Meal Plan Monday ~ And A Place in the Country...

Happy Monday... and can someone tell me where September went? I blinked and it was gone. 

 

I was hoping for cooler weather.. but the temperatures are still crazy and in the 100's again this week. There doesn't seem to be an end to it. 

We really do need a good downpour. Yesterday, our mountain was on fire again. It had been 80% contained but flared up. By this morning however, it seemed to be contained again

And a bit of good news reached me from England. My son and his family picked up the keys for their new home... a lovely old stone cottage in the English countryside.. He gave me permission to show you the video. Its just the kind of place we will be looking for when we make our return in four years

And with a view from his front door like this....

Can you blame us?

Have a great week... and here's this weeks dinner menu

Weekly Plan - 30th September  2024

Monday               Sticky Honey Beef and Rice

Tuesday               Crispy Chicken Tacos              

Wednesday        Bacon Mushroom and Swiss Cheese Meatloaf         

Thursday            Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake             

Friday                  Spinach Artichoke Pizza

Saturday             Mozzarella Mushroom Turkey Burgers

Sunday                 Leftovers    

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 25: 4-5

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

And So It Begins

During the week I made a Cottage Pie for the freezer and had lots of mashed potatoes leftover so I made a batch of Cheese and Onion Potato Cakes to freeze too

MrD loves them so we had some for breakfast... this is my plate.. he had two!

Just listen to that sizzle....

It was good fortification for the day ahead...

as the major revamp starts again in the back garden

MrD and his friend started to take up the back lawn

which is full of spurge.. and huge potholes

It will be then dug over...leveled.. raked ad lovingly sifted before re seeding...

just as MrD did with the front lawn

It will be a long.. painstaking job...as you know MrD is a perfectionist...

Im just worried about when the rains come...

Mud.. mixed with a daft dog...

Oh my poor floors....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Water Baby…

 Just a girl in her Peppa Pig crocs..

Playing in the puddles

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In the Kitchen ~ Meat Pie with Biscuit Topping

I have a large collection of 1940s cookery books and recipe clippings... the majority being the authentic publications from that era. I'm always excited when I find a new addition to my bookshelf.. especially if its good condition and in my budget.

57 Ways to Use Heinz Condensed Soup
1944

Last week I found the a copy of "57 Ways to Use Heinz Condensed Soup" from 1944.. and of course I had to try a recipe straight away. This Meat Pie with Biscuit Topping was a good choice

I made a couple of changes. I used ground beef because thats what I had in the freezer. I made smaller biscuits as they fit my dish better.. so I made 12. And I topped it with some Italian herbs

A lovely flavour and a homely dinner... which hubby thoroughly enjoyed..so I will be making it again

1/2 lb. raw beef, diced, or 1 cup diced, left- over meat
2 tablespoons fat
1 11-oz. can Heinz Condensed Vegetable Soup with Beef Stock
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash cayenne pepper 
Dough for 1/2 standard recipe for baking powder biscuits

• Brown meat in fat. If raw meat is used cook thoroughly.
• Combine meat, Soup. water and seasonings
• Pour into a well- greased casserole (5" x 81/2" x 3").
• Pat biscuit dough to 1/4" thickness and cut with a 2" biscuit cutter.
• Arrange 8 biscuits on top of meat mixture.
• Bake in a hot oven (400° F.) for 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.
• Serves 2 to 3.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Missing You...

Its been over a week...

but Bea is still missing her pal Prince

Dont worry Girl... 

hopefully it wont be too long before we come back to Washington to visit you

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Tuesday Meme ~ Happy Autumn

I havent  done a question and answer post for a while..so lets do Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4...

Sunday September 22 was the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season, so today's questions are about autumn.

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out?

I would love to have mums on my front porch... but MrD is in the middle of revamping it. Im hoping in a week or so I can put some out...along with a few Halloween decorations. Til then I will just have to make do with pictures from last year

2. What seasonal changes are you noticing in your part of the world? What would you add or take away?

Not much of  an Autumn right now... no beautiful fall leaves or chilly breezes. The temperatures are still in the upper 90s... but the days are definitely shorter and its cooler in the evenings. And... we did have an amazing thunderstorm last week. I would like to have the temperatures more fall-like, I guess we will just have to wait

3. Is pumpkin pie on the menu for you this fall? How about pumpkin spice or pumpkin latte coffee flavors? Are you a fan? Spiced teas? What do you like?

Before moving to the US 10 years ago I had never had pumpkin... now I love it. So of course there will be pie... and I am already having the occasional Pumpkin Spice Latte. MrD on the other hand isnt quite a fan...and will stick to anything with chocolate.. Although...he does rather like my Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes....    

4. If there was a free week long tour of New England, complete with peak colors and a trip to Plymouth, Massachusetts (the colony site with historical players), would you come along? If that doesn't suit, where would you like to go for your Autumn trip?

I would love to see New England in the fall, but I would much rather go back to "Old England" and spend it with my grandchildren enjoying the cold crisp air... taking them to a pumpkin patch and carving their spoils. Just a couple more years and that will be a reality

That's all for this Tuesday 4 post. Have a good week!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday.. And the "Dreaded Lurgy"

Well this morning started bright, sunny and very warm... a perfect day for drying the Monday bedding laundry on the washing line..

