Diving into the New Year... In Slow Motion

I'm getting a slow start into the new year. Our very last Christmas hurrah was last Friday and our last guest heads out of town tomorrow morning. We're not quite back to our routine since my kid has Chicken Pox, amazing since she had the vaccine, but we're hanging around the house, playing dress up and watching The Muppet Show. I'm intermintently cleaning closets and cabinets. I came across this article from Mark Bitman, "Fresh Start for a New Year? Let’s Begin in the Kitchen". It's a great article on everything from croutons and bread crumbs and vegetable stock. I can't believe that I haven't thought of making my own stock. I've been working my way through the Julia Child's cookbook soup recipes and discouraged by the different stocks. I really think the chicken and veggie stock sold at TJ's is awful, sometimes even sweet. I've found stock by Wolfgang Puck to be better, but the chicken and veggie are hard to find and the low sodium is even harder. I can't wait to make my own and I've got a loaf of sourdough that will make great croutons. All these choices are pretty green too, when you think about it and we're all short on kitchen space, especially with all the new toys that Santa brought!