Good day to all! Hope you are well this Thursday.
Well kids, if it isn't nasty and cold where you are - odds are that it will be in a few days. It sounds like most of north America is going to get some kind of nasty crud to deal with.
Snow, wind, rain, tornadoes, COLD..............yeppers, winter has come to pay a visit.
Make sure you have what you need. Most of us have enough preps on hand to cover ourselves for a long while. That enables us to stay in and to stay safe off the roads.
IF you need to go out and get a thing or two - do it before the weather hits. We all know what it means when they mention snow!!!! Crazy people who go to the store and get milk, TP, bread and junk - enough to last for ages. I guess people think they will be snowed in for months!!!! It always amazes me.
So make sure you are prepared with enough food in the pantries and freezer. I bet we all are. This is part of the reason we do what we do. Make sure you have a plan in case you lose power for a while. If you lose power, place blankets around your pipes to protect. Do you have meds for a few days?
Just remember that unless you are extremely rural - odds are you will not be snowed in for more than a couple days.
I like comfort food when the weather gets frightful. Maybe make a nice pot of soup, stew or chili. Catch up on watching movies or reading a book. Light was scented candle and cuddle up in a throw. That is winter to me!
I like sweets too - I shouldn't eat them - but something about nasty weather says yummies!!!
It truly doesn't get much easier!
Maybe make some muffins, brownies, biscuits, bread..... oh the mind goes in overdrive!
When baking brownies - I always pour some chocolate chips (or what you have) on top, as soon as they come out of the oven. They melt, and I spread it around - instant icing (only better).
These are great to make and good with beans, soup, stew, basically anything. If you don't have buttermilk that is ok, but you can add a little lemon or vinegar to your milk and use instead. So yummy.
Throw your leftovers in a big pot, add some broth or tomato base, bits of meat (or not), add a little rice or pasta and make soup!
There is no need to go outside in the frightful weather. USE what you have and stay safe.
Improvise and substitute if you don't have something. You may make the next favorite thing!
I hope all stay safe and warm.
Our temps are pretty decent through tomorrow (40's), although a bit windy. THEN the temps drop and we get cold. I guess it is time - as much as we hate it. It is winter!
Spring will be here before we know it.
Stay safe and stay well. Use what you have and get creative with some goodies over the cold spell.
Have a wonderful day and weekend.
I giggled at your title this morning, something about you using the word crud struck me as funny! Thanks for spreading the bad news. I'm well east of you and am not looking forward to more cold and crud! lol Something about cold winter weather, especially snow makes me want to bake treats; I really should find another outlet for my energy/anxiety but it's nice to know I'm not the only one! Thanks for the recipes!
ReplyDeleteWell Bobi, crud was the nicest word I could think of!! There were others in my head. LOL
DeleteYep, it is bound to happen, and happen again. Sigh!
Baking and soups are just my comforts when it is nasty. I sure don't need the sweets, but I will be making something for sure.
Stay warm!
Yes winter is arriving here this weekend. I had to laugh at your comments about people flocking to the stores right before bad weather. I am stopping today for a bit of fresh veggies and fruit. If the store is too crowded I can bypass it and we'll be fine. I plan on staying at home this weekend. I'll do a few things around the house, read, movies and maybe a game or two with TBG. We're prepared and actually look forward to weekends like this. I know you've got to be so happy the cats are inside now so you won't have to go out or have to worry about them.
ReplyDeleteWe're very rural, Lori. Some are living off grid nearby. What flies off the shelves here before a winter storm isn't the produce, though that's what one *might* expect. Milk (for sure), chips (??), Soda (??), ice cream (??!!), coffee/tea, bread, and non-perishables of pasta, cereal, canned goods, etc. I stopped trying to figure people out several years ago. LOL! --Elise
DeleteYep, here it comes. We get a decent day or so then BOOM. Oh people are just crazy with the mention of snow. It amazes me - here in town, no one is but a few minutes from multiple stores.
