A February Collection: Extreme Cold Weather, Sourdough Baking, and Good Books

We're finishing up an extremely cold week, filled with minus zero temps, and down to minus thirty with the windchill. The photo above was taken yesterday morning, as we were coming off the warnings and advisories. The view is out my kitchen window of the icicles, capturing the beauty before it has started to melt today. 

I'm definitely a "homebody" by nature, loving the quiet days at home. Both my dear hubby and I never tire of these quiet days, and have unending projects and things that we love to do at home. So these "snow days" and warnings to stay out of the extreme cold weather did not bother us at all. One of the blessings of retirement!

I love that sourdough baking has become to feel more like a hobby, than a task. We never need to buy bread from the stores anymore, for this weekly routine brings so much joy. The whole process of baking with sourdough - the feeding of the starter, mixing of the dough, the bulk rising, the shaping, the second rising, and then the actual baking of the bread - has all become a natural routine for me each week. And I am also loving using my Bakehouse Doughmat (12" by 18" size) that was a fun birthday gift last fall. It sure helps with the rising of dough these cold winter months!

Though I've been sourdough baking since the fall of 2023, I've been focusing on learning even more these first two months of 2025. There is so much to learn! Part of my learning recently has been to use different ratios of starter, flour, and water, depending on the temperature of my kitchen, and making it work better with my daily routine. I've also been finding some new-to-me sourdough bakers on Instagram, and getting tips from them. One of my new favorites is Second Rise Sourdough on Instagram, which is where I found the recipe for the Basic Artisan Sourdough Bread, pictured above.

One of the great benefits of needing to just stay home this past week, is that I ended up having time each day to work for hours with Estate work for my brother who passed away in December. As he was cared for nearby for the last two years of his life, I've recently been appointed as the Personal Representative for his Estate. It was a blessing to have this week to make a lot of progress. I am grateful for God's care and wisdom as we continue on caring for Loren's affairs. Our dining room table has been literally covered with papers this past week, with Estate work, plus prep for our tax appt this next week. And mixing in the delicious and comforting aroma of sourdough bread makes it go even better!

Good books are such a rich source of joy and learning. I just finished this book earlier today ... Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons. Her books are always encouraging and motivating, and this newest one did not disappoint. I'm thankful for her reminders and encouragement to embrace our present, our current circumstances, to actively settle in, abiding deeply, and thriving in whatever situation we find ourselves in. And also to embrace even the hard seasons, for God is using them to refine and mature us. 

One of the two historical fiction books I read this month was The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz, one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Set in the time of the Jacobite Rebellion in England, it gave a captivating and insightful look into that time period. I love how she uses rich fictional characters to immerse us into the historical setting. 

Starting Out the Year with Good Books

It has been extra quiet here on my blog for a few months, but with much going on in real life. We had a wonderful visit from my older siblings (who live a distance away) in the fall, followed by the passing away of our youngest brother the first week of December. Loren suffered from Parkinson's for many years, and we were privileged to have him being cared for nearby in Omaha for the last two years of his life. Close by, where we could have weekly input into his life and care.

Christmas season was a mix of the joy of being with our three daughters and their families who live here in Nebraska (missing others who live a distance away), and also the grieving of our loss. 

The first half of January 2025 has started out with both my husband and I fighting off some bad colds and coughs. Maybe made worse by our exhaustion emotionally and physically. So this New Year has started out extra slow for us.

I love how God cares for us (and for you) in the midst of real life - in the midst of joy and also when in the midst of grieving. 

One of the evidences of His comfort and care comes through filling our minds with His Truth, and also in giving us good books to relax with.

Starting Out the Year with Good Books

On my pile at the start of January:

My (in)Courage Devotional Bible 

I love this CSB Bible - the design, the translation, and the space for a bit of journaling. Though I am reading chronologically through the Bible using the sequence from the Chronological Life Application Study Bible, I often read the passages directly from my Devotional Bible, as well. As of January 1st, reading chronologically, I was up to the Acts 15 reading. 

My husband and I love to have a devotional that we read together in the evenings. Last year we read through New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp - so very good! And this year, we are reading through Grace & Glory by Louis Giglio, also so very good.

