Negative test, more snow and those warming spices

We've had another round of snow. I knew it was coming, but I was a bit surprised by how much we got. Not that it was a lot, but I thought we were just getting a dusting (to me, that means just the grass has a coating of confectioner's sugar!). But, no, we're up to a couple of inches, and it is still coming down. It has that Charlie Brown Christmas vibe to it, as most snow does to children of the late '60s and '70s. We only go to 27 degrees today, so it's not going to melt any time soon. We have cherry slices in the cabinet, no orange slices, which is a very random statement, I know. 

I've been thinking about orange slices lately. I worked with a lady who, for years, dipped them in milk and dark chocolate at Christmas. She always sliced them in half before dipping because the chocolate-to-orange slice ratio was better (you get more chocolate that way, ha ha). They were so good, but I've never bothered to make them myself. The cherry ones would be good for Valentine's Day, dipped in white or milk or dark chocolate. 

Speaking of orange, here's this morning's tea . . . . . and yes, those are orange slices, not lemon slices. I would have LOVED a thick slice of sourdough bread with butter and orange marmalade to go with this! Alas, we did not have any in the house.

It's the season of warming spices. I love pumpkin season in the Autumn, where we really start adding in those spices. This time of year, however, I like to rev up those spices even more - Thai food (heaven-sent stuff, y'all; I could eat it every day, I think), Constant Comment tea, ginger cake, spice cake - you get the picture. If it has a hint of clove in it, even better. I realize that clove can sometimes be an acquired taste, but I've always loved it, especially with citrus. I cannot remember a time that I didn't love the taste and smell of clove, but if you use too much, it can be off-putting. It's all about using just the right amount. I also love Himalayan and Indian food. There's a Himalayan buffet about an hour away from us. It's calling my name . . . . but it's in the mountains, and you have to go across and up and over mountains to get to it. We'll wait on snow season to pass.

In March, my cravings begin to change and the warming spice cravings turn into cravings for buttercream frosting and all foods in pastel colors. I think we all know that's the promise of spring, teasing our palettes and making us think about chocolate bunnies and pink, purple, yellow and soft blue frosting flowers, lemon anything - you get the picture. Then, we get another snow or another freeze, and I switch back to the spices for a bit. Somewhere along the way, we get that first truly warm day, and we know we are finally heading into garden season.

A little over two weeks ago, I had to take a Covid test. I had one symptom but it was persisting and because I had been around someone five days earlier who had tested positive and was very sick, I went ahead and got a test. It was negative, so grateful for that. My "symptom" went away the next day, and I did not have to miss any work days. Our city school system closed for two days this week due to staff shortage from Covid cases. Here's hoping this wave peaks soon. I predict there will be another wave, just a gut feeling. 

I'm not being negative, but it's not rocket science, either. Getting back to business, staying open because now there's a vaccine, flights, shows, movies, concerts, vacations, etc. - this will all create another wave, especially this coming summer. It is what it is, and I'm certainly not all about shutting down again. We went to a movie recently, and I'd go again. I'm going to a live show on February 20th, and I'm very excited about it! I think we should continue to forge ahead and get through it to see where it lands us in the end - eradicated (most likely not) or simply a new way of life with a vaccine each year much like the flu. 

We are careful when we go out; we wear our masks and keep our distance, but we do continue to try to live as normally as possible. Obviously, if anyone has a condition where Covid could be potentially life-threatening, then they would need to live their lives quite a bit differently during this time. But we are blessed with overall good health, so we are careful and move forward with wisdom and caution.

We have had our first shots, as well as our boosters, a personal choice for sure. We went back and forth for a bit trying to decide, but in the end, because we both work and need to work to take care of our rescues, the vaccine was the right choice for us. I do not judge those who choose otherwise. They have their reasons, and I will respect those reasons and their right to do what is best for them. I love them, and the vaccine has nothing to do with that!

Just one baby picture today. It's my precious, beautiful big boy, Baby Oscar in his thinking box. He has climbed into the paper towel box and is just sitting there, contemplating about his plans for the day. I don't have a crystal ball, but I'm betting his plans include eating, sleeping, playing a little bit, then doing it all over again. I can "sense" these things, ha ha. He is the cutest thing. This little boy is precious to me.

Love to you on this last weekend in January (imagine that!). It's going quickly, and as I pointed out to someone recently, it is just nine months until Halloween. I hear you laughing, but it'll be here before you know it! Local buddies, stay warm and safe. I'm venturing out for a ginger bread cake mix today, that is, if I manage to get out of my flannel pajamas at any point.