If you’re like me winter days call for a cup of tea, warm cozies and and big old stack of books, in your TBR pile!
At the top of my stack are all the new Holiday Anthologies! Go check out these suggestions at Goodreads & Amazon. If you’re in the mood for stories set during winter then click –>here<–
Because I shy away from reading the genre in which I am writing, (I’m working on a fantasy series right now) I’ve discovered some really great authors in the contemporary genre! See above, but also I’ve become reacquainted with spy/action thrillers and cozy mystery reads.
You know when you have something in your head and it’s a struggle to make it a reality? You make concessions and adjustments and it’s sorta, kinda, what you had in mind; it’s good enough.
You guys, this time I nailed it! What was in my head is now in the real world and sitting in my room!
(drum roll…)
TaDa!
I’ve decorated for winter with a snowman pillow.
Note the little claw feet on the clock! One needs a bit of weird in a guest room.
This past summer we became for real empty nesters. In the span of a few weekends we delivered the rest of our two sons possessions to Portland where they squished them into a house they are renting together.
When we got home to our very slightly echoing house we had a bit of a melancholy moment remembering the versions those rooms had been through. From Nursery to big boy beds, scattered with Lego and plastic dinosaurs to SK8punk posters and rock bands and even a whiskey still hidden in the closet (don’t worry, his interest waned before he drank any of it) Yes, we had a moment to remember all that….And then I got to work because I had a Pinterest board waiting for the past year and it was finally time to pull the trigger!
I started by removing the desk we had built into the closet for my son during his school years.
Here’s a pic few pictures of what the desk/closet area looked like before:
Remember when I re-decorated the boys rooms?
First I repaired the walls and then painted, I kept the color but put a fresh coat up.
Next came the big job.
When we moved in the hardwood floor was damaged and we couldn’t afford to have it sanded and finished, so we painted it. This was during my HGTV period you see and it really was a cool decorating solution.
Fast forward 20 years later.
The painted floor was looking real shabby and worn down to the wood in several places, so it was time finally to see what could be done about restoring the original wood. As it turned out it was a fairly easy task.
I used Jasco paint striper and worked in sections.
Then came sanding. It was the toughest part and I would recommend getting a pair of good quality knee pads if you are doing it yourself like I did. I used a hand orbital sander that had a vacuum attachment to take care of the dust.
I figured out why I haven’t worn a jumpsuit in more than 10 years.
So, I received the two jumpsuits (On time and in great packaging. Thank you Anthropologie!) I tried them on and hey wow…not bad! The Green one was too big so that one went back. The grey one was super comfortable and kind of fashiony without looking bizarre. Later I tried it on for Jef who said the same thing. Yay! I thought, I’ll be that cute wedding guest at last! Fashion! Yes!
And then…
Well, It was a friday and we were having a few drinks with dinner and I’ll cop to being ever so slightly faced at that point in the evening. When I went to change out of the jumpsuit I encountered a problem that reminded me why I didn’t own a jumpsuit. Being a little altered I couldn’t operate the tie closure to take the thing off! In fact, messed it up so badly that I’d tied it into a tight knot and I needed help getting it undone. And by that time I needed the bathroom, mostly from the laughing at myself. “Help me! I’m trapped in my pants!”
Let’s play the entire scene a month from now at our friend’s wedding…
Uh-huh…yeah,no. No way! I would never live that kind of story down, ever! “Haha! Remember that time when she peed her pants at Steve and Coral’s wedding? hahaha! Why in the world would she wear such a contraption?”
So I’m sorry cute, fashiony, boho chic, jumpsuit. I think I’m going to wear what I normally wear to summer weddings. An easy sundress, sandals and kimono jacket or wrap. Boring? Maybe, But infinitely safer!
Wedding season is coming up quickly! I myself have a few to go to and I’m trying out a new look for this summer.
Now I’m not really a dress person. I’ve tried to be but I always come off as frumpy. Might be my age (40+) or maybe I just don’t have a dress personality. You know who they are that cute and quirky woman who shops at second-hand stores and looks adorable. Yeah, that’s not me.
Now I don’t have much experience with jumpsuits. I seem to remember having one about 5 or so years ago and wearing it out with heels and on a day date with sandals. These look comfy though, and the black one looks like a girl could eat at least 4 courses before having to loosen the belt! (Very important!) The green has that one shoulder thing which seems very “of the moment.” Add my big fat hoop earrings and a few bangles and done.
I’m told this dish originated in India, but I’m not sure of its region. No matter really because it’s so good when you make it you’ll say it came straight from heaven! I love the simplicity of an exotically spiced stew and it’s a recipe that you can whip up with confidence.
Butter Chicken
4-6 Boneless skinless, Chicken Thighs
Salt & Pepper
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 cup chopped Onion
1 cup Plain Yogurt
1/2 cup (one stick) Butter
1 14oz can Light Coconut Milk
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Curry Powder
2 cloves finely chopped Garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated Ginger
Cilantro to garnish.
Chop the onion, garlic and grate the ginger then set aside.
Cut each chicken thigh into approximately three strips each.
