I've been back at my humble abode for just shy of two weeks and it's taken me until right about now to really relax. Don't get me wrong, I slept and laid around like a blob for the first few days of break, but to completely slow down takes time.

I forgot how much I miss my full size bed, showering sans shower shoes, identifiable food, and classic peace and quiet. Since I've been home for longer than a few days, home feels a little less like a bed and breakfast and a more like a flashback to summer. I've found myself working, reading books of my choice for once, and especially cooking. I made a beautiful lentil stew this evening for dinner (see photo below.) The lentils gave it a creamy texture, while the bay leaves added depth to each spoonful. I substituted kale for the spinach and used sweet potatoes instead of russet. I served it with a fresh loaf of sourdough and it turned out to be hit.

View Lentil Stew Recipe

18 more days of winter break..here we go.