Let it SNOW!

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Let it SNOW!

I always say that the first snow fall! That childhood joy excitement emerges and it’s just so beautiful that first snow fall. I would prefer not quite as MUCH snow on the first snow fall, because as an adult and NOT a child, it means my husband and I do the labor of shoveling.

But when the sun is shining on the snow, it is just so bright, cheery, and mood lifting. It’s what you envision at Christmas time. I know that Christ was born in a desert, but I cannot help but associate Christmas and snow together.

I’ll be enjoying this snow until February. Then my foot will start tapping in anticipation of spring, which in the arctic tundra, doesn’t come until April.

Still, its gorgeous right now, and no need to think beyond the holidays. For now I’ll just revel in the reason for the season, grateful for home, health and hearth….and snow.

Easy Winter Salad

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Easy Winter Salad

Hubby decided to work from home and forgo the traffic jams that were sure to be on the highways following the 18 inches of snow we got in 24 hours. (Good call, the commute was 3x’s as long as usual this morning)
So, when he took a break for lunch, I had prepared a lovely (and tasty) hearty salad.
I cook a lot from my pantry, and all these items were either in my fridge or in the very well stocked pantry I keep.
Make a simple vinaigrette: blueberry vinegar (mine is home canned) , smidge of honey mustard, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Toss fresh baby greens in the vinaigrette and top with:
Hard boiled eggs
Quartered pickled baby beets (home canned)
Leftover chicken breast
Slices of blueberry/vanilla artisan goat cheese (any goat cheese would do, but I had this on hand and it paired perfectly with the dressing)

Our family does not care for nuts, but for those who do like them a candied walnut would be nice. I think if I had to do again, I’d add shallots to the dressing.

The key is to keep a decently stocked pantry. The culinary world is open to you if you have more than canned tuna and peanut butter on hand. I think a well stocked pantry discussion is a great future post.

Gator Weather

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Gator Weather

One has to live here to be able to be appreciative of when nature has us pull out the gators. What are gators you might be asking? For those of us who grew up skiing in jeans, they were essential to keep the deep powder out of your boots. I think I last used these skiing in deep powder in the mountains of the Pacific NW.
I know Uggs are all the rage right now, but nothing says ‘snow’ like good old fashioned Sorrel Boots. These are old friends of mine, so old in fact, I’ve replaced the liner. They may not rock the fashion world, but they are essential when shoveling, snow-throwing and rockin’ the mom role.