Groundhog 2023

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is a beautiful little town. Apart from being home to Aunt Nita and her world famous hot fudge sauce (literally, world famous…has been served on multiple continents), there is a well-fed wee rodent who wakes up early on the 2nd of February to prognosticate the weather for the rest of winter. This year he saw his shadow…which (of course) means six more weeks of winter.

I love this tradition. I love the idea of this pampered little guy getting all gussied up for the big day. I love the top hats and sashes worn by his inner circle. I love that his name is Phil. I love that this tradition gets its roots in the days of Poor Richard, his almanack, and the auld wives tales about Winter and what to expect.

There is a traditional dessert for this event. There is a recipe for Groundhog cookies…there is even a Groundhog cookie cutter for the purpose. So, here’s how it works…you bake the cookies and let them cool. Then you put a scoop of vanilla ice cream (the snow) in a bowl. Stand a cookie upright in the scoop…then pour Aunt Nita’s World Famous hot fudge sauce behind the cookie…for the shadow.

Now that is not near enough hot fudge sauce for me, seeing as how I could eat that fabulousness with a spoon out of a jar, but it is a sweet tradition.

Bundle up, mortals…Punxsutawney Phil has spoken.