Snowbound
gabrielle December 16th, 2007
We already have about four feet of snow piled up in the back and front yards, and a couple of more feet coming since 3:00 a.m. and continuing all day and night, so we hear. We are being told to stay off the roads except for dire emergencies.
So I’m writing Christmas cards and catching up on three weeks worth of ironing.
This is just to impress upon you the fact that I do indeed live an exciting life offline. Hidden, but oh, so thrilling.
You really must excuse me now, as I have to plan dinner. We didn’t get out yesterday to buy any groceries, but I’m sure I can throw something together with lettuce, mushrooms and Christmas cookies. I do enjoy a culinary challenge.
ROFL! Got onion or chili powder? To soak the cookies in, yes.
Ugh. I took a photo of our own precious white flower-grower/disease-limiting stuff hours ago, back when it was only up to my winter waistline. It’s naptime again, tho’, so I’ll upload later. Maybe. Or perhaps I’ll hold off until that freezing rain forecast for us comes and crusts everything over beautifully. Ugh, ugh, ugh…
Gosh, not even throwing cushions on the floor and drinking saki and/or blue koolaid around the coffee table in our kimonos would help. It is too much ugh.
Alright, which one of ya’s prayed for a white Christmas?
Bah, humbug. *yawn*
Your weather condition made the news here in Ireland, talk of snow storms and dangerous conditions made me think of both of you actually - Gabrielle and the hilarious one who mentions a winter waist line .
It wasn’t me, JM, honestlywho prayed for a white Christmas.
And I’m sure Gabrielle has more culinary knack than her modesty will admit.
Snowed in! How lovely!
We just got rain and wind out of this storm. But there’s nothing I like better than a couple of feet of snow. No work, no school.
May I suggest peanut butter sandwiches for your evening repast?
Gabrielle,
We are having our nice snow but icy weather here too. They cancelled formation class for today, the Chapel closed yesterday, I like your idea of being snow bound. I enjoy the white stuff too much, it’s so pretty. Nice picture of the hidden you.
Ah, I will save the peanutbutter and crackers for tomorrow. I think that would be delightful with the four potatoes and can of black olives…
In all seriousness, though, I am here in a warm home, with some food in the pantry, and affected by this only in terms of not being able to do what I had planned to do. Pretty lightweight stuff in comparison to the homeless they are trying to get out of this storm and into the Missions, and the search for extra mattresses is not going well, so I hear on the news. Even more snow to come on Wednesday, they say, and always, always more homeless.
That was my first prayer, too, back before the Nor’eastah. I cannot believe anyone is even in an old junk of a car in this, let alone out in the open under a bridge somewhere. But they are, in all our communities.
I feel like a piker…We were supposed to get snow and only go 1 inch…We just got a lot of rain. I’d suggest button soup fo supper but don’t think you’ll be expecting many passers-by. Know I am praying for you all. My sister called from Missouri to say the ice had caused damage to trees at here house and one is lying across her sidewalk with the prospect of more to come…It’s not me who is “Dreaming of a White Christmas” I’ll just put in the DVD…Good Day to all and yes, pray for those who must be out.
Hi everybody. Well, Cathy, I’d rather have snow than freezing rain anyday, but enough is enough already, and it’s only December! Was shovelling yesterday, and can’t reach high enough to throw the snow somewhere anymore!
Just as I was dropping off early this morn, or late.. oh, painfully so and for like the 90th time, I heard something quite unexpected: thunder. I heard a few more rumbles after that, too. And now, after that frigid rain, my car looks like it could be in a cartoon, but it’s all melting off of the trees, at least. Or maybe the wind is blasting it off, not sure.
On my ch-ch-chilly way to Mass Saturday eve (I don’t prefer vigil Mass ever, but knew that waiting til Sunday morn would mean dragging someone out to drive me), I saw the most beautiful young man crossing in the crosswalk. He had on a peacoat of sorts, and no hat. That’s how I saw the dark ringlets encasing his face. No hat! And his cheeks were scarlet. But his astounding eyes were so happy.. Are you missing someone from Canada, G? Is Nazareth missing Jesus?
