In the past, I've written about Blackberry Winter in
2005,
2008 and
2011. There are probably a few other posts but these three give you an idea; it was also a trip down memory lane for me...a happy trip, let me add. For those who might not know, Blackberry Winter is the reverse of Indian Summer. It's that time in Spring that we've had a warm/hot spell and the blackberry bushes are in bloom. Then, WHAM! Ole Man Winter comes for a visit and we're
slammed with winter...but today it's not just Blackberry Winter, it's
Blackberry Blizzard!
We're having high winds, sleet mixed with snow, low visibility and the horses and calves are not happy. Can't say as I blame them; I'm not all that thrilled myself. I've had terrible cabin fever and was going to Abingdon today to meet Chris. We were going to go to the bookstore, do a little shopping, eat lunch and, generally, catch up with each other but not now. Dave and I always made the agreement to not travel dangerous roads. When the weather was terrible, unless it was a
have to case, we
always stayed home. There are folks who have to go to their job and Dave and I didn't want to add to the mix. Tractors are holding steady to the road but I can hear pick-up trucks slipping and sliding all over the place. Yep, made the right decision to stay at home!
I was at the barn at 6:30, throwing out hay to the horses and feeding barn cats. One of the horses was shivering, not a good sign, as horses generate heat from the belly out. They needed food and quickly! So, I gave them a double portion of hay which should tide them until this afternoon when I give out more hay. The barn cats, used to me showing up an hour later, weren't in evidence but the food was put out for them anyway. So, my day is now going to be spent doing a bit of estate paperwork, cleaning and making something to eat for myself.
When Dave was alive, we gloried in food prep and eating and would spend quite some time thinking about food, buying food, preparing food and then sharing meals. Not so much anymore. It's such a drag, all the above and, the truth hurts here, I don't really care. In the morning, I'll make a two country egg spinach cheese omelet, sometimes with home made sausage or bacon, sometimes with bread and that will hold me until yogurt for supper. Those of you who live alone or have spouses who work away, what do you do? Do you fix full meals? How do you feed yourself?
How's the weather where you're living? Blackberry Winter, Blackberry Blizzard or Spring? Whatever; it's good to be above ground!
Blessings ~ weather ~ hay ~ omelets ~ blogging ~ strength to do the work God sets before me ~
We were hoping for some April snow too...but we didn't see any if it fell last night...just rainy spring weather here...
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
It's turned really cold here and rainy. I just put away all my warm clothes last week so now I am dragging warm stuff out again!! Boo! Where is Spring?
ReplyDeleteLove,
LuLu~*xoxo
When I heard on the weather yesterday that the mountains were getting snow, I thought about you.n Glad to hear that you stayed home and didn't add yourself to the traffic.
ReplyDeleteHello Sandra:
ReplyDeleteThis is almost unbelievable. What terrible conditions and how right you are to stay on the farm and not venture further afield. We do hope that the animals will be all right, the cats being the least to worry about as, if needs must be, they are probably able to fend for themselves.
Eating alone is always a dismal experience. However, it is important that you eat properly and from what you say you are not having enough. Now, Sandra, make yourself a big casserole which will last for several days and into which, with the addition of some potato, or rice, you can dip.
It has been freezing here and we are to get some snow today. In the county further north, they have a winter storm warning! You are wise not to go out in this, I am obsessed with staying in when the roads are bad! We had summer this winter...now in the spring the winter has finally come, go figure!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am sorry to hear you have such cold weather... We have spring here! They say the temperature will be 25 Celsius on Friday! It's almost summer...
ReplyDeleteYou did right to stay at home!!!
Take care!
Oh,dear! What craziness! I have not heard of 'Blackberry Winter' before, but I did hear that you folks back East were expecting snow! Just plain crazy, I tell ya!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you decided to play it safe and stay home. And I think your critters are happy for that, as well!
