Wednesday 31 July 2013

Sloe Sloe..Quick Quick ..Sloe

When I was out walking yesterday, I came across a few bushes of Sloes. 

 Its far too early to pick them yet, the best time being after the first frost. 

 The frost brings the sloes to full maturity and helps split the berries

 This will make them easier to process... 

But by then I will be in the US

I wonder if they grow in California....

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x





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Tuesday 30 July 2013

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~ 104

Its Tuesday. Lets go and meet the other ladies over at Everyday Ruralty, for the weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch

Everyday Ruralty
Everyday Ruralty

Are you looking forward to fall?
Definately, because I will be celebrating my first US Thanksgiving. Ive heard so much about it, now I get to experience it first hand

 

What are the three best colors for you to wear, and the three worst?
The best are pale blue, pale pink, and black. The worst are orange, green and yellow..which, Im afraid,  makes me look like a big banana

 Whistles Stitch Front Boxy Cardigan, Yellow

 What is your favorite kind of juice? If you are not into juice, you can tell us your favorite flavor of soda, tea, coffee, Tang, mud, etc.
Pineapple is my favourite, with or without coconut. Makes me think its a Pina Colada

PiƱa Colada.jpg

Have you ever been in the hospital (at least an overnight)? You don't need to share the ailment, but tell us what the longest time is.
Apart from having my children, the only overnight stay in hospital was when I had my gallstones out. Other than that...Ive been very lucky
Cartoon of child ill in bed
Do jingles, songs from ads, and TV or movie themes stick in your head? Do you find yourself singing them? 
Always. Its because the tunes are so catchy. The only times it annoys me is when they use bits of an old song....and I cant think of the singer or the song
music-notes 
Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

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Tuesday 23 July 2013

Hes Here.....

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge smile after showing off their baby son

So here he is...our first glimpse of the little man we have all been waiting for. The baby boy..who will one day become our King. He was born yesterday, July 22nd, at 4.24pm at St Marys Hospital, Paddington. Weighing 8lb 6oz, he is the heaviest royal baby in 100 years. 

The safe hands of the Duke of Cambridge, as the royal couple and their son who was born yesterday

When the news was announced, the celebrations began....

Glad tidings: An easel stands in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to announce the birth of a baby boy, at 4.24pm to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Mary's Hospital yesterday
The birth was announced on a gold trimmed wooden easel at Buckingham Palace

It's a boy: The message displayed outside the palace telling the world that there is a new prince in the British royal family
No name as yet

The fountains in Trafalgar Square are illuminated in blue to mark the birth of a royal baby boy.
The fountains in Trafalgar Square ran blue

Tribute: Central London's iconic Tower Bridge was illuminated in bright blue to celebrate the Duchess of Cambridge giving birth to a prince  
Tower Bridge was illuminated blue

Pageantry: Traffic waited behind the band as the band marched up The Mall to the Palace playing cheerful and jubilant music marking the royal birth
Today, there was a special Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

And the band played 'Congratulations'

Historic: The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a gun salute to welcome the new royal baby in Green Park in London today
The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a 41 gun salute in Londons Green Park

Tribute: Artillery fires as part of a 61-gun salute from the Tower of London as the Armed Forces celebrate the birth of the future king
and a 61 gun salute at Tower Bridge

First visitors: Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton at St Mary's Hospital at around 3pm today

Kates parents visit their new grandson

Glamorous: Camilla was once criticised for her dowdy style, but in the years since her marriage to Prince Charles has blossomed into a truly elegant consort
Later, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visit

Protective: The baby was wrapped in a white shawl - Kate held her new son closely to her chest as she waved to the impressive crowd
The Duke and Duchess with their son

As the celebrations continue, the Royal couple took their son home to Kensington Palace. 

I wish them every happiness

The Fairytale Continues.....

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

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Wednesday 17 July 2013

Blueberries

I love blueberries.
Just a handful on my breakfast cereal, 
or made into a delicious smoothie, 
or used in numerous recipes...yum
Its good to know they are healthy too

 

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

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Tuesday 16 July 2013

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ~102

Here we go on another visit to Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty for her weekly chat. Why dont you join us.

Everyday Ruralty
Everyday Ruralty|

Have you cooked any interesting dishes lately?
Now Im on my 'Travels' I dont get to cook very often, but I did make dinner for the family the other evening Chicken Fettuccine Casserole ...and I must say ..it was delicious

 

What question would you like to ask Wendell?
I just wondered...how does it feel to be suddenly so famous? Is it overwhelming or are you taking it in your stride....?
Wendell, the Wonder Horse

Have you had any thoughts of Christmas yet?
Im always thinking of Christmas as it will be a little bitter sweet..Happy because I will be with my daughter, but sad because Mr D and I will be 5,000 miles apart. I love Christmas though, and will enjoy it immensely


Do you make jams and jellies?
Jams, jellies, chutneys...I love making them all. None this year though...but next year...

.

Do you have any board games that you enjoy?
I havent played a board game for ages, but used to love them with the children...Scrabble, Monopoly, Cluedo are amongst my favourites


Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

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Wednesday 10 July 2013

What a Good Idea - Muffin Pan Cookies



There are things that make me wonder how many other things I've been doing wrong and no one ever told me ........just like this..


Bake your cookies in a Muffin Pan - they won't spread out and they'll stay soft 


Love and Hugs
Phoebe x


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Thursday 4 July 2013

What a Good Idea - Chocolate Raspberries


 Place milk or white chocolate chip inside a raspberry for a delicious snack. Yum!

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

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Wednesday 3 July 2013

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #100

Hi  everyone, and its time for another visit to Patrice at Everyday Ruralty for her Chats on the Farmhouse Porch. Its a landmark edition for her, as its her 100th Chats post. Many congratulations Patrice..and Im looking forward to many more

Everyday Ruralty
Everyday Ruralty


So, without further ado, here's this weeks questions, and my answers

What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
'The best way to get through life is to laugh your way through it'.
Its stood me in good stead over the years and made even the worst days bearable


Do you have house plants?

I love house plants. I think they finish off the decor in a room wonderfully. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at keeping them, tho I do try. I wish I was more like my mother, who not only had a green thumb...but a whole hand



Do mosquitoes bother you or leave you alone?
We are lucky in the UK...we don't have much trouble with mosquitoes. I'm imagining they will be a bit of a problem when I get to California



What's your favourite charity? If you have one.There are two charities I favour. My dad died of cancer so its Cancer Research UK. And my grandma suffered for four years with Alzheimer's, so its Alzheimer's Research UK



 

Do you like mint? Which variety is your favourite?
I love Peppermint, especially in ice cream....Why do all roads always lead back to ice cream?

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

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