So in my region of Texas it’s a rare thing to get measurable snow. We get ice maybe 1-2 times a year. On January 10th we got snowfall. Again!! If you don’t recall, 2020 capped off with snow on New Years Eve. So you can only imagine how jubilant everyone was when they woke up Sunday morning to see flurries and snow sticking on the ground. This just doesn’t happen here. One snow storm maybe every 5 years, but twice in such a short time apart. Now that’s something. It brought out the kid in many adults that generally just don’t know how to have fun anymore.
I went walking across the campus. In flip flops, torn jeans, beanie. Basically, I looked like a bum. A lady approached me and asked if I might need help. I assured her I was fine. When she was satisfied I was indeed fine she walked away. I stood in that moment genuinely curious why I was approached by this stranger inquiring if I needed help. Later it was brought to my attention that perhaps it was my attire. The look of a homeless man. I think the flip flops sealed it. She was concerned.
I made a snow man. A pathetic one. I was inspired to make a snow Angel. The inner child in me came forward and took over. I looked around and saw family’s building snow people. Sliding down hills. Snow ball fights. It was a beautiful moment and I was touched by the kindness and shared delights. Little things like that reinstate my faith in humanity. Very much needed from time to time.
Once back home I put on The Hateful 8. Great film for a snowy day. It played in the background on & off for about 4 hours while I did things in the kitchen. A break between task I made a real snow man. The pathetic on that I made on campus was going to cut it. After watching kids make them on campus I now remembered you roll the snow. That’s how little we get. I forgot that. Bekah and I struggled to make one 11 days prior. I felt like a fool. Couldn’t find buttons so I used jalapeño for eyes and nose.
Monday work was canceled due to the weather. That’s another thing about Texas snow, we get work delays or cancelations when ice & snow falls. Drivers just don’t know what to do. So Monday I mostly kept indoors with the dogs and cat. The sun tried and failed to fully come out. Three days of gloom. Talk about bliss. It was a nice unexpected 3 day weekend.
When the week begins at such a high elevation the rest of it can only disappoint or not compare at all. At least I wasn’t stuck in the office. It was a looooooong short week.
Song of the Week: The National – The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness
Jalapeño
So Saturday I made beef pho for the first time in years. I was reluctant because we can now get such good pho in town why bother making my own. It turned out great, as ever. I learned how to make this before it was so readily available.
Brunch was something different. This is a Japanese meal. Omurice. Basically an omelet stuffed with fried rice topped with ketchup. I was afraid of the ketchup. Ketchup and eggs sounded like blasphemy. It surprised me by really complementing the meal. I will not knock it again. I had leftover rice so it was also the side
Chicken chili for dinner. Pretty basic.
Snow day brunch!! I had a steak leftover from the pho that I made and I wanted chorizo potato. How about make them both.
Leftover chicken chili. Better the next day.
Skillet chicken divan. This was more a chicken curry than what I usually make.
Salisbury steak w/peas, scalloped potatoes and a sriracha soy golden mushroom gravy. I added Pearl mushrooms to the peas since I had them on hand. The gravy turned out excellent. It’s been at least a year since I’ve made this dish. As you can see, cutting out the carbs has become a problem. One night I’m consistent the next I’m not.
Green chicken. Jalapeño, canned hatch peppers and green enchilada sauce. Seasoned well with a fried egg on top. See, no big carbs. This is how I need to be eating.
Bekah was gone for the night so I once again made pizza. Pepperoni, jalapeño, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms & black olives. Garnished with a bit of fresh basil.
Cocktail of the Week: Dogfish Head 90. I have not had this in years. It went right to my head. Delicious and satisfactory.
En Fuego 