Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween from me 

and Mr D!!. 

Its been so long since I took my kiddos Trick or Treating..

about 20 years since this pic

But I am ready for any Trick or Treaters that may call tonight

with Candy and Home made Pumpkin and Banana cookies.. 

I've been out walking admiring peoples displays ..

so a couple of goodies wont hurt much

And we had Jack O'Lantern Shepherds Pie Stuffed Peppers for dinner.

 

My daughter thinks they are hilarious.. 

but hey.. lets get into the swing of things...lol

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

Its the last few days of October and it still dosnt feel like Fall. Temperatures maxed at 106 last week, how I survived I dont know...but this week its supposed to be much cooler. I have no plans for this week... no doctors appointments.. no blood tests.. no portocath flushing.. no paperwork... I hope!. So I plan to do a bit more walking.. and take more photos. I may swing by the park a few times. I wonder if Sammy is back yet?

Weekly Plan - 30th October 2017
 
Monday             Chicken Frajitas

Tuesday             Jack O'Lantern Shepherds Pie Stuffed Peppers

Wednesday        Pork Afritada

Thursday           Calzones, Italian Salad

Friday                Fish, Baby Potatoes, Peas, Parsley Sauce 

Saturday            Chilli Dogs

Sunday               Braised Steak and Onions, Ponchmipe, Cabbage

Sunday Thought ~ 2 Samuel 22:29

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Flowers For a Fall Friday

Don't you just love Natures Autumn Colours....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Terrific Thrifty Teaset....

As I have told you often... there is only one thrift store within walking distance of our home.. and its not the best. So.. my lovely hubby decided to take me to a Salvation Army store in the next city. He had an ulterior motive because there was a premium car wash next door..but we will skip that point!

Anyway... I wasnt expecting much... but as I rummaged... I found a pretty teacup and saucer and on another shelf.. a stack of matching fruit dishes. It had the prettiest pattern in Fall colours. I pondered for a second then decided to take the cup and saucer to add to my teacup collection

As I waited for the lady to come to the checkout.. I tried to look at the clutter on the shelves behind the counter... and to my surprise... I thought I saw another matching teacup. When the lady moved some items...low and behold.. there were more.. and a couple of matching saucers.  As she put them on the counter she said... wait a second.. and went into the back room. She reappeared with a stack of little plates...and a milk jug. I broke into a big smile...and rushed to retrieve the little fruit dishes.

And how much did this little treasure cost? An unbelievable $2.50. It may not be a full set but I couldnt be more pleased. Now Im on the look out for a matching sugar bowl

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Wordless Wednesday ~ More Pumpkins

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Birthday Bash...

I had a lovely birthday..with some lovely surprises..

 A new photo of my grandson Little H...

 and a hand written birthday card.

 Hubby took me out for a delicious breakfast..

 Then out on the ocean dolphin spotting.

To end the day a scrumptious steak dinner.

Not a bad way to start my 55th year

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

I had a fabulous birthday and was thoroughly spoilt. This week I have lots of paperwork and forms to catch up with.. at least my green card renewal has been sent. I dont think I will be walking far as temperatures are forecast to reach 104.. far too hot for this wilting Welsh rose. It dosnt feel like Fall at all 

Weekly Plan - 23rd October 2017
 
Monday             Roast Chicken, Jacket Potato, Sauteed Spinach, Onion and Garlic

Tuesday             Tacos

Wednesday        Crockpot Pork Chops and Onion Gravy, Mashed Potato, Corn

Thursday           Spaghetti and Italian Meatballs, Green Salad. Garlic Bread

Friday                Fish and Chips...UK style

Saturday            Stuffed Cheese Burgers

Sunday               Church Fellowship

Sunday Thought ~ Psalms 30-2

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Birthday to Me...

Today is my birthday. Its one that at the beginning of the year I didnt think I would make. I woke to a beautiful bunch of roses from hubby.. a card with a sentiment that made me cry... and a waffle maker...woo hoo!

Mrd and I have a lovely day planned. We are going whale watching...well...hopefully we will see  whale. A few dolphins will make me equally happy. I hope I get a few good photos. Its going to be hot so I best wear a hat. I feel very blessed

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Ready to Go...

So all the forms are ready to send to renew my Green Card. Included is evidence of our bank account, tax returns, medical bills, utility bills, insurance policies, etc, plus three written affidavits from people who know us. There are photos of MrD and I during our life together ... and some taken with family. Anything to prove I didn't enter the US  and try to take advantage of it. Also enclosed is a cheque for almost $700.

Who said coming to America was easy? Maybe not easy... but definitely worth it

I hope they let me stay

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Wordless Wednesday ~ One Way to Travel

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Autumn Walk

So today I made up my mind to start walking further and I decided to head for the park to see if I could see Sammy. I havent been that far since before I started feeling poorly last year.

I headed out early as it was forecast to get to 96 (tho it peaked at 98). You wouldnt think it was Autumn/Fall as it was already warm.. with blue skies and sunshine. And I'm still seeing so many colourful flowers. 

I made it to the park quite easily and sat for a few minutes enjoying the quiet and fresh air. Then I headed home.

I didnt see Sammy.. but I did walk 10,178 steps...and I felt great. Its so good to be getting my strength back. Im going to head out again tomorrow. Its going to be a bit cooler ...but this time I need to wear a hat. The sun was so hot on my baldy head.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

Its my last week as a 54 year old.. Its been a shock to realize that on Saturday I will be a senior citizen! Seriously... I feel like im still in my 30s. Plus... if I was still in the UK...I would have another few years til I was officially a senior. But.. after the year I have had..I'm not complaining. I have a good life, with a wonderful husband and hopefully now the "silliness" is over... have quite  a few years ahead of me

Anyway... back to this weeks menu. I had a great deal on chicken this weekend.. 99 cents a pound and reduced to half price. I stocked the freezer so we will be having it a couple of times this week. Also this week I only have 5 dinners to organize as the weekend is covered. 

So an easy week really. What have you got planned?

Weekly Plan - 16th October 2017
 
Monday             Smokey Ranchero Chicken, Jacket Potato, Salad

Tuesday             Tacos

Wednesday        Pork Chops, Potato Au Gratin, Broccoli

Thursday           Korean Chicken Kebabs, Vegetable Rice

Friday                Spinach and Mushroom Pizza

Saturday            Birthday Dinner out

Sunday               Church Fellowship

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 84:11

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Salted Caramel Cookies...

My Hubby loves Chocolate Chip Cookies. When I bake I usually make enough for home and for him to take to work. On Tuesday he said.. "the guys at work are wondering where their cookies are" Yes...right.. the guys at work. So yesterday I  had to stay in and wait for the man to come fix our drain...so it was no hardship to whip up a batch or two. 

The problem was... I had no chocolate chips. I was sure I had some. I think the dreaded chocolate chip monster must have stolen them! But.. I did find some caramel chips that I bought before I became ill. The chocolate chip monster obviously didnt like them... or he didnt know they were there.

 So I had to switch to plan B and find a recipe. I tried this one for Salted Caramel Cookies. They turned out pretty good... and the chocolate chip monster liked them so much he took some for "the guys in work"

Salted Caramel Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups caramel chips

• Preheat oven 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl.
• Set aside
• Beat brown sugar, white sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy. 
• Beat eggs, one at a time, into butter mixture until blended 
• Beat in vanilla extract. 
• Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until dough is just combined
• Fold in caramel chips.
• Using a small ice cream scoop... arrange dough on a baking sheet. 
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes. 
• Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

And just to prove not everything goes smoothly in my kitchen.... I burnt the first batch. You could have built a wall with them they were so hard... 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x