It was 2 degrees here this morning. brrr! Sun is out, haven't been out there yet. Hope these temps are going to be short lived. The furnace has been cranking. Thanks Jane, interesting article. I am a marmalade fan, so IâÂÂll have to look for some of these brands that have ginger in them and try it. DtD, that recipe sounds delicious. We will use a roast for pot roast once in awhile, but never thought of using it as a base for chili. So do you use beans with it or just âÂÂchiliâ spices? Sounds like I could use a large crockpot, too. Bill, I have been looking for new âÂÂsoupâ recipes, so IâÂÂll have to try your version this winter. We had an Italian connection in our family in the past, and my Mother was a huge fan of many Italian dishes and got her sauce recipe from an old world Italian woman. We make lots of sauce and chicken cacciatore, minestrone soup and thereâÂÂs always some of that in our freezer. Making tiny meatballs for chicken soup sounds like a new fun version. And the escarole adds a lot of nutrition. BTW, there is a new book out called Eating on the Wild Side, that reviews current studies of nutrition in food and I was surprised to learn that a can of tomato paste is chockful of nutrition and during the off season when fresh vegetables are not available from the garden, beans are one of the highest nutritional foods you can eat. And blue cornmeal if from a non GMO source, is also better nutritionally than yellow cornmeal, according to the book. So chili made with canned tomatoes and beans with blue cornbread is a very healthy meal. And the book is a very interesting read, if you donâÂÂt find nutrition too dull. It also offers names of varieties of vegetables and fruits that are the highest in nutrition, that you can grow. As for gardening, IâÂÂm not quite in the garden mindset yet. Later in January, IâÂÂm sure that will change, but I am very interested in how all the âÂÂzone pushersâ are faring. As much of a worry as it is to have the temps dip so low, Bill, you are right, this will be a good test of which varieties are really solid zone pushers and I will be fascinated to see whose plants survive come spring. All of them, I hope!

Okay,...here's the thing: (1) I received Jessica's (foreverrecyclereuse) totally fab card and seeds precisely on the 14th. (2) The following day, diabetic neuropathy issues kinda slapped me down, although, in the evening, I worked on trying to capture the best photos I could of her card and seeds, using a camera with a non-functioning flash. The results were absolutely dismal. Then, (3) yesterday, when the sun came out for a bit, Elly & I went outside to hopefully achieve better photographic results,...which we did. So now,... Thank you, Jessica, for your wonderfully creative card (loved the googly-eyed flowers especially,...LOL! - That, and your poetic sentiments inside)! Sorry it's taken me 3 whole days to get this posted, but at least I have some semi-decent photos to post, finally. We're definitely getting a new camera with our tax return, relegating our current 6.0-pixel relic to auxiliary standby status in our car's glove box.

Here's something to have on hand when your son or daughther brings home a vegetarian significant other. 2 cans stewed tomatoes tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce if needed, depending on how many you are serving. With just the stewed tomatoes, serves 4 people tops, but if you add a can of tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce, it could serve more. 1 can garbanzo or cannelli beans 1/2 - 1 slab cream cheese or neufatchel cheese Heat up the stewed tomatoes and add the garbanzo beans. Heat until bubbly. Add the cheese--less if you're calorie conscious, more if you're not. Serve over pasta. I like penne, but would also work with spaghetti or rotelli. Can also serve over rice. Can add vegetables sauteed in olivie oil, frozen spinach, and italian seasonings to taste. Garnish with grated parmesean. Kids seem to like this if they are not too picky and can tolerate tomatoes. Another easy dish I like is a large can of spaghetti sauce, (Newman's Own is my favorite brand), a can of water packed tuna, a small can of black olives (or 1/4 cup chopped kalamattas), and 2 TBLSP capers. Top with grated parmesean or feta cheese. Serve over spaghetti or fetuchinni. And finally, cheap eats Mexican style, brown rice mixed with salsa to taste and kidney beans. Top with grated cheddar and pop under broiler til the cheese melts. Good with sauteed zuchinni or yellow squash. Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup (from Giada DeLaurentis) 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (recommended: San Marzano brand) 2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any small pasta) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve. "To Die Dreaming" (Morir Soñando) which is a drink from the Dominican Republic. A friend of mine from there calls it "the original Orange Julius." Mix equal parts milk and orange juice. Sounds weird I know, but it is great. Can add Penzeys vanilla sugar or a splash of vanilla and some sugar. Can also add a splash of brandy and some fresh squeezed lime juice. Serve over ice or crushed ice. Serve it at a party and don't tell anyone what it is, they will think it's some mysterious concoction that took hours to make with exotic island ingredients. At least that's how I got introduced to the drink. My friend would not tell me the "secret ingredients," I had to look it up on the Web.

