We all find ourselves meeting the challenge of this long, cold, dark month. Here’s a suggestion to take some of the chill out of January with the warmer side of the color wheel. I’m talking here about red, yellow and orange. How can these colors help us to “weather” (no pun intended) the next 21 days or so without losing our minds?
First, think clothing. Look in your closet for items in these three colors, and wear them in concert. I’m talking about a red sweater accented by a yellow scarf. An orange hat with a red pair of mittens. Throw on something pink and pair it with a yellow headband. Guys, do you have an old yellow tie hanging around in the closet? Throw it on. Make a trip to Goodwill if necessary and spend a few bucks for something no one else wanted, in these vivid colors. Get creative and surprise people with your new, warm look.
Now think floral thoughts. Go to the grocery store and pick up some red and yellow carnations – they are cheap and last for weeks when you add a penny to the water in the vase. Place the colors together in containers in surprising corners of the house, like the bathroom. Red and yellow are lovely together, and eye popping. If you can find orange flowers, so much the better.
Last, find ways to combine these colors in foods. Pizza is beautiful and extra tasty (and nutritious) when graced with red and yellow peppers, sautéed gently in EVOO. Add those yellow peppers to a red sauce to be served with pasta, or make a simple hamburger soup featuring fire roasted tomatoes and yellow squash sliced into cute little rounds. Buy and eat oranges; they are delicious right now. Or take a chance and pick out three cheeses you have never eaten, then pair them with crisp red and yellow apple slices. Bake golden corn muffins and grace them with raspberry jam and butter. Frost a cake with swirls of red and yellow icing, or just go completely orange. It all tastes the same.
And don’t forget to watch for those red and yellow and orange sunsets. You never know when one will pop up at the end of these ever lengthening days.
