Good Morning..

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Feeling Festive...

So the Christmas decorating is coming along nicely.. 

the outside is done and inside the house is looking more colourful

Our Festive Season started beautifully at Church this weekend. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and we were led in praise by the Gutierrez Brothers.. 

singing Christmas carols with a Spanish flair!

When got home we did a bit more outside decorating... then I made a quick batch of cookies. We then had a cozy afternoon and evening drinking hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies...one a cheesy Hallmark one.. then Elf... and finally The Santa Chronicles.

Oh...and I sold another heart in my Etsy shop.. 

not a Christmas one..but cute anyway...

So its the dentist this afternoon and it will be lovely to walk into a semi decorated house afterwards. 

I cant wait to carry on tomorrow...I should be done by the weekend

Is anyone else in the midst of a Christmas decorating frenzy?

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

MrD returned to work this morning after four days off. It was a struggle for him, but it gives me time to start decorating the house. 

I think I can safely say.. the Christmas atmosphere is building nicely at the Blue House.

 So this week the weather is turning chilly, so warming comforting meals are on the menu. The last of the turkey is being used in a crockpot curry on Tuesday..ready for us when we get home after a visit to the dentist. I have a feeling my crockpot is going to be well used over the next few weeks

Is anyone else in the midst of a Christmas decorating frenzy?

Weekly Plan - 27th November 2023

Monday              Chinese Crispy Beef and Vegetables

Tuesday              Turkey Curry, Basmati Rice, Naan Bread

Wednesday         Sausage Casserole, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Thursday            Crockpot Four Cheese Ravioli Lasagne

Friday                 Spinach and Artichoke Pizza

Saturday             Hawaiian Chicken Burgers

Sunday                Leftovers

Sunday Thought ~ Matthew 16:27

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

And So It Begins....

 Well the Fall decorations are down. and packed away

and the Christmas ones are going up

MrD spent the morning putting up the outdoor lights..

an easier job this year as the concealed hooks are still in place from last year... 

Good thinking MrD!

The tree is also up... but we are testing the waters for a few days before decorating.

Prince can be...shall we say.. a little boisterous.. and still has major abandonment issues 

He goes a bit nuts when we leave him alone

Tomorrow we are leaving him whilst we go to church and would hate to come home to a stripped tree.

Im just hoping that the tree itself will still be standing

Its been a busy day... 

my Christmas lists are out and Im starting to get in the spirit of my favourite season.. 

But the only decision I had to make today... and it was an important one...

Which Christmas apron should I wear??

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Guess Its Over....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day

MrD and I had a lovely day together... after I had sent him off on a bike ride in the morning. Everything ran to plan, I wasnt stressed at all and I didnt have one disaster... score!!! Of course I made so much food... especially that after one plate...I was absolutely full. I didnt even have room for pie! After all these years its still so hard to cook for just two of us At one time... I was cooking for nine people and I havent mastered cutting back...yet! But none of it will go to waste...all the leftovers will go into new meals...including a curry, a leftovers casserole and a pot pie

And it always makes me happy when MrD enjoys my cooking..

Clean plates for both of us

Later it was time to put my feet up infront of the first fire of the season...

spending a very cosy evening contemplating the weekend

Thanksgiving is over so it can only mean one thing...

CHRISTMAS!!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Thanksgiving...

I have so many things to be thankful for..

My amazing husband, who is also my best buddy

My wonderful children

My gorgeous grandchildren

and my fabulous friends.

But most of all, Im grateful for my Lord and Saviour, 

who has given me so much, 

bestowed me with His Blessings 

and has walkedwith me every moment of my life.

To Him, my daily thanks will never be enough.

So to start my very busy morning...

Heres's my Thanksgiving Breakfast….

I know what’s coming…

Happy 5lb Extra Day…

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Running Smoothly?..

The terrible wind that we have had for the last couple of days have at last died down. There was no major damage, just a few flattened plants, small fallen branches, and blown over bins. I had help to pick one up by the guys delivering the new stove.

As with quite a few things these days.. installing the stove didnt run smoothly. We didnt pay for installation as its MrDs forte..but the guys informed us that the new gas pipe couldnt be connected to our shut off valve as it was the orignal and completely out dated. A bit worrying... but MrD got home from work shortly after... shot off to Home Depot... and got it sorted. Eventually though, it will all have to be relplaced. But just when we thought we were home free.. the stove wouldnt switch on. We spent ages trying to figure it out and just when MrD thought the socket wasnt grounded and would have to be replaced.. I noticed the the wire... which had obviously been cut when the delivery men had used a stanley knife to cut off the packaging!! Thank goodness Hubby is such a handyman..and an hour later I was using the oven for dinner...and I love it! Its going to be great for our Thanksgiving feast.

So everything is ready for tomorrow. The turkey is ready to be stuffed in the morning, veg is prepped and pie is baked, I went through my list and decided on a couple of last minute changes.. Yorkshire puddings, sprouts and jalapeno poppers have been added at MrDs request..and I took off a starter and a dessert. So much food.

