Winter warmth

These are some things I particularly dislike about winter: fingers and toes that refuse to defrost throughout the course of the day; the push and pull of eating too much (‘it’s primal winter behaviour; don't fight it’ says one voice, while another says ‘don’t make excuses’); and watching excessive amounts of trashy television when there are so many other useful things to do if only one could be motivate oneself to do them in the cold, dark evenings.

 

In the wintertime, there is a palpable increase in the general noise level at our house; usually when our ten-year old tries to sneak in just a few more minutes on the laptop and my husband and I are nagging him for the hundredth time to just get off it. Meanwhile our daughter might be found sitting in front of cooking shows that spend more time advertising a major supermarket chain than creating food. Deep down we sympathise with the kids and the need for sedentary pleasures - wheras in the warmer months we wouldn't hesitate to send them outside to play.

After one too many nights like these, we decide radical action is required. The solution? Camping. The television, iPad and other devices are switched off. The boys collect what they need. Pillows. Books.Sleeping bags.

Us girls stay put. My daughter and I get the Scrabble out and snuggle on the coach with our hot beverages.The boys are delighted: they get all the marshmallows to themselves. They collect their implements and before we know it, they're off.

An hour later they come back. They forgot to take snacks. And the toilet beckons. It’s lucky their campsite isn’t far: the back studio is merely 15 metres away.

'It's not too cold out there?', I ask, concerned.

'No. The campsite has an electric heater'. 

Early the next morning, the phone rings. 

‘Are you still organising pancakes Mum?’

Clearly this campsite also has room service and telephone reception too.

‘What sort of campers are you that you can't even organise your own breakfast?’ I baulk.

There’s a guilty chuckle – but our son knows he's got me. And so, soon after, my daughter pads out in her pyjamas and slippers with the pancake batter and the vanilla sugar, the cream and the bananas. I'm not far with the espresso pot and two mugs. The family warms their hands around the electric grill and our breath forms clouds in the winter air as we talk about who won the Scrabble game and how much sleep the boys didn't get. And, even though my fingers and toes are very very cold, suddenly, winter doesn't seem so bad.

Download Pancakes ala Dolores

Comments

[Janelle]

Aw, what a picture you have painted of the chill of winter and warmth of family. I'm not tempted to go camping in my backyard but I am now planning a pancake breakfast on the weekend :)

[Spiri Tsintziras]

Janelle, pancake breakfasts are definitely a soothing antidote to winter chills! Bring on the comfort food I say! xxSpiri

[cyndi]

Yum. I have to start a strict diet tomorrow ( boo). Not so good when I'm always seeing yummy blogs.

[test]

Wow, great article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.

[thuoc giam can]

wow, great!

[cach giam can]

looks delicious!