The January 2024 Guide

As I type this, I’m watching the snow slowly melt outside the office window. The remodel on my second floor, where the office is located, was finished in November. I pretty much instantly decorated for Christmas while in the throes of filming all of my holiday videos. Thus, I never really had a chance to use the office for its intended purpose: work!

Now, in January, I’ve enjoyed the space to its fullest. Just like I dreamed, I was able to watch a few snow storms roll in, all while sipping on a cup of coffee. As the wind blew, drifts built up in the backyard, and now I’m watching them all disappear while the weather is a bit warmer. I always wanted a space to work in and truly experience the seasons. While I type my posts for the website or research new recipes to create, I’ve slowly been transitioning the space back to everyday decor.

I call this “shopping my house.” I have yet to purchase any new decor for the upstairs and am going through closets and storage tubs instead to see what pieces from my collections can find new life in the upstairs. I’m savoring the process and enjoy how everything is slowly coming together. That said, a final renovation update video and accompanying post will arrive in the following weeks as a remodel wrap-up, all with paint colors and links to sources.

This is the cozy time of winter that I enjoy. I’ve yet to reach the point where I beg for spring; I’m guessing those feelings will arise sometime in February. Instead, this is a time we can catch up, chat over a warm cup of coffee (I’m enjoying a turmeric latte), and find out what has been happening on the farm.

Let’s talk about garden planning.

For me, it’s therapeutic to think about and plan the garden while the snow blows around. There’s a certain comfort in knowing that beneath the snow drifts, roots are alive and waiting to grow. I finally went through my box of seed packets to see what was lacking or needed to be replaced. I discard any seed packet that is three years old or older. Germination rates decline as seeds age, and while many are still active for much longer, our time is precious, so knowing I have fresh seeds every few years removes the worry of a plant not sprouting indoors.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the seeds I replaced or added to this year’s garden, not including the ones I already have on hand:

• Cabbage: Golden Acre, Tete Noire, Hilton, Famosa
• Lettuce: Forellenschluss, Buttercrunch, Green Sweet Crisp, Newham​
• Tomato: Alice’s Dream, Amish Paste​
• Broccoli and cauliflower: Purple of Sicily, Amazing, Early Purple Sprouting, Rapini​
• Radish: Early Scarlet Globe, French Breakfast, Easter Basket Mix, Japanese Minowase Daikon, Saxa 2, Round Black Spanish​
• Kale: Dazzling Blue
• Mustard Greens: Green Macerata, Japanese Giant Red​
• Okra: Alabama Red, Burgundy
• Peppers: Hot Hungarian (I use these in my hot pepper mustard recipe), Flavorburst (yellow bell pepper)
• Cucumbers: Early Fortune, The General, Excelsior
• Summer squash: Incredible Escalator (climbing)
• Winter squash: Green Striped Cushaw, Burpee’s Butterbush Butternut​
• Pumpkins: Duchess, Igor, Baby Bear, Pipsqueak, Casperita, Jack Be Little​

This is a lot of seeds, considering I’ll also use some I have on hand from previous years. But I’ll only plant one or two of some and many more of others.

This year, my orders are coming from Baker Creek Rare Seeds, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Renee’s Garden. There are many great companies, but these have the seeds I’m looking for. I’ll start my first seeds in February and will make sure to post stories about it all!

If you’re interested, make sure to read my post about how to start seeds.

Let’s talk about food.

I’ve been in total soup mode since Christmas. I love to make a large batch, stash it in the refrigerator, and eat on it for a few days. Here are the soups that I’ve been making:

• ​Chicken tortilla soup is super delicious and a bit lighter than it sounds. It’s thickened with white beans rather than milk or cream, which keeps it healthier.
• ​Chili is my hands-down favorite soup, and I probably make this at least once per week in the winter. If you love chili but are looking for something a bit different, you can try my turkey quinoa chili (super healthy), my white bean chicken chili, or even my black bean and squash chili.
• ​Creamy curry lentil soup made with sweet potatoes is a go-to for a healthy comfort soup.
• ​Loaded baked potato soup has all the components that we love, with pieces of potato and bacon.

I always want something lighter but comforting in the winter, and my Brussels sprout hash recipe is my current obsession. It has the flavor of a potato hash straight from a diner but fills you with greens and an egg or two on top.

My recipe for shepherd’s pie (also known as cottage pie since I used beef) is always a hit when looking for some traditional comfort food. You could also opt for my new recipe for chicken pot pie with cheddar crust. It omits that bottom crust (which can get soggy) and focuses on a delicious cheese-filled top crust.

Life is all about balance, and that goes for food, too. In Michael Pollen’s words, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

Let’s talk about Kip.

Besides being excellent, what can I say about my 5 and 1/2-year-old Frenchie, Kip? Since his bout with colitis and IBD in July, which caused a super close call and a hard decision, he has done fantastic. His ability to come back and live a beautiful life fills me with immense joy and gratitude. Since July, he’s been on a strict low-fat diet that includes some occasional treats, especially those low in fat. He was a bit confused about why his yummy favorites were no longer being handed out, but he’s adapted and is now so incredibly excited about the food he can eat (Just Food for Dogs). Just the other day, I baked up a batch of his favorite peanut butter treats, and he eagerly awaits them in the evening, sometimes even sitting patiently by the cabinet they’re kept in. Does this mean he loves a treat too much?! 🤣

Last week, Kip had a check-up at the University of Illinois just to see if everything is where it should be. He passed with flying colors and even got to see the doctor who was on his case when he was at his worst back in July. It was nice to have the doctor see how much better he is now!

Kip has given me some of the most challenging moments, but they’re always followed by the best reunions and snuggle times on the couch. The winter weather has him yearning for warmer days, including more outdoor time, but he’s pretty content to bask in the sunlight on most days, just like this picture:

That’s it for this first month of the new year! I can’t believe how fast the time is flying by already. I hope that you’ll savor this last day of the month, drink something hot (or cold if it’s warm where you are), and reflect on the month that was. Until we talk about next month, stay safe!