The Essentials

So as I sit here typing , the temperature outside is a balmy -35C. Note that this is the temperature where fahrenheit and celsius converge, well at -40 they do, but I think it is close enough to call it right now. This being said, we have not ventured out much that past few days. One because we have been battling the flu, and have been putting up a good fight, but have also succmbed to it all the same. Second because, well, because the car doesn’t really like to start at -35. Can you really blame it? Today we had to, we were out of food.

I picked up a few basics to make soup, an easy pizza for supper, and some fruit for snacks, just what we need for the next 2 days or so. The kiddos and I felt wiped out just getting to the store so I didn’t want it to be a big outing. When I came home I started thinking about essentials. What things do we need in our pantry? Oh, I don’t mean the practical things like salt and beans and grains and such, I mean if you were to get snowed in and not be able to go out, what is the one thing you wouldn’t want to be without?

Amanda’s post on popcorn last week left me giggling. You see, I think our staple would have to be popcorn. We eat it as a snack at least twice a week, sometimes more (whoops). It is simple, easy to make, easy to dress up or down, perfect accompaniment to soups, can be made on the woodstove (in case of power outage), and it is loved by all. Thankfully we had a big jar in the cupboard, so I know that if our locks on our doors are frozen shut again in the morning (yes it can happen), we will be ok, we have popcorn.

What about you? What is the one food that you and your family always have or always need to have in your cupboard? Is it there from tradition, or comfort, or because everyone actually agrees on it and so there it is? Remember this isn’t something like a normal essential, but rather a comfort essential.

Happy Thursday and for those in warmer weather, soak some in for me!!