Oh, snow. Where are you?!
We've had some experiences with artificial snow and old snow atop mountains in the last few years, but no luck with the real, fresh stuff since the month Eli turned two. Earlier this week precipitation fell and the temperatures plunged -- just not at the same time. Sigh.
Once we realized we were out of luck for the time being, we decided to rally a couple of Eli's school buddies and enjoy at least a few parts of a snow day. While the pack of younger kids played, big sister Anna helped me make a batch of Rice Krispies Treats. (Click HERE for the recipe.)
A few days ago Eli found a Rice Krispies Treats mold for a dollar in the Christmas clearance bin at the grocery store, so I pulled that out and gave it a try. (Eli can use it when he's older, but it is a bit hot for a preschooler since you can only mold Treats when they are fresh out of the stirring pot.)
Each kiddo got their own snowman to decorate. (As this was our first time, it took me a few tries to make decent looking snowmen; alas, this isn't one of them.) We had red hots on hand, but next time we use the mold I plan to be prepared with M&Ms and a selection of other small candies as well as fruit leather we can cut into scarves and hat coverings. Frosting would work too.
It was quick and simple, but also fun and yummy.
With buttery hands, I rolled the last of the Treat mixture into "snowballs."
And what is a snow day without hot chocolate?
When I was in college I realized I didn't like hot chocolate and went without it for many years. Flash forward to my courtship days with Brian. We made a trip to Vermont one autumn for leaf peeping and found ourselves at Lake Champlain Chocolates. LCC has a factory tour but also a hot chocolate bar with more choices than I ever imagined. They shave bars of chocolate in front of you and froth it with milk. Swoon! I left with a copy of Michael Turback's recipe book Hot Chocolate and a newfound appreciation for this lovely treat -- as long as it doesn't come out of one of those beastly just-pour-in-hot-water packets.
With Turback's book for inspiration, I whipped up a variation from the recipe on the Hershey's cocoa can. (Click HERE for their basic recipe.) We added homemade vanilla marshmallows too. (Click HERE for a link to that recipe.)
In the South, we run to the grocery store at the first hint of snow. Gotta stock up on milk, eggs, and toilet paper! But I think from now on my list for snow days will also include gourmet hot chocolate and homemade marshmallow supplies!
Last year we also went without snow and had to make our own "Snow Day." Click HERE for the JourneyLeaf post about snow-themed kiddo fun.
(The two book links below are for hard copy and Kindle editions. And if you've never had a frothed hot chocolate or milk steamer, check out the Capresso machine! Mmmm times two.)
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