I have a feeling MrD and I are going to be as stuffed as that turkey!

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Surprise!..

Ladies and Gentlemen...

We have a Crawler....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Here we are at the start of another week. Its crazy how Mondays come around so fast. The next couple of days are going to very busy as its Thanksgiving week. On Saturday we picked up our Turkey, and everything we could possibly need for a Thanksgiving feast... Everything that is except an oven!!!. I had been struggling with it reaching temperature all last week, but finally, over the weekend it gave up completely. Not good! No one needs this kind of expense so close to Christmas.

So..even though I hate shopping on a Sunday..after church MrD and I shot off to look for a new stove. We found a couple within our price range.. but they couldnt deliver until after Thanksgiving. .sigh!. So we paid a bit extra and its being delivered this afternoon. Actually, apart from the price which was shocking (its been over 20 years since I bought one) I really like it.. especially as the unlike my old one..the grill/broiler is inside the oven and not at the bottom of the stove. No more kneeling on the floor when I make cheese on toast!! So MrD is gratedful that he wont have to eat a microwave dinner... and Im grateful I dont have an oven to clean before Thursday. Not quite what Thanksgiving gratitude is all about!

But still...Im looking forward to the week...especially as MrD has four whole days off. Annnd.. next weekend... the Christmas decorations will start to go up.  I love this time of the year.

So this weeks menu is a typical one for Thanksgiving week.. Simple meals up to the big day... then plenty of leftovers.

Weekly Plan - 20th November 2023
 
Monday             Chicken Stir Fy and Vegetables, Spicy Noodles

Tuesday             Beef and Vegetables Stew

Wednesday        Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Oven Fries

Thursday           Thanksgiving Turkey and all the trimmings

Friday                 Leftovers

Saturday             Turkey Curry and Rice

Sunday                Leftovers Casserole

Anniversary...

Happy Anniversary to me…

Nine years ago today.. this is me on my way to board the plane that would take me over 5000 miles to start my new life in America

Apart from missing my family.. I haven’t regretted a second.. and thanks to MrD they have been the happiest years of my life

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In The Kitchen ~ Crisscrosses

Every afternoon, before my dear hubby gets home from work, I like to take some time for myself, and put my feet up for an hour. Sometimes I read..sometimes I sew.. and sometimes I knit. Sometimes I will listen to music... sometimes I will listen to an old radio show. Sometimes I will have a little snack.. but always I will have a nice cup of tea

Todays little snack was a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine September 1948. Crisscrosses are basically a Peanut Butter Cookie..and I dont think the recipe has changed over the decades...just the name.

Quick and easy to make, they grew quite big... and packed with peanut butter flavour

1 cup shortening

2 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 cups enriched flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons soda

• Thoroly cream shortening, vanilla, and sugar. 
• Add eggs; beat thoroly. 
• Stir in peanut butter, then sifted dry ingredients. 
• Form into tiny balls with the palms of hands
• Place on greased cooky sheet.
• Press with back of a fork to make criss- cross. 
• Dough may also be rolled and cut if desired. 
• Bake in moderately hot oven (375°) 10 minutes. 

Autumn Sunrise...

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats for Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine started off great with a visit to and estate sale with my friend, and I purchased some wonderful fabrics which I cant wait to start using. MrD stayed home and pottered around in the garage putting up more shelves . Later we took a little drive to a new dog park with Prince and I think this one might be a keeper. Plenty of room to run.. and well kept.

Yesterday however was a different story. We just arrived at church..and we had to quickly turn the car around and get home. We have cameras around the house..and Prince was going absolutely mental.. We watched him destroyng the hall closet door, and dragging out its contents. We dont know whats got into him lately. We know he suffers from abandonment issues..but he was getting better.  The last couple of weeks we cant even go through the front door to the car without him tearing around the house, jumping at all the windows and then rushing in and out of the garden trying to see us.  And he's a big dog too. The rest of the time he's so sweet, but yesterday was the worst and we dont know what to do. Im dreading putting up my Christmas tree! Anyone have any ideas?

This week Thanksgiving and Christmas prep continues...I would like to send the parcel to the Uk this weekend so its the last push to get the Christmas gifts finished.. just the buttons to be sewn on the last one. 

Also, this weeks dinners are almost all pure comfort food with a chilly spell and rain coming in this week. Yay! How do you feel about colder weather?

Have a great week everyone... and heres this weeks dinner menu

Weekly Plan - 13th November 2023

Monday              Chicken Chow Mein

Tuesday               Chili and Jalapeno Cornbread

Wednesday         Tator Tot Casserole

Thursday             Cajun Skillet Keilbasa Pasta

Friday                  Sausage and Green Pepper Pizza

Saturday              Chili Mac and Cheese

Sunday                 Leftovers  

Sunday Thought ~ John 15:13

Lest We Forget

 Phoebe x

Lest We Forget...

