Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Yes yes... I know... its been a couple of weeks since I was here... but to be honest... January has been a slow month with nothing much to write about. But February will be much busier. This weekend we started prepping the vegetable garden... and soon it will be time to start planting out in both beds and pots. I have lots of plans

Also this week I will starting prep of a different kind. In 40 short days.. my daughter, son in law and granddaughter will be arriving for a two week vacation. Little Miss will be celebrating her birthday when they are here... just two days before MrD.. so it will be exactly four years since I saw my family. I wont promise I wont cry when I see them again

So.. my sewing room will be reorganised as a pink palace for a little princess... the freezer is getting filled with meals to grab so I dont have to spend too much time cooking... I have a little decorating to do... and we have to start booking trips for days out.

Its all so exciting...

Here's this weeks menu

Weekly Plan - 31st January 2022

Monday               Honey Sirracha Shrimp and Veggie Stir Fry

Tuesday               Chicken Mole Tacos and Spanish Rice

Wednesday          Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday             Ravioli Lasagne

Friday                  Pizza Night

Saturday              Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Sunday                 Brown Sugar and Lemon Chicken, Vegetable Rice

Sunday Thought ~ Acts 10:34-35

 Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Sewing Again...

For Christmas.. MrD surprised me with a new sewing machine.

As much as he tried... "Old Faithful" just couldnt be fixed.. 

(although it now sits on his workbench as hes not a quiter lol)

So after the Christmas break... stitching for my Etsy shop is now in full swing again and Im loving playing with fabrics... old and new. 

So this weeks designs include a new "Alice in Wonderland"

a "Romantic Heart"..

and a fresh "Daisy"

My machine is whirring away so much..

lets hope I dont wear this one out too....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

First Day...

Look who is all grown up...

and all ready for her first day in full time school..

She had no tears... 

but Mummy did!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Little Light Reading...

 Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

My Book of the Month...

Well my 2022 goals are one day in...and so far so good. I made a planner to organise my time better... our meals were delicious..healthy and from the pantry... and I started drawing the veggie garden plans

I also made time to sit and read an actual book.. starting with a real winner which I will probably finish in a couple of days because I cant put it down...

My Daughters Are Trying To Kill Me... But I Love Them Anyway: 

Stories From a Father of Autistic Daughters

by Barnaby Dickenson

This book was a Christmas gift from MrD... although it wasnt a surprise as I hinted enough. What made it  so appealng to me to begin with is that I know the family who are from Wrexham...my hometown in Wales. Barnaby and Karen have three children..including Robyn and Libby... who are autistic... and I remember many of the anecdotes in this book

I actually started reading it on our drive up the mountain the other day... which made me car sick so I had to stop.......

Barnaby could always tell a fascinating story...so its no surprise that this book is well written, easy to read and is taking me on a roller coaster of emotions.. Im laughing out loud one minute and almost in tears the next.

Its a fabulous insight of the challenges... and joys...of raising two gorgeous little girls who have autism

Heartwarming, captivating.. and honest... I have no qualms in recommending you read this book...

You wont be sorry

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday..

Good Morning from a cold and frosty Blue House and my feet are freezing...MrDs Christmas present of a Keurig coffee maker and some extra thick socks are helping..The decorations have started to come down and its the start of the first real week of 2022..and this year is going to be a good one.. and a full one

So...as its a New Year... have you made any resolutions? I dont really like that word... as it always seems doomed to fail. I would rather say goals...and I have just a couple.

My main goal is to manage my time better. We were all very busy up to Christmas...and I found I was juggling a few things. Im very lucky that I am a stay at home Housewife.. and up til now.. my mornings consisted of  a brisk walk...housework, laundry, ironing and baking... followed by an afternoon of stitching for my Etsy shop which has become more than a hobby. Believe it or not sewing my little creatons take quite a bit of time.. especially with all the beading

Now I have to throw in the mix goal number two.. starting to prep our new veggie garden from scratch... Its a big job thats going to take up a lot of my time.. and its going to be learning curve a the climate is very different from the Uk

Goal number three..I want to read more... so that has to be fit in my time table too. At least one a month..as well as my bible study... while things are so busy. I will share with you if I find a good one... 

And finally..everybodys favourite Jan 1st goal... I need to lose some weight. And I have a good reason. In just over 9 weeks..in 68 days to be exact.. My daughter, her hubby and my granddaughter are coming tor a holiday... and I will need to fit my bum in the rides at Disney. Its going to take more than bibbity bobbity boo I can tell you. Goal 1... 2 .. and 3 should help...I hope

So if you will pardon the liberty...  Im finding it hard to lose weight these days...so I will be taking it day by day...having smaller portions and finding lower calorie recipes. Healthier eating started this morning...and Ive made it to 10am so far... no problems..lol. 

Im also trying the Pantry Challenge..eating what we have in the pantry and freezer. Hopefully this will save some money that can go towards the family visit.. Fingers crossed I will only have to buy milk and maybe a few fresh veggies.

Have a great week... and stay warm x 

Weekly Plan - 3rd January 2022

Monday               Sweet and Sour Chicken, Stir Fry Veggies

Tuesday               Shrimp Frajitas

Wednesday          Crockpot Pork Chops and Stuffing, Cabbage

Thursday             Spicy Sausage and Spinach Pasta

Friday                  Pizza Night

Saturday              Grilled Ham, Speedy Baked Beans, Potato Salad

Sunday                 Chicken Tenders, Mac and Cheese

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 65:11

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy New Year 2022..

Happy New Year!!

Thank you for all the love and support you have given me over the past year... it means so much

As in other years... we didnt make it to midnight and fell asleep before the clock struck midnight. Although... I did watch video of Big Ben chiming in the New Year for the first time in five years.. My Uk family started 2022 eight hours before me.

My 2022 started with a huge bang...literally I dont know what they are outting in fireworks these days...but I was woken by a particularly loud explosion... that I thought had taken our roof off... and succeeded in setting off every car alarm in the street. 

So here's to 2022... and all that comes with it. I wish you health and happiness.... and if wealth comes with it too...all the better.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x