Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Hunkering down

Hello, friends. It’s Tuesday night as I write this and my 3-day weekend has turned into a 5-day one. All the schools were closed today due to a massive snowstorm and we just got word that everything will be closed again tomorrow. I’m thankful that I work at a place where I don’t have to go in when it’s closed. It’s been a-snowing and a-blowing since 9 this morning and it’s slated to continue until nearly midnight. Temperatures are supposed to plummet tomorrow and they say the winds will pick up even more. I’m watching the national news and it looks like the whole mid-Atlantic area is being hit right now.

My son did the shoveling today and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that his efforts were futile. He’ll learn on his own. The wind blew all his work closed each time. But hey, he tried. I took him early today to orientation for a new job. I don’t like to talk too much about anything too personal in regards to my children, but he quit his job over the holidays and it kind of threw me for a loop. Shortly after that, he got into a wreck with our Honda Element on icy roads while going to care for a friend’s pets early one morning. He is fine and I don’t even know why I’m mentioning it because it’s something I’d rather not talk about. I think that losing the Element was like losing another link to my husband and our past. We took that car everywhere. One redeeming thing is that I can’t believe how much we’re getting for it from the insurance company. We took good very good care of that car and it’s paying off.

Another redeeming thing is that my son seems to understand how upsetting it was for me to lose the vehicle but a friend put it into perspective for me when he said that the old Element died saving my son’s life. And for that, I was grateful.

On to other things . . .

 

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Leftover Roast Chicken Soup with Roasted Vegetables

This is the soup I was gushing about yesterday. I made another batch today because I still had leftover roast chicken. This is such a simple dish to make and paired with some rustic bread, is perfect for a winter meal.

I’ve had my nose in a book all day and can’t believe how many pages I’ve burned through. I think I told you I’m reading The Goldfinch. Loving it.

I also took a few shots out the windows. I didn’t go outside today and am feeling a little guilty about that, but I’ll get over it. These images are crazy bad because the snow was sticking to the windows and the wind was going nuts out there.

 

 

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I made sure the feeders were filled and also sprinkled seed on the bird baths.

 

 

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At times, the birds seemed to be hanging on for dear life.

 

 

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I shot a quick video from the front door this afternoon:

Winter storm from Kate Young on Vimeo.

 

 

 

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So how are things in your neck of the woods? Inquiring minds and all . . .

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35 comments:

Ashley said...

Too bad about the Element, but your friend is right.

I also live in Maryland (Columbia) and when I got home today from class (we went in for three hours and then were released), all of our birdies were chirp, chirp, chirping. On and on. I think they were not fans of the snow or wind. Hopefully they all found safe places to be during this snowstorm!

Michelle said...

Stay safe. That soup looks very good!

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

Still warm, still in a drought.
Your bird photos are so cute. They always look so sweet puffed up with the snow.

wayne15575 said...

Wow, Kate, I just heard the news and I thought of you right away. I'm so glad your son is there with you.

We have had no snow at all this year. We are in the upper 40's and 50's in the day time here in Seattle.

Wish you were here. I bet you and George wish you were too. Ha Ha Ha.

Take care, see you tomorrow.

M.E. Masterson said...

Soup looks very good. Stay warm looks like more is probably headed your direction!

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos . Here we are during the day sunny but with frigid temps . Good to hear your son is ok . Yummy sounding and looking soup nothing like comfort food on a cold wintery day . Thanks for sharing . Stay safe and cozy and have a good day !

Anonymous said...

We had snow all day, no wind, but tonite ithe temps are dropping rapidly. Homemade soup here today as well!

JaneK said...

Oh goodness! How did I miss that on Al's forecast this morning!! That is quite a blizzard! Getting frigid down here but no snow much to my child's disappointment.

I love how you choose to find a good perspective to look at things. It is choice we make; it is easier for some than others but still we can all do it. It doesn't mean we ignore or gloss over the sad or bad....just that we choose to not let it pull us under. Thank you for your inspiration. I am thankful you son is ok. I hope the new job is a good fit for him.

