We have hit the point in winter where everything starts to feel dull. The excitement of the holidays are behind us and all we are left with is cold weather. Even in the winter, I manage to go for a midday walk with Josie every day but last week we had a few days where the high was 20º and on those days neither of us want to step outside. Pair that with some ice and we are for sure not leaving the house. This winter I haven’t felt nearly as depressed as I did last year but being stuck in your house for multiple days, with below freezing temperature outside, will drive anyone a little crazy.
All my cravings have been for rich, deeply caramelized, roasted, saucy, comforting foods. I have souped, beaned, pasta-ed, and roasted many chickens. Now I am missing the vibrancy of warm-weather produce and I’m craving some excitement. Dreaming of rubbing the fuzz on a ripe tomato while a warm breeze carries a fresh floral scent under my nose. Even though really flavorful tomatoes don’t exist out here (and I stand by that statement fully) I would take a decently flavored tomato right about now.
We were hit with a good size storm again this weekend. Enough to actually sled the hills in the park but the thing about sledding is after people swarm to the park and the hills become worn down, it’s no longer fun. You only have a day of prime sledding action and then you are stuck in the house again.
Anyways, I’m bored with winter. I have embraced her, enjoyed her, and am ready for her departure. Another downside to winter is how dry everything is. I wash my hand 90 times a day and they are struggling right now. Today I have a list of hand lotions I have been using and enjoying because I’m sure your hands are dry too. If you have a favorite make sure to leave a comment because I am always on the hunt for a good one.
These CeraVe and Aveeno lotions were emergency purchases while traveling last year. The CeraVe moisturizing cream is surprisingly great and I used the whole thing. It might be my current favorite. I don’t know how I really feel about the Nécessaire hand cream. It’s nice but does nothing for me, it sparks no joy. You’ll always find a giant bottle of Alba body lotion under my sink. It absorbs super fast and feels like nothing on the skin. It’s not moisturizing enough for dry winter hands but I still use it.
One time when I was a young child I applied this L’Occitane hand cream to my little hands while waiting for my mom to pump gas at the Chevron station on San Vicente and Bundy. The texture of it creeped me out and I left the vehicle to wash my hands in the bathroom and locked the keys in the car. Today I love the hand cream but I remember her anger every time I apply it. There is a Kiehl’s in terminal 1 at LAX and I snag their hand cream when I pass through. The coriander scent is a long-time favorite. When did Compagnie de Provence stop making hand lotion in their glass bottles?! Fig is the ultimate cold-weather scent.
Two expensive lotions that are worth every penny. Treat yourself! The Jo Malone Vitamin E Hand Treatment is silky smooth and fairly moisturizing. Diptyque’s Lait Fraise body lotion smells like powdery fresh angels and absorbs instantly. Bonus point to both, you feel très chic when applying them.
If you cook all day (or use your phone all day 😉) Shikai CBD lotion will soothe your aching wrists. Honest Company All-Purpose Balm was my ultimate hack while nannying and I keep a tube of it around all the time. You can use it on chapped hands, as an extra moisturizing chapstick, on your feet at night for extra hydration, on burns…the limit of uses does not exist! I’m currently using a sample of Cetaphil’s Healing Ointment and it heals! I think I like it more as chapstick.
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Tangerine Sorbet It’s citrus season!!
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls *I had to increase the GF flour significantly for the dough to form BUT they were surprisingly great.
Cinna-Buns ⬇️
*New Section - We sip a lot of natural wine in this house, like true millennials, and are constantly trying new bottles thanks to our awesome wine club. Every now and then I’m going to share one that I love and think you will enjoy too.
Milan Nestarec – Senza 2020
Senza comes out of the Czech Republic from Milan Nestarec. Nestarec also makes the zippy Danger 380 Volts wine which is an OG natural wine favorite of mine. I spotted this bright bottle on his Instagram back in summer and have been waiting to snag one. It’s a Lambrusco style with delicate effervescence, a hint of deep berries, and nice acidity. We were transported to summer drinking this and it paired well with our pizzas.
There is a playlist for you to listen to while you drink a bottle of Senza. Doesn’t get much better than that!
If you have ever thought about acquiring a vacuum sealer, this is your sign to do it ASAP! This is the one I purchased that came highly recommended by my cousin. Only $34!
Nine more weeks of winter, not that I’m counting down or anything.
Talk to you next Sunday, M.