Saturday 31 October 2020

Happy Halloween....

Happy Halloween!!
I hope you had a fun day! We didnt do much really.. We went shopping for some things to fill our Operation Christmas Child Boxes and had lunch out at our favourite Mexican place
And look!!! I have my wedding ring back at last. If you remember.. I had hubby come home to cut it off as my hands started swelling due to a bad liver infection I had. Then we had to wait to have it fixed as covid meant jewellers here were closed for a while... and then there was a six to eight week wait for an appointment. But I have it at last! My finger is still a little swollen compared to the rest of my hand.. but the ring is loose.. and I will whip it off it it starts happening again
We were going to go looking at some Halloween Houses after dark... but there doesnt seem to be many this year around here. It seems...compared to previous years..that many people just havent been feeling it. Thank you C19. So we stayed home..watched a movie... ate chocolate that was supposted to be for trick or treaters but no one knocked.. and carved a couple of pumpkins....His
and mine.
And.. I did pass a few decorations on my walks this week and here are a couple..
People are so creative...
especially with their pumpkins... I mean..
Look at this one
But this one is particularly spooky... because until I looked closer... 
I didnt see the ghostly figure in the window..
and I swear the guy in the chair moved....

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Thursday 29 October 2020

Thursday Kitchen ~ and Chipotle Shrimp Burrito Bowls

I hope everyone is well and made it to Thursday without any disasters. I've  had a productive.. and destructive day... as in... I juggled then smashed my favourite casserole dish. But at least I survived the ordeal... and it was just a "thing" and it can be replaced. It was very pretty though

It's been a busy baking day.. Two loaves of crusty bread... two Apple Pie Bread (moist .. packed with fruit and cinnamon.. delicious.. freezes well and uses store cupboard ingredients) and a surprise for MrD.. Baileys Chocolate Chip Cookies. Hes happy cos he knows I wont eat them and so they are all for him. 

Im also going to confess...that in my fifty something years.. I have never cooked shrimp/prawns. I have always shied away from them. Part of the reason could be that 30 years ago.. while on holiday in Newquay. Cornwall.. we took a walk down to the dock and watched the fishing boats come in with their hauls. All along the sea front they were selling seafood and my then husband bought a pot of prawns. I had a taste.. and I suddenly felt so sick... and with the smell of all the fish... I was so poorly. What I didnt know was that I was pregnant and so began weeks of very bad morning sickness. Seriously... who goes off coffee and bacon?? Thanks son!

But this week I relented.. mainly because MrD loves shrimp and made Chipotle Shrimp Burrito Bowls.. And I must say... it was rather delicious.. I was expectiong spicy... but it wasnt at all. So Shrimp is back on the menu

Is there a food you dont eat? Or cant even stand looking at as it makes you feel ill?

Chipotle Shrimp Burrito Bowls

1 lb. jumbo shrimp (approximately 24 shrimp) deveined and peeled
2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons olive oil divided
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 medium lime
1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce finely minced (about 1/-2-1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon adobo sauce liquid from can of peppers
2 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons honey
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Bowls

4 cups cooked rice white, brown or cauliflower
1 15 oz. can can black beans rinsed, drained and warmed
1-2 fresh tomatoes diced or 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1-2 large avocados thinly sliced
Fresh sweet corn from 2 cobs
4 green onions thinly sliced
1-2 tablespoons finely minced fresh cilantro
Lime wedges for serving

  • Stir together 2 tablespoons of oil and all remaining “Shrimp” ingredients in a freezer size plastic bag or an airtight container. 
  • Add shrimp, seal tightly and turn to coat. 
  • Let the shrimp rest on the counter for 15 minutes.
  • Heat a large stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. 
  • Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan and swirl to coat.
  • Add shrimp in a single layer and discard any remaining marinade.
  • Let shrimp cook for 2 minutes 
  • Turn over and cook an additional 1 minute or until they’re pink. 
  • Increase the heat to high for 30-60 seconds to slightly reduce any liquids. 
  • Remove shrimp from the pan when they’re finished cooking.
  • Divide rice between 4 bowls and top with shrimp and other desired Burrito Bowl ingredients. 
  • Drizzle with Ranch or dressing of your choice. 
  • Shrimp can also be served on top of a salad or in wraps.
Enjoy!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Monday 26 October 2020

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday


Here we go...the last few days of October. There is a definite change in the air. Its cooler and overcast... I even wore a cardigan for the first time this year when I went on my walk this morning. Yesterday it rained... the first time in six months. MrD and I were at church .. where we are blessed to be able to worship with a couple of hundred people in the car park. Ok...so it only sprinkled and it only lasted a minute or so... but it rained. But no complaints as we need a bit of rain... and at least I can get out... Unlike my friends and family in Wales on a two week lockdown.

