[chalk] it up to luck

 a little rusty with the chalk drawings since taking a winter break, but i thought the neighborhood could use some luck getting us into some warmer weather.

home is where the [bread] is

obviously, this whole "cooking and making food that reminds me of home because we're stuck in the middle of a global pandemic and i can't visit my family" continued this week with the making of my dad's banana bread.  

staying true to my childhood i let it cool just enough before cutting off a slice and eating it while it was still warm. 

i'm going to be as big as a house if this pandemic continues and i keep cooking.

together like [chili] and [cinnamon rolls]

this pandemic is really starting to get to me. it's now been well over a year since i've seen my family back home.  that along with the winter weather has me needing some warm comfort food, a combo of foods only a mid-westerner would love and even understand. chili and cinnamon rolls.

i made this combo tonight and the spicy mixed with the sweet took me back to my midwest childhood sitting in the school cafeteria.  you see, chili and cinnamon roll day was the one day no one brought a lunch.  everyone loved CCR day!

and it wasn't just at school, this combo was mad at home as well.  large community chili dinners would take place in my hometown before home football games.

this combo isn't for everyone, but for a guy missing his family, this mid-west meal, made kansas seem just a little bit closer.

[oil] me up

 the bane of my winter existence here in maine is checking the heating oil.  

it's a constant worry and always has me stressed out.  you see, i have to call someone to fill up the heating oil tank, which at a minimum is a two day ordeal and if this runs out, there's no heat...which would suck.  also the gauge isn't 100% accurate. so after a few hard learned lessons, i've learned that if it gets to an 1/8" i'm screwed. 

 

i now place my oil order at a quarter tank.

in a weird way though, just like in life, sometimes it's the little annoying things like this that give life a rhythm.  so even though, i'm constantly on edge about this little chore, it does make it feel like it's winter..

 

as if the 0 degree weather wasn't enough.

 

 

[light] up my snow

yes.  this is me wearing a stocking cap with a light on it.  

yes. i made fun of it.

now, because it gets dark at 3:30, i love it.