thishomemadelife | 2011 January

Winter Salad

January 31, 2011

I know salads generally aren’t the first thing you think of making this time of year. All kinds of comforting, warming foods are most likely on the menu. The usual salad suspects, like tomatoes and cucumbers, out of season and flavorless, don’t make the thought of eating your greens any more appealing. But I think this salad might just change your mind. It’s simple to make, has beautiful color and pairs very well with a hearty soup, say minestone, or even good ol’ homemade mac & cheese. Here’s what you’ll need… For the salad: Some colorful greens–I used Baby Romaine, but a nice Herb mix of greens would be great too. Carrot–here you can slice, dice or just use your vegetable peeler to get the long shavings Dried cranberries, add as little or as much as you like. Walnuts–toast in a dry skillet over low to medium heat. Give them a couple of tosses in the skillet to ensure they toast on all sides. You’ll know they are done by the toasty aroma. Do not skip this step. It adds great flavor to the salad. For dressing: 2 T apple cider vinegar 2 T maple syrup 2 tsp of dijon mustard 1/3 cup olive oil salt and pepper. The above are measurements I used in making this dressing, but don’t feel like you have to measure. You can just as easily eyeball your amounts into a mason jar and give it a good shake to mix. Toss salad and dressing together in a large bowl or arrange on individual plates. Here’s hoping this salad will bring a little green into your winter menu. Alison

Saturday in Pictures

January 30, 2011

We start our days early around here (weekend or not) and as is our ritual, pancakes were on the menu for breakfast. Then off to the gym for a tough, but good workout with a friend. The boys played away the afternoon as superheroes in their secret hideouts while eagerly awaiting the arrival of Nana and Grandpa. Repeatedly asking… “Aren’t they here YET?” ”When will they be here?” ”Are they coming soon?” Some much needed haircuts were given by grandpa, then a quick supper and off to soccer. Then home for dessert and saying good-bye as the grandparents headed home. After a full day the boys were tired and off to bed as Bret headed back to help with soccer. With a quiet house I made some tea, got my new bookshelf (built by my talented dad) in order, read a beautiful magazine and headed to bed. Whew! Busy day…wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way. Hope your Saturday was a good one too. Alison

Popcorn and a movie

January 28, 2011

Rice Krispies

January 26, 2011

You know those recipes that you make so often, after awhile you don’t even need the recipe. It just becomes engrained in your memory and the longer you go without looking at it the more you make it into your own. For me, this is one of those recipes…rice krispies. I try to keep a well stocked pantry of snacks (it seems boys are always hungry, who knew?) and even more, I try to make as many of them as I can. Less ingredients and I know what is in them. I have told a lot of friends about these rice krispies. They definitely aren’t the ones I grew up with–super sweet and marshmallowy. These are peanut buttery and not too sweet, almost a bit salty. The brown rice syrup has a lower glycemic index so you can have a treat without the sugar rush and inevitable crash. It’s pretty easy to find too. I’ve seen it at Target and Walmart as well as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

wild and precious

January 25, 2011

“So what are you going to do with your one wild and precious life?” -Mary Oliver I came across this quote last week. Since I tend to think of memories in terms of pictures, this is what came to mind. The image is a couple of years old now, but I think it will always be a favorite. My boys piled together, trying to get a picture for our Christmas card. Wild and precious. Looking at it I can still hear them giggling. I think even when they are all grown up, with families of their own I will think of this picture and my heart will swell, more than a little, with the love I have for them. Not everyone knows this, but outside of photography I am also a hospice nurse on weekends. If you are unfamiliar with hospice, it is the care provided to those that are terminally ill. They may be in their homes, nursing home or hospital. My job is to make sure their last days are comfortable and to guide those caring for them. It isn’t always easy, but surprisingly, the good outweighs the bad. Each time I go to work I am reminded of life’s beauty and imperfection. That the power of love and faith will carry you to endure great things. Life isn’t perfect, or as a friend of mine says, at the very least “highly overrated”. I know that this is easy to say, but remembering it is a whole other matter. The pressures to create perfection in your body, children and home are everywhere. It’s so easy to get caught up in. I myself am guilty, that I won’t deny. Then my weekend to work rolls around and I am hit with a healthy dose of perspective. I [...]

Winter Salad

Saturday in Pictures

Popcorn and a movie

Rice Krispies

wild and precious

Stay in touch

Subscribe by Email

Instagram