A blonde woman is wearing a black tunic shirt with white hearts. She is holding a sign, Be My Valentine,

Mid-February Musings and A Weekend Coffee Chat!

Today is great for a coffee chat and a few mid-February musings. I’ve got a couple of new books to share, along with a mouth-watering recipe for spinach salad and more. So, let’s grab a cup of your favorite brew as I head to the porch. I would love for you to join me as we let our thoughts and dreams wander freely at our weekend coffee chat!

A blonde woman emerges from the front door, holding a coffee cup. Mid-February Musings and A Weekend Coffee Chat!

It’s almost unbelievable, but we’re coming upon Valentine’s Day and the middle of February. While much of the country is bundled up in winter’s embrace, we are experiencing cooler temps and sunshine here in the Sunshine State of Florida.

And where there’s sunshine, there are musings. January usually marks a period of new beginnings, contemplation of the past, and dreams for the future, and February arrives with feelings of unrest for many of us. Here are a few things I’ve been musing about since the beginning of the year.

Recipe Books

Like so many, I, too, am aware of my winter weight gain and am searching for healthy ways to get back on track. I have invested in a couple of new recipe books.

I have always been a book person. And I don’t know when it happened, but I became addicted to the digital world.

While surfing videos on a dreary weekend in January, I came across Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa, and her Be My Guest series. I loved her feel-good home-cooked meals, so I ordered her recipe book. I habitually print recipes on my computer and then lose them. I love the idea of holding a book in my hands.

A blonde woman sitting in a rattan chair holding a cookbook. Blog post - February Musings and Weekend Coffee Chat

A few days later, a mailer arrived, including an Apple and Cashew Spinach Salad recipe. (You will find the recipe below.) It looked so yummy and delicious with all my favorite healthy ingredients. I wanted more recipes like this and ordered the “Maman: The Cookbook.”

A blonde woman sitting in a rattan chair holding a cookbook. Blog post - February Musings and Weekend Coffee Chat

I have rekindled my love for recipe books. The experience of holding the books, looking at the pictures, and adding Post-its to favorites has been delightful. And I have been curating and clearing out my collection of older recipe books. It’s a new year, and I only want the items I use and love.

Two cookbooks in a ratan basket sitting on a stool.Mid-February Musings and A Weekend Coffee Chat!

This recipe for Spinach Salad from the MAMAN: COOKBOOK checks all my buttons.

Apple and Cashew Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad with cashews and apples. Mid-February Musings and A Weekend Coffee Chat!

Here is The list of ingredients 

Vinaigrette

~ 2 tsp Dijon 

~ 2 tbsp white wine vinegar

~ 1 tbsp dry white wine

~ 1 tsp soy sauce

~ 2 tbsp sugar

~ 1 tsp curry

~ 1/2 tsp fine sea salt 

~ 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

~ 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 

Salad Fixings

~ 3/4 cup chopped unsalted cashews

~ 2 tbsp sesame seeds

~ 5 cups pre-packaged baby spinach

~ 1 Granny Smith apple, very thinly sliced

~ 4 scallions, sliced

~ 1/4 cup cranberries 

Serves 2-4 

Directions 

~ Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

~ Prepare the vinaigrette in a small bowl. Whisk together the mustard,     vinegar, wine, and soy sauce. Add sugar, curry powder, salt and pepper. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Slowly drizzle olive oil until fully emulsified.

~ Spread cashews evenly in a small ovenproof skillet and toast in your oven until golden brown and fragrant (about 10 minutes). Transfer the cashews to a small bowl and allow to cool. Spread sesame seeds evenly in the same small skillet and toast in the oven until golden brown and fragrant (about 5 minutes). Transfer the sesame seeds to another small bowl and let cool.

~ In a bowl, toss together spinach, apple, scallions, cranberries, and cashews.

~ Drizzle the curry vinaigrette over the salad to coat. Divide among four bowls, sprinkle each with the toasted sesame seeds, and serve. 

