Hello everyone. I thought I would try a new post format and writing style today. A bit more conversational and informal. We’ll see how it goes, and it might become a regular feature on the blog. First, the link to a recipe for convenience.
Today is an overcast, rainy Sunday. My husband and I had a busy Saturday yesterday, so I’m very thankful for a the relatively relaxful afternoon ahead. There are a few things I want to do around the house, but not much that I have to do. So for now I am sitting on one end of the couch, the blinds are open and the natural light and a couple of lamps light up our downstairs with a cozy glow. I am listening to a classical and opera playlist, and between the bouncy, light notes of Czech Suite in D Major, Op. 39, B. 93: II. Polka by the Czech Philharmonic and the random sounds of my husband doing something (I’m never entirely sure) with his fish tank, it’s a quiet afternoon.
I am looking forward to our supper, the last meal of leftovers from a pan of red beans and rice I made earlier in the week. I’ve linked my recipe above. It’s great because it makes a lot all at once and is easily adjusted to how much is needed.
As Georgia weather warms up and transitions towards summer, we are actually having a distinguishable spring this year. Often it feels like we go straight from winter to summer, but that isn’t the case this year. While I am fully ready for my summer dresses and sandals, I am also trying to cook all of the “cold-weather” meals we like within a short time frame. There are some heavy, hot meals that I feel are best for colder weather.
One example of a winter meal is cinnamon apple oatmeal. Not the instant kind, but homemade. It’s something my mom used to make for my brothers and me occasionally. I would link a recipe, but basically you just add some diced apple, preferable granny smith, and a little cinnamon to oatmeal. I like to add the apple when I add the oatmeal to the water, it softens them perfectly. It’s a very warm, heavy meal, perfect for overcast, cold mornings. Of course I like a pot of tea with mine, but that’s personal preference.
As we move into warmer temperatures, I tend to switch to lighter meals. I incorporate more veggies as they come into season, and I try to start having some meals that don’t need to be heated up. Chicken salad, a ham cooked in the crockpot and then sliced for sandwiches, pimento cheese (ate on a sandwich or dolloped on a salad). Of course not every meal will be cold, but things like soup, stew, and rice-based dishes will become rarer on our supper table. At least until the weather turns cool again.
We are also getting ready to move across the country to East Texas. I’ve moved between dorms, a college house shared with roommates, and then into my husband’s house, but I’ve never moved an entire house before. My parents still live in the house we moved into when I was three, so I don’t remember much of that move. I find myself a bit overwhelmed with how much stuff I feel like I have, and it makes me want to get rid of stuff. Granted, I am a sentimental person and have accumulated a lot of stuff, so I probably need to purge some things anyway, regardless of the upcoming move.
This afternoon I plan to go through my clothes and get rid of some things and pack a few as well. I won’t need any winter clothes until after the move, and I kind of want to try out a capsule wardrobe. This will be a good chance to try a capsule wardrobe without getting rid of everything I have now. I haven’t completely decided how I’m going to structure it yet, but I want to go ahead and set out a few things which I know I’ll want to donate or sell.
Other than going through my clothes, I don’t think I have anything else planned. Just relaxing and getting ready for the week ahead. I may paint my nails later, but I am excited about getting some rest today. Let me know what you thought about the new post format! I think I like having an occasional chatty post, it feels a little less formal than some of my others. I hope everyone has an enjoyable Sunday afternoon.
Becca Baggins 