Well, it's 2017

Still pathetic at blog upkeep, aren't I!?! It is among the plethora of resolutions for this  year, let's see if I can succeed.

Life continues on after the trials and tribulations of 2016, although it was at least an improvement over the several preceding years! Still, much to be thankful for, particularly two wonderful grandchildren born (and I've even gotten to meet one of them!!!), and yet another resolution is to dwell more on the positive instead of the negative. Kids are happy and some are procreating so life does go on! <3

I still enjoy cooking! It's the one thing I've been consistent with, but wow, so much thanks to Hello Fresh and Home Chef (read more about them under the Food Delivery Kits tab) for lightening the never-ending tasks of finding meals/recipes, planning, and shopping, which is what I had found to be the most overwhelming on a continual basis, not to mention the time and gas expense. Without those issues, I have been able to concentrate on the most important part, cooking with fresh ingredients. I love trying foods and combinations that I would never otherwise try, especially with ingredients that I cannot get locally at our Food Mart, which makes this service even more valuable to me.

Here is one that I added to my Hello Fresh photo album on Facebook today (prepared in November, it's not just blogging that I am pathetic at, there are 504 photos to go through downloaded today tsk tsk), Panko-Crusted Cod with Wasabi Aioli, Quinoa, and Green Bean Tomato Saute. It was delicious! I fell in love with the hot kick wasabi provides (including in mashed potatoes!). Of course, I can't find wasabi at my local grocer, so it's one of those nice treats to have from HelloFresh. Treat yourself and use the code under the photo to save some $$$!

Use code 9E93XP to save $40 on your first HelloFresh box! 

With the recent milder temperatures (and since it will be cooling back off again), DH took advantage and burned off some of our "natural habitats" he has been testing out since Spring is right around the corner! The birds and animals sure seem to love them for the extra food and cover. Leaving the natural growth has done wonders for the soil, although it's a long road to go yet, and the controlled-burning certainly helps in that regard.  DH is always very careful and mindful of the wind conditions, we don't want to lose our forest!

Lord of the Cottage enjoying a cuppa whilst tending his garden

Still love living in our forest by the river! Trying to recover from more setbacks and roadblocks, but we shall endure. There isn't any other choice, curling up in a ball and crying isn't an option. :P Besides, the itch toward minimalism is getting stronger and stronger. I've already started selling on ebay, who knows where this could end up. haha

Until next time...