Like many places around the U.S., it's snowy and icy here in Virginia. The weather is perfect for staying home with a good book, cuddling up near a hot fire, and filling our bellies with comfort food.

When I received a TakeThemAMeal.com invitation for a friend with a new baby, I knew I wanted to bring something warm and nourishing. And, when I learned the new baby's name, John Shepherd (Shep for short), I knew exactly what to make - Shepherd's Pie.

This recipe from The Wholesome Dish is the best Shepherd's Pie I've ever tasted. Traditional Shepherd's Pie is made with ground lamb, but I chose to use ground beef to make it more family-friendly and I used gluten-free flour to make it gluten-free. The flavorful meat and vegetable mixture combined with the creamy potatoes on the top creates a perfect one dish meal to make and take, especially during the chilly winter months.

Since the main dish was a little heavy, I wanted to add a fresh salad on the side. I love Adina's suggestion of putting individual salad toppings in baggies with the lettuce. That way, everyone can customize their salad according to their preference. Transportation is easy in a large foil pan. I always stock up at Dollar Tree.

Since I had made fresh bread earlier in the week, I rounded out the meal with a loaf I had on hand.

I had trouble deciding what to make for dessert, so I decided to look for inspiration on the silly holiday calendar. The day I took my meal was National Almond Day, so it was the perfect opportunity to make The Minimalist Baker's Almond Meal Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Coconut. There are so few fun holidays during these bleak winter months. The silly holiday calendar provided a reason to celebrate something, even if that something was almonds!

What is your favorite winter comfort food?