Happy Mothers Day...

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful mums in the Uk . Im very lucky that I get to celebrate this special day twice a year.....once in March and again in May here in the US.

Everyday... I celebrate being the daughter of a wonderful woman who I love and miss constantly.

But I also celebrate being mum to three amazing kids.. who.. although grown and have given me the most beautiful grandchildren... will always be my babies. We may be 5,000 miles apart,.. but we are closer than ever.

I love them with all my heart and am so proud that they call me mum

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Saturday Treats...

A rather grey morning here at The Blue House..

Which was soon brightened by the arrival of a gorgeous vase of flowers off my daughter in the UK

It was a lovely early UK  Mothers Day surprise

And another surprise was MrD taking me out  to brunch...

He had chicken and waffles 

And I had a tasty Mushroom and Brie toasted sandwich

With Fellowship after church tomorrow... 

thats two meals I get out of cooking this weekend..lol

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In The Kitchen ~ Garlic Shrimp Alfredo

MrD loves Alfredo Pasta...combine that with shrimp and I know Im onto a winner. This delicious shrimp Alfredo casserole is surprisingly easy to prepare! It’s quick too so you can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.

1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp

8 oz uncooked penne or any tubular pasta
3 tbs butter divided
4 cloves garlic minced
3 tbs fresh chopped parsley divided
1 cup milk
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules OR 1 tsp concentrated chicken stock, like Better Than Bouillon
2 tbs flour
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 small tomatoes seeded and diced
2 tbs Panko bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

• Prepare penne per package directions, cooking to al dente stage; drain and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350℉.
• Melt 1 tbs of the butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. 
• Add the garlic, shrimp and 2 tbs of the parsley. 
• Cook shrimp until it’s pink on each side, about 4 minutes each side. 
• Remove the shrimp to a plate, keep warm.
• Melt the remaining 2 tbs butter in the same pan. 
• Stir in the flour being careful not to let it lump. 
• Cook until the butter/flour mixture is golden.
• Add the chicken granules/concentrated stock and stir well.
• Gradually add the milk, while stirring, until smooth.
• Add 3/4 cup of the mozzarella and the grated Parmesan or Romano.
• Stir until cheeses are melted and smooth. 
• Let this simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the penne, tomato and shrimp to the pan and toss to combine.
• Top with the remaining mozzarella and the Panko crumbs.
• Bake for 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Pop it under the broiler for about 3 minutes to brown the top. 
• Watch this carefully because it can easily burn.
• Garnish with remaining parsley.

Sisters...

 How it began...

How it progressed...

And how it ended...

Sisterly Love ...

There's nothing quite like it..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Easter Hearts...

 Managed to finish three little hanging hearts and put them in my Etsy shop in plenty of time for Easter

Pretty "Easter Chick" is a yellow cotton fabric heart with a cute chick and flowers pattern

A white lace trim is finished with yellow hand stitched seed beads

The white satin ribbon hanger is finished with a yellow flower button

"Bunny" is a turquoise cotton fabric heart has a cute rabbit and flowers pattern

A white lace overlay is edged with white ribbon at corners

The lace is finished with pink hand stitched glass beads and pink pearl beads

The white satin ribbon hanger has a white satin ribbon bow is finished with a lace flower with a pink seed bead

"Bunny in the Easter Eggs" is a bright cotton fabric heart with an Easter egg and cute rabbit pattern

The white lace trim has a pastel coloured edge and is threaded with bright pink satin ribbon

Its finished with a bright pink bow and white hand stitched pearl beads on the bright pink satin ribbon hanger

What do you think?

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Birthday Girl...

The week of celebrations ends as we wish a very Happy Birthday to the best daughter-in-law, we could wish for

Thank you for being a wonderful and supportive partner to our son and the most amazing mummy to our gorgeous grandson

You have the biggest heart, the kindest disposition, and although your sense of humor is a bit suss I can’t wait to go vintage shopping with you.

