snow

The Blizzard of 2022!

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snow on balcony

For those of us who are of a certain age living in the Boston area, the Blizzard of ’78 has been the reference point for all snow storms. I’ve seen the generational shift happening in many ways, but it was even more apparent today when someone tweeted that 2015 was the year to reference. Really? I think of 2015 more as a series of storms over a month and not just one storm.

Today’s storm was a whopper though and will be remembered for years to come, so I thought it was worthy of a post. I measured and marked the snow totals by feet on my balcony window. Close to four feet because of the wind and drifts! That’s a whole lot of snow and I wonder how long it will take to melt.

Luckily I kept power through the storm, so I did a bit of blizzard baking. Oatmeal, chocolate-chip and butterscotch-chip cookies for the win!

Snow Season Begins

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first snow of the season

Unbelievable. The day before Halloween and we’ve already had a real snowfall. More than three inches in the Boston area! There are still colorful leaves on the trees! I’m not a fan of winter or snow. But there’s no fighting Mother Nature, so all we can do is settle in and accept the change in season.

Daylight Savings Time ends tomorrow and we turn the clocks back. Now it will be dark at 5pm. These colder months are the season for turning inward and reflecting, while we stay indoors more as well.

For me, appreciating the change in season is a deliberate practice that I’ve cultivated over the past couple of years. Over a year, I noted what was special about each month. Because each month has its merits. Without winter, we can’t get to spring and summer. Below is part of what I wrote about October.

A cup of hot tea.

Looking out a window at the sky.

The sparks and crackle of an outdoor fire

that warms your hands

and smoke that smells like memories.

What a Difference a Day Makes

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Chinese lanterns

Thursday afternoon, it was close to 60 degrees and I was wearing a light jacket. The next evening, I was walking in snow wearing mittens! That’s how it goes. By now I should be used to it, but I don’t think that will ever happen.

I’m starting to believe that we Bostonians have the the same coping mechanism when it comes to snow. A certain level of denial.We talk ourselves down (off the ledge) a lot.

We survived last year!

It’s not that bad!

We can handle it!

It’s almost spring!

February is always the hardest month. Even when we’ve had an easy winter so far. But anything is better than last year, so I guess I can’t really complain. But I think you hear me. I’m complaining!!!  😀

Frozen Pizza Taste Test ~ Red Baron v. DiGiorno

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DiGiorno vs Red Baron pizza taste testThe wind is blowing like a freight train outside and the snow has started falling. Inside, the heat is turned up and I am feeling nice and cozy. I finally have some time to blog and I’m listening to a Jess Lively podcast. Life is good!

I had brunch with some friends this morning and will hopefully blog it within six months. I have to stop fooling myself and pretend like I can blog like I could before. I just don’t have the time and have to accept what I can do. I have a seafood post from this summer that I still cannot believe I haven’t written yet. *sigh*

This post wasn’t even planned, but just happened. G came home with two frozen pizzas and asked if I wanted to try them. Today I’m carbo loading like a marathoner, but I’m not a marathoner. Good thing I did some walking to and from the T! Maybe I can do a yoga session today too.

Anyway, the pizzas are Red Baron and DiGiorno. Both pizzas are the same flavor, Supreme, so I removed the sausage and pepperoni. I don’t eat meat, unlike G.

Both of us had similar reactions to these pizzas. Red Baron has a nice crispy crust, but DiGiorno has a better flavor.

G asked me which one would I buy. I told him Newman’s Own. It’s the truth! He said that the others are cheaper, which may be true. But it’s only by a few dollars. I don’t buy frozen pizza very often, so when I do, I want it to be an all-around good experience.

A favorite flavor is White Thin & Crispy Pizza with spinach. I wrote about it before and how I had a “What Would You Do?” moment in the grocery store. My preference for Newman’s Own also is because I like that their profits goes to charity. It makes me feel even better about buying it.

So there you have it. Newman’s Own wins!

On Oreos, Ice Cream + Snow Stress

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Breyers Golden Oreo ice creamMaybe it’s snow stress. Maybe my sweet tooth has turned very nostalgic for the treats of my youth. Maybe it’s a bit of both. Either way, I’ve become rather preoccupied with all things Oreo. Cannot wait to try the S’mores Oreos!

When I was in the store recently, I noticed Breyers Golden Oreo Cookies & Cream. I could not resist.  Like most days now, another snow storm was imminent and this flavor seemed quite comforting. It was!

The cookie ice cream combo reminds me of Steve’s Ice Cream from back in the day.

Breyers actually has quite a cool thing going on with their Breyers Blasts! line of ice creams. They have all sorts of cookie, cake and candy combos.

Again, we in the Boston area are preparing for another snow storm later today and I will be doing some grocery shopping soon. I may indulge in another flavor to ride-out the storm.

What about you? Any favorite sweets to deal with the snow?

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Photo Credit: Breyers