I think Hattatt's advice is good! You need to eat well to stay well, and in addition to cassarole's, soup is healthy and doesn't take a lot of expertice to create something tasty and nutritious! Add some bread and maybe a salad and your set for a few days. Soup is good even when it is hot outside ~ My grandpa used to say that if you got warmed up on the inside, you would feel cooler on the outside! But then, he loved soup anytime!
I am trying to fix multiple batches of the same meal to stick in the freezer for those times I just don't want to cook! Great in theory anyway!
Blessings sent your way today!
I eat a lot of meals alone. It is iffy for me. Sometimes I fix something that is really delicious and other times I have a protein bar or make popcorn.
ReplyDeleteNot sharing your meal with Dave is such a loss.
Glad you stayed home safe today ... but hope you reschedule lunch with your friend soon.
No snow, but it's very cold. I'm worried about our crops. We're livestock and vegetable farmers. I learned from my grandmother that a meal alone didn't need to be fast food, processed food, or grabbing a quick something. She had been alone from the time she was about 50 to her passing at 91. She would always act like she was having company when it was just her. She'd set s nice place at the table, she'd often find flowers in the yard, and she'd make herself something nutritious. I always admired the way she did these simple acts of taking care of herself. She would have answered anyone who asked her why by saying that she was worth it. Please take care of yourself- you're worth it. Afterall, Jesus showed us that he thought that by his loving sacrifice for us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, dear lady!Oh, and stay warm:)
I'm glad you stayed home, Sandra!
ReplyDeleteThat's so smart to eat a king's breakfast and a pauper's supper. When Bill is away and if Jeff is busy during the dinner hour, I eat a bowl of cereal.
Well, as you know this kind of weather would never happen in Texas this time of the year. How do us girls feel ourselves when we're alone? Graze. This is what I call it, and NO I don't make a full meal, seems such a waste of time. But, I do eat throughout the day to keep the metabolism up, just bits & bites. Cause most of my work is done sitting upon my backside, not out in the field with the animals as I know you do. xx's
ReplyDeleteI've learned about Blackberry Winter from you, so thank-you!
ReplyDeleteAs for food, I tend to make a big kettle of a nutritious stew or soup I like and eat it for days....
Good Morning, Sandra. Unbelievable weather we're experiencing! It is 37 here this a.m. and for the last 2 days the wind has been brutal. I'm sorry that your outing had to be cancelled. I stay home when the weather is bad, too. As much thought and joy as preparing and sharing a meal with Dave was, I'm sure it is very difficult without him. I hope you'll get a raincheck on your outing with Chris. Keeping you close in my heart and prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh dear . . . I hope the blackberries survive. I hope you didn't get the 8-12 inches they were predicting through Ohio, Pennsylvannia and into New York. Freaky weather isn't it?
ReplyDeleteSurgery yesterday . . . sleepless night I guess because of all the slumber and anesthetic yesterday . . . Hopefully results will turn out well 6-8 weeks of splints and casts and by then I will be left handed. I figure that is a good thing! We need to use both limbs . . .
Thank you for your prayers and caring Sandra . . .
It always interests me how such rugged weather can sometimes make for such amazing photos, don't you think!? :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know Sandra, I find all that food prep and thinking about it etc a drag most of the time anyhoo, and I'm certainly not in the same circumstances as you! A bit pathetic I know. :)
I'm also glad you stayed away from those slippery roads, but think how much better your time with Chris will be when you do make it, with all the added anticipation from the longer wait!
I'm sure you really don't want to hear that the weather here in the south-east of Queensland has been really lovely actually! A bit of rain but mostly fine and sunny. We're just about coming out the other end of Autumn and Winter will be upon us in no time I'm sure. But being in the sub-tropics, our winters do tend to be rather tame and mild compared to yours.
Take care and stay safe. x
First of all, Hello! Hello! Hello! Thank you soooooo much for visiting my blog (over from Susan Branch's blog), and especially for leaving a comment. Comments rock!!! We find lovely new blogging friends, by comments being left on our own blog.
ReplyDeleteSecond, never heard of "Blackberry Winter," which is the reverse of "Indian Summer." Know "Indian Summer" well, up in my neck of the woods, though.
