The snow continues to fall here at the iBrattleboro world headquarters. The temperatures are low, as they have been for quite a few weeks, but this time around we have been given some snow. Quite a bit. There seem to be about 8 to 12 inches out there so far, and no signs of it stopping anytime soon.
I like the way everything is quiet when the snow is like this. No one is out driving around. Everyone is waiting for it to pass.
When the weather is like this, I sometimes think of my friend, the squirrel, who lives outside. In the summer s/he has quite a good life, for the most part. Do squirrels mind snow like this? Do they like it? Do they curse that they have to shovel out their nest again?
How about the birds? My understanding is that the small ones can get under a bush and keep things rather warm for themselves. How about that big, solitary bird in the woods? What is the owl thinking?
Back inside, times like these call for hot chocolate for humans.
Instant hