On the first day of the brand new year, I missed the early service. By the time I woke, the sun was up and shining. It was a bitter cold morning, but the wind that “cut to the bone” wasn’t nearly as fierce as it had been, the last few days. This was not the day to walk by the laughing river. Besides, even without a kitchen, we were planning a traditional “new years’ day” , meal.
Jenny and I concocted a plan using all sorts of kitchen contraptions to prepare the traditional fare. Black-eyed peas simmered in a crock pot while a pork roast, smothered with potatoes, carrots, turnips and onions roasted in an electric roaster. Collards are the traditional green served on the first day of the year-but fresh ones just weren’t possible. We decided on frozen and agreed we could use an electric skillet to warm them and could season them, as we saw fit. Though it was a feasible plan, there wasn’t a single bag to be bought in the grocery, and so canned was our only option. I bought several cans and hoped for the best.
With the temperature barely twenty degrees, we stayed in the house all day. Miss Claudia (Wills’ mom) was coming, so at last, Lyla was changed into warm and very cute attire, in the late afternoon. The dining room, where everything was plugged in, smelled like the new years’ day meal, but all the hope I had in the canned collards, was lost, when I tried them. They were awful and so I intended to warn the others.
Thankfully, the peas were just right and the roast with its company of vegetables was as good as any I have ever cooked. Miss Claudia is not a fan of collards and so she spared herself the burden of trying them. She did compliment everything else, which is one reason I enjoy cooking for her. Will and Jenny agreed with me on the poor quality of the greens, meant to bring prosperity. We had to hope a few bites went a long way, if our financial success in the new year, depended on the amount of collards, we consumed.
By, eight o”clock, Miss Claudia was safely home, and all traces of a gathering were -as Lyla says about the Christmas tree, “lost”. Snow is in the forecast, for several days, starting on Wednesday. Before, I went to sleep, I hoped there wasn’t anyone without shelter, anywhere, this night.
The Second Day of the Year
I did see the early service, this day. It was cold again. I can not complain, as I was warm, inside Will and Jennys’ home. Lyla woke up early and Jenny woke up with a kink in her neck. Will had to go back to work. Today, was the day for me to return to the rabbit patch. Christian had “held the fort down” on his own throughout the the brutal weather. The laundry room had frozen water lines-and Christopher Robin, the sweet gray cat, had managed to hurt his leg. I start work tomorrow, and with snow in the forecast, I needed to make sure the farmhouse kitchen was well stocked. Roads are not cleared in the countryside of a small, southern town. Farmers take mercy on us, and will clear the roads, the first chance they get. The truth is, under such conditions, the south shuts down, hence the chaos at the groceries. We are also liable to lose power. I certainly hope that does not happen. The rabbit patch, does not have water, in that case.
Tonight, I saw the evening news and was quite shocked at the national weather reports. I can not fathom such circumstances as fountains frozen in the act of cascading and snow piled over cars. Here, in the south, we consider the event of snow, a winter holiday, of sorts, that occurs as often as a “blue moon”.
The drive home was sunny and bright. All three rivers I cross, were tinged with ice. I had dreaded the stop at the grocery, but I needn’t have, as it was just a bit more busy than usual. I bought the ingredients for snow cream, just in case it really did snow. When I was growing up, we were never allowed to make snow cream on the first snow, which greatly limited the chances of making any at all. The first snow, “cleaned the air”, and so was not considered sanitary. I am “throwing caution to the wind” and making a batch in spite of that.
I was glad to see Christian. Kyle came in about an hour after I arrived. Christopher Robin was on the mend , though the laundry room would not give a drop of water up. I went straight a way to cooking. I made several things that could be warmed in a pot on the wood heater, if need be.
School is dismissed early tomorrow in lieu of the pending snow. This will be a good time to read beautiful words and try to make cookies, as I have not attempted that since my last batch, which were barely edible. I have bird seed. Snow is the only event, that the country birds will visit my feeders. If I make snow lanterns, I will try to post about that- and there is always the “snow cream”, though I have been warned about that, for generations. I will at least wait til “the woods are filled with snow” and the branches of the old oaks, around the farmhouse are laden, before I dare to “catch a bit of snow”. Snow just changes everything.
