Are you ready for another soup. Since it’s February it time for a new Soup of the Month! This month I am showcasing Potato and Smoked Sausage Soup. Since it’s still the winter season, soup is a great option for cold nights. The seasonal produce has not changed much since January. We are still looking at Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, leeks and potatoes. Many people do not enjoy broccoli andRead More →
I don’t know if I have mentioned this before but I’m a procrastinator with a capital P!!!! How about you? Do you struggle with this disease too? If you can name it, I have put it off. So today I’m confessing that I still have not planted those paperwhite bulbs I told you about. I’m going to plant them now. I know that they’re ready and willing because they’ve startedRead More →
As the end of January rolls around, many of us struggle with a little bit of the Winter Blues. How do you know if you are experiencing the winter blues? Are you struggling to get up in the morning? Do you feel tired throughout the day? Do you just not look forward to any activities? Are you constantly filling up on sweets and refined carbohydrates? Do your thoughts focus onRead More →
After the excess of the holidays, it’s good to pare things down in our lives. Keeping home decor to a minimum and more neutral is calming. Like a blanket of snow it just soothes everyone. You can also keep your meals simple, uncomplicated and comforting. Soups and stews make a great choice for easy winter meals. Simple roasted meats like chicken and beef don’t take a lot of time andRead More →
Do you find crafting as enjoyable as I do? It’s great to come up with an idea and then work with your hands to create something new! I will usually get craft ideas from looking around on Pinterest or reading magazines. Sometimes I find ideas in home decor and garden books. Certainly, the craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels are a good place to get ideas. Lastly, I oftenRead More →
What’s a gardener to do when it’s __________________ outside? You fill in the blank…cold, wet, snowy, icy, windy, dark. Take your pick of any of these adjectives. This time of the year it is just too miserable to be outside working in our gardens. As I sit in my house lamenting the fact that I am not able to get outside, I have been thinking about the indoor gardening activitiesRead More →
The first soup that I want to showcase for my Soup of the Month will be Navy Bean and Ham. I chose this because I happen to have that ham bone left over from my New Year’s Ham. This soup also includes protein rich legumes and kale. It is a little difficult to find lots of in-season produce in January but there are a few varieties available. Most common areRead More →
Have you noticed how many people are creating a word of the year these days? In the past, I have contemplated doing this but somehow it just never sticks for me. Maybe I’m just not committed enough. Or I just have too many thoughts and ideas running through my head to focus on just one. I have however been contemplating a “food” of the year for this blog. After muchRead More →
The holidays are officially over. Have you have put away your tree and ornaments yet? I am a procrastinator about cleaning up because I enjoy the decorations so much. But it’s time to move on. As magical as our homes are during the Christmas season, when winter rolls around it is time for more serene atmosphere. During the winter months I like to keep my decor warm and cozy. IRead More →
Welcome! I have been working on decorating Pinecone Cottage for the holiday season. I am using it as a place to craft Christmas wreaths and ornaments. So it’s been a regular Santa’s Workshop. It is also a wonderful place to stash my gifts. My family does not think to look here to see what I have bought for them. Come on in and see all of the touches I haveRead More →