Welcome to “In My Kitchen” for February.
February offers to be a extremely busy month around here. I have lots of work travel coming up, lots of out-of-town meetings, and lots of trainings to present. I’ll be glad to see March but I doubt it is much calmer.
At least I can say that January and the arctic blast is over with (fingers crossed). We did not get the frigid temperatures as some to our north and east but I’m glad we had last weekend in the 60s.
There’s just a few things new to the kitchen this month.
You might remember I got an insulated wine cup for Christmas. Another good friend (that we celebrated with after Christmas) got me a couple of more insulated cups and a wine thermos. Do you see a trend?
The same friend gifted me a copy of Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup. I’ve always admired Reese and this book is just charming…and hilarious. Where else could you read how to create the perfect dinner party banter, what good Southern books should be brought to your book club table, and how to hot roll your hair?
You can see a recipe from her book here (for baked brie).
I pulled three meager radishes out of the green house. (This would make a grand total of four that we’ve harvested.)
Finally, there’s beets (not from the greenhouse). I recently started entering recipe contests again. (You can read about my obsession with them here.) One of the first ones I entered, I won. (Yes, it was third prize but still…)
I won a $25 gift card and to my surprise a case of beet products.
I entered a beet and carrot soup recipe that I based on this one. I just visited the Aunt Nellie’s site and there are some other interesting soup recipes using up some of their products like a Red Cabbage and Kielbasa Soup and a Holland Onion and Leek Soup. I will try them soon. (My recipe’s not posted yet.)
Finally, here’s a remodeling update. We have the dining room painted, the wall ripped out (read closet expanded into a potential book nook), and hopefully by the time this posts, new hardwood floors.
Before and after.
And, I would like to ask your opinion on the fireplace. My perceived outcome was that it would be antiqued and distressed. It came out pinstriped. 
Give me your honest opinion please.
Anywhoo, thanks for wandering around our kitchen (and dining room and living room). Actually, the kitchen will be phase three in our remodeling scheme.
Happy February!
Remember that In My Kitchen is hosted by Sherry at Sherry’s Pickings. 
For all my IMK posts, click here.
Your contest winning is a great thing! I’m looking forward to reading your recipe though beets are not on our menu as my husband detests them.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Beets can be an acquired taste.
Wish my husband eat beets! He can tolerate even kale and spinach, but just not beet.
What is it with the husbands? 🙂
i quite like pinstripes but i’m not sure they suit the fireplace.:( sorry… I have that reese witherspoon out from the library atm. it looks interesting. i’ve always liked her. I almost bought some of those insulated wine cups over Xmas but they were just sooo huge. I wanted one that held about 200 mls – what is that in fluid ounces? sorry don’t know. anyway about a cupful. thanks for joining in IMK. cheers sherry
So, it does look better with the dark floors now. I am still considering the pinstripes though.
I love Reese Witherspoon – will have to check out the book!
It’s a cute book.
I saw the Reese Witherspoon cookbook and was tempted to buy it, now after seeing this, I have to! I bet it’s witty and charming for sure. Good for you with the contest and the beets. We love those beets. Your fireplace looks great!!!
Let me know what you think of it, Pam?
I’ve never entered a recipe contest! They sound like fun. As does all the neat stuff in your kitchen. 🙂
You should so enter one, John!
You are so active! I have zero energy after this flu but I am slowly recovering and getting interested in things again.
Thanks for your comment on my Tea Brack and yes, I had also thought about using some rum or bourbon. I need to make it again, it’s a great breakfast bread.
Love the Reese Witherspoon book, I haven’t gotten a copy from the library yet. And beets – I love them but I see I’m not alone in stating my husband won’t eat them. They are so good.
Hope you are feeling better, Tina!
I’m just catching up on the last the IMK posts. I saw those insulated wine glasses for the first time at a pool party on Australia Day. Great for the ‘no glass’ rule around the pool. I think your fireplace looks lovely. If you are really concerned, put some of the cream on a rag and rub it over the stripes then rub it back with a damp cloth. Cheers!
I am very remiss on getting caught up with February’s IMK (now that it’s almost March I should do something about that).