Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

The last day of November.. can you believe it.? Im just busy.. busy..busy..

Christmasy stuff is on the agenda this week. The last of the decorating.. a bit of gift shopping... and planning our Christmas treats. MrD is easy to buy for this year...he's been dropping enought hints! But I would still like to get him a surprise or two.

Food wise... no large meals.. and lots of leftovers from the freezer.. and thats about it..

Have a great week...and lets have a wonderful Festive Season

 Weekly Plan - 29th November 2020

Monday              Leftover Ham, Tator Tots, Peas and Mushrooms

Tuesday              Chicken Tacos

Wednesday         Turkey Pot Pie

Thursday            Spaghetti and Meatballs

Friday                 Pizza

Saturday             Pot Pie Leftovers

Sunday                Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Sunday Thought ~ Isaiah 11:1

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x 

Turkey Pot Pie...

The Christmas decorating is coming along nicely.. although it will be a couple of days until its finished. Im so looking forward to this season.. after the year we have had it will bring joy to my soul

I'm especially looking forward to seeing the little ones opening their presents.. their excited smiles mean the world to me...especially when you have a heart melting smile like Little Mr.

Little Miss has made her Christmas List....

Although she will be a very lucky girl if she gets every dolly she has asked for... 

Turkey Pot Pie

So today I used up some of the leftover turkey and made a couple of  Pot Pies. We love this recipe and it makes two family size pies...one for now..the other for the freezer.. It has no diced potatoes in it... but it would be easy to add some. We had ours with some creamy mash. 

2 cups frozen peas and carrots
2 cups frozen green beans
1 cup sliced celery
⅔ cup butter
⅔ cup chopped onion
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 ¾ cups chicken broth
1 ⅓ cups milk 
4 cups cubed cooked turkey meat - light and dark meat mixed
4 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Place the peas and carrots, green beans, and celery into a saucepan
• Cover with water, bring to a boil, and simmer until the celery is tender, about 8 minutes.
• Drain the vegetables in a colander set in the sink, and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. 
• Stir in 2/3 cup of flour, salt, black pepper, celery seed, onion powder, and Italian seasoning
• Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens.
• Remove from heat; stir the cooked vegetables and turkey meat into the filling until well combined.
• Fit 2 pie crusts into the bottom of 2 9-inch pie dishes.
• Spoon half the filling into each pie crust, then top each pie with another crust.
• Pinch and roll the top and bottom crusts together at the edge of each pie to seal
• Cut several small slits into the top of the pies with a sharp knife to release steam.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the crusts are golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. 
• If the crusts are browning too quickly, cover the pies with aluminum foil after about 15 minutes.
• Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Its Over....

Thanksgiving is officially over (kinda)... although... there is always something to be Thankful for.

MrD and I are as stuffed as a pair of Turkeys. Once again I prepared far to much food... and I thought I was doing well!! But.. its hard coming down from a large family (at one time there were eight of us at home) to cooking for two. After one plate we were totally full...so leftovers for a while methinks...

Still.. The food wont go to waste.. with the ham being used for breakfasts.. sandwiches.. and tonight sliced cold with eggs.. Tator tots and peas. The turkey has been chopped..put into baggies.. and frozen but Ive left some out to make a pot pie for tomorrow. Im trying to persuade MrD not to buy such a big bird next year... (yeah ..good luck with that) and even tho I love turkey.. I think this year..for the first time ever.. Im considering having something different for our Christmas Dinner.

So now begins the push for Christmas.  MrD and I have started to put up the decorations.. which I should finish by the beginning of next week.. Not completely tho as MrD has bought me a new fireplace and it wont be here til next week. So for the rest of the week... there will be cards to write... parcels to mail.. a few presents to wrap... and on Thursday.. the lights will go on for Mum... 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Thanksgiving....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Prepped...

So... all the prep is done...

I have my turkey apron on...the turkey is ready for the oven prepared the way my mum used to do it.. butter under the skin and covered in bacon to give flavour and keep in the moistness.. A small ham will join it just to heat through.. 

The sausages and Jalapaeno Poppers are ready to put in later..along with the Green Bean Casserole. Spuds are ready to boil for mash..and the veggies are ready to cook. We may be too full to tackle the cherry pie.

Finally.. the scales are turned back 10 lb.. and we are ready

Just one question... is there ever a time when theres too much bacon??

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Birthday Little H...

Happy Birthday to the Little Man who made me a Grandmother..

He chose the stormiest of  nights to make his debut. with driving rain and flooding.We were worried the the two bridges off the island to the hospital would be closed due to high winds

But they made it just in time.. and so began the eight years of a wonderful young man who makes me proud every day.

Little H..our times together are so few..and its a long time since I had a cuddle. But our weekly Facetime chats are so special... I cant wait to see you next year.

It's a privilege to be your Nana..

All my Love..

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Thanksgiving week... and I think Im organised. We collected the turkey on Saturday..all 21lb of it.. for just me and MrD. MrD always likes to go big! Thank goodness it freezes well.

We also picked up a few bits and bobs from Walmart.. and I have to say.. some people are crazy. I have never witnessed people snatching toilet paper out of others hands before. But there's always a first time. People are definitely panic buying again... especially as California went into nightly curfew on Saturday night. No going out between 10pm and 5am...tho thats no hardship for me. MrD is classed as an essential service.. so he will still be able to leave for work at 4.30 am. 

Also...Im finally getting a decent haircut... 10 months after the last one. I am in dire need of one. My hairdresser is open.. but is only working at 25% so she can fit me in at 6 o'clock this evening. I did warn her that my hair is awful cos I have just been hacking at it. She said not to worry..everyone has been hacking!

