February 15, 2021

Winter Magic

 Skater extraordinaire, Sonja Henie, otherwise known as Annette ( hee hee),
(thanks to my son’s technical know-how)
stars in the fun winter-based film Sun Valley Serenade (1941).
You can watch this skating sequence, here.

Gazing out my kitchen window, the landscape before me appears to be a magical winter wonderland. Pure white snow, blankets the outside world, while muffling its obtrusive noise.  The world is peaceful.

The landscape before me appears to be a magical winter wonderland.

Magical Winter Wonderland 

In light of the recent snowfall, I would like to share with you a few photos that I have taken thought this winter ( below).

I had to begin my photo montage with the song Winter Wonderland.
I love the cover artwork of this old (framed) sheet music that is a part of the
simple winter decor throughout my home, and hearing this tune has to make one smile. :o)
Find the recipe for the delicious coffee cake pictured above, here.
To hear Johnny Mathis sing this upbeat winter classic, click here.

I love this photo!  The stark contrast of the vivid red cardinal against the pristine white snow outlining the tree is simply beautiful.  
Thank you to my friend, Mary Ann, for allowing me to share this delightful winter scene with you.

The image, of this light post on my lawn, illustrates how snow clings in interesting ways to various objects it encounters.

Snow outlines this antique hand plow and wheel.

 

Winters Past

A 1954 view (AND before I was born, thank you very much!) of skaters on a creek in Iowa.

Photo Courtesy of Ames Historical Society.
For more information, click here.

My childhood memories of frolicking in the snow are hazy snippets of, attempting ice skating
(I believe this only occurred once, or twice, and I was never proficient at it), and cold, finger-numbing, giggle-infested sledding outings over the years, including one unfortunate sledding collision between my leg and a very sturdy metal post (That one left a sizable bruise!).

Winter also, reminds me of a cookie, often found on my high school cafeteria’s menu, that I was
quite fond of called Snowballs. My younger self, requested the recipe for this lunchroom dessert from my home ec teacher, who sleuthed it out for me from the cafeteria lunch ladies.  
(Not much has changed, as I have been known to request recipes from various chefs, when a food tickles my fancy.).

A copy of the original mimeographed recipe from my school’s cafeteria.

I share this recipe for Snowballs with you, below. I must admit, after making these the other day, and having not tasted them it for many years, that these days, I find this recipe is a bit on the sweet side for me current tastes. I do, however, enjoy THIS cafeteria goodie from my lunchroom past; 
Peanut Butter Bars. This is one that I still make occasionally, sans the frosting, when I need a peanut butter fix.  You can find this recipe, here.

How about a Snowball?

The ingredients needed for this no-bake treat.

 

Snowballs

Ingredients

1/2 half pound/two sticks butter

1 pound/3+1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup shredded coconut
(I used the sweetened variety, as that was what was originally used, 
but guessing using the unsweetened variety may help with the over-sweetness issue.)

1/2 cup chocolate chips
(I used semi-sweet, mini chocolate chips)

2/3 lbs/3+1/2 cup rolled oats

Directions

Cream butter and powdered sugar together until fluffy.

Add remaining ingredients and portion into 2 Tablespoon sized balls.  (I used a cookie scoop.)

Makes approximately 5 dozen.  (I halved this recipe.)

Enjoy!

                                                             Cooking with Gammy

  Penguins, Snowmen, and Valentine’s Day

Some fun and yummy treats that I enjoyed making with my grandchildren, lately.  :o)

Penguins

Our Penguin (Trace around Shoe) Craft

Penguin Face Chocolate Cookies

Bake Chocolate Cookies using this recipe, here.
Decorate when cool.

Using frosting as “glue”, 
Decorate using-

 White chocolate discs for the front “tummy”
(I did not have any discs, so I made our own.)

Wilton candy eyes, or m&m’s for eyes

Orange, or yellow m &m for beak

Little Debbie Penguins

Ingredients

Little Debbie Swiss Roll 

Frosting for “glue”

White chocolate melted and formed into oblong shape onto wax paper for “tummy”
Cool

2 Wilton candy eyes, or m & m’s for eyes

1 yellow m & m for beak

2 orange m & m’s for feet

Directions

Made Me Smile :o)
Sharing things that put a smile on my face, recently. 

A Special Valentine
While organizing a closet awhile back, I came across this very special valentine made by my dear grandmother, and given to me as a youngster. Isn’t it sweet?

Check Out These Other Winter-related Blog Posts

Baby, It’s Cold Outside, January 2014, here.

An Ideal Lazy, Cozy, Winter Afternoon, January 2015, here.

One Wedding and a Whale of a Snowstorm, January 2016, here.

No Pre-cooking Noodles Crockpot Lasagna, March 2017, here.

Look Ma, No Boot, March 2018, here.  

Thank you for reading!
May your days be blessed, and your taste buds happy!

I’m Annette Stuff

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A winter photo from January 2015.
Find it, here.