january

January- a time for openness

January 30, 2017

I have officially declared January to be my most favorite month of the year maybe because it’s my birth month but mostly because I love it’s calm, slow and quiet personality. After such a busy and abundant holiday season it is such a respite and a gift.

Our weekends have been open and free. Rather than trying to fill them up, I have been taking them one minute at a time, watching as they unfold and unwind naturally.

Being a list maker and a task master, it’s been a positive challenge to find balance between getting things done and making time for openness.

Bliss Balls

January 2, 2017

This past year I made a conscious decision to try to omit sugar from my diet. I notice how much better I feel when I don’t eat it and over time the cravings do go away. However I do still enjoy something sweet late afternoon or after a meal. Fruit is always a go to for me but sometimes I just want chocolate! I do always have a little dark chocolate hidden away for those days when I need a pick me up.

About a month ago I taught a healthy snacks class where I included some of my all time favorite ball recipes made with variations of dried fruit, nuts and seeds. I wanted to include something a little more decadent and something that satisfied my love of chocolate.

I did a little research online and found the bliss ball. After some experimenting I came up with my own version that included 4 simple ingredients. It was an absolute hit with those who took the class, a favorite over all.

These little balls pack a powerful, protein-filled punch and taste just like a chocolate truffle! I always double the recipe because let’s face it I cannot eat just one and Hannah loves them too.

Bliss Balls

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup walnuts (preferably soaked for 2-4 hours)

1 1/4 cup dates

Place all four ingredients into food processor and grind until a moist ball of dough forms. Roll the dough into balls. They are delicious just plain but have fun experimenting with different coatings such as sesame seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, shredded coconut, cinnamon, cocoa powder, chile powder, grated citrus peel.

We store ours in the freezer as they are a bit too sticky if left out.

Sunday Scenes

February 1, 2016

Little pops of red woven throughout our Sunday.

A Couple of Knitted Friends

January 30, 2016

I try to knit the girls something for Christmas every year. Hats, socks, mittens and dolls clothes have all made their way under the tree. I think it may have been Humpty Dumpty who motivated me to knit outside of the box and make each of them a special friend this year.

I love to peruse the many beautiful projects over at Purl Soho and fell in love with these two patterns as soon as I saw them.

I knit the Big Snowy Owl for Hannah and for Norah the Bobble Sheep Pillow.

Both were a lot of fun to knit and I am now a master at bobble making. There must be over 200 bobbles on Mr. Sheep!

Just like their owners, I think they make quite the couple and may be the best of friends.

Snow!

January 24, 2016

On Saturday (my birthday) we woke up to a foot of snow. By day’s end we had almost 2 feet!

It was the perfect birthday gift.

Maybe even good luck.

43 is going to be a good one.

P.s Check out our recipe for a snow day.

Sunday’s Roast Chicken

January 20, 2016

I love Sunday. It is definitely my favorite day of the week. I try to keep Sunday sacred by leaving it completely open and most of the time I strive to never get into a car or even leave the house (except for my morning walk or maybe to walk to the market).

Our Sundays shift and change with the seasons but Sundays in the winter and autumn are definitely my favorite. There’s always a late, sit down breakfast. There’s always a fire. And there’s always a chicken in the oven by late afternoon.

There is something so slow and intentional about making a meal on Sunday. And there is something so special about ending the week with your favorite people eating that meal.

I use this recipe every time but use different roots from week to week and usually serve it up with garlicky sauteed greens such as kale, collards, swiss chard or mustard greens.

After the chicken has been carved and picked over, the bones and carcass are thrown into a pot and covered with water. I simmer the broth over night for 12 or more hours and wake to find a golden elixir!

Monday night is chicken soup night. I make several variations but always fall back on a few simple tricks. This week I made a curried vegetable, chicken soup. There is always a salad and if time allows, homemade biscuits or corn bread with a hunk of cheese.

If there are left overs, lunches on Tuesday consist of thermoses of hot soup. Although I admit to eating it for breakfast too.

Curried Chicken Soup

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves of garlic chopped

1 onion chopped

3 stalks of celery chopped

4 carrots sliced

2 tablespoons curry powder (I am a curry-aholic. Feel free to half this)

1-16 ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes

6-8 cups of homemade chicken broth

1 cup frozen riced cauliflower (my new favorite TJs find!)

1 bunch fresh spinach or kale, leaves finely chopped

3 cups of cubed cooked chicken

Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Heat butter in bottom of soup pot. Sautee garlic and onion. Once translucent, add celery and then carrots. Add 1/2 the curry powder and a pinch of salt. Once the veggies are soft, add the tomatoes and then broth. Let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Add cauliflower, greens and chicken and rest of curry powder. Simmer for 30 more minutes. Turn off heat. Season with salt and pepper.

This soups improves with age.

weekend scenes

January 18, 2016

A few things

January 12, 2016

1. The tree is down along with much of the Christmas decor. Our home feels a bit bigger and lighter.

2. I finally found an antique vanity plateau mirror for my dining room table. I am always admiring the one that my mom has on her table. I like how it dresses things up a bit and reflects the candle light.

3. My mom had two leaf prints (made by Chris) framed and wrapped up under the tree for me.

4. Chris made fun of my most recent re-purposing of an antique cruet set which I filled with bath oil, Epsom salts and dried lavender. He asked if he should carve some salad tongs for my next bath.

5. Nothing like a new succulent and some ranunculus to freshen up the bathroom.

6. Paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs are a January must!

7. The sweetest handmade mobile gifted to Norah from a crafty neighbor home from college.

8. Starting to frame more photographs to be hung in this little hallway space.

9. A vintage quilt rack to hold our collection of quilts and wool blankets.

A new year

January 5, 2016

Did you watch Downton last night? We have all been counting down the days. Norah made a chocolate cake with cream cheese icing just for the occasion.

Christmas is still lingering on a bit here. The tree is still up and the holiday music remains on shuffle. As my mom would say “Christmas is not over until the Epiphany!”

But I do love the start of a new year. A fresh, crisp new calendar. A list of goals and aspirations. Re-organizing and re-arranging. And a sense of calm as the holiday hustle comes to a close.

Happy new year!

January 4, 2016

Yes I know I haven’t been here in almost two whole months!
All I can say is I have been trying to live in the moment.
No documenting, no blogging, no social media, very little screen time at all and to tell you the truth it’s been rather nice.

But after some time to ponder I have realized that I do miss this space.
Thanks to all of you for your gentle nudges and inquiries. It’s heartwarming to know that so many of you enjoy it here.
I do too.

We had the most lovely holiday. In between baking, gift making and decking the halls, we hosted a caroling party, a new years eve party, several dinner guests and tonight we end our vacation with a little Downton Abbey party. There’s a chocolate cake in the oven right now!

I look forward to sharing more of our home, garden, projects, traditions, recipes and every day life here with you in the new year.

Happy new year my friends!

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