I set the dough for two good loaves of bread

Im still using the National Loaf recipe from WWII but this weeks had treacle in it 

but by lunchtime I was feeling very grotty again 

and the cough and sneezes came back with a vengence

By MrD got home from work I was feeling quite unwell. So a quick change of dinner plan ensued, the Sticky Beef and Rice Bowls were replaced and poor MrD was left with  last nights chicken stew that looked more like soup. But he said it tasted great... especially with the homemade bread... 

Well Im dosing myself... and Im off to bed. Im sure MrD will help himself to a buttered scone for dessert. I really hope he doesnt catch what Ive got cos I feel quite dreadful. I think flu shots may be in order

Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow... and this weeks meal plan can get back on track

Have a great week

Weekly Plan - 23rd September  2024

Monday               Leftover Stew

Tuesday               Salsa Chicken 

Wednesday          Ham, Potato Wedges, Poached Eggs, Peas

Thursday             Cheesy Tortellini Alfredo Bake

Friday                  Pizza

Saturday              Roasted Jalapeno Grilled Cheese

Sunday                 Leftovers

Sunday, Scripture and Chicken Stew

The first day of Fall.. next to Christmas its my favourite season. It’s a lovely day, sunny and summery, not at all Autumn like! The days are already getting shorter than the nights and the temperatures should begin to drop... although this week are still in the 90s

So how do I know its Autumn? I'm full of cold with a sore throat and ear ache. Thats not tea in my cup.. its a hot cold remedy.  Yep! Autumn is officially upon us!

And seeing that it’s Fall.. I thought I would make a crockpot dinner and opted for a very easy and flavorful Chicken Stew. It definitely hit the spot

Crockpot Chicken Stew

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chicken 
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 large potatoes, cubed (1 pound)

1 cup celery
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf

• Heat olive oil in a skillet. 
• Toss the chicken with flour, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper
• Brown on all sides.
• Transfer the chicken to your slow cooker. 
• Add garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, and bay leaf. 
• Pour in the chicken broth.
• Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the vegetables are tender.
• Season with more salt and pepper if needed. 
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Ready for Fall...

 Well standing in the glorious rain yesterday did me no good at all...what am I?.. like 5?? Today I am full of sniffles and sneezes... but it was worth it... I think...

Anyway MrD was rained off from the job he had planned in the garden as the ground was too soggy.. so he decided to go for a bike ride up the mountain

He steered away from the land ravaged by the wildfires 

and found a spot that looked over the whole valley

The colour of all the shrubs around him just screamed Autumn....

But I dont think Ive ever seen "wild" melon patches

(if thats what they are)

?

As for me... I started my new Autumn apron...

and I just love this cute design...

What do you think?

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Rain! Blessed Rain!!

I heard the rumbling getting closer and closer

then with a flash of lightening the heavens opened

and down it came...

the first rain for many months...

as wildfires continue to burn

As the flowers drank greedily.. I prayed out loud

Thank you Lord for the most needed downpour

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Little Drizzle and English Scones

I woke up this morning to a different feel to the day. It felt colder and damp.. like there was rain in the air

Sure enough.. mid morning it started to drizzle.. it only lasted about ten minutes... but both the garden and I appreciated it

As much as I was enjoying watching this very light drizzle I had baking to do...

Well I had made the jam so I had to make some scones to serve it on..

This really is my favourite scone recipe.. quick and easy.. light and springy... not too sweet and absolutely lush. Serve with a spread of butter... or like me.. with jam and a dollop of whipped cream

English Scones

500g/1lb 1oz strong white flour, plus a little extra for rolling out
80g/3oz softened butter, plus a little extra to grease the baking tray
80g/3oz caster sugar
2 eggs
5 tsp baking powder
250ml/8½fl oz milk
1 egg, beaten with a little salt (for glazing)
To serve:

butter
good-quality jam
clotted cream

• Preheat the oven to 220C (200C fan assisted)/425F/Gas 7.
• Lightly grease a baking tray with butter and line it with baking or silicone paper (not greaseproof).
• Sift 450g/15½oz of the flour into a large bowl and add the butter. 
• Rub the flour and butter together with your fingers to create a breadcrumb-like mixture.
• Add the sugar, eggs and baking powder and use a wooden spoon to turn the mixture gently. 
• Add half of the milk and keep turning the mixture gently to combine. 
• Add the remaining milk a little at a time.. you may not need to add it all
• Bring everything together to form a very soft, wet dough.
• Sprinkle most of the remaining flour onto a clean work surface. 
• Tip the soft dough out onto the work surface and sprinkle the rest of the flour on top. 
• The mixture will be wet and sticky.
• Use your hands to fold the dough in half, then turn the dough 90 degrees and repeat.  
• Do this a few times until you’ve formed a smooth dough. 
• If the mixture becomes too sticky use some extra flour to coat the mixture or your hands to make it more manageable. 
• Be careful not to overwork your dough.

• Sprinkle flour onto the work surface
• Use a rolling pin to gently roll out dough until it’s about 2.5cm/1in thick. 
• Let the dough relax for a couple of minutes
• Using a pastry cutter dipped in flour stamp out rounds from the pastry.. dont twist!
• Place them onto the baking tray. 
• You can re-work and re-roll the dough to cut out the remaining rounds.
• Re working too much will result in scones not being as fluffy.

• Place the scones on the baking tray
• Put in the fridge for 10 minutes to let the baking powder work. 
• Use a pastry brush to carefully glaze the tops with the beaten egg and salt mixture. 
• Bake the scones in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes, or until the scones are risen and golden-brown.

Leave the scones to cool, then split in half and add butter, jam and clotted cream to serve.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x