Well.. Hello!

Tomorrow is December 1st and it is traditionally the day that many households get a little visitor who wreaks absolute havoc until Christmas. I have often thought about inviting a little elf to stay.. I mean we have plenty of room.. but they make so much mess.

So imagine my surprise when I looked out of the kitchen window and spied a little fella sitting on my lawn.. not an elf .. but a very jolly gnome.. And he had brought his pal with him.. who I did notice was a little underdressed for the occasion .. but seemed happy enough. I guess they can stay

Btw.. thank you to our next door neighbor who we caught on the security cameras siddling around the house.. darting behind pillars and trying her upmost not to be filmed while she placed the little men.

Tom Cruise eat your heart out

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Day After...

Thanksgiving was yesterday…

so you know what that means…

But before the festivities start... here's a little video I made of our day yesterday..

Im  no Steven Spielberg but I hope you enjoy

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving from me and him...

I knew I should have worn heels...sigh...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Bargain!!

When you find two loaves of stale bread in your local Supermarket for 30 cents each.. what do you do???

Me!! I bring them home .. cut them up and dehydrate them. Perfect for making stuffing for my Thanksgiving turkey later this week 

Simply cut the bread into 3/4-inch cubes and place them in the dehydrator on 125-135 for 4-5 hours
Or do it the of fashioned way by placing an even layer on a baking sheet. 

Bake at 300 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, giving them a stir every 10 minutes or so, until completely dry. Store in airtight containers until ready for use

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Birthday Little H..

 Happy 12th birthday to this handsome young man who I’m so proud to call grandson..

He is kind .. caring.. clever and has a wicked sense of humor

Even tho he is so far away and we only speak on Face time he has a special place in my heart

Happy Birthday Harry.. 

We love you very much xx

In the Kitchen ~ Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies

I'm still working my way through my very large 1940s recipe collection.. and today its Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, November 1940.

Although they are a crisp little cookie, Hubby says they have a soft shortbread quality to them. They are smaller than I imagined... but as hubby said they are perfect with a cup of coffee

 Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies

• Thoroughly cream shortening and sugar
• Add egg yolk and vanilla extract; beat well.
• Add flour, sifted with salt and baking powder, alternately with milk.
• Divide dough in half.
• Melt chocolate in shallow round-bottom bowl over hot water
• Add to half the dough
• Mix thoroughly.
• Chill 1 hour.
• Roll each half into rectangular sheet, 1/8 inch thick, on heavy waxed paper.
• Turn white part on chocolate with chocolate extending ½ inch beyond white part.
• Remove waxed paper from white part.
• Roll as for jelly roll.
• Chill overnight. (Dont skip this step or they will be very difficult to slice)
• Slice 1/8 inch thick
• Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in hot oven (375°) 10 minutes.
• Makes 4 dozen.

Ive never made a pinwheel cookie before.. and although a bit fiddly... they are relatively easy. Next time I will do a better swirl

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunset at the Blue House...

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Chili.....or Chilly...

A bittersweet day today..

As well as being the anniversary of my arrival in the US .. it’s 18 years since we lost this fabulous man.

He honestly was the kindest.. sweetest.. funniest dad a girl could wish for. A true gentleman in every sense of the word.. there isn’t a day goes by that I don’t think about him and mum

Love you always Dad..x

Its snowing hard in the Uk... and my family are sending lots of beautiful photos of the flurries.. and Im so jealous. I love the snowy weather and I really miss it

The closest we have it is on the surrounding mountains.. which does give a chilly breeze so a drive out may be on the cards. But its best done before the snow gets too deep.

Btw .. notice how they try to disguise the utility poles..

And talking of chilly.. thats just what we had for dinner..

A delicious but easy chili from  my 1940s recipe collection.. 

this one from the "Better Homes and Gardens" Magazine October 1943

You can find the recipe here on my 1940s Kitchen recipe page

if you try it.... let me know what you think..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner... Meal Plan Monday

At this very moment .. 10 years ago.. I was on my way to the airport.. to catch a flight to California to begin my new life with MrD.

