Snow (and Snow Cream)

Well it's that time of year huh?  We got our first 'sticking' snow.

Snow is pretty isn't it?  But it sure is a lot of work.

This time last year we didn't concern ourselves so much with winter because my husband and I both worked from home. When the snow came, we'd dig ourselves out at our leisure and we'd stay snuggly warm inside until we felt like shoveling.

Things are different this winter though.  My husband's office closed in late March of this year.  Being over 50 and with this economy, we weren't sure he'd find another job - let alone one that he could continue to work from home.  But within two weeks he had offers coming in.  He landed a great job with a great law-firm.  But the commute was an hour and a half each way to where he would catch a train to ride the rest of the way in to the large city.  So since mid-April, he's been doing that.

The commute was time-consuming but not bad.  Until the snow started.  Argh.  We have an old, metal, storage barn in the backyard, but we don't have a garage.  So we need to clean the snow from our cars early each morning.  And if there's any large amount of snow or if the snow-plow has run during the night and created a mountain at the edge of our driveway, we have to shovel before sunrise when my husband has to leave for work.  So I guess we'll have to make a few adjustments in our morning routine to get him off to work on time now.

I remember when I was a child, snow meant something entirely different!  We didn't care about driving in it or digging out of it.  We simply caught snowflakes on our tongues and examined them when they stuck to the windows.  Snow meant sledding and snow-forts.  It was all about snow-ball fights and building snowmen (and snow women).  And ... it was time for snow-cream!

My grandmother used to tell us that snow was nature's way of filtering the air, so we could never make snow-cream from the first good snow-fall.  The first one was too dirty and contaminated she said.  But after that - snow-cream was a magnificent treat!  Did you ever make snow-cream?

http://thefamilyroom.marthastewart.com/2011/01/20/making-snow-cream/

Here are a few recipes:

SNOW CREAM:

Ingredients:
1 gallon fresh Snow
1 cup White Sugar
1 tablespoon Vanilla
2 cups Milk

Place large bowl outside to collect falling snow.  When bowl is full, stir in sugar and vanilla and just enough milk to get a creamy consistency.  Serve in small bowls with chocolate syrup, caramel, chocolate chips, candies or other favorite toppings.

SNOW CREAM (variation 1):

Ingredients:
8 cups fresh Snow (or shaved ice)
1 (14-oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla

Pour Condensed Milk over Snow and add Vanilla.  Mix well and serve in small bowls with favorite toppings.

SNOW CREAM (variation 2):

Ingredients:
1-3 cups fresh Snow
1/2 cup Whipped Cream
1 tablespoon Sugar
2-3 drops Vanilla

Mix Whipped Cream, Sugar and Vanilla until blended.  Slowly add enough snow to create desired consistency.  Add other flavorings like:  Cinnamon, Almond Extract, Chocolate, Eggnog Mix, and preferred toppings.

SNOW CREAM (variation 3 - with eggs):

Ingredients:
2 Eggs
2 cups Milk (or Cream)
1 cup Sugar
2 tablespoons Vanilla

Beat the eggs in a large bowl.  Add Milk, Sugar and Vanilla - stirring after each addition.  Add enough snow to create a creamy texture.  Serve in bowls or ice-cream dishes with favorite toppings.


If you've made or eaten snow-cream - please tell me about it!