Monday, February 7, 2011

Down Memory Lane

Many people across the US struggled with large amounts of snow this past week....as I did with no reliable internet for 5 days.....enjoying (enduring) LOTS of bonding time with the family as they couldn't get to work, school and all of the other things that fill these days we call life.

I did have a bit of cabin fever myself with 14" of snow last Tuesday and then 6" more on Friday along with record cold temps, strong winds and generally miserable weather.  However....having a 4WD truck made all the difference and I was able to grocery shop, run errands and workout with regularity.

 By the way....what is up with all of the empty store shelves at the grocery stores before the big storm??  Do so many people buy grocerys on a daily basis and were suddenly fearful of running out of cupcakes or their favorite soda's that they felt the need to buy everything in sight?

There wasn't a gallon of milk, bottle of water, or a chicken breast in sight at stores across Oklahoma and I'm sure many of your states as well.  Perhaps I'm old fashioned in having a freezer full of food and a closet full of warm clothing....I don't know.  You would have thought those food items were box suite game-day tickets or designer shoes at 90% off......
Of course they wanted shovels to help out too....

With all of the snow we got here (20" is a HUGE deal in Oklahoma) this weather cried out for snowmen, forts, snowball fights and of course.....snow ice cream!  Along with all of the fun things to do with the cold white stuff there were also the necessary tasks like clearing the driveway, salting the sidewalks and throwing the kids in the biggest drift I could find when they launched a sneak attack of epic proportions while I was otherwise occupied.  I thought that I had stumbled onto a major league pitching practice the way those snowballs were whizzing by....:-)

Too often I have sent the kids outside to play while I was busy with work stuff, cooking, or just life in general.  We made the first snowman together over the weekend since I can't remember when. 

I'm reminded that it's not all about trying to jam-pack my day with everything possible and spending quality time with the family at night or on the weekend.  It was great to freeze my butt off and play with the kids...forgetting all of the other things that could have been done and instead do what needed to be done....work be damned. 

The ingredients were:
1 can condensed milk 14 oz.
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
1 gallon of snow
A couple splashes of milk to make it creamy

I've come through the weekend revitalized and happy with the snowfall we got...and praying we don't get the 6" - 10" they are forecasting for tomorrow and Wednesday.  The majority of Okies just can't drive on the slick stuff!!  I've also vowed to make snow ice cream the next chance I get....and to have some crushed pineapple in the house the next time I do....The vanilla was great....but would have been out of this world with a little tropical fruit on the top.

What did you do over the weekend with the snowfall?  Tell us in the comments.....

This post is linked to the Hearth and Soul hop.

5 comments:

April J Harris said...

Oh wow, snow cream! That brings back memories! Everyone here in England empties the store shelves when they predict snow here too. And because we are all so addicted to tea, it's the milk that goes first. Last snow storm, our local shop was rationing milk - you could only buy 1 pint per person. They were not popular with their customers at all!

Heather S-G said...

Well, we're pretty used to the snow here...and I'm beyond tired of it. I've never made snow ice cream, but it sounds like fun. I think I'd be scared of the snow itself...acid snow!? LoL!! Fun post, Jason...so glad you posted it w/ the hearth and soul hop this week...and thanks for being a great host =)

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of snow cream before, but it sounds delicious and a perfect way to get rid of some snow!

Christy said...

We played several games of monopoly - a great game that can last HOOOUUURRRSSSS - unless you use the shortcuts and house rules - which we do and it only last 2 or 3 hours then. Fun stuff! I so want to make snowcream - i wish I had had the sweetened condensed milk to give it a try! Thanks for posting and hosting the Hearth and Soul Hop Jason!

Hunger and Thirst said...

I had a cold, so I actually missed the first half of the storm. When I finally woke up, I was surprised to see so much snow.

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only person who hasn't had this snow ice cream or blown bubbles in sub-zero temps. I guess I've been missing out.

Thanks for sharing your snow day with the Hearth and Soul hop.