Show Us Your Shimmy.....

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Another Non Scale Victory...

 A grey haze over the city this morning... but a lovely walk anyway..

I can now get to the top of the nearby steep hill without getting breathless.. 

so another goal crossed off the list. 

Now the plan is to walk down the other sideand back up so double the distance.

I love these non scale victories

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday..

Ok... can someone tell me where March went. I blinked and it was gone!

So here we are in Passion Week. We have a lot of evening services at church this week. The huge warehouse where we meet is certainly getting some use during this blessed time.

Apart from that... the weather is beautiful right now and temperatures are set to soar this week.  My daily walks are going well and I can actually get to the top of the hill that was my challenge without getting breathless. My feet dont hurt, my calves dont pull.. though the muscles at the tops of my legs do get slightly sore by I get to the top. Thirty pounds makes a heck of a lot of difference. No Easter eggs for me this year!!

Yesterday we stopped by a Farmers Market. I was so surprised at something I found. I have been living here for over six years...and I never knew til  now that here Broad Beans are called Fava Beans. I love them so grabbed a load to shell and freeze and to use with some bacon this week. as we say in England... Lovely Jubbly!!

Also...in April Im joining a new challenge. Its called the Rationing Challenge and the goal is to make at least one recipe and at least one meal a week from the 1940s... I am scouring through the many books I have on rationing and meal stretching from the war years. They are usually economical.. vegetable based and low in fats and sugar...so can be adapted to fit into my diet plan. It should be interesting.

Have a great week..and here's our dinner menu

Weekly Plan - 29th March 2021

Monday              Herb crusted Pork Loin, Baked Potatoes and Salad

Tuesday              Chicken Frajitas

Wednesday         Broad Beans and Bacon Fritata

Thursday            Crockpot Four Cheese Ravioli

Friday                 Seared Salmon, Garlic Mash, Asparugus

Saturday             Day out with Hubby.. possibly a picnic

Sunday                Lamb Chops, Baby Reds, Green Beans and Carrots

Sunday Thought ~ Mark 11:9

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sun..Sea..Sandwiches..But No Shopping

Another weigh in done...and another 1.1 lb off. Just over 32lb since January 4th... and Im on track for looking presentable in my wedding outfit. It looks like the wedding will be able to go ahead.. but we are holding back on getting our plane tickets for a bit longer..as right now there is a 10 day quarenteen the other side... which if still in place in July.. means MrD will not be able to come. Pushing it to the back of my mind right now... so I dont start to stress..

Anyway...as a little treat MrD and I took the 20 minute drive over to Santa Monica...

We walked along the seafront... 

I have never seen so many squirrels running around in one place.

We then walked down the pier. 

We could see dolphins in the distance but were too far to photograph

Then we walked into town to Ye Olde Kings Head..a British Pub.. 

for non calorie counted Club Sandwich lunch

Afterwards we popped next door to the British Gift Shoppe and Bakery.

It was jampacked (no pun intended) with loads of Britsh Fare. 

Heinz Baked Beans..Pickled Onions.. Birds Custard.. Golden Syrup.. Bisto Gravy.. Jaffa Cakes.. and Rich Tea Biscuits. 

They even had Bakewell Tarts.. Iced Buns and Danish Back Bacon... all the favourites from back home that you cant buy in our supermarkets. 

I was going to fill a basket... but then I started noticing the prices... $3.50 for a little box of Oxo cubes... Daddies Sauce (which I love) $5.95... 

but when I saw $14.95 for a box of Yorkshire Teabags... we finished looking around... and left empty handed..

I think I will be bringing an empty suitcase when I go to the Uk in July... 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Just an Old Fashioned Girl...

Recently.. I have been looking on Ebay quite a bit..and bidding in some of their auctions. Like the old knitting patterns..I dont pay out more than a couple of dollars a week..which roll over to the next if I dont find anything.. I have won some amazing things... and oh...I get so much joy out of them.  Last week I managed to get some china on Ebay for a very reasonable price.What makes these so special for me is that the matching sugar bowl..gravy boat and butter dish are actually from the 1940s so 80 years old..and not a chip on them. I was so excited

I put them in my cabinet along with all the other china I have collected... to keep for a "special occasion" Until MrD said. "You know... you have so many old dishes that would look so pretty on the table..yet you never use them.. why? You say you are saving them up for a special occasion! What special occasion.?? Pretty things are made to be looked at and used for the purpose they are made for. Besides...that special occasion may never come. You love all these old things.. get them out...put them around the house and enjoy them.. Time is passing by so fast...Indulge your passion!"