For relaxation, I usually have a historical fiction book on my reading pile. My first book of the year, which I completed a few days ago, is A Bound Heart, by Laura Frantz, at the top of my growing list of favorite authors! Set in the mid-1700's, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

And last but not least, is my current inspirational/learning book ... Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton. Such an encouraging, insightful book on prayer. A good focus to start the New Year out with. 

I just love this quote from the first chapter of the book. We often try to make prayer so complicated, and something that we need "to do". And this may be the faulty thinking that keeps us from what prayer really is meant to be. I love how the author explains so clearly what prayer is at its core. The reason why Jesus Himself pulled away to just "be with the Father". And the reason why we are drawn to the same. Such a priceless joy and privilege!

What is on your book pile at the beginning of 2025? I love to get ideas from others on "Good Reads", as well, especially from some of our daughters who also love to read. Last year I read a total of 29 books, and have set my goal a bit higher this coming year! So much learning and joy from good books!

 

A Collection: January Books and Cozy Winter Decor

Closing out this first month of the year with a few book recommendations! The winter months are the perfect time to curl up with a book, especially during the evening hours. My dear husband loves to read, as well, and we both even prefer a good book over watching tv. 

I had the joy of reading three books this month ... one nonfiction book, and two fiction books. And I loved them all! A nonfiction for learning and growing, and fiction books to relax with in the evenings. I also have just started reading my second nonfiction book for this year: Holy Hygge, and am loving it, as well. I recommend each of these books.

My three books completed in January:

The Story Keeper - by Lisa Wingate

One of my favorite authors for fiction, I like how Lisa Wingate draws us into the hearts and lives of the main characters. This book (a birthday gift from a daughter - thanks, Sara!), is set in the Appalachians, and is the second book in her "Carolina Chronicles" series. 

Heaven Rules - by Nancy DeMoss Wilgemuth

My husband read this first, and highly recommended that I read it, as well. It is such a timely read, especially in the confusion and heartache of the times we live in. The author uses Daniel as a backdrop as well as multiple personal stories, to remind us that we know Who is ultimately in charge, and Who we need to keep our hearts and trust focused on.

A Heart Adrift - by Laura Frantz

I love to have a historical fiction book to pick up and read, and Laura Frantz never disappoints. My favorites need to be accurate to history so I can learn, and also carry a redemptive quality. This book definitely meets those qualities, and is set in 1775 as the threat of war with France loomed large over colonial Virginia. 

I'm also going through A Lovely Life season by season, and finished the "Winter" section during January. Melissa Michaels gives such good insight and ideas for "Home-Making", and "Soul-Tending" each season of the year. This beautiful coffee table style book, a gift from my dear hubby, is a delight and inspiration. 

Finishing up this post by sharing a few photos of some of my winter decor around our home. I've been trying to focus more on the beauty of the season itself, and then will add extra decor for the various winter holidays, as well. 

A little silver tray with a touch of beauty on our kitchen counter, and with some wise encouragement as we start out our days.

The centerpiece on our dining room table was perfect for Christmas, and also for these next two winter months. I just changed it out a bit by adding the gray and white "table throw" that I purchased this month. Adding another layer adds a depth of warmth and cozyness, which I love these winter months.

The display above, on our dining room buffet, had a few other items on it during the Christmas season, which I changed out with a touch of green and spring to come. Small little touches that bring a sense of peace and beauty for each changing season.

And finally, a few quotes I love from the Winter section of A Lovely Life.

"Some of us stumble into our dream homes by creating something beautiful and attainable with what we have right in front of us."

"Short winter days might be exactly the gift we need. With less daylight for the hustle and bustle of activity, we can savor the downtime of longer winter evenings, of quiet activity and reflection."

Closing Out Another Year

 

Entering in here, with a quiet little post to finish out the year 2022. It has been quite an unusual year for us. So full of happenings (from radiation treatment for my precious husband, with everything turning out very well! ... to spending quality time with my siblings, including working together moving our youngest brother to an assisted living facility just two blocks from our home). All of these happenings left very little time for me to write and post here. Something I really do love to do, but just needed to be set aside for a season. Actually, a rather long season.

