Sunday Thought~Psalm 31:22

Have a Blessed Sunday..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Fun...Food.. Friends...and a Massive Pumpkin!

We had a surprise phone call from friends 

to go out for dessert at a Farmers Market in Los Angeles

 Even though we only live about 25 minutes away..we have never been.. 

and we arrived just as the sun was beginning to set

 There were lots of cute Fall decorations...

and of course we had to have our photos taken.

 A lady stopped and asked if we would like a photo together... 

and my funny guy hubby replied...

 "no thanks...my wife may find out"

(shakes my head)

 Dessert was at our friends favourite waffle stand...

probably a days calories on the plate...but there is fruit there..

somewhere...

 Afterwards...to the restroom... which I dont usually blog about...

but it was so amazing.. 

with marble counter tops, freshly rolled hand towels and scented candles

We then went for a stroll... 

listening to the live swing music and watching the dancing fountain

 and found the biggest pumpkin I have ever seen ...

and it was real!

 On the way home ..we stopped at the Urth Cafe for coffee

 which was much to pretty to drink.

It was a great evening...

made even better being with great friends

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Laduree.....

Seriously...this has to be the prettiest little store...

we had to go in and have a peak..

and if you like Macarons its just perfect!

We didnt buy anything

but we were tempted

Maybe next time

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Busy Kitchen...and Carrot Cake Cookies

Its been a busy week in the kitchen. 

The apples I was given at the beginning of the week have been peeled, cored and dehydrated...some with cinnamon sugar some without.

I had a clear out in the freezer so I also dehydrated bags of strawberries that I found...

And made a couple of shepherds pies to take their place.

The avacados were lovely and flavourful...and have made a delicious mushy Guacamole

which MrD has been eating as a dip so I had to hide some for tomorrows burgers

And as I write this... I have trays of cookies in the oven ready for the bake sale

 and todays Bible group study.

I love working in my kitchen

Carrot Cake Cookies

These cookies are so easy to make. They are so moist...and the cinnamon gives a perfect Fall flavour

1 carrot cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup Kraft caramel bits

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, butter, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon. 
• Beat until combined. 
• Stir in the white chips and caramel bits by hand. 
• Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Form dough into 36 balls and place on baking sheet. 
• Bake at 350* for 10 minutes. 
• Let cool on pan 2-3 minutes. 
• Gently remove from pan to cooling rack  a metal spatula. 
• The caramel will start to stick to the pan if you leave it cool too much.
• Cool completely. 
• Store in air tight container.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Welsh Rain...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Dehydrating Kinda Day....

I managed to pick up four heads of celery for $1 at the local market. Thats too much for two people to eat in a week....or two ...or three. So I decided to dehydrate them..

Its about time! Ive only had it since last year (shame on me)!

Also.. Hubby was given a bag of apples... and three avacados from a work mates garden. Now the avacados will make a lovely guacamole..but the apples I plan to dehydrate tomorrow and also make some apple sauce.

 I spent well over an hour trimming, chopping and washing the stalks...

and blanching them for a few minutes in boiling water

Then spreading them evenly on dehydrater trays.

 I dont throw away the heads or bottoms...as they are full of flavour.

I pop them in a ziplockbag and stick them in the freezer

They are ideal for when you are making stock or beef broth

 After 12 hours they are ready...

and its crazy they have dried to almost nothing

Five trays of celery reduced to less than a pint jar

 But it will be wonderful in soups and stews

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner~ Meal Plan Monday

I have a busy week ahead at home. Fall decorating..cooking and preparing foods for the freezer.. food preserving..baking for the Church sale plus a few extra cookies for the Ladie Bibles Study on Thursday. I have to try and fit in a couple of walks too. The time is going to fly

It may be Fall but its still pretty warm here in California...so no stews just yet...but they are coming!. Breakfasts are the same.. oatmeal, cereal.. or omlettes... and lunches the usual soup and/or sandwich

I have a last minute change to this weeks meal plan. Hubby phoned this morning and said his work mate has brought us a couple of avacados from his garden so I'm going to make Hubbys favourite Guacamole. Its great as a dip...and especially good on burgers.

So time to get at it.. Have a wonderful week.

Weekly Plan - 24th September 2018
 
Monday             Shepherds Pie, Cabbage

Tuesday             Vegetable Stir Fry

Wednesday        Pork Chops, Potato Au Gratin, Broccoli

Thursday           Korean Chicken Kebabs, Vegetable Rice

Friday                Guacamole Turkey Burgers

Saturday            Day Out with Hubby

Sunday               Spaghetti and Meatballs

Sunday Thought ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Cruisin.... On A Sunny Afternoon....

Well I had a lovely day today..my church quilting class this morning  

followed by a trip out to the OC Fairgrounds with MrD

for this years Cruisin for a Cure car show..

Cruisin For a Cure is the world’s largest one-day charity car show 

with over 3,500 vehicles on display 

They get to cruise through the OC Fair & Event Center for 1.5 miles 

and/or park and just display their vehicles.(even ones with a palm tree roof)

 Its proceeds are in aid of  prostate cancer in men..and you can be tested at the show

I love the old cars.. especially before 1960

I think they are glamourous..(see a pink one!!)

and hark back to a more gentle..simple and family orientated life

I was definitely born in the wrong decade.......

So a worthy cause...and a great show

Love and Hugs


 Phoebe x