It’s a snow day. We don’t get much snow here in the Pacific Northwest, but when we do, it incites a mixture of widespread panic and delight.

Put me in the delight column. I love snow. It immediately puts me in a better mood, a more relaxed one. When it snows,  I’ll be more likely to make you a cup of cocoa and go for a walk in the snow than be in my normal state of frantic espresso-drinking while huddled over my computer, working.

It’s also a Sunday, which is my main cooking day of the week. Typically, I make a couple of large meals like a big pot of soup or a roast to last us through the week without having to cook on weeknights. Tonight, I’m making meatloaf, a favorite meal of Casey’s.

While checking the cabinets and fridge for all the ingredients, I had a minor spat of panic, even in my snow-lulled state.

We have no ketchup.