The January Salad

January is the month when I try to redeem myself from all the indulgent foods of the last two months.  You too?  Although I don't try too hard (I had chocolate chip cookies yesterday), I believe in a balanced diet, so today I made a kale salad.  

I've been enjoying visiting with Travis and his family the past few days (cute baby pictures to come!).  Rebecca brought one of her Christmas presents with her and said I might like to look through it, so I took the time this morning to check it out.  What a fun cookbook, and yes I've already googled that pour top for mason jars.  Not only did I find it here, but also found this one that's pretty cool. 

When I saw this recipe for Kale and Apple Salad, I knew what I was going to have for lunch, since I had kale, apples and blue cheese in the fridge.  Notice how pretty that salad looks in the book, because mine didn't turn out looking like that at all, but it was very tasty none the less.  

The first thing I did was make the salad dressing.  The book gives you the recipe for a basic vinaigrette (1 part vinegar, 4 parts oil and salt and pepper) and then expands on that formula with four more dressings.  If that was the only thing you learned from this book, it would be valuable.  Making your own salad dressing is the easiest thing in the world, tastes better than store-bought and costs little to make. The authors call the dressing for this salad, The Orchard Dressing.  I had to adapt it a bit, as I didn't have walnut or canola oil.  I used an extra light olive oil and it tasted delicious.

The Orchard Dressing

2 T. apple cider vinegar

1/2 t. honey

1/2 t. sea salt

freshly ground pepper to taste

4 T. walnut oil

4 T. canola oil

Combine in jar.  Seal and shake for 30 seconds.

I washed and dried the kale, then cut it away from the center stem.  After spinning it once more in the salad spinner, (I wanted to remove every drop of water), I chopped it pretty fine and gave it a nice massage.  That massage helps to break down some of the fiber in the leaves and yields a more tender salad.

I thinly sliced an apple.  The recipe called for three and that's why my salad looks different from the book. Mine's heavy on the kale.  

This chunk of blue cheese has been hiding out in the cheese drawer, waiting to be used in some way.  Although, I'm not opposed in the least to eating it straight out of the fridge with slices of pears, I decided to use it in this salad.  When I'm too busy to pay attention, I'm guilty sometimes of forgetting about those little pieces of cheese and letting them go to waste.  Since I took the time at the beginning of the week to clean out and take inventory of the contents of my fridge, I knew it was there.  Yay me. 

The recipe called for toasted walnuts, but I had some candied pecans left over from a Christmas salad and I'm trying to use what I have.  Darn it.  Guess I'll just have to put those candied nuts in the salad. (wink)  They are so good.  I'm going to share that recipe with you some time soon.  I promise. 

As I was putting the ingredients back in the cabinet, I spied a jar of dried cranberries.  Since I can't seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to recipes, I decided to throw a few of those in too.  That was a good call.

Thanks to Becca,  and her cookbook, I have a new January salad.  This is the time of year to be eating hardy greens anyway.  I know that.  I have to keep a blind eye to those tempting salad mixes in the plastic containers.  Every time I buy one, I get mad, because once I start digging in the box, I find that half of the greens are slimy and I end up throwing it away.  Money down the drain!  If I can be patient, hopefully, I 'll have a garden bed full of spring mix in a few months.

Starting a cookbook project is one of my goals for this year.  I plan to pull some of my many cookbooks off the shelves and cook from them, blogging about the recipe as I go along.  Even though this isn't one of my cookbooks, it's a good place to start.  Infuse  has some delightful recipes for salad dressings, infused oils, (for drizzling over caprese salads, sriracha popcorn, grilled pizzas and steak), flavored waters and spirits.  Since I don't drink alcohol, I didn't spend a lot of time in that section.  If your looking for some ideas to easily add some pizzaz to your meals, infused oils is a way to go.  Fun book.

Update to original post: This salad is even better the second day!

*  Take the Time goals  #33 - Eliminate food waste.     #50- Start a cookbook project.

Five Reasons to Menu Plan

It's a little past four.  Do you know what your having for dinner tonight?  It's a good day when I can answer yes to that question. I posted back here,  that menu planning is one of the goals I've set for myself this year.  Because I've done this before, I already know the benefits I'll enjoy as a result.  Taking the time to plan menus helps me in the following ways:  

First- it eliminates the dreaded four o'clock, "what's for dinner" panic, when you're standing in front of the refrigerator waiting for inspiration to strike.  At four o'clock, I've already passed my best "thinking" time of the day.  If I don't already know what we're having for dinner (and have it partly prepared) at this point, it's so tempting to get "take out" or eat something that isn't good for me.

