On a Tuesday in January

The wind is whipping around the corners of the house this evening. I went for a short walk this afternoon and brrrr, it was cold. Perhaps it's the restless wind that's affecting my mood. I can't settle to much. So I wandered around with my camera for a bit. Not much inspiration there, either, but I did snap this paperwhite bud beginning to form. The earlier bulbs I started are long, 18-20 inches tall and beginning to straggle. These are much shorter, perhaps because they are on the windowsill where it's colder. I don't really know, but I'm enjoying them nonetheless.

We had an appointment at 5 pm this evening and I wanted to have some dinner ready to go when we got home afterwards. This sausage and pepper pot came together very quickly. No real recipe - sauteed sausage (I used polish sausage, sliced into rounds), sauteed peppers (4), onion (1), garlic (2 cloves), a can of diced tomatoes and some frozen green beans. Served over elbow pasta and sprinkled with asiago cheese it made for a fast and satisfying dinner. 

Do you have any recipes that come together quickly after a busy day?

I snapped this photo from a magazine; the December issue of Country Homes and Interiors. I thought the rustic branch with the red heart berries so pretty, and suitable for almost any season, including Valentine's Day.

The wind continues to clatter all around, but the fire is cozy. Perhaps I'll pick up my slow knitting project, or make some more hexies. Or perhaps I'll just and dream. It's one of those evenings.  

Drippy, Dreary November

It's one of those November days when you have to create your own cheer. Rain pelts down and the sky is dark. I taught today (Bible and Home Ec classes) and the students were great, but the school was chilly, chilly. Coming home, all I wanted was a cup of hot tea. So here I sit, with my tray to hand, a little candle burning, Earl Grey with a bit of milk, and the almonds and chocolate are gone. A hot rice bag sits at my back. I have about 45 minutes before I'll begin dinner prep. Ahhhh. Comfort.

Speaking of dinner - when someone in your household doesn't particularly like something, do you avoid cooking it even though you enjoy it? I like brussel sprouts but the man of the household does not. So I rarely pick them up at the market. However, I make granola for him and I don't eat it. Lately, I've been buying sprouts. I had them roasted up at Mater's place last month (cooked by Pater) and enjoyed them so much. 

Last night I cooked these - steamed them for a few minutes until mostly tender in a skillet, then added a little olive oil and sauteed them until the water evaporated and they browned a little. Then, a teaspoon or so of honey and some finely grated orange rind. Tim even tried some and declared them not bad at all.

What do you do for comfort on a dreary day? And do you cook things just for yourself, even if other members of the household don't eat them?