Memorial Weekend.. and Churches, Temples and Mosques in the US are starting to reopen... following strict guidelines of hygiene and social distancing. I’m not sure if I’m ready yet..even though by sitting at least six feet away from someone else I’m less likely to catch the virus than I am going to a crowded Walmart to do the weekly shop

Yesterday MrD and I attended a church service which was social distancing at its finest. That’s because .. we were all in our cars!

 Pastor Greg Laurie held a Drive in Church in the parking lot of the AMC cinema in the Outlets of Orange.. We arrived early and were right at the front.

It was great.. The worship was led by the fabulous Phil Wickham. 

If you got thirsty.. you put your hazards on and they would bring you hot coffee.. ice tea.. or water. 

Instead of saying the usual Amen.. we honked the horn. They handed out American flags to wave through your window to show support for the military. And the message was thoughtful and spot on

Until life gets ‘back to normal’ .. this may be the way to go.. though for now I will stick to watching services on the Livestream from the comfort of my armchair 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Galations 5:13

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Tiki Drive~In...

Even though movie theatres are closed...

Drive in movies are still open here..

So thats where we went last night.. The Mission Tiki Drive in

Its easy to social distance from other cars...

and the movie was good too

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

End of The Week...

Its been another gorgeous day in the neighbourhood... 

and a great morning for walking. 

It got hot really fast.. but 10,000 steps done... 

and Im looking forward to the Memorial weekend

Tonight Im making homemade pizza.. 

and we are eating it at a drive in movie! 

There's a first for everything....

What are your plans for the weekend? 

Whatever you do... have a great one!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Strawberry Jam...

Its Thursday already.. and as well as getting out on walks... and finishing some long overdue craft projects.. I have been spending some time in the kitchen. Its that time of year again when I start canning.. dehydrating and freezing seasonal produce that is cheap to buy... This pandemic has proven to me how essential it is to keep a good pantry and make the most of the foods we have.

Today..

When life gives you lemons... make lemonade...

When life gives you strawberries... make the most delicious.. and easy.. jam

Strawberry Jam

At my local store right now... they are selling punnets of strawberries for 99c. They are beautifully ripe.. have a lovely flavour and need no extra sweetness. They can be dehydrated...made into pie fillings or dessert toppings.. or like I have done.. made into jam.

This is a recipe I have used for a long time.. and it comes out perfect. Each batch takes about an hour to make... and I have enough now to last til next season

5 cups hulled and crushed strawberries
7 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl

1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine (optional)
1 pouch Fruit Pectin

• Measure 5 cups prepared strawberries into large saucepan. 
• Add sugar and lemon juice; mix well.
• Bring to boil on high heat; cook 1 min.
• Remove from heat. Stir in pectin.
• Stir and skim 5 min. to prevent fruit from floating to surface. 
• Ladle into warm sterilized jars, filling up to 1/4 inch from rims. 
• Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
• Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes
• Listen for the popping (love that sound!)
• Let stand at room temperature 24 hours and check for seal

Delicious!!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy 30th Birthday Daddy!...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Weekday Walk...

Teal Tuesday...

And another reminder that a pap smear does not detect Ovarian Cancer... So ladies... please look for the symptoms ...but keep on mind they mimic many other illnesses... My own doctor was treating me for Divaticulitus... til they discovered the large tumour..

This mornings walk around the neighbourhood was much drier. Still a few grey clouds early on.. but the blue sky soon pushed its way through.(and yes... there are oil wells on top of the hill)

Im really enjoying being in the fresh air again.. but now its time to spend the afternoon in the kitchen. I have lots of strawberries to use up..

Can you guess what Im making..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

 

Sunday Thought ~ Colossians 4:2

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Social Distancing at its Finest...

Now 'The Curve' has been somewhat flattened..Phase Two has started and the beaches in California are beginning to open up...with rules of course. Masks must be worn... no sunbathing.. picnics or volleyball. Just exercise like swimming..walking ..running.. But piers stay closed

So today MrD and I took a drive out to Venice Beach.. about 25 minutes away.. and I must say.. it was social distancing at its finest. Walkers on the beach were like two way traffic... on the left and right... at least 10 feet apart. Runners had their own "path". Even surfers were safely away from each other.

I will say though.. there were people sunbathing.. and having picnics.. and some not wearing masks all the time... including us. MrD and I took ours off while on the beach... but no one even came close... It was surpising but amazing to see so many people being so aware of others.... We put our masks on again as we left the beach and walked up through the town. We didnt see one person without one... except the homeless of course (sad to see so many) It was also good to see so many small businesses open.. every one practicing distancing outside with so many markers on the sidewalk to stand on... and one customer in..one out.

And there was a huge police presence.. on the streets.. and on the beach on bikes and in buggeys.. They made sure rules were being followed.. but as long as people were far enough away from each other.. they were happy to see people enjoying the sunshine.

So maybe this is the new norm. With no vaccine in sight... if people are sensible.. keep a safe distance from others and follow the rules.. maybe more things will open up.

Lets hope no one abuses it

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

When Little Miss Sees Grandpa...

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Matthew 10:29-31

Love and hugs 

Phoebe x

Just Saying....

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

All Clear...

Well it’s Teal Tuesday.. and the test results are back! The cancer hasn’t returned.. thank you Jesus! Deep down I knew it...but it didnt stop me from being nervous... to the extent I felt sick and shaky waiting for the doctors call.

So no cancer.. but I have a mild kidney infection .. and an umbilical hernia! So surgery is on the cards but not in the near future. Im not sure Im ready to go under the knife again.. but I know it has to be done.. and it wont be anything near as invasive as the tumour removal and total hysterectomy.

Meanwhile Ladies..know the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. It mimics so many other illnesses. Many of the symptoms listed are what I have been going through for the last few weeks. Listen to your body...and push your doctor. You KNOW when something isnt right.

Smear tests DO NOT detect Ovarian Cancer. It is not usually detected till later stages..and then there is a high percentage its too late.. I was stage three.. and I was lucky

Its not called the Silent Killer for nothing....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 27:14

 Love and Hugs
Phoebe x