Well, I’m penning all this foolishness so as to say that as much a hardship as the snow and cold is, we should be thankful that we do have the snow to blanket the ground, and the cold to numb some of the bazillions of microbes and parasites. The cold/blanket does kill germs, and it does hibernate some crucial seeds and roots; without it, we don’t just have less beauty in spring, we may have less health year-round. I will die in winter, of that there can be no doubt; but I am more worried about global warming.
Gab
Cooking challenge. How about Iron Contemplative Chef?
What are those strange garments wrapped around your face in the photo? It is that some sort of third order habit?
The cold must be a challenge, it was so cold here once, that I had to wear two tee-shirts at the same time when going outside.
JustMe, a gorgeous man? Well, it may have been a vision, or it may have been a Kodak moment, or it may have been hypothermia… And I can tell by your last paragraph that your husband was right; you ARE a closet snow-lover.
Cube, as always, you are very perceptive. Yes, this is the traditional clothing of members of Our Lady of Mount Snowremoval. We require humility, obedience and upper-body strength. Dowries are very welcome, as are snow-blowers and electric generators. We are a contemplative order, which comes in handy, because the heat generated during contemplative prayer (yes, it’s possible, even with a shovel in one’s hand) melts approximately 4% of the white stuff. Always looking for new members, but have had recruiting nightmares with Californians who don’t know how to do anything except pick blood-oranges off trees in their backyards.
Dude, there’s a Californian here? John, are you in Calif.??
How rude is that?? Two t-shirts, eh? ow.. owwwwwww
Yes, G.. I am a closet snow-lover.. and an amateur wrestler, as a matter of fact. Come, let me show you a half-nelson that truly impresses my hubby…
Actually, my brain was frozen momentarily. I don’t think JT’s in California, but close enough. I remember those blood-oranges he talked about last Christmas with Pia as if it were yesterday. Hey, let’s save the half-nelson for JT, okay? Members of Our Lady of Mount Snowremoval have to stick together. And even if he could manage a shovel, he’s probably allergic to wool.
Well Gabrielle you could always come and live over here in the wet midlands of the UK….rain, rain, and more rain, is the usual weather report!
Hi fellas, we just got the edge of the nor’easter the other day, so only rain and a bit of ice. But as we left Italy the siberian winds were coming around, and on the day you guys got the snow, our town in Italy got 10 inches! The boys were disappointed they missed the snow on both sides of the globe!
ROFL! Well, I for one am glad they missed it, Pia!!
Good to hear from you!
After reading all these comments, I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face!
You guys are TOO funny! The humor is warm, familiar and affectionate…. like everyone in the comment box was sitting around a roaring fireplace, on a cold winter’s nite - visiting - telling stories - laughing - sipping hot cider or hot cocoa - laughing some more - and basking in the warmth of good company - even if the winds are howling - and the snow is drifting up so rapidly, that the snow shovels can’t keep up. Thank you for inviting me into this circle of (His) friends…and putting this smile on my face today. And in the words of Tiny Tim…..may God bless us, every one. Warmest Christmas Blessings to you and yours.
G, alright, I’ll reserve the upper-body strength for snow removal. Besides, JT is likely taller than me, and I don’t know how to get out of a half-nelson turned upon myself.
UKOK, that reminds me of how hard forecasters in Ireland have to work to say for all 365 days but in different words, “There’ll be some sun and some rain tomorrow.”
: - p lol
I have lots of blood oranges this year. It was a great citrus year. No I don’t live in Cali. Much too cold.
Snow melts. Pia is the one we have to be praying for this Christmas. I’d rather accompany Frodo to Mt. Doom than have to cook Christmas dinner for a group of Italians. It will be as complex as a moon landing, but with much higher stakes.
You said it! I’m shaking in my boots, not from the cold, but from thinking about all the things we have to do…Christmas eve dinner is much worse than Christmas!
Ukok, I don’t know… Constant rain really depresses me, so I think I’ll take the snow, sore muscles, frozen forehead and all.
Pia, ten inches of snow in Italy - wow! So happy you’ve now arrived safe and sound in the USA. I was sort of hoping that (although you’re family) that you would be considered a bit “guest”, and would not have the job of preparing the big meals (a bit of a reprieve when you’re on holidays is always welcome, isn’t it?) Good luck!!!