Cheers and hugs.....

tj said...

...Hello Miss Kate, I love the take regarding your car and your son. What a wonderful way to look at it and bittersweet too.

...It was blustery cold here today in Missouri. We got a couple inches of snow and the winds were howling. I don't think I stepped outside once today, kinda odd for me.

...I pinned the soup recipe, I will need to make that as it looks delish'! Thank you for sharing. :o)

...Thinking of you and hoping your heart is healing.

...Peace & blessings.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the storm we had a few weeks ago. I kind of liked being forced to stay in...is that weird? As far as the element goes...your friend is right...it died to save your son. Pretty heavy stuff if you ask me... I hope you stay nice and warm in the next few days. And enjoy the serenity these storms can bring. Xo

GailO said...

Yikes! What a week! But bottom line is that it is wonderful that your son is ok:)

What kind of car will you replace your beloved Element with? Another Element?

I am sitting here listening to the plows go back and forth...it has been snowing here since about noon. I love the snow now that I don't have to drive in it...as a nurse there were no cancellations:(

title said...

That chicken soup looks delicious.

jinxxxygirl said...

Things are good here..... still STILL waiting for rainy season if you can believe it. Central and Northern CA are in an unbelievable drought.... and NO hubby and i did NOT bring it from TX when we moved. :) It should have at least started raining back in November. So we wait.. and hope that we will get some rain by the end of March ..... Hubby and i have been on an adventure of late that i have posted on the blog if you want to check it out. Stay warm Kate! 70 degrees here , breaking records! Hugs! deb

Michelle said...

Love that line about the car dying to save your son's life! Stay warm, you and George.

Candace said...

Gosh, all of you in the midwest and east have sure had one H of a winter. Unbelievable. I'm sorry about your car but glad your son is alright. Driving in ice and snow is very scary. It's nice to have all those snow days, though, and being able to curl up with a good book and watch the birds. I always worry about animals when the weather is so cold. I hope they'll be okay.

Kerri Farley said...

That soup looks marvelous! and the snow adds a texture to the pics without adding a texture :)
I Love em!!!
There is just something about birds and snow together that is a marvelous combination! Cool video! I made one yesterday too :)

thotlady said...

Here in Richmond we were supposed to get hit with the storm but only ended up with a couple of inches of snow. It is cold though, so we are batting or is it battening down the hatches here at the University where I work.

I am from Wisconsin so the cold and snow don't bother me, in fact I am one of those crazy people who love it!

The JR said...

I'm glad that your son is okay. I know I would be devastated if I lost my trusty Element.

The best vehicle I've ever owned.

STAY WARM. No need to go out in that. YUCK!!!

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have noted down the soup recipe - thanks for the link - I am making it tomorrow.

You are quite right about the car - memories do not need concrete things to call them to mind.

Daryl said...

soups sounds yum .. when i am done with the juice cleanse i may try it ... but i will skip the bread, i have no self control when it comes to bread

Marianne said...

I probably shouldn't say this, but I live in the Phoenix area, where we had a record high of 81 yesterday. The weatherman says it won't be cooling off anytime soon. I could really go for a cloudy, blustery day right now - but no snow, thank you!

Nellie said...

We had nine degrees here when we woke this morning. No snow on the ground, though, and the sun is shining. Sending well wishes for your son. Stay safe and warm!

Gayle said...

Love hearing about your life. Thank you for sharing with us. We are in the sever drought in CA. Tomorrow high winds and extreme fire danger. Our weather has been nothing but summer. Lovely, but with no rain…..scary. Our city has had only 2.2" since last July.

Mairéad said...

Hi,
I've been reading your blog for some time, coming here to see your beautiful photographs. You had just lost your husband and it seemed inappropriate to start gushing about photography. I'm glad you are keeping busy and also remembering him. So glad that your son escaped the accident unhurt.
Everyone in blogland seems to be reading The Goldfinch right now - I'd be interesting in hearing what you think of it when you've finished it.

Mairéad said...