So this weeks menu is super easy.. Two meals.. dinner out..Thanksgiving feast and then leftovers..

Simple!

Weekly Plan - 23rd November 2020

Monday              Chicken Chow Mein and Spring Rolls

Tuesday              Taco Salad

Wednesday         Out for Dinner

Thursday            Thanksgiving Turkey, Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Corn

Friday                 Leftovers

Saturday             Turkey and Cranberry Panini

Sunday                Loaded Jacket Potatoes

Sunday Thought ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Early Start...

And so begins the push to Thanksgiving. I was out on my walk before sun up and got back early as I have a busy day ahead. Its the pre-weekend clean and this afternoon MrD and I will pick up the bi- weekly Walmart shop.. Has anyone noticed that shelves are empty again. My order had several items taken off as they are out of stock... including loo paper.. canned corn.. flour..and our favourite butter. Luckily I have been getting extra every week so we have enough to last a while.

Tomorrow we are going to pick up our Turkey and Ham so the fridge and freezer have been sorted to make some room. Hopefully it will stay organised for the Christmas food shop too. And talking of Christmas.. although Im looking forward to Thanksgiving Thursday...I am so excited to start the tree on Friday..

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? And how are your Christmas plans going.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Fourteen Years...

Today is the anniversary of my arrival in the US .. one of the happiest days of my life. But its also a poignant day

It is fourteen years since we lost the kindest, gentlest, funniest man I have ever met...and who I am proud to call my Dad and today my head and my heart is filled with so many memories of my childhood

Growing up he never raised his voice or his hand to me or my brother.. and always had a wink for us if we ever got in trouble. I remember the night mum sent me to bed without dinner.. very unusual for me to ever get into trouble (Miss Goddy Two Shoes me). I cant remember what Id done..but I do remember dad sneaking into my room.. with a slice of bread and piece of chicken.. putting it on the edge of the bed.. whhispering "shhhhh" and tiptoeing back out

He filled our world with laughter.. sometimes without even trying. Like the time we were on an annual family holiday.. this time to Pontins Holiday Camp (and when I say family I mean my grandarents.. and lots of aunts, uncles and cousins) We were all going horse riding... and as dad swung his leg over the horse ..it put his head down and dad did a somersault onto the ground.. and we caught it on cine film!! My grandad was hysterical with laughter.

He was a friend to every one he met. It seemed he couldnt go anywhere..whether it was walking to the village shops... standing on the station platform in Birmingham..or on holiday in Newquay Cornwall... without someone greeting him with a cheery "Hello Ray!" and talking for half an hour. It amazed my mother beacause she didnt know anybody!..

He worked hard..at one time a stonemason..and then onto a job he loved on the railway. He left  home very early in the morning..but I always tried to get up to say goodbye. I remember walking into the dimly lit kitchen where he sat at the table eating his breakfast..and polishing my school shoes! He was artistic.. could turn his hand to anything.. and had a shed down the garden filled with bits of wood and wire and jars of old nails and screws "Just in Case"! He could fix anything and had a unique way of starting his little car when it broke down.. one time on top of a mountain. "Just rock it" he said

He faced his cancer and stroke head on with bravery and strength..and beat it... but when it returned two years later... he missed my recently deceased mum so much he had no heart to go on. When he died... the church in our little Welsh village was filled to over flowing. A fitting tribute to a real gentleman who was genuinely loved by so many

He was an amazing Dad..Gaga.. Brother.. Uncle..and Friend. The pain of losing him has dimmed..but for the memories and love for him still shines brightly. And I think of him often..

Sleep soundly Dad... Until We Meet Again

All my Love Always xx

Six Years...

Can it really be six years?? Six years since I packed my cases and headed for the airport. Six years since I followed my heart...took a leap of Faith.. and made the best decision I have ever made.. Well maybe not THE best. That was when I said yes. But six years since I left my Welsh homeland where I had lived for 52 years.. to travel over 5000 miles to a new beginning in California... and marry the most amazing..kind.. funny..loving.. hardworking man who treats me with such respect and calls me his Queen. Thank you MrD for giving me such a happy life

Six years ago it was also bitter sweet. Leaving my kids was a huge wrench..but they were grown... settled.. and fabulous human beings... who were supportive in my decisions.. and just wanted me to be happy.

The last photo of me and Miss C at the airport.. in the bathroom no less... was all smiles.. but as I waved her out of sight as I headed for the plane ..my tears began to flow. Her choice not to come with me weighed heavy on my heart..but I understood her reasons. She had a good job that she loved... her own house.. and her own life. My boys had their own families ... but she was my little girl and would be alone.. But.. she proved my fears wrong.. showed how strong she is.. and if she had come with me.. wouldnt have met the man who is sooo right for her and given me my beautiful grandaughter.. Although... one of her first texts and a photo of her breakfast was "I need you to come home now!".. I think MrP is happy her cooking has improved..

As for the boys.. well they have made me so proud..and given me the most gorgeous grandsons. Its funny.. but even tho we all live so far apart.. we talk more than if we all lived in the same house.. and I see my grandbabies constantly and watch them grow. Thank you technology! Now they just have to invent something that can let you hug over the internet...

I cant wait til C19 is over....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Tuesday Walk..

 It was a gorgeous morning for a walk..

Cool comfortable temperatures and just look at that sky.. no filter I promise

I noticed that a few houses have started decorating their homes ready for Christmas but for now Im just going to take pics of the beauty Autumn has to offer..cos it wont be for much longer

So with the housework done.. and Mexican Chicken in the Slow cooker ready to make Burritos for dinner..

Time for me to restore some of my blog.. then a bit of sewing.. while I binge watch "The Crown"

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x