The slumber of winter hibernation is wearing thin on most of us, and with so much weighing on what Mr. Groundhog has to say this month, we are all in need of a hint of the Spring that awaits us at the end of this long winter. This February I will be taking advantage of the last few opportunities of winter hibernation and delighting in all the domestic joys February brings.
Enjoying Super Bowl Sunday: The buzz of football has most certainly skipped our family, so we are hitting the outdoors with a family game of touch football, complete with a tailgating party fit for any True Prep. After the game we will be reliving the game over Chicken Wraps, Grid Iron Bars and Tangy Potato Salad, get the menu here.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day is like Marmite, you either love it, or loathe it. This year I am embracing it with full enthusiasm, turning my celebratory meal into a feast for the senses, stay tuned for a bounty of aphrodisiac foods that are certain to get you in the mood for love.
Hydro planting bulbs: I loved planting bulbs in London, nothing gave me more pleasure than watching Snow Drops peak out of the winter soil each February. However, gardening in the Southwest leaves little room for floral delight. This year I am bringing the bulbs indoors and learning to hydro-plant. As I write this I have a collection of 10 vases ready for me to roll up my sleeves and get ‘planting’. I can’t wait to see my kitchen window spring to life this month.
Getting the most of out seasonal produce like Cabbage, Chicory, Parsnips, Rhubarb, Oranges, Swede, Cauliflower and Pears. Also great this month are Oysters, Mussels, and Venison.
Delighting in fresh seasonal flowers like Freesia, Gerber Daisy, Iris, Lilly of the Valley, Lisianthus and Daffidils.
Enjoying National Chocolate Month: Everyone loves this delicate indulgence. Rather than buying chocolate treats, I opt to my make my own; and before you gasp in admiration, trust me, it is easier than you think, and here is my recipe for curing the common sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 1 bar of milk melting chocolate, 200g will make 8 molded chocolates.
- 1 tablespoon of clear honey (used to bind the mixture)
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (used to clarify & soften the mixture)
- 1 silicone chocolate mold
Instructions
- Break chocolate into small pieces (I use a rolling pin) place in glass mixing bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. Once it begins to melt, stir in the butter and honey. Stir until completely melted to avoid burning the chocolate. Once melted, use a spoon to ladle the mixture into the molds. Add dried fruit, finely chopped nuts or anything your heart desires to the mold and layer with chocolate to seal them in. Once the moulds are done, pop in the fridge, let sit for 2 hours and then remove them from their trays. Leave in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
Notes
By Coryanne Ettiene | Housewifebliss.com | 2012
Honouring National Bird Feeding Month: It has been a long winter, and no one can vouch for that more than your garden birds. While I am not an advocate of feeding wild birds, I do enjoy creating a friendly environment for the birds that frequent our garden, not only are they are a joy to watch, creating bird feeders in your kitchen makes for a great after school activity. Simply take a pine cone (or a slice of bread), coat it in peanut butter and then cover it in bird seeds before hanging it high in your garden trees.
Reccomended Reading
The Laundry Witch | Coryanne Ettiene for the Daily Basics
Valentines Day Cocktails for lovers | Coryanne for Celebrations.com
Valentines Day for lovers | Coryanne Ettiene for TheDailyMeal.com (coming soon)
