Sunday, January 25, 2026

The weather outside is frightful!

 

                            

                                                       View from our bedroom

    

                                                      View from the living room

    

                                                     View from our dining room

I'm sure everyone has heard there is a large winter storm moving across the US and so far, it has dumped 14 inches of snow here.  (And still snowing) The worst part is the temperatures are FREEZING cold and will be for the next week.  So, this won't be melting away anytime soon. In the 20 years we've lived here, this is the most snow we've gotten.  I'm not complaining and was actually thinking how good this is for the garden soil.  My garlic and wildflowers that were planted this fall should really thrive this year.  I hope anyway.

I didn't have to make a trip to the store and I'm thankful for that.  From everything I've seen and heard people wiped out all of the stores each day between Thursday and Saturday afternoon.  One of the farms we buy from even said she totally sold out of beef, eggs, milk and bread.  

Last Monday (before all of the storm hype) I really wanted to plan a three-day weekend but had a training session on Friday so I put in to take tomorrow off instead.  I think that was a god wink because I don't know if I could make it in tomorrow if I had to.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking and cooking and enjoyed every minute of it.  TBG requested another batch of bagels.  They do freeze well and toast up beautifully.


All month I've been working on cleaning out cabinets, drawers and closets.  I find if I do it two or three times a year it doesn't get out of control.  While I've been working on this I watch/listen to TV.  I watched I am Mary Jo Buttafuoco on Netflix. It told the story from her perspective instead of Joe or Amy's and my heart just broke for all she had to endure.  She narrated the movie and said at the end that through it all she came out with an appreciation for life and her children and she is happy now.  

Other things I watched...
The Valley - Persian Style (part of the old cast from Shah's of Sunset)  
Southern Charm
Suddenly Amish 

I started reading Into The Magic Shop by James R. Doty, MD after the recommendation from Judee at Gluten Free A-Z  I just started reading it.  Funny thing is in my training session Friday one of the topics was the connection between the heart and brain so I'm even more excited to read this book. Thank you Judee!!



What we ate this week...
Chicken, pesto pasta and a salad
Lamb burger and 'fries'

BIG salad x two
LO chili with cornbread
Tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich
Tonight, I'm roasting a whole chicken.  We'll have it with a loaded baked potato and green beans and a small salad.  The rest will go into a big pot of spicy chicken soup tomorrow.  

This was the special at Yellen Helen's this week, but it was just a bit too cold for me to go get it.  Doesn't it sound amazing though? I hope they run this special again because I really want to try it.



I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.  What is cooking at your house? Inquiring minds want to know.







35 comments:

  1. Wow, that was a blast from the past on the author of your book. I knew Jim Doty when he attended UCI. I grew up across the street from his first wife Timmarie, Jim
    met her at one of my Dad's parties. I was sad to read he passed last year.

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    1. Wow, that is interesting. It is a small world, isn't it? I think I'm really going to enjoy his book.

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  2. That is a lot of snow - more than here. I think we finally ended with 10+ inches and drifting. You are lucky to have tomorrow off, maybe think about Tuesday as well. The roads aren't going to be good for a couple of days or more.
    I have recorded Suddenly Amish, just haven't watched it yet.
    Stay safe and cozy.
    Have a good one.

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    1. It is a lot of snow for our area and it is still snowing. I am SO glad I had to switch my day off to Monday now. I only live a mile from work and it's a straight shot so we'll see how things are by Tuesday. If it's still too bad I'll stay home.
      I have a lot of thoughts on Suddenly Amish but I won't ruin it for you. Snuggle up and stay warm and cozy.

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  3. We were really hit over the last week - 26.5 inches. And now the cold! Sorry you have it too. It's good you're ready and just staying home, looking out.
    Chili was on the menu today!

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    1. I don't know how you cope with the long, cold, snowy winters. This is rare for us so doable. Chili sounds good and I'm sure we'll have that sometime this week. Tonight is chicken soup. Stay warm!!

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  4. That is some serious snow. We had no snow, no ice, have power, and no where to go for the next couple of cold days.
    I am certain at least a couple of nights will be chili or soup meals here.
    I want that Dubai sundae. My granddaughter loves Dubai chocolate so I might need to make these this summer when she is here. I am bookmarking this page for future reference.

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    1. Thankfully we haven't lost power so we are good. I am making a big pot of chicken soup for dinner tonight to warm us up.
      I really wanted to try the Dubai sundae, but it was so cold outside I decided to wait.

