Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Into Each Life..Some Rain Must Fall...

Well the snow came and went within hours... although it remains thick on the mountains.
In its place torrential rain arrived and its been pouring for days with a brief respite this afternoon... The heavy rain is set to continue for a couple more but its the perfect weather for making a batch of delicious brownies. MrD will be happy.
Mind you...the time is going really fast ..and now I can officially say....

See you next week UK 

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Saturday, 25 February 2023

Surprise!!

Never seen it snowing in So Cal .. 
we always have to go up the mountain.. 


 so this was a lovely surprise this morning

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Friday, 24 February 2023

Picture Perfect..

 My Granddaughters had their first photo shoot..
It took place at home
and Little Miss was excited to wear a pretty dress
The photos came out lovely
and they both looked beautiful
Although Im not sure whether this one should be called... 
Dreaming.. First Smile... 
or Wind

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Tuesday, 21 February 2023

Go On Little Mr...Well Done!!

Little Mr rode his bike without training wheels for the first time...
Well done My Lad~

Love and Hugs
Nana x

Monday, 20 February 2023

When Little Mr met Little Love...

 Little Mr paid a visit to his new baby cousin....





I think the word I am looking for is ...Besotted!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Friday, 17 February 2023

Granddaughters...

So this very proud Nana
has two very beautiful granddaughters
I am truly Blessed
Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Thursday, 16 February 2023

In The Kitchen ~ Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

I love Crock Pot Dinners. You can dump all the ingredients in and let it do its magic

This Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken is a spin-off of the infamous Mississippi Pot Roast recipe and takes only four ingredients. The chicken is tangy, not spicy, and I served it with mashed potatoes and my home grown brussels sprouts
.

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 oz. packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
16 oz. deli-sliced pepperoncini peppers.. either whole or the mini spicy ones.
1/2 cup pepperoncini pepper juice or chicken broth

  • Trim chicken and discard large pieses of fat
  • Brown on both sides for a few minutes in a pan for colour (optional)
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle over the ranch seasoning mix 
  • Add the pepperoncinis and the half cup of juices from the jar.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
  • Serve the chicken whole or shred them all.
  • Serve over rice, mash or baked potatoes.


Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Tuesday, 14 February 2023

Our Little Valentine...

Well here she is....

Welcome to the world Sophia Jane...


Born on Sunday at 10.16 am Uk time

Mummy is doing well...and Daddy is over the moon

and Little Miss is so happy to have a sister

We are a very blessed Nana and Grandpa

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Saturday, 11 February 2023

Waiting...

So... our daughter and her hubby are at the hospital... where she was induced this morning.
MrD and I just kept ourselves busy working in the garden. After a hearty breakfast.. it was such a nice morning I decided to hang MrDs work clothes on the line to blow. The first time this year. I love seeing clean laundry blowing in the breeze..even if its old clothes
We took down the raised beds and MrD rotavated the whole area.
It took quite a few going overs...and brought up lots of roots
MrD then leveled the ground..and started to rebuild the beds... but suddenly had a brainwave and decided to stop. He has decided to move the sprinkler system... so until he has all the "bits" he called it a day
Our daughter has called us a few times and nothing is happening...yet. Ive been on pins all day..so hopefully something will happen soon..

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Thursday, 9 February 2023

In the Kitchen ~ Orange One Egg Cake

I havent done baking since Christmas... trying to get rid of the Christmas over indulgence.. but MrD asked if I could make a treat...and I wanted to experiment with something different… So I began looking through my collection of vintage cookbooks
I was given a bag of oranges from our neighbours tree so found the perfect solution in a recipe from the 1940s. During that time.. one egg cakes were very popular. Trying to be a bit frugal, plus a little nostalgic.. and with eggs at $6.50 a dozen at the local supermarket I thought I would give this Orange One Egg Cake a try. I made one for us..and one for our kind neighbour

I must admit that it tastes very good... but its a heavy cake.. dense and very crumbly when first cut... but it did seem to get more moist as days went by. I made a couple.. (one for our neighbour) and both sank slightly, That never happens with my cakes..so mildly disappointing. But otherwise not a bad cake . You could put on an orange icing glaze... but Mr D enjoyed it as is..despite the sinking... especially served with a nice cuppa

Orange One Egg Cake


2 cups all-purpose flour
2-½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
1-¼ cups granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. grated orange peel
1 cup orange juice


  • Preheat oven to 350 F degrees
  • Grease and flour a greased loaf pan (9 x 5)
  • In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the shortening, sugar, egg, and orange peel.
  • Add the dry ingredients alternately with the orange juice, beating well after each addition.
  • Begin and end with dry ingredients.
  • Pour batter into a greased loaf pan
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until cake tests done when a tester is inserted in the centre
  • Cool in the pan on a wire rack

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Sprouts...

Last picking of our home grown Brussels Sprouts for tonights dinner...

Its only taken MrD 57 years to realize he actually likes them

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x