Second- we eat better when I plan.  Seeing your meals on paper first, makes it easier to notice a less than healthy pattern, like a pasta, pizza, rice, potatoes week.  Carbs are comforting, easy to prepare and taste fantastic.  I love them and they are my "go to" food group when I need to put together a quick meal.   My body doesn't love them as much as my taste buds do though, so I'm a lot better off if I space them out.  

Third- I stick more closely to my ideal food philosophies when I take a little time to think about what we're going to eat.  What foods are seasonal?  What do I have from the garden?  What's in my storage and my freezer?  Where did my food come from?   How was it grown?  Who can I bless with a gift from the kitchen this week?  

Fourth- I can better practice hospitality, by opening my home to others for a meal, when I know I'm going to have something good to share.  When I plan meals, we entertain more often.

Fifth- I waste less food.  This is a big one for me.  It makes me crazy to know that because I haven't been thinking ahead and using what I have wisely, I'm dumping food in the garbage.  We are blessed beyond belief in this country to have a plethora of food choices on any given day.  While we Americans throw away forty percent of our food each year, one in nine people in the world are suffering from chronic hunger.  I'm sure there are hungry people right here in my own town.  I feel guilty and ungrateful when I neglect to use what I have in my kitchen before it goes to waste, either because of poor planning or being simply too busy or tired.  

I  took everything out of the fridge today and cleaned it well (even those door shelves).  Sadly, I had food that needed to be thrown away.  Condiment bottles that were years old, moldy cheese,  leftover egg whites (from making egg nog) that I was going to do something with after Christmas, a little canned pumpkin, too old Almond Milk, and salad dressings.  Now I have clean shelves with edible food and I can see what needs to be eaten.  The question then becomes, "How should I use these items this week"?  

* a little spring mix
* one whole wheat tortilla
* two links of Italian sausage
* red cabbage
* some broccoli
* two heads of celery ( I must have forgotten I already had celery!)
* a little cranberry sauce
* a little yellow pepper
* a little pizza sauce

* two slices canadian bacon

* marinated artichoke hearts
* pesto
* some diced onions
* cottage and ricotta cheese
* 3/4 of an apple
* blue cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, asiago, cream cheese ( I usually   have a healthy cheese drawer!)
* fresh ginger
* 1/2 of an avocado
* some pineapple tidbits
* lots of apples and oranges

Here's what I've planned...

Menus

Butternut Squash Soup

( use pancetta, onions, 3/4 apple and squash from storage)

Pork Chops with Cranberry Orange Sauce

( use leftover cranberry sauce, oranges and ginger)

Broccoli and Sweet and Sour Cabbage (red cabbage)

*Meet Miss Margeaux Party*

Lasagna 

( use ricotta and cottage cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, 

 Italian sausage, the rest of onions and pesto.  Make marinara sauce)

Salad and Bread

Jean Hyder's Apple Cake

( use apples)
Chocolate Sheet Cake

Chicken Piccata

Sautéed Kale

Sweet Potatoes (from storage)

Pizza

( mozzarella, canadian bacon, pineapple tidbits, artichoke hearts)

Salad

Sunday Roast

(roast from freezer, onions, carrots and celery)

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Green Beans (from storage)

Six dinner plans leaves room for leftovers or maybe a restaurant meal, who knows?  I'll have a scrambled egg burrito for breakfast to use up that tortilla and yellow pepper,  and avocado toast on another morning.  I  would be smart to snack on apples, oranges and celery (with peanut butter).  If I can stick to the plan, I should have little or no food waste this week.  The grocery list is pretty short too, which makes me happy.   I've already got that squash soup simmering away on the stove, so I'm off to a good start.

*Take the Time goal #33- Make weekly menus. Eliminate food waste.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

I was looking forward to my first hike of the new year and was sad to wake up and see rain in the forecast.  After checking my email for last minute cancellations, and seeing nothing there, I packed my rain jacket and headed out to meet the group.  The closer we got to the trailhead, the harder it rained.  When we got to Tryon, Julie (our fearless leader) decided we should take a little time to hike through the antique store while waiting for the rain to slow down. 

(Photo Credit- Julie Eargle) 

 Eventually it did slow down and we were able to hit the woods. One thing I love about this hiking club is that we often go places I've never been before.  This trail wasn't far from my home, but I had no idea it existed.  

