How to Have a Fun Snow Day: Surviving the Snowpocalypse

We survived the snow storm that has been called the Snowpocalypse! Actually the snow fall wasn't as bad as a lot of people thought it was going to be. But I'm sure the people like my husband who are without a snow blower and have to manually shovel the snow think differently.

A lot of people are home from work and I believe all kids are home from school today. We still did school, and as you can imagine I heard many cries of, "That's not fair!"

With all the kids being home, here are some things they can do outside in the snow. The kids can have some fun, and mom and dad can have a little break. That is until 10 minutes later when one child (or all of them) will be pounding on the door saying they're cold and begging for hot chocolate.

Snowscape Stomp

Snow Snakes

Seven Snow Games from Family Fun

If your like me and don't enjoy being cold, or if it's too cold for the kids to go outside, here are some fun snow day crafts to do inside.

Snowstorm Art

Warm Fuzzy Snow

Danielle's Place

(There are many snowy crafts to be found here)

Make some snow day treats to go along with the hot chocolate.

Ice cream From Snow

(This is were you have to remember NOT to eat yellow snow.)

Maple Taffy on Snow

No Bake Snowball Cookies

Edible Snowflakes

Marshmallow Snowmen

When the snow day is over and the kids have had fun playing, making crafts, and eating their treats, it's time for mom and dad to make a snowy Winter treat for themselves. This recipe is from a friend, and I think it is a perfect treat for an adult snow day.

The Snow-tini

3oz Stoli Vanilla Vodka

1oz Creme de Cacao

1oz Godiva White Chocolate Liquor

Pour Stoli, Creme de Cacao, and the Godiva Liquor into a cocktail shaker half filled with crushed ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled Martini glass and enjoy!

If you have a lot of snow, stay warm and have fun!

Farm Market

The kids and I went to our first local Farm Market. Nothing makes you want to eat your veggies like going to the Farm Market. Everything looks so beautiful and fresh!

Besides the vegetables, the kids and I had homemade pizza rolls, apple tarts, homemade chips and Salsa, and Detroit's famous, Evie's Tamales.

When I saw the green tomatoes, I had to make Fried Green Tomatoes for dinner.

I bought a basket full, and used THIS RECIPE. Instead of using cornmeal or bread crumbs, I used jiffy corn muffin mix.

The Fried Green Tomatoes were yummy! The tart fresh tomatoes with the sweet corn bread crust had these little beauties eaten up quick!

I'm planning a trip to the Farm Market next week. I think I'm hooked!

Beans and Rice, Rice and Beans

If you are familiar with Dave Ramsey you know his saying "Beans and Rice, Rice and Beans" if your not, Dave uses this saying when he is helping people get out of debt and get control of their money situation. Basically he tells people to do whatever you can to decrease your debt, save money and build a financial future, even if it means you will have to eat "Rice and Beans" while you are doing it.

My family is following the Dave Ramsey plan but we have yet had to go in the rice and beans direction. I was thinking that we do like beans and we do like rice so it would not be too hard to literally eat rice and beans.

Here are two blog post that I came across which take the saying "rice and beans" and make it a reality, and these ladies make it sound good!

Whether you want or need to eat rice and beans for a week, or you are looking for frugal meals, or if gosh darn it you just like rice and beans these posts are for you.

You can go to How to Eat Rice and Beans For a Week, by Money Saving Mom and this post HERE by But First,We Have Coffee.

Amish Friendship Bread and Starter Recipes

I received an Amish friendship bread starter from a friend. This is the second time I received one. The first time I forgot all about it and never made the bread. This time I took care of the starter and actually made the bread.

The bread is very good, sweet but not too sweet. I would not use it for sandwiches but it is great for breakfast or a snack. Miss loves this bread, so I kept a starter to make this bread every ten days. I like this recipe because it is all about giving. You give the starter to your friends and family and you can also give the finished product away.

Starter recipe
Reminder: Do not use any metal bowls, spoons or utensils. Nothing metal at all.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4-cup warm water (110°F)
1-cup all-purpose flour
1-cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.

2. In a 2-quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.

3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.

For the next 10 days handle starter according to the instructions for Amish Friendship Bread below.

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

Day 1 - receive the starter (recipe for starter is above)

Day 2 - stir

Day 3 - stir

Day 4 - stir

Day 5 - Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.

Day 6 - stir

Day 7 - stir

Day 8 - stir

Day 9 - stir

Day 10 - Add 1 cup flour, 1-cup sugar and 1-cup milk. Divide into 4 containers, with 1 cup each for three of your friends and 1 cup for your own loaves. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the following recipe for baking the bread.

After removing the 3 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:

2/3-cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1-cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Using a fork beat by hand until well blended. You can add 1-cup raisins and 1-cup nuts (optional).


Grease two loaf pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.


This recipe can be a learning tool for kids. They can take care of the starter, help you make the bread, and get a lesson is sharing as they give away the starter to others.

Enjoy