Tag Archives: snow day

Feb11

The Earth’s climate is changing, weather we like it or no

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The Earth’s climate is changing, weather we like it or no

Hubby tosses another shovel of snow onto the growing pile.

If I had a dollar for each person who’s said “So much for Global Warming” to me in the last week, I could take the family out to dinner and a movie.

Yes, we had snow. We had a lot of snow. Some places have even broken long-standing snow fall records, and this is the first winter in nearly a decade that reminds me of the joys of my own Jersey Shore childhood winters.

This does not mean that the climate is not undergoing radical change; rather, it is consistent with the increase in severe weather events we were told to expect:

The Earth’s climate is changing, weather we like it or not (excuse the pun-I couldn’t help myself). It’s time we stopped the silly nonsense debates over this fact and got on with some serious discussion over what we can and should do about it.

Forgive my rant…I know I’m preaching to the choir here. I’m just frustrated that so many smart people are taking the recent weather as an excuse to ignore a very real problem.

Feb10

Home Brew Update: Holiday Cheer Ale Review

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Home Brew Update: Holiday Cheer Ale Review

Hubby happily hoists a pint.

It’s snowing again. Blizzard snow, and lots of it. I’m starting to feel like we live in Narnia under the White Witch, and I expect Mr. Tumnus to come calling for tea at any moment.

Last night we decided to have a bit of fun with dinner, what with the massive snow storm approaching and it being LOST night (I’m a huge Lost fan). Hubby and I cracked open the first two bottles of the Holiday Cheer ale to go with the pizza mac and cheese Thing 1 made (with a lot of help) for the family.

The brew had a pretty reddish color and a lovely head. I found the taste very bitter and hoppy, with a very heavy spice flavor. I didn’t exactly love it, but Hubby’s impression was different and far more favorable. Since I am still dealing with a lingering head cold that is impacting my ability to taste properly (I really should have waited a few more days before giving the brew a try), we’re going to go with his review until further notice. He enjoyed it tremendously, and said it went well with the dinner. I’ll give it another chance in a few days, after my head has returned to normal.

UPDATE: Just tried this beer with a coconut milk curry, and it was fabulous. The bitter spiciness was a perfect pair for the deep spices in the curry. Maybe it just didn’t play nice with the tomato sauce on last night’s meal!

Feb6

It’s Still Snowing!

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It’s Still Snowing!

We’ve had maybe a little more than a foot so far. The kids have been outside several times to play, but I didn’t make it through more than an hour of shoveling–it seems I picked up a head cold from Thing 2, which makes sense given all the stress I was under this past week.

There were few photos taken, mainly because the snow is still coming down and the wind is so fierce that I was concerned about water getting into my camera…but I did shoot a short video of Ginger-dog’s reaction to this morning’s winter wonderland:

Clearly, she is not a snow dog.

Feb5

Snow Panic, or Why I love a good Snowstorm

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Snow Panic, or Why I love a good Snowstorm

This is what I hope tomorrow looks like.

Good news! There is a major winter storm bearing down on the Homestead! We expect about a foot here, and our neighbors to the south can expect up to two feet. I love, love, love, love, love a good snowstorm, and it is certainly welcome after the way this past week went.

I ran out this morning to pick up my standard snow storm emergency supplies (hot chocolate, whipped cream, marshmallows, and waffle ingredients), and to people watch.

There was something a little different about today’s panic shoppers.

Usually before a big storm my fellow citizens are stocking up on bread, milk, batteries, ice melt, and shovels. I know this because I am usually there with them acquiring my aforementioned snowstorm necessities and enjoying the show. This time I saw them loading their cars up with big bags of ice, which is certainly out of the ordinary for the normal pre-storm rush. I mean, we’re about to get all the free frozen water anyone could ask for! Then I saw the store frantically setting up tables with platters of prepared chicken wings and the horrid cookie cakes with the edible printer produced football logos slapped on top. The Superbowl is this Sunday, and I guess people don’t have faith that the roads will be cleared in time for them to get out to pick up their party supplies before the big game.

I think we’ll be ok, though. The snow is supposed to stop by Saturday evening, and it doesn’t take more than a few hours to clear the roads completely. By Sunday morning the fun of being snowed in will be over, and I’ll be able to pop out to pick up whatever football foods I decide to prepare.

I find it interested, though, that people still stock up several days worth of food ahead of a big storm, despite the fact that a major snow event here no longer means days of isolation. Do you think humans are hardwired to hoard food and hunker down when bad weather approaches? I suspect that we are. It would have made sense in a time without snow plows and four wheel drive.

If it all goes as wonderfully white and fluffy as I expect it to, I promise to take some lovely photos of the Things and Ginger playing in the snow tomorrow to give a little mood lift after yesterday’s downer of a post. It’s a shame Sidney won’t be here for the storm, though–her husky half always loved a good snow day as much as I do.