Snow, snow, snow, and soup.

Usually when it snows, I start roasting a squash.  It's my thing.

But last Tuesday, I had run out of squash.  So I made soup instead.

I made it in a cast iron pot, just to be fancy.

Vegetable soup with rosemary dumplings -- divine!

Another Snow Day

It's been wonderfully Wintery and snowy over the last few days.  Not just the old waking up to a blanket of snow, but the really cozy, satisfying snowing-through-lunch or snowing-through-hot-chocolate-breaks.  Just glorious.

So usually when it snows, I start roasting squash like there's no tomorrow.  The same way, I suppose, that my friends & family back East run to the store for the staples -- bread, milk, eggs.  But I wasn't prepared, and I ran out of squashes to roast on the first day of snow, so I had to move on to the next best thing -- making kale and putting it in things.

L: Kale chips with sea salt and garlic.
R: Soup with rice, celery, garbanzo beans, carrots,  and of course kale; topped with scallions.

Even the pets got into the cuddling mood.  It should be noted that Ike & Olivia have NEVER been this close to one another without growling-snarling-swiping, so this was quite exciting for ol' Momma.

L: Ike & Olivia
R: Beatrice the hamster

I've been taking more than my usual hot chocolate breaks, thanks to the vegan-friendly Starbucks hot cocoa mixes I recently found.  Life-savers, really.

Lots of packages to ship out today!  It's a good thing to be staying busy, even though I wouldn't argue with another lazy day on the couch, under blankets, watching horrible TLC shows on Netflix.

I hope everyone reading this is staying warm and cozy, and getting to enjoy some nice Winter weather, too.

When will it snow?

So far, no snow... just rain.  It's pretty, but not as pretty as "the white stuff".

Ike got a nice warm toweling down when he came in all soggy-doggy.

Tonight after work, I picked up our lovely (and so fragrant) rosemary tree.  The dining room smells fantastic, and I think the tree itself is quite pretty.  It's the perfect size, too.  :)

What I'm eating... Baguette & Sangria

It's a snow flurry!

What's the best thing to eat in a snow flurry?  Well, baguette with butter and sangria with a cinnamon stick, of course.  :)

Decorate, Eat & Repeat

Decorate, Eat & Repeat

What I'm drinking... Hot Chocolate w/ Marshmallows

Oh, it finally started to snow here in Chicago!  I will celebrate with hot chocolate and marshmallows, in my favorite chicken mug.

Decorate, Eat & Repeat