Cinnamon Maple Macadamias

With the cold of winter here, we are enjoying hot oatmeal for breakfast.  Something (nutritional) we discovered to top it with is this recipe.  It also heats up the kitchen on a cold day.

Simply chop 1 1/2 cups (non-gmo, organic) macadamia nuts and mix in 1 teaspoon of organic cinnamon.  Next. . .

Drinking Kale? Bitter Cold Returns

The most recent issue of Country Woman magazine contained an article about ginger.  

They included a recipe for a Kale and Ginger Smoothie, and Youngest wanted to try it.  I was skeptical, as I have never put raw greens into a smoothie. But....

Snow arrives...

I took this photo Monday morning.  Winter has officially arrived - rain, freezing rain, snow and bitter temperatures (but not as bad yet as last winter).  

Yesterday, although a bit cold, the sun was shining and there was a pretty good wind out there.

Larger towels were dried in front of the wood stove.


I've sort of been hibernating and ever so slowly finishing up some crochet and knitting ventures.  

I took this crochet project camping in August of 2014.  I found it in a bag in my closet while cleaning. . . .

Christmas break ends for.... ~ My Herbal Journey

Normally, I'd start my morning around six o'clock, by putting wood in the wood stove, feeding barn cats, letting dogs out, and feeding house cats (all before a cup of coffee).

This morning?

My alarm went off at 2:35am, I slipped on shoes, brewed a pot of coffee and was out the door by 3:00am with Hubby, Son, and Youngest (one daughter didn't make it back out of bed, ha ha!).

Randomness ~ Barn Kitty ~ Last Christmas Tree

It's raining here this morning, and the step is a sheet of ice.  Every dog did the "bambi splits" this morning.  Needless to day, the didn't go far to do their business.  
 
I can't really say I am writing out my new year resolutions, but I am randomly writing down a "wish" list of needs and other possibilities for this year.  Of course that is after a good strategic financial plan is in order.

Honestly, I told Hubby that if we only had one thing to reflect on at the end of 2015, I would be elated to write down

Cold Temps ~ Tidbits

I was pretty happy with our "system restore" here, by getting the Christmas decorations down and put away, but slumped my shoulders when I entered my bathroom.  I forgot about the Christmas tree in there.

It's coming down today.  Then it's all back in storage. All but the outside lights.  Those will have to wait for a warmer day.
 
It's been pretty cold here lately.  I'm not complaining.  I am glad we don't have snow (yet).  I have family traveling about the same time my Son will travel, so we are praying for good traveling weather.  We are dwindling down to the last few days before he has to leave again.

Although I forgot to take a photo, I do have a new recipe to share.  Our grocery store is stocking more organic pasta (I know, I know, I should be making my own noodles right now). 

I decided to make

Happy New Year ~ Sister's Question ~ Popcorn Storage

Happy New Year!

I was out getting wood for the wood stove, and snapped this quick sunrise photo.  It's not the best photo, but winter sunrises here are difficult to catch. 

 At our Christmas family gathering, my one sister asked me, "so now what are you doing?  You're done with the garden right?"

To answer her question,