Labour of Love Music Fest...

We had had a wonderful time at the Labour of Love Festival at Bolsa Chica Beach... 

With Worship and  Praise and enjoying the music. 

It started with a flypast during the singing of the National anthem..

 and the music continued with artists like Jordan Feliz, 

Jeremy Camp and Danny Gorkey. 

Mr D and I took a walk to the waters edge for a paddle

and came across an amazing starfish.. 

I had to include the photo..even though its very fuzzy. 

(apologies)

And please excuse the hair...it was quite breezy.

And of course...I had to visit the petting zoo..

where I met a beautiful little calf I called Charlie

It was an amazing day and we cant wait til next year.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Mini Majorette...

Little Miss has had her first dance class...

and will learn all sorts of different styles...

but honestly at 17 months shes a natural..

and she loved it..

and I see a champion majorette in her future

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Bathing Beauty.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

So Cal Harvest 2019

So after our eventful journey...

Hubby and I arrived safely at the So Cal Harvest at the Angel Stadium

We... along with a few thousand close friends enjoyed an incredible evening

of Praise and Worship

including an inspirational talk from Pastor Greg Laurie

His Interview with Darrel Strawberry.. 

which showed how much a life can be changed when you accept Jesus

and amazing music from  The Newsboys

Chris Tomlin (my favourite ..

and this video was filmed by the guy behind us)

and Phil Wickham... who in addition to opening the evening

Sang as over four thousand people made their way to the field

and committed themselves to the Lord.

The evening ended with a fabulous firework display

I am truly excited for next year

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday....or Not... The "Crash" Diet"

So this week... there is no meal plan. After a weekend of Praise and Thanksgiving....and counting our blessings.. I'm doing five days of Fast and Prayer. For me that means liquids during the day and some light soup with Hubby in the evening when he has a meal. Hubby cant fast.. he has a manual job so burns a  lot of calories.. but he is cutting out "sweet stuff'" and eating leftovers from the freezer so I don't have to cook. Saturday we are going out for the day... and Sunday we have Fellowship at church...so its a cooking free week for me.

So why..you may ask ..am I doing this. Well I often Fast when I am troubled..need to clear my head.. and want to get closer to the Lord. This weekend.. after not being able to get there due to Hubby's work... we managed to get to Harvest at the Angel Stadium. It was amazing!! More of that tomorrow.... 

But on the way there.. we got into an accident. The car in front of us inexplicably stopped...so we slowed down and stopped behind her. But the white car behind us couldn't stop in time and went into the back of us. She in turn was hit from behind by another car..and became "the filling in the sandwich"

Praise Jesus no one was hurt.. but the two young women in the cars behind us were quite rattled. The woman in the car in front just drove off. Luckily we had it all on dash cam. There is minor  damage to our truck...but it was obviously not our fault so the insurance should cover it. The other two cars didnt fare so well. But more importantly no one was injured... and for that I am extremely grateful. It pays to say a prayer before starting a journey.

With my worries about MrD's surgery... the 30th anniversary of the death of my first baby girl tomorrow..( I still think of her and of the life she may have led).. and a few other things  that are weighing on my mind... I need to find some peace. I always get it from the Lord and I am grateful for his loving protection

Have a great week everyone. 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ 1Peter 4:8

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

More Knots....

Fourth Saturday of the Month ..

and its the Knots of Love Ministry at church...

We make quilts for those who are ill and newborns

each quilt is personalized with the recipients name...

and each Knot is done with love

These Saturdays are coming around so fast..

but next month I will be missing

All being well.. Hubby and I will be in Las Vegas on our Donny and Marie Trip

But October.. I will be here again

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Cowboy Candy

Its been a busy time in the kitchen again...

The dehydrator has been running with green Bell Peppers and Cherry Tomatoes

The tomatoes come out like they are sun dried.. They super sweet as the flavour is really concentrated.  Great eaten for snacks...but they are also really good rehydrated in a  creamy pasta sauce

Four heads of cauliflower have been cut, washed, blanched and frozen ready for soups, stir frys and the British Family Favourite.. Cauliflower Cheese

The Cowboy Candy turned out great...even if it didnt look like a Snickers bar. I had a taste before I canned the jars... and I must admit its good..but a bit spicy for me.

