Snow Day

Just as I was beginning to feel the urge to plan my garden and play in the dirt, it SNOWED! Lots and lots of snow.  Winter is not finished, yet... better to embrace it. We invited our neighbors and celebrated with honey roasted pears  and meringue cookies last night. Vivienne cut out some paper snowflakes to decorate. The full moon gave the entire wintery landscape a glow, it was so beautiful! Today, the kids sledded for hours. For me,  homemade vegetable soup was the highlight. I love the simple pleasures on a cold day.

Recipe for Honey Roasted Pears: Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates (a fave):
~Core and quarter a bunch of pears (8 or so) Place skin side up in a lightly buttered ceramic or glass baking dish (10"x15") Preheat oven to 400 degrees. (depending on pears, sometimes I peel them)
~ Combine in a medium bowl, 2 cups juice (apple or pear works well) and 1/2 cup mild honey, as well as a dash of ground cinnimon and ginger, and 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar. There are many options for making the juice! I thin I may try a sweet wine next time, added to the juice and honey.
~Pour juice over pears, dot pears with butter (1stick - I use a bit less) Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Transfer pears to a platter, then pour sauce into a saucepan. Cook on high heat until it is reduced and a bit syrupy, about 10 minutes. Drizzle over pears, and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. ~Enjoy the smiles from your family. A perfect winter treat!

Winter by Walter de la Mare

Clouded with snow

The cold winds blow,

And shrill on leafless bough

The robin with its burning breast

Alone sings now.

The rayless sun,

Day's journey done,

Sheds its last ebbing light

On fields in leagues of beauty spread

Unearthly white.

Thick draws the dark,

And spark by spark,

The frost-fires kindle, and soon

Over that sea of frozen foam

Floats the white moon.