Happy Halloween...

Happy Halloween 🖤

My Naughty Fairy..and My Little Monster... 
Grandbabies...

my greatest Blessings 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Little H's Halloween Horror...

Little H was so excited when he Facetimed me

He was making his Halloween pumpkin 

and was explaining in great detail how he was doing it

And I must say..

with the help of Daddy..he did an amazing job.

Its the best Pumpkin I have seen

Well done My Lad

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Teal Tuesday...

Its Teal Tuesday.....so a timely reminder about Ovarian Cancer.

I was flicking through my photos when I came across these pics that I didnt realize I had. It was the moment my son Facetimed me and saw me for the first time after losing my hair and suffering the affects of chemo. The reality of my illness hit him like a ton of bricks..and for a few moments he couldnt speak..

Of course... being my son...  his beaming smile returned. After the preliminary "how you feeling", etc... it wasn't mentioned again... and the rest  of the conversation was light hearted. And that's how it is with all my children.. 

Sometimes we forget how devastating it can be for the families of those diagnosed with cancer. They feel worried, angry, afraid... or just very very sad. I was so blessed to have an amazing hubby and three incredible children.. who supported me... never doubted I could beat it...and most of all..kept the laughter going.  They never let the mask slip.. not in front of me at least. because of this we found strength in each other. I'm so proud of them all

So let me just remind you...there is no known test for Ovarian Cancer. You have to look for its symptoms... which can be difficult as they mimic other illnesses. I have said before.. my own GP was treating me for Diverticulitis. Early detection is essential.. because once it gets to stage four... its usually too late. Please share the heck out of this... and lets get the word out about this Silent Killer

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner~Meal Pan Monday

The last few days of October... and its Halloween week. Although we dont decorate..or celebrate it.. I love seeing all the kiddies in their costumes and have a bucket of candy at the door.. ready if anyone knocks. I cant wait to see what my grandbabies are wearing.

After Thursday...thoughts will turn towards Thanksgiving...and Christmas. I must be honest..I'm prepared for both. Im a list maker..and Im on track... though I do like to concentrate on one season at a time.. No Christmas decorations for me until after Thanksgiving.

This weeks menu is definitely not set in stone. MrD may have to go to Georgia for a few days for work... but this of course depends on if we hear about his surgery or not. This..of course.. must come first.

So today... I want to get out early in my walk... bake a batch of Hubbys favourite cookies...and dehydrate a load of carrots that I got for 29c lb. Then hopefully I can sit down this afternoon and watch a good Black and white movie while I do some stitching.. maybe a funky 1940's "Horror"..to get in the mood for Halloween

Have a great week everyone

Weekly Plan - 28th October 2019
 
Monday              Hawaiian Chicken and Rice

Tuesday              Vegetarian Enchiladas

Wednesday         Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday            Meatloaf Meatballs & Bacon and Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
                             
Friday                 Ginger Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Fries

Saturday             Chilli Dogs

Sunday                Roast Chicken and Sheet Baked Vegetables

Sunday Thought~Lamentations 3:22~23

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Stitching...Sale....and Sickness...

Well... Its that time of year they said...Get a flu shot they said.. You dont want to be ill they said...

Hmmmm.....

This morning...temperature... sore throat... swollen glands in my neck...tight chest...earache..

I feel so grotty I dont even want a coffee...

Thank you Hubby...your birthday gift just keeps on giving...lol

So I cant go to Knots of Love to sew quilts for the sick and newborns today. I dont want to spread my germs. So if my head stops being fuzzy...I will do some stitching for my Etsy Shop. 

 I had another sale this week.. which I packaged and mailed to Ohio

With Thanksgiving around the corner... I need to get some Christmas ones finished

Hope you all have a Happy Saturday

Love and Hugs....and sniffles

Phoebe x

Best Birthday Gift...

I left home at the usual time this morning for my walk...but it was much darker than it has been... The moon was hardly there...

 The days are definitely drawing in.. til next week of course ..when the clocks go back an hour...
 Ahh well..and extra hour in bed is not to be sneezed at

12.433 steps later I returned home to the amazing Birthday present from hubby that arrived yesterday..