But I am not complaining ... it has been a lovely year, in its own way. Filled up with evidences of God's loving care, and His faithful presence in all the facets of life. We are thankful.

Here are a few little glimpses into our lives from these past few weeks ... just a random little collection of things that have given us joy.

A few weeks after the very special treat of having 21 family home for Thanksgiving, quite unexpectedly, both my hubby and I came down with one of the many cold/flu bugs that have been making the rounds. As a result, we had a very quiet Christmas together this year. 

Our new pre-lit flocked Christmas tree that we had purchased the end of November, together with the warmth from our electric fireplace stove ... provided a very cozy setting for us to rest up during our days of not feeling well. We had some super cold days right before Christmas and over Christmas weekend, so it was the perfect time to just stay indoors.

Oh, we really do love our Skylight Photo Frame, a Christmas gift from our family a year ago for Christmas!  It's quite magical, with photos that they email to our Skylight email address automatically appearing on our screen within a minute or less after they send them! Such a joy. We are so grateful for our growing family ... six grown children together with all the loved ones they bring with them! And very soon, we will gain another family member ... our first great-grandbaby! We are so very excited for this next season ... 

Though I absolutely love all the holiday baking and prep, it looked quite different for me this year with not feeling well in the few weeks leading up to Christmas. Also, as our family came home for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas. But there were a few things that just had to happen anyway. One of those things was the baking of cinnamon rolls, a recipe that I put together years ago. And I make these every.single.Christmas. So yummy. Click here to see the recipe.

And the holiday cookie that I could not skip, is Date Pinwheels ... click here for the recipe. My dear mother made these, and I love to continue on with the tradition. Here's a photo from a previous Christmas (date pinwheels in the upper right).

I'm spending these days reflecting, and thanking God. And also, am already overflowing with ideas and thoughts for the New Year. I hope to be posting here more regularly in the weeks/months ahead. And will just quietly trust, and wait on God for opportunities for writing and sharing here.

In the Kitchen: Winter Soups and Bread

Nothing in my kitchen can quite compete with the warmth and taste of soups during the cold, winter days and months. The beginning of January I made up a very flexible menu plan for January to March ... click here to see. I love to try new recipes, but this time I focused on using recipes from my favorites, some that I had not even made for awhile. And a favorite thing on my menu plan was to prepare one of my favorite soup recipes each week. 

Now, about three months later, I just have two more soup recipes to make! We've enjoyed twelve delicious soup recipes, with two more to go. Even though it is officially spring now, the days have continued to be in the lower temps, so soups for a week or two yet will be just great. 

Even though it's just the two of us here now (in contrast to years ago when all six of our children were still at home), I continue to make the regular size of recipe, and often even double it. Did you know that most soups freeze well? I love to have multiple meals of soup in the freezer, ready to pull out on a day when I don't have time to cook, or just prefer not to cook. 

Here is a list of some (about half!) of my favorite soup recipes:

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup (photo above)

30-Minute Chicken Noodle Soup

Best-Ever Potato Soup

Cheesy Chicken Chowder

Lemon Chicken Soup with Rice and Peas

Taco Soup

White Chicken Chili

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

And another favorite during winter, and also all year through is homemade bread! I usually make a double batch of bread every 3 months or so, and have a ready supply in the freezer. My lovely Bosch machine mixes and kneads six loaves of bread dough at a time. I took time to make some more just recently. The aroma that fills our home is almost as lovely as eating the bread itself!

Click here for a post from the past about this tasty bread.

And now, spring weather is just around the corner! A few days ago I took some time to make up another of my very flexible menu plans for the months of April and May. No soups this time around, but I'm looking forward to other favorite recipes for spring meals. Click here to see my winter season menu planning process, which I repeated again for this spring, just using different recipes.

A Collection: Inspirational Reading, Word of the Year, Desk Organization, and Remembering 20 Years Ago

Taking time to share a few highlights of this month, right before we step into the brand new month of March. I'm ready for this new month that brings the start of beautiful spring, and I'm also thankful for these February memories ...

It was the right time for me to start reading When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons. I purchased this book last fall when it was first released, but I waited until after the holidays to start this very insightful book. The subtitle says the main focus of the book very well: "Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace".  I am always so encouraged and refreshed by the writings of this author. I'm going through it very slowly, along with the accompanying Study Guide, and meeting with a good friend every few weeks as we share together what has impacted us.

