Gentle Rain...

 I woke up this morning to the sound of gentle, soothing rain

It was unexpected, much needed and a blessed relief

The temperatures are cooler too

A teasing reminder that Autumn is almost here

Flowers are still blooming and Im enjoying them as long as I can

Before the Fall colours take over as a new season starts

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Growing Like Weeds...

There's been a few changes in the grandbabies lives...

Little Tufty is now six months old

 which means with a heavy heart her Mummy has to go back to work

and Little Tufty has to go to nursery a couple of days a week

But she seems to have had a good time...

Just love the way she crinkles her nose when she smiles

September means that Little Miss is back to school 

which she loves as she quite the little bookworm

During the Summer break Little Miss started soccer practice and took to it like a fish to water. So much so that after school Daddy surprised her with a new pair of football boots and shin pads and told her that she had been chosen to play for the team. A big deal for a five year old.. and she was so excited

Little Mr also returned to school, eager to learn with a new teacher

His Mummy sent me a video of him "driving" a car as a treat. 

He was doing amazinly well but my heart was in my mouth..

until mummy told me it was a remote comtrol car! 

What fun! But Phew!!

First day down...

And an exhausting one...

But ready to do it all again...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats for Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Good Morning from the Blue House.

My posts have been quite sporadic.. with one or two popping up here and there. Life was just the same old same old, I just didnt think I had anything to say. And when I was writting the odd post..I wasnt posting them... fearing they were just too boring. But this is my diary, and looking back quite a few things happened

The family is well, and thriving. MrD is still working hard, and Prince has settled in well, is better behaved, but still has his moments. We had lovely harvests through the summer from the garden, which although is coming to an end is still producing a few tomatoes.

I guess one of the main thing that has been happening, is that MrD and I have been embracing our passion for all things 1940s. Time is passing so fast, and we only have ourselves to think about, so we thought why not... and why not before now. We now mainly listen to the music of the era, watch the marvelous movies and what started as one vintage recipe a day from my vast cookbook collection, has increased to almost every meal time. And very tasty they are too

So lets try this again, have a catch up and see if I can find anything to write about... and they wont bore you to tears

Have a great week

Weekly Plan - 18th September 2023

Monday             Shepherds Pie, Vegetables

Tuesday              Chili Con Carne

Wednesday        Chicken Friccasee

Thursday           Spaghetti and Meatballs

Friday                Birthday Treat

Saturday            Chili Mac and Cheese (using leftover chili)

Sunday               Hawaiian Ham Steak, Potato Wedges, Baked Beans

Much Love...

Happy Anniversary to this Gorgeous Couple. They were the best parents any girl could wish for. They have been gone for nearly twenty years now, but I think of them often and miss them dearly

Mum and Dad, I will love you always

Until we meet again xxx

Hi Grandpa...

When you are Facetiming your Grandaughter

and Grandpa comes home..

Who do you think he greets??

Well... its not me!!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

 

Hello September...

Good Morning September

Is it ok to break out the Pumpkin Spice now??

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In The Kitchen ~ Blackberry Mincemeat

Anyone looking forward to Autumn?? I know I am. I dont know how much more of these 105 degree temps I can take. I mean c'mon... Im a pale, interesting Welsh girl, who used to think 75 degree Uk summers were a killer

 

Anyway Ive been doing a lot of preserving of my garden harvests, and Ive been thinking ahead.
Two years ago I planted a blackberry cutting in a large tub in the corner of my Victory Garden. It grew very slowly and produced nothing. But this year it really flourished and Ive managed a small harvest of beautiful berries (more than a handful I promise)

I was wondering what to make. Jam maybe? Or possibly a pie. Thinking ahead I decided to make some delicious Blackberry Mincemeat from my 1940s recipe collection, ready for my Mince Pies this Christmas

Blackberry Mincemeat

This recipe from "Woman" magazine and just look at that amazing colour. 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 lbs (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

Such a Happy Girl...

She has the smiles...

She has the frowns..

But all in all.. 

Shes a Happy Girl

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

One Man and His Dog..

 It’s National Dog Day….

So here’s the hound..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Prince in the Pinecones...

Happy Saturday from beautiful Loon Lake.. Yes that is a wood at the bottom of MrDs mums house .. complete with wildlife.. including Im told.. bears and the occasional moose

After being on the road for nearly 26 hours we arrived just shy of midnight.. absolutely exhausted and enough dog hair in the car to knit an overcoat

Prince was especially happy to get here and immediately made himself at home and loving the garden... especially the pinecones

So this morning, we visited mom in the home. It was a bit shocking to see her looking so frail.. enough said. And, there is another change of plan. Mom has changed her mind. She says she’s too old to make the 26 hour drive to California.. which is understandable as we are exhausted. She has decided that she hates flying and there are no straight through flights and couldn’t handle the hassle of changing planes with the oxygen… very very understandable! She just wants peace.. no stress and live out her days. I can absolutely respect that. We know that if we lived here in Washington she would move in with us no doubt at all

But the question is.. how happy is she going to be staying in that home?

It’s a worry!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Unexpected Journey...

So... this is whats been happening, and I havent mentioned it before because things have been changing by the minute. Right now we are parked in a rest stop for MrD to catch a couple of hours sleep.. before we continue on our 1,225 mile drive to his mums house in Washington state

A couple of weeks ago MrDs stepdad passed away in his sleep. MrDs 90 year old mother.. who is on oxygen 24 hours a day has been marvelously stong, accepting that it was a blessed release and he was now safe in the arms of Jesus. She was determined she was going to remain living in her home til she was able to go into an assisted care facility of her choice. 

This plan was taken out of her hands when she was taken into hospital and told she was not well enough to look after herself, and could never return to her home. They put her in a home that is absolutely terrible.. and the word “care” should not be used in the same sentence. But she was willing to wait for the home of her choice

Her rent at her house is paid up until the end of the month so we are going to sort through everything and clear it for her. MrD is the youngest of his siblings, with one sister not well, and a brother with dementia. Hopefully another brother can come help,but its going to be a mammoth task.!

Then yesterday.. life took another unexpected turn.. and we have something else to deal with. We had a phone call from MrDs sister to say that mums choice of home had declined her.. with no reason .. so she had to stay in the home she hates. It was a blow.. but then I had a thought.

Why did we buy a big three bedroom house when there are only two of us .. why did I go into care work before I left the Uk and learn how to care for the elderly.. why did six job applications for part time work get ignored and why have I just deep cleaned the guest room with its en-suite

Maybe it was Gods plan that mom come live with us.? 

So it was put to her.. with the Gods Plan bit thrown in and she agreed. 

Everyone is so happy.. 

I only hope the journey wont be too uncomfortable for her

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Already!

She's five months old already....

Where has time gone....

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Surprise!

Tommy's Tommy's everywhere

But not a one to eat....

But then...

Only a veggie gardener will understand the little dance I did when I found these gorgeous gems...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x