this and that on a tuesday

It has been a cold and gray week here in central Kentucky. We've had a bit of snow, a bit of ice, and a whole lot of rain. It has made for a pretty gloomy week. As I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) it is always difficult when the sun doesn't appear. I do have a light to use and I will get it out if necessary, but as the sun is supposed to put in an appearance this afternoon I am hoping to just get out and relish the light.

This is the view through my back window this morning. A little snow and a whole lot of gray.

Found this wonderful new recipe this week. Do you like quinoa. I love it and I really love brussel sprouts

source

Quinoa with Roasted Brussels Sprouts (adapted from “The Farmer’s Kitchen” by Brett Grohsgal and Julia Shanks)

½ cup quinoa

½ pound Brussels sprouts

2 tablespoons olive oil (my olive oil was infused with lemon)

3 cloves garlic, sliced thin or chopped

½ lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup toasted, slivered almonds (optional)

Rinse quinoa under cold water. Put in a small saucepot and cover with water. Add 1teaspoon salt. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until the quinoa has popped and is cooked through.

Meanwhile, cut Brussels sprouts in half.  If sprouts are larger, slice thin.

Heat a large skillet over high heat.  Add the olive oil and let heat for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes or until aromatic. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring regularly until they are bright green and soft (I covered the pan and turned down the heat, stirring occasionally and allowing the sprouts to get crispy-brown). Remove from heat.

When quinoa is cooked, drain excess water.  Toss with Brussels sprouts.  Add juice from ½ lemon and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Stir in almonds, if using.

I haven't tried it yet, but it looks pretty easy peasy and delicious so I am going to go out today and get the ingredients.

Been reading a lot and watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. 

I am reading this right now. Love Wally Lamb books. This is his newest and is definitely proving to be a good read. I love it when I am waiting for a book at the library and my number finally comes up. I feel like it is a gift and that our free lending libraries were one of the greatest things ever invented.

I have all of the Christmas decorating done. Hooray!!! But the light has been so bad I have had a terrible time trying to get pictures. 

I do have a few I can share today. Not too happy with the quality of the pictures, but I just can't seem to control the weather.

One of the Santas on my mantle.

and the other

This is the small woodland tree sitting on the deacons bench with Mr. Moose. It is really dark in here so I had to turn on the light. Otherwise it looked like a dark blob.

I used a vintage burlap bag for the tree skirt and added a bundle of old books tied up with twine.

Because this area is made up of rustic elements, I added this wreath to the bookcase next to the tree.

The sun is out. Unbelievable. So I think I will try to take some pictures while I have the chance. I'll share more of my Christmas decor over the next week.

Linking with:
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life