♫Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful...♫

Well..it rained in March.... and drizzled for a few seconds in October. 

I was wondering if we would get rain again this year.

Then yesterday.. not only did it rain... with rolling thunder and bright flashing lightening... 

but it hailed. 

Great big.. beautiful hailstones! Like these on my friends veggie patch. 

Well its 2020...so its not really surprising

And its cold... Los Angeles cold.. not Uk cold.. but I can see my breath when I talk.

Of course.. its white blanket didnt last long... and soon melted.. 

and replaced by an amazing rainbow.

At least it feels like winter now...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

The last Monday of 2020...and what a wonderfully wet morning it is here in So Cal. I was woken in the the middle of the night by long..loud rumbling thunder... the kind that you can feel in the depth of your stomach. I lay awake listening to the crashing noise and torential rain on the window. After months and months of drought.. it was an amazing sound. And its still raining... and I love it!

We are in the limbo time between Christmas and New Year... and I only know what day it is because MrD went back to work this morning. So its almost like an ordinary week... with a late night thrown in on Thursday.. when we will try to stay awake til midnight..try being the opportune word. Methinks Im getting too old... and I must remember Im not 30 anymore. After starting my Christmas Eve at 1.30 in the morning... and not going to bed until midnight after Facetiming the UK... and then being  up early Christmas morning.. I finally crashed after lunch and felt pretty awful... Dont think I will be doing that again next year... even though I enjoyed every second of it.

So no major plans this week. Just a catchup on the housework and laundry.. and enjoy the remainder of the Christmas Season... and try to stay away from the mound of chocolate we have leftover. 

Here's this weeks menu..

Monday              Kung Pao Chicken, Rice and Stir Fry Vegetables

Tuesday              Mexican Meatball Soup

Wednesday         Turkey Pot Pie

Thursday            Crockpot Four Cheese Ravioli Lasagne

Friday                 Lamb Chops, Minted Potatoes, Peas and Gravy

Saturday             Chargrilled Hawaiian Chicken Burgers

Sunday                Homemade Celery Soup, Crusty Bread

Happy Christmas....

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn                                                                                                                                    Luke 2:6-7

..and they shall call His name Immanuel

Matthew 1:23

From our House to Yours..we would like to wish you all 

a very Happy..Blessed and Peaceful Christmas

Love
Phoebe and MrD 

Happy Christmas Eve...

Happy Christmas Eve..

I made it to 2am to Facetime our Granddaughter 5,000 miles away in the Uk. 

Wearing our matching aprons we had fun making cookies... with a little help from Daddy.. and Dolly. 

She did a great job and they turned out pretty good! 

What do you think?

I just needed to finish the topping for our Christmas dessert and prep some veg for tomorrow. 

Then MrD and I went to our church Christmas Eve service.. We are so blessed to be able to worship indoors again.. even if its in a large and very cold warehouse with everyone 6ft apart. And I must say...it was wonderful

Afterwards..MrD and I called at our favourite coffee shop for a couple of hot chocolates and took a drive over to Brea where there is a whole neighborhood that decorates their houses for Christmas..

There was a huge line of cars waiting to go in.. but the drive around the Santa Route was worth the wait..

This was just one street..

Now I have to try and stay awaketil midnight to facetime the UK again to watch the grandbabies open their presents. Technology is a wonderful thing.. but the eight hour time difference is a killer! Im going to be sooo tired but it will be worth it.

And now it truly feels like Christmas..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Christmas Baking...

Christmas Eve tomorrow...already! I love this season so much... why is it going so fast?. Hopefully MrD will have the day off...depending how much work he can get through today

My plan for today is to finish the Christmas baking. Yesterday I made Mince Pies.. both with pastry and crumble toppings.. and overfilled of course..

