Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Cold weather, a Thrifty Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe, and knitting at the cottage.

 


We are at the cottage and awoke to snow dusting the stairs...


It coated the ground which reminded me of icing sugar...
then I thought of cookies :-))


We purchased a wee tree for the cottage and chose small fairy lights in white.
It looks best when the lights are dimmed or turned off but we felt the need to add some festive cheer, it is December after all.


With this cold I decided to make a chicken veggie soup.
It was full of flavour and was a warm and cozy choice for the cold day.

Thrifty Chicken Soup

I used a roast chicken carcass.
Pick off the bigger chunks of meat and set them aside in the fridge.

In a soup pot I added the carcass and just covered the bones with water.
Boil then simmer for about an hour.
Take out bones and set them aside to cool.
Put the rich stock into a large container.
Pick off any more meat from the bones and add to the stock, discard the bones.

Saute one large diced onion, 2 stalks diced celery in oil until soft.
Add the meat from the fridge and the stock to the pot
2 diced carrots, some sliced greens 
(I used bok choy)
Cook about 45 minutes until carrots are soft
salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

It is very tasty and is so warming on a cold snowy day.


The sun was shining and we bundled up for a cold weather walk.
The air was crisp and so refreshing.
Little birds skitting about pecking for morsels of food...
Gulls soaring in the sky.


Soon the birds will be nibbling these red berries and rose hips...

December is a truly beautiful time to visit the cottage.
It is quite peaceful so we sleep deeply and feel relaxed when we wake up.
We are so fortunate to be able to come and do not take our time here for granted.
It is a precious gift.

We have been reading our books and I've been knitting on my vest 
which is getting very close to being finished.
I needed to buy some new locking stitch markers
 so I went to The Beehive before we left town.
 
Wouldn't you know it! I spied a lovely blue variegated yarn by Berocco.
Wool shops are rather lethal for me...chocolate, tea and book shops are trouble!
I rarely leave with empty hands.



This pattern is my next project.
Are you a knitter?
What do you love to make?

Hope that you are warm and cozy and enjoying the beginning of December.
I think it is going to get busy with baking and shopping and wrapping!
(with time set aside for knitting and reading)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Baby it's Cold Outside!


Slow mornings...
candlelight and silver

fairy lights
twinkling 
reflecting on the modernist crystal
sipping coffee in the quiet of the bungalow.

embracing gratitude.

Wondering what will the day bring?

New Year has entered softly...
gently
a white snow fell from the sky 
blanketing us with cold Arctic winter weather.


We were able to go for a short walk along the seafront.


Only a few stalwart and dedicated people were out...
Mostly dog owners!


There were lots of children outside building snowmen.

We heard the shouts of glee from the children as they tobogganed 
down the hill at Beacon Hill Park.

I've been cocooning here in The Humble Bungalow.
Staying warm and cozy
(cashmere is currently my best friend)

Drinking lots of hot tea and making soups.



Watching the new series "And Just Like That" on Crave.

The Sex and The City cast has made a return, albeit with an "older" theme.
I am not sure if it's going to hold my attention...
but I do like to be entertained :-))


Reading this gem...
a crime thriller which is a page turner.

Am halfway through and wonder how this is going to end.


I've picked up the needles again and am making progress on The Doocot Sweater.
One sleeve finished and the other one started...
I've made a few mistakes but will attempt a repair...

Who knew?
But
apparently quilters and knitters embrace
"wabi sabi"
a wee mistake is intentionally included in the finished product.

Did you know that?

Once this cold snap has left us I am going to restart my walking regime.
I am feeling fuller through my mid section from all this time spent indoors.

How are you starting the New Year?
Have you exciting new dreams and goals for the next 12 months?
Would love to hear your thoughts.

In the meantime 
we still need to mask up despite having two vaccinations and the booster.

It will be so lovely to put this pandemic well and truly behind us...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Stay Safe.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~