Making Ready

In the depths of December, before Christmas, we woke up one morning to find that it had snowed in the night. It had been utterly unexpected, and unforecast. The first inkling we had, was when the light that creeps between the blinds was different somehow.

By that evening, it was as if it had never been, and we settled into days of fog and mist instead. For the past week or so now, I have been hearing murmerings about snow. I have had emails from friends and relatives, a conversation with the head of highways, and seen countless mentions on blogs. So, who knows what tomorrow will bring - except, the possibility of snow.

We are so fortunate with where we live - my 5 minute walk to the office will be a 10 minute walk as I try not to slip on icy pavements, and Carl's walk to the train station will be similarly lengthened, but as it is even closer than my office, it shouldn't be too bad.

But even so, with snow expected, it is time to prepare, and as I sit here with a candle burning low, I have that quiet sense of battening-down-the-hatches and preparations made, making me feel secure and ready for the snow, should it come.

This morning we got in our provisions. Now I hate it when the merest whisper of bad weather sends people panicking to the supermarket to buy all the bread and all the milk, but as it happens, I have been running down our storecupboards, and they were ready to be refreshed. For a few weeks, we plan to take a more simple, pared back approach to menu planning. So, I have individual portions of chicken and fish in the freezer which will be served with seasonal veg and potatoes most evenings. The tea-bag pot has been refilled, I have flour and milk and eggs, and we are ready.

The other thing that I realised needed attention was my footwear. Having turned out my wardrobe recently, I have a smaller selection of shoes than before. I have high heeled court shoes a la Kate Middleton in black, red, and nude, a pair of black ballet flats, and a few pairs of party heels. I believe that I might be in possession of a pair of trainers somewhere.....but clearly they won't see me through a snowy walk, even if it is only ten minutes!

So a brief shopping trip this afternoon was in order, and I came back with a pair of flat boots which aren't something I would normally choose to wear, but will keep me warm, and hopefully upright, on snowy mornings.

There is a hot bath pouring, the electric blanket is switched on low, and I think we are ready now. I hope that wherever you are, you are similarly prepared, and amongst all the headaches that snow brings for so many people, there might be just a tiny moment when your heart skips a bit to see the flat white landscape, and your first footprints in it.

Wrap up warm and stay safe,

Love Mimi xxx