Because I do not want to have to "take down the holidays" after I get home from Palm Springs, we did our best to box things up over the last few days.
Putting things away is as much a trip down memory lane as taking them out. So many of our decorations are gifts from friends through the years. And I say "oh remember this?" which prompts Chris to tell the story about the elf that came in a box of dishwashing soap back in 1963.
Progress was slowed when I had to interrupt deconstruction for an hour of knitting because I had not yet completed the 2017 tiny trees.
There are now fifteen. A nice round number. I don't think it can be called an obsession until I have over 30 and I will likely be tired of making them by then. But, if not, at the rate of 2 per year I can continue for 7.5 more years. By which time I should be retired and all rules about obsessions get thrown out the window at that point. Or so I have been told.
While I was knitting, I was staring at these peppers and halfway between a cable 2 back and a series of purls I jumped up and started chopping.
Pretty soon I had a nice big bowl of confetti black bean salad which is amazing by itself, on top of chopped up cabbage and kale as a salad to go with dinner, or any old way you wanna eat it.
I always put the optional cilantro in my version. I also do 1 can of beans to 4 peppers.
I am a multi-tasker. But you already knew that. I would like to report that all decorations have been packed, including the trees and the elves, and I have enjoyed the bean salad at lunch AND dinner everyday this week. I have not however, started packing for Palm Springs. Though I plan to. As soon as I finish this post, brush my teeth, get my "costume" ready for work tomorrow, and start a load of laundry.
Looking at the variety in sizes, shapes, and colors, I don't think a person could have too many of those tiny trees. The possibilities for displays are endless.
Posted by: Barbara Casillas | 01/09/2018 at 11:44 PM
Hi Carol,
Do you use a dressing on the beans and peppers? I make that every other week or so. It is delish in a toasted pita pocket. The dressing I use is equal parts water oil sugar and vinegar. That little number is useful for many things and very good.It keeps well in a jar.
Those trees are too much!
Posted by: karen | 01/10/2018 at 06:55 AM
I think I would have had a very hard time packing away those new little elves. They were my favorite. Have fun in Palm Springs!
Posted by: Chris | 01/10/2018 at 08:26 AM
I totally relate to having memories attached to my Chistmas ornaments. Mine and packed away until next year. I had a hard time letting go of Christmas this year. It was delightful and the tree and other decorations and lights make the house so warm and festive. Thank you for sharing recipes - you haven't shared one yet that I didn't like. I love our blog and your sister's, Dispatch from LA. Looking forward to hearing about your art trip to Palm Springs. God bless!
Posted by: Carolyn Dietrich | 01/10/2018 at 06:06 PM