" I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man
to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.
It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue,
and so to make a few objects beautiful;
but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium
through which we look, which morally we can do.
To affect the quality of the day,
that is the highest of the arts...
Only that day dawns to which we are awake."
{Henry David Thoreau}
Hello February, hello a month closer to spring.
The days have been rainy, I'm drawn to the kitchen, baking and researching new meals to add to our weekly dinner plan. Being organized with cooking is the key to my success in cooking, variety is essential too! We have our go-to meals, easy, nutritious and comforting...lots of soups. Experimenting with new recipes ends up being successful half the time. When they are, what a wonderful and satisfying discovery. Speaking of good recipes...here's an easy, no-fail, delicious salad that pairs excellent with spaghetti or any Italian meal https://themodernproper.com/simple-italian-salad
In my spare moments, I've been pouring over plant catalogs, dreaming up plans for my garden. This new home is gifting me with an abundance of gardening opportunities, which I'm so excited and if I'm being honest, slightly intimidated by. My dreams are filled with armloads of flowers filling my home. While I'm eager to get out and play in the dirt, I'm realistic enough to acknowledge there are still months ahead before planting begins! In the meantime, the weeds are starting to pop up (ahem) and much cleanup to happen. Pottering about the yard on these chilly days, dreaming of warmer days ahead....such joy.
Currently still in a reading slump. Ahem. My reading life has gotten off to a painful slow start this year. Thank goodness it's only the beginning of February! There are many good books coming out late spring, which gives me hope. In the meantime, I'll be pulling some of my most loved novels off the shelf for a comforting re-read. That should cure the slump for awhile.
Well friends, I wish I had more to share...this post has happened in between all kinds of interruptions!
I hope you are well.
Take care.