Snow Cream

My granddaughters have been to visit for a few days, and we have had so much fun together. They live in a more temperate climate than we do, so when they found out we had snow, they were very excited! We found an old fashioned recipe for snow cream, and it was such fun to make. One of the girls liked it make with cream, and the other wanted a juice one.

You will notice that the recipe calls for large amounts of ingredients. The girls and I made individual servings.

Snow Cream with Dairy:

Ingredients:

·         2 quarts packed fresh snow

·         1/2 cup half and half, or cream as needed

·         1/2 cup white sugar

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional

Preparation:

Be sure you have pure, clean snow - preferably collected by placing out a large bowl in a snowstorm. Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, and enough half and half to create the proper texture. Stir in chocolate chips if using. Serve immediately!

Snow Cream with Juice

Ingredients:

·         2 quarts packed fresh snow

·         1/2 cup apple juice, or other juice as needed

·         1/2 cup white sugar if desired

Preparation:

Be sure you have pure, clean snow - preferably collected by placing out a large bowl in a snowstorm. Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, and enough half and half to create the proper texture. Stir in chocolate chips if using. Serve immediately!

Ginger Molasses Cookies

GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES

I ½ c. softened butter

1 c. shortening

3 c. granulated sugar

¾ molasses

3 eggs

6 t. soda

6 c. flour

1 ½ t. ground cloves

1 ½ t. ground ginger

3 t. ground cinnamon

1 ½ t. salt

Beat together until fluffy: butter, shortening, sugar and molasses. Beat in eggs. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add a little at a time. Chill dough. Roll into balls, then roll in granulated sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8 – 12 minutes or until they reach desired doneness.

This recipe makes several dozen cookies, but dough can be frozen and used later. Cookies freeze well, too.

SHORT TERM GOALS LEAD TO COMPLETION OF LONG TERM GOALS

The man who moved the mountain began by carrying away small stones. A Chinese proverb

January is the time we all set goals. Sometimes we set lofty goals, but don’t ever get around to matching shorter daily goals to our long term goals. To reach our lofty ideals, we must work toward them every day.

Sometimes I don’t take time to plan. I just make a quick mental list in the morning, and I think that will suffice. But then I don’t get around to everything I’ve thought about.  I can get distracted so easily. To reach my goals, I need to plan, plan, plan.

Our grandson is just home from a two year mission in Argentina. He had a long term goal to improve his piano playing while he was there. Every chance he got, he played for church meetings, and when he had extra time, he practiced.

He came home with several new pieces memorized, and is very happy he accomplished his goal.