 

Favourite Five...

I havent done this for quite a while.. but today Im joining Suzanne over at Living to Tell the Story  for another Fridays Favourite Five 

Cooler Weather

I dont know about you...but Im not very comfortable in hot weather. Being from  a wonderful wet and windy Wales.. the Southern California climate can sometimes be a bit too much. Which is why I love the Autumn. Right now the cooler temperatures are almost like a British Summer... so its pleasant to work, rest and play in. Walks are more enjoyable... nights are more restful... and if it gets too chilly.. a blazing fire in the fireplace is so mesmerizing and cozy. Whats not to love!

Little Bookworms

One of the great joys of my life is the knowledge that my grandchildren have inherited my love of books. Little Miss was supposed to be getting ready for school... but couldnt resist stopping to read her little sister a story. And as for Little Tufty... she likes to join in too... even if its just pictures for now..

Nine Months

And talking of Little Tufty... she reached another milestone this week... 9 months old already. 

Where on earth is the time going??

Spending Pennies

Little Mr has had a good week too. A quick back story.. Last year my eldest son was very dissatisfied with his job. Although well paid.. it was long hours, travelling around the country, plus working at home too, and he hated that part of his job was dismissing staff. It also meant he was not seeing much of his little family.  When it looked like downsizing the company was on the cards he prempted the cuts and began looking for a different job... and one which he is much more suited for, meaning physical work rather, than paper pushing. As a teenager he worked with an Uncle cleaning chimneys.. so when he heard the local sweep was retiring.. he made an offer..and bought the business.Being the only sweep in the vast rural area... he is doing incredibly well.. especially as he installs wood stoves too. And the best part is he has more time at home... and somedays.. he is able to take Little Mr with him. Little Mr just loves to wear his Bob the Builder safety helmet and jacket.. and takes along his tool box to help his daddy.. He gets paid for his 'work'... and he gets the occasional bonus from daddys customers... just for being cute! So once a month Daddy takes him to the local toy store to spend some of his earnings.. and ths week he chose a dragon... and a paw patrol book. And have you ever seen such an excited little man?

Happy Birthday

And finally, not only is this my favourite of the week...its about one of my favourite people. Two years ago my beautiful auntie was diognosed with a rare incurable cancer. She was given less than a year to live..but has fought it every step of the way. She has undergone every treatment offered to her with bravery and dignity and here we are celebrating her 80th birthday. She is an inspiration to all who meet her and I am blessed to have her in my life. Happy Birthday Auntie Mair. x

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In The Kitchen ~ Grandma Marys Corned Beef Pie

Its been a very windy couple of days here at the Blue House...and the mornings have a distinct chill. But its still good to get out in all that Autumn air and get a little walk in. Its definitely getting time for our dinners to become a little more "comfy"

This Corned Beef Pie is a particular family favourite and  has been passed down for quite a few years.. I know for a fact that this recipe was around in the 1940s as my auntie still has the small scar on her chin where her older brother threw an empty can at her instead of a ball.. Their Grandma, Mary, was not happy because those can edges are sharp!! But thats another story

Anyway..this is a really tasty pie thats quick and easy to throw together...as long as you make sure the filling is completely cool before putting in the dish..as it can make the pastry soggy... and no one needs a soggy bottom...right? Its delicious eaten hot or cold

Also, the recipe says salt to taste but it really doesnt need much because corned beef is already salty

Shortcrust Pastry:
12 oz plain flour 
6oz butter 
cold water 
pinch of salt

Filling:
1 12oz tin of corned beef, cut into small cubes
2 to 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large onion, chopped
4oz cups carrot diced
2 stalks celery diced
2 teaspoons garlic minced
1/2 pint beef stock
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon English mustard such as Colman's
1 egg, beaten for the glaze
Salt and pepper to taste

• Make a basic Short Crust Pastry by sifting flour and salt in your mixing bowl
• Rub in the butter with your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Using a knife to cut and stir, mix with cold water to form a stiff dough.
• Do not over mix
• Put dough in the fridge to chill for at least 30 mins and start your filling
• In a large pan melt the butter over a medium heat
• Add the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic.
• Cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
• Stir in the potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes
• Mix in the corned beef, stock, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and seasoning
• Mix until combined, cover and bring to a boil.
• Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are cooked through.
• Pour the filling bowl and allow to cool throroughly
• When the filling is cold, preheat the oven to 400 F.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until about ⅛ inch thick.
• Grease a 10 inch pie plate and line the base with the pastry, trimming off any excess.
• Evenly spread the filling in the pastry-lined dish
• Brush the edge of the pastry with beaten egg.
• Roll the remaining pastry and cover the pie with it.
• Press down the edges to seal, then trim off the excess pastry.
• Crimp the edges as desired, brush the top with beaten egg and cut a few vent holes in the top.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp;
• Cover the edges with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly.
• Let the pie stand for about 15 minutes before serving.