Why do I like this recipe above all others? Basically, it's easy! I use a blender, not a food processor, so in other recipes, where you add the oil at the end, in this one you do it first and it gives enough liquid to move the basil and not clog the machine. And it's so good! I'll put a few recipe ideas below.
Lovely life goes on here and February has included a visit from a good friend, Cork Poppers (which I hosted), and more! Valentine week started on Monday with a surprise delivery of flowers from a dear friend. They're so cheery and I loved them!
Rick made a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner. This is the first year I haven't written a poetry book for him about our past year. January just got out of control and I feel kind of sad about it, though I may pony up later in the year. But I did paint a valentine! So that helped assuage my conscience a wee bit.
Our February Cork Poppers gathered at my house (crammed in between Christmas trees and decor because the basement is awaiting its mold removal!). Since it was only a few days before Valentine's Day I decided the theme should be "Wines We Love" and every couple was to bring a particular wine or a type of wine (Pinot Grigio, Malbec, etc.) that they loved. Or from a place they loved. Shouldn't be hard (and it wasn't)!
Not long ago, that furry, red, Muppet favorite, Elmo, asked on X (Twitter) "How are you doing?" And boy, did people tell him! The consensus? The people weren't doing all that well with stress related from everything to illness to job issues, family problems to the nitpicky problems that occur in day to day life.
It's probably good I didn't see that tweet because I would have added my two cents, too! We've been having a bit of a rough time of it here this winter. On one hand, I have been dealing with some health issues along with computer challenges and the mold problem. Rick, meanwhile, has been dealing with some challenging things related to the transition of his business. And Lizzie is having a few issues too. We've all been struggling and, fortunately, have each other for support.
But we're not the only ones. I've noticed a number of bloggers are going through challenging times with either illness or the illness of family members. Another blogger has been trying to get action from an insurance company after a fire. Still more have work issues or family issues. Lots of us are stressed politically. We all have something sometime.
As I've often said before, we all get a turn, and this is ours. Maybe yours, too.
There is nothing better for a reader than to start off a new year with three very good books! And I am happy to say that I've enjoyed every minute of my reading experiences this month! Let's take a look at two solid mysteries and one monster-sized biography that was outstanding.
One evening last month, Rick and I glanced at my computer showing a slide show of "My Pictures" as a screen saver. This one came up and we both agreed -- that first walk on our first trip to Myrtle Beach was one we would never forget.
Last week we had dinner at the home of friends. It was so frigid outside that when we arrived and entered, greeted by hugs, an inviting fire in the fireplace, and a glass of wine it was like going to heaven. When we left five and a half hours later, we realized it was after eleven. I had no idea. The conversation, the laughter, the warmth, made me forget the chill outside. That's what friendship can do for people.
This year I read 55 books with a total of 17,785 pages. Not my best, not my worst. And for the most part, they were worth the time. And really, that's the most important part!
Books with links click back to my reviews earlier this year.
Here is my Top Twelve (in no particular order)
(I meant to post this last spring when we did this and I'm not sure what happened! So... step into my friend Barb's kitchen for a fun day of pretzel making -- and a link to the recipe!)
I'm so glad my friend Barb loves to teach us new things! When she asked if we wanted to learn to make soft pretzels, do you think I hesitated for a second? Of course not!
So, it was off to her home, where the first thing we saw entering was this!
Here in Michigan we have coasted along the early winter weeks wondering where winter was. (I, for one, wasn't complaining.) True, the skies were gray, there was plenty of drizzle, and it wasn't great weather for something like a picnic, but the temps were adequate (high for the month) and I didn't mind not having to battle snow or ice if headed out.
Then we got our share of the deep freeze.
I haven't had a Cork Poppers post in months so I had been looking forward to our September gathering for weeks. Yes, September. Life happened but now I'm happy to update you with our autumn Corkie escapade!
When Kate chose "wines of Spain" as our theme, I was excited -- I love Spanish wine and plans for a potluck menu of Spanish-related foods and cheeses sounded delicious.
Then I got on meds where I couldn't have red wine, cheese, sausage (like chorizo) or all the other good stuff! But I could still have loads of fun!
No, not that King.
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| Wikimedia Commons |
Or this one.
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| Wikipedia |
You may recall my holiday baking hit a snafu when I found alien matter in my King Arthur flour.
After last month's embarrassing solo entry, I was happy to finish off three books. All these are mysteries and all are worth your time.
This year I did something I rarely do -- check to see what my most viewed posts of the year were. Several of my favorite bloggers have taken this look back and I enjoy it, because I sometimes find ones I've missed! I know those who have advertising on their blogs do this more often than I -- and it makes sense. During my years of working in marketing and promotion, I learned that if you want to attract the dollars you have to appeal to the public taste. More eyeballs, more revenue potential.
