Adieu August...

Well its the last day of August and its going to be a scorcher..as is the rest of the week...as last nights screen shot shows

My veggie garden is struggling in the dry heat.. although Im still getting some produce. There are still lots of tomatoes waiting to ripen.. some zucchini...more peppers.. and the beets and turnips are just coming into their own.

Cooking is like working in a sauna... so if I have the oven on... its as early as possible to beat the heat. Like today...I used up the last of a turkey breast we had at the beginning of the week to make a pot pie...(it leaked a bit) and a couple of jam tarts with the leftover pastry. The oven was off by 9am... and the micro wave will come into play tonight for the veggies. My slow cooker is getting a lot of use too..

Hopefully the weather will break in the next week or so. It hasnt rained in months..and as a girl who grew up in wet, windy and wonderful Wales... I miss it so much.

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Psalm 5:3

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Well...my laptop issues are continuing... keys are falling off.. over heating... not keeping its charge and taking an absolute age to load...if ever. So I think its time to say bye bye to my old friend. MrD has one at work I can have..so by the end of the week I should be all set again.

Talking of the end of the week....Friday is going to be a bit uncomfortable. Our power is going to be off from 7am to 5pm... and with the temps in the 100s... and no fans... im going to be a sweaty mess... Oh well... Im pretty used to that by now.

Apart from that...nothing much is really planned yet.. so Im just churning out the designs for my Etsy shop..so there will be lots posted next week

Whats on your agenda? 

Have a good week...and here's this weeks menu

Weekly Plan - 22nd August 2022

Monday           Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala, Pilaf Rice, Mini Naan

Tuesday           Tacos al Pastor

Wednesday      Huli Huli Chicken

Thursday         Shrimp Alfredo Bake

Friday              Pizza Night

Saturday          Loaded Nacho Turkey Burgers

Sunday             Chicken Spinach Artichoke Quesadillas

Sunday Thought ~ Hebrews 11:1

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Busy Building...

Work continues at the Blue House

For the last couple of days...

MrD has been building a gazebo at the back of the house..

now and again with the help of his trusty sidekick...me 

But he has worked really hard in the 100 degree sun...

and has done a brilliant job..

It will look so good when done 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Little Fisherman...

Friday is the traditional day for eating fish for dinner.

Little Mr decided to help out..

and made his way to the local rockpool

Being very cautious incase a shark was hiding..

he tried his best to provide the family with a tasty fish supper.

But that pesky shark must have eaten them all

because all he caught were dead crabs...

and a tiny shrimp!

Pizza it is then!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Expecting a Special Delivery...

Im so excited to share the news that grandbaby number four is on the way... a baby brother or sister for Little Miss... and she couldnt be happier

After a rocky start "Little Smudge" is due Feb 2023 and mum and baby are healthy and doing great.

 

Congratulations to my daughter..son in law and of course Little Miss. Its been so hard trying to keep the secret for the past couple of weeks. but we are a very proud Nana and Grandpa 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

I've Been Thinking...

I've been thinking..

Can you believe its been nearly eight years since I left the Uk for the USA. It was a bit of a culture shock to begin with... and I find Im doing things completely different...

For example... I dont put the rubbish in the bin anymore.. I take out the trash. I no longer walk on the pavement...Im on the sidewalk. No more driving on the motorway.. Im on the freeway.. and no more queueing...Im standing in line.

And dont get me started on shopping... I shrunk two dress and shoe sizes as soon as I stepped off the plane...nothing to complain about... but who serves corn with fish and chips?? Where are the mushy peas?? 

And as for veggies... I no longer get an Aubergine... but Eggplants are in abundance (much to MrDs disgust!)... and Im happy that a rutabaga makes a lovely ponchmipe instead of a swede (perhaps only Welsh people will get that reference...)

And in the absence of courgettes.. Im sure this beautiful zucchini from my garden...will taste just as delicious!

Its a different language....

Love and  Hugs

Phoebe x

Blessed Celebration..

On Saturday we attended Alfonsi and Leo’s Baptism Celebration. 

Thank you Maite and Primo for inviting us 

We were serenaded by a mariachi band.. or two

I don’t know what they were singing about and didn’t understand a word .. 

but it was very cool

There was a Taco Bar...

Where we were generously served with different taco meats

side dishes...

and an assortment of refreshing drinks

and lots of fun for all the children

We had a great time

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats for Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

Well...after a few weeks of nothing much happening... life is continuing at a slow pace here at the Blue House. MrD is working had at the plant...Im working hard at home... but we have the blessing of spending weekends together.

The heat is still getting to me... and to the veggie garden. Some of the plants havent made it.. the sun has scorched them.. and its hard keeping up with the watering as the soil dries out quickly. Having said that... we are still producing food for the table... and the flavour is great. You cant beat a home grown tomato

My ankle is on the mend..although very stiff and sore when I first stand..but my pride was hurt more than the fall. I dont think anyone saw my spectacular dive down the front steps..thank goodness.

Have a great week...and stay cool

Weekly Plan - 15th August 2022

Monday           Honey and Sesame Seed Chicken Stir Fry

Tuesday           Spicy Sirracha Shrimp Tacos

Wednesday    Citrus Chicken, Baked Potato, Garden Salad 

Thursday        Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake 

Friday              Pizza Night

Saturday         Big Kahuna Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches

Sunday            Ranch Chicken Tenders, Potato Wedges, Coleslaw

Sunday Thought~James 1:5

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Catch Up...

So on Wednesday... my audition for Ringling  Brothers Circus failed miserably when my double somersault off the front porch steps ended pitifully and I badly sprained my ankle. Although... Ive always been a bit of an acrobat...as my mum used to say I could trip over the pattern in the carpet.. But at least I landed on the lawn so I wasnt too badly bruised..and didnt break anything. (MrD would have been so upset if Gnorman the Gnome had been injured.)

The upside is that I have been sitting with my foot up for the past couple of days and done lots of stitching...and catch up on some blogging...Im hobbling better (practice makes perfect!) and will hopefully be able to get a shoe on tonight for a baptism party we've been invited to. In the mean time...here's a sneak peak to what will be finished and in my Etsy shop next week..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Now Matter How Things Change....

You know.. when it comes to technology.. I think Im still living in 1988. I have to be cajoled into a better phone...kitchen gadget...electronic device etc.

But as an avid photo taker...I do love that you can take a 100 snaps... and instantly see the results and choose what pics you keep for prosperity. I also think Facetime is the greatest thing since sliced bread... as joining in with family fun thousands of miles away is a blessing.

Take this morning for instance... my daughter and her little family are holidaying in Anglesey and catching up with old friends.... and... our grandson... who is no longer the baby I left behind but a handsome young man. Seeing them walking together brought back so many memories... and brought to mind another photo from so long ago...

What a difference eight years make.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Snowfriends Sale...

My latest Etsy sale...

"The Three Snowfriends" Mini Hanging Pillow 

is all wrapped up and its way to its new home in Texas

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x