Winter has officially arrived, maybe not in terms of the winter solstice, but the white stuff looks like it is here to stay. And with the first sighting of snowflakes my gut reaction is to forage for and store food. Although my foraging consists of pushing a cart up and down the aisles of the grocery store I still tune into the barbaric voice in my head that urges me to gather my supplies for the upcoming onslaught of nasty weather and get ready to hibernate.
Taking full advantage of my opposable thumbs, I turn that cart full of goodies into homemade soups, chili and stews so I can be self-sufficient during those times when the roads are closed, the snowflakes won’t stop falling and venturing out in the open world is ill-advised. The picture below is my actual house during a two-day barrage of snow last winter.
Animals hibernate out of necessity for survival. Humans hibernate because it’s cold outside. Having lived all of my legal driving life in a rural community I am well-versed at driving in treacherous conditions. Given the choice between practicing my defensive driving skills or laying on the couch with a steaming bowl of homemade soup, I’ll take the soup any day.
My freezer is now stocked with Cauliflower, Pear and Aged Cheddar soup, Broccoli and Stilton soup, Cream of Mushroom soup, Corn and Bacon Chowder with Shrimp and Chili that has been made with bacon and some dark chocolate. (judge if you will, but it’s delicious). There may be a few more additions to the soup list if I feel creative any time soon but, for now, I’m ready for you Old Man Winter.