We're just getting out of the cars and ready to hike in this picture.  It's still drizzling rain, so we've all got our hoods on and I'm trying out my rain cover on my backpack for the first time.  

Such a beautiful entrance to the trail.

The leaders of the pack.  I usually find myself somewhere in the middle or bringing up the rear.  I like to stop and take pictures, although sometimes I get busy talking and forget, like I did today and then I'm glad Julie is snapping shots all along the way.

Raindrops on the landscape.  Beautiful.

(Photo Credit- Julie Eargle)

The trail took us past several ponds and a waterfall.

This laurel was all decked out for Christmas.

(Photo Credit- Julie Eargle)

(Photo Credit- Julie Eagle)

(Photo Credit- Julie Eargle)

This was our lunch spot.

(Photo Credit- Julie Eargle)

(Photo Credit- Julie Eargle)

We hiked about four miles and I enjoyed every minute of it. I've been caught in rainstorms before when I was hiking, nasty torrential rain, thunder and lightning and that is no fun!  But this light drizzly rain felt nice on my nose.  My rain cover and shell kept me and my pack dry.  The brown landscape was beautiful, covered in droplets of rain.  Although I had felt a bit skeptical about how this hike was going to turn out, it was peaceful and very enjoyable.  A nice way to start the year.

* Take the Time Goal #16- Participate in as many Friday hikes as possible. 

Take the Time

Do you like to think of a "word" for the new year?  A word that helps keep you focused on your hopes, desires and plans for the next twelve months?   I've done this for a while now and enjoy the exercise.  My words thus far  have been Grow, Grace, Family,(this one rated two posts.) and Listen.  I've tried to come up with a word for 2016, and I've had a few possibilities, but they didn't feel just right to me.  The best I can do is come up with three words that keep rolling around in my head.  So, this year I have a phrase, and it is,
  

Take the Time.

As I get older, I think more and more about time, and the responsibility to use it wisely.  Seems it can be a friend or foe, depending on the day and my circumstances. This is the double nickel year for me.  Yep, I'll be turning fifty-five, and though I don't get bent out of shape about my age, it is a reality check that time is moving on and my days are numbered.  I want to use the time allotted to me in the very best way I can, without regret.

Five years ago, when I turned fifty, I did this crazy experiment of setting fifty goals of things I wanted to achieve in that monumental year,  and I started a blog to track my progress. That was super scary, as I knew so little about technology.  It was a good challenge though.  I taught myself the blogging basics and humbly put it out there, unsure what would happen as a result.  It's a little

embarrassing now to go back and read some of that stuff, but it's my life and I'm glad I took the time to write about it.  That's the main reason I continue to blog.  It's one of the most interesting ways I know to journal the ins and outs of daily life.  My year of fifty turned out to be one of the best years of my life, because I was intentional with my time, always thinking about those goals and how I could achieve them.  I made new friends and amazing memories along the way, and a number of the things I tried have stuck and become a regular part of my life (like photography, blogging and yoga). 

This past week I've devoted time to thinking about goals for the new year.  Unlike some people I know, goals is not a dirty word to me.  In fact, I thrive on them.  I sat down and did a quick brain dump and very quickly came up with a long list of things I'd like to accomplish, like more than fifty-five!  But I'm holding it to that number, because it correlates with my age, and I think that's fun. I seriously doubt I will get them all done, and that's ok. This kind of thing doesn't make me feel pressured in the least, it simply

motivates me. 

Now, back to my phrase for the year - take the time. I'm going to try my best to "take the time" to grow in all areas of my life.  Too often I catch myself saying, "I don't have time...(fill in the blank)" and that's not true.  At this season in life, I'm blessed with time.  I have the same twenty-four hours a day that everyone else has and the luxury of filling that time as I see fit, or as directed by God, because above all I seek to do His will. It's a priority thing, and sometimes that can be difficult to figure out.  Having this phrase, take the time, helps me to think about my choices and decide what I want or need to be doing on any given day.  What is most important?  Just this past week, I have redirected myself on a couple of occasions, when I thought that I was too busy to something.  I really did have the time, I was just choosing to do something else instead.  A wise woman taught me that we can not do all the things that our hearts desire.  Not even all the good things.  As disciples of Christ, we trust that the Lord will guide our days and bend our hearts to comply with His will.  When we do the necessary things that bring us closer to Him, He will bless us with time to do many of the other things that we would like to do.  Just plain old fun things, that bring us joy, because He delights in blessing us. 

(Photo Credit:Rebecca Wray.  She not only makes beautiful babies, she takes good pictures too.) 

