The new year brings new beginnings. It's a year of ending a few things as well.
Many of the gatherings this year were small. Either sickness hit most, some didn't want to be around people, and some did not get together over the holidays. Either way, I did not cook/bake for the gatherings, and that was actually nice for once.
January brings winter weather. The weather is doing what it does - wintering. Wintering in a weird way too. If I was traveling, it would be a very good month for travel. The temperatures are warming between 50-60 degrees, and rain.
(shallots and butter)
(homemade condensed mushroom soup, prepared as equal to one can of soup, to freeze)
We are seeing more stores closing as the new year rolls in, and we have also found out that our nearest grocery store will no longer sell shallots. I use shallots and butter as my starting base when making homemade condensed mushroom soup (which I freeze, one container equals a "can" of mushroom soup). I am very sad about this, and have to travel to buy any over winter. I will be looking into growing shallots this garden season. We use them in other recipes as well.
My rosemary plant I brought in last year, is hanging on by a thread. I have plans to put it outside this week, as we will hit the 60's and get rain. It may revive it or it may not. I will take that chance. No loss trying it either, as the plant has about two green leaves on it.
The chives I brought in are doing pretty good, but not enough to actually harvest yet. I think the next plant to bring in next year will be green onions. I really miss the fresh homegrown green onions. The current ones at the grocery store are bland and look terrible.
The lemon balm seeds are very slow growing. It's all a trial for learning better ways to bring some herbs indoors over winter.
I inquired on a class to learn a new craft, but it's on delay for now.
We located a puzzle swap not far from us, but limited to when you can go pick up. Pretty excited about this. It's not like we have a ton of them each year, but it keeps the home stash to a manageable amount.
Although our local library does not hold a puzzle swap, I will be attempting to utilize their inter-loan book borrow program more than purchasing new books this year. I have noticed that the higher rated books (non-fiction) on Amazon are not available to borrow at all through the library program so it may affect my goal of putting borrowing first.
The current crochet project that is going to another family. It's taking forever, but the colder winter days (when we do have them) are perfect for such a larger project. I still have a blanket on-going for ourselves, but it's on hold until this is finished. It will be the last winter project, as I will need a much needed break.
Updated photo of the "on-the-go" crochet project (lap afghan).
It's getting larger, so I may switch to another smaller to-go project or take books to read for now. The photo looks black and white, but it was a very dreary day. Color is actually Aran from Red Heart yarn.
The cotton yarn I ordered way back in November has been delayed once again. They are telling me to expect it late January or early February now.
Home repairs/renovations are on hold for now.
I totally forgot about the request for a recipe, and other requests. I'll try and do my best to get a post for those.
I have not gotten the video yet of the opening of all of the 24 advent gifts, but one kiddo said her favorite item was the green and white knitted dishcloth I made, and her husband's favorite was a multi-use hand held light (it had a hook for hanging, a magnet and many light options).
Thank you for all your prayers, good mojo, good thoughts over the course of surgery and afterwards. I have yet to get my "green light" from the doctor this month. My brain cells are returning ha ha! I had thought I bought a new herbal book, and after looking into it, I had not. I thought I had ordered new herb seeds for the herb garden this spring, and had not as well. Good gravy.
...until next time, I hope you enjoyed my first post of the new year.