DeleteI ran to the bank this AM, and stopped in Kroger for a minute. I was surprised, it wasn't bad - but there were a lot of empty shelves (very unusual here), so I figure it started a day or so ago.
Sooooo happy the kitties are in. I have told them that all morning! Lucky babes this winter.
Yup, we're getting all the sub zero warnings, too. I've already decided that church is a no-go on Sunday. My asthma does not like the ice cold and my chest aches for days. I think the forecasted high is 0-2°. So what's the 8am temp? -10° or colder?!?! Brrr!
ReplyDeleteHubs will pick up any last minute stuff on his way home from work on Friday since he'll be in the city. What's mandatory? Hot chocolate, whipped cream, and popcorn? 😁
We have a gas fireplace and oil lamps so we're good. Plenty of everything, really. It's all good as far as I can tell. Did I just put a hex on myself lol?
I think our weekend project will be to close out 23 and get all the tax paperwork gathered. I'm always happy to have taxes done before March just in case there are any ugly surprises. And I'm always up for Cheryl's idea of a comfy blanket and a good book...with a warming fluffer by my feet. My fluffer happens to be a hound lol.
I just knocked wood for you, Debby. :-)
DeleteI think we are all good - but you never know. I don't blame you on staying home Sunday - too cold is just too cold! No sense risking health.
DeleteI have started my '23 tax folder already. I really never get a refund, nor do I generally owe - so no biggy to me.
Glad you like my idea for ways to spend the day!!! Stay warm
The cold has really hit today, but so far there is no wind....Well a very slight breeze which makes it feel much colder. Baking bread and muffins today and sticking very close to home.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Smart lady - staying in. Bread and muffins = Mmmmmmm.
DeleteStay warm and safe.
The big joke is how folks run to the grocery to get bread and milk and most likely Pepsis. The cold doesn't look like it is going to last too long (this time). My Texas daughter is expecting the 20's for a few days and then back to their normal temperate winter. The Indiana winters are nothing like the weather in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we lived for years on an Air Force base.
ReplyDeleteThis upcoming forecast is another reason your babies need to be in the house! I wonder what they think when they look out the windows at snow or rain. "What do you think, Little Bit? Aren't you glad Mom brought us in the house?".
Based on my observations, I'm gonna say that Kansans are running for Dr. Pepper and pork rinds.
DeleteLOL - yep Pepsi and junk food as well as milk and TP. People are just crazy!
DeleteYeah, we have been so lucky this winter - so shouldn't complain, and it won't last too long. Spring will be here soon.
Oh yes, the babes are enjoying inside. Blackie is just the last few days, discovering mom's bed! He stretches out and zonks. Bits loves the registers! Looking out the window just happens now and then. I think they like it. Sure eases my mind.
Thank you for this blog post, Cheryl, and thank you for the recipes. Love that the PB cookies are GF (no flour) and sent that recipe to my Sis. I'd like to share a recipe for something popular here...
ReplyDeleteTraditional Navajo Fry Bread
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup warm water
1-2 T oil
extra flour for dusting
vegetable oil for frying
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Add oil and rub into the flour. Add warm water and make a dough. You may need 3/4 - 1 cup water, depending on how much the flour absorbs. The dough should not be hard or too soft. Allow to rest for 10-30 minutes.
Heat more oil in a pan or skillet. Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Roll each part into a ball. Either you can pat the dough into a circle shape as it is done traditionally or use a rolling pin. Don't roll it out too thin. Using the point of the knife, make tiny slits all over the rolled out bread or prick with a fork. The oil is ready when a small piece of dough put in the oil rises to the surface immediately. Fry the bread till both sides are light golden brown in color. Put the fried bread on paper towels or in a colander to drain out the excess oil.
Navajo Tacos use this soft, puffy fry bread with whatever you'd put in a taco, but it's also a popular dessert sprinkled with powdered sugar and/or drizzled with honey. What's great is just about every kitchen has AP flour and baking powder in a cupboard.