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| photo of mural taken several years ago at ArtPrize, Grand Rapids. Artist unknown |
I don't advertise on The Marmelade Gypsy. Blogging offers me an online journaling platform and the gift of making friendships from around the world. Since Blogger is a free platform, I don't need to worry about paying for it.
But it IS curious to know what people do like, what was the most interesting to them. So, here -- with links back in case you are new -- are those with the most views in 2023.
In 2022 my guiding word was "Endure." We had wrapped up 2021 with its Covid restrictions, isolation, and the January 6 insurrection and 2022 wasn't looking any better. It felt like an odd choice then -- here on Marmelade Gypsy I wrote:
"At the holidays, we were reflecting on a word or two to describe 2021. (I said "schizophrenic.") My friend Jan said "Endure." And that's what I feel about the 2022. Endure it. Slog through the isolation, the news, the doc appointments, the uncertainty. Just endure it."
Then for 2023, I thought I needed to up my game, become a little more hopeful, so I chose "Rabbit" -- which was because it was the year of the rabbit and that symbolically had qualities I wanted to emulate.
At the end of the year (or beginning of the new one) I like to take a look back at some of my favorite or most significant moments of the new year. So join me on this look back -- and a look ahead to 2024.
The month began with art -- not creating it but seeing some of the best in the world, with a visit to a magnificent Van Gogh exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Friends and family. Holiday treats. Red-nosed reindeer. For me, that's what Christmas is all about!
To be honest, this year there is little difference between December at the Ditch and November at the Ditch. Even the holiday ornaments that sprang up there a few years ago haven't yet appeared. I suspect everyone is as behind schedule as I am.
On the 14th -- a Thursday -- we told the kids we would seen them in a "couple of weeks from tomorrow." The next day I looked at the calendar and realized we would see them only ONE WEEK from that day (the 22nd). In between that, there was insulation installation, a wedding I didn't know we were going to until a couple of days before that, cards to make, cards to send and not a speck of baking done.
Barb and Mike were our hosts for Cork Poppers this month and the wines of Italy didn't disappoint!
We started out with Barb's homemade limoncello, which Bob poured.
One reason I'm behind in the holidays is that I've been having some fun. And that, my friends, is a good thing!
I think the house is about as ready as it's going to be for the holidays. Time to move on to shopping, wrapping, mailing, baking and cards! Oh my!
So, here is the rest of the living room, family room and kitchen, starting with the living room.
Everywhere I visit on Blogland I see people's beautiful holiday decorations and lovely trees. Meanwhile, I'm still working on it!
But I thought I'd offer a bit of a progress report! I'm getting Christmas up, one tree at a time, one Santa at a time.
Well, for those of you who say I read a lot of books in a month -- well, that's anything but the case! In Novmber I finished one book. Lots of reasons for not reading -- and no excuses!
This collection of essays is by one of my favorite authors. It's not my personal favorite of her works (including her essays -- her "These Precious Days" was one of my favorite books of 2023). But there are many small gems in this one and, as many essay collections work, each one may resonate differently with each reader.
When I first started writing this -- which was mid-November, right before we visited the kids -- it was a glorious November day, one of several. The temperature hit 65, and maybe even topped it. The sun was out and there was no real wind! It couldn't have been a better (or more unusual) day for the season. When you have a day like that, you grab it. We know what is around the corner. Today there is snow -- and so cold!
It happens every November. On the weekend before Thanksgiving, my friend Jan and I hit the Northville Greens Market in search of the perfect wreath! (And maybe a present to two!) Then, and only then, has the official season begun.
How much fun can you cram into a long weekend? When two boys are involved -- ages 5 and 6 (although we are reminded, he's almost 7!), the answer is "a lot!"
Rick and I were kid-sitting the boys while their parents were spending time with a cousin in Indiana. We decided they shouldn't have all the fun and had quite an agenda of activities. The oldest had been asking about "doing a craft" since we last saw him, so I cam supplied with lots of crafty projects for Christmas ornaments.
First, a bit of housekeeping before I get into the post. If you have a Wordpress blog, I'm having a terrible time commenting on your posts. Carole, Gigi, Erin, Gretchen and many others, I've tried. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I'm logged into Wordpress, but it doesn't matter if I click the icon next to my photo or reply (or both), it won't go through. I've logged off and back in -- no matter. So, I'm still reading but if you don't see a comment from me, don't give up on me! (It's nice to know Blogger isn't the only one with periodic issues!)
This week, I'm on a post art sale high. We had a wonderful time at Mistletoe Market, seeing many friends and making new ones, too.
I don't know how I managed to get in five books in October. They include a novel I loved, a travel book I didn't like at all, and three mysteries, including a marvelous "outing" with those divinely odd detectives, Bryan and May.
Is anyone else a little freaked out that we are well into November? Less than two months till Christmas? There was a time when I was more or less done with Christmas shopping by the first of November. This year I haven't even started.
