What I'm Into: January 2016

January flew by in a flash! We celebrated Epiphany quietly with attifs and grape leaves, my sister got back from her trip, my youngest brother turned 16, and another round of theatre production started up again (this time they're working on TWO shows at the same time). We've been attending membership classes at the church we've been going to since August. It's been a great way to start another year!

What I'm Watching

I created my own little writing workshop for myself this month. It started out with this short interview with Neil Gaiman that I watched about ten times and then snowballed from there. I've got a post planned for February with more details, so stay tuned.

We finished our second season of Worst Cooks of America on Netflix. What's not to love about Flay and Burrell and a bunch of people who seriously can't cook??? Nothing, I tell you.

I've just started watching Ocean Mysteries on Netflix and while it makes me laugh A LOT (grown men sneaking up on wild sea lions to rescue them because "who knows what will happen to them if WE don't help them"), but I've watched two episodes, so I must like it.

Last night we watched this adaption of Jane Eyre on AcornTV.

In the Kitchen 

After being inspired by my Aunt Alice's Christmas Eve dinner, I whipped up some twice baked potatoes for the first time. It won't be the last time.

One of the biggest hits this month happened when I did a mash up of this recipe and this recipe to create some of the best pork chops I've ever had.

My favorite cook book is the 1950's Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book. Last weekend I made the "Lemon Fluff Pie" from it and while it didn't hold up, it was super good. If you see that book for sale, grab it. You won't be sorry!

Next up: Parkin (thanks to Dorothy Sayers) and baked carrot slices (thanks to Amanda). 


On the Living Room Floor (What We're Playing)

On my sister's trip to SC, she learned and came home with a few new card games. We played them nonstop for weeks.

First up was Dead Man's Draw also known as "the pirate game" which is a pretty fast paced game that quite a few people can play at one time.

Then there's James Bond which is an even FASTER paced card game that an infinite number of people can play (you just keep adding decks of cards).

An old favorite is Spot It, but we've never actually owned our own deck for that. Now we do. :)

My sister and I also played Ticket To Ride...I think I've won ONCE in the years that we've had this game. She, on the other hand, wins ALLLLL the time.

Can you find the six words hidden in this picture?

Around the Internet

Those ^ pictures have been going around on FB and I stop my scrolling every single time. I think I enjoy them so much because they remind me of the Highlights Magazines my Grandma used to get us subscriptions to (magazine subscriptions make GREAT gifts for kids).

Tropical Traditions is having a MAJOR sale through Sunday. Check it out HERE. We're talking, 50% off on a gallon of coconut oil. You don't want to miss it. 

My friend Jay shared this recent Q & A session from Ligonier's January conference with me. You might enjoy it too!

I really want to have a mid-winter party like the one they have at The Kelly Writer's House with lots of soup and great literature some day. 

I discovered Lori's blog this month and I'm excited about offering a guest post over there in a few months!

What are you into? 

Link up with Leigh so that we can see your posts too!