Thanks, Michele. This is how it is in New England, always a few of these storms every winter. My pleasure reading and following the rabbit patch. Love, Jennie 🙂
We are bracing for the same storm here in the mid Atlantic. Glad you have a woodstove, they are a great comfort with impending storms! Stay warm and happy new year!
Jen
I love snow and winter, but you can have some of ours if you like. Temps have been around minus 20 degrees Celsius (don’t know what that is in Fahrenheit) at night and not that much warmer during the day. (Today it’s a balmy -12.) Brrrrr!
I just trashed, by accident my reply to your latest comment-I have thought of you so often during the cold. There is beauty and I have seen it. love Michele
Thank you for this heartwarming post. I feel as if I sat around that party with you, wood stove burning and all this home cooking warming everyone; both body and heart.
Your rabbit patch comes so alive as do all people in it.
Where do you live in the south that normally doesn’t see snow. I love in sout-east England and it is cold but the snow is only in the North.
Keep snug and warm by the stove😊
Miriam
I live about 2 hours from the coast in North Carolina. We see a little snow about every 3 years or so. Thank you so much! I am so glad you visit and feel at home-makes me glad love Michele
Snow doe make the cold more bearable. It has been so cold here but thankfully no frozen pipes. I will be more than ready for Spring when ever it arrives.
I have never heard that saying about the first snow fall clears the air…then again I have never heard of snow cream either…I am very intrigued…I hope you make some and share pics with us…we’re all very curious. Yes your snow weather is headed my way tomorrow and we are supposed to get 8-12″ of snow…we’ve already had our first snowfall so I’m in great shape to make snow cream!! Stay safe and warm, I hope you didn’t lose any power and that your pipes thaw….also sending my love to Christopher Robin, hope his leg heals soon. Your New Year’s Day meal sounded delicious btw, I could smell it cooking!! Love Deb xo
Stay warm & safe, Michele! We have snow forecast here in Williamsburg, too (& Norfolk is under a blizzard watch!) The weather has not got the memo that we don’t do such cold temps here in the south (it’s to be 7 degrees Friday nite!) 💨❄️😎❄️💨
I’m gradually catching up with reading blogs. The power in our area went out this morning for a couple of hours. We have a generator, so we had running water and could use our gas fireplace. The house began to cool, though, with temps hovering at 18. I’ll be eager to find out if you had snow.
I grew up making snow cream in Iowa, too. Like you, we never made it on a first snowfall. Given the amounts of snow that would come every year, we never had to wait long for our treat, though.
I saw the photos from Charleston yesterday. I presume the snow’s working its way up the coast — I hope all’s well, and that whatever snow you get is pretty. Most of all, I hope no one suffers from power outages and such. It’s never fun, but it’s especially hard on people who live all-electric lives!
Stay warm Michele and stay safe. We are set up for those cold days and winter snows but I suspect you guys out that way are probably not! Enjoy that Snow Cream.
It sounds as if you are prepared, or at least as prepared as you can be. Enjoy the snow and the break from your regular routine….although I am hoping that the power stays on for you!
Happy New year to all at the rabbit patch. I enjoy your posts a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you so much. What a gift you give me in your words. I hope you have a beautiful year. love Michele
LikeLike
Stay warm! Blizzard warnings tomorrow here in Massachusetts. Brrr…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too and especially-I can not imagine the temps you are experiencing! thank you for visiting the rabbit patch, love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michele. This is how it is in New England, always a few of these storms every winter. My pleasure reading and following the rabbit patch. Love, Jennie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennie, I am so very glad to know you. Thank you so much-love Michele-and I pray you are warm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michele! ❄️
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are bracing for the same storm here in the mid Atlantic. Glad you have a woodstove, they are a great comfort with impending storms! Stay warm and happy new year!
