Pork and Mushroom Stew with Potato & Apple Mash Recipe

I almost feel as though I should be sharing summer recipes with you, instead of this comforting (and delectable) pork stew. Here we are, in the first week of January, with temperatures reaching the 70's and clear blue skies. You'd think I'd rejoice in that, but I really wish it was a cold and rainy day. I'm at the tail end of a much needed two week vacation. I'm also concerned that we might be headed into a drought-- and that's not a good thing. I think of the Salinas Valley growers, and how our crops could be affected. Let's hope that La Niña will bring a lot of states some much needed rain.

Today is my husband's first day back at work, and settling in to a peaceful time at home-- all by myself. If it was raining, I'd be…