Wind, rain, and lots of cooking!

Colder weather makes for lots of time in the kitchen!

The weather here would have put Pooh and the Hundred Acre Woods in a tizzy!  It has been absolutely freezing (at least it seems that way after higher than normal temps) and blustery and rainy... quite dreadful for even walking to get the mail.

We had to run a few errands yesterday but today has been spent indoors where it is warm and cozy.  So far I have made chicken noodle soup over the weekend and chicken veggie soup yesterday... and pumpkin bars today (that recipe... here).  They are one of our favorite autumn desserts and very easy.

Christopher called on Sunday with a voice so raspy, I could hardly hear him.  He ended up driving home and propping a pillow up on the family room sofa to watch TV and eat homemade soup and drink hot tea.  He said he could feel life coming back after two bowls of the chicken noodle soup.  It is a good thing when a college student lives close enough for Mom's cooking.

He felt well enough by Monday night to drive into Chicago with his best friend to represent the University at a computer conference.  Well, they actually drove to one of the train stations and parked their car there to take the train into Union Station. The weather there has been worse than it has been here with windows being blown out of a high rise from gale force winds.

My other child has also been sick but I could only offer emotional support and encouragement.  So far we haven't figured a way to send chicken noodle soup through the phone.  :)

This evening I am curling up with a blanket on the sofa (and perhaps a cat) to re-read a favorite Goudge book.  It is that kind of evening... brrrrr.

Note:  Sorry for the dark photo but even with the flash that is as bright as I could get it.  The kitchen lights are not repaired, yet.