Kristin, your description is perfect! That’s exactly how I feel here with these wonderful people, including you, naturally! Whether it’s winter and we’re sitting around the fireplace, or summer, sitting around the campfire as Ann once said, I feel warm, cozy and at home with good friends.
Cube, “much higher stakes”. You mean like right through the heart, instead of the kneecaps? There’s alot riding on this turkey dinner, I gather. Maybe JustMe could put up a quick YouTube demonstrating the half-nelson and Pia could practice, just to get her self-defence skills up to scratch.
Nah, it’s too much like violence. Pia, just threaten to tickle anyone who comes at you with an apron… tho’ I think for an Italian woman to sit out a dinner preparation is a complete impossibility. I have been feted by an Italian woman and her daughter and her husband, and HOO-AH, I could SEE what love went into every spoon-stir, every fresh vegetable, every arranging of every rose in the bud vases, every knife-swipe of cake frosting, every color arrangement on the platter of antipasto, every clean towel around the bottle of wine.. oh heavens, I guess I would not deny anyone that way of loving others, but I hope (tho’ I know it is tremendous labor) it’s as much fun for the cooks as it looks, Pia. I hope it is truly every bit as satisfying as it seems, and I hope you will truly enjoy sitting down to eat of it all with great gusto.
What the heck are blood-oranges?? Gracious, I may be off citrus items forever, now!! OY!
Pia’s got big problems regardless of what side of the Atlantic. If she’s in the states she’s not really off the hook. In this example, Pia would be the hostess. So then family will come over to “help” her prepare for the big dinner. The real problem she has is how many old aunts are involved in the “helping“. I call this grouping of aunts the “ziacracy”. The strength of the ziacracy will depend on how many of them are blood aunts or related by marriage. There is a different dynamic depending on the familial relationship (both bad by the way). The “ziacracy” sort of oversees things. Any one of them could win Iron Chef, but there‘s no pressure, everyone‘s just family. Now if there is a mother-in-law or sister-in-laws involved that brings additional layers of complexity (again typically bad). Then there are the regional concerns if any (Italy is a lose confederation of warring tribes). Regional concerns also determine how strong the tyranny of the “ziacracy” will be, not to mention the language barriers. (Italians only speak Italian in the United States, I have not quite figured out what they speak in Italy). She has to size all this up before she can take control of her kitchen, and began the cooking. What are they going to cook on Christmas Eve? Most likely fish. Probably the hardest most complex thing to cook. So once she has navigated the politics, she has to supervise the cooking of perhaps dozens of dishes for many people, and execute them flawlessly while dressed really really well in her Sunday best.
So if you’re worried about cooking a turkey and stuffing, just think of Pia and offer a prayer for her sanity this Christmas. She will need it.
A prayer? I had no idea how intricate and complex a feat she was up against. If only there were time for a novena.
(((Pia))) We’re rooting for you!
At this rate, maybe she’s gonna be laughing too hard to cook.
We’ll hope so.
Turkey? Heck, that is Thanksgiving fare. Spiral-sliced hams are getting pretty affordable just now. I don’t know what it is about them, but folks really seem to like them. And I like anything that one can stick in the oven for a while with potatoes, while opening a jar of pearl onions and a can of cranberry sauce, and a jug of wine or Bailey’s Cream..
(Fortunately, I have help with all that opening of stuff.)
Wait-aminit, wait-aminit.. G, did you say the “i” word up there in the initial post — something about “3 weeks’ worth”? God love you! The “i” word brings back mixed memories, and no, I didn’t break my jaw with one or anything. After a babysitting “friend” had emotionally abused my two littlest girls while I was working, I vowed never to have anyone at all babysit them. Another friend came to my financial rescue, then, for just about a whole year.. She was cleaning house for a psychologist every Sat., and the woman was seeking someone to iron her week’s wardrobe. Voila! I’d left a good job to do this, so I felt like a peon (as I did while going on to clean townhouses, office complexes, then closing Wendy’s and doing dishwashing detail, closing a retail store at Christmas time, closing many evenings as a receptionist for a mental health center, etc), but my heart was at ease because my girls were safe, either at home with Dad or at work with me.. One Saturday while I was ironing A’s very cool culottes, lol, we saw that the mother robin, who’d been sitting on the hanging plant just outside A’s sliding glass doors, finally had a bunch of hungry little company in the nest. I felt even less a peon that day. But of course, I went on to make the mistake of not home-schooling my girls.. it just wasn’t done here, back then. Oh, how I wish I could go back and choose again.
