What’s Cooking
January 2026 part 2
Okay, January was really something but it’s over, maybe things will get better. I would say that they really have to. People should not be afraid to live.
One of my early year joy moments is Ground Hog day. I think it’s an under celebrated holiday and send out wishes, usually bake a cake, but it’s here and I’ve done nothing. Although my very good friend Cathy sent ground hog wishes first thing in the morning.
January started out okay. My amaryllis from Costco were beautiful and wonderful for many, many days.
I volunteered for Fernbank teen takeover night, always fun. Fun is needed. I manned the cookie constellation table where you decorated a cookie with your favorite constellation or galaxy or just fun. Orion’s Belt by the way.
Inflatable planetarium, yes I went in, yes it was quite something.
And here is a photo of me in front of the light screen.
My Quaker meeting is small, 15 to 18 people usually, and we’ve become a friend group. Two are leaving to move to Chicago temporarily to help a daughter having a baby. We had a nice send off brunch. Not nice they’re leaving but nice to get together.
I inventoried my freezer, organization gives me joy, and helps me not buy things I don’t need. Or stock up if there is a sale and I’m low.
I baked cookies for the Tuesday evening knitting group. Cookies can bring joy. These did.
Tea and pastry with a friend. In person, really necessary. I went straight to the almond croissant, she had a croissant cube. Both good.
I cooked a bit in the middle of the month. Closer to the end, I had a cold, husband went on a retreat, but I had food prepared and waiting in the freezer. Cats are good nurses if you just want to sleep. For tea and food, not so much. Highly recommend Moroccan mint and mint blend.
Peanut chocolate scones are excellent.
Popcorn for dinner is a valid whole grain choice. Marry me chicken meatballs a great choice.
We usually eat two meals a day. I don’t really menu plan breakfast but try to always have bread, eggs, tortillas, cheese, pepper, onions and leftovers. I did make tortilla eggs and they were good, but forgot a picture.
We were trapped by an ice storm so I made bread. One tried and true honey buttermilk using some whole wheat bread flour.
One new recipe honey wheat berry, I used hard red berries. And Bob’s Red Mill 10 grain porridge for the wheat germ.
Between the ice storm, a cold I caught and the snow event, I wasn’t able to walk for many days. I am now very aware that lack of walking is not good for me mentally or physically. A big reason January hit so hard. I slacked off on meditating too. I napped a lot during the cold recovery but that was just sleeping because I had no other option, not mindfully stopping.
Back to it 2/2, I guess that’s my ground hog celebration. It was very cold but I felt so much better after. Heron pond with ice and snow. We don’t normally have snow hanging around in Georgia.
Back to making sure I don’t put off what is good for me!