Wow! Did you ever get a Blackberry Blizzard! Wow!!!! Thank you for bothering to take photos of it, to show us. For bothering, along with all the critter work you have to do. :-) Love to see pics of around where blog friends live.
Not so detailed that the pics are a safety problem, of course. But this and that, this and that... When our weather finally stays warmed up, I'll get out and take some early morning pics, myself. Not lots of land like you have, though. Just a city plot. But it's home. :-)
Oh and we are lucky enough to have woods across from us! A forever-wild part of neighboring college campus. :-))))
Oh my! Do I chatter, or do I chatter, hu???? Eeeeeek!!! LOL. I'll stop bending-your-ear now.
Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"
Upper NE of our Beautiful USA
Oh one more thing... -giggles- Do you call spring snow ---> "Poor man's fertilizer"??? We do, up north. ,-)
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs,
"Auntie"
Sorry you didn't get to make your trip - you will have to reschedule! I love Abingdon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on Hollywood Cemetery - someone else was also telling me about it just the other day. I'll have to visit sometime!
This is the first Blackberry Winter in 7 years for us that we did not get snow! We have used the wood stove the last 2 nights. Sheesh, I thought we were done with that!!!
ReplyDeleteI lived alone for years, until J and I moved into together and then eventually married. And because I worked such l o n g hours in the horsey biz, I finally came up with a way for meals. Once a month, I would spend a day in the kitchen.
I would cook, making meals to freeze. I didn't do individual portions, so if it was veggie lasagna I set out to thaw on Monday morning-I ate that all week! Fine with me :) Then I would always have different side dishes with whatever I thawed for that week. A good salad, veggies in season etc.
Last week when J was out of town, I did terrible as far as eating. I have no appetite, but I know I need to eat.
Oat meal did the trick :)
I hope this helps a little and gives you a few ideas!
Stay warm while feeding the critters.
You are always on my mind.
xo, misha
I hope you stay warm and safe. When my husband travels and my daughter is not with me, I try to prepare meals that make good leftovers. Unfortunately, when that doesn't happen I often resort to something like cheese and crackers.
ReplyDeleteSo you were the lucky one to get the snow. Ugh, I hope it melts soon!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the meals, I don't really cook during the week while Shane is working. I'll have a hot dog or something easy for dinner. Breakfast is usually a piece of bread with peanut butter. Lol.
Sandra, It's freezing outside at the moment. In Aus, Anzac day is always so cold we start heating our homes. This year is no different. I have the fire going now and I'm snug inside.
ReplyDeleteI eat many meals alone as my hubby is a livestock transporter and he lives on the road most of the time. I always cook meals and I'm not a great fan of freezer meals. There's nothing like the taste of good fresh veges on my plate. If I make a casserole, I make sure it's not to big and will keep for a couple of days in the fridge. I then have it for lunch and dinner the next day. Stay warm. Sue
It's almost like we think we aren't worth a good meal isn't it? I don't do well cooking when Jack is out of town either. But we are worth it and it's a good thing to enjoy a meal even if we're alone. Sorry it's so cold up there - very cold here in the mornings but hot sun by afternoon. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeletewe've had so very little snow that this would be a very big surprise. it is quite lovely though.
ReplyDeletebest,
bonnie
I stay home in any storm. All my accidents, none for many years, have been in Rainstorms. Forget snow I won't go out.
ReplyDeleteWeather in Maine has been crazy too.
yvonne
Well dear, when I lived alone it was hard to eat. But, to solve the problem AND to make a new tradition and joy, I began to make bread weekly, and soups a few times a week. Just the simple preparations and chores are soothing to me. To this day when things get me down, I MAKE SOUP. Cold soup in the summer, simmering, joyful, house-scenting soup in fall, winter, and early spring.
ReplyDeleteI wish you joy!
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
Hi Sandi just checking in on you. I have been away as my puter was out on again off again. HP sent me a new one so hopefully I will be blogging again. You sound good and I hope you get out soon. This weather is so crazy....