Thumbprint Cookies..filled with the strawberry jam and lemon curd I made in the summer... 

and Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods... even though the white chocolate drizzle is wonky cos it was too thick. I sent some to work with MrD this morning for him to share with his workmates.. keeping plenty for Santa

Today Im making a Baileys Chocolate Poke Cake for MrDs Christmas Day Dessert. Im not a drinker so dont like the taste..so I will stick with my little Christmas Pudding with Birds Custard.. (ahhh memories of my childhood Christmas's). Thank you Caroline for sending me some

And then... at 2am tomorrow.. I will be Facetiming my Baking Granddaughter to make our traditional Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies... just like I used to do every year with her Mummy. I have even sent her a little Christmas apron to wear for the occasion.. which matches the one I have made for myself. She has been so busy already helping make Christmas treats.... and helping to eat them too...

Just because we are 5,000 miles apart.. in a world filled with madness.. dosnt mean we cant keep our traditions.. even if we have to change them slightly.. and make new ones

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Romans 12:2

 Love nd Hugs

Phoebe x

 

Big Bear Shopping....

Well there's no snow...yet... but we made our annual trip up Big Bear Mountain.. 

We drove past the gorgeous Big Bear Lake..

and wooden chalets..

to the little village and our favourite Christmas shops.

The big tree again looked pretty..but as it was early morning..no lights.. 

It was cold...but the fire pits were lit...

and the wood carvings looked amazing in the morning sun

And of course... we spent ages looking around the shops.. with their angels..

snowmen..

and santas..

lots and lots of Santa's.. 

some of them bigger than me..

Maybe we could go back when the snow comes....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

My Darling..Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniverary to the Absolute Love of My Life..

Thank you for six wonderful years of Love and Laughter... for the many fun filled adventures... for the patience.. respect and understanding... and for the Faith and unending encouragement that helped me through the darkest battle of my life.. 

I thank God for bringing us together..at just the right time.. and I'm grateful every day for the many blessings He has given us.

Love you MrD... and here's to many more happy years together 

Your "Queen" xxxxx

Sunday Thought ~ Philippians 4:4

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Ted...

Meet Ted... He's old... he's creaky and sits happily on the bed all day...reading. Bit like me really.. except for the the bed bit.

I am feeling that Im getting a bit creaky too.. my fingers dont work as well as they used to... and some days my back gives me a bit of jip. The mirror is somewhat kind.. not many wrinkles... but having chubby cheeks helps as they push them out. Although this morning.. I looked in the mirror and saw my mum staring back.

And as for how my mind works... Yesterday.. I was looking in my bag for my glasses.. so I took my glasses off to have a better look!! And I forgot where I put the television remote... 30 seconds after I put it down. But ask me about something that happened 20 years ago... easy! 

Move over Ted... I think I may join you on the bed.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Christmas Movie and Eggnog Bread..

Christmasy stuff for me today... patching hubbys work pants...all three of them... Yay Me! At least I got to watch a Christmas movie while I did them.. The colour version of 1935's "Scrooge"..

I also made delicious Eggnog Bread. I use this recipe...packed with holiday flavours – eggnog, nutmeg and  vanilla. But I must admit..Im not a fan of rum..so I left it out. It was still yummy

Rum Frosted Eggnog Bread

2 eggs, beaten
1½ cup Eggnog
2 teaspoons rum or rum flavored extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup white sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (1.5-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the frosting:
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1½ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons rum or rum flavored extract
2 tablespoons Eggnog
sprinkles (optional)

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Spray the bottom of a 9x5 inch bread pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the eggs, eggnog, rum extract, vanilla, sugar and butter with an electric mixer.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, pudding mix, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. 
• Add to the eggnog mixture and stir just enough to combine. 
• Pour the batter into your prepared bread pan.
• Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
• Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.
• To make the frosting: Cream together the butter, powdered sugar, rum and eggnog until smooth and your desired consistency is reached. 
• If the frosting is too thick, add eggnog a tablespoon at a time, to thin. 
• Top with sprinkles if desired.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x