--Elise
I LOVE Navajo Fry Bread. This is the same recipe I use. When we lived in SW Florida there was an Indian (Seminole) casino diner that served it and it was fabulous so I had to learn to make it when we moved.
DeleteWe're about an hour from Navajo Nation, Lori. I'd never had it before we started exploring northern AZ... a few years before we decided to retire here. It's wonderful! Traditional Navajo tacos use ground lamb, but many Mexican restaurants here offer the fry bread as an alternative to tortillas. It's so easy to make, too! --Elise
DeleteElise, in my family, those were called Sopapillas. My grandma made them about once a year. Many served them sweet, with honey or powdered sugar. We had them savory, with pinto beans and red chili sauce. My neighbor is from Panama and makes a similar thing using cornmeal and serves them with a soft white cheese. They're delicious.
DeleteI almost listed my Navajo bread recipe as well. I really enjoy it. It is such a good sub. So easy.
DeleteGlad you found a recipe you like and will share.
Stay in and stay safe.
I love the fried cornbread (Johnny Cakes), too, Cheryl. Thank you for sharing that recipe as well. I just don't have any cornmeal in the pantry, but will make the recipe when I do!
Delete--Elise
Just adding my 2 cents in here. My Niece told me of a short cut that her FIL taught her: Use Rhodes frozen bread dough the ones for the singles rolls thaw them out and fry them up just as you normally would for the recipe from scratch. He is Tlingit Indian.
DeleteElise, I love fry bread! Thanks for the recipe.
DeleteLAURIE - what a neat idea. Nice to know. Rhodes dough is always good anyway. Thanks.
DeleteThank you, Laurie! I'm going to give that a try. --Elise
DeleteFunny, I have bananas thawing on the counter to make banana loaf sometime today.
ReplyDeleteThough it is bitterly cold, I am going out this afternoon for Mahjong at the community center. I don't plan to stay for more than an hour though. It's just too darned cold out there.
Stay warm and dry!
Bundle up when you go out. Great minds think alike, when it gets cold! Baking and food!!!!! Why not - we need something to enjoy and make ourselves happy!
DeleteIt's snowing here this morning. Hubs was a sweetheart and ran out to get a new script for antibiotics late yesterday afternoon. The tooth pain has been killing me since the dental visit and my next appt. isn't until the 17th. I should say it's only bad if I eat, drink or breath. Antibiotics should help.
ReplyDeleteSchools are on delay start and some businesses will be closed today. Staying HOME is a good idea in weather like this if you're able. Chances are most folks have *something* to eat. A frugal lifestyle means you're able to go with the flow. Praying everyone stays safe and warm! --Elise
Hope the antibiotics help. I had a jaw tooth driving me crazy with pain during the holidays - and then it just stopped. I will get to the dentist one of these days. I did echinacea (natures antibiotic) earnestly for a while.
DeleteStay safe.
Awww, so sweet of your husband! I'm not big on antibiotics but this is one of those times to take them in my humble opinion, yes, they *can* save lives when used properly as I'm sure you know. : ) Our daughter's dentist told her she didn't need them, the receptionist told her she did and the receptionist was right! It's one of those things that can be very dangerous. The dentist she used is excellent and a free-spirited toughie himself but that advice was not good for everyone.
DeleteTake care of yourself, Elise. Stay warm. Praying for you! I know it's not fun at all! Our daughter here has had a time of it in the dental department for some reason.
(((hugs))) ~Amelia
Yes, sometimes antibiotics are called for. Here's hoping...
DeleteElise
Tooth pain is the worst! Hope the antibiotics help.
Delete--Frances
Elise, did the antibiotics kick in? Are you feeling better? I'm so sorry! Praying for you. A hug and a little pat on the back...~Amelia
DeleteThank you all. The antibiotics might take a day or two, according to the dentist. She recommended Tylenol + Ibuprofen, which I'm doing every 4 hours during the day. Soft foods. Warm (not hot or cold) water. Peroxide & warm water mouth rinses seem to help. (((Hug))) back at you! --Elise
DeletePrayers for you and your tooth, Elise! Antibiotics can be miracles. They certainly helped the months long sinus infection I had. Oh the relief! :)
Delete... and what is it with not being able to get a quick appointment when there is a problem? Have we turned into a 3rd world country or something? I had to wait *weeks* to see the ENT guy and my own GP was booked solid also for weeks. It didn't used to be like this.
