SpruceHill

The big digout

Well we are still here, thankfully we have power and my Super Hubs has us all dug out and he is working his way down the family tree and getting everyone else clear too. He has taken the snow blower on the road.

My mind is still coming to grips with the snow. After I wake in the morning I look out just to make sure it's real.

The girls are starting to get creative, making jewelry drawing and yes the miracle upon miracles they actually cleaned their rooms, without my asking!

We've set up two bird houses outside our back sliding door and have been enjoying the birds who come to feed. It's like watching Animal Planet only in our back yard.I have posted more pictures over here on my photo blog.

  We have the bird book out keeping track of any new birds we may see.

 
I had a few people asking about the stone house at the end of our lane. I posted about it here last year. My Dad says that he remembers the man that lived there before it burned.

 The sun is shining and we are happy not to have more snow today, but they are calling for more on Monday. I have seen enough snow for a while and would prefer the next storm to pass us by.

Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

Miss H and I have been craving rice pudding for a few days now. Luckily Hubby got out and got some whole milk for us, so this morning I was on a mission. This recipe reminds me of my dear Great Aunt Catherine, who always had rice pudding ready when we came to visit. I have never been able to find anything close to her recipe until now.

The Ingredients 

• 1 Cup of cooked rice
• 4 cups of whole milk or half and half
• 2/3 cup of sugar
• 1/4 tsp of Salt
• 1 1/4 tsp Vanilla

Mix all the ingredients together in a nice sized pot on the stove.

 
While stirring occasionally cook on medium to low heat until it thickens enough to stand a spoon up in about 20 minutes.

 
You need to keep an eye on it but it's totally worth it. Add a bit of cinnamon if you like on the top before serving, I prefer mine plain. Let it cool just a bit, rice pudding is best if served a bit warm right after you make it.

 
It's the ultimate comfort food. The perfect stuck in the house in the snow in front of the fire snack.  

Enjoy!

Homemade Whoopie Pies

We set out to make something new and fun this morning. Miss H picked the recipe and I have to say that she hit the jackpot! These are so easy to make and so good. Here is what you need

For the cookie

• 1 box of devil's food cake mix
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 2 Eggs

For the filling- home made marshmallow fluff

• 3 Egg Whites
• 2 Cups of Light Corn Syrup
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 Cups of Powdered Sugar
• 1 TBS Vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then mix cookie ingredients together until combined.

 

 

 Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet, a few inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes and Let cool completely.

Next separate the egg whites and combine them with the corn syrup and salt on high until it thickens, about 10 minutes.

 

Add sugar then vanilla and beat until blended.

 
If it drips and makes a mess don't worry that's what fingers are for!

Add a small spoonful of fluff to your cookie and then sandwich together. 

 
Then hold onto your skivvies!

They are full of gooey chocolaty goodness!  Enjoy
   

 

 

More pictures from the big snow

After all the snow fell, the sun came out today.

We still had some snow removal to do.

It's unbelievable how much snow we got. I have not ventured out much. It's just so deep it's really difficult to get around.

 
School has been canceled for tomorrow and I have a hard time believing they will be back to school until at least Wednesday. In the mean time they are forecasting another 6-12 inches on Tuesday! I am not sure where we will put that much more snow!

So far with the help of our snow blower on wheels Hubby is victorious and has us all dug out. Even though we can't really go anywhere!

Sadie is a bit out of sorts. She is confused over the loss of Chloe her best friend and the deep snow. She is not sure what to do. She misses her sister and she is out of her regular routine, Which for a Border Collie is never a good thing. We have been trying to give her lots of extra ball time, and she seems to be doing well but we can all tell she is as sad as we over the loss of a beloved friend.  

The Big Kahuna Snow Storm

Wow what a snow storm! We measured about 24-26 inches around the house.

 


I took a little walk down the lane to check on how the roads were doing. They don't look so good.

It's just so gorgeous outside, so quiet.   

It was a struggle this morning getting all the chores done. The animals were very happy to see the girls.

The snow flakes were incredible you could actually see the shapes while they fell.

I took these with my Canon point and shoot, it has an awesome macro setting.

I don't think we will be out and about anytime soon! Happy Snow!