Hi,
I've been reading your blog for some time, coming here to see your beautiful photographs. You had just lost your husband and it seemed inappropriate to start gushing about photography. I'm glad you are keeping busy and also remembering him. So glad that your son escaped the accident unhurt.
Everyone in blogland seems to be reading The Goldfinch right now - I'd be interesting in hearing what you think of it when you've finished it.

beth said...

well to be honest, it's beautiful in my current neck of the woods...wink wink

i loved what was said about your car dying in order to save your son....that is truly profound.

i wish i could get into a book, but i haven't been able to lately at all which makes me sad....but i have been reading "everyday a friday" by joel osteen and that's making me happy.

xoxo

becky up the hill said...

Here is the foothills of the Sierra's its dry and warm. We are in an official drought. The hills should be green and daffodils should be getting up and about by themselves, not with me watering. Stay snug girlie. So sorry about the car. Poop ;/

Jeanne Walker said...

I was thinking about your yesterday when I saw that your neck of the woods was getting blasted. I know that you all are cozied-up warm. My heart goes out to all those birds and animals that have to endure this blustery, cold weather. Watching the video, I was actually getting chilled. I know that delish looking chicken soup sure tasted good.So glad that your son is safe and unharmed and also like what your friend said about the car. We are under a winter storm watch starting tomorrow night way down here in southeast Texas, but nothing quite like what y'all are experiencing. I tell you this global warming is going to be the end of us! xo

Tiggeriffic said...

Winter of 2013-2014 is going to be a memory in a few months.. It's -2 right now here in Iowa and tomorrow morning it's going to be -25.. 2 hour delay for the schools and just praying the furnace or electricity keeps running. Your video sounded and looked like Iowa.. very blustery and freezing cold. and lots of blowing snow..
Glad your son was O.K. after his accident with the car..
Keep warmm and your soup looks delish~! I made beef stew today for supper.. Tasted so good~!
Have a blessed day and ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Cindy said...

Happy to hear your son is okay. Stay warm. We are going into the mid to upper 20s here tonight (Florida). Burr!

Kay said...

it is 62 out here on the coast and even a red flag warning for forest fires thru tomorrow. In JaNUARY, NO LESS. Never in my 73 years of living here has this happened. Normally the fires are in the fall........Something is entirely fishy with this weather everyone is having. stay warm. Kay

Stephen Andrew said...

I'm sorry about the element. I think it's a shame Honda discontinued them. I once killed a car and walked out basically unscathed. It was right before Christmas and my nose was all cut up from the air bag deploying so everyone called me Rudolph. I remember the police officer told me that had I been driving just about any other car he felt it would have been much worse. You and your husband protected your son by having that car. Still, I would imagine like the whole incident left you feeling like you had to face one more change. Thank god we have our friends in life to keep things in perspective! As I'm sure you've done for her on occasion too.
Loved your snow photos. And I'm sure a tired border collie afterward was a blessing.

Bluebird49 said...

Good heavens! Sometimes it seems that things just never stop happening...and then of course, we think: that's the way life is. I'm so glad to know your son is okay--and sad to know the car is gone. I know how much you loved that car and how many adventures are tied to it. Like someone said though--we don't really need anything concrete to have our memories--they are safely stored in our heart.
The soup looks SO good; wish hubby would try these kinds of soups I get kind of tired of making beef vegetable and Brunswick stew, but then at least it is a change from the fried foods he usually wants! (They must go!) I love the smell of soup simmering in the house especially in the winter. But, I'm kind of ready for the watermelon and feta salad I saw on one of your pages! Well, except for the heat that comes with "watermelon-pickin' time". ;)

Lisa Gordon said...

Yum!
That soup looks like the perfect thing for the weather we've been having. We had a bit of a reprieve (single digits feels like spring now!), but we're back into the deep freeze this coming week. :-(

Lili said...

I must say that soup looks so good (said the vegetarian). If you ever find yourself missing the Element, it will be parked in my driveway on Google Earth (until they do an updated capture that is). So glad your son is okay! xo