We are praying the power stays on. We also stocked up on lamp oil. Both are low. Just in case. We also have a few places we can rent generators from if needed.
The wind is going strong this morning. No snow yet, but today is the day we get it.
While everyone is raiding the grocery store for bread, milk and eggs, we are planning which day and when we'll cut more wood, checking our battery supply, filling more water jugs, double checking chicken feed, pet food and what not. And baking bread.
Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom mentioned sharing our morning routine. It varies with me from season to season.
Right now I rise about 5:30am, let the dog out, stoke the fire and start the coffee. I make sure Daughter is up, get Hubby's coffee poured into his thermos, pack his lunch and watch for the bus. Some mornings I make them both breakfast burritos, and Hubby's wrapped up for the road.
When the bus arrives I feed the dog and let him out one more time before showering (or working out then showering), and start the day. I also make the bed and tidy up.
It typically starts with laundry (winter routine), while I wash dishes from the night before. I do not own a dish drying rack. I have no space, and towels work great. I just dry them by the wood stove. I typically do them in the morning because we get little time together with it being dark early. Then it's out to the chickens and taking care of them.
It all depends on if there is a crock pot meal on the menu for the day as well. Those typically get started early in the morning too.
I get my handy notebook out and look over my list of to-do's of things I want to make or do (outside of chores), and my notebook for my own recipes. I am writing down one I made recently that Hubby raved over. Speaking of journals (not to get off the subject), I am a journal junkie - one for just about anything including wine tasting, a garden journal, and lots more. Journaling has been in my blood since childhood and I LOVE writing. Daughter has that bug too. She loves to write and journal as well.
I also have a magnetic notebook (pad of paper with a magnet on the back) that lists other things to make. Some days is homemade mushroom soups to freeze, some things to dehydrate, items to can in winter and salves/tinctures/lotions that need made.
After that, it just depends. Yesterday I made more dirty dishes early, by making cookies. German chocolate. I also baked a 10# ham to prepare for meals while snowed in too. I'm thinking scalloped potatoes and ham, ham sliders on homemade rolls, ham and bean soup with cornbread, ham/pea pasta, ham for breakfast (possibly a scramble), ham and greens quiche....they all sound good.
How did these cookies taste? Fantastic! They however do not look anything like the photo that is on the recipe site. I didn't care they were light and delicious. Everyone needs a good dose of healthy coconut too. And pecans. I wanted to try this recipe for Christmas, but didn't get the chance. Quite honestly, I forgot about it. It's online and NY Times recipe. I toasted the coconut at 325° for about 5 minutes prior to mixing all the ingredients. Of course I used organic and homemade vanilla. Speaking of vanilla, that is on my list - get out jar and refill the jars. Along with making a jar of "Full Throttle" herb/spice mix.
Friday was a "calm before the storm" sort of day - warmer, no wind, no rain or snow, and cloudy. We have a big day Saturday, so here's praying we get it done before the wind and snow gets too bad.