ReplyDeleteWeather here in southern MD is varriable, lol. I saw a 55ish degree temperature difference in just over 24 hours, from mid 80s to freeze warnings. Today is very windy, very sunny and 70.
ReplyDeleteMR has been on travel for work all week, returning before midnight Thursday. I eat somewhat balanced while he is gone, but a bit of odd combinations. I usually have eggs in one form or another for dinner, multigrain pasta and sauce, what ever may be in the fridge left-overs that are not enough for two. More vegetarian and things he does not like. By the time he got home there just wasn't much food left. Grocery shopping has become a chore I do not enjoy, due to seafood allergies and living in the blue crab capital of the USA. I understand how not cooking became the first thing mom quit doing for her self after dad was gone and altzheimers crept in. Luckily she spent most days at my sister's house helping with daycare. Liz always feeds the kids a hot meal at lunch. I'm trying to cook more in a small crock pot for two, but because I don't eat things like canned soup and premixes (anything with soy, corn, food starch) most recipes do not work for me. They usually have a step that says and dump in a can of...
I've been trying to keep myself busy making a quilt for a friend who is fighting cancer for the second time in 6 months. She is so positive, cheerful, and faithful, even through all of her trials, which her cancer is just one of many. I have to tell her daily she is a blessing, and lesson to me. I just want her to be wrapped in a hug anytime she needs one, and that is what a quilt is to me.
Glad you stayed home, safe and warm durring the storm.
Blessings :o)
Weather here in southern MD is varriable, lol. I saw a 55ish degree temperature difference in just over 24 hours, from mid 80s to freeze warnings. Today is very windy, very sunny and 60ish.
ReplyDeleteMR has been on travel for work all week, returning before midnight Thursday. I eat somewhat balanced while he is gone, but a bit of odd combinations. I usually have eggs in one form or another for dinner, multigrain pasta and sauce, what ever may be in the fridge left-overs that are not enough for two. More vegetarian and things he does not like. By the time he got home there just wasn't much food left. Grocery shopping has become a chore I do not enjoy, due to seafood allergies and living in the blue crab capital of the USA. Also I have 3 older sisters so I didn't learn to cook until after they left when I was 11. I understand how not cooking became the first thing mom quit doing for her self after dad was gone and altzheimers crept in. Luckily she spent most days at my sister's house helping with daycare. Liz always feeds the kids a hot meal at lunch.
I've been busy this week making a quilt for a friend who is fighting cancer for the second time in six months. I just want her to have a hug anytime she needs it, and to me that's what a quilt is. My sister really enjoyed hers while going through all that mess.
Hi Sandi.......looks very chilly.
ReplyDeleteWen I was single I would fix myself a completed dinner almost every night. I guess I never minded eating alone since when I was growing up everyone ate whenever and to our own schedules. I can imagine that after being married for over 20 years this might be a different situation if I were alone again.
Western Washington weather can be quite unpredictable. Last year I planted seeds and starter plants only to have a cold and wet front ruin most everything. So now I just wait until after the first week in May to do my planting.
We actually had snow, I about flipped when I looked out, but it didn't last. Hadn't heard of blackberry blizzard before.
ReplyDeleteWhen hubby is working/on the road I just eat whatever happens to cross in front of my sight ... no interest at all when alone.
Today I got tons of the new plants put in ground & made 12 flower hanging baskets, etc. Still hundreds more to go in the groudn. Feels SOOOO good diggin' in the dirt.
Have a beautiful week my friend ~
TTFN ~
Hugs & love,
Marydon
Sweet Sandra...........I have been MIA and busy with Mom, but you are on my mind. When I have been by myself, the way I have handled meals is to fix meals for the dogs and myself......especially just me and Becky. It feels as though I am sharing a meal with a person, and it forces me to eat healthy.
ReplyDeleteKnow that you are on my mind.........and that like Motel 6, we are leaving the light on for you ;o)
Hugs and Love, Nancy