our one and only snow so far......just about 3 inches.

here for just a short time too.


while January is generally bitter cold this one has been cold but not so bitter.
Now, the last day of the month draws to a close. an interesting day it was.

The control device on the furnace gave up the ghost overnight. The house was at 62 degrees upon exiting from bed.  I called the heating company at 8:10, by 8:20 the tech was here.  (no one at his first call).  within an hour the Problem was diagnosed, replacement part found and installed.   heat again!!!

Two quiltie friends stopped to visit. one short visit to drop off retreat money and one long visit, looking over the myriad piles of quilt blocks that need to be put together into wall hangings and quilts.

We had lunch out at Country Place, where you can always get something good and inexpensive.  I had a Weber.  (cheese steak with lettuce, tomato & mayo.)  The birch beer hit the spot!.

Oil company was back in the afternoon to fill up our oil tank.  only 135 gallons used this heating season so far.

Once quilt talk was over and i was home alone, dogs went for a walk and had a pre-dinner snack as did i.   Followed by reading and a nice nap.  miso soup for dinner. super quick and easy.

A good day.
Good bye January 2012! 
all is well and warm at our house this evening~!

Parsnips:: the other carrot!

parsnip

Europeans brought the parsnip to the United States in the early 1600s but this creamy-white root has never become an American favorite. The first frost of the year converts the parsnip's starch to sugar and gives it a pleasantly sweet flavor. Fresh parsnips are available year-round with the peak period during fall and winter. Look for small to medium, well-shaped roots; avoid limp, shriveled or spotted parsnips.They can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks. Parsnips are suitable for almost any method of cooking including baking, boiling, sautéing and steaming. They're often boiled, then mashed like potatoes. Parsnips contain small amounts of iron and vitamin C.