It was a huge step for a girl from a small village in Wales.. but there hasn’t been one second of regret. I wouldn’t have done it without the blessings of my children and my family… and I will forever be grateful.

Now the countdown is on to return. It has already been a year since the decision was made. The next few years will just fly by

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

Weekly Plan - 11th November 2019

Monday              Chicken Curry, Naan Bread

Tuesday              Chili, Cornbread

Wednesday         Sausages, Mashed Potatoes, Onion Gravy. Peas

Thursday            Cajun Pasta
                             
Friday                 Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

Saturday             Chili Mac and Cheese (Using Chili Leftovers)

Sunday                Birthday Party

Perfect Sunday...

A wonderful morning in Gods Word...

a chilled afternoon watching a good movie with a hot chocolate

and a delicious evening chicken dinner....

with that apple sauce!...

Plus...we have snow on the mountain....

Perfect Sunday!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A "Fruitful'" Day....

A strange.. but pretty cloud over the Blue House this morning, 

Is it me or does it look like two dolphins swimming in a blue ocean??

MrD's project for the day 

was to replace the rotton wood surround on the back door

As usual he did a great job... 

although there was one funny moment when he realized 

he had cut the wrong angle on one of the pieces of wood!!!

My project of the day??

Making a big pan of apple sauce 

You can’t have a chicken dinner without apple sauce!!

Plenty to freeze and to perhaps make a pie 

I also finished a little beaded hanging pillow for my Etsy shop

I dont usually do pillows but I was pleased how this one turned out

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Here Comes the Rain...

A wonderfully wet day here at the Blue House

The rain started in the early hours of the morning... 

and unexpectantly lasted most of the day

I just love the sound of a good downpour

It did the garden a power of good

and finally the grass in the new lawn its beginning to grow...

But MrD is not impressed... and is not sure that he likes the quality

We shall have to wait and see

In the mean time.. its on to his next project and a quick trip to the home improvement store 

for supplies for a job he plans to start tomorrow

When we got home.. MrD was on the roof again.. The chimney needed a cover.. but its a funny size so MrD had to adapt one. A bit of welding .. a few more screws.. and it fits perfectly.

My hubby is a genius..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In the Kitchen ~ Christmas Jam

The last of this years canning is done…

A beautiful dark rich Christmas Jam .. made with home grown strawberries and blackberries.. apples from a friends tree and fresh cranberries from the farmers market. With all the fragrant spices.. it really smells like Christmas!  It's delicious on toast, scones, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 orange, zested and juiced
2½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
4 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen) - use a mix of cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries for a festive flavor
1½ tsp ground cloves
1½ tsp ground nutmeg
1½ tsp ground ginger
1½ tsp allspice (optional)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 packet powdered pectin (optional, for a firmer jam)

• If using fresh fruit, chop the berries and apples into small pieces.
• Add them to a large pot or saucepan. 
• Pour the orange juice over the fruit and add the orange zest
• Over medium heat, bring the fruit, orange juice, and zest to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. 
• Once boiling, reduce the heat 
• Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the fruit softens.
• As the fruit cooks, use a potato masher or fork to mash it to your preferred consistency.
• Stir in the cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice (if using). 
• Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
• Pour in the sugar and stir constantly until it dissolves and the mixture returns to a boil.
• If you prefer a firmer jam, add the powdered pectin according to the packet instructions 
• Boil for another 1-2 mins

• Stir in the lemon juice to balance the sweetness.
• To check if the jam is ready, place a small spoonful of jam on a cold plate. 
• Let it cool for a minute, then gently push it with your finger. 
• If it wrinkles slightly and holds its shape, the jam is ready.
• Remove from heat 
• Let the jam cool slightly before transferring it to sterilized jars.
• Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or...
• follow proper canning procedures to store it for longer.

Tip: Adjust the spice levels to your taste. You can make it spicier by increasing cinnamon or adding star anise for an extra

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x