It’s been nearly a year since I sat down to write a blog post. I’ve thought about it, I really have. Several times in fact, but I simply never did it. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to. I’ve been keeping myself very busy with family, work and home. But isn’t that what this all about?

In my time away I’ve been able to think on what I really want for, and from, this blog...my little spot on the Internet. Honestly, not much has changed since my first blog post.

Our days are so filled with doing and making and creating. Even when we don’t realize it. My days can feel like whirlwinds sometimes and others like I’ve just whiled away my time. I want this to be a place for me to stop to share what I’ve been doing and making. A place to chat about what I’m crafting, watching, eating and reading. And I hope that it will be a place where you will share the same. I’d love to know what you are doing.

I have new ideas, new plans and new things to try. I find new inspirations everyday. I hope to share what inspires me and maybe that will inspire you too.

I hope you’ll join me in this new year of doing! Speak soon.

.. L ..

It’s school vacation week! The kids are home from school...now what? Currently we’re sitting under several feet of snow so going outside isn't always an easy option. So if you’re stuck like us or are just looking for some inexpensive ways to keep yourself and your kiddos busy, read on...

I have such a hard time finding a hand cream or lotion that I really like.  With so many choices available commercially, this might seem a bit baffling.  There are literally hundreds to choose from. Don’t believe me? Walk into any drugstore and you will be met with countless choices.  The problem is that many of these products are made with petroleum based formulas that I just don’t like.  They’re sticky, don’t absorb well or leave my hands feeling greasy. Not to mention the manufacture of petroleum is just plain terrible for the environment and not sustainable.

So, what was my solution? I started making my own! I like this method because (not unlike cooking my own food) I know what ingredients are going into it. I can adapt the scent and how it feels on my hands, etc.  By adjusting the ingredients, I can create a product that is perfectly tailored to my needs.  Oh yeah- it’s fun too!

With all this snow, it's hard to think of anything but comfort and things that keep me warm.  All my cooking lately has been comforting and slow, the kind that takes hours before it's ready and fills the house with tempting aromas.  Last week I made a very hearty beef and bean chili and now for something else that's incredibly flavorful and warming.

Tell me there's nothing better on a cold day than a rich broth-y soup topped with crusty baguette and bubbly cheese.  I love French Onion Soup! I'm not typically a fan of onions, but when they've been properly cooked down and had time to let their sugars out, they're downright delicious.  Am I right?  Every sip/bite of this soup is a fine balance of umami with a hint of sweetness, gooey and nutty. If you want to make this for yourself, check out the recipe below. Excuse me while I have another bite...

Winter is full of warm scents.  I love clove and everything cinnamon at Christmastime (and beyond.)  It’s just so cozy! Like the aromatic equivalent to a blanket. (Is that weird?) And considering the amount of snow that’s fallen in the past month, I need all the cozy blankets I can get.

One drink that encompasses all the spicy, comforting goodness of the season is chai.  A delicious blend of spices and tea.  A little spicy.  A little sweet.  All good.  Sure, you could go to Starbuck’s or your local coffee shop, but making your own is even better.

Snow on snow on snow!

So, we’re stuck in the house on another snowy day.  This time coming to us from Winter Storm Linus at a rate of 1 - 2 inches an hour.  It’s not so bad though.  I like the board game playing, reading and movie marathons that come from a day like this.

One of my favorite snow day lunches is grilled cheese and tomato soup.  But wouldn’t you know it, we don’t have any tomato soup in the pantry, nor do we have the ingredients I need to whip some up.  So today I’ll make do with Bloody Marys. Hey, it’s not like we’re going anywhere anyway, right?

A completely home crafted Bloody Mary is great! Fresh (or summer canned) tomatoes blended with horseradish, hot sauce, lemon and all the right spices is not too difficult and great to customize.  However, that’s not what I’m doing today.  I don’t have all the necessary ingredients (namely tomatoes), but I do have a bottle of Christie’s New England’s Best Bloody Mary Mix.

It’s game day, America!

It’s time to get your tailgate on, no matter where you’re from. Whether your home team made it to the Super Bowl (Go Pats!) or not, I suspect most of America will be watching the game today. But for many what’s even more important than the game itself, is the food that goes along with it.

Today we’re making chili.  It's such a perfect food to pair with a football game, wouldn’t you agree? I’m not much for writing (or following) recipes; I tend to make it up as I go but here’s a rough “recipe” (with pictures) for our game day go-to meal. Feel free to follow these instructions or just do what I do and make it your own

Pantry ingredients

We just had a big snowstorm here in my part of New England.  It was two and a half days of snow, snow and more SNOW! To tell you the truth though, I didn’t mind it.  It was nice spending time at home with my family without worry or thought about going outside.  It also gave me ample time to work on some knitting projects.  

Source

As if he knew I’d need something to do during the blizzard, a friend posted a link on Facebook tagging me in the comments asking “Pretty please?”  Well, I was up for the challenge and knew I had seen a good pattern on Ravelry for a similar mitt.  I went through my stash and began work on Monday evening.

I love to knit.  I find the rhythm of it relaxing.  Sometimes it’s something that I can do without a thought and other times it takes some serious concentration depending on which project I’m working on.  But usually in the end I have something useful, pretty or both.  On the Needles will be a post series showing off what I'm working on now.