Snow Memories

Over the years I have seen several white Christmas’s and lots of rainy ones.  There’s just something about snow (even a dusting) that makes it feel like Christmas.

Snow Days

It doesn’t take much snow to keep rural kids out of school, even a half an inch can do the trick. When I was a child and it snowed all the neighborhood children would meet on the big hill behind my house. There would be sledding and snow ball fights for as long as our mothers would allow. Then my brother and I would trudge down the hill to our house and peel layers of wet clothing off at the back door.  Our house was heated with electric wall heaters and standing in front of them made my skin tingle and burn, especially my feet. I can still close my eyes and imagine that burning sensation as my toes thawed in front of the heater.

And of course I remember making snow men, especially one that my mom helped us build. My mom had a great sense of humor but she was rarely playful. She was young when my brother and I were born (17 when she had me and 19 when my brother was born), and after we went to school she went back to college.  Looking back I realize that her serious nature probably came from exhaustion. Housework, two active children and college classes, kept her very busy.

One day we were at my grandparent’s house and for some reason she decided we should build a snow man. My brother and I were surprised, but delighted because she rarely, if ever, played in the snow with us. We quickly built a snow man, complete with eyes and a carrot nose. Mom stood back and surveyed our work and then got some more snow and transformed our snow man into a snow woman.  I thought this was hysterically funny and dissolved into a fit of giggles. The snow woman resembled Dolly Parton by the time we finished with her.

Another favorite snow memory is when we went to a neighbor’s house and went sledding after dark. My parents were there and we had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows. This event was the only time I remember my dad being around for sledding. He was a farmer and had to work in cold weather and did not see the need to go out and get cold for fun. Mom hated being cold too, so these two memories are the only ones I have of my parents and snow.

Hot Chocolate and Snow Creme

If I played in the snow with my cousin, her mom would let us make snow cream. I wasn’t a big fan, but it was fun to make. I preferred hot chocolate with little marshmallows floating on top. The other day I was shopping and found some that I thought would be fun for my granddaughter to put on her hot chocolate. You might want to get some for the little ones at your house too.

And for those of you who do like snow cream…here is how you make it.

Hands-On Time: 10 minutes
Ready In: 10 minutes
Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup half and half or milk
1/3 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your taste)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 6 cups clean, freshly fallen snow

Directions

1. In a large bowl combine half and half, vanilla extract and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.
2. Stir in snow, a cup at a time, until the ice cream magically forms! Freeze for several minutes if desired before serving.

If you are lucky enough to have a white Christmas, why not take your children or grandchildren outside and make some snow memories of your own! Just be sure and keep your feet warm and dry!