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Hi! I

Hi! I‘ve been thinking about you and wanted to drop you a message. Valentine’s Day is a day to let people know they’re special to you. That person doesn’t have to be a sweetheart or a spouse - he or she can be a friend, family member or coworker. Over the years some of my favorite Valentine greetings have been from friends. And I treasure those cards.

So, here’s your greeting that says I appreciate you!

#amreading

In January I read Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White, and the concepts changed my thinking. Basically, my home is a container; each room is a container; each closet is a container; each drawer, cupboard and tote is a container. I can keep as much as I like, but it must fit in its container, and anything more makes my life more stressful. I’m done with stressful.

My first and probably one of the most difficult challenges, was my office closet. Within it I had collected years’ worth of research, clippings, books & magazines, mementos, bookmarks, folders, CDs, floppy disks, cassette tapes and all manner of photos, manuals, book covers — and well, you get the point. There was a goldfish bowl, some of my kids’ little dolls, photo scanners and cords for things I know not what.

I looked at that closet as a container, at each shelf as a container, and set to work. It took me a week because whenever I got overwhelmed I backed away, but I filled one and a half recycle carts. A recycle cart is a 96 gallon container, far larger than an average trash can. I was super proud of myself, and the end result was rewarding. Completing that task feels like a huge accomplishment. I bought a few pretty boxes to hold smaller items and keep like items together.

For years I’ve planned and plotted each book in a 3-ring binder. They have added up as you can see in the photo, but for now I am keeping them. And here’s the great part: I can keep them without guilt because they fit in my container! See the before and after pics below.

#amwatching

I was a hold out on The Great British Baking Show, but several weeks ago I needed something relaxing to watch and gave it a try. Oh my goodness. I have never watched cooking shows. Ever. I mean I’ve cooked my entire life, and watching someone else do it was about as entertaining as watching someone vacuum or do laundry … but. This show is different, and you’re probably already a fan, so I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, but watching bread rise with no personal investment is wildly liberating.

I now watch bread “proof” and cakes collapse. I’ve learned a biscuit is a cookie, and a cracker is a biscuit, and I have no idea what an actual biscuit is, except perhaps a scone. A sponge cake baked in a mold looks very much like a Bundt cake to me. I would never eat venison, pork, rabbit and a quail’s egg in a pie, but it’s fascinating that someone does. I never knew a cake could be stodgy or claggy, but there you have it. Still confused by the whole pudding concept.

#ambaking

I'm not appropriating this recipe. It's Dan's recipe from season 9, and I've only converted the ingredient amounts to American terms and posted it where I can find it. Thank you Dan and TGBBS! Click below to find American measurements:

Dan's Sticky Spiced Orange Chelsea Buns

And Big News About Aspen Gold Books!

The Aspen Gold authors have put the entire series on sale for 99 cents each book from the 8th to the 14th. That’s all 13 books in the series for 99 cents each. This is the first time the newer books have been discounted. If you haven’t tried any of them yet or don’t have the whole set, this is a great opportunity.

Also, if you’ve read any and haven’t yet left a review, please do so.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” - Maya Angelou