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

Good Morning....

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A "Littles" Catchup....

Just a quick catchup with our "Littles" across the pond...

Little Tufty is growing so fast... and shes becoming so independent. Here she is carrying her diaper supply to nursery. Its crazy to think that we will have Thanksgiving.. then the Christmas season and  before we know it we will be celebrating her second birthday. Where has the time gone??

Little Miss loves school...but she was struggling with maths...and wasnt enjoying the lessons at all. So I told her what my dad said to me when I was just a little older than her.  

He said. "You love puzzles right? You love games right? You dont like things beating you right? Maths is just lots of puzzles and games... that you can beat... try it.. and it will be fun!" So I did... and I was in the top three in my class. It looks like Little Miss loved puzzles too..

Thank you Dad!

And for Little Mr... hes just rocking his outfit for "Children in Need" on Friday... when the UK raises money for childrens charities around the country. Little Mr is the double of the telethons mascot... Pudsy Bear..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats for Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday...

Today in the US.. and in many countries around the world.. we remember all those who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace. Here it is called Veterans Day... in the Uk we called it Remembrance Day.. 

but what ever its called.... we know...

On the 11th hour of the 11th Day on the 11th month. 

When the guns fell silent. We will Remember Them.

Lest We Forget

I had a bit of a prep day in the kitchen...

As well as the weekly bread baking...

I made some Breakfast Muffins for the freezer.

MrD sometimes takes them to work to have for breakfast...

He says they are so good heated in the microwave 

and topped with a spoonful of salsa

I also made lots of little sausages wrapped in bacon... 

they are supposed to be for Thanksgiving..

but the way MrDs eyes lit up when he say them.. 

I think they may disappear before the big day!

When he got home from work.. MrD decided to go for a quick ride..

There may not be many more nice afternoons to do this as the nights are drawing in

When he got back he spent some time with Prince in the front garden. He has bought a long leash for him which he will tether to a hook in the lawn so Prince can spend time with him when hes working in the garage.. and not chase every cat that passes by.

He needs a bit of training with this.. he doesnt like it at all. Mind you we dont know his history of being tied up. But as with everything else... time and patience should see him right

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

Weekly Plan - 11th November 2024

Monday              Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Tuesday              Cheesy Spanish Rice Skillet

Wednesday         Leftover Pork, Au Gratin Potatoes, Veg

Thursday            Leftover Cheesy Spanish Rice Skillet
                             
Friday                 Homemade Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pizza

Saturday             Grilled Cheese with Gouda, Roasted Mushrooms and Onions 

Sunday                Roast Chicken Dinner

Lest We Forget...

Today is Remembrance Sunday...Growing up in the Uk..I would proudly don my poppy and join others marching in the parade to the cenotaph to lay wreaths and pay our respects to all those who gave their lives protecting our country in the two world wars.. and those conflicts since.

Congratulations to Little Miss who was one of three children chosen to lay a  poppy wreath at her towns cenotaph during todays Remembrance Day Service

She did a great job.. and I was so proud... I got a little emotional... maybe because she is growing up too fast (thats her in the middle)

Little Tufty slept through it all but woke up for a photo op...

It was reminder that her great great great Uncle Edwin Hampson... a Sgt Major in the Royal Garrison Artillery.. who was killed on 14 Apr 1917 in France and Flanders. He is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

But his name is engraved on the war memorial on the Lychgate of St Marys Church in Ruabon, Wales.. our family village

Lest We Forget

Phoebe x

Chim.. Chim.. Charoo...

As my winter prepping continues so does MrD's .Today it was chimney sweeping and seeing as our chimney sweep son wouldn't buy a plane ticket from England to come do it for us... MrD had to do it.

It turned out to be quite a quick job as the brickwork was in good order...

and the chimney itself didnt have much of a buildup at all

I think he fancied himself as Captain Morgan as he posed on the roof

Its wonderful to have such a handyman hubby... 

so thats another job done til next year

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x