I've been hunkering down a lot this month -- too much snow and cold (and it just doesn't stop). I'll look out the window and it may be large puffy flakes; wee, idly falling flakes or rapidly descending snow -- pure and simple, snow. The one thing that is constant is that it doesn't seem to stop. But that hasn't stopped me for getting ready for Valentine's Day.
Or getting about when need be. The other day I took my turn on our university theatre friends board delivering cookies to the actors and tech crew during their first tech rehearsal of "Cyrano." (Isn't that a good show for Valentine's Day?)
I spent a lot of my life in this building as a student; it's nice to give back. But I'll tell you -- I don't think anyone was arriving by bike!
Even Rick has been off the bike this winter. Instead, he is turning his attention to bread-baking.
He took a class at the renowned Zingerman's Bake House in Ann Arbor a couple of weeks ago and learned what he had been doing right and wrong!
I've been taking my turn in the kitchen, too. This is my potpie from the new "Sweetielicious" pie cookbook.
(I've written about this enchanting bakery here which has achieved a national reputation before. Here is Sweet Linda herself, signing my book and others that found their way into Christmas boxes!)
There is a story to this chicken pot pie. The night before was my friend Mike's memorial service. After, a number of us went to one of Mike's favorite restaurants for dinner. I ordered what was billed as the "all you can eat chicken dinner" -- it was a lemon herbed chicken with a side of pasta and a salad. I figured there would be leftovers. I didn't think it would be this much!
Yes, they didn't mention in the menu it was a whole half chicken. After the salad and pasta side, I had about four bites. Needless to say, the leftovers made for a great pot pie! (The leg and thigh are in the go-box and the white meat still on the plate. Bad blogging photo.) Ah, well...and the U.S. doesn't have a problem with portion control?
On another front, I haven't killed my rosemary yet, bringing it inside for the hard winter.
And I'm still trying to kick off icy snow yuck from the car. Almost broke a toe trying. Rick managed, but I know I softened it up for him.
I've been busy making valentines, too, and a gift for Rick -- but that's another post. Meanwhile, keep the candles burning and your hearts warm.
23 comments:
I'm so over single digit (and below) temperatures and snow (which is piled up taller than I am all along my street). It's fun to see your festive valentines and think about fresh baked bread and tasty pot pie.
Chicken pot pie seems like a great idea for really cold evenings. I'm glad you have so many good ideas for how to handle winter. I'm in Virginia where it's still grey and cold but not as cold, and no snow. Can't wait for spring!
So there’s no danger of you going without then, is there? Food and drink seem to be very high on your list of pleasures, as they are on mine.
Salads are for summer!
Yes! It has been a terrible, no-good, dirty, rotten winter: cold and confining, downright miserable. It can't end any too soon.
I love your antidote, though: baking is a fabulous way to warm up heart and home, and your baking projects look amazing, works of art. Bon appetit, friend! And let's hope that the promised thaw actually arrives next week...
I can't imagine better cold weather pursuits than making Valentines and chicken pot pie! Your cards and the pie look wonderful! So sorry about your friend, though. What a nice way to honor him -- by going to his favorite restaurant to talk and remember.
The bread and your pot pie look delicious! Nesting and doing more baking is one of the few things I enjoy about cold winter weather. Is it just me or does being cooped up in the snow make you want to cook comfort food?
Your pot pie looks delicious. What a beautiful crust. I love pot pie. And your table setting looks so warm and intimate in the glow of the candle. I guess you have to warm up your life some sort of way with all that snow. I just know you'll wake up one day and spring will be here.
Good morning, Jeanie! Oh, we too have the winter blues...but when spring comes, it will make it all the more WONDERFUL! That chicken pot pie has to be the most beautiful one I've ever seen! ENJOY! Anita
That pot pie looks delicious - chicken pot pie is one of my all-time favorites. Swanson individual pot pies were one of the first "convenience" foods I met. Sometimes Mom would pull some out of the freezer when we wanted something "fancy" - can you imagine? But in those days (late 50s, early 60s) teevee dinners and such were new, and exciting. Heck, back then, television was new and exciting!
We're still slogging, too. Freezing rain made its appearance overnight and is predicted to linger through tonight. We don't have such severe winters as you, of course. But everyone's heartily tired of this winter business.
Your chicken pot pie is a beauty and Rick's bread looks wonderful. It sounds like you are making the most of the dismal season and doing just the right thinks to cheer things up.
What a cherry and beautiful post with all the delicious food....Isn't it wonderful that when it's yucky outside we can create wonderful food inside....
Love the bike in the snow photo! I put it on my Pinterest page.
I've been thinking of you as I watch the national weather reports. I hope you get some relief from all the snow. I won't tell you about our weather right now!
Your pot pie looks fantastic. And I like the last pic of the candle glowing. Stay warm!
Jeanie,
I do that too, kick off the icy stuff gathered by the mud flaps, and sometimes they're as hard as rocks. So, the cold weather outside do nurture the culinary genius inside. The potpie and the bread look so good. I'm sure delicious too. ;)
That bread looks delicious! I am trying to get out of winter-mode by taking a sewing class once a month and picking up my knitting again. It helps:). On another note- that cookbook! I gave a signed copy to my daughter-in-law for Christmas and just do NOT know why I didn't get one for myself. Oh well...maybe next time down that way she'll have more?:) Stay warm and healthy!
The bread and the potpie look delicious! Since we had to stay indoors today because of the incoming ice storm I baked a bread pudding – had not baked one in years .. and I am not sure how it will taste, but it did warm up the kitchen. It rained/snowed/iced this morning but it stopped – supposed to be bad tomorrow. It is a grey day and I am upset anyway – one of my aircraft went down today – you know I worked for 26 years in an aircraft factory – I did not work on them manually but I worked on the paperwork for all the trials, acceptance and delivery – they were my babies. It went down on an Algerian mountain.
Hi Jeanie. I saw your name on Jeanie's (Colorado) blog and am now visiting yours. My cousin got his dentistry degree from the U of Michigan and now practices in New Mexico. My uncle also got his at the same school. They both enjoyed their experiences in Ann Arbor. You have a wonderful blog, and I'll be back to read again. Aloha from Hawaii.
oh my that pie looks so good. I have to say I am not jealous about your weather. It's been 86 degrees is South Florida!
Ahh, Jeanie, I like thinking of you there in the snow, but I know you're probably sick of it. That pot pie (and Rick's bread) would be my downfall! Love the "snow bike!"
chicken pot pie is always perfect on a cold winter's night. How kind of you dropping off little food packages. Those are always appreciated.
This has been such a brutal winter for you guys. I am hoping for a slow thaw and an early spring. You certainly have earned it. I can't complain about our winter but it's been unseasonably cold and today/tomorrow we are getting snow, sleet, and ice. Bleh. I am very thankful that I have a walking commute!
That pot pie looks delicious! Yum!
I can't think of a more appropriate thing to do, when it's too cold to be outside, than cook! :-) What could be more warming or comforting than fresh bread or pot pie? Wait, I know, fresh bread AND pot pie! :-)
Yesterday it was so sunny I thought it was going to be nice out. Then I went out with the dog. Alas, no. Too windy for "nice," even though it was a relatively balmy 20 (F)............
Oh my goodness, that potpie looks amazing! I really must try this again sometime. I have never been that happy with my potpies. Oh and more bread made by Rick, delightful! Then making Valentine's and delivering cookies, all good things. We will ignore that ice and cold and wish it away for you.
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