New month moments.

Yesterday I did something I’ve never done before: I made pancakes. Yes, although this may sound strange to those readers for whom pancakes are a breakfast table staple, this was entirely new territory for me!

I used a recipe I found online for Polish Apple Pancakes, simply swapping out the all purpose (plain) flour for a wholemeal spelt mix which I just happened to have in the cupboard and needed using. I also used half dairy milk (semi-skimmed) and half oat-milk to make up the liquid quantity, as I didn’t want to use up all out fresh milk supplies. lastly, I only had one apple, so mine were more apple-inspired-pancake than the thick fruity mixture they should’ve been….

Next time I will reduce the sugar and experiment with different fillings; probably as a treat just for myself as Husband prefers a savoury breakfast. What do you like adding to yours?

Polish Apple Pancakes

120g (1cup) flour. 1tablespoon sugar. 1/2teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt.
1 egg, 250ml (1cup) milk, 1teaspoon veg oil.
5 apples, peeled, cored and grated or finely chopped.

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Beat the egg lightly and mix with the milk and oil, then add this to the flour bowl.
Stir in the apple, and fry large spoonfulls in butter until golden brown.

Recipe source: littlesunnykitchen.com

In other news, I have been reviewing my ‘Stich in Time’ Clothing rations resolutions. So far, I have found it almost a relief to be released from the pull of the clothing adverts and sales – being able to scroll past (almost) without temptation. I have realised that one further rule needs adding to my previous list (see blog)… no online purchases. it would be so easy to fill my wardrobe with ‘secondhand’ Ebay and Etsy impulse purchases, in a way which completely defeats the whole idea of the project. Instead, I will only purchase in person, searching and queueing for my bargains just as would have been familiar to women in 1940s! (Bring on the jumble sales and vintage fairs!)

I still haven’t sorted all my wardrobe out… I’m waiting for warmer weather to hang laundry on the outside line, and getting spring cleaning done in the meantime.

Early in the year, I tried a Pinterest idea, for making homemade surface cleaner. The concept was to steep pine sprigs (mine were leftover for festive decorations) in vinegar for a few weeks, then use the strained (and hopefully scented) vinegar, mixed with water, as a disinfectant spray for household cleaning. Sadly, I have to report that I am disappointed in the results. I will use the mixture for window glass cleaning over the next few months, but probably wont make any more. Sadly, I just find the smell too vinegary (something my husband hates – I try not to even make chutney when he’s home!), despite the addition of lemongrass essential oil, and the pine needles themselves. We have a relatively new refill shop in our nearest large town, so I think I might see how we can adjust our monthly shopping routines to include a visit.

This time last year, I was learning to knit. Over the summer the habit dropped off, and I have yet to pick the needles back up. Despite the long dark evenings, which our break away and so much going on, I just haven’t found the capacity to add another activity to my day. I know once I take the courage to give it another go, I’ll enjoy it. And really if I put it down for a while and go back to it another time, off and on, it doesn’t matter – it is just for fun. But for some reason, starting again seems an overwhelming hurdle that I need to find the right moment/day for and just give it a go. Following the autumn’s feature in WI Life, I received some lovely correspondence from readers and fellow WI members, including a sweet letter from a lady who included a Miss Marple Scarf knitting pattern. Perhaps if I can get back into the knitting grove, this can be my motivation.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the arrival of February. Arriving home from our winter holiday, already a week into the new year, I have felt that January was a constant case of playing catch up. With the start of the new month, the first signs that spring will soon be on the way are emerging. A patch of snowdrops I have been watching all month have suddenly reached peak blooming, and purple crocus are popping up nearby. Dangling catkins or ‘lambs tails’ on the hazels are lengthening and jiggling; a sign that there will soon be real lambs wriggling their tails in the pastures. February is still winter, or rather not quite winter but not quite spring, it can bring snow and icy blasts as though sensing and trying to dash our hopefulness. Thankfully we still have plenty of firewood to see us through. The Green in front of the cottages where our flat is, has had some lovely new fruit trees and an edible hedge planted in the winter, and I am anticipating the new shoots with great excitement.