The List 

(Oh, how I love a good list!)

1- Keep up with my gratitude journal.

( I started this way back here and continue to find value in the discipline.)

2- Start the day with scripture and prayer.

( The best part of the day!)

3-Attend BYU Women's Conference

(Look out Sagers. Here I come.)

4-Read the Book of Mormon.

(again)

5- Use a Bullet Journal.

(I'm loving this new way to plan/journal.)

6- Work on hand lettering.

(To make #5 look better.)

7-Read fifty-five books.

( I have taken a drastic move and banned myself from purchasing any 

new books this year.  I am going to read from the huge stacks of unread

 books sitting around here, or from the library.  I will however continue to 

use my Audible account and accept gifts. :)

8- Learn to knit mittens.

(I've got dishcloths, hats and scarves down pat.  I've

knitted one pair of socks, although I have no idea

how I did it.  This year, I'm moving on to mittens. 

Maybe eventually, I'll go back to socks.)

9- Spend lots of time with my grandbaby!

(This one's going to be so hard.  NOT!)

10- Plan and execute a family beach vacation.

(I may be the only family member who shows up, but it's going to be fun!)

11- Grow a new variety of dahlia.

( I waited too late to dig up the dahlia I planted last year, 

so I'm starting from scratch. So sad.)

12-Master making my own sauerkraut.

(The last two attempts have not been successful.)

13-No scrolling on screens after Mark gets home. Put the phone away!

(This one's going to be hard.  It will require much discipline)

14-Blog three times a week.

(Or when I have something worth saying.)

15- Backpack on the AT with Dillon and Jantzen.

(I so hope this happens.  I'm wanting to hike the Georgia section.)

16-Participate in as many Friday hikes as possible.

(Oh, how I love my Hiking Club!)

17- Eat less meat.

(Because I know it's better for me.)

18- Continue my yoga practice.

( One of the best things I can do for myself.)

19- Reinstate weekly date nights.

(Mornings or afternoons. We did so well with this for a while...) 

20- Make pasta once a month. 

(Dusting off the pasta machine)

21- Learn to make gingerale.

( I heard a podcast about this and I'm intrigued.)

22- Take a math class.

(Yuck.  But I really need to do this.)

23- Start teaching a series of cooking classes.

( So nervous about this one.  The fear of failure is real.  Would anyone come?)

24- Create a quilted project.

(Notice I didn't say a quilt.  I'm starting small.)

25- Organize photos.

(How many years have I been working on this one?)

26- Make a book from my Year of Fifty blog.

(Because I need to preserve all the work that went into this.)

27- More visits with extended family.

( Putting it on the calendar is the only way it happens.)

28- Float the French Broad in a  canoe.

( With my husband.  See #19)

29- Take an interesting road trip.  

(Go somewhere I've not been before.)

30- Find a way to volunteer in the community.

(Something that makes my heart really happy. I've got some ideas.)

31-Walk the dogs and visit with neighbors.

(Two for one.)

32- Make homemade dog biscuits. 

(They're worth it and I have a cool bone shaped cookie cutter.)

33- Make menus each week. Work on eliminating food waste.

(Food waste makes me crazy.)

34- Find a green smoothie recipe that I like.

(It can't taste like grass.)

35- Learn more about aromatherapy.

( I want to know what to do with those essential oils.)

36-Walk, sit and read on a beach.

(Maybe fly a kite too.)

37-Work on end of life plans.

(How depressing.)

38- Take lots of pictures. Lots.

(Learn more about light and food photography.)

39- Attend at least four cultural events.

(Plays, the symphony, art exhibits, etc.)

40- Learn to make soap- the old fashioned way.

( Lye. Yikes!  But I'm ready to move on from the pour and mold soap.)

41- Learn to identify birds by their calls.

(I don't know why.  I just think it would be neat.)

42- Renew an old friendship.

(I have a few people in mind here.)

43-Go geocaching.

( This sounds so fun!)

44- Write letters to missionaries.

( I have the incentive to be better at this, because one of 

my dearest friends is leaving soon on a mission.)

45-Attend the temple monthly.

(Another thing that only happens for me when it's a 

regular planned event.  Always time well spent.)

46-Learn to make pretty pie crusts.

( I would dare say I have the best pie crust recipe around, 

but my pies aren't pretty.  I want to make pretty pies.)

47-Participate in a money saving challenge.

( For my travel fund.)

48- Look people in the eye when I'm talking with them.

(Just a little personal defect that I'm aware of, and wanting to do better.)

