Beating the winter blues

Hello Friends ~ 

We are in the middle of a cold spell here in the north east.  Plainly stated: it's freezing!  No snow yet but we have some forecasted this for this weekend! It's coming! It's very unusual for New England not to have had a good storm or two by now so all of us are just sitting back waiting for the BIG one to hit. It the mean time we are all walking around like the little brother in a Christmas story (you know, the one that was bundled up so much he could hardly walk?!).  The temps are cold and the wind is piercing.  It makes going to work in the morning almost painful, but coming home at night is absolute bliss. 

This is where you'll find me on most evenings, reading, sipping tea, and watching TV until I fall asleep.  

It's not a bad place to be <3

It's the thick of winter.  Christmas is over and it's too soon to start talking about Spring (even though I want to....so badly...:)  

To pull myself out of a winter bluesy funk I bought myself a new PINK lipstick.  Pink is cheery and I need cheery!  

This little guy is giving me life right now.  It's called Peony Pink but I like to call it Hopeful, because when I wear it gives me hope of brighter, sunnier, warmer days to come!  Spring will arrive someday. 

There will be light! I know it! 

That's the power of a good lipstick, friends! LOL 

Aside from the PINK another thing that perks me up in the winter is citrus!  I love a good CUTIE in the winter.  Such a great snack!  Lemons in water is delightful too! 

Last weekend I tried my hand at homemade soap.  It came out pretty well and I'm excited to make more.  I'll share my experience with you soon, but the funny thing is unconsciously the first scent I went for went browsing essential oils was lemon. Lemon oil and lemon zest for my first batch. Citrus is cleansing & energizing.  It makes you feel good. 

I can't get enough of it!   

*getting crafty in 2019 is getting me through winter too...* 

And speaking of Citrus....

Here is a recipe that I posted last year for Grapefruit Yogurt Cake.  I first made it two winters ago and fell in love with the recipe. The reason this cake is so tasty is because you mix fresh grapefruit zest with the sugar. It's amazing!

I've had a craving for it and want to make it this weekend.  It's very light and refreshing and I think perfect to perk you up on a dark winter's day.....  

This recipe comes courtesy of one of my favorite blogs Shutterbean.com. 

Tracy has the best recipes! ♥

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon grapefruit zest (zest of one large grapefruit)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon greek yogurt

8 tablespoons grapefruit juice 

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8½x4½” loaf pan, preferably metal, with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides, and lightly coat with nonstick spray. Whisk flour, baking powder, and ¾ tsp. salt in a medium bowl.

Using your fingers, work grapefruit zest into granulated sugar in a large bowl until sugar starts to clump and mixture is very fragrant, about 1 minute.  This was my favorite part!

Add eggs, oil, and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer on high speed until light and thick, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low and mix in half of dry ingredients, then mix in ¾ cup yogurt. Mix in remaining dry ingredients followed by 5 Tbsp. grapefruit juice. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top.

Bake cake until top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 50–60 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Poke holes in top of cake and brush remaining 3 Tbsp. grapefruit juice over top. Let sit 15 minutes, then run a knife around sides to loosen and use parchment paper to lift cake out of pan and onto rack. Remove parchment and let cool completely.

Whisk powdered sugar, remaining 1 Tbsp. yogurt, 1 tsp. water, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl until smooth and drizzle over cake. (I needed a little more liquid so I added another few drops of grapefruit juice). Let sit until glaze is set, about 30 minutes.

I hope you are enjoying these winter days and making the most of them.  It's OK to be bluesy, but tell your heart that time will march on and nature will take its course.  So cozy up in front of the fire and know that Spring will be here soon.  

Blowing you big pink kisses from cold New England!  Have a wonderful day!!! xoxo