On the agenda this week... well... nothing special. Going to take it as it comes. Although MrD and I will have to go shopping to fill the two shoe boxes we are going to fill for Operation Christmas Child.

Foodwise.. Im continuing with Crocktober and making at least two meals a week in the Slow Cooker... perfect for this time of year 

Here's this weeks Dinner Plan

Weekly Plan - 26th October 2020

Monday              Crockpot Cashew Chicken and Vegetables with Rice, 

Tuesday              Chipotle Shrimp Burrito Bowls

Wednesday         Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops, Mashed Potato, Brocolli


Thursday            Sausage and Spinach Skillet Pasta

Friday                 Loaded Pizza

Saturday             Bacon, Cheese and Onion Toasted Bagels

Sunday                Ham and Spinach Mac and Cheese

Saturday 24 October 2020

Stuff!!

Today MrD and I enjoyed walking around the Flying Miz Daisy Antique Market at the OC Fairgrounds today... So much stuff!! 
There was Fall stuff...
Christmas stuff...
old stuff.. 
pretty stuff
smelly stuff... 
handmade stuff..
pumpkin stuff
even laundry stuff

Dang it....I really like Stuff!!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Friday 23 October 2020

Misty....

Fall seems to have finally hit where we live in California with temperatures dropping to the low 70s. Ok..ok...so if I was still living in the Uk...that would be summer weather... but the misty mornings and lower temperatures are far more comfortable... and make my morning walks more enjoyable as I dont have to rush home before the sun appears

I still long for the beautiful golden brown and orange hues of Autumn trees as here they stay green...But if I search hard... I can find a little bit of colour hidden away. Its still a lovely time of year.. but still not cool enough for a sweater... for this Welsh girl anyway.

Enjoy your Friday everyone...

And to all my family and friends in Wales who are going into a two week lockdown again..
Im praying for you all..

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Thursday 22 October 2020

Pumpkins Galore....

As a birthdy treat and getting into the spirit of Fall.. 
MrD and I took an hours drive...through the Simi Valley 
and out to a large Family Farm 
with thousands of pumpkins...
acres of fresh produce 
and fields of beautiful wildflowers
. We took a tractor ride through rows of corn and sunflowers... 
visited some of the farm animals...
(which were in large enclosures due to C19 so we couldnt get near) 
and then walked around for an hour.
looking through all the patches
until we chose a couple of monster pumpkins to bring home to carve for Halloween. 
What a fun day...
and the smiley face on the hill agreed..

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Monday 19 October 2020

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

My birthday week.. and I will be easing into my 58th year. MrD is taking Wednesday off.. so we will be going out for breakfast... doing a bit of shopping... hopfully going to a Pumpkin Patch.. and ending the day with a late lunch/early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. He has never been before... but I have... and the food is delicious... and of course..their cheesecake selection is amazing

A parcel has arrived from the Uk from my children and grandchildren... and I cant wait  to open it. I have a feeling I know whats inside..

Time to get out for my walk... and burn up a few calories to make room for the goodies I will be eating Wednesday..

Here's this weeks dinner menu...

Weekly Plan - 19th October 2020

Monday               Chicken Curry and Rice, 

Tuesday               Crockpot Chili.. with fried leftover rice

Wednesday          Birthday Dinner out


Thursday            Citrus Chicken, Baked Potato, Salad

Friday                 Herb Crusted Salmon in Lemon Sauce, Saute Potatoes, Asparugus

Saturday             Leftover Chili with Mac and Cheese

Sunday                Sausage Gumbo

Saturday 17 October 2020

My Autumn Girl...

As grand daughters go...
she's quite somethng..
I love my Autumn Girl

 Love and Hugs
Phoebe x