As my last blog entry noted, I wanted to share with you the joys of my indoor life this past month (see related article below). There were four activities that have made February a pleasure for me this winter, and they all took place in the coziness of our home.
1. Cooking and baking Comfort Food. And, of course, eating it!
Aahhh…the domestic bliss I feel when I bake a batch of homemade bread on a cold winter day… the delicious aroma, the shiny plump loaves all lined up as they cool. Without a doubt it is my favourite comfort food. Using whole wheat flour makes it nutritious as well.
A perennial favourite among many foodies is good old macaroni and cheese. Nothing says Comfort like my mom’s recipe. The cheesy, bubbly goodness, with buttered crumb topping, that heavenly smell…are we hungry yet?
Just last night I made a hearty pot of beef stew, sure to warm you right down to your toes. The wholesome ingredients, the rich gravy; and what goes great with a big steaming bowl? That’s right, more HOMEMADE BREAD. Forget it, low carb diet, you will have to wait til spring.
2. Watching Movies
Paul and I usually take part in what we call a Movie Blitz this time of year. In a race before Oscar night, we have watched seven of the nine movies nominated for Best Picture. And what a delightful cross-section this year! There were plenty of handsome actors to choose from: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Jean Dujardin, to name a few. Be still, my romantic heart.
There was even a movie to satisfy my girlhood love of thoroughbreds: War Horse. If you haven’t seen it, you should. It’s an old-fashioned sweeping epic style of picture, done in a way Spielberg is famous for.
3. Book Club
Reading has been a passion of mine all my life. I’m talking about having to read every word on a cereal box if nothing else is handy. Our little book discussion group had a slow start, but we now have more members. The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill was our first selection (an excellent read), and now we are in the process of selecting the next one. For those who don’t know, the local library has actual book club kits that include many choices of wonderful books, both old classics and the latest bestsellers. If there is anyone out there in a book club, I would love it if you could drop me a line and share your experience.
4. Planning a Tropical Getaway
Anticipating a trip south is one of the best ways I know to cure the winter blahs. Make it two trips and you’re guaranteed that cure. The first one will be in three weeks for just the two of us, then another toward the end of April, where we get to spend time with friends and family. Always fun to have a reason to take out your summer duds in February!
As for the rest of you living in the northern hemisphere, what has kept you warm this month?
Jennifer's Journal 
