Deep in the Heart

We made it to Texas in one piece, thanks to the Yeti and a brief window of calm in the weather. Then I suffered through 24 hours of tension while the latest huge storm hit at home. You know what's worse than being stuck in your house with several feet of snow while the wind is supposed to hit gusts of 75 mph and freezing rain is forecast and the power could go out for days? Being in Texas while all of that is going on, and not knowing if enormous trees are crashing on your house or your animals are freezing to death.

Luckily we have an absolute gem of a neighbor who has been walking by every day (there's no way anyone can drive in our neighborhood, with 2 1/2 feet of icy snow covering everything since there's no plowing). She's been giving the chickens warm water and letting me know that so far no trees have fallen down and the power has stayed on.

spice cookies in progress

These reports have allowed me to relax a bit and do important holiday activities like stuff myself with good barbecue. And make spice cookies. And wrap presents. And call my parents, who have a house full of grandkids and several feet of snow outside. At least they have extra help with the shoveling!

spice cookies ready to go in my belly