Against the coming cold weather I've made split pea soup with ham stock from the Thanksgiving ham. OMGoodness, it is wonderful! :)
MaryB
Thank you, Mary. And I agree 100% about having to wait to get appointments. Didn't used to be that way. This is how smaller problems can become BIG ones before you get in. I'm grateful to have the antibiotics.
DeleteBy the way, I *love* split pea soup. Yum! --Elise
Hi Cheryl, here we are not used to ice or snow so it's a good time to hunker down. We always need to be prepared and consider all in the nation and pray for them too. When we suffer hurricanes it's amazing how many treat it like it's nothing. We actually had a little boy up north from us during that historical freeze pass away in his trailer home from freezing to death and sometimes it seems people don't give a flip but I'm preaching to the choir...How did I get on that? lol But yes, everyone should always be prepared and no last minute stuff. ; )
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the recipes! I appreciate it! I'm glad you're posting the cornbread again...I need that! : D
Hope everyone is having a good day, I'm going to go take a good walk while the weather is plum beautiful here today. : ) ~Amelia
Some people just never prepare and then they are left high and dry (or wet in some places). Being prepared is just good common sense, which doesn't seem in abundance these days.
DeletePoor child!
Hope you are staying dry. The sun is shining right now here, and it sure has lifted my spirits - it has been gloomy as of late.
Hope you enjoyed your walk, Amelia. Hug those furbabies!
Delete--Elise
Cheryl, there really is something to getting that sunshine! I little cloudy, coziness is okay but it can get to be too much it seems right? Today was gorgeous, I even had to take my turtleneck off under my tunic shirt. Glad you got your spirits lifted, Cheryl! It sure helps to get outside right?
DeleteElise, oh yes, it was so nice. I walked 2 miles today knowing I probably wouldn't be walking tomorrow, or maybe not even the next day etc. I took our little and big fur babies and they loved it too! I sure hope you are doing okay, I hate to talk about a walk when you are having teeth problems, that is so painful too. ~Amelia
DeleteA little sunshine and fresh air is wonderful. Glad you all had a good walk!
DeleteWell, Amelia, as my mom has said (and not to make her sound horrible), "You're used to pain." And I am.
DeleteMouth pain is a bit different in that it seems to take over your brain so you can't think, concentrate, have a conversation, etc. during the worst of it. I am taking OTC pain meds during the day, the script from the foot surgery at night. There's a little game I play with myself. I silently repeat, "I just have to make it to next Thursday." And I sleep a lot when I hurt. It's an escape... a hypnotherapist once told me it's also self-hypnosis. Whatever. It works for me! --Elise
Thank you Cheryl, and also...I forgot to thank you also for the scrumptious looking cookie recipe! Those look so good, I could use almond butter and stevia...They look nice. ; )
DeleteAmelia - enjoy!
DeleteYes, Elise, I so get that. My husband one time had such horrible pain in his mouth I had to talk to our dentist on the phone, and hubs told me to tell him he wanted to cut his head off! lol (We were acquainted with the dentist) ...And the dentist got a laugh out of it.
DeleteBut I'm so sorry, eeks. Your mom said that, and it sounds like it's true. You poor thing. Sleep sounds like a good escape, glad you can sleep with the pain.
Oh, I absolutely understand your husband, Amelia. The way I get to sleep when in pain is to get in one "comfortable" position in bed, don't move a muscle and pray myself to sleep. Concentrating on prayer helps take my mind off the pain. --Elise
DeleteI hope and pray that no one loses power as it can be rough in this bitter cold.
ReplyDeleteRight there with you. The bitter cold is not something to mess with.
