Month: January 2026

Musings

Sliding Into February

JanetLeave a comment

A Few Odd Thoughts

As I write this, the 9 or 10 inches of snow that arrived last weekend is slooooowly melting but there is still a ways to go before it is gone. We are currently below freezing and while the sun is out the outside temperature is somewhere around 16 degrees and not exactly encouraging anyone to be out and about.

Truthfully, this could very well be the new norm for winter around here.

In the last couple of decades I’ve watched the weather patterns shift. What used to be rather quiet has become a bit more severe while the quiet has moved south or east, depending.

Taking January to rest, regroup, rethink, recover has been a blessing. Many folks have not had that privilege. Others have discovered that it was not just a blessing but necessary to retain, or recover, their sanity.

My efforts here are to provide a place of peace and quiet. I look to offer respite from the chaos and insanity. It is my way of being one of the Helpers that Mr. Rogers talked about. I hope you find the space to sit back and focus on something that might be silly, thought provoking, and maybe peaceful. A healing spot, if you will.

Recently Glen and Friends Cooking over on YouTube started experimenting with rough puff pastry and the results have been…encouraging. I especially enjoyed his Cooking Without A Recipe video. “He’s playing with his food, again!” came to mind as I watched. (I love it when folks feel comfortable enough in the kitchen to do that!) I think the end result was a good one and worthy of trying again.

Also over on YouTube, Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny was a pleasant surprise. It is one of those few podcasts that I hope to follow for a very long time.

I’m thinking more about Vintage these days and it appears I am not alone. There is value to looking back to see how folks used to do things. I’m noticing folks making the choices to try some things for themselves.

While I don’t know that I feel like it is time for February, the calendar has other ideas and it might be a nice change of pace to try different flavors. I love chocolate but… 😀

As we head into February and start to think about Spring and maybe a garden, January’s exit might actually be a welcome one. I don’t know about you but I feel the need to air out the house. Well, maybe not quite yet but soon.

Musings

Slowly Easing Into

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January has been a very slow month for me. Intentionally so. I took time to rest, to reconnect, to disconnect, to think, and to make some decisions (choices?) about what I want to do next.

A lot of the folks I follow on YouTube have done the same. So have a lot of folks I follow who are not on YouTube. Frankly, I think the world just needs a bit of Something Else.

I have projects in my home that have been sitting on the sidelines for longer than anyone cares to consider. Even, okay especially, me.

I have a new kitchen toy that I want to start learning to use but I also have a lot of older kitchen toys that have not been used and should find new homes. As I have very limited space, it is important that I tackle the space issue soon. And why keep things that I no longer use?

I could say that this came about because of a new program Mr. Carrington has devised for his home, I think he is referring to it as ‘Sort my home’ or some thing similar. He can tell you more about it if you visit his YouTube channel.

I like the idea of taking January to ease into a year rather than turning it into an overwhelming time where there is pressure to make decisions, choices, changes before we have had a chance to really think things through.

Here’s to taking the time to figure out our next steps!

Food · Musings

Celebrating the Amazing Dolly Parton

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I am one of those folks who remember Dolly Parton before The Look arrived. The hair, the nails, the…everything else. <G> Way back when she was still with Porter Wagoner, Miss Dolly graced our TV sets every Saturday afternoon.

I think I fell in love with her and her music then.

Dolly is one of those people who are not afraid to be themselves and speak their truth. In her case, with a grin and a twinkle in her eye.

If you are interested Dolly has her own page over on Substack. Click HERE to check it out. I enjoy the weekly posts looking back at her life. She writes there much as she writes her songs.

And for those of us who love good food, Taste of Home has a collection of her recipes. Click HERE to check them out. Be warned, there’s a lot of good food on that list. LOL!

Miss Dolly is an amazing human being who brings joy everywhere she goes. Celebrate her talent, her heart and the joy she shares.

Audiobooks · Books

From The Reading Table: I Love Suggestions!

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I’ve been reading Charlaine Harris’ blog and books for a Very Long Time. I enjoy her books and I enjoy her reading list.

I always look forward to her latest blog where she shares her reading list. I always get some great suggestions for my own To Be Read List.

Her January 5, 2026 blog post has some great information, not to mention inspiration. Click on the link and see what you think.

Cooking

A Return To Basics Plus

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Leave it to Nichole over at AllRecipes to come up with The Best collection of Easy Dinners. She provides the tips and tricks you need to learn the basic tools to cook without a recipe.

Don’t panic! It is easier than you think. Check it out:

Once you are comfortable with these easy dinners you can create all kinds of meals.

Which are your favorites?

Around the House · Books

From The Reading Table: Clean In 15

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Clean in 15: Create a Clean & Happy Home in Minutes by Iwan Carrington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve been a long time subscriber to Mr. Carrington’s YouTube channel and have followed along as this book was created.

