Tuesday 5 November 2024

First..... Blackberry Mincemeat

My first Christmas prep of the year can be crossed off my list. Blackberry Mincemeat.. which uses blackberries from the garden.. and is now all jarred up ready for delicious Mince Pies in December
I used this recipe from my vast 1940s collection and is from "Woman" magazine. I made it for the first time last year and was a huge success. It is beautifully rich and flavourful and tastes like a cross between traditional mincemeat and apple pie filing. It made three jars...just enough for my pies

1 lb blackberries (or mixed berries). Use fresh, frozen or bottled.
4 cooking apples
4 oz (100 g) butter, margarine or shredded suet
4 oz (100 g) of chopped mixed nuts
1/2 lb (200 g) of dried mixed fruit
2 – 3 rounded dessertspoons of soft brown sugar (or granulated)
8-10 drops almond essence
2 rounded teaspoons of mixed spice
Honey or golden syrup

  • Chop up apples and place in saucepan with a spoonful of water and soft brown sugar
  • Simmer until apple is soft and getting pulpy.
  • Add berries, spice and almond essence
  • Simmer on low for another 15 minutes stirring now and again.
  • Switch off heat.
  • Add your margarine/butter/suet and stir in until melted
  • Add chopped nuts and dried fruit plus an optional dram of whisky or brandy.
  • Stir
  • Spoon into clean, sterilized jam jars
  • Once filled drizzle the top with a little warm honey or golden syrup to seal before adding lid.
  • Water bath process for 15 minutes.. or
  • Store in the fridge or somewhere cool until needed when you make your mince pies at Christmas

Monday 4 November 2024

Here We Go... Meal Plan Monday

Good Morning from the Blue House....
A busy week ahead as I start my holiday prep... for both Thanksgiving.. and of course Christmas
So already this morning.. I have started my lovely traditional Christmas cake.. which is a family recipe that has been passed down a few generations. Raisins.. sultanas.. currants and glace cherries are marinating happily in a little brandy in the fridge. Im not a drinker.. but this recipe is a real taste of home.. Now on to the next thing...

Have you started Christmas prep yet?


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

Weekly Plan - 4th November  2024

Monday               Beef Bulgogi, Stir Fry Vegetables

Tuesday               Chicken Frajitas

Wednesday        Breakfast for Dinner (Hubby request)

Thursday            Garlic Shrimp Alfredo          

Friday                  Pizza

Saturday             Guacamole Bacon Burgers

Sunday                 Pork Chops, Scalloped Potatoes, Veg

Wednesday 30 October 2024

Prince the Poser....

I said  "Smile Prince!!!"
so he did...

This dog loves the camera!!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Tuesday 29 October 2024

And The Rain Came...

The rain began just after we went to bed..
I lay awake listening to it hammering on the roof...
and lashing against the window... just wonderful!!
The garden loved it too... 

and its so had to believe that with all this growth in the garden... 
its almost November

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Monday 28 October 2024

Calm Before A Storm... Meal Plan Monday...

So here we go.. the last week in October and at last the temperatures are getting cooler. This week is going to be a busy one at the Blue House as I'm doing my pre Holidays "Big Clean".. and believe me.. its much needed. After all that hot, dry weather... compounded with all the fine dirt particles from MrD's soil sifting sucked into the house by ventilators and fans.... there is fine dust throughout the house. Add a dog who likes playing in the dirt... and our home is decidedly mucky

With walls to wash... curtains to launder and carpets to shampoo...Im going to be a bit busy... so forgive me if I dont get to post every day. It all has to be done this week... as next week the push towards Thanksgiving... and Christmas.. will be underway. If I time it right... it wont be too manic... but I cant wait
By late afternoon... the sky outside was getting very dark.. I do believe we shall have some blessed rain tonight.. 

It really is Autumn...

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

Weekly Plan - 28th October  2024

Monday               Chicken Chow Mein

Tuesday               Mexican Beef Stew, Tortilla Chips. Various Toppings

Wednesday        Chicken and Spinach Pie, Potato Wedges,

Thursday            Chicken and Sausage Pasta Bake, Garlic Bread          

Friday                  Spinach and Mushroom Pizza

Saturday             Leftover Mexican Beef Stew

Sunday                 Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Saturday 26 October 2024

Saturday Snippets..

Its been an absolutely gorgeous day here at the Blue House...
Blue skies.. autumn leaves and a lovely cool breeze..
First thing this morning we took Prince to the doge park...
then MrD went for a bike ride in the hills...
and look at that view....
For me it was the perfect afternoon for a cheesy black and white movie
and a bit of beading.
My Etsy shop has done well this week with quite few sales...
including this pretty peach and cream design
this vibrant red Valentines heart..
and this Halloween Spider heart...

How did you spend your Saturday??

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Friday 25 October 2024

Prepping for Winter.. and a Bit of Gratitude...