I tried so hard to find a nice picture of us together, but could only find this one. I think you and Elvis are much more photogenic

Lots of love, Darling Girl, 

and have a wonderful day. Xxx

In the Kitchen ~ Mexicali Hash Brown Taco Casserole

This hashbrown taco casserole is a meat and potatoes dinner baked in one dish. A Tex-Mex twist on Shepherd’s Pie. We loved it and there was enough leftover for another meal

1lb 90% lean ground beef

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper divided
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper divided
1/2 cup corn
1 pkg taco seasoning
10.5 oz condensed tomato soup
3 oz low fat cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion divided
2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese divided
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
15 oz frozen hashbrown potatoes thawed

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly grease or spray a 2 or 2 1/2 quart oblong casserole dish.
• Brown ground beef, half of the bell peppers and onion in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
• Drain fat from pan, reduce heat.
• Add the undiluted tomato soup, corn and the cream cheese.
• Stir until well combined and no chunks of cream cheese are visible.
• Stir in taco seasoning and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
• Turn mixture into prepared pan, spreading mixture evenly across the bottom.
• In a separate bowl, combine the defrosted hash browns, the remaining peppers, salt, pepper and remaining 1 cup shredded cheese.
• Top ground beef with potato mixture, pressing it down slightly.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until topping is browned and crispy on top.

Breakfast at the Blue House....

A "Chucky" egg and toastie soldiers...

Just like my dad used to make us...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mum...

The week of birthdays continues.. and today ..

Happy Heavenly Birthday to this wonderful woman.. who I’m so proud to call mum..

She ruled with a rod of iron.. and a heart of gold. She accepted no bs from anyone and called a spade a spade..

She was fastidiously house proud.. except for the ironing.. which was left to me .. and because we didn’t own an iron.. I had to carry the laundry down the hill to my nanas house every Sunday afternoon to get it done.. That’s probably why it’s my least favorite chore. She seldom cooked (dad was better.. and was home from work earlier than she was) but she made a fabulous Sunday dinner and her Christmas dinner was always a triumph!!

She loved her garden and her cats.. but not as much as she loved her family… and instilled that love in all of us.

It’s been 20 years and I still miss her daily phone calls to make sure we were all ok.

 

Love you mum…

Until we meet again …xx

Happy 60th Birthday....

Congratulations to my amazing.. loving.. kind hearted.. God loving hubby.

who celebrated his 60th birthday today

We started the day with a light breakfast..

and a Facetime call with our girls...

who sang Happy Birthday.. 

more than a few times as Little Tufty wanted to blow out the candle...

After a little shirt shopping...we called into the local steakhouse

for a celebratory beer..

and a strawberry lemonade...

to go along with our steak and chicken lunch

Then it was home to a favourite dessert of MrD... 

my Devils Food Bundt Cake.. filled with M&Ms

No over the top celebrations for us...

but it was just our style...

and we enjoyed every moment

Thank you for making the last ten years the happiest of my life.

Love always MrD xxx.

A Week of Birthdays...

It’s a very busy week for birthdays.

First we would like to wish our kind.. beautiful.. intelligent and talented granddaughter a very happy 7th birthday

We are so proud of you Little Miss.. 

and we love and miss you very much

Nana and Grandpa xx

A Few Friday Favourites...

Just a few of my favourite pics from this week

This guy... he works so hard.. 50 hours a week at the plant..

 then the first thing he does when he gets home is tend his yard

The least I can do is make his favourite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This little chap is worth his weight un gold... literally.!

This weeks check ups and medications came to nearly $300

He may have to get a job to pay his keep

But the main thing is.. he's fit and healthy..

so maybe we'll keep him for a bit longer..

This girl never fails to impress me. 

She asked her mummy to film her practicing her class presentation about the planets. 

I know... its been done thousands of times before... 

but not by our granddaughter.. so of course this one is one of the best. 

Well done Sweetheart!

Fluffy has made himself at home... 

and she and Little Mr are the best of buddies..

And as for this Little Tufty... shes all sweetness and light one minute.. 
and full of hell the next.. especially when you try and take her book away.
And yes...those are swimming goggles shes wearing... 
its her favourite fashion accessory right now

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x