Sounds like a great trip - we are likely do the same trip this year. My concern is keeping DH entertained. Two of our boys live there. DS3 has lived on Mulberry St going on 1.5 yrs - it is a wonderful neighborhood no matter what time of year. He was on 58th for 2 yrs, next door to One Columbus and a block down from the Hudson (fun to look at, have a drink, not my taste to stay there). DS1 moved there 1.5 yrs ago - first year .3 mi east from brother on 58th (midtown and near shopping) and now in Hells Kitchen (Lots and lots of restaurants). That is the west of the Times Sq area. I encourage you to find maps on line or Barnes and Noble and look at the neighborhoods. It might influence where you stay. I sometimes stay with the boys, sometimes in hotels very near where they live. (found on line) I would also plan some alternative activities....the weather may impact what you do. Also google places and print them out - it will help you get organized and recognize it. An fyi - Top of the Rock and Empire St Bldg viewing areas are COLD and windy, no matter what time of year, I did Empire in Feb, ....we were almost the only ones there and could only be in the outdoors for a minute or two without warming up inside. Worth doing, but do dress for it. Top of the Rock was freezing in August. Street food is fun in midtown around Rock Ctr - DS1 works in 50 Rock and knows which are the best carts, I can never remember but skip the ones that don't have a big line. Funny though, DS3 won't touch street food....his loss. A few things that haven't been brought up: The Campbell Apt in Grand Central Station. Go for a drink...look it up on line - very historic, most tourists would not find it. Grand Central Station is interesting even if you don�t find the Apt. Eataly on 5th, amazingly fun - google it. La Crepe at 51 Spring in Nolita (DS3 in between Prince and Spring on Mulberry) - OMG good. Last summer I happened upon NY Cake at 56 w 22nd, the most amazing store for baking supplies - it is overwhelming....very fun store. And it was chance I found it, I was trying to get to Home Depot that is a block up, Yes there is a HD in Manhattan ... they just dont cut wood - they cant handle the dust). Go through the Time Warner Center shopping and check out the huge Whole Foods downstairs, fun for lunch just for the experience. (Columbus Circle - 59th st) From there walk up to Lincoln Center - host to so many events - including Fashion Week shows. There is a cute place called Rice to Riches down in the Mulberry - Nolita area - a block from La Crepe that is only Rice Pudding....about 20 flavors, all delicious, fun containers....I was in there once and had just ordered when a tour guide actually brought a huge group in there to see it. In Flatiron, try L.A. Burdick, the most amazing Hot Chocolate ever.. you could hit art galleries in Chelsea then have dessert.it is at 5 E 20th. Great on a cold day. Fun store for house wares: Gracious Home up in the Lincoln Center area. Also not to be missed: ABC Carpet and Home at 888 and 881 Broadway at E 19th - a wonderful old building and 10 floors of wonderful / interesting things to look at....it has been in business since 1897. I have seen it mentioned on this site from time to time. The Apple store on 5th (near the opposite side of the park - maybe 60th and 5th) might be hit with your kids - it is a big clear cube and you go down to shop. Thinking of engineering and architecture, one interesting thing about NYC is that it is so old and yet they adapt through the times and generations - stores that have small store fronts easily has three huge floors all underground. I live in SoCal and don't go anywhere with my car here....in NYC I ONLY take cabs....if I am with the DSs I will do the trains but give me a cab anytime. DS3 is a cab taker too..faster, easier, you see the lay of the land. I can and do the subway to get anywhere (except going to /from the airport) in London but I find the NY subways dark with not great signage and harder to figure out. I also walk and walk and walk and walk. Keep your eyes open when you are there, you never know who you will see! Yellow cabs are a good thing, pass on the Black Cars - not subject to the same regulations. Just get out there and wave one down - the lights on the top of the cab will indicate if they are on duty (or not). You will feel like a native! Sorry to be so wordy, and easily with nothing you are interested in ..... seems I am in a NY state of mind.......