step toward sanity: corralling the stationary

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - I need to organize around the house. I think it is a perpetual goal of mine to be 'organized.' Whatever that really means. It is always just out of reach for me. But I do enjoy trying to get there.

Stationary. Note cards. Thank you notes. Whatever the variety, I do love buying, receiving, and looking at it. I even use it every so often for notes to friends and relatives. But it was taking over my office/guest room. It lived in its individual boxes and packages amongst the books (which also need some organization). Enter extra shoe boxes and contact paper that I had in the supply closet. I made sure to pick boxes of complimentary size (and large enough to fit sheets of writing paper). Cost: $0.

I had been lusting after the look of clean, streamlined offices with pops of color like this and this. Am I there yet? Not a chance. It might have been smarter to opt for a single-color contact paper, but I'm all about being frugal for the new year and this basic beige floral was already in my arsenal. Besides, it's always good to have future projects!

coming home

Back to reality. Well, not quite yet I guess. But back home at least and ready to get my gifts unpacked, thank you notes written, and laundry done. After six days away, I must admit that it is good to be back home. Although I do miss the coffee being hot and ready in the mornings without having to lift a finger. And I got to see some old friends while I was visiting as well. Always a joy.

I love the architecture and landscape of the rolling hills around Frederick, Maryland where I grew up. The grain elevators, the open fields, the old stone farmhouses and bank barns. Beautiful lush landscapes alongside industrial buildings. Aesthetically inspiring.

cleaning out the cupboard: sweet potato hash

In an effort to clean out the cupboards before heading to see the family for Christmas, I was faced with a glut of sweet potatoes. Solution? Sweet potato hash. Using the food processor I shredded about 1/2 dozen sweet potatoes into a large bowl. Mixed in a little salt and pepper. Into a cast iron skillet sprayed with olive oil spray and then into a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes.

The top and bottom of the 'pie' crisped up nicely and I was able to cut portions for serving alongside arugula salad, as a take on latkes with applesauce and sour cream (in my case plain yogurt), or, as was the case for breakfast today, with an over-hard egg.

Versitile? Yes. Delicious? You bet. And actually healthy to boot. Anyone else have good 'cleaning out the cupboard' experiments to share?

walk in the snow

I made my way out this afternoon to run a few last-minute errands, but there was so much traffic I turned home halfway through and went for a walk instead. Luckily I live within walking distance to shops and the library and my favorite coffee shop, so there wasn't a total lack of practicality or productivity. Besides, I felt good about shopping 'local' instead of at the big box stores (except for the boxes of wine from Target I had to get for Grandma).

An added plus was that I was able to enjoy some little things along the way - like the way the sunlight was hitting the frozen canal. I ran into one acquaintance and had some nice breezy 'hellos' with other people out walking their dogs (I learned that we might get more snow for Christmas) or shoveling snow.

I also bought birdseed ('finally!' said the neighborhood birds). Happy Christmas you little tweeters!

retro recipe: toffee bars

A snowy Sunday yielded a favorite new recipe for a bar cookie. Perfect with a big glass of cold milk.

Toffee Bars
From Virginia Hospitality (Junior League of Hampton Roads, 1975; working from the 1998 version), p. 196

1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg yolk
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 ounces milk chocolate (I used semisweet mini morsels)
1 cup nuts, chopped (I used pecans)

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg yolk. Add flour gradually, stirring only to blend. Add vanilla. Spread about 1/4 inch thick in lightly buttered 10x15 jelly roll pan. [I used my hands to spread the dough as it is quick thick]. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and while still hot distribute chocolate on top. When chocolate is soft, spread smoothly over surface. Sprinkle with nuts. While still warm, cut into bars. Yields 5 dozen.

I adore Virginia Hospitality for its simplicity of instructions. It is a great reminder of the types of recipes that are passed down through generations and among friends. Hints for this recipe: Make sure the butter is room temperature. Also, I used the butter stick wrappers to grease the pan and that worked just fine. The dough gets crispy like shortbread, so definitely cut while still warm unless you want to break your wrist later on.

digging out

A peaceful Sunday punctuated by the sound of scraping shovels and the plows beeping by. Not certain how much snow we actually got, but gosh is it pretty! Quite a thick, plush blanket across my backyard that you sink into up to your knees. I'm purposefully not walking around out there so it keeps that picturesque look as long as it can.

Things to do today:
~ bake those cookies I didn't get to baking yesterday
~ organize photos from my camera onto Flickr, work files, etc.
~ dig my car out (although I have a feeling work will be closed tomorrow)
~ bake bread (mmm...roasted tofu-turkey sandwiches)
~ go through magazines to see what articles/ideas I want to save

I did a little digging in the snow this morning. Sadly the snow was of the powdery variety - beautiful to look at, easier to shovel, but not so good for snowman-making. Excellent variety for sledding however. CNN was even in Fredericksburg with a video camera showcasing our sledding wonderland.

snowy window

Things to do today:
~ make Chex snack mix
~ wrap family gifts
~ cook butternut squash & apple soup
~ bake cookies

The snow is coming down here and I'm happy to hunker down and just nest today. Listen to Christmas music; wear my slippers; drink coffee with Peppermint Mocha creamer. The blanket of snow is beautiful - it looks like that good packing snow that is perfect for making snowmen. Maybe I'll need to add one more thing to my 'to do' list...

tree joy

The best thing about working from home this time of year? Getting to see the beautiful, glowing Christmas tree throughout the day. What could make me happier? Winning the lottery I guess. And meeting a handsome stranger that sweeps me off my feet. But alas, I must find my joy where I can - with my faux tree with its wooden 'cranberry' garland, whimsical Old World glass ornaments (the pinecone is a new one this year), and Mom-Mom's kitchy Christmas tablecloth as a tree skirt. Does anyone else share my tree joy?

little things

I get quite excited about little things sometimes. New office supplies at work is one of the 'things' that I love. Bright green folders plus a new rolly rack to start to get some of the mess off of my desk = a happy camper. Almost makes up for the fact that I'm at work on a rainy, gloomy Sunday...

Let's see

I don't remember how much I paid for this red geranium. I don't even remember if I bought it for myself. I expected it to kick the bucket long ago - I'd left it outside on the patio table all summer, not watering it or pinching it back or doing anything with it really. When we had our snowstorm on Saturday (a.k.a. 1 inch of wet snow), I brought it inside on a whim. Now it has buds. Crazy. Let's see what it does in a new spot on the kitchen table.

Tonight is the big finale on my favorite reality cooking show. Fingers crossed for you know who...

It's a shame

I don't like chard. Too bitter for me. But look at these colors in the garden at work. It would be a pretty addition to next year's garden if just for decorative purposes. Perhaps a vase-ful of chard on the Christmas table next year? Hmmm...

back in order

With Thanksgiving behind me, I've been trying to get things back in order around the house. I ate the last of the "turkey" in a delicious sandwich with arugula and lettuce from the garden. Oh, and on wheat bread I made in the bread machine. Now, I need to learn how to make that Quorn turkey roast and I'm all set.

The weather has been very wintery lately. There was even frost on the ground and ice on my car when I went to work on Tuesday morning. What's up with that? I was getting quite used to 60 degree weather in November and then December arrived and *bam* it actually got cold! Next thing you know I'll have to be wearing things like gloves and a hat.

I'm having a bit of an issue with my Harry Potter book on CD habit. The issue is that I see the end in sight and am sad. What will I listen to after the series is over?!