Super Snowstorm, Super Bowl

Hello and welcome to the blog.

We’re currently getting clobbered by the largest winter storm of the season.  Jones County is one of the areas hardest hit.  After shoveling out twice, it looks like we’ve already received about a foot of the white stuff and the driveway is drifting shut again.

I love it.  Now this is how ya want to spend a snowy day.  I couldn’t resist making a little clip with the old work uniform.   🙂

Bridge and dam over the Wapsipinicon River in Anamosa

Yeah, it’s cold, windy, and miserable today.  But this is home.  I love many things about Iowa, the summer humidity, and yes, the snow.  You learn to live with it or leave – this weather is not for everyone!

In Iowa, living in a van in this kind of weather is not something you would do voluntarily, in most cases.  I prefer the  warmth and comfort of the home base and despite the recent employment shift, it’s worth working to hold on to what I have here – peace, solitude, a beautiful environment and great fishing.

It’s been fun listening to reactions today on Facebook and the local news stations.  A lot of people are not thrilled with the latest winter blast.  Like I told the friends, “Happiness is a state of mind.  If you don’t mind the crazy weather in this state, you’ll be happy!”

So the Super Bowl is underway and the score is tied at 14:14.  It’s been a good game so far.  Some decadent goodies are being enjoyed while blogging and watching the event (and, of course, the commercials).

Not surprisingly, the Superbowl treats are once again something dreamed up while napping today… easy-to-make food that can be made on a camping trip.

The biscuit balls on the above right are pretty yummy.  I used some Red Lobster Garlic Cheddar biscuit  mix (from Walmart), as well as  cooked bulk Italian sausage and smoked bacon (diced).  I cooked the meats, drained the grease, and added the biscuit mix to the skillet… along with a bit of water.  Then little (donut hole sized) balls were formed and baked.  Jesse loved them.

Serena, on the other hand, really liked the little meatloaves baked in Christmas tree mini cake molds.  The meatloaf was made in a gallon freezer bag using ground chuck, crushed french fried onions, ketchup, bread crumbs, spices, and a couple of eggs.  There was no mess and it was tasty!  Just an FYI – I have a ton of uses for gallon freezer bags and buy them in bulk:  transporting cleaned fish, van cooking where a mixing bowl would have been needed, and… um… well, a “#1” solution if nature calls while camping.

Jesse’s paw prints… He didn’t stay out long!

It’s been an enjoyable day.  The time spent shoveling, the exposure to the sun and bright snow, and breaking a sweat really helped elevate the mood from a pretty depressed state.  To some degree happiness is a choice, even during the gloomy, snowy winter months; it would all to easy to complain.  I just wish it would warm up a little – it would be fun to make a snowman.  There will be a photo if that happens.

So what’s on the horizon?  There’s a festival a few counties away that sounds fascinating.  If I’m able to make it there next weekend, there will be a pretty unusual post… with an “Iowa flavor”…  Stay tuned.

Have a great week… Take care and be safe!

You camping friends in snowy Jones County, Iowa

Bradford, Serena, and Jesse James