Heat a heavy stew pot with a lid over medium-high then add the olive oil and chicken thighs then season with salt and pepper. Saute until brown.
Add in the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Saute until onions are softened and translucent.
Turn the heat to a simmer then add the tomato paste, yogurt, and coconut milk. Stir until well combined. Add the stick of butter. (it’s a seriously giddy moment when you add, wantonly, a whole stick of butter to the pot)
Add the garam masala, chili powder, and curry powder.
Stir then cover. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened.
If you’d like the sauce thicker, turn the heat up and boil uncovered for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
Garnish with Cilantro and serve over Jasmine or Basmati Rice.
Beef Wellington is a special Christmas Eve tradition, a delicious treat looked forward to all year. It looks fancy because it is fancy. There are many steps but none of them too complex and I can tell you from experience that it can all be accomplished whilst completely faced.
Beef Wellington
1 3-5 lb. Whole Beef Tenderloin Roast (approx 5-6 inches long)
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Butter
1 pint container of whole White Cap or Brown Mushrooms.
2 teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves
2 cloves chopped Garlic
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
6-8 slices Prosciutto
2 tablespoons English or Dijon Mustard
1 sheet Puff Pastry (defrosted)
2 Egg Yolks
For the Duxelles:
Place the mushrooms, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Grind the mixture until the mushrooms are finely chopped.
Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat and add the mushroom mixture and saute until most of the moisture is gone leaving a creamy paste. Spread the duxelles out on a plate to cool and set aside.
For the Beef:
In the same saute pan you’ve used for the duxelles, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat and brown the tenderloin on all sides. Set aside. Also, set aside the pan, with all those lovely brown bits, you’ve browned it in to make pan gravy later.
Next, on a sheet of cling wrap layer the prosciutto so it is overlapping.
Spread the duxelles onto the prosciutto.
Lay the beef on next.
Spread the mustard over the beef.
Layer the top with prosciutto and then wrap the cling around the meat encasing it all in a neat package.
Twist the ends of the cling film tight then place it into the fridge to rest for 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Roll out the puff pastry into a large rectangle (approx 10x 12in) on a floured surface.
Retrieve your beef from the fridge and unwrap it from it cling film.
Lay the beef onto the center of the pastry.
Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg yolk.
Fold the pastry over the beef to encase it.
Turn it over so the folds are underneath and set it onto a parchment lined sheet pan.
Brush the outside of the pastry in the egg yolk and make pretty score marks into the dough.(I go for a swirly pattern)
Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the temp measured with a meat thermometer in the middle of the beef is at 125-130F.
Rest the Wellington for 10-15 minutes before carving into thick slices.
Serves 4-6 depending on how thick you slice it.
For the Pan Gravy:
Beef drippings from browning your tenderloin.
1 tablespoon Butter
1 tablespoon Flour
1& 1/2 cup Beef Stock
Set the pan on a high burner.
Add butter and whisk with pan drippings.
Add flour and whisk until well combined.
Add beef stock and whisk until smooth and thickened.
Serve over Beef Wellington.
Japanese chef Ryoya Takashima has a great YouTube Channel called Peaceful Cuisine. I’ve been enjoying it lately and using it to wind down. Ryoya’s presence is very mellow and his imagery is simple and, well, peaceful. The (no music) versions of the videos have a subtle ASMR quality that’s very relaxing. You can also learn some fantastic vegan recipes.
Hi, American readers! Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? Lots of leftovers? Good!
When you’ve had all the turkey, cranberry, and mashed potato sandwiches you can stand, (what? you’ve never had mashed potato on your sandwich?) try this turkey chili it’s excellent for using up the rest of your leftovers! (for international readers bookmark this for Christmas!)
Turkey Chili For the Spice mixture:
2 teaspoons each: Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano.
2 tablespoons Flour.
Mix all ingredients well and set aside.
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 cup diced Onion
1 tablespoon chopped Cilantro
2 cloves minced Garlic
1 can Black Beans
1 can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
3 tablespoons Salsa
2 cups frozen Corn
4-6 cups shredded Leftover Turkey
1 quart Turkey Stock
2 cups Water
Salt & Pepper
In a large stew pot add the olive oil and heat over medium heat.
Add the onion, cilantro, and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent (about 5 minutes.)
Drain and rinse the black beans and add to the onion mixture.
Then add the tomatoes with the juice, the salsa, and corn.
Next, add the spice mixture. Mix well until all ingredients are well coated.
Add the turkey and mix well.
Add the stock and water and stir to combine everything. Bring to a low boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until the chili is thickened and piping hot. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper.
Serve with cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and tortilla chips crumbled over the top.
For many, rituals represent a space in time carved out of our busy day just for us. It’s hard to do when so many need us and we’ve become accustomed to spreading ourselves thin. A little “me time.” It is, in my opinion, essential to staying healthy inside and out. For me, it’s my Sunday bath. Begun when my kids were very young it became 30 or so minutes in which I could reset and come back refreshed. If you don’t have a weekly ritual, try it! You’ll be better for it.
image via Pinterest
Kathleen Rear 