A Presto Pressure Canner...and the Ball Canning book that Ive wanted for ages!
Now I know its not to everyones taste... but I love it.. Im afraid chocolates and flowers are lost on me. Give me something for the house..especially the Kitchen and Im a happy girl! Now I can can so much more.

I think Salsa is first on the list.

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In the Kitchen ~ Zucchini Chips and Stew

This week I was given more Zucchini from  a friends garden. It will be the last for this year... and I am so grateful for the amount she has given me over the Summer. I have bags of it grated in the freezer to make bread... along with chopped ones for soups, stes and stir frys. So I thought I would try something different... so I got out the trusty dehydrator and made some Zucchini Chips.  Salt, Pepper and Vinegar.... and Garlic Parmesan. They turned out really well.. very flavourful..and no calories. Win! Win! Win!

For the remainder... yesterday I made a very healthy ...and flavourful stew. It was the first time... but we really enjoyed it and will be making it again

Zucchini Stew

1-1/4 pounds bulk Italian sausage
1-1/2 cups sliced celery (3/4-inch pieces)
8 medium fresh tomatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled and cut into sixths
1-1/2 cups tomato juice
4 small zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
2-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups canned whole kernel corn, drained
2 medium green peppers, sliced into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

• In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, crumble sausage and cook over medium heat until no longer pink; 
• Drain. 
• Add celery and cook for 15 minutes; drain.
• Add tomatoes, tomato juice, zucchini and seasonings
• Bring to a boil. 
• Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. 
• Add corn and peppers
• Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Combine cornstarch and water; stir into stew. 
• Bring to a boil; cook and stir until mixture thickens. 
• Sprinkle with cheese.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

"Baby Shark"....

The only time it's acceptable to listen to "Baby Shark"

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Its Always a Happy Birthday...

I would like to thank everyone for your wonderful birthday messages. I have had a lovely couple of days. MrD surprised me by taking the day off. We did nothing really out of the ordinary... but every minute was special.

I got to Facetime with my kids and grandkids... Had a lovely parcel of cards and handpainted masterpieces from two child genius's. And of course... my thoughtful daughter always sends me fabric... feeding this fabricaholics addiction.

MrD took me shopping for new clothes... and let me go a bit mad at a closing down sale...You can never have too much fabric.. (seriously!!) I dont know about a craft room...I think we need a bigger house! He also bought me what Ive wanted for a while... not to everyones taste..but its made me so happy. Will show you when it arrives

And the icing on the cake... well... you know when happy couples get matching shirts... matching promise rings.. or matching tattoos.. Well my hunny surprised me with.... matching flu shots. He's a keeper....

Talking of cakes..I didnt have a birthday cake... I had birthday pie... Coconut Cream to be exact... Honestly... I have a terrible sweet tooth!! We ate out a lot... so I didnt have to cook ( MrDs idea so I wouldnt have to spend time in the kitchen.. whats wrong with my cooking huh?)..and I had my first chinese Takeaway in over two years. I really have to pull my horns in now... its Thanksgiving in a few weeks... enough said...

So I had better get out there and get some steps in..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday...

Happy Monday.... and Happy Birthday to me. No cooking for me today... MrD is taking me out for breakfast...and dinner... phew! We have also got an appointed with our GP today..so MrD can have a test done to make sure that horrid bacteria in his stomach has gone.

This week... Im planning to do a lot of sewing for my Etsy shop..and deal with the bag of zucchini I was given after church yesterday. Im going to grate some for the freezer.. dehydrate some into chips.. and make a delicious stew. I was also given a bag of mushrooms.. so they will be used in a Strogonoff.. with a breakfast for Dinner...on a pizza... in Spaghetti sauce... and cookedand put on a sandwich with roast beef for hubbys lunch one day. I just love mushrooms.. and they are so versatile..thank you Miss A. I am always so grateful for the wonderful gifts people give me from their garden.

Have a great week everyone

Weekly Plan - 21st October 2019
 
Monday              Birthday Treat

Tuesday              Mushroom Strogonoff

Wednesday         Zucchini Stew

Thursday            Breakfast for Dinner

Friday                 Fridge Clean Out Pizza.. Onions, Jalapenos, Spinach, Mushrooms,Peppers etc

Saturday             Church Married Couples Fellowship

Sunday                Spaghetti Bolognese, Garlic Bread

Sunday Thought~Jeremiah 17:7~8

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Easing Into Another Year....

