By The Fall's Early Light...

Its been so nice not having to wake up at 1am to get MrD off to work... I think I could get used to him having a Friday off work. It was actually light when I walked in to the living room

I must say in the early morning light..the house looks so cosy, especially with the Fall decorating done.. 

I decided not to go over the top... but one day we will get around to getting pictures on the wall... but right now getting this 1950s house into shape is more important....plus a trip to England is on the cards

So today has been a relaxing one...no rushing around for a change. 

It was so welcome after a busy week...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Its Been Too Long...

Bad photo I know..

But guess what Im looking at....

and this time he's coming with me....

Let the planning begin...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Bit Miserable...

Just by hearing the word Autumn... Ive started with a streaming head cold and constant sneezing... even tho the temp was 102 yesterday..and will be hotter today.

I actually feel a bit miserable so Im so glad I made that big pot of soup yesterday. I portioned it out and poppped them in the freezer... but left one for todays lunch. Comfort food at its best while watching an old movie methinks.

I did spend a few minutes in the garden tho..and pulled up the last of the baby carrots. They will go well with tomorrows dinner. I also pulled up the last of the turnips. I was going to leave them...but it looks like something has been nibbling them..maybe that possom thats been sleeping on our neighbours garden There arent many.. but enough to make a nice ponchmipe. 

I picked a couple of the large zucchini ready to make Zucchini Bread tomorrow if the nose streaming stops... there are still a few little ones growing so I will harvesting them for a while yet. 

The chili peppers are reddening nicely... but I cant tell you how they taste.... too hot for my palette

Thats MrD's assignment!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Well last weeks cooler weather sure lulled us into thinking Autumn had arrived .. but this week temperatures are set to reach the 100s again. Sigh!

Anyway things still have to be done...and theres a bit of a change here at the Blue House. I have to shuffle my schedule a bit as MrD is changing his work hours. Because of the long drive to and from work..the time he spends away from home..and the wear and tear on the car.. he has decided to increase his daily work hours... and by working one Friday a month.. he will work Monday to Thursday. My concern is how tired he will be... but he assures me that if it gets too much he will go back to the old way. But it sure will be good to have him home a bit more.

Even with the heat...I have a lot of Kitchen work to do. The garden is still producing even tho most of it has died back. I have a gluck of zucchini.. so I have to preserve it..and Im also going to make bread with it. And seeing as I have bananas that need using... and apples... I may as well have the oven on just one day and make Banana Bread and Applesauce Cake too and pop them in the freezer. I also have some butternut  squash that I want to make into soup...which I will freeze too

Its going to be a hot week

Weekly Plan - 26th September 2022

Monday             Lasagne Leftovers, Salad

Tuesday             Chicken Frajitas, Refried Beans

Wednesday        Slow Cooker Herbed Pork, Baked Potato, Cauliflower Cheese

Thursday           Tuscan Tortellini with Smoked Sausage

Friday                Pizza Night 

Saturday            Chili Cheese Dog Bake

Sunday               Leftovers

Sunday Thought ~ Ephesians 2:10

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Stitching Saturday...

Stitching Saturday....

And even though its been a busy week at the Blue House... I did find time to begin a couple of sewing projects for Christmas gifts... but I cant show them...obviously

But I managed to complete a couple of hearts for my Etsy shop which will be posted when I have a few minutes

Does anyone else make handmade gifts for Christmas?

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Truckin'...

Well Autumn arrived yesterday...but for some people.. so did the Halloween season..

MrD says he doesnt have to decorate his truck... 

he just has to open the passenger side window....

Cheek!!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In The Kitchen.. Apple Time

First Day of Fall... and its been an apple kinda week

First a huge pan of apple sauce for canning... I do love it with chicken or turkey

Then some apple pie filling...

and what I couldnt get onto jars.. I put into some little pies

And lastly... for now..I made some apple jelly which is so easy to make

Just cover the peels and cores with water... boil for and hour... then strain.

For every cup of that golden liquid add 2 Tbsp lemon juics and 3/4 cup of sugar.

I know I know... its a lot of sugar..

 but the jelly goes a long way and you dont have to use much.

Boil til temperatures reach setting point (220℉) and pour into warm sterilized jars. 

If canning..process for 10 minutes

It tastes just like toffee apples and my kitchen smells amazing

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Last Day of Summer...

 Last Day of Summer... and I was up bright and early getting all my housework done 

I know its not officially Autumn til tomorrow... but I cant wait. The Fall decor is going up today...

Do you decorate for the changing season? 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Feeding Feathered Friends...

Well... Her Majesty has been laid to rest.. and what a magnificent send off she had. Wonderful!

So now its time to catch up with all those little jobs that were forgotten while I was glued to the television for ten days.

First things first... I best refill the bird feeder.We must have a lot of hungry birds visiting the garden.... or perhaps some very greedy big birds cos the food disappears fast...and this scruffy little fella has been sitting patiently waiting for while

Or maybe its this little fella helping himself. Hes living in our tree but I took a quick snap as he was sneaking along the cable.

The Hummingbirds are back too and have no problem feeding... much to the disgust of their feathered friend

I better get out there and get them fed

Have a great day

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

So begins the last few days of Summer..  and we head into my second favourite season of the year... Autumn

I am writing this at 1.30 in the morning as I dragged myself out of bed to watch the Queens funeral. I know its going to be an emotional morning... as I say goodbye to a wonderful woman. Im determined to watch every minute of the coverage.. before life gets back to normal tomorrow

Not much to write today... 

So here's this weeks menu

Weekly Plan - 19th Sept 2022

Monday               Orange and Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

Tuesday               Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Wednesday          Smoked Sausage Chachouka

Thursday             Chicken and Spinach Lasagne

Friday                  Pizza Night

Saturday              Sweet and Tangy Turkey Burgers

Sunday                 Homemade Beef and Barley Soup

Sunday Thought ~ John 14:6

 

Autumn Apron...

The new season is just around the corner...you can feel it... so Ive started my new Autumn aprons...

although I think I should make a dark colour one as Im such a messy cook

Ive also made some Halloween hearts for the etsy...

Typical orange and black

in varying designs

plus a more unusual Halloween colour

and sold a couple too too

and they are off to their new home

Does anyone else make their own aprons... or even wear them any more?

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x