I thought I knew what to expect when the book came out. I am already half way through and am gobsmacked. I don’t think he missed anything.

I love the color coding as it makes things easier.

The organization is excellent.

While he does provide what I call ‘things to think about’ regarding acquisition of tools and cleaners, he also provides recipes for cleaners (etc) you can make yourself. And those are easy to do and cost effective. If you know Mr. C, those are his hallmarks.

He has included information on the symbols and labels that we see on pretty much everything.

And, yes, he provides routines for actually cleaning in 15 minutes or so. But not just for the inside of the house. Mr. C has added the outside areas to his list of routines.

The book is designed to go in with your cleaning supplies for handy reference and is easy to maneuver to find the information you need when you need it.

I knew this book would be a great tool for anyone who needs to know how to clean pretty much anything. I was not disappointed. I also think this book would be a great gift for those who are embarking on their first home (campus dorm, first apartment, etc.). As one who has been cleaning for longer than I care to admit, I think it is an excellent resource for folks like me.

This is one of the handiest books you will ever own.



View all my reviews

Crafting

Want to Learn or Upgrade Your Sewing Skills?

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Recently I came across the latest series from Sew Becca and thought I would share. Why? Becca is a good teacher. I like the way she is presenting this course because it is useful to the beginner and the experienced sewist. Many of us have basic knowledge but for one reason or other hasn’t been near our sewing machine in a while. Some folks have thought that they might be interested in sewing but were intimidated and backed away.

This first installment is excellent and provides a lot of useful information without overloading. From her descriptions of the next lessons, I think we have a lot to look forward to.

If you’ve been thinking about starting, or returning to, sewing Becca’s series might be just what you have been looking for.

Bingeworthy

The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries

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When I need a good bingeable show to curl up with I tend to look for something that doesn’t really require a lot of thought (mine) but good quality production (theirs). I also love a good animated series and when the Looney Tunes are included I am usually a happy camper.

Over the years I’ve watched several episodes of The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries. For whatever reason it wasn’t when it was originally aired. <shrug> but with the availability on various platforms, I am now able to indulge to my heart’s content.

Tweety is one of those characters folks tend to love. He is tiny, cute, and is smarter than we might suspect.

Sylvester tends toward a single mindedness that would probably be more successful if he took the time to think things through. Sort of like the Coyote in the Road Runner series but without the Acme merchandise. 😉

Granny is, well, Granny. Don’t underestimate her but don’t make the mistake of thinking she is clued in…

I love seeing Cool Cat amble through the episodes and encountering other members of the Looney Tunes universe lends some fun to the mix, too.

Check out the series by clicking HERE. You’ll learn the background and find links to several sources.

Around the House

Not Quite Ready To Reset

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Like many folks I am slooooooowly coming up for air after what felt (feels?) like an enormous Holiday Season. To be honest, it feels like the Universe is working against a Brand New Start In January, too.

I got a new kitchen toy over the holidays (more about that later) and as much as I would love to start exploring and playing with it, the things I want/need from the grocery store simply are not there. Like, restock has not quite happened on top of Wintery Weather where everyone seems to be stocking their pantries for potential storms.

Now, it isn’t as if I don’t have a reasonably well stocked pantry myself, but (you know there is always a ‘but’) I have new recipes to try… <sigh>

The house need a good post holiday clean, too. And it isn’t as if the job(s) are overwhelming, either.

Trying to catch up with or find new shows to watch have been iffy, too. Is it burn out on my end or just boredom?

You know it is an odd time when the highlight of the <ahem> season is that my copy of Mr. Carrington’s upcoming book should be in hand soon…

So, my goal for the next few weeks is to rest, recuperate, catch up as I feel like it and contemplate plans for the rest of the year. Maybe.

Maybe the reset I need is for me. Food for thought…

Cooking

Bacon!

JanetLeave a comment

Frankly, I don’t know of anyone who does not love bacon. Good bacon, that is. The one that is Just Right.

AllRecipes.com have done some research on the topic and while I generally subscribe to their suggestions, I use my broiler pan rather than a baking sheet. I spray both pieces with cooking spray to make clean up easier and then put the bacon on the rack, tuck it into the oven and impatiently wait. 😀 You could line the bottom pan with foil for easy clean up but if you are keeping the bacon fat in the fridge, foregoing the foil just makes it a bit easier.

Note: Some brands of bacon have a LOT of fat while others have very little.

Keep in mind that you could tuck in some tater tots or hash browns while the bacon cooks.

I have not gotten to the place where I freeze left over bacon because, well, there usually isn’t any. I might let it cool, blot it a bit and they layer between sheets of parchment paper cut to size for a gallon sized zip lock freezer bag. Freeze it flat and then, once frozen, I could stand it up beside my rack of veg to save space.

All in all, bacon cooking in the oven is a simple process. If you have not already done so, give it a try.