It’s winter in the Midwest! We’ve been watching the news a lot lately to figure out just how much snow we can expect in our area of the state and to put it simply, it’s not looking good.
We didn’t make a mad rush to the grocery store to fill up 10 carts of milk and bread or anything, but Ryan did make a stop there on the way home from work for onions.
This is what he reported:
“The store shelves and produce were pretty bare. The only onions they had were white onions and there was no bread, at all.”
Oh my dear goodness! What can that possibly mean?
White onions must be the least favorite type of onion in America.
The kids and I get pretty bored when we are stuck in the house for days so I have put together a list of 10 things to do if we get snowed in.
1. Redecorate your walls (you may be staring at them a lot while you’re stuck indoors). I went ahead and took down a shelf and put up a picture gallery, with the help of my honey.
2. Try a new recipe, like this authentic Filipino dish. Chicken Adobo.
Take a few pieces of chicken, pork, or beef (I usually use chicken because it’s the kids fav) and cook over medium heat in a frying pan or wok. Add fresh minced garlic (or garlic powder) and onions sliced or diced, it’s up to you. Dabble in some soy sauce and cover pan with lid and let it all cook together. Should be done in 20 to 30 minutes (or until chicken is cooked). In the meantime, make some white rice. I use a rice cooker, but if you don’t have one, follow the directions on packaging for cooking rice on the stove. Pour chicken adobo over rice in a bowl and dinner is served. It’s so tasty too. I haven’t met a single person that doesn’t love it.
3. Organize the Clutter.
If your family is like mine, you know that areas that were once in perfect order can easily become over cluttered. Take a look in those drawers and clear out what you don’t need. Being trapped indoors is the perfect time to organize areas like book shelves and put random papers and folders where they belong.
4. Work on some DIY projects.
Get creative and start working on those DIY projects you’ve been dreaming you had the time to do! I did a couple of Shadowbox frame projects to add to my picture wall, but you can work on whatever you want.
5. Clean, Polish, & Disinfect. Make everything sparkle.
Okay so maybe your house looks clean already, but it could always be cleaner right? How about taking this time to break out the items you may not use every day, like the wood furniture polish. Go ahead and bust out those disinfectants too and sanitize everything. What better time for this than during a winter snowstorm (and cold and flu season, I might add)?
6. Play with your kids.
If you have wished you had more time to play with your kids, now you do. If the snowstorm has made it impossible to leave the house and get to work, look at it as a free pass for some quality family play time. Work hard, play hard right?
7. Learn something new.
Today I used the resources I had to learn how to use Open Office Writer. There’s no better time to surf the web or thumb through books to teach yourself how to do something new.
8. Pamper yourself a little.
Yes. I’m a mother of two Pre-K kids and I wash a lot of dishes. Can you tell? I swear I just painted those things a couple of days ago and already, they are ready for some TLC. Take a little time for yourself if you can. Take a bath, moisturize that dry winter skin, take a nap, or for goodness sake paint those nails!
9. Read something.
It’s rare that I get a chance to sit down to read a magazine (aside from the waiting room of my kids Doctor office, between chasing them of course). Being cooped up inside leaves plenty of time for chores, organization, play time and even a little left for some leisurely reading. Enjoy it while you can!
10. Love, laugh, smile, and hug. A LOT.
Take some time to love on your main squeeze. Being stuck in the same place with the same people for days can irritate anyone, but instead of bickering, snuggle instead. Who would you rather be stuck indoors with during a blizzard? You’re probably looking right at them. Enjoy your family, and the love of your life.
Stay warm Midwest folks!
The Picture Jar 