Five on Friday - Adding color to my life & a recipe!

I'm joining Amy at Love Made my Home for Five on Friday

 I thought I'd share some stuff I've been doing around the house, since I've been spending so much time in it lately!

ONE-Color

I try to do what I can to bring color in my life during the winter months,  whenever possible.  One way to do this is have fresh flowers in the house.

I have this little table in the foyer, and I try to have fresh flowers on it when I can.

 

They are an easy way to add color to your home.

The table needs painted but I can't decide what color to paint.  Truth is I like the cream, and I like chippy, I just don't like the looks of this one.   

Bonus: I buy these flowers as a manager's special at our local Kroger grocery store. 

They were 1.99.  The tulips were 3.99. 

Another way to add color is to have blankets and afghans out, ready to snuggle up.  I have a basket with a couple of quilts in it, in the den.  But I saw on Helen Philips blog where she displayed her quilts on a chair.  I decided I could do that with my crocheted afghans!  I also have a couple on the back of the couch, chair, and on our bed.

  TWO - Hyacinth bulbs

Back in October, on this Five on Friday post, I recommended everyone buy Hyacinth bulbs, put them in a paper bag and in the drawer of your fridge (so they think they went through winter) then in six weeks, get them out.  So, if you did that then, now's the time to get them out!

I planted a few in soil, in this pot I made eons ago.

And I put one in a mug because it's just cute.

 and a few more in hyacinth vases.  Have you ever wondered why these vases were shaped so weirdly.  Well, now you know!  They are hyacinth bulb vases.

These hyacinths are going to smell heavenly when they bloom.

 THREE - Crochet

 We didn't have crochet group this week, and I missed it.

Debbie is sick, Kay is tired, Cheryl is busy and I've been all three, but feeling great today!

So, this is Debbie, and I've told you sometimes we call her "dammit Debbie."

(it's all in fun and she knows we mean it in an endearing way!)

This would be why we sometimes call her that.  Kay told her to stitch up the sides of her pillow.  Kay didn't say to make sure you finagle it so that those sides come out even. 

So Debbie handed her pillow off to Kay to fix.  I'm laughing right now.  You probably had to be there but this is why I love this group. 

Anyway, This pillow!  Isn't it gorgeous! And those colors! She made it out of leftover yarn from a blanket kit that she ordered from Attic 24 wool warehouse.

It's a gift for her friend, but I'm pretty sure her friend does not read my blog.

 More crochet fun... I got this blanket back out.  I put it away before Christmas because I had too much other stuff going on.  I'm pretty sure it's going to be a re-do.  I'm not feeling it.  I've been looking on Pinterest for ideas.

 

 The bag I started a couple of weeks ago is almost finished.  I need to add a couple more rows, line it, and put some handles on it. 

So how do you add color in your life?

FOUR

Crazy weather...This is about as colorful as it gets outside this time of year.  Look closely and you will see several cardinals.  It doesn't look bad outside, but all of our schools were on a two hour delay because it was icy out and there was a lot of "black ice" on the roads.

 FIVE - Recipe

Patsy in Nixa, MO asked me for the recipe for the Zuppa Toscana soup I made for my Pa's birthday.  Here it is Patsy!

And let me start out by staying I got this recipe off of facebook, but I have made changes to it, and I'm posting my version of the recipe, not the FB version.

Zuppa Toscana

1 lb. Italian Sausage, spicy

(if you don't like spicy, use regular but it won't have that kick that you normally have in Zuppa)

4-6 Russet potatoes, chopped

2 tsp. minced garlic OR 2 cloves (more or less to suit your taste)

32 oz. chicken broth

Bag of kale, chopped (you won't use the whole bag.  The original recipe calls for one cup, but I use three or four handfuls - it's good for you!)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 Tbs flour or corn starch

Directions:

1. Brown the sausage in a skillet.  If your are using links, I take the skin off and ground it while it's frying.  I also add the garlic into the sausage while it's frying.

2. Place sausage, chicken broth, potatoes in a slow cooker.  Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat. 

3.  Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 5-6 hours until potatoes are soft.

30 minutes before serving:
4.  In a small bowl, mix flour or corn starch into cream, removing lumps.
5. Add cream and kale to the crock pot, stir.
6.  Cook on high 30 minutes or until broth thickens slightly.
7.  Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.

And if I don't have time for the crock pot version, I cook it in a large stock pot on the stove top.

And there's my five!   Join others, or pay them a visit, at Amy's blog and see what other Five On Friday bloggers are doing!

Peace,

Cindy