Jen
LikeLiked by 1 person
you too Jen! and thank you for visiting the rabbit patch! love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love snow and winter, but you can have some of ours if you like. Temps have been around minus 20 degrees Celsius (don’t know what that is in Fahrenheit) at night and not that much warmer during the day. (Today it’s a balmy -12.) Brrrrr!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no idea either-but it sounds too cold-stay warm sweet friend! thank you for visiting-It means so much to me, love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL I just had to look it up and google Celsius to Farenheit Gillyflower…..-4 Farenheit.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just trashed, by accident my reply to your latest comment-I have thought of you so often during the cold. There is beauty and I have seen it. love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate when I hit that trash can accidentally!
LikeLiked by 1 person
me too!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this heartwarming post. I feel as if I sat around that party with you, wood stove burning and all this home cooking warming everyone; both body and heart.
Your rabbit patch comes so alive as do all people in it.
Where do you live in the south that normally doesn’t see snow. I love in sout-east England and it is cold but the snow is only in the North.
Keep snug and warm by the stove😊
Miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live about 2 hours from the coast in North Carolina. We see a little snow about every 3 years or so. Thank you so much! I am so glad you visit and feel at home-makes me glad love Michele
LikeLike
I am intrigued by snow cream. You must give out the recipe, please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snow doe make the cold more bearable. It has been so cold here but thankfully no frozen pipes. I will be more than ready for Spring when ever it arrives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been thinking about spring too! until then, I will enjoy the winter and the rest it can bring. love Michele and I pray you are warm and well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never heard that saying about the first snow fall clears the air…then again I have never heard of snow cream either…I am very intrigued…I hope you make some and share pics with us…we’re all very curious. Yes your snow weather is headed my way tomorrow and we are supposed to get 8-12″ of snow…we’ve already had our first snowfall so I’m in great shape to make snow cream!! Stay safe and warm, I hope you didn’t lose any power and that your pipes thaw….also sending my love to Christopher Robin, hope his leg heals soon. Your New Year’s Day meal sounded delicious btw, I could smell it cooking!! Love Deb xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you-I am going to post about snow cream . It is snowing now! This will be our first and maybe only snow of the year-stay warm! love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good!!!! I look forward to seeing how it’s made…stay safe. Was school cancelled…they’ve cancelled all the schools here for tomorrow. love Deb
LikeLiked by 1 person
yessss!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay warm & safe, Michele! We have snow forecast here in Williamsburg, too (& Norfolk is under a blizzard watch!) The weather has not got the memo that we don’t do such cold temps here in the south (it’s to be 7 degrees Friday nite!) 💨❄️😎❄️💨
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh my! Our lowest so far is 14 and that is cooold! I love snow, but not this cold!! Stay warm and safe! love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m gradually catching up with reading blogs. The power in our area went out this morning for a couple of hours. We have a generator, so we had running water and could use our gas fireplace. The house began to cool, though, with temps hovering at 18. I’ll be eager to find out if you had snow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The stove,the snow,the rabbit patch and Michelle…….all the ingredients of a fairy tail❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
you have made my day! thank you sweet friend! love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I grew up making snow cream in Iowa, too. Like you, we never made it on a first snowfall. Given the amounts of snow that would come every year, we never had to wait long for our treat, though.
I saw the photos from Charleston yesterday. I presume the snow’s working its way up the coast — I hope all’s well, and that whatever snow you get is pretty. Most of all, I hope no one suffers from power outages and such. It’s never fun, but it’s especially hard on people who live all-electric lives!
LikeLike
Stay warm Michele and stay safe. We are set up for those cold days and winter snows but I suspect you guys out that way are probably not! Enjoy that Snow Cream.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are not-I do not even have clothes for this weather-so I just wear everything at once! haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Layers are always a good look (and great in the winter!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds as if you are prepared, or at least as prepared as you can be. Enjoy the snow and the break from your regular routine….although I am hoping that the power stays on for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you Ann-I did do well with prep-if this can be over in a day or so (dogfood!!!) We have kept power-thank you God. A whole new experience for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person