Freezing Temps

 (very early this morning)

If you are wondering.   I did not get my wish for school to be closed.  Mom always said, "If wishes where horses, then beggars would ride."

By 8:30am, the temperature had dropped to a -9° wind chill.  It's ridiculous that the kids and I had to go out in it.  But alas, I donned my winter gear and trudged to the animals.  I wanted to get it done before doing my hair and makeup.  I too, had to go out in the cold (again) after the kids left for school.

I attended the National Honor Society breakfast.  Last year, when we attended, the food was served cold, and it was not good.  Everyone at our table made comments about it.  So.  I wasn't looking forward to going, let alone going out in wind and freezing temperatures at -9°F.  

By the way, our area broke a record regarding temperatures in November.  According to the news, we haven't had this low of a temperature (for November) since 1871.  

Back to the breakfast....the ceremony inducted a fairly large group (maybe 30) of students this year, and the food was good this time.  We do pay for it (other than our NHS kids, who eat free).  We were however, the very last table to be served.  They ran out of sausage and five at our table went without.  They did grace them with an extra danish in place of it.  

The roads to get there were terrible.  Most of the country roads I had to take were covered in thick sheets of ice.  It was not reassuring to see a vehicle off the side of the road either.  I made it there and back, and once home re-stocked the wood.

Without time earlier in the day, I started cooking up ten pounds of ground beef (I told Hubby "five or six" and he brings home ten) - homemade crock pot sloppy joes.  These are a favorite around here, and you can't just make a few pounds.  The family will scarf them down for snacks, and  Hubby takes his lunch to work.  I did not have any sweet potatoes to make sweet potato fries, so I opted for corn.  Also, I see the need to raise beef now.

Once I got the wood stove back to a good heat level, I decided to sit and work on Christmas items.  The only problem?  The kids were due to get home.  I only had about 45 minutes of peace.  But.  That is better than simply five too. By that time of day I was tired of coffee, and brewed some herbal tea.

While watching last night's news, Hubby leaned over and kissed me.  He said, "thanks for all you do."  Why?  

The news we were watching pertained to canned (store, processed) foods.  They weighed the water, and the contents to see how much folks are really getting for their money.  I'm so glad I am finding ways not to buy "cans" from the store.  It's most likely altered, has added hidden ingredients, high in sodium and bad for us anyway.  I do buy canned tuna, but buy a very expensive brand that eliminates the soy.  Needless to say, we don't eat as much as frozen (or fresh caught) wild fish.

We are making progress, but Hubby still brings home something naughty now and then.  He has however, always purchased non-gmo chips.  He's getting there.