Sunday Thought ~ Isaiah 41:10

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

So Sad...

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago MrD and I went up to our favourite hiking place.. the beautiful Forest Falls.. in search of a waterfall... and found one?

Well these pictures hurt my heart.

Yesterday heavy rain from a powerful storm caused massive mudslides and flash flooding. Debris flowed down the mountain and severely impacted the Falls community and surrounding areas like Potato Canyon and Oak Glen. 

It destroyed homes... washed away cars and damaged the landscape. 

Thankfully no one was killed

But.. those poor people...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Shining Light...

My seven year old granddaughter is a daily inspiration to me.

The terrible bullying she has endured has hopefully been sorted out but it has not only knocked her self confidence.. but also her self worth. Even so.. she is still funny, kind and loving and she always gives 200% in everything she does

Today was an amazing day for her. Her soccer team won their game an incredible 14 - 1

and she was awarded Player of the Match!

Earlier in the day she was presented with her schools "Shine" certificate.

and the words her teacher wrote were just wonderful!

Im more than proud ..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

In the Kitchen ~ Dutch Apple Cake

Our neighbour has a few fruit trees in her garden. She often gives us oranges and lemons. She also has apple trees  which produce too much for her to cope with.. and many lie rotting on the ground. Recently she asked if we would like some... so we jumped at the chance. Although we wernt greedy.. and left plenty for other people.. we came away with quite a few bags,

So Ive been spending a bit of time in the kitchen concentrating on all things apples..  and as its a versatile fruit Ive preserved quite a few jars .. Apple sauce.. apple jelly and apple pie filling now grace my pantry shelves. 

I also did a bit of baking... including this Dutch Apple Cake found in Meta Givens 1942 cookbook and it is just lovely. It is more like a muffin or coffee cake than sponge cake. You can eat it for breakfast, or as a dessert.. and it also makes a good morning or afternoon snack with a nice cup of tea. 

3 tart apples
2 c. all-purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar, divided
1/4 c. shortening, melted and cooled
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 c. milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp butter, softened

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
• Slice apples  
• Sift the flour and measure and resift twice with baking powder and salt. 
• Stir in 2/3th of the sugar. (Reserve the other 1/3 and mix with the cinnamon). 
• In a separate bowl, mix the egg, shortening and milk. 
• Stir the liquids into the flour mixture just until combined. 
• Pour into a 7″ by 11″ baking pan. 
• Arrange apples on top and press into dough. 
• Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture and dot with butter. 
• Bake for 25 minutes..or until an inserted wooden skewer comes out clean

The Modern Family Cook Book

by Meta Given ~ 1942

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Sea of Sunflowers..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Blogging on a Tuesday..

I haven't done one of these for a while so its time to take part in Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and and this week its talking about blogging

1. Why did you begin blogging? 

I've been blogging now for about 13 years now. I was a single mum of three older children and living a lovely life in a cottage on a hill in Wales over looking the harbour. A friend of mine had started a blog and encouraged me to  start one too. Im afraid she gave up after a couple of months but I continued. 

2. What benefits does blogging offer you?

It became my journal.. where I shared my days with friends and family.. many of whom lived  across the country. Over the years it grew.. as it covered my immigration  to America.. my new life with MrD and my battle with cancer. Its a great way of letting out your feelings

3. Have you made friends from blogging? 

Of course. and met a couple in real life

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

Just everyday stuff... my garden, my recipes.. my stitching and of course my gorgeous grandchildren. I wouldn't say that other bloggers influence me... I would say they inspire me... in more ways that one..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats for Dinner ~ and a Busy Weekend

Good Morning from the Blue House

As usual.. it's a very early start to the day... 

But look.. the new curtains are finished and up!

It was worth being busy yesterday

Across the pond the family had a full weekend too....

Little Miss and her team mates won another tournament

By winning 6-1.. she added another medal to her collection

Little Tufty was there for support...

and was rewarded with a hot dog as long as her arm!

And doesn't she look happy!

My son and daughter in law took the opportunity to take a few pre wedding photos

The small gathering will take place in a couple of weeks 

giving them the wedding they couldnt have first time around

Im so sorry I cant be there in person.. but I will be there on camera 

Little Mr was more interested in flying his kite...

Typical Lad!

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

Weekly Plan - 15th September  2025

Monday               American Chicken Chop Suey (a new 1940s recipe)

Tuesday               Shrimp Frajitas 

Wednesday          Potato Topped Chicken and Vegetable Pie

Thursday            Goulash       

Friday                  Pizza

Saturday              Burgers with Mushrooms and Swiss cheese

Sunday                 Leftovers

Sunday Thought~ Philippians 4:6-7

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

A Little Autumn Sewing...

The weather is definitely cooler and today is a little over cast

a perfect day for sewing projects...

on the cards... new kitchen curtains

and three new aprons..

Im really getting in the swing for the Autumn..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

No Words...

 

Lets Get Started...

Its not officially Autumn for a week or so..

but...

Lets get started...

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Feeding the Family..

We have a little visitors in the garden... though its not much of a surprise as they live in one of our trees. Mr and Mrs Squirrel have descended to the veggie garden to stock up for the winter. Its a progression from constantly driving Prince crazy by twerking at him from the power lines

After leaving all our vegetables alone all summer... a week ago we noticed that the last of our cucumbers... and their vines.. had little nibbles taken out of them. It wasnt as much damage as the the rat invasion caused last year. That was just devastating and very upsetting.. but since new people moved into the house behind us and cleared their garden... and MrD cleared all the ivy on our side of the fence.. we have had no problems

Then this week.. a couple of our big tomatoes had huge chunks taken out of them. They were only eating the bright red ones... so I collected all the ones on the turn.. and the green ones held no interest. Im not too worried as the garden is coming to an end.. and they are leaving the rest of the crops alone... for now! I guess even squirrels need to feed their families!!

So we still have lot of bell peppers, Anaheim peppers, serranos and jalapenos growing.. but I will keep an eye on them. But I must say.. all in all.. this years veggie garden has been a success

Now I can start planning next years..

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What's For Dinner... Summers End

Summer is coming to and end but there is still plently of colour in the garden. Now that the lawn is done we can take our time with the borders and prepare the soil ready for next years planting

You can definitely feel that Autumn is on the way as the temperatures have finally dropped below the 90's and for the past couple of days there has been a lovely cooler breeze

I wasn't  going to decorate for Fall this year... as MrD has started a big project in the house. He decided to take up all the carpet in the living room and dining room to check on the floorboards. They are in such good condition he is going to sand and stain them. I think they will look great. 

This change on the weather has also changed my mind. MrDs project will take a while to complete.. so in the meantime... I think a bit of decorating is on the cards... and I can easily work around him..

So.. pass the pumpkin spice latte.. and lets begin

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

Weekly Plan - 8th September  2025

Monday               Herbed Chicken, Potato Salad Stuffed Mushrooms and Salad

Tuesday               Fish Tacos

Wednesday         Spanish Pork and Rice

Thursday            Victory Medley (a new 1940s recipe)          

Friday                  Pizza

Saturday             Guacamole Bacon Burgers

Sunday                 Sesame Chicken Stir Fry