I'm procrastinating. It's so freaking cold outside and I really hate the thought of going to the grocery store. It's not the errand I dread, but getting back into my car after shopping for half an hour. I can warm up the car in my driveway, but that's not as easy when it's in a parking lot. Oh, wait! I have a husband... He could go with me. ;)
It's been such a miserably cold winter, but at least we haven't had to deal with quite as much snow as those of you to the east of us. We were supposed to get 4-8 inches yesterday, but all we got was a dusting. I can't imagine what Rod's book signing would have been like with the cold temps and snow. He signed for an hour and had a nice turnout, in spite of the frigid temps, so we were very pleased.
I'm finally feeling like I might just about be over with the terrible cold I came down with two weeks ago. Almost. I was so miserable; I pretty much stayed in bed for 48 hours straight. One of my sweet neighbors became concerned when she noticed my car hadn't moved for several days (and she hadn't seen me walking Annie in the afternoon), so after learning that I'd been sick, she brought over The.Most.Delicious chicken soup (and salad, bread and cookies!) for our dinner one night. I think it was the soup that cured me! I've got the recipe and plan to make it for dinner tomorrow night, so I'll try to get a photo and post the recipe next weekend.
I've never really been a big fan of tea, but after returning to work I discovered a delicious new tea and have since given up my second cup of coffee for a big mug of this bold blend. Suffice it to say, I will never drink Celestial Seasonings tea again!
But what about books, you ask? I have one more review to post and I'll be finished with 2013. Woot! But what have I read recently? Well, let's see. I won't go all the way back to January's list, but in February I finished the following:
Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen (quite good)
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison (meh)
Iron Lake by William Kent Kreuger (very good)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (loved!)
A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante (good, but not great)
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (loved!!)
I'm currently listening to Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) and have started reading On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle. I plan to read the Coyle mystery at work on my breaks and will attempt to focus on reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck during the month of March. Thanks for the nudge, Trish!
Alright. Time to bundle up and get to the store. Have a good week, friends. Stay warm! Who's keeping your tootsies warm tonight?
I've been in a big chicken soup phase myself; it seems every weekend I've stewed a chicken and used the meat for chicken enchiladas, chicken salad, or meat for the chicken soup. Tonight I'm making a chicken pot pie, for which I've finally perfected a recipe. Looking forward to seeing the soup recipe you have.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I lived in Germany we drank peppermint tea ALL the time. It was (still is?) very popular there. But now I like Earl Grey or regular Ceylon the best. Without cream, unlike my coffee, so that's a good thing. For cholesterol.
I bought Cuckoo's Calling but haven't read it yet. Nor have I read Rod's excellent annotation of Two Years Before The Mast, what a slacker, but I think I'll get to it when it's a bit less wintry. We had around 6 inches last night. I love the beautiful freshness of the white, even in March. ;)
I made chicken enchiladas last week, too, but they didn't taste as good as usual. Must've been my cold affecting the way things tasted. I've never made chicken pot pies and I would LOVE your perfected recipe, if you're willing to share.
DeleteI drink my tea without cream, too. The only thing I use in my coffee is Splenda, which I'd like to eliminate, although I doubt one packet a day will kill me.
I'm quite impressed with Cuckoo's Calling. Rod said he thought it was very good and is looking forward to the next installment in the series. Don't feel badly about Rod's annotation of TYBtM. When the mood is right, you'll pick it up. Maybe we should have a buddy read this summer. :)
No snow here, but it's another bitterly cold morning. Current temp is -4. I am so thankful my wonderful husband is willing to walk Annie every morning at 6:30, rain or shine. Enjoy your fresh snow. I'm sure it's beautiful.
I'm glad you're feeling better. I cannot imagine weather that cold! It's 72 degrees here today so I've been sitting on the deck, reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm feeling better, too, Kathy. I haven't had that type of a cold/influenza(?) in years.
DeleteIt's super cold again this morning. -4, but it's supposed to warm up to a balmy 23. :) How lovely to be in the 70s already. I'm quite ready for some porch/deck sitting!
Brr, that is one cold day! Congrats to Rod on the book signing. I hope he had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI do love tea but tend to favor coffee. I think that brand has a good vanilla almond. Have you tried any of the Republic of Tea teas? Very yummy!
Looking forward to your reviews!
Yes, it is quite cold. I hear y'all had some weather down in TX, too! Maybe not as cold, but sleet/freezing rain? Yuck!
DeleteRod had a fun time at the book signing. We're planning to go out to Washington in the fall for the Wooden Boat Show in Port Townsend and we're hopeful that he'll be able to have a book signing there, too.
I still love my coffee and savor my one cup of Hawaiian blend (Keurig K-cup) every morning. My second cup is usually just gulped down before I head out the door to work, so I don't mind giving it up for a cup of tea. I'll have to check out the vanilla almond tea, as well as the Republic of Tea teas. Thanks for the recommendations!
I know. I am kind of blah of the cold. I avoid many things when it is cold too many days in a row!
ReplyDeleteI really don't mind winter and snow and all that, but the sub-zero temps get to be a bit depressing after a while. At least our old house is fairly warm, at least upstairs. There are some serious drafty areas in the kitchen and living room, though!
DeleteOoooh!! Keep me posted with your progress on East of Eden!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you're feeling a little bit better. And goodness gracious where is the spring weather?! I hope we all warm up soon--spring certainly can't come any sooner.
I'm not a tea drinker. I think maybe I just haven't had a good cup. Instead I look forward to my coffee break every afternoon (even if I often don't get to drink an entire cup before the babe wakes up from her nap). Hope March is a fantastic month for you!
I started EoE last night! I only read about 20 pages, but I'm hoping to get some more read this morning before I head off to work (today's my shorter day and I don't have to be there until 10). So far, so good, though.
DeleteI hope we all warm up soon, too! You guys had a bit of nasty winter weather yesterday, too, huh? So.Tired.Of.This!
I think that's the key to becoming a tea drinker--finding the perfect blend/cup. But coffee is so good, too. I love my Keurig and found a delicious Hawaiian blend that I'm completely addicted to now. I really try to savor my first cup in the morning, whereas the second cup was typically gulped down before I dashed out the door to work. :)
So glad you're finally feeling better... what a sweet neighbor you have! I keep eyeing the Harney & Sons teas, but wondered if they're any better than Celestial Seasonings. Now I'm going to have to try it, especially since I've been on a peppermint tea kick the last couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteLooks like March will be the month for big books for many of us. Hope you and Trish both love East of Eden as much as I do. I'll be focusing on Middlemarch this month.
Thanks, JoAnn. It always feels good to feel healthy again! And, yes, we have super sweet neighbors. Right after Rod had his back surgery, the same couple hired their landscaper to clean up all our leaves since they knew I was too busy taking care of Rod and he was in no shape to do anything except get better. Very thoughtful "gift."
DeleteLet me know what you think of the Harney & Sons teas. I also like their Hot Cinnamon Spice, but don't much care for the Pomegranate Oolong.
I'm about 75 pages into East of Eden and I'm enjoying it thus far. Good luck with Middlemarch. I think I've got it easier. ;)
We missed the snow this time as well...thankfully:) Have a good week Les.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we're heading for a warm up! Possibly 60 by next Monday. Woot!!!
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