66 Hours

My family has been inside the home for 66 straight ours now, with the exception of my husband going out to chop some wood yesterday. He was only outside for about twenty minutes, but the extreme windchill still had no mercy on him. With three pairs of pants, including long johns and three shirts, a coat, hat, and gloves, he was still really glad to get right back inside!

The Weather Channel issued a warning yesterday letting North Texans know that if they should venture out, they should wear a hat and gloves. My husband and I found this recommendation rather amusing, having both spent several of our formative years living in Indiana.

Heaven help us if we run out of butter. With the prospect of schools being closed again tomorrow, that may mean we don't get to go out until Saturday or later. We have been cooking and baking around here and will surely have some good winter coats (I mean weight) to show for it.

I have to continually remind my husband that he cannot leave to go to the store. We just watched our neighbors unsuccessfully try to drive up the road. They practically had to slide back down to their driveway in reverse. We're all beginning to feel a little edgy. A periodic dance break really helps. What do you do to keep things light and fun when you're all so full of energy and need to get it out?

It was in the name of BBQ

We caved. Not leaving the house was never an option after my husband mentioned getting BBQ at our favorite little shack. After a phone call to a neighbor (one with four-wheel drive) we determined the roads were safe enough for our entire family to risk our lives to get those soft warm rolls and dip them in the beautiful red Hutchins BBQ sauce. Oh, and then there's the hotlinks, brisket, chopped beef, and fried okra. You've never seen a baby eat BBQ until you've eaten with us. Our nearly eleven  month old ate it up, making enthusiastic baby sounds the whole time. I know I promised at least one person we would reamin inside the safety of our home and not leave. So I probably should refrain from mentioning that on the way back home we stopped to get beer. If there is any chance you will be snowed in, make sure to have enough beer, wine, or some other libations. Also, you must have butter.