Happy New Year

Tomorrow  marks the beginning of a brand new year. Whether you are celebrating the end of a great year or one you can’t wait to forget, it’s time to get ready for the next chapter. For me its been a year of highs and lows. I have lost people I truly love but gained so many new wonderful friends.

January 1st is the day we  make resolutions to make positive changes in our lives, but so many of us fail by the end of the month, and some, even sooner. So this year I decided not to make any resolutions...but to set myself some goals, not too many, just enough so I know they are achievable.

First ...Im going to be kinder...to myself as well as others. If we all were kind in word, thought and deed, what a wonderful world it would be

Second...I am going to find something lovely in every person I meet. By doing this, I hope I will grow in confidence and I will find the loveliness in me too

Third.. I will preform one act of random kindness everyday. It wont have to be much, a smile, a kind word, a small prayer, a little gift ....just to let someone know that they are loved.

2013 is going to be the year I get my fresh beginning

May I wish you all a very Peaceful, Blessed and Happy New Year

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Meal Plan Monday

Well, my Fabulous Friends. Are you all tired of food after the festive season? Did you buy too much and have lots left? I didn't think I'd done too badly with the shopping, until my son produced a food hamper as my Christmas present. Well, I did say I'd like practical gifts this year, and it was very thoughtful. I froze the duck, beef  and pork, and we will have the lamb for New Years Day Dinner. I will use the leftover lamb, a cooked ham and some salmon from the freezer in this weeks menu.

Weekly Plan - 31 December 2013


Monday          Roast Lamb, Roast Potatoes, Vegetables


Tuesday          Maple Glazed Gammon Ham, Baby Potatoes,Vegetables


Wednesday     Minted Lamb Casserole, baked potatoes, cabbage


Thursday         Grandma's Ham, Pea and Potato Soup, Crusty Bread


Friday              Italian Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake


Saturday          Vegetable Risotto


Sunday             Roast Beef Dinner

Sunday Thoughts ~ Matthew 2:13

     

   And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth 

   to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his 

   mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: 

   for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

                                                   Matthew 2 :13

After the wise men left, Joseph received a warning from God to flee to Egypt. Joseph was told to remain until King Herod was dead as Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Joseph immediately obeyed, without hesitation and without question. Because he wanted to please God and do His will, Joseph remained in Egypt  until it  he was told it was safe to leave. Through his faithfulness and obedience, it resulted in the fulfillment of the prophecy recorded in Hosea 11:1, which is Jesus ministry and therefore our salvation

How many of us would have been so eager to do God’s will ? Leave everything we have and everyone we know and journey into the unknown. God does not always say why He wants us to do certain things, and His timing dosn’t make sense at first. But, the opportunity to do His will occurs every day, in good and bad situations, and when we look back, we actually come to appreciate how God led us.

As we anticipate next year with all its uncertainties, we can take comfort that our God sees the future as clearly as the past. He seldom gives us all we need in order to understand, but He always gives us all we need to obey. We need to learn to be obedient in all things. It starts from those little promptings in your heart, don't ignore them.

Lets live a life of obedience unto the Lord,and remember the Lord always knows the best.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What's Cooking

My cooker is on the blink..I think. It takes ages for the pans to heat up and sometimes things in the oven take longer to cook. Mind you, I've had the old girl for about fifteen years now, and she's worked extremely hard. She may just be feeling her age

.

What  I could do with is something cooks food well, is economical to run, heats my water and is good to look at

What I'd really like is one like this 

Or this one

Or this one

Or even one like this

A bit out of my price range at the moment, plus Im hoping to move house in a couple of months, so the old girl will just have to keep on going.

Ah well.....a girl can dream

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Doing Laundry....Again

Well it may be Christmas, but laundry has no respect for the Holiday Season. It is one of those jobs that I can never cross off my to do list. No matter how much I wash, there's always more coming.

Mind you, I can't call it hard work, after all the machine does most of it.

It wasn't like that in my grandmother's day. Nana had a twin tub washer that was dragged out every Monday and took centre stage in the kitchen. The pipes were precariously connected to the taps and the hose draped over the sink so the water could gurgle its way down the plughole. The house was filled with steam and it took all day to get the laundry done.

Before the twin tub, Nana used to use a clothes dolly and a mangle, like the one above. According to the stories my aunt tells me, boiling water was put in a zinc tub and the clothes were aggitated with a wooden three legged dolly. She would get the stains out by rubbing the clothes on a scrubbing board. It wasn't easy work.

Nana always seemed to be doing laundry, with ten in the house it was essential. And everyone had to help, either twisting the dolly. or passing the wet washing through the heavy mangle in the back yard, even if you were on your lunch break from school. You would get very wet and your hands would get chapped from the cold. My children used to grumble when they were reminded to put their laundry in the hamper.

Her washing was always sparkling though

I know I go on about how much I wish things were like they were in the old days, but honestly, give me my automatic washing machine anytime.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Turkey and Cranberry Panini

I decided to use up the leftover turkey for lunch today, and this recipe is one of our family favourites. Its a savoury, sweet, tangy mouthful of deliciousness. So simple to make and they went down a treat.

