MR. ICE PAID A VISIT ~Shabbat Eve

‘Mister White Christmas’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEbFfoBPfw4)

For a few weeks, I’ve joked off and on about Mr. Complication being put on ice … but today he really was put on ice: the roads here are all a solid sheet of ice – it is not {"the worst anyone has ever seen here!"}, but it is pretty bad. I’ve seen worst ice storms in this neck of the woods, but it is best to stay home if you can 😉

That said, when I woke up this morning with ice on the street … and chicken soup running through my thoughts, and I figured Holland could stop in for a bowl of hot soup if he was out and about. He lives 2 steep hills away, so I wasn't sure if he'd risk the drive into town or not, for anything. Still, I sent the invite so we could visit, and he could sample some more of my cooking if he was in town.

Morning text ...

I also returned a call David left on my phone around midnight last night: he’d been scrolling through his FB newsfeed and happened upon my upcoming wedding post – he’s like a big brother to me; he was curious and more than a little surprised. Me: “So, I see I missed your call … what’s up?” David: “Yeah; I was looking through my FB newsfeed and I see that Valeria Hargand is getting married (Uh-oh – he actually used my birth Name instead of Valerie), what the hell, Val! Who is this guy - what's his Name? Last time we talked, you said you had sworn off marriage. I’m kinda surprised, here.” Me - laughing: “I’m surprised too; believe you, me! The marriage may seem fast – and it is, but we’ve known each other for 15 months; so, it’s really not ‘that fast’. He really is a nice guy. You would approve. Bob would approve. This is a good match; he checks all the boxes. Bob was my {IT} Man: I never thought I’d ever love anyone but Bob … but I do; and I’m kinda surprised, too.” And then David listened while I talked about Holland. And he gave some encouragement, and big brother instructions 😉

I’m so lucky to have good people in my life, who love me in good ways.

Last year I was upset that I would be stuck in Longview for the rest of my life; and this year I am thankful that Elohim put on a stop on my plans so His Plan for my life could unfold. Last year I was bummed because I could not be where I wanted to be living – and this year I am looking forward to getting married, and staying put 😊

With a smile on my face, I got the soup ready to go …

==Kosher Chicken In The Pot ~serves 4

I make this meal in my crockpot – I just dump everything in, and plug the pot into the wall socket 😉

I also used chopped chicken breasts, and Christmassy noodles this year in place of the potatoes; I didn’t have any spuds on hand, the roads were a solid sheet of ice … and the noodles were ‘festive’ 😊

Festive bowtie noodles.

I have made this soup many times over the decades; it is a great soup to enjoy on days like today.

1 4-pound Chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or 8 flash-frozen chicken breasts, chopped like stew meat) * Kosher Salt & freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste * ¼ cup extra-virgin Olive Oil * 12-ounces dark Beer * 1 Onion, quartered * 8 whole cloves of Garlic * 2 cups green Cabbage * 3 large Carrots, peeled and cut in pieces * 4 medium Yellow Potatoes, quartered or 12 ct. new potatoes, whole (or 2 ounces bow-tie noodles) * 2 cups Chicken broth * ½ cup Parsley, chopped

Place all the ingredients EXCEPT NOODLES in a crockpot, set on LOW for 5½ hours; add noodles for last ½ hour. Serve and enjoy 😊

Kosher Chicken in the Pot Soup. Easy-peasy supper.

While the soup was cooking, I checked my FB Page, then started getting ready for Holland’s arrival …

All brown palette today – ‘Gentle’ browline, ‘Gold-brown’ eyelid color & liners, & ‘Focus’ eyelid accent; Lash Primer, “Glam Brown’ Mascara, ‘Soft Brown’ Eyebrow Gel; ‘Coral Ember’ Crème blush; Tinted Lip Balm & ‘Candy Cane’ Chapstick.

I used the lash primer today because the eye makeup is all browns - I wanted to plump up my lashes, so they stand out ;-)

Bauble bracelet.

And as I was stirring the soup, a text came in:

Afternoon text ...

Rats! I’m thinking Christmas Supper in Kelso will be called off, too, if the icy rain continues.

I consoled myself with watching the chickadees at the birdfeeder … and the neighborhood kids sneaker-skate down the icy streets.

And after supper, I lit the Hanukkah candles, and enjoyed a glass of red wine. Old Man Winter is not going to ruin what’s left of my day; I'm going to relax and play text-tag with Holland 😉