|
|
Snow Day in Amelia |
| Hi Family, What a neat day! The ground was covered with snow when I let Gretchen out for the final time last night so I knew today would be lovely... and it was! After making a pot of coffee and putting the ham hocks back on the stove to continue simmering ...the broth is for my famous southern baby lima beans and the bits of ham go into the turnip greens with chunks of turnip included... popped two turkey wings into the crock pot with some homemade hickory BBQ sauce... located and donned my long johns and high top shoes, sweatshirt and quilted vest, soft scarf and gloves, and OUT I WENT... the Snow Queen! It was wonderful! The snow was up above Gretchen's elbows and she was so cute racing around.. jumping around is more accurate.. plowing up the snow with her nose and tossing the snow up into the air. I finally got busy with the shovel and made a path clear around the house, then to the carport, to the clothesline and to the shed. After a short break, I started on the driveway and shoveled down one side of the driveway and up the other side creating an outline of it's curve in the event that some neighbor with a tractor and a plow might feel compelled to come on over and plow the rest of it. But except for the county snowplows, no one else was out plowing and I left the rest of the driveway until tomorrow. That was enough exercise for today and my toes were freezing so after refilling the bird feeders, I came back in to thaw out. It continued to spit snow off and on creating a perfect excuse for mixing up and baking some of the specialty quick breads. Apple-raisin-cinnamon-walnut is my favorite so I started with that. Niece Michelle would have the ingredients chopped, minced, measured and mixed in less than ten minutes and she wouldn't need a timer to know when it was baked just right. I took much longer and I use a timer. Next came a banana, chocolate chip, peanut butter chip and pecan quick bread. And so went the afternoon... Somehow, food always is more exciting to prepare when it is cold and snowy outside and tastes soooooooo good! Did I mention my fresh vegetable soup for dinner with a spoonful of grated sharp cheddar cheese added to each bowl? There was an unusual variety and number of birds at the feeders all day. Many, many purple finches and chickadees, a pair of pine warblers, several cardinals, one red-headed woodpecker, many unidentifiable nondescript small birds and two first-time-ever-since-I've-lived-here blue jays. The jays are quite striking in appearance but are big bullies that chase all the other birds away. The double windows in the kitchen overlook the feeders, and since the kitchen is my favorite room, I am frequently entertained by their antics and their beauty. And now, goodnight. Love to everyone, Aunt Maureen |
