Began March 1, 2014
We are in the midst of the predicted
winter storm. So far the predictions have been accurate for us.
Winds, cold from 33 down to l0 degrees
last night until now. Maybe l/4 inch of sleet covered with a
dusting of snow.
Our granddaughter and her friend came
down Friday and were supposed to leave today. GD decided last night
to stay over until Monday after the storm has passed. Friend left
this morning and got a few miles out on I-44 and passed 4 wrecks and
decided to come back. Some patches of the highway were very slick
and the wind added to the trouble.
Now I am thinking it may be Tuesday
before they can leave.
I don't want them to travel on
hazardous roads. This points out the reason why no one should make
unnecessary trips in the midst of winter. They may miss two days of
college classes. My son will not be a happy camper over this one.
Cooking for them has gone well. Dinner
yesterday was smothered roundsteak, mashed potatoes, green beans,
salad of lettuce, tomatoes, slivers of mozzarella and toasted
almonds. Dessert was cheesecake with choice of blueberry, crumbs
(leftover from crust), or caramel sauce. I had never made this sauce
before and it was very simple and quick.....very good too.
I think they made themselves a grilled
cheese when they came in last night (late).
I am almost out of bread so I got up
early (as usual) this morning and made my recipe of 24-hours
refrigerator rolls. I took a third of the dough and made a pan of
cinnamon rolls (breakfast) and the rest in large dinner rolls that
we will use for sandwiches or just dinner.
This time I did a regular one hour
raise and used the KA mixer to do the kneading. This has been a
never-fail recipe for me over the years.
The girls are safely home and I am in
letdown mode.
I did make a batch of bread (3 loaves)
yesterday. I added just three cups of white whole wheat flour to the
8 cup recipe. I thought that would give us better nutrition but not
change the texture and softness of the bread and I was right. DH was
happy with it.
The sun is shining brightly this
morning and will get up to 50° this afternoon. I need to finish
some house work left from company so I can be ready for the next
ones....over spring break.
Yesterday I did a new roast in the crock pot
with a package of onion soup mix over the top and am happy to report
that it cooked up very tender in the regular amount of time. I was
so worried about this meat.
The real test will be some steaks that
I will do over the weekend.
Today's plan is to finish cleaning the guest bedrooms and get ready for our next company which will be around the l3th.
I just walked past a living room window
and this is what I saw:
This is my favorite tree, a River
Birch (betula nigra) in the morning light. I love the apricot/peachy
color of the bark in sunlight:
