OH, people. We are in the throes of a WINTER WEATHER EVENT here in north central Alabama. So far that means that we’ve gotten about 1/4 inch of freezing rain and a light dusting of snow. But listen – that 1/4 inch of freezing rain is a big deal here. Roads are closed, and our driveway is so slick right now that if I got a good running start at the top of it, I could set some personal best times sledding down it. Not that we keep official records for sledding down our driveway, of course. Though we would certainly entertain the possibility if there were some shiny medals involved.
The mere prospect of winter weather in Alabama just brings me untold delight. I mean, we (and by “we,” I mean EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO LIVES IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY) just lose our dadgum minds. Friday afternoon I went to the grocery store so that I could round up all the essentials, and while I’m not positive, I’m fairly certain that a good two-thirds of the people in this area converged on the grocery store at the exact same time. It was like grocery shopping at Thanksgiving, only the sense of urgency was MUCH! GREATER! Because I’ll tell you what: if we’re going to be trapped in our house for two days while we shelter ourselves from the elements, then by diggity we’re going to have a family-size bag of Doritos, an assortment of Pringles and a 24-pack of Diet Coke.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE PIONEERS SURVIVED ALL THOSE HARSH WINTERS?
After I secured all the necessary foodstuffs, we settled in for one of the nicest, most relaxing weekends I can remember. Saturday we ate lunch at Chuy’s (I have a deep and abiding fondness for their oven roasted chicken chili rellenos), ran a few errands, then came home and built a fire and rested. Just hung out. DELIGHTFUL. I made a big pot of Melanie’s tortilla soup for supper, and it was, in a word, DELICIOUS. Even D liked it, and he does not typically regard soup as a meal. He sees it as more of an appetizer. Or maybe even a hot beverage. But he was a fan of this particular tortilla soup recipe, so I’ll definitely fix it again. In this house it’s critical to seize any and all soup-making opportunities, you know.
Today after church we ran by the store ONE MORE TIME. I felt like it would be good to have some ground beef so that if we lost power I could pull a Ma Ingalls and cook some meat in a cast iron skillet over the fire (AS I SO OFTEN DO), and we’ve been home ever since. Right now I have a big pot of black beans on the stove (in addition to the sledding records, I’m apparently trying to set some cooking records, too), and as soon as I publish this post, I’m going to turn off the stove, climb under the covers and listen to the freezing rain hit the leaves outside the window.
(Aaaaaand suddenly I sound like I’m smack-dab in the middle of a Mitford novel.)
(Maybe Father Tim will brave the elements and show up at our front door tomorrow morning to help us find our missing cat.)
(The fact that we don’t actually have a cat or a priest named Father Tim is completely inconsequential.)
So that’s pretty much it from our neck of the woods. Sleet, snow, soup and crazy.
Mighty big fun indeed.
and there’s the rub…..
You make me so happy! You have just perfectly explained snow in the South. We live in East TN and I’ve been watching the weather forecast for hours! The snow should be here around 4am. School has been cancelled for Monday and my boys have been crazy excited ALL DAY! Enjoy!
maybe Violet will come and be your family cat.
I think this might be the first Mitford reference that I’ve read from you! I do love Father Tim! I think I might even have a little crush on him…
Sounds like fun! We’re jealous down here in South Louisiana. It’s just cold and rainy. Enjoy your weather event!!
Up here in Huntsville, we’ve gotten more snow than we got on Christmas… It is coming down fast and hard. We even had thunder and lightning one time tonight. It’s beautiful to watch.
It was my regular grocery time on Saturday. I am lucky that I get to go to the commissary on the Arsenal; no shortage of bread or milk there, as in many of the other grocery stores in the area. I did have to get a larger and less lean pkg of ground beef, though. That and salad fixings seemed to be the big item (and I saw several folks with DuraLogs in their baskets as well).
But back to the bread and milk thing. A guy from church has remarked on the run on those items (and eggs) whenever a storm is called for. He calls the mad dashes to the store everyone makes “French Toast Runs.”
@Karen – I’ve been hearing that French Toast thing for years and JUST last year figured it out. I’m up on things.
Yep, I too made the fatal error of judgement to hit WalMart on Friday evening. Thought at first it was just cause everyone was getting off work, till I stood in line looking at the carts full of batteries, milk and bread (has James Spann ever figured that one out??!!) and it hit me – they were preparing for The Storm! We have about 4 inches here in West Alabama but it’s covering up some previously fallen freezing rain, so I’m staying in the house. With my soup. AND, yet another reason you are my pretend BFF – The Mitford Books! Love, love them!!
Just a little FYI…I live in snow country so I must mention a task for ALL manner of bad weather…..Here in Upper Michigan EVERYONE must fill all cars,trucks ,4 wheelers.snowmobils,and EVERY gas can they have …why WHEN YOU CAN’t go anywhere because of said storm…….CRAZY I TELL YA…JUST CRAZY….:):)
Kelly…”Pretend BFF” I hear you and that made me laugh :) I hope that doesn’t signal some sort of emotional weakness.
