I'm Not Kidding You

I'll keep this short.
I really did hesitate on if I should show you this...or not. But I'm not kidding. These flowers are really blooming in my garden...today. February 10th. To be fair...it has been raining alot. But this morning we woke to clear sunny skies and a warm sun. Took Buddy for his walk in my slippers. Then headed out to the garden in a t-shirt in see what was blooming. I won't dwell on it. We are going to walk downtown now for some tea. There is an old plum tree in full bloom right now at The Old Mission in downtown San Luis Obispo. I want to get a picture of it before it goes by to share with you...Spring Dreams, my friends....

To Warm Your Soul

We have rain in the forecast for tonight...so I decided to make a simple supper of bean soup and dilly bread. This is about as easy as it gets...and if you have ham hocks in your freezer or fridge...you're on your way. The dilly bread was Bessie's recipe and the bread is in the oven. I'll post the recipe tomorrow.When the bread comes out, I'll slice it, grate some Gruyere cheese and toast it under the broiler. Simple.

February Bean Soup For A Winter Night

1 onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 carrot, chopped

1/2 bag of baby white beans, soaked in water over night and drained
2 quarts chicken stock
2 ham hocks
Thyme 1 fresh handful chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, 1/2 cup chopped


Saute the onion, celery and carrot in olive oil till soft

Add beans
Add ham hocks
Add chicken stock
Add thyme
Add parsley

Simmer slowly 3 to 3 1/2 hours or till beans are soft

Let cool, remove ham hock and shred meat
Add meat back to soup
Heat and serve
Sometimes I garnish with some shredded fresh spinach and just let the heat of the soup melt the spinach...looks pretty too.

Stay Warm

Grateful Hearts

FEBRUARY

China tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets...that is my mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon.

Constance Spry

February arrives cold, wet and gray, her gifts disguised for only the most discerning spirits to see. Gentle is our path. Gratitude is the thread we weave into the fabric of our daily lives this month, giving thanks for our simply abundant lives and asking for the gift of one thing more: grateful hearts.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

WELCOME FEBRUARY