Turkey and Cranberry Panini

2 slices bread eg ciabatta or a panini roll

1 oz grated Chedder or other good melting cheese

2-3 slices leftover turkey 

2 tablespoons whole cranberry sauce

¼ cup baby spinach leaves

2 teaspoons honey mustard

1 teaspoon olive oil

• Place one slice of bread on a cutting board and sprinkle on half of the cheese.  

• Arrange the turkey slices on top of the cheese and then top with the cranberry sauce and spinach.  

• Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.  

• Spread the honey mustard on the second slice of bread and close the sandwich. 

• Heat a Panini press or a grill pan or skillet over medium heat.  

• Brush the outside of the panino with olive oil on both sides and place it on the Panini press.  

• Close the press and cook for 3-5 minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheese melts.  

• If you don’t have a Panini press, place the panino on a grill pan or skillet and place another skillet weighted with a couple of cans on top.  After 1-2 minutes, remove the skillet, flip the panino over and repeat the process on the second side.  

• Cut in half and serve hot.  

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Eggnog

After the hustle and bustle of the last few days, Boxing Day has become a day for relaxing in our house. Usually, after lunch, we put on a Christmas movie, open a tin of chocolates and sip some eggnog. To help out this year Miss C thought she would buy some commercial Eggnog. Its not bad, though not as nice as home made, but then not many things are. But, what has surprised me, is the list of ingredients. So many, and some quite questionable

'Milk, cream, sugar, modified milk ingredients, glucose, powdered egg yolk, spices, locust bean gum, carrageenan, tragacanth gum, salt, natural and artificial flavours, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, colour (contains tartrazine)'

Yet it is so easy to make your own Eggnog. Hot or cold, with or without alcohol. Here is my recipe, which has no alcohol so children will enjoy it as much as adults. I hope it will inspire you to whip up your own

Phoebe's Eggnog

12 large egg yolks

4 cups milk

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 cup chilled whipped cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Grated nutmeg, (optional)

• In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks.

• In medium saucepan, whisk milk and sugar over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until sugar is dissolved, 

• Whisking constantly, pour hot mixture into yolks in a slow and steady stream.

• Return mixture to pan

• Cook over medium-low heat, for about 20 -25 minutes, stirring often, until thick enough to coat back of spoon; do not let simmer. 

• Quickly strain into a bowl. 

• Stir in cream and vanilla

• Cool completely; cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until chilled. 

• Garnish with nutmeg, if desired.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Christmas

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.
                                                                                         Luke 2: 13-14

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told to them concerning this Child
And all those who heard it marveled at those things told to them by the shepherds
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told them
                                    Luke 2:17-20

With all the holiday gatherings that we have during this season, I urge you to take a few minutes to remember the true meaning of Christmas. God's great plan for us included the necessity of a saviour, a redeemer of mankind. God sent His only son so that He will bring salvation, forgive our sins and give us everlasting life. The message of “Peace on earth, goodwill to man” is a message we need now more than ever.

We need to always remember what Christ did for us and not just only during this season. We need to continually thank Him for all He has done for us,cleansing us and restoring us. We need to accept the gift that He has given us and start living like we are redeemed by Him.

So as you celebrate with your families this Christmas season remember what we are celebrating. Jesus is the reason for the season

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Oh Holy Night

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

                                                                      Luke 2: 10-12

I wish you a Happy, Blessed and Peaceful Christmas

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Filled Strawberries

 I love strawberries dipped in melted chocolate....

but never thought of filling them instead. 

They look so yummy. 

Thank you The Girl Who ate Everything

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Cranberries

All my Christmas baking is done and the house smells wonderful. At this time of year, I especially like to cook and bake with Cranberries. The tartness of the cranberry make it one of the few berries never to be eaten raw. Sugar is needed to sweeten and soften its tangy flavour.

Cranberries have a very short season. As November approaches, these bright red berries appear on greengrocers shelves. But, by the end of December these beautiful fruits have disappeared again. I tend to freeze a few bags to use during the year.

Here are a few recipes to whet your appetite

Lemon Cake with Cranberries and Lemon Icing from Cooking Melangery

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart from Roxana's Home Baking

Cranberry Bliss Bars from The Black Peppercorn

Cranberry Upside Down Cake from The Philadelphia Tea Society

Cranberry Banana Muffins

   

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Christmas Cupcakes

I am always on the look out new ideas for cupcakes, especially for Christmas. I found these wonderful ones. What do you think? I cant wait to try them.

Pear and Cranberry Cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Rudolph Cupcakes

Cappuccino Eggnog Angel food Cupcakes

Pink Snowflake Cupcakes

Snowflake Cupcakes

Snowball Cupcakes

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Rolo Stuffed Snickerdoodles

I made these yesterday for the Church children's party. They went down a treat.

Rolo Stuffed Snickerdoodles

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What a Good Idea ~ Simple Gift Manicure Jar

A simple and inexpensive gift to make. 
A Manicure/Pedicure in a Vintage Style Jar!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x 

What a Good Idea ~ Pink Hot Chocolate

As you may know, I love pink. I also love hot chocolate. 

This idea combines the two perfectly.. Pink Hot Chocolate. 

Thank you to Rebecca at A Gathering Place

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x