Snowy Morning

33°f/1°C, snowing.

Well, this was unexpected! The forecast did say snow flurries, but I rarely believe them when it comes to the year's first snowfall. This time they were spot on. Our eastern mountains here in WV are expected to get 4-7", which I am sure makes the ski resorts ecstatic. 

It is still snowing heavily, but I doubt it will amount to much on the ground. After all it was in the 60s Friday and Saturday, so the ground is still quite warm. And it rained yesterday, so the soil is saturated too. 

I suppose this weather must have triggered my "time for winter food" hormones, because yesterday I made a venison roast, with gravy, mashed potatoes and turnips, and a green bean/kidney beans medley. I did reduce the calories a little by using oil instead of grease for the gravy, and cooked the beans in chicken broth, so no butter. The turnips cut the carbs in the potatoes too, but still, a pretty heavy meal---and delicious. There is enough left for today too.  

Barb's post about her doctor visit and the need to make more dietary changes got me to thinking about how difficult menu planning can be as we age and our bodies start giving us issues. When we were young, we ate whatever,  whenever, and never thought much about it. Well, girls did, because girls, no matter how slim,  worry about their weight. Still, we would eat the burgers, fries, milkshakes (after all, that meal was only 45 cents!), but not eat anything else all day. Boys ate anything and everything with not a care in the world about it.

Now, we have to think, starting early in the day: should I put sugar in my tea? Butter the toast or not? Or even make toast? What about jam? Maybe not. Larry's health issues make it tricky to figure out what he should eat. Diabetes (courtesy of Agent Orange), high blood pressure, and partially blocked arteries mean little sugar, little fat, keep the carbs down---which leaves,  basically, proteins and veggies. Fortunately he is very physically active, which helps a lot, and his diabetes is controlled with meds instead of insulin, thank goodness. But it does impact what I cook, and is constantly on my mind as I plan meals. (Larry, however, rarely considers the issue of what he should eat and is always surprised when we are out and I have to guide him to the better choices.) 

Pip and Daisy, enjoying the fire

Pip, the 6 month old puppy we adopted from the shelter last month,  is slowly settling in here. He is still not Buddy's best friend, but they are playing well together and I think the relationship developing. It takes time for a new dog to be part of the pack. Right now I am working on making sure he understands that I am the alpha and that he must obey commands. He does pretty well, but we have a ways to go. He still has inexplicable fear of some things---like sometimes when I am putting the dogs out, ge will run to one of his "safe" places, and i have to catch him and lead him out by his halter. He goes docilely enough then, but why that sudden fear? He is also getting more trusting of Larry, but will not go out the door if Larry is standing by it. I wonder what goes through his mind at such times? 

Pip loves to lay his head on my lap to be petted. I still see insecurity in his eyes, so he gets lots and lots of loving and petting.

Pip is also amazed by the snow. This is the first time he has seen it, and he came in with his face covered,  because he had been plowing his nose through the snow-covered leaves on the ground! Such a puppy he still is!

The snow is letting up now, but we will probably have flurries all day. We will be going to one of our booths later to put in the Christmas stock. At least we are not likely to have to work around too many customers, with this weather!

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