Friday, January 25, 2008

It's a winter Friday Five

From way up in the snow belt, Singing Owl wants to know:

1. What is the thermometer reading at your house this morning?
I think it was in the low forties this morning, and never got past 42. Hey, to us, that's pretty chilly!

2. Snow—love it or hate it?
Love to look at it, don't mind playing in it if I'm dressed appropriately, HATE to drive in it!

3. What is winter like where you are?
Winter in Houston is a series of three- to four-day cold snaps, followed by a return to temperatures in the 60's or 70's. It's been drizzly and chilly all week, but tomorrow's forecast is for temperatures back up into the 60s. We usually have at least one or two nights below freezing every year, when people scurry about covering tender plants before bedtime, but some years we have no freezes at all.

But there is always an exception to the rule: the great White Christmas of 2004! Snow began falling in big fat flakes as we were on our way to church that Christmas Eve. I still remember the extra excitement and joy in the air that night. We only got a light dusting here, but oddly, Victoria and Corpus Christi, which are much farther south, were covered in snow!

Here are a couple of scenes from my yard, that Christmas morning:


Go ahead and laugh, Snow Belters! But we thought it was great.

4. Do you like winter sports? Any good stories?
I like to watch all of the winter Olympics. No stories; I'm a miserable skier, and would rather be in the lodge with some hot chocolate!

5. What is your favorite season, and why?

Spring and fall are beautiful here, and I enjoy the change. I especially appreciate our brief autumn, when temperatures finally drop into the 70s after five months of summer!

Bonus: Share a favorite winter pick-me-up. A recipe, an activity, or whatever.
Dreary, drizzly winter days are a pleasure when I don't have to go anywhere and can hang around the house making soup. Here's a recipe we've enjoyed this year, that makes good use of the lovely kale we've been getting from the co-op:

1/2 lb. smoked sausage (kielbasa or similar), sliced thin
2 to 4 cloves garlic (all 4 if you dare)
1 medium onion, sliced thin
1 cup lentils, picked over and washed
3 cups water
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 bunch kale, stems and center ribs discarded, leaves chopped
2 T. balsamic or red wine vinegar

In a 6-qt. stockpot brown sausage in a little oil over medium heat, and transfer to paper towels to drain. Cook garlic and onion in the oil (add a little if necessary) until onion is softened. Add lentils, water, stock, and sausage and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add kale and simmer, uncovered, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Makes about six cups.
We think this would be a good basic lentil soup without the kale, but we haven't tried it that way yet.

Have a relaxing weekend, and stay warm!

7 comments:

Jan said...

Zorra, thanks for the tip to stop by for the Christmas memories! I don't feel like I need to write about my winter memories, because you've described south Texas to everyone! And that 2004 Christmas will be a standout forever for those of us living in Corpus Christi then. Thanks for the recipe, too!

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

Dang, I always leave here wanting to eat with you!

Cathy said...

I'm with Mind -- ready to come over and have a meal with you!
Your snow is more than we have had!

Sally said...

yup that soup sounds really good- might just make some later!!!

As for the excitement of even a little snow- I know what you mean- we mostly don't get any!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a good recipe to try (with a substitute for the sausage).

Lindy said...

When it's 42 human degrees I get my guardian to put my coat on me! Burrr. I am not a brave snow dog like my best blog pal, Scout. She's brave and strong in the snow.

Me and Lindy remember the white Christmas of 2004. We were somewhere else but somebody from Sweeny (near Houston) called Lindy and told her about it. We've seen pictures of it and everything.

I go to Houston sometimes to see my friend Buddy. He can run fast and he's fun to play with.

I hope your dog is feeling good.

Love,

Rowan

Diane M. Roth said...

hey! that recipe sounds great! and it's 14 below here tonight. maybe even Scout would wear a coat.

I hope Amie gets a chance at the computer again soon!

Diane (& Scout)