49- Bone up on some technology skills.

(Learn how to use Evernote.  And try to figure out the Cloud. 

 What the heck?  I just don't get the Cloud.)

 50-Start a cookbook project.  Blog it.

( Pulling cookbooks off the shelf and trying new recipes 

on a regular basis.  I got three great ones for Christmas!)

51-Get new chickens and try again.

(Maybe...  I want to do this.  I miss having chickens.  I don't miss the work.)

52- Grow lots of wonderful vegetables in my garden.

(I need rabbits to stay away from my beets

and peaches not to get brown rot.)

53-Learn to make cheese.

( I really, really want to do this.)

54- Clean out storage areas.

( I really, really, don't want to do this,  

but I will be so happy when it's done.)

55-Try out a new restaurant each month. 

(Oh boy! I just love goals.)

Ready. Set. Go!

Advent and Christmas Blessings

First Monday counting...when I share entries from my Gratitude Journal.

Observing Advent is a fairly new practice for me, as it wasn't a part of my childhood, nor do we observe it in our Church.  My own children enjoyed counting down the days to Christmas as they opened the little windows on our Advent calendars, perhaps to find a treat hidden there.  Through family home evenings, church worship and a host of other things,  I did my best to teach them the true meaning of the holiday.  I think they got the message.  However, I continue to learn there are many ways to honor the birth of the Savior and Advent is a beautiful tradition that I'm drawn to like a magnet.  I love this special time, set apart to spiritually prepare for Christmas and I'm finding ways that feel right to me to make it a central part of my holiday season.  Lighting the advent wreath in the early morning, and then reading scripture and other inspirational writings come first.  Some days, that was followed by listening to sacred music and just sitting.  Sitting and listening in the glow of candlelight.  This simple practice was the best gift I could have given myself this year.  I can't even describe how wonderful it was to start each day in such a way.  No matter how I try to slow the pace and be intentional with my time, the weeks leading up to Christmas can be overwhelmingly busy.  I looked forward to these quiet moments with the Lord to keep me centered.  And it was a blessing!

    

It's January 4th and my home still looks like Christmas.  Our tree was so beautiful that I haven't wanted to take it down.  (Yes, it's terribly dry, but hopefully not a fire hazard!).  In the past, I've been one to quickly put away all signs of Christmas right after the big day, almost always before New Years.  But this year has been different.  I'm enjoying the season much longer and have been hesitant to bring it to a close.  I've decided to adopt the tradition of  celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas, and will take all the decorations down after Epiphany.  This decision has taken away a tremendous amount of stress and given me time to do some things I wanted to do, but didn't have the time to do before Christmas.  I've baked my husband a pound cake (his favorite), read through all the Christmas books, sat by the tree and knitted, helped my nephew build a gingerbread house, had friends over for dinner and taken a few naps. Never once feeling guilty, because hey, I'm still celebrating Christmas over here!  How did I not know about this before?  

How can I say thank you enough, for the blessings of the past month?  

*stars hung in windows

*the smell of evergreen branches

*santa mugs

*gingerbread boys hanging from red ribbon

*listening to Christmas music- all the time

* sending and receiving cards

*candles and bells and angels

*visiting with Sherri and Ken

* candlelight tour of the Biltmore House

* twinkle lights

* trimming the tree with Jantzen and Dillon

*poinsettias

*setting up the nativity

*a beautiful wreath for the front porch, made by Tara

* holly and red berries

* spending time with family

* being together with all my siblings

* Christmas bingo

* Dad's cheeseball recipe
* Margeaux videos

*cinnamon rolls delivered to the front door

* being on the receiving end of a thoughtful gift of service

*sparkling clean doors and cabinets

*bowls of mixed nuts

* sending a Christmas box to Travis for his first Christmas tree

* baking and decorating gingerbread houses

* a yummy hot chocolate bar

* making a christmas craft that didn't cause me anxiety

* reading A Christmas Carol

* gifts under the tree

*guests in the guest rooms

* amaryllis in bloom

* church bells and a lovely Christmas Eve service

* our favorite sugar cookies

*walking the dogs with Abby

*putting together gift bags for the homeless

*christmas aprons

*making memories

*working puzzles

*visiting teaching

* gifts from the kitchen

*children leaning in as they are taught about Jesus

*cousins with Grandma and Grandpa

*stockings hung by the chimney

* reading the Polar Express

*having three of my children home for Christmas

* knitted hats for my boys

*biscuits and gravy on pretty dishes

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!  

And it's through Him that all blessings flow!