But its just right for MrD. We have to leave it now for two months.. for the flavours to develop.. and maybe by then I will be ready to try it again on a hot dog or some nachos

If you ever make it...just remember to wear disposable gloves. With that amount of Jalapenos..you will need them... and remember... dont touch your eye area 

Cowboy Candy

5 lbs jalapeños
2 cups cider vinegar
4 cups white sugar
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp celery seed
4 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
Disposable Gloves.. important!

• Wash and drain jalapeños. 
• Slice the stem off of jalapeños.
• Cut into 1/8 - 1/4" slices.
• Add the rest of ingredients to a large stock pot.
• Bring to a boil.
• Then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Add the peppers and simmer for 4 minutes.

• Use a slotted spoon to load jalapeños into washed and sterilized jars. 
• Leave 1/4 inch head space.
• Once peppers are loaded into jars, turn heat up under the syrup again and boil hard for 6 more minutes.
• Ladle additional syrup over top of peppers in jars, leaving the head space.
• Wipe edges of jars.
• Place lids and bands on jars. Finger-tip tighten.
• Place the jars in the canner with hot water in it. 
• Bring to a full rolling boil. 
• Boil for 10 minutes for half pints, 15 minutes for pints. 
• Turn off burner and let stand in hot water for 5 more minutes. 
• Remove and leave stand on counter overnight.
• The next day check for seal. If center of lid flexes up and down, they must be stored in the refrigerator. 
• Place sealed jars in a cool, dry place.
• Try to resist the temptation to open them for at least 2 months for the flavors to develop

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Busy Week.....

This week is flying by.. and Im pretty busy. My pre Fall clean and sort out has begun.With a hectic September coming up..I wanted to get a head start. But...I managed to get a 10,000 step walk in this morning. The weather was perfect.. cool... a little overcast and I made it home before the sun got too high..

Today I made Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)... Never made it before...never tasted it before... but it was a heck of a lot of jalapeno slicing.. Recipe tomorrow..

I got the Jalapenos from the Mexican Market.... they are so cheap. While I was there I got another load of Bell Peppers. They are in the dehydrator. They are so also really cheap right now..I will have enough to see us through the winter.

And ..just a big thank you to my hubby. He's a bit poorly right now... and He brought Me roses.. 

What a guy!

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Silent Killer...

Its Teal Tuesday...

so a gentle reminder...

Did you know that 1 in 5 will die in the first year after diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Well I beat those odds...and Im going to beat the five year life expectancy...

Early detection is crucial.

Know the signs...Know the symptoms... Know the facts... Know your body

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x 

More About You Continued....

Time for a bit of Tuesday fun and I'm joining Toni over at Tuesday 4 Meme... for a quick Q&A 

Here are her questions... and my answers..

1. Where is your favorite place to be?

The mushy answer would be...any where my hubby is... but its true. It took me 50 years to find this wonderful man..and now Im always in my happy place. Throw in a view of the ocean and its perfection. Back in Wales... being able to walk along the sea shore every day made exercise bearable

2. Where is your least favorite place to be?

For the last two years...the doctors office. After going into remission last year.. I still have to have three monthly blood tests. examinations..and scans. and its coming that time again soon. Its like enough already... but...its a blessing Im still here and I wont complain out loud

3. What was the last thing that really made you laugh?

I can honestly say...I laugh every single day. I find happiness in the simplest things. Yesterday it was seeing my 17 month old granddaughter dancing.. Ive never known a child so happy its bathtime!.My family live so far away in the UK..being able to Face time everyday and be part of their lives is a total joy

4. Are you a social person?

I'm not sure... I tend to chat to people on the street and the supermarket.. and at Church Fellowships I can chat for the Olympics.. But my dream is to live in the country... with no neighbours.. and maybe some woodland behind... Just like my Mother in Law's... I would move here tomorrow

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x