DeletePut up blankets to pull across the living room windows under the curtains. Just binder clipped them to the curtains so I can open them with the curtains in the morning.
ReplyDeleteRunning errands tomorrow, including some groceries. Some light snow and bitterly cold temps with high winds for the weekend. I plan to stay home from tomorrow afternoon through at least Saturday. May try to get out to see Husband on Sunday. 1-2 inches of snow expected Monday, so I'll be staying home again. The car has a new battery and full tank of gas. I just pray the electricity stays on at home. I'll be dripping the faucets, too.
Defrosting home grown strawberries to make strawberry bread this weekend. Got my new crockpot and food sealer this week. Will probably make meatloaf (freezing most of it for future meals) and a small batch of chicken noodle soup.
--Frances
Sounds like you are prepared. Whatever snow we get won't be much - it is the cold I hate.
DeleteYour house sounds like you have done all you can to prepare. We all have the same frame of mind - baking and soup! Strawberry bread sounds wonderful.
Glad you got some new tools to make life easier.
Stay safe and warm. Tell your hubby hello and I am holding him in prayer.
Sounds good, Francis! Smart on dripping the faucets. We learned that little lesson when we lived in TX and there was an ice storm. When you see him, give your husband a little hug from Arizona. --Elise
DeleteYears ago I stopped into a grocery store when I was living in Iowa. A terrible snowstorm was forecasted. No shopping carts to be had. Good thing I didn't need one. I only stopped to pick up an impulse buy as I lived at home and didn't need to worry about food. People were filling their carts to the top. The funniest thing I saw was a woman who had frozen pizza stacked to the top. I wondered how she'd cook them if the power went out. Lol. My mother on the other hand, had peanut butter and jelly & bread in her pantry in case the power went out.
ReplyDeleteI posted a long comment yesterday that published and subsequently disappeared. Too long I guess. That's weird that happens.
~margaret
People are nuts aren't they. No thinking, just impulse shopping. They buy tons of junk and like you said, don't think about the power situation. LOL
DeleteI just shake my head. I stopped yesterday while out doing errands, only to get another bag of kitty chow. I still have some and have tons of other cat food, so it wasn't necessary. I was surprised to see so many empty shelves already! The store didn't seem super busy, but I haven't seen empty shelves like that in a few years!
I will go in and check to see if I can find your other comment. Sorry that it happens sometimes.
Stay warm.
FOUND IT AND POSTED!
DeleteMargaret, I saw/read your earlier post. So inspiring! Really, it is. My Sis hated cooking. She used a lot of convenience... Hamburger Helper type stuff. Frozen whatever. I never could convince her of how satisfying it can be to play with food. LOL! You stretched those ingredients a LONG way and it all sounds delicious. Thank you for taking the time to share. --Elise
ReplyDeleteJust a quick not on having a BACK UP PLAN. We have propane. When we bought a pellet stove during the planning of this house, we expected it to be back up heating in the winter. Well, it's our main source of heat in cold weather. We got a big enough stove to heat the whole house and buy pellets in the summer months (at lower prices), delivered on pallets. For whatever reason, the stove stopped itself last night. The furnace kicked on at about 1 a.m. There's plenty of propane in the 500 gallon tank. Having a BACK UP PLAN is both smart and frugal.
ReplyDeleteThat's also why we did the ground mount solar with back up battery. And why we keep (large) bottled water stacked in the laundry room. --Elise
Good to have a back-up plan for sure. Glad you had that since it is getting so cold.
DeleteOne of the main reasons we invested in a whole house generator a few years back. That and medical issues. I would sure hate to need electricity and not have it for an extended time. Life, food, home could all be in danger.
