Snow, No Pho

It’s been sleeting here for hours. We definitely got more sleet than snow, and knock on wood, it looks like we will escape the ice.

Today was a nearly perfect snow day. All five of us shared the shoveling. The kids learned early on that they won’t have school tomorrow. I busied myself baking chocolate chip cookies and making shepherd’s pie for dinner. I’ve also become a leetle bit addicted to playing games (solitaire) on Fetch to earn points, over the past few days.

On Friday night, I had to work OT til nearly midnight. My wonderful husband took care of everything with the kids that night, and ordered dinner, AND spread straw over my strawberry plants! I was worried about them because the temperature was set to drop that night and stay much colder than normal. Not sure if it was 100% necessary since the snow became insulation once it arrived. But I don’t think it will hurt, as long as the plants have gone dormant, which they probably have at this point.

I was much too wired after working that late to sleep well, so I was pretty tired on Saturday. I didn’t do much besides a quick run to CVS and lots of solitaire.

Saturday night, we all sat around watching coverage of the storm and of the shooting in Minneapolis, and getting angry. I ended up lighting some candles and putting them outside, as a vigil. Not much, but I had to do something.

I also recently made a donation to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

On Monday, I started more onions — I actually used my germination test sprouts. They have perked up nicely in their cups and have even already had their first haircut. Meanwhile, the onion seeds I planted last Saturday have all sprouted. The basement is a little chilly but everything seems OK.

On Thursday, I got my hair cut and colored. Winter boredom… I couldn’t resist. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Small wins:

• I’ve been continuing to make my own brown sugar. It’s actually easier than dealing with slabs of brown sugar that have turned rock hard.
• I haven’t bought anything since Xmas that wasn’t strictly necessary, besides maybe the timer I bought for the seedlings’ lights. I might return that. (And my hair color wasn’t strictly necessary.)
• I got my Fetch Acme gift card to work! (It befuddled the cashier the first time I tried to use it.) That saved me $25 off a recent order. I have enough points now to get another one (it takes 28,000 points, I believe).

• I sold the remaining dog coat, for $10.

• My bread did seem a bit fluffier/softer with the addition of the vital wheat gluten, if not taller.

Meals this week:

Monday: Spaghetti and tortellini with meat sauce from the freezer, and cheesy garlic bread

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, and toast

Wednesday: Scrounge (I had spaghetti with white clam sauce)

Thursday: Chicken nuggets and grandma noodles

Friday: Pizza from Stella Pizza

Saturday: Frozen pizza

Sunday: Shepherd’s pie

I sincerely hope that we make it through this next week without someone being murdered by federal agents.