Baby, it is cold outside. Really, really cold. Fortunately, Husband has discovered the most delicious soup ever (more on that later), which made the jiggliest stock ever, so that should keep us warm for the next few weeks. There are also a few events going on this week which should help you forget (for an hour, at least) about the cold. As always, if you have any events you think I've missed or would like to promote, please email me or leave your event in the comments.
- My first suggestion for getting out of the cold is going to Franklin Park Conservatory. An hour or so in the palm house should definitely make you forget about the 15 degrees outside. And there's that nice Macau who lives at the Conservatory; it's always nice to stop by and have a nice chat with him. Over the next month, the Conservatory will have an orchid forest. The water garden will be filled with orchids; you can also take the opportunity to take a class in orchid raising, and on Wednesdays (1/16, 1/23, 1/30), from 5p - 8p you can enjoy island music, tropical foods, and of course, the warmth and glow of the Conservatory. Sounds like a pretty cheap one-night vacation. Click above for more information.
- And of course, for the next few days, you can still catch the In Monet's Garden, the Lure of Giverny exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art.
- If warming your soul counts, this weekend, Mavis Staples will join the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for a history of Gospel in The Gospel Truth: from Spirituals to Swing at the Southern Theatre. If you've never been to the Southern, you should really take this chance to visit. It's a great space to see a performance.
- More on the music front, this weekend (including a rare Sunday matinee), violinest Charles Weatherbee will join the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for a trio of violin favorites. Junichi Hirokami will conduct.
- If you've recovered from Christmas spending and have some cash burning a hole in your handbag, you might want to visit the Scott Antique market this weekend at the Ohio Expo Center.
- This week at the Whole Foods Cooking school, you can learn a few knife skills (probably one of the best skills to learn first in the kitchen) Thursday 6:30pm ($35). Saturday morning, you and your kiddos can learn how to incorporate more healthy food & snacks into your life (click over to the calender for details on what grades should visit when). Tuesday, January 22nd, you can learn how to balance fitness & nutrition. Click over to the calender for more information.
- And, this week at Sur la Table - Friday Night out in Thailand with Mike McCauley 1/18; Kids in the Kitchen with Laura Finley 1/19 (10:30a, $45); Cupcake Madness with Dena Logan 1/19 (3pm); Cooking around the World with Yokiko Bates 1/21; Planning the Perfect Shower with Mike McCauley (1/22, noon); and Weeknight Inspirations with Mike McCauley (1/22). Unless otherwise specified, all classes are $65 and take place at 6:30pm. Click to their calender for more information.
- And, in future events: start brushing up your chili skills for this year's Fiery Foods Festival at the North Market on Saturday, February 16th. There will be fiery foods available all day long, as well as cooking demonstrations, chili contests (I'll be judging!!), and even a spicy cooking demo for singles, sponsered by Columbus Alive in the afternoon. To learn how to be involved in the chili cookoff, call (614) 463-9664 or visit the market's website.