Hi guys, please don’t worry about me! There are no zias at my place, my mom is the one who does everything. We’re going to need help tying her down so that my sister and I can do the work, but I get the feeling she’s not going to accept invaders in her kitchen. The problem is she’s getting up in years and she takes ages to do anything. Yes, JM, she puts love into every stirring. You should see her when she opens the can of peeled tomatoes to make sauce! She takes each one out individually (you half expect her to talk to it…), cuts it in half, takes out the seeds and then sets it apart until she’s done them all and then she passes them through the little metal contraption she’s got to squeeze all the juice out of them. Then while she’s cooking, she’ll put a bit of the juice into the pot, let it cook for about ten minutes, and then adds a bit more, and then a bit more… It is a whole day affair, believe me! But what great tomato sauce (or gravy as we and the Sopranos call it)
JM…homeschooling?? Nah…
JustMe, since my mom died, the family comes to my place for Christmas dinner, but they want everything, and I mean everything, to stay traditional. For us, ham and/or lamb is only for Easter. Christmas is definitely turkey. And the potatoes have to be mashed. They just have to be. It isn’t an unwritten law; it is carved in stone.
Re the “i” word, I just don’t understand it when I hear other people say they never iron. No matter how “perma-pressed” the clothing tags say they are, our stuff always comes out of the dryer totally wrinkled. What am I doing wrong after all these years? Especially the mens’ tee-shirts. I just can’t let them walk around like that. Can I? I don’t want them to look neglected. At least, not moreso than absolutely necessary. 
Pia, I can visualize your Mom so well from your description! I can see her talking to the tomatoes, telepathically. I wonder if the little metal contraption belonged to her own mother? Hope you’re relaxing a bit, and that the menfolk are enjoying the change of scenery!
I dunno, G, about the wrinkle situation. You may have a hottah heatah in your dryah. Do you take the items of clothing out immediately when done and hang them?
My mother ironed the towels. Yeah, it’s the Irish in me.
My mom doesn’t iron anything, but she hangs around the dryer like a hawk and is on those clothes before they know it!
I must iron because, tho dryers do exist now in Italy, they are very expensive and they cost a lot to run. I have my trusty clothes line outside and when the weather is inclement, we have them hanging all over the heating elements and on a portable clothes hanger. However, I do admit that I never do an ironing session, I only iron the item I need when I am going to wear it. My sons iron their own clothes on a need to use basis, but at least they know how to do it. Their wives will one day thank me I suppose, lol.
My mother in law on the other hand, is very precise and irons each wash when it’s ready. She used to iron socks, but something of my philosophy has rubbed off on her. She limits herself to ironing underwear, shirts, towels, tablecloths, sheets etc.
Just reading here that Pia will be back in the states for Christmas. It is likely we will be within a few miles of each other since our home towns are quite close. What a small, small world.
Merry Christmas!
Towels? Socks?? Underwear??? Man.. I’m sleepin’ with the lights on tonight. Spooky stuff goin’ on in here.
I did once iron and fold then iron again a stack of my father’s handerchiefs. Yes, once. I never dared again, because near the end, a floral apron had starting forming atop my jeans, I began to crave low-heeled shoes, and long blond hair suddenly seemed a nuisance. A terrifying day.
I liked ironing for money, tho’. (Somehow, that didn’t come out as sparklingly as I hoped..)
Pia, I draw the line at underwear and socks! Let them eat cake! (and I’m not baking that either…)
Terry, wouldn’t that be cool if you could have a coffee together somewhere? Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!
JustYourself, I would enjoy ironing for money too, but they refuse to pay me. Believe me, I’ve asked.