The Quiet of January

Many people claim to hate winter, especially January, but don't count me in that number. January is a welcome respite from the crazy Christmas rush, even though I actually do love the holidays. But it's stressful! When January comes along afterwards, the world just stops to say "Ahhhhh". Along that line,  I love when the holiday decorations come down, and the house feels fresh and clean again. Christmas decorating is fun and festive, but there's always an element of clutter that I just can't get past. I prefer my home without them! 

It's a little strange to have something of an empty calendar this time of year, after the holidays. I still have my piano lessons, book club, and yoga, but there is plenty of space left over to putter around the house, and do as I wish. At the top of that list is usually craft projects. One of my Christmas gifts was a small punch needle project, given as a new craft to try. I found it be fun, but stabby, as my fingers can attest! I also wanted to show off my Diamond Dotz project, which I finished last year. It was very zen to be placing each tiny dot, numbered in the thousands. Not pictured here is my latest craft attempt, a paint by number. I'll wait until it's finished before showing it off. I have to admit, this may be my only attempt at paint by number. It just isn't something I'm good at. 

I crochet year round, but it's more enjoyable in winter when my current project can keep me warm while I work. I finished up yet another blanket for my own home, and it ended up being one of my favorites. I have a small ladder to display some of my blankets, and it's getting full! And yet, I have another blanket in mind, it will also be for our own use. Currently, I'm working on a blanket gift, so I don't want to show that one just yet. I did stop briefly to stitch up a scarf for my cousin, to match her new coat. 

It's been a cold and snowy January, especially compared to the warm and wet December just past. I noticed that I never took a single photo outside in the yard this month. But I did drive through Blacklick Woods for some snow views. It's my favorite place to watch the snow fall, but I'm still waiting for one of those snow events where it sticks to every branch. That's when the snow is magical! 

Trust me, there are no flowers outside now, even though there was in December. Instead, I often pop into Trader Joe's for kitchen bouquets. Plus my amaryllis finally bloomed twice, my little cactus showed off a few flowers, and I had to have this tiny African violet. It's still not enough flowers! 

Not much else new around here in the quiet of January, so I'll close with my usual sunsets. Thanks for stopping by! 

A Happy Kitchen

It's February, and the garden is still asleep. That means I still have nothing garden related to post about! But as I moved around the kitchen this morning, I realized how much that space makes me smile. Even eating off my favorite plates makes me smile!

Whether or not it's a cliche, I think most everyone would agree that a kitchen truly is the heart of the home. It's where we gather, it's where we are fed. It's where we connect with our family and friends. It's where nourishing foods are prepared with a loving touch.

The sunny, south facing windows were one big reason why we bought this house. Enough sunshine streams in, even in winter, that it encouraged a bloom from the cactus that grows in a pot I brought home from Mexico. I've never seen this plant bloom before. This qualifies as gardening, right?

And I can never resist those brightly colored primrose pots blooming in the grocery store this time of year. I do plant them outdoors once the weather cooperates. 

We've been slowly updating our kitchen space. We already added bright paint colors, and other simple touches. But now we're starting to do some bigger projects. We added new quartz counter tops, and I just love the silver sparkles in it. That's why I added a shiny silver colander full of apples in the middle of the island, to reflect the sparkles. It makes me happy every time I see it! Sometimes I fill it with lemons or limes, and next I might even use fresh artichokes.

Now I think I want to paint the cabinets white. The orangey oak color just isn't the thing anymore, is it? But I do love the orange soffit, and the asparagus green walls. Since I'm a wine aficionado, the Wine and Dine signs over my pantries were just the touch I was looking for. We bought the microwave over the stove as a Christmas present to each other, and I like how it looks there. But it does make me want to match up all the rest of my appliances so that they are all stainless steel. Ooh, that sounds pricey. I'd better wait on that. 

Besides being a wine lover, I'm also a tea lover. I drink it hot and iced, all day long. I have a habit of picking up teapot and tea cup shaped objects when I see them, especially planters.

I also pick up cute teapots now and then, even though I don't really use them. This one resides on my baker's rack next to the back door. The microwave was on this rack before, and I like being able to keep a few special objects on it now.

Well, that's about it for today in my kitchen. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a bowl of BBQ Bean Soup with my name on it. What better way to stay warm on a cold winter's day?

Barbecue Bean Soup

16 oz bag dried northern beans

8 cups water

1 medium onion, chopped

1 lb. diced ham

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 c. vinegar

2 T. brown sugar

16 oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained

2 T. mustard

1/4 c. chili sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Soak beans overnight, then discard water before cooking. Fill bean pot with fresh 8 cups of water and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 3 hours until beans are tender, adding water as needed. As beans soften, watch closely for scorching.