The January Edit
January 6, 2020
Winters in Greenville, South Carolina are undeniably mild. And even as I write this, a gentle rain is falling, my husband and I just viewed the most vibrant rainbow over our neighbor’s house, and it is a very comfortable 63 degrees. Despite the most pleasant of winters, and we do have a few frigid days, the sun just doesn’t shine quite as bright as spring and summer and most plants and the grass are dormant. With that in mind, we focus on interior projects, which does mean a lot of organizing, yet to feed the soul we also enjoy some houseplants, good finds, and good recipes.
In the Home & Garden
A favorite houseplant is the reliable snake plant. It’s good-looking, easy to care for, and it even improves the air quality in your home. And in the photograph below you can see how my mom planted one in a gorgeous, classic blue and white container.
I anticipate Garden and Gun’s Made in the South Awards each year for unique finds for my home and great gift ideas for family and friends. The overall winner this year hails from Darlington, South Carolina and while their product is lovely- beautifully made cotton blankets in several patterns-it is their philanthropy that really sells me. Covered in Cotton donates a blanket for every ten sold to a children’s hospital in South Carolina. After the founding couple’s own experience with a child in the hospital, they understand first-hand how comforting a blanket can be.
In the Kitchen
When the temperatures bring chilly weather, I crave soups and stews. I also appreciate that they can be made ahead when I have family and friends over for dinner. A nice addition to any soup or stew are corn cakes. The ones pictured below are from The Kitchen McCabe and the recipe is shared. While honey is our top choice for drizzling over the top with a pat of butter, I also think it is fun to serve a trio of seasonal jellies and jams too.
Honey Cornbread Cakes
Serves 6
Recipe by The Kitchen McCabe
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
½ stick butter (4 tbsp.), melted
¼ cup honey
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter, and honey.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Place muffin liners in a 12 cup muffin tin. Divide the batter evenly among the papers.
If using a mini mold pan, grease the pan with non stick spray and divide the batter between each mold.
Bake for 15 minutes (for muffins) and 20-25 minutes (for mini cakes).
What We’re Burning in January
Because winter can be cold and drab, we rely on citrus scents to brighten up our home and remind us that sunshine-filled days are near. Saw Palmetto features fresh green honeydew followed by earthy cedarwood and is finished with warm, soft vanilla. Orange Blossom is a compilation of sun-kissed citrus from the orange groves with sweet honeysuckle and hyacinth blooming on the outskirts. Softened by warm vanilla. Both of these scents are buy one get one free through January 10th with promo code Citrus for January.