Do you choose a 'word-of-the-year' each year? I have been doing so for quite a few years now. On January 1st of this year, the word that came to me to focus on throughout 2022 was one that had been on my heart often in the previous weeks, maybe even for a few months. And that word is:

Truth-filled

I am finding that it is of most importance for me to focus my mind and my heart on Truth; maybe more so with each passing year. Is it the same with you? I can be so easily prone to resort to worry, or to trying to figure things out on my own. And I can use up precious time by over-thinking, and depending on my own understanding. Maybe more than ever before, we need to fill our minds and hearts with Truth - His Truth, God's Word. I am continually adding more verses to my card collection of "Truth-filled" verses that I desire to keep handy, and pull out to think on through the days and weeks.

A bit of a tedious task this first part of 2022, but a much-needed one, and definitely worth all the work ... a re-organization of our "Home Desk" files. So much to always keep track of, and it was time to clean things up quite a bit. I especially like having my most frequently used files in easy reach, and was pleased to find these pretty file folders, and the decorative basket at Target - and also the pretty greenery plant at Home Goods. I love having this right on top of my "Home Desk", in easy reach for the weekly home office tasks.

February also held a memory of a very significant time in our family twenty years ago, when my dear husband was in a horrific accident. We share our thanks and praise to God for the big and small miracles during that very difficult season ... click here to read on our blog.

30-Minute Chicken Noodle Soup

These cold winter days

call for soup, and especially

this quick recipe of ...

30-Minute Chicken Noodle Soup.

I've been making this for years,

and just made it again last week.

It was enough for several main meals

for the two of us, and stretched to

another meal of just a small portion

which was perfect for lunch with

Grilled Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches.

Click here for the printable recipe from the Taste of Home website.

Note: click here for a bit more info about this soup on a more recent post on my blog.

NOTE: I accidentally doubled the carrots this time I made this recipe, and actually liked it that way!

Updated recipe from the past: click here to see the original post in 2011.

Word(s) of the Year for 2019: Undivided Heart

In the midst of resting up, cleaning up, and treasuring the memories from our wonderful and very memorable Family Christmas - just three days ago - I am thinking about this brand new year  ...

In a world of so many things, so much to pay attention to, so much to do, how can I (and you) keep a clear focus? How can we use our precious days and moments to nurture what is most important to us? How can we keep from becoming frazzled and used up? How can we care for our own souls, and in turn, be able to give our best to those we care for the most? 

How can I live with an undivided heart

for what matters the most?

What is it that matters the most to me? To you? Our lists may be different, but the core will be the same ... what matters the most is what makes us come alive. What is life-giving, what feeds our souls. Maybe even, what we are created for.

What matters the most to me ...

Immanuel: God with us. 

Living each day experiencing the greatest love there is: God's love and presence with us. This is what we are made for, and what is most soul-feeding, and life-giving ... walking closely with God. Our greatest gift, our greatest privilege.

My precious husband and family.

Every year that passes I grow more in love with Gary, and also with the family God has blessed us with, gifts beyond measure. I don't want to be too busy for the people I love the most.

Kindred friends, and all those God brings us to love.

The gift of friends becomes more precious with each passing year. We are made for community, for loving and caring for others, and I want to make room in my heart and my days for them.

Our home, a place of refuge, of belonging.

Home matters to me; it's where we spend so many moments, where we are refreshed and energized for all that God has for us. It's a place to share life with others, a place of rest.

Encouragement and care through words, through writing.

Writing is how I process my thoughts, how I learn and grow, and often, how I encourage those around me. Using our words is how we communicate, how we seek to grow and understand, and how we share things of the heart. 

What are the things 

that matter the most to you?

Today, at the start of this New Year 2019, I am asking God to show me, to lead me through the year, each day, each moment, towards what matters the most.

I am asking for an 

"undivided heart".

Welcome February!

January was certainly full of the unexpected. In the midst of some slower days at the beginning of the month, while starting into the new year in slow-mode after a full and wonderful and amazing Family Christmas with our whole family home, we received a phone call that moved us very quickly onto a fast-track of emotions. Of grief, of phone calls, and then of the arrival of my brothers and sisters (in-law) from the east coast and the west coast. 

