Where is winter ???? and a frosty giveaway!

Hello Hello,, where are you winter ? I was so looking forward to the supposedly hard Winter we are forecast-ed to have ? It's been rather gloomy in Nj with lots of rain and rather warm temps. 

My gloomy backyard

 What is going on !? The wood pile is stacked ready, sweaters are out of storage and waiting and so am I!

I know some people think I am crazy but I love the winter, I love the stillness, I love the frosty air, I love the winter sky during the full moon. The luster it gives the landscape below. There is such a mediative quality to Winter. I love the fact that it is time to withdraw a bit into a semi hibernation . It's a time to regroup, rest and prepare for the Spring renewal.

Speaking of which, it totally bothers me ( yes I said totally ..something my 5 yr old is into saying these days) that the minute New Years passes all you see and here about is Spring . Winter just started about 3 weeks ago seriously..totally ?

 Well as they say if you want something done, you just have to do it yourself . So the other day I made some snowflakes of my own. Take a look...

I went with the very popular pink and teal color scheme.

I love to hang these in my windows

All three as part of my monthly giveaway

To go with the snowflakes I made my Rustic Minestrone soup, Winter may not be here but the flu season is ..This soup is packed with nutrients!

Rustic Minestrone soup

Ingredients:
Olive oil
1 large onion
1 cup carrots sliced
4 stalks celery sliced 
1 head cauliflower cut into florets ( keep them on the big side they will fall apart)
2 bunches Kale 
1 cup cooked Farro ( this is like an Italian barely , so you can substitute with barely if you can't find it) 
4 cups broth ( I used Imagine "no chicken" broth ) veggie or chicken 
1can whole tomatoes 

Cover bottom of soup pot with olive oil , add onion sauté a few minutes then add carrots and celery . 
Sauté another five minutes. Add the cauliflower cook another few minutes . You want to give all the vegetables time to "sweat " in the pan . Add the broth , tomatoes and salt and pepper .Cook for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile cook the Farro or barely as directed on package. Drain when finished.

Back to the soup ... Add the Kale and cook about another 10 to 15 minutes ...add the Farro/barley to the soup add sparingly at first because the grains will soak up a lot of the broth as it sits.  Sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese if you like . Serve and enjoy!

And if your Winter is lacking snowflakes as well, just leave me a comment and these three snowflakes will be yours to add a bit of sparkle to your window. Part of my giveaway this month.! (i will pick randomly) Also I will have some kits this weekend in my Etsy store as well!

Have a great weekend and be well! 
Ming

P.S. just saw the forecast ....some winter temps heading our way ..No snow though :-(