was rushed to hospital with emphysema, was on oxygen and was on the critical list. At 83..it didnt look good. But through her strength and determination, and the power of prayer, she fought hard. This morning, this inspiring woman went home. She only weighs 100lb, but shes off the oxygen and is spending Thanksgiving with her beloved husband.  

Im Thankful for... A Heavenly Father who I love so much and I know loves us all. And, although He dosnt always answer our prayers immediately, I know He is listening 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Ready to Give Thanks

What a busy bee I have been today. Mr D finishes work today and is off until Monday, so I wanted everywhere to be spick and span so our Thanksgiving can begin

Bedding has been changed, floors mopped and gleaming, furniture polished, and all the ironing is done so no more laundry til next week...hopefully

I managed to put make few decorations up to make the house look more festive

And this afternoon I made a table cloth a few napkins, and a couple of hot pads in autumn colours. 

 What isnt done now can wait til next year...tomorrow its all about the food

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

It's officially Thanksgiving Week and its time to start preparing for our Thanksgiving Meal. This week I will be making the cranberry sauce and stuffing in advance of the big day...and will even attempt the Pumpkin Pie. When do you start your prep?

The menu plan is easy this week....We didnt have the meal we planned for yesterday, so we are having that today. And of course Turkey dominates the end of the week

Weekly Plan - November 22nd


Monday             Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Green Beans

Tuesday             Chicken Tacos

Wednesday        Beef Bourginion

Thursday           Thanksgiving Dinner...Turkey and all the trimmings

Friday                Thanksgiving Leftovers

Saturday            Turkey Curry, Rice

Sunday               Church Fellowship

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 26:7

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x



Got It

Well the interview went well...

and I got me a job. 

Its in a supermarket about five minutes walk away

and starts in two weeks. 

I know its not much....

but Im sure Im going to enjoy it

I just hope I look a bit more cheerful than this little Miss

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Nine Years

Its been nine years, 

The pain of losing you has eased, 

but I still think about you every day

Thank you for being my Dad

Love you and miss you

Phoebe xx

Cooking Thursday ~ Mincemeat

When we were shopping for a turkey yesterday, I was surprised to see that the supermarket stocked jars of Mincemeat. I have always considered it to be a British treat. Im looking forward to my Christmas baking 
Mincemeat is used in the ultimate British Christmas staple, Mince Pies and are always better when they're homemade The sweet, fruity mincemeat with all of those wonderful festive spices, encased in icing sugar covered, crumbly,buttery pastry, lovely and warm fresh from the oven.. is festive food heaven. My mouth is watering just thinking of them.

My Homemade Mince Pies

Shop bought mincemeat is ok...but I much prefer using homemade. This is a recipe I have used for many years...and its always a winner. Im not sure if they stock some of these ingredients in America, if not, I guess I can find some alternatives.

My Homemade Mincemeat

Zest and juice of 2 Lemons
Zest and juice of 2 Oranges
8oz Bramley Apples, unpeeled and chopped into small pieces
8oz Candied Peel, chopped
1lb Fresh Cranberries
2oz Almonds, sliced
12oz  Raisins
8oz Sultanas
8oz Currants
12oz Soft Dark Brown Sugar
4 level tsps Ground Mixed Spice
 ½ level tsp Ground Cinnamon
 ½ level tsp Nutmeg, freshly grated
8oz Beef or Vegetarian Suet, shredded

Makes 6lb Mincemeat

• Start the night before so all the flavours will be given a chance to develop
• Put all ingredients into a large mixing bowl,
• Stir and mix these together very thoroughly  
• Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and leave the mixture in a cool place for 12 hours or overnight
• Pre-heat the oven 225°F,120°C
• Cover the bowl loosely with foil and place in the oven for 3 hours. 
• When you remove the mincemeat from the oven, it will appear to be swimming in fat. 
• As it cools stir it from time to time; the fat will coagulate 
• This coats all the fruits, including the apples and cranberries, and seals in the juices. This is how it should be and in no way affects the superb flavour.
• When the mincemeat is quite cold, you can stir in 6 tablespoons brandy, if you like
• Pack into the clean, sterilized, dry jars, cover with wax discs and seal. 
• Don't forget to put the labels on when the mincemeat is cold or they'll simply peel off. 
• It will keep in a cool, dark cupboard indefinitely, but I think it is best eaten within a year of making

Next time I will share my recipe for delicious Mince Pies

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

A Mixed Bag

Its a bit of a jumble of a post today....

My crafting is well underway for some Thanksgiving decorations. With the couple of things I've bought, the few pine cones I have found on my walks, along with the bits and bobs in my craft cupboard, by the weekend the house will be looking a bit more festive.  By the way, I was told that when you put the pine cones in the oven to kill the bugs, the house would smell lovely. It didnt....yuck!

We bought the turkey yesterday. Not too big, but enough to give us more than a couple of meals. Hes resting nicely... I wont say happily... in the freezer. Later this week I will get the stuffing ingredients. Its a recipe I have used for years, and it freezes well so I will make it in advance.

I got through to a second interview for that little supermarket job I tried for. Its on Saturday morning I have a lot of forms to fill in...dont you just love them? Who would have thought they would need so much paperwork to stack shelves? And wouldnt you know it...dozens of pens in the house...and not one has black ink

I watched with pride last night, as Prince William led the tribute to the Paris victims at a football/ soccer match in London. It was very touching when the crowd sang the French National Anthem. By not cancelling the game it was a finger in the face to the terrorists who want us to hide. We live in a very scary world right now, but there is no way we should  ever show fear and back down to anyone who wants to harm us.

Enjoy the rest of the week

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x 

This Is Fall?

The wind has turned decidedly chilly

 but we still have blue skies and the sun is still warm

 With hardly any golden brown trees...

 Its hard to believe that this is supposed to be Fall

 There are so many colourful Summer blooms still growing...

I think they must be confused too

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x