Storm Prep...

This time of year, I tend to think about food more than I do in the summer. When it's easy-breezy grilling season, supper most nights consists of some form of protein on the grill and a salad or a side vegetable. Quick and simple. But when the thermometer registers "brrrr!" and the view from every window is white, my thoughts turn to soups, casseroles, and baking. 

              

 I get the happiest of feelings when I bring my old recipe file out and rifle through it. It's terribly disorganized, so finding the recipe I'm looking for usually entails a bit of a hunt. It is then that I find cards written in familiar penmanship from loved ones no longer here to enjoy the tastes they shared.  Barbara Jackman's "Hungry Jack Casserole", my mother-in-law's recipe for "million dollar pancakes," copies of favorite recipes cut from magazines or printed off the 'net. It's always a walk down memory lane. Since a major storm is coming to visit tonight, I have my eye set on a new stew recipe that looks delicious and will reheat nicely on the woodstove if we lose power. 

We had snow on Friday night, too.  It came down fast enough that when we let the dogs out for a last potty break before bedtime, they came in frosted in a layer of cold fluff after only a few moments outside. We did a lot of shoveling and snow blowing on Saturday morning. I love winter, but even I am cringing a bit at the thought of dealing with more white stuff on top of what we already have. 

When you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you learn how to prepare for predicted storms. In my case, most of that preparation includes getting the animals ready. Friday, I did a deep clean on the goat room, filling their bedding area with bright shavings and fluffy straw. 

Saturday, I did the same thing for both chicken coops. 

None of the animals choose to leave their houses when the snow is flying, so it's important that their spaces are extra clean and dry. 

The preparations for humans entail filling the wood crib to the brim, laying in groceries, and making sure all the laundry and dishes are clean in case we lose power. And cooking, which brings us full circle to thinking about food. I have a loose menu sketched out for the week, and Chris is off at the store procuring ingredients as I write this. Before the first flakes fall, animals and humans alike will be settled in cozily, bellies full. I can't speak for the critters, of course, but I will be dreaming of spring.