Happy Saturday... and so begins my pre birthday weekend. By Monday... I will not be seeing 32 again! ( which is perfectly true...even if the real number that will be behind me is 56)

MrD asked me what I would like for a gift.. and to absolutely honest... I have everything I ever want or need... An amazing hubby.. three wonderful children and three gorgeous grandchildren, My cancer is in remission.. I have an incredibly happy life and next year I get to visit the Uk and introduce MrD to the family... (scary thought).

So MrD has just come home from work and announced he has taken Monday off..so we will have a long weekend together. It will be a fun few days. I will keep you updated

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Go Ahead.....

Im a bit late posting today. It was a busy start. Yesterday, Mr D and I headed over to Long Beach to meet his surgeon. As we waited for his office to open..MrD treated me to breakfast. It wasn'r low calorie...it wasn;t healthy.... but maaan... it was soooo good.. Lemon slice..yum!

Anyway, MrD has had the go ahead for surgery.. We are just waiting for for workers comp to get back to us but the doctor said hes pushing for it. Hopefully MrD will be admited to the hospital in Pasadena either Tuesday or Wednesday next week..or at the latest ..the following week. I wont believe it til I see it.

This morning we for his blood work to be done ..etc... so we will be ready when the phone rings. He will have to have 6 weeks off work and it will take 3 months to heal. Man... am I going to have problems getting him to slow down!!

At least we are moving forward..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Walking Better....

Another beautiful morning in California. 

Its much cooler and my foot is much better..

So I left earlier.. watched the sunrise..

walked further..and by the time I got back.. 

the Harvest Moon was still looming large..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Shine on Harvest Moon....

Im tired! How long does it take for iron and B12 pills to kick in? It has nothing to do with the fact Im old...thank you Hubby lol x

Sunday Night we had a Harvest Moon so it still loomed large when I left the house for my walk this morning. I live in a city so excuse the street scene.. 

I actually cut my walk short.. Have you ever thought well if I do this it will be ok... and its not? (points finger at herself) Sunday morning..rushing around getting ready for church.. I caught my baby toe on a unit corner and darn near ripped it off. Ok..big exaggeration..but thats what it felt like. Childbirth!! Pfft! I hobbled on it for a day..watching it swell and turn beautiful shades of purple. Then yesterday..I decided it was a great idea to stuff it into a trainer and go walking. Idiot.!! And..I did it again today!. Hey ..being blond is my choice ok (Thank you Nice n' Easy)

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Luckily the planned power outage didnt happen for us. But... a few fires broke out in the Los Angeles area. Fire fighters battled the strong Santa Ana Winds fanning the flames. They struggled with the 7,900-acre Saddleridge fire that haveburnt the hills of the northern San Fernando Valley and forced the evacuation of thousands from their homes. Luckily though.. they are winning. By last night the winds dropped, 41% of the fire was contained...and the evacuation orders lifted. I'm praying that the Lord will watch over these brave emergency services and thankful that the winds...for now...have dropped.

Finally we have a date to meet with MrD's surgeon. We see him this Thursday in Long Beach...to discuss the surgery which will take place in Pasadena..about 40 mins away. We are moving forward at last.

I have so many full days right now...time is passing so fast.. Walking, Bible Study, canning, dehydrating, sewing.. the hours slip by. Im just grateful I manage to fit it all in... and Im healthy enough to keep going.

Hope you have a wonderful week everyone.

Weekly Plan - 14th October 2019
 
Monday              Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs, Vegetable Rice 

Tuesday              Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Asparagus and Mushrooms

Wednesday         Cheesy Oven Baked Hash Browns, Griddled Ham and Eggs

Thursday            Chicken and Spinach Skillet, Baby Red Potaotes

Friday                 Vegetable Pizza, Nacho Fries

Saturday             Steak and Spinach Quesadillas

Sunday                Church Fellowship..Taco and Tostada Fundraiser