What’s Cooking

January 2026

Happy New Year! Obligatory greeting but keeping some hope. I am not a resolution maker, more of a refiner.

Trying to keep some joy in my life with small things. I enjoy, once I force myself to get dressed and drive to the park, my morning walks. There are regulars - Sebastian the standard poodle, Simon (Newfoundland) and the goldens, several humans too. Nice to greet everyone.

Trying to be aware of nature - birds, plants, foggy morning. I don’t listen to podcasts while walking, trying to be in the moment.

I impulse bought an amaryllis planter at Costco and it has been amazing. December 29 to so far this year.

I decided to renew my driver’s license online and gave myself the maximum lead time so I wouldn’t get frustrated. Surprise! It was so easy and a little hit of joy.

I need to do things in person, but decided to try a virtual cooking class. I’ve taken in person classes at Zingerman’s and loved them but they’re in Michigan. Not easily accessible.

I took Going Crackers and it was wonderful. Prepped the day before.

Highly recommend the virtual classes. I took a cheese and cracker plate to the Friend’s meeting the next morning. Devoured.

Wonderful dinner with a long term friend. We don’t see each other as much as we’d like, she’s still working, I’m not. Very nice evening at Pure Taquieria

Still loving Fernbank. This month volunteering again for Teen Takeover night. Still grateful for my knitting groups. I started a new knitting project. Gave washcloths for gifts.

I even had an urge to clean and took advantage of it. Not a normal occurrence. Mopped, washed rugs, I like clean but don’t like cleaning. But gave me joy.

I’ve been cooking a lot. But enjoying cooking, not forcing it. For New Year’s Eve a fairly simple crab pasta and roasted asparagus.

Make these cheddar chive scones! I used the large chives.

Stuffed pork tenderloin one day, easy, slightly impressive. Garlic bread with baked brie, purely indulgent.

This lasagna is excellent, does take time, is worth it. Especially the pasta. And leftovers are so good. Saturday project.

Chicken leek soup, leeks are a favorite of mine.

Freezer eating with black bean chili. Quick sausage pasta. Smash dumpling tacos, different and good.

Parchment packets! Green curry fish, used cod. No picture, not pretty but delicious. I used the remaining can of coconut milk to make rice, no waste.

Happy to get back to a more regular schedule. Knitting didn’t happen for a few weeks because of the holidays. I don’t want a very strict schedule but like a little structure.