Frank Sinatra - It Was A Very Good Year

 I listened to this song the other day on a record of Sinatra's greatest hits.  This is by far my favorite song he has ever recorded and there are many of his that I enjoy.  There's just something absolutely haunting about his version.  Everything works for me...the orchestrations, the vocals, the lyrics.  And I'm not sharing this one because of the irony of the title in conjunction with last year.  I just happen to love this song and it's reflective aspects.  And that's a good way for me to start the new year.  Enjoy!

Working on the Closet

 Well, I finally got around to start working on cleaning out the closet.  I'm not finished, not by any means, but have gotten a start on it.  In order not to overwhelm myself, I divided it into 3 sections.  Well, I didn't literally because it's already divided into 3 sections.  I just knew that if I tackled one section at a time, then I would get overwhelmed and just quit.  I tend to do that haha!

Going through the clothes was pretty painless.  I managed to both throw out things that were too worn to be donated and also started my donation pile.  Only one piece managed to be taken off the donation pile and put back in the closet....and that was not my decision either!  Most of my shirts still fit, even if I have to suck my gut in....ah, well.  I had some white shirts that the sleeves were way to short, so out they went.  I also realized that I have way more coats than I need.  I suppose I should start wearing some more often.  Still, I did manage to get rid of one that's really nice but I will never wear, so it's time for someone else to enjoy it.  The one piece that got returned was a vintage 70's brown leather fur lined jacket.  It's missing a few buttons, but it's fun and Michael wanted me to keep it.  So, back into the closet it went.  All in all, I was happy with having some more room in the hanging section.

The bottom of the closet was a little more daunting.  I'm not sure when the last time I'd actually seen the floor of the closet was.  Way too many travel bags, shoes, and just tons of miscellaneous crap.  I tend to just toss things into the bottom of the closet and think "I'll get to that later."  Well, it's now "later" and I'm getting to it LOL  I found boxes of Christmas cards...I think I won't have to buy any new ones for a few years.  There were jewelry boxes...found my high school ring...and boxes of old coins.  There were about 6 pairs of shoes in there I'd forgotten about, including some nice cowboy boots. And just lots of things that could be tossed.  

Now, the hard part.  When I take stuff out of the closet that doesn't belong there yet I'm not getting rid of it....where does it go now?  Some things found a home in the bedroom....at least temporarily....but many things are in a big pile in the office.  I'm not sure where they will end up but that's where they are for now.  The next task will be the top of the closet, which is more stuffed than the bottom.  So I imagine that my big pile of stuff in the office is going to get bigger for awhile.  

Of course, they may end up right back where they started, but if they do I will at least make an effort to organize them better.  Until my next adventure in purging....keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I tackle the rest of the closet.  Wish me luck!!

Downsizing....one thing at a time

 I know that we all, at the beginning of a new year and the ending of an old one, make goals for ourselves.  We all do it, whether or not we follow through with it, because it makes us feel good.  And having a goal can be very inspiring.  Even as strange and crappy as 2020 was in many respects, I still have set some goals for myself.  I like having something to work towards.  It gives me a good sense of direction.

One of my goals for this year is to downsize.  Lots of people make this goal...some succeeding, some not.  I have personally made this goal many times and have not quite achieved it.  Ah, well.  This year I decided to approach it differently.  I am not doing anything drastic like going from 8 rooms of furniture to 3 (unless it's by necessity but I don't plan on moving any time soon LOL)  This year I am going to take it one thing at a time.  One shelf.  One drawer.  One closet.  One piece of furniture.  This way I do not overwhelm myself in the beginning and simply quit out of frustration.  That does me no good.

So, I started last weekend by going through one thing at a time.  I tackled the cubbies and drawers of my secretary.  I also went through the mess that is my filing cabinet.  So many old bills and mailings that needed to be disposed of.  I went through the bookcase that has many books and most of my records on it.  I managed to get rid of several things that will go to the used bookstore.  It felt good to clear up space and have things in more of an order.  I'm actually starting to see floor space again that was once covered in piles of stuff.  Of course, some of those piles have simply moved across the room because I'm not sure exactly what to do with that stuff yet, but I will get there!

I am working my way around a room while doing this process.  I pick a starting point and then make my way around until I am back where I started.  The end result of the first time doing this may not be ideal to what my mind pictures, but it is definitely an improvement.  It is a slow process for sure but I'm totally fine with that!  As I am working my way around the room, the closet in the office is what appears to be next.  This is a big one and I am determined to not be intimidated by it.  It's crammed full of all kinds of things.  I know that if I can get through this one, I can pretty much get through anything in the house!

I will update soon to the progress of the closet.  Wish me luck. I am going to need it!

Recipe of the Week - Broccoli Cheddar Soup

 This is one of those soups that is just good comfort food.  It has been on my cooking bucket list for awhile, so I decided it was time to tackle it!  There are tons of recipes out there for broccoli cheddar soup.  We didn't have this growing up, so I did not have a recipe of Mom's to refer to.  I searched through some cookbooks and online and found this one on delish.com.  It's pretty easy and very tasty.  I am definitely going to add this to my repertoire!  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

4 tbsp. 

butter

1 

medium yellow onion, chopped

2 

stalks celery, thinly sliced

1/4 c. 

all-purpose flour

3 c. 

low-sodium chicken broth

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 

large head broccoli, finely chopped

1 

large carrot, grated

2 c. 

whole milk

3 c. 

shredded cheddar, plus more for garnish

In your soup/stock pot, saute onion and celery over medium heat until soft.  Whisk in flour and let cook for one minute.  Slowly add your chicken broth, then season with salt and pepper.  Stir in broccoli and carrots.  Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.  Slowly add the milk, then stir in the cheddar.  Season with salt and pepper.  Top with more cheddar and serve!

*Check your temperature when you add the flour.  I always have to turn mine down to low to keep the flour from burning.

*I used 2% milk and it worked just fine!

Recipe of the Week - Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice

 Chicken and rice is something I had never made before now.  We did not have it growing up, as I recall.  If we did, I do not remember it.  We had a lot of chicken and rice casseroles, but not the stove top dish.  Anyway, a few weeks ago I was not feeling well....my sinuses were really acting up...and I wanted some comfort food.  But I wanted new comfort food, something I had not made before.  A few weeks prior, our neighbor Lois brought us over some chicken and rice she had made and it was wonderful.  So, I searched online for a recipe and came upon this one.  It was on a website called thesaltymarshmallow.com.  It sounded good, so I thought I would give it a try.  Michael and I both enjoyed it and this recipe is a keeper!

Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice

1.5 lbs chicken, diced

4 Tbsp butter

1 large onion, diced

3 tsp minced garlic

2 Tbsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp salt

2.5 cups chicken broth

1 cup long grain rice

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Parsley

Melt butter in a large stockpot on medium high heat.  Add onion and cook until it begins to soften.  Add chicken, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper.  Cook until chicken is browned.  Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.  Once the garlic is thoroughly blended, add your chicken stock and rice and bring that to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 17-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.  Stir in heavy cream and parmesan.  Sprinkle with parsley and serve.  Enjoy!

* if you don't have Italian seasoning on hand, a blend of thyme, oregano, rosemary and basil works!

How Far Is It To Bethlehem?

 I actually have this sheet music sitting on the piano right now.  I first heard this anthem years ago at FBC in Monroe.  The Women's Choir sang it one year during the Advent.  Mom loved this song and we would play and sing it often.  Good music and good memories.  Enjoy!

The First Noel

 I love David Lanz's music, both original and his arrangements.  His Christmas arrangements are no exception.  Enjoy!