Winter prep has started at the Blue House with the first of our firewood deliveries.
Its all stacked neatly in the garage.. 
We still have some from last winter... and with the logs and branches MrD has cut himself we are doing well. I cant wait for the cooler temperatures so we have a cosy fire again this year... and Im grateful we will have plenty to see us through


The cold weather has already hit the Uk and my grandchildren are bundled up well to keep nice and warm. They are growing so fast.. and its lovely taking a glimpse into their lives and sharing all their new experiences...
Little Tufty has learnt a new word...  and says it with great (and cute) enthusiasm
Im looking forward to some very interesting photos over the next couple of months.....
Little Miss has joined the school gardening club.. hence the warm and waterproof clothing. Shes a bit disappointed that this week all they did was pick up trash and leaves.. she wants to start planting...
But... she was very pleased to win the weeks Headteachers award for excellent work writing a book and with popup characters. Well done!!

Little Mr and Mummy and Daddy are in the middle of the upheaval of moving house. All the furniture is in.. There are packing boxes everywhere.. temporary window coverings up... and although their new oven and couches arent coming until next week and everywhere is a bit of a mess... they are spending their first night in their new home. In the middle of all the chaos.. Mummy found Little Mr saying his prayers. Apparently... he was thanking Jesus for his new upstairs bedroom.. and telling Him that there were 12 steps to climb to his room.. What a grateful.. and funny... little boy he is

I am truly blessed

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Thursday 24 October 2024

In the Kitchen ~ Coffee Frosted Coffee Brownies

Did you know that coffee cakes means something different in the US compared to the Uk. Here..in America... coffee cake is any cake you eat with a cup of coffee. Back in England it simply a cake that has coffee flavouring! It took me a while to figure that out....

Anyway... coffee flavoured cake is one of my absolute favourites..and I havent tasted it in ten years... but recently I have had a craving for a slice...or two. MrD loves Brownies... so when I saw this recipe I thought "why not???" Plus...it is my birthday week and I deserve a tasty treat

These brownies are rich, fudgy, and quite delicious... and with coffee in the cake and the icing.. it fed my coffee addiction perfectly

MrD thought so too...

1 Cup butter
4 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
2 Cup sugar
3 Tbsp. instant espresso powder
4 eggs
1 1/2 Cups flour
1/3 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Frosting:
1 Tbsp. instant espresso powder
1 Tbsp. milk
1/2 Cup butter softened
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 Cup confectioners' sugar

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Line parchment paper into a 13 x 9 inch baking pan 
  • Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and the chocolate.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, espresso powder and eggs.
  • Stir in flour, cocoa powder and salt.
  • Pour into baking pan.
  • Bake 30 - 35 minutes; until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool in the pan.
  • For the frosting, in a bowl, mix espresso powder and milk together
  • Set aside.
  • In another bowl, cream the butter and salt until fluffy.
  • Slowly mix in the confectioners' sugar and milk/coffee mixture.
  • Once combined, increase speed and mix until fluffy.
  • Spread on the cooled brownies.
  • Slice, serve and enjoy!

Monday 21 October 2024

Meal Plan Monday...and Another Birthday...

 Well... today I celebrated another year of a blessed life with my 62nd birthday. MrD took the day off work and we had a lovely day together and I was completely spoiled
The day started really well. Little Mr called yesterday to wish me happy birthday.. as from today they are without internet because they are moving into their new home
So it was left to Little Miss and Little Tufty to FaceTime, 
sing Happy Birthday and blow out the candle on a cake.
Also I had a call with our eldest grandson... 
who is growing into a lovely young man..
and just a bit cheeky...

I miss them all...

but another couple of years and we wont have to celebrate over FaceTime


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

Weekly Plan - 21st October  2024

Monday               Birthday out

Tuesday               Pork Carnitas   

Wednesday        Chicken Biryani, Naan Bread

Thursday            Chicken and Sausage Pasta Bake, Garlic Bread          

Friday                  BBQ Chicken Pizza

Saturday             Taco Beef Burgers

Sunday                 Leftovers

Saturday 19 October 2024

A Job Well Done...

So this weekend was the final push..
First the lawn area had to be cordoned off to keep the dog off the soil.. We used cattle panels and chicken wire to surround it.. but we left a run between the railway ties and the back fence so Prince could chase the squirrel that scurries along the power lines every morning.. stopping now and again to twerk at the poor dog and drive him insane.
Next MrD sprayed the tiny grass seed...
then topped with triple action fertilizer, feed and weed killer.
Then finally he covered the whole lot with peat moss.
With a final watering it’s now up to nature to do its job.. 
but doesn’t it look great!!

My hubby is an absolute beast!!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Friday 18 October 2024

Coming Along Nicely…

 MrD is keeping busy working in the garden. He is racing time right now as at last temperatures are starting to drop. The soil has to be a certain temperature so that grass seed can germinate.. so he hopes to be ready for a weekend sowing.

He has laid extra sprinklers…
and all this week he has tilled...and dragged...
and flattened the soil… 
and dragged and flattened .. 
and dragged and flattened a bit more
It’s looking really good and is now ready for seeding tomorrow…

I only hope the high winds die down!! 

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x