dear february

a-a-ahem.

boy this is going to be tough.

You see February,

I don't like you. Nope. Not really. At all.
Because I just can't seem to figure out what you are good for. What is it that you do, February? Please, enlighten me. And don't say Valentines Day.....because that is one sorry excuse for a holiday, if you ask me. February, you make me realize, that I do in fact, miss summer. You make me long for days of sitting in the grass eating ice cream. 

You can't do that for me, can you February?

july 2011

I didn't think so. I am ready to break up with you, and we have only just begun.

Dear Valentines Day,

Yep, you heard me. (stop booing and throwing rotten vegetables at me!) I LOVE love. I just don't need a cheesy holiday full of cheap candy and the worst color combination ever, to celebrate it.

Dear February,

No, I'm not done. I mean REALLY. You are the shortest month--they only gave you 28 days.....NO ONE wants you to stick around.

Dear Leap Day,

I think you are the coolest part about this month. You were smart enough to tell them you were only going to show up every four years. I applaud you.

Dear The Super Bowl,

let's keep it real. I have no idea who is playing, but I do like treats, so you should be fun. 

Dear Snowboarding,
remember me?
We used to see each other on a weekly basis back in my younger years.
There is a rumor flying around that we may be meeting up again soon. ha!!
I am so excited, and I know I am going to break something.
In front of my children! fun.

Dear TV,
speaking of breaking up, and rumors flying around......
I think we are kicking you out.
We don't use you that often, and our handful of shows we love (parks and rec!), we can watch online.
Who doesn't have cable? How do you like it?

Dear trail races,
hurry up and get here!! The weather has been so nice, and I have decided I need to start training for something. The soonest I can find anything on the trail is in April.
Do you have races planned for this spring/summer yet? Which ones?

Dear Mountains,
I vow right now, to spend as many days of this tiny boring month as I can, exploring you.
via foot/showshoe/snowboard/sled.
deal?

Dear future kitten,
my family talks and talks and talks about you.
I'm still not sure if I am ready to take the plunge.
a cat?
But who knows what February will drive me to do.....

Dear Attitude,
You obviously need to be adjusted.
Grumpy! 

Dear Curry, 

you are the BEST on a cold winter night.
Or, any night.

Chicken and Coconut Curry

I saw this recipe on Cooking for Seven and knew I wanted to try it. I made a few additions, and skipped the broth since it is originally a soup recipe. 

Ingredients:

coconut oil

2 chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks

1 onion, diced

1 red pepper, sliced thin

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

1 TBS grated fresh ginger*

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk

1 TBS red curry paste

pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

juice of 1 lime

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish

*did you know you can freeze fresh ginger! yes! keep it in the freezer if you can't use it all up fast enough, and you can just grate it frozen when you need it.

Directions:

1) Heat a few TBS of coconut oil in a medium sized soup pot over medium heat. Add the chicken to the oil, season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until cooked through and golden. Remove chicken and set aside. Sauté the onion, pepper, and jalapeno, adding more oil if necessary, until tender.

2) Return the chicken to the pot with the onions. Add the ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute. Add coconut milk and curry paste. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add cilantro, a pinch of salt, and simmer an additional few minutes. Stir in lime juice. 

Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice. 99% of the time do brown rice, but this time splurged with jasmine rice and boooooooooooy was this good.

Sincerely yours/Let's get this over with,

me.

ps. Please tell me your favorite things about February.....

....I obviously need help.