It has been a long time since I’ve added news, ideas or resources to this blog. Needless to say, it’s been one heck of a long 2020, a very long January, and here we are, Presidents’ Day.

We’ve been in this pandemic mode for almost a year. It has shaken so many lives, and livelihoods. I know that science says, when we do for others, we gain so much more; giving to others increases our own health and happiness. Will you consider this measure of giving?It has been a long time since I’ve added news, ideas or resources to this blog.

After decades of renaming January, and celebrating Soup Month, I and my family are no strangers to the many perplexed looks and questions we undoubtedly receive throughout the first month of the year. The most popular question is more of a clarifying statement: “So, you eat soup for a whole month.” The perusal of cookbooks, various websites, and recipe specific searches are all part of this week’s repertoire, the week just prior to what my family has (sometimes unkindly, especially, if close to Jan 31st!) referred to as “Soup Month”!

I found that with delayed snow travels and several in the family eating away from home, each of us appreciates the sustenance of home cooking. So, Sunday night found me making a fast semi-homemade chicken vegetable and noodle soup. Along with a favorite simple recipe from Cooks Country,  I can’t live without these utterly basic spice tools and soup base.

I know we all may use our phone for date keeping but the power of a visual calendar and writing it down puts life in good order, and alerts family members to upcoming events, practices, birthdays. A physical calendar can be a shared method of organizing our days with everyone in the family.

If you are not organized for preparing your 2017 taxes, well, you are not alone. Is anyone ever really ready to file their taxes?  Even though it happens at the same time every year, tax time still sneaks up on me. The good news is, that with a few simple supplies, the first few weeks of April don’t have to be such a scramble.  

For you, a lovely musical rendition for all things Irish.

Happy St Patty's day to all.