Don’t you just love all these funny weather maps?  Instead of how much snow you’re going to get, they tell you how much to drink based on what is coming your way!! I just couldn’t resist.  We are expecting the first snow storm of the year and it is going to be a big one.  They are calling for 1-2 feet of snow to fall over the next day or two.  They are calling for a blizzard.  Are you ready?  Do you have enough items in your fridge and pantry to get you through the weekend?

Of all times, I had to run to the supermarket yesterday to pickup some items for the weekend.  I always do my shopping on the weekends or closer to the end of the week.  This was a routine trip for me.  Driving to the store, I wasn’t even thinking about the upcoming storm and how everyone might be running to pickup those essential ingredients they just cannot live without.  I have never seen so many people at our local supermarket, ever!  You would think that we were going to be stuck for days.  I even heard store workers say they came in to work on their day off; because the store was so busy.  I even got there before most people get out of work.  I think everyone left work early just to go food shopping!

What is it about storms that makes everyone make a mad dash to the store to stock up on things like eggs, milk and bread?  I find this to be very comical.  It is fun to watch people at the supermarket in panic mode.  They are rushing around the store to grab what they can; they are panicked that the store will run out of food.  Some stores do actually run out of certain items during these bad storms.  Aisles were packed with people and carts.  The people working in the stores had a hard time restocking shelves because it was so crowded.  The check out lanes were so long and it seemed like getting through the line took 4 times longer than usual.  I just wanted to grab a microphone and make an announcement to all the shoppers to let them know that it will be OK.  I also want to remind them that in today’s age we do have snow plows and we most likely would only get stuck at home for maybe 1 day.   Plus, my mind is thinking that I better not stock up on too much just in case we lose power.  I would hate for all that food to go bad.

But, to be honest, it is kind of fun and very interesting to witness the chaos.  It is interesting to see what everyone is packing into their carts too. I saw the usual with eggs, milk and bread.  I also saw tons of chocolate like cake and brownie mixes and salty snacks like chips.  So I see shoppers have their bases covered with the usual staples but they also have the sweet and salty fixes.

My son was shopping with me.  Naturally, he goes to all things chocolate! he wanted hot chocolate to warm him up after playing in all that snow that is coming.  He also wanted brownies (chocolate fudge).   He pointed out many more things chocolate so I had to get out of those aisles.  I did break down and get him the hot chocolate and the brownie mix.  However, my mind is thinking more of the comfort foods.  If I am going to stuck indoors this weekend with 1-2 feet of snow I want to pull out the trusty crockpot.  I am thinking soups and stews.  Of course, a brownie or two for dessert cannot hurt.  Plus, who doesn’t love a nice hot chocolate (topped with some fluffy marshmallows) sitting by the fireplace after being out in that cold snow? That sounds pretty nice to me.

Since it is Friday, I got all my ingredients to make pizza tonight.  The hubby is requesting another deep dish pizza.  So, I have some fresh pizza dough all ready.  I have sausage and pizza sauce and of course some fresh mozzarella cheese.  Yum!  The kids will most likely want to help me make the brownies.  Tomorrow I will have the crockpot going most of the day.  I plan to make some soup.

Be sure to check out the recipes for some of my favorite comfort foods below.  Will you be using your Crockpot this weekend? if so, what are your favorite comfort foods or crockpot meals to make?

Click here to get my Crockpot Chicken & Barley Soup:  Crockpot Chicken & Barley Soup

Click here for my Crockpot Chili recipe:  Crockpot Chili

Click here for my Crockpot Chicken Chili recipe:  Crockpot Chicken Chili

Click here for my Crockpot Corn & Potato Chowder Soup:  Crockpot Corn & Potato Chowder Soup

Mangia! Enjoy!