First 2025 Post . . . and a New Recipe
Hey there. I’ve not been in your inbox in quite some time and definitely not regularly. Welcome to 2025!
I recently posted on Instagram about my new year and it being a “non-goal” year. This year I want to focus on each day and living each day with lots of intention and staying grounded where I am and actually noticing all those tiny miracles that cross my path each day. It’s been 12 days, and I am right on track. And it’s been good. Noticing all the little good things around us honestly helps make the day better and helps, me at least, stay in the moment and appreciate more.
However, saying it was a “non-goal” year isn’t really true. I guess my old self has come out and I just can’t help myself. I need a push to get back to doing some things beside the legal work that has lately “taken me down”. (Not complaining just saying it has taken over my time and I’ve let a lot of things go that I enjoy and that I miss). One of those things is writing here. Even if only one of you reads this, I love connecting with you and sharing good things. So. . . . I have set a 90 day goal to get back to writing and posting regularly for the next 90 days. It may be hard because you know how that adage works, if you don’t use it you lose it. . . . writing and creating are the same. When you aren’t doing it, you lose that writing and creative muscle. So, this may not be pretty for a bit as I start to flex this muscle a bit. I have no plan or “table of contents” as to topics I’ll be covering. If you have things you’d like to see please let me know!
Here is the other thing about time. I used to be so much better at time management and tend to get more done the more I have to do. I think I’ve been telling myself “I don’t have the time”. We all know we make time for what is important. For years I had a yellow sticky on my desk that said, “Don’t just prioritize your schedule, schedule your priorities.”
As for today, I am going to tell you some of the tiny miracles I noticed this week AND a yummy soup I made that is perfect for these cold January days.
Tiny Miracles this week:
Delicious morning coffee
The smell of a fire in the fireplace
Looking at photos from our Christmas trip to Paris
Waking to a beautiful snow day
Walking in the snow
Closing a complicated work project
Good News from my sons 3 days in a row
The four enormous bucks I saw while walking
A Sunday catnap
There are definitely more. But that is a good start to give you an idea.
Next is a recipe I’ve wanted to share with you. If you follow me on Instagram you know one of my weekly rituals in the colder months is to make a big pot of soup on Sunday. It really is one of my favorite things. And, of course, it makes having a quick lunch or dinner on hand during SO much easier!
Tucscan White Bean and Kale Soup
Here is what you need:
3 cans cannellini beans
4 cups chicken broth (I use low salt)
1 T olive oil
3 strips bacon, chopped
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
4-5 garlic cloves
fresh rosemary
2 cups kale, chopped
pepper and salt for seasoning (and any other spices you like - see below)
parmesan cheese, grated for topping (optional)
To Do:
Drain and rinse one can of beans and process in a blender with 1 cup broth.
Drain and rinse the other 2 cans and set aside.
Heat a large dutch oven and add the bacon. Cook until crisp and remove. Clean out unwanted bacon grease with paper towel.
Add oil to the bottom of the pot. Add the onions, carrots and celery. Cook until softened about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in garlic and rosemary and cook until fragrant.
Add the blended beans and the drained beans, remaining chicken broth, and the bacon back to the pot. Season with pepper and salt. (I also add a bit of tumeric and oregano to taste) Simmer about 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Stir in kale and simmer until wilted. Taste for seasonings and add any garnishes you like before serving.
If I made sourdough bread, I think this would be especially good on the side!!
That’s it for now. I hope you are having a relaxing day and doing some “wintering”. I taught a strength fitness class this morning and wasn’t embarrassed to tell the class that today was going to have a catnap in the schedule somewhere.
Have a Great Week!