My Binge Watching Favorite

So far, the PBS series “All Creatures Large and Small” is my binge-watching favorite of 2024. If you enjoy watching the British series from the 1940s era, you will love it too. A truly Simple Pleasure.

What I’m Listening to in February

As I stated earlier, I have become more digital these days, and I enjoy listening to books as I go about my day. This month, I have been engrossed in Atomic Habits by James Clear. It was written in 2018, and I have read great reviews from many sources for some time. Currently, I am on my second time listening. I like it that much.

Maybe I am just ready to make some changes and fine-tune my habits.

It is said, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.”

Mid-February Musings and A Weekend Coffee Chat! The book cover for Atomic Habits.

Well, that’s it for me here at my computer today.

One last question?

Are you ready for the Super Bowl? Hosting or going to a party?

It’s a big week with the Super Bowl on Sunday and Valentine’s Day on Wednesday.

Whatever you are doing, have fun, enjoy, and stay safe.

Thanks for joining me for the Mid-February Musings and A Weekend Coffee Chat!

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25 Comments

  1. Oh, that salad does look delicious! I think my husband would eat it if I added some chicken breast to it. That would up the protein, too! I am still using my Betty Crocker cookbook I received as a shower gift in 1976!!! I have heard so many good things about Ina Garten’s cookbooks. I know I really liked her tv show. I hope you’ll share more recipes you enjoy!

    Have a wonderful week, Rosemary!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    • Marsha,
      My sister and I were conversing a few weeks ago, and she stated that she still uses a recipe from the red and white Betty Crocker cookbook. Sadly, mine has been lost in the shuffle of moving over the years.

      Rosemary

  3. I prefer a cookbook over digital recipes as well. I tend to scribble online recipes onto index cards that no one can even read! This post just reminded that I bought myself a new cookbook for Christmas and I still haven’t even looked inside! I must do that.

    Shelbee

  4. That salad looks delicious I am pinning it for later! I love a good cookbook, and also I have a binder of printed off recipes that we tried and are keepers for our family. I take out my binder and cook book each Wednesday, make my meal plan and grocery list for the following week. Anyway, I really want to read Atomic Habits. I have learned that I am not good at listening to NF on audiobook as I like to highlight, pause and jot things down. So I need to order this book, especially knowing you are on your second time listening to it.

    bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca

    • I like your idea of meal planning on Wednesday. I am going to incorporate it into my weekly habits.

      I have found take since I began looking honestly at my daily habits, I feel my thinking is much clearer.

  6. I love reading cookbooks and haven’t come across either of these… All Creatures Great & Small seriously is the best and nicest shows on telly. Thanks for linking up with us this month, it’s been lovely to meet you.

  7. Thank you for the Apple, Cashew, Spinach Recipe. I have all of the ingredients so will include this salad in our dinner tonight!

  8. I remember watching All Creatures Great and Small many years ago, I think there is a new revamped version available – but a really lovely series. Great to have you here!

  9. I must confess I don’t eat spinach (or anything green and leafy!). I have heard a lot of people talking about Atomic Habits. I’m not a big reader of non-fiction but can appreciate that it’d be good as an audio book – which it must be if you’ve gone back a second time.

    • Hi Deborah,

      I have found Atomic Habits to be an inspiration for me. The audio version is great when I am out walking or driving in my car.

  10. That salad does look delicious!!

    I travel between our campuses on a fairly regular basis, so I’ve become a big audiobook fan, but I still enjoy holding/reading traditional books.

  11. I love any recipe by Ina Garten, gosh I could watch her cook and prepare meals all day long! We love making her Sunday rib roast, it’s been my family’s go to for years!
    Thanks for sharing this recipe Rosemary!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  12. I just found your blog — it’s beautiful! And the trip to St. Lucia sounds amazing. Whomever is taking photos is really good!!

    Wendy
    TheInspiredEater.com

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