You always hear about the big snows of the past.
The old folks would say:
"Why, this ain't nothing compared to the snow we had when we were kids."
"We used to walk two miles to school with snow up to our knees."
I could go on and on, but I won't.
I tend to agree with them. In our area we don't seem to get the big snows like we used to. I remember walking through the deep snow when I was a kid and I don't remember getting out of school that often because of snow. It takes only a few inches now for the schools to close down. I think the main reason for that is because we live in a rural county and there are so many back roads that don't get treated.
I remember in the late 1970s we had a really big snow. And, if you are old enough, people in our area will remember the "big one" that didn't arrive. It was in the late 1970s, I think, and I worked at the Capitol Building in Charleston for the State Purchasing Dept. A warning came for a huge snow headed our way. They let out the state workers to go home. I rode the bus at the time, but someone drove me home that day. Well, we did get snow, but it seemed like it only lasted for a very short time. No businesses needed to be closed, no one needed to be sent home early and for a long time people joked about the "big one" that never happened.
We have received some big snows, though, that my children can tell their grandchildren about some day.
Take this one, for example: I have this picture labeled 1993.
And this one in early 1994: They had a fun time building an igloo.
When I was a kid, we used to go out and make snow angels in the snow.
We rode our sleds until nightfall. We made bonfires to keep our hands and feet warm.
We rode on wooden sleds, cardboard boxes, and over turned car hoods. The only bad thing about sleigh riding was the walk back with your sleigh trailing behind you.
We made snowmen. We had snowball fights.
We stuck our tongue out for the snowflakes to land on.
And, of course, we stood impatiently as our mothers put layers and layers of sweaters, coats, gloves and boots on us. Later, we'd come back in with red noses and asking for hot cocoa.
Another thing I remember as a kid was making "snow cream." It was delicious! We went outside and scooped up fresh fallen snow and made ice cream with it.
I also have a recipe for "snowless" snow cream.
"SNOWLESS" SNOW CREAM
1 - 12oz can evaporated milk
20 oz of whole or 2% milk
1/2 cup of sugar (more or less to taste)
4 T vanilla (more or less to taste)
Combine the above ingredients and mix well with mixer.
Freeze in individual serving size containers until consistency of soft serve ice cream. If it freezes too hard, place in refrigerator until it thaws to desired consistency.
It's been a few years since we've made this, if I remember correctly, you have to mix it a long time with your mixer. But, it is good!
What are some of your snow memories?
ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT ON MY GIVEAWAY POST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN.
Oh Janet, I love snowcream! It has been years since I had any. We used to get bigger snows when I was a kid, too. Some years we don't get any, now. I remember once we were out of school for over a week due to the snows! We kids loved it, of course!
ReplyDeleteHey Janet!
ReplyDeleteI remember the "Big One" from the late 70's. School was out for almost a month. I remember sleigh riding in the paths my dad dug out for us. I also remember the big snow from 95. We had to shovel a path for our dog! I hope that my kids get to see one of the "Big Ones"! Maybe this year! I think I'm ready if it does come. I do need one more sled though. Dog gone it Dick's didn't even have them! WalMart doesn't have them either. Target had sold out of the one I wanted last week. Hopefully they got a new truck load of them.
I can't get blogger to upload my snow pictures! Rats!
Stay warm!
Angela
goodness, I have a lot of snow memories. My sons walking to school through snow up to their knees--not 2 miles, but a mile each way. Being drifted in from January until March and walking a half mile to where we could leave our truck, dragging in groceries and laundry on a sled, melting snow for water...on and on. Times were different in the 1970's for me, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteSleigh riding, snowball fights, snow angels.....mostly the same that you remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe!
You talk about remembering, I can't hardly remember the snow we had last week....Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteI remember getting stuck at Sister B's house when it started to snow and we ended up with 24 inches. We couldn't get out of her complex for 4 days as the snowplow the complex used was small and broke on the first try. I was then 'essential personnel', meaning I HAD to be at work, but called my boss and told him I was stuck out of town.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were little, we waited for the snowplow to pile the snow on the sidewalk and then we walked the entire line trying to see where we would fall through. It was so much fun. xxoo
I remember the big snow in the late 70's. We lived in a mobile home and everybody was shoveling the roofs of their mobile homes. As to the blizzard we never got, I was pregnant and pretty close to due date with Jason. Velma made me spend the night on her couch because Terry was working midnights. One time we had a big snow in April, and I spent the day on the big hill way behind our house with my kids sleigh riding on old tires and sleds...good memories.
ReplyDeleteJanet, the pics are great! Love the igloo! Great recipe too! Who knew you can make Snowless Snow Cream? My favorite Snow memory is of my Mother playing in the snow with my boys in Nashville in 1975.
ReplyDeleteYou've made me wish for snow : ) I always loved sledding-still do!
ReplyDelete