Menus for a Snowy Shabbat

Excellent news! There's a major storm predicted for the New York area for this Shabbat! As much as kids prefer a snowstorm in the middle of the week, I prefer a Shabbat storm. Reason 1: my commute to work is only a half mile, so I'm expected to show up no matter what the weather. Reason 2: If the storm is so bad that my office is closed and I'm stuck at home, my hyperactive nature kicks into "project" mode - and I try to get through a ton of items from my ever expanding to do list. But, if Shabbat brings a snowstorm (preferably starting just as my Friday night guests return home), it makes my nice, warm house feel like a cocoon, and my inner-nag is quieted by snowy Shabbat peace.

Having just finished chairing my son's school's fundraising dinner, being about to start baking 1000 hamentashen for the shul (besides all the baking for my personal mishloach manot), and co-chairing the shul's fundraising dinner right before pesach, I had already been looking forward to a quiet, peaceful Shabbat - the only invited guests were those that fell into the "more like family than friends" category. Add that to the snow, two novels from the library, someone to snuggle with, and I'm in heaven!

Now, to plan menus that match the weather and mood, take into account that I still need to lose my vacation weight gain yet still make everyone else happy....

Friday Night Dinner

Deb's Challah

Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls

Ruth's Brisket

Honey Lemon Roasted Chicken with Roasted Root Vegetables

Cranberry Kugel

Popcorn Cauliflower

Braised Red Cabbage

Tossed Salad

Shabbat Lunch

Warm chicken and brisket sandwiches

Chulent

Israeli Salad

Desserts:

Lemon Bars, Oatmeal Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies (already in the freezer)

Desserts will be the beginning of "clear it out before pesach" - I have several batches of cookies and a bundt cake in the freezer.

I can't wait to wake up Shabbat morning to the snow softly falling, the chulent hot and bubbling, the newspapers and books calling, and naps for all!

Shabbat Shalom!

Deb