January

So yes, I am a few days (okay, a week) late for a January post, but really that is what this is.

My dear friend Kouw is challenging herself in an interesting way in 2013. Every month she is reading a book, trying a new recipe, and making a new craft, then blogging about it all. I found this fascinating and decided to try it as well.


  • Book:      So this is the main reason that this post is late. It was like pulling my own teeth to finish this book. Casual Vacancy by J.K.Rowling was not a good fit for me, at least not at the moment. It was slow and while there were moments of surprise, most of it felt very formulaic. I'm not a big fan and I don't know that I would read her next book if it is in the same vein.

          Usually I can start a finish a book in a couple days (or a day if I'm not doing anything else) so I am not worried about finishing something and being able to post this month. I have no idea what I will try to read though.
  • Recipe:       I tried several new recipes this month. The scariest was definitely making my own yogurt. It turned out really well though I like the taste of Oikos vanilla better so I will have to try something a bit different next time.

    I made manicotti on Monday for the first time. That was interesting. Adam and I were both wrist deep in filling trying to get it into the pasta, but it finally occurred to Adam to try a piping bag made out of a sandwich bag, which made our lives so much better! It was delicious (hard to mess up pasta, sauce, cheese, ground beef, spinach and mushrooms).

          I already have an idea what I want to try for February though I don't know if I will get to it. I find bread making fascinating so that is on the list. I have a peasant bread recipe and another for soda bread (one of my favorite things ever) to try.
Homemade Yogurt, before I let the whey drain. 
  • Craft:      I have finally picked up my needles again. I found an easy dish cloth pattern and that has been my focus. I have made a few for us and a few for my great Aunt Catherine who had asked me to make them some time ago. It is an easy project and it gives me joy each time I wash dishes with one. 


Kouw has her own reasons for doing this challenge, but I am doing it to force myself to get out of my funk. It's been a difficult few months and weeks and days. I'm still in counseling, I'm trying a new med, I'm doing what I can, but I am depressed. It helps me to have goals for myself that are just about me. At least I hope it helps. I guess I will find out!

Xander at Christmas, after tearing open his presents.


Comments

  1. KacieFebruary 14, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    I hope it works for you! I looooove manicotti. One of my favorite things to do is add a little bit of lemon zest to the filling. It gives it a really refreshing flavor but isn't too much.

    I'm sorry to hear The Casual Vacancy is what I've heard about it already.

    I've started a different blog to get out of my funk. I'm hoping it will encourage me to do more things like you're doing, because then I'll have something to write about.

    ReplyDelete

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