Well isn’t this just my luck? The one time I step foot in Los Angeles is when they decide to shut down the 405 -only the largest highway system in the entire universe- for a little ‘weekend construction.’ My timing couldn’t be better.

In what has already been coined “Carmaggedon 2011″ I am reminded of the “No Snow Snow Day” in Atlanta just a few months back where I obediently heeded the warning to stock up on soup and bread in anticipation of a complete city shut-in. I’m also reminded of the time I lived in New York City waayyy back when, on December 31, 1999, where I sat staring at my computer instead of partying in Times Square, waiting for the screen to turn into hieroglyphics. Nothing happened.

Paranoia, like chaos, seems to plague me. I’m the person who bought the two-for-one silver coated thermal blankets (looking at the bright side, maybe I’ll run a marathon one day!). I still have a closet filled with soups and canned beans. And now I have once again holed up with my kids solo for an entire weekend in anticipation of the biggest traffic nightmare this side of the Mason-Dixon Line Mississippi, wait where am I again? Oh, yeah, this side of Route 66.

Most of the world laughs at people like me. But I’m ready, with my snacks and scratched DVDs, bottled water and flashlights, just in case. Not only am I like Pigpen in Charlie Brown, but I’m also like Linus. I’m waiting for the Great Pumpkin. And most likely, he’ll never come and Sally my kids will make fun of me like they always do.

I think I missed my calling as Disaster Preparedness Executive. Because wherever I go there seems to be some sort of impending disaster. Call me an alarmist but I kind of think there’s something comforting about these little planned shut-ins. Something that brings people together. A forced staycation or community-wide water cooler conversation, if you will. People changing up their routines, stopping to say hello, sharing their war stories (or soup) with you.

Let’s just hope this one clears up by the time I run out of chocolate chips. So to all who are stuck at home this weekend, here’s something to keep us busy for the next 48 hours.

Traffic Jam Strawberry Jam

Recipe Card

Traffic Jam Strawberry Jam

Ingredients

2 pints fresh strawberries
2 lemons
2 cups of sugar
Few jelly jars (for that extra professional/I always make my own jams and jellies kind of look)
*make sure jelly jars are sterilized with hot soapy water.

Directions

Heat sugar and juice of two lemons in small saucepan on very low. Mix thoroughly until all of the sugar is dissolved. Slowly add the strawberries and cook on medium for a few minutes and then return to lowest possible temp until you have desired consistency, appx. 20 minutes. Use a potato masher for excellent results! If you plan to use right away, immediately transfer to jelly jars and refrigerate. If you plan to can, I have no idea...something about freezing plates but that seems too complicated so just eat right away.