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  5. I knew that if anyone would be well stocked up for such a storm it would be you!!! While it's really pretty I'm sure you'll be glad when it's gone. Stay safe!

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    1. Yes, I am thankful to have been stocked up and not having to go out. I drove past one of the stores on my way home Friday and the parking lot was crazy. It is pretty and I don't mind it because we don't get weather like this very often.

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  6. Gosh, so much snow and so cold!! That lamb burger looks mouthwatering! Stay warm and safe!

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    1. It is cold but at least the wind stopped. I love lamb burgers.

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  7. Still snowing here too. I don't know how much we've gotten so far but it's a lot. We have had more though.
    People get crazy at the grocery store when weather gets bad. Glad you don't have to go into work today. I got a text that they aren't opening till noon but I don't know if I'll even make it then

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    1. You have such long, snowy, cold winters so I understand why you don't like it. This is unusual for here. It is pretty though. I don't blame you for not going in.

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  8. Bot Bossy here! Oh Lori, when living back east, we got nailed five times in thirty-eight years with that kind of snow and it was awful. Tooks weeks for it to melt and things to go back to normal? Do not miss it at all! Stay warm!

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    1. This is the first time we've gotten this much since we've lived here. It doesn't happen very often. I couldn't handle a long winter like some have.

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  9. We got 10+ inches here with sub-zero temperatures. It was pretty to look at -- for one day -- and now I'm ready to be rid of it.

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    1. It is a bit chilly, isn't it? Our snow won't be going anywhere anytime soon with these cold temps but at least the sun is shining today.

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  10. Here I am complaining about it being below 50 at sunrise. I'll shut up about that. In case you're wondering, I cooked a NY Strip and filet mignon on consecutive nights, and I had a 2021 Callaway Syrah with them.

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    1. Yeah, some might not want to hear you talk about 50 degree mornings right now. The steaks sound really delicious. Have a great Monday.

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  11. I think we got 17 inches of snow, but I stopped looking at the weather app because it really doesn't matter. Middle Child's library (work) has been closed yesterday and today, so I don't have to go out. I did go to the store on Saturday (Sunday is my regular Aldi day) and there was no bread or bananas. And I saw someone exclaim that the wine was nearly gone, but I don't buy my wine at Aldi!

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    1. This is the most snow we've gotten since we've lived here. I don't think I would love winter if we had the long, cold winters like you do. Everything is closed here too. That is funny about the wine. I guess they really wanted some.

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  12. Hello! Thank you for the idea of the Netflix show! I hadn't heard of that one, and having it being told from her point of view will be so interesting and honest. Stay warm and cozy, my friend.

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    1. I've seen a few of the others about the event and this was by far the best to hear it from her side of things.

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  13. Ooh homemade bagels. I too did not need anything from the stores.. yay!

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    1. Homemade bagels are so good. Yay...it feels good not to have to go out, doesn't it?

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  14. I 100 percent agree that they freeze and retoast nice. I use the air fryer lid that we have. I love having bagels in the freezer. None right now. Will need to restock. Currently on a sesame seed roll kick.

    All of your meals sound very, very good.

    PS: Today or tomorrow, I have to check, is day 14 of the Sugar Cookie Candle Mystery....lol I made myself giggle calling it a mystery. Will it smell good? Will it work? Excited to find out. The unscented with the wood wick is nice though. Sounds like a mini fireplace.

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    1. Our convection oven has a bagel setting and it is perfect for reheating them.
      Thank you for the compliment.
      I can't wait to hear how the sugar cookie candle comes out. I love the wood wick candles because of the crackling they do.

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    2. The candle is near by and I'm soooo tempted to light it only I wanna wait for Smoochie Face to get home. And tonight we have to go get his car and run to a few places so ... likely tomorrow.

      Excellent on the reheating setting. Cool beaners!

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  15. I've been keeping in touch with my kids in Pennsylvania and New York. My son told me he could not even get a grocery delivery order three days before the storm from Whole Foods- They shared pics of heavy snow and they expect more on the weekend. Let me know how you like the book. Great snow pics.. thanks for the Netflix recommendations

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    1. It was such a widespread storm. I hope things are improving for them. There is a 'chance' for more snow for us this weekend and I hope it doesn't. Thank you for recommending the book.

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  16. I am mad-jealous about the bagels. Yum!

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