The phone call on Jan. 10th informed us that my father had fallen in his apartment in an Assisted Living facility nearby. He was taken by rescue squad later that day; it was determined that he had had a heart attack. After some precious time with him that evening, through the night, and into the next day, he passed away the evening of Jan. 11th. He was 96 years old, and had been longing for heaven, and to be reunited with his dear wife (my loving mother) ever since she passed away in 2007. So, his home-going was an answer to his prayers, and we are celebrating with him! At the same time, we are grieving our loss. It is definitely an adjustment to have lost both of my parents now. 

It has been a journey through many emotions since that day he left us. And it has been an intense journey as we have packed up his apartment, and also as we are taking care of all of his business affairs. A new experience for me, for sure ... a new journey, a new path.

And I am in need of new strength, new peace, and new wisdom. How very grateful I am that our God never changes; He always remains the same, His promises are always secure. Even though our circumstances change. I love this quote from the beginning of the new Gracelaced book, by Ruth Chou Simons ...

"Jesus' character -

as our refuge, as trustworthy,

as sufficient, as ever-present,

as wise, as merciful, as in control,

and as sovereign Lord -

breaks through the harsh cold of the season

as He steps in to carry our burdens,

reminding us that true rest comes

when we rest in Him."

(Ruth Chou Simons)

And as we step into this beautiful month of February, 

we can trust in, rest in, and expect the same ... 

His Presence with us along each path He leads us on,  

throughout each day that dawns, 

and in the midst of each moment of each day.

(free photo from pixabay)

To Savor the Seasons, To Savor Each Day

It can come so silently that we don't recognize it,

crowding it's way into our minds and our lives.

And gradually it takes over,

dictating our days, occupying our every moment.

It happens over and over again.

And we need to be rescued over and over again.

A pre-occupation with tasks, a busy hurried mindset, a focus on the urgent. 

A missing out on seeing, really seeing, all the beauty around us, in the eyes and hearts of those we love, in what we hold in our hands, in the every day of our lives.

Sometimes all it takes is a silent prayer, a cry for help, 

and the quieting of our hearts -

to draw us back into really seeing ...

Our summer, and especially our 18-day Pacific Coast Trip were just what we needed after a very, very busy six months. When we arrived back home, we were completely refreshed, filled up in heart and soul. And we purposed to hang on to that sense of rest, even in the midst of work and responsibilities.

But the busy, the rush, and the urgent have a way of slowly and surely creeping back into our lives again, don't they? 

And there is a need to push the pause button, 

to purposely slow down. Again.

I am not alone in this. I see it everywhere I go. 

I love how Shauna Niequist describes this longing in each of us for the ability to savor our moments, our time with those we love, our every day.

"What I want to do is savor this life - my life, my children, my community, this gorgeous world God created. That's what we all want, right? To soak up the goodness all around us, to be aware of holy fingerprints everywhere, to walk through each day expecting and noticing those glints and shimmers of the divine right in the daily - in a hug. a tomato sandwich, a quiet moment, a text from someone we love.

That's what I want, and so often I miss it. I lay in bed at night frustrated with myself that I allowed the minor annoyances of life to obscure the rich melody underneath it. I rush and push and don't even see the beauty all around me. I let my fear about the unknowns in our future or my desire to control everything and everyone around cover over the deep beauty and grace and peace that are playing like a drumbeat under everything." (Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are)

What if we paused to notice,

quieted our hearts to listen,

opened our eyes to really see

what is happening all around us -

the glimpses into another's heart,

the traces of God's love, 

everywhere, everyday.

I am thanking God for showing me, again, how easy it is for me to become wrapped up in tasks, in responsibilities and accomplishments. All good things, and worthy callings. But drawing me ever so slowly away from what is most important ... to take time to sit quietly, to notice the beauty in the every day, to listen and to care deeply, to soak in the gifts of His Presence, and His Love.

Good reminders ... each day.

And on this first day of Beautiful Fall.

(Giving credit - and my thanks -  
for the free printout in photo frame above: amberhousley.com)