A back up generator is so important, Cheryl. We've considered saving up for one as a plan "C". That, and a water tank. --Elise
DeleteElise, we purchased a Briggs and Stratton whole house generator, my husband liked that one because it has a variable speed when you are not needing as much juice, and it was a little more economical to buy and customer service is very good and personable. We bought ours from Home Depot. We've been happy with it, we invested in it after the nightmare ice storm a few years ago here where a child horribly died in a trailer home, freezing to death. We also have a big woodburning heater that's nice on super cold nights. We bought our wood burning stove from Northern Tools, so far we've found that's the best place for wood burning heater. It *heats*! ~Amelia
DeleteThank you, Amelia. We have a Home Depot in the nearby town. Hubs will look into that. We can at least price them and save up for one! --Elise
DeleteElise, We just recently; in September had our Generac installed. We purchased it from Costco , it was spendy but we got $500 off after we had purchased it as it came on sale. I am so glad it's done. And our cash back rewards from Costco was a good amount last year.
ReplyDeleteLaurie, my Sis says their whole house generator was the best investment they ever made. She's encouraged me to get one as solar depends on... well... the SUN. LOL! Honestly, though, power outages usually happen during storms. A solar back up battery is only good for 18 hours max. During AR ice storms with power outages, their generator has run for days. So glad you got one for your house! --Elise
DeleteHi LaurieS, we too bit the bullet and purchased a Briggs and Stratton from Home Depot. So glad we have ours now!
DeleteI have been waiting all day on this snow and it's finally here. Glad we picked up our milk yesterday. Besides that we were all set. I want something sweet too. Not sure what does that!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't get too much snow - I know you are north, so stay safe. Something about cold and the "S" word that makes us want something sweet! Stay warm.
DeleteFrench Toast People--they rush out to get milk, bread, and eggs. I have to have my bananas, too.
ReplyDeleteOur bad weather lasted a good twenty minutes with lots of rain and wind, a little light rain before and after, so almost an hour? Now, we wait for freezing weather with little precipitation. I have soup planned with hamburger to put in it. Maybe a spritz of snow that will last just a short time, not even a day.
People around here just rush out at every mention of the word SNOW! It is a running joke.
DeleteYour weather sounds have way decent. It is so cold so many places. We had rain ALL day yesterday and now wind is crazy and flurries. It i supposed to be below freezing for a good week. Stay in and stay safe. Your soup sounds good.
Late to the party .... as usual, lately. I had a nice dinner with friends on Thurs. late afternoon, and the bar/grill where we chose to meet is in the same shopping plaza as my locally-owned grocery store. So, I meal planned ahead for the next full week and shopped before we met for dinner. I knew we were going to get bad weather, and it was a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. The store was crowded -- more than I've ever seen there, but they had all lanes open to get people in and out quickly. I stuck to my list, in and out, with only one "stray" purchase -- they have the best filled croissants and when they rotate their self service trays, they bag the few left-overs and put them out at a reduced price. So, I got a chocolate nutella filled one and an almond one. A little reward for myself for going out and shoveling the stairs and walking the pup in the snow. I've stayed in since then, venturing out only last night since I forgot to fuel up my car and the temps will be sub-zero until mid-week this coming week. I wanted a full tank, just in case.
ReplyDeleteI thas been a comfort food kind of week -- chili and cornbread, chicken a'la king ... I'll be making chocolate chip banana bread this afternoon, and am planning on pot roast in the crock pot on Sunday.
Stay safe, everyone!
Comfort foods seem to be the go to when the weather gets frightful! Hey, you deserve a reward! LOL
DeleteSounds like you are ready to be in for a bit. I like the car to have a full tank as well.
Your friend's dinner sounds fun. Those are always nice.
Enjoy all your fun finds and have a good time making some yummy comfort food!
Because we dont have snow, snow and ice sound scary to me and no way would I be driving in it if I could avoid it. I love the cornbread Cheryl... we love cornbread but I have never made it that way and will try. Stay warm! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh how lucky you are to not have snow and ice. It is kind of scary to drive on. This gal plans on going nowhere unless necessary - but many have to work. I am sure if you have no snow or ice - you deal with something else that we don't. It sure seems every area has its weather problems!
DeleteGlad you like the recipe. Frying cornbread is so good. Just gives us a different way of making it -always nice for a change. Thanks