And you know what...he's absolutely right! If this last year has taught us anything it should be we should live for now..and enjoy it while we are here. When the Lord calls us home... we wont be able to take anything with us...and what will happen to our  'Things' then? MrD and I already live our lives the "old fashioned" way.. I cook from scratch...budget.. preserve food..  and a lot of recipes I use are adapted from or based on recipe books from the the war years  or earlier. We are aiming to move at the end of the year to a house where once again we can grow our own veggies and raise a few chickens. I knit..sew...and mend... and he would rather fix something instead of replacing (unless its a bike of course) We both love vintage things... like cars, clothes, and furniture. And we both have traditional family values.

So..with Hubbys blessing... out come my treasures.. the tea cups.. the doilys... the quilts.. and the ornaments. Im even going to start wearing some of the clothes I pushed to the back of the wardrobe...(when I slim down a bit more) and my beautiful brooches.. earrings and pearls.. some of which my grandmother left me (they still fit!) The television is staying off more.. replaced by my favourite music... and Im going to introduce hubby to the wonders of 30s and 40s movies.

In these crazy times... this is going to bring peace to our little corner of the world..

and enjoy being..

An Old Fashioned Girl

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In The Kitchen ~ Chachouka....

Still on my healthy eating regime..Im always looking for recipes that I can adapt to lower calorie versions. This has to be one of my favourites at the moment.. one because you can eat it any time of the day..two its low calorie... and three...its insanely good.

Based on  the River Cottage original... this is my version of their Chachouka..a North African Pepper and Tomato Stew with Eggs..which makes a perfect breakfast..a light lunch... or even for dinner. You could also add mushrooms... some chopped sweet potatoes.. top with a bit of cheese.. and even play with the spices like using curry or chili powder

I like to eat mine with some homemade sourdough toast..although hubby has his with bacon and sausage...and the toast of course..

• 
  

1 large onion, halved and finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 red pepper, cored, deseeded and finely sliced
1 yellow pepper, cored, deseeded and finely sliced
400g tin chopped tomatoes

2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cumin

Handful of spinach
Up to 4 eggs..your choice how many you think you will eat
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Heat a thin spray of oil a large, preferably ovenproof, frying pan over a medium heat. 
• Add the onion and cook gently for about 5 minutes, or until soft and golden.
• Add the garlic and peppers 
• Continue to cook over a low heat until the peppers are soft and wilted...stirring often 
• Add the cumin and paprika and stir
• Add the tomatoes with their juice, the spinach and some salt and pepper. 
• Cook gently, stirring from time to time, for 10–15 minutes. 
• Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4.
• Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if necessary. 
• If your frying pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer the mixture to a baking dish. 
• Make up to 4 hollows in the surface and carefully break an egg into each one. 
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
• Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the egg white is set and the yolk still runny.

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

 

Poor Peter.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Minerva Magic...

I've always said Im a vintage loving girl.. especially the 1930's and 40's

I was so pleased when I won this amazing original knitting pattern book on Ebay from 1933.

It is in immaculate condition and cost just a couple of dollars

Its jam packed with gorgeous designs..and I think Im going to make a sweater set

But Im not too sure about knitting a bathing suit...

I remember my Nana telling me that when they went swimming...they stretched...

Eeek!

 Something else I found recently in a vintage store was one of these.. 

Do you know what it is?

I do know... as I know many of you will..

but its going to be perfect for something else I have in mind

Love and Hugs 
Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

First week of Spring and isnt it wonderful. Its lighter..brighter and prettier. Lock downs are lifting slightly here. Indoor dining is now allowed...and this past weekend..cinemas opened. Eating in maybe..(although this is So Cal so outdoor dining is always better) but I cant see myself sitting in an enclosed cinema... not that theres anything I want to watch anyway.

This week, Im going to finish my Spring cleaning. Im normally on top of jobs around the house..so its not much of a chore. 

Then I'm going to indulge in some knitting. I have the bug again..especially since I have won some genuine vintage patterns... in excellent condition... on Ebay.

Apart from that...life goes on.. 

Have a great week..and here's our dinner menu

Weekly Plan - 22nd March 2021

Monday              Kung Pao Shrimp, Stir Fry Veggies

Tuesday              BBQ Chicken Street Tacos

Wednesday         Crockpot Mississippi Chicken

Thursday            Vegetable Curry

Friday                 Phoebe's Phoney Pizza

Saturday             Day out with Hubby

Sunday                Spaghetti and Skinny Meatballs

Sunday Thought ~ Song of Solomon 2 11-12

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Lovely Day in the Neighbourhood...

 Well Spring has definitely sprung

Lovely flowers on my walk today...

and just look at my neighbours 1940s car...

It was like stepping back to my favourite era

Plus ...a little change in direction...

 Happy Birthday tomorrow to my wonderful Daughter in Law.

Thank you for being you and for giving me such a gorgeous grandson

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x