During the winter, I watch the weather forecasts like a hawk. I’m always looking for that next big snow. Last night when the first snowflakes started falling, I actually did a little happy dance, much like our sons did as toddlers when Bill got home from work. They were so happy to see him that they danced by stomping their feet and swinging their arms; and last night I danced like a toddler!
This got me to thinking about why I love the snow so much when so many of my friends dislike it; and in reality, I probably have a lot more reasons than they do to hate it. I grew up on a farm, and no matter how many feet of snow we got, chores still had to be done. I wrapped up in my old work coat, boots, and hat and trudged through knee-deep snow to the barn to feed the baby calves twice a day. On snow days the animals still had to be fed, but I could sleep until 8 AM instead of getting up 5:30 AM. My little calves were bottle fed Purina Nurse-Grow which meant many trips back and forth from the garage to the barn in the snow to access warm water. I don’t remember it being a big deal; it was just part of our day.
What I do remember is the baking! Snow days meant that Mom was home, too, since she was a teacher. And like I mentioned before, farm chores still had to be done, and usually with more difficulty, so Dad was extra busy. He always found time though, to stop back by the house during mid-afternoon to see what yummy concoction Mom and I had created.
Snow days meant experimental baking and trying new recipes, too. One time we made devil dogs, another time donuts, and we often made homemade breads. On snow days our house smelled fabulous!
As a mom, I carried the tradition forward, and the boys and I made cookies between their many trips outside to sled or build a snowman. On snow days Joseph, Daniel, and I didn’t have farm chores to attend to, but we had cookies to make!
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- Questions:
- Do you have fond memories of snow days as a child?
- Do you like to bake?
- Who wants to come eat homemade beef stew with us tonight?
Ohhh, I want homemade beef stew!! Yum! Thanks for sharing your childhood memories with us!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted…Thanks, Coach: A Guest Post at A Dish of Daily Life
The stew was delicious! It’s my mom’s recipe, so of course it’s delicious!
I loved playing in the snow when I was a kid and never wanted to come inside, but as an adult that has to shovel it – not so much. I bet when/if we have kids I’ll probably like it more because I’ll play in it with them. I don’t do any winter sports (skiing, etc) so it doesn’t have any appeal to me really…
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Fun Weekend And My Next Adventure
You KNOW I love to bake 🙂 Made Valentines cupcakes on our snow day yesterday 🙂
Sue @This Mama Runs For Cupcakes recently posted…Happy ONE year Blogiversary!!
Yum! We had so much mousse leftover that I didn’t bake even though both of our sons chose to get snowed in at our house!
I have many fond memories of snow days as a kid 🙂 Dad always took me and my sister sledding and would help up make a big snowman. We never did any baking on snow days, but he’s always make us grilled cheese, which I called “girl cheese.” and he’d make hot chocolate for my sister (I don’t like chocolate so none for me).
Meagan recently posted…Snow! And lots of it.
I love it… “Girl” cheese sandwiches!
I love to bake, too. Do you make stew with beef that isn’t too chewy? I need the recipe!
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I buy certified Angus and don’t buy stew meat… I buy a better cut so the meat will be tender. I also slow cook it in stewed tomatoes for about three hours before I add the vegetables, and then slow cook it another three hours. I’ll post the recipe in a day or so!