I just got back in the house from putting our poor, wet, snow-covered kitties in the barn (detached garage, but we’ve always called it the barn or shop). You’ve inspired me. Now I’m going to put some soup on the stove and ask my sweet hubby to start a fire in the fireplace and it’s only 7:50! Our pastor said yesterday that he was going to go sit across the street from Food Lion just to see how many people went in before the Winter Weather Event here in SC. STay warm.
The Mitford books make me happy.
Have a nice week!
I LOVE (with a big heart) the Mitford books. And today would be a perfect day to start re-reading them! We are hunkered down with our soup too.
I had a friend in Missouri who said that when the grocery stores had a surplus of bread and milk, they called the weather men and asked them to predict snow. Works every time.
We have 3ish inches of snow on the ground and we’re still having school! I guess I’ll have to make soup for my lunch and curl up with Father Tim and the gang while the school bus takes the crazies away. Darn the luck!
We got nothin’. I took a leap of faith and trusted in every word the forecasters spoke and spread the word. We stayed indoors all day yesterday and even missed church. Granted, it was cold and nasty and we desperately needed a day to do nothing.
But where’s our sleet? Was that too much to ask for?
I do think it’s coming. I’m almost certain. Because I’m out of milk and DIET COKE! I’m feeling a little panicky but the run to Walmart will have to wait. If a storm hits and I’m stuck here in desperation, I’m just wondering if you would send some kind of MUST BE DELIVERED package of Diet Coke? I hear the USPO must deliver rain, snow or shine. ;)
We have the real deal, SNOW, in South Carolina! Everything is shut down and they are warning us not to even dare think about getting in a car with 3-4 inchs of snow on the ground, and I am happy to abide!
It is so peaceful and beautiful, such a treat!
My hubby and I are thrilled to have the day off work to enjoy with the kiddos.
I just finished the most recent Mitford novel and if I could have Father Tim and Cynthia over for soup with you and D, it would make my day complete! Enjoy!
Do NOT go sledding down your driveway!!!! Your ankle!! :)
SO true! Schools were breathlessly called off here in North Louisiana – this morning, the roads appear somewhat…damp. I had a friend in junior high who moved from “up north” and she said Louisiana will close schools if someone spits in the middle of the road! Abundance of caution, people! Enjoy your soup and snuggles. I’m thinking it’s a good red beans and rice day!
Snow here in TN. Kids still asleep. I’m gazing out the window. All is well. :)
Y’all have fun today! (And then I’m done with it)
Ugh. My husband is the same way about soup. “Liquids are not food, Chelsea. Liquids are drinks. Hot liquids are hot drinks.”
Sometimes I make soup anyways and tell him to be quiet and eat his drink. He’s usually okay if he can cruch up an entire bag of tortilla chips in it…
The Ma Ingalls part was hilarious. :-)
So we were all buckled in for some exciting snow/sleet here in Texas, but when I left this morning, there wasn’t even frost on my windshield (though the temperature was about 30). I found out later that a place about 40 miles from here got several inches of snow, while we didn’t get a drop of precipitation. Sad day.
I gave this suggestion to Melanie to try to ease her Aggie woes, and it just might add to your perfect snowed-in-ness too. Check out this website: http://southbranchmusic.com and listen to the debut album by this duet. By way of disclaimer on this recommendation, I freely admit to bias…they are my son and daughter-in-law. But that doesn’t diminish their goodness one iota! :-)
What a beautiful day ! I just love a snow day – I don’t even care that we were just out for Christmas, and will have to go to school into June !
My sweet husband put a pot roast in the crock pot last night, in anticipation of today’s fantastic snow and ice, so we are set for a great day !
Stay warm over in Alabama!
Five to six inches here in Memphis! No school! Maybe even for two days! I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!
We went to the grocery Saturday night, and there were about 12 carts left inside. I almost cried right there on the spot. But, by darned, we’ve got enough bread, milk, toilet paper, and diet coke to last us through the next few days at least.
Here’s hoping you survived your winter event!
We tried to go to the Kroger here in Auburn (okay, Opelika) on Saturday and there were so many cars in the parking lot that we finally went somewhere else and didn’t even try the store. Between the fact that it was Saturday to start with, the BIG GAME is today, and the ice storm was coming, the stores were covered up.
Poor Auburn fans – they closed down all activities on campus, including getting to watch the game on the big screen down at the auditorium!
We raced home from church to “BEAT THE STORM!!” There is snow, we must hurry, we must batten down the hatches!!! Let us all lose our minds!! Let us become pioneers of yester year!! We turn into a combination of Little House on the Prairie, and yes indeed Father Tim. My husband loads our wood pile- very manly. I cook soup. We also converse with neighbors about “THE STORM!” does everyone have flashlights? You can come to our house if you are without power!
Bless you for mentioning Father Tim and Mitford. His frequent comment, “Is there any balm?” is one of the reasons I named my blog what I did. Completely sums up our daily life around here.
Love your thoughts. It delights me to hear (or see) you derive delight from the WINTER WEATHER EVENT. Likewise, it’s flurrying here in Dalhart, Texas, and my people are home with the stomah bug, so seriously, “Is there any balm?”
We are certainly not having as exciting an event as some of you, but just the prospect of it nearby kind of makes me tingle. How I love the quirky characters of Mitford and my Beloved Father Tim!
Stay warm everyone!
Girl, you totally crack me up! I love coming to your blog….it’s one of the highlights of my day!
We’ve been hit here in KS too…kids home from school; wet, drippy snow-clothes all over my floor; chicken noodle soup on the stove! Be careful out there! ;)
I have to admit, while I was awash in the sea of humanity that was Wal-Mart buying groceries for the possible blizzard, I got to milk and bread on my list and immediately thought of you: “milk and bread sandwiches” and laughed aloud a little bit.
Good thing it was so loud and crazy in there or else somebody might have noticed and thought I was weird:)
Way down here on Mtgy we have closed up shop too! Yesterday I ate, played Just Dance on the Wii, and watched Jerseylicious. So far today I have mixed it up alittle and have already had a nap! It only 1227pm. I can surely squeeze in another before tonight. I have a big game to play !! War Eagle!
We were down in Hoover all weekend…headed back home yesterday morning, sounds like we got out just in the nick of time! Unfortunately now it looks as though we will be getting a little taste of winter here in KY now….better get to the grocery to stock up! ;)
I love your Father Tim/Mitford references. Those books are great. I bought the cookbook just so I could make that Orange Cake they’re always talking about in there. We’re getting your freezing rain tonight/tomorrow here in Virginia and I’m fully expecting a snow day for bad roads tomorrow. I have a gingerbread house from the after Christmas sale just waiting for the kids to have a snow day.
Not to left out of the “down South winter event” it snowed last night and shut down most all of Western Arkansas. Oh yes, less than one inch of ice/snow and schools are closed and kids are playing. Be safe everyone!
“HOW DO YOU THINK THE PIONEERS SURVIVED ALL THOSE HARSH WINTERS?” LOL! :) So funny. And a Mitford reference and a Little House on the Prairie reference all in one post?!? Magical.
:)
Here in Canada, we find your reaction to the winter weather very amusing, by the way. :)
Love it.
I saw on the news last night and yesterday that there would be WEATHER in your neck of the woods and do you know what? I was looking forward immediately to a post from you detailing said event. And oh my, you have NOT disappointed!
Though I wish I were at your house so I could eat all the good food. :-)
Having big time being home together and cooking homemade chicken stew and eating up the necessary chips and salsa and keeping that fire stoked day and night, just in case the power should fail us. Kids have been sliding and running their fingers over and around all the icing… Love an Alabama winter event!
Sanctioned insanity indeed!
The Mitford series! I love it! What was the really eccentric lady’s name? She was my favorite, for sure.
Just when I thought you couldn’t get any better since you are a fellow Bulldog fanatic, you go and talk about Father Tim and Mitford. I think I love you.
Carry on now…
Oh, Central Texas: You are so dang unfair. By the time snow gets this far south it forgets what is was and why it came. My second graders were desolate (DESOLATE!) at recess today. Cold; but no snow. Weatherman: come teach my class. You are the one who stirred them up and then left them disappointed in my room.
Mitford! Kindred spirit! Love your excitement and joy about The Storm…we tend to have lost that up here in Canada.
Love love love Mitford! My sweet Claire and I have read each novel at least three times! If Father Tim shows up at your house, please send him out here to visit! love you!
Yes, snow day in the south! I enjoy reading your blog but have not commented before. Not sure exactly where you are in north Alabama – I live in Dothan and have kids up in Northport, so we definitely watched the weather with interest this weekend. We don’t typically rush to the grocery store and stock up but it’s funny how us southerners react to the weather reports of impending ice or snow. : )
Stay warm and well!
Lynn
Ice here in the Loveliest Village and another “weather” day tomorrow.
I had to laugh at your description of setting cooking records. This weekend I made: BBQ Pork from a Boston Butt; Red beans, rice and sausage; white beans and ham soup; chichen spaghetti; brownies, cake and muffins. For two people. And obviously the army that was going to be stationed just outside our door. Oh, and I cooked up half a pound of bacon, just in case we lost power you understand. After tasting all of this to make sure it was seasoned correctly, I was not in the least hungry last night. And Mitford! Now I’m off to find all my books and re-read them.
We had to hurry to Chuy’s after church Sunday so we cold eat before the snow. In case we got snowed in and couldn’t get to Chuy’s later. Haha My husband loves the rellenos with beef. He LOVES them. My boys would lick that jalapeno dip up off the floor, I think.
Yeah, glad the SEC pulled it out, even if it wasn’t Bama….sigh…
I love Father Tim too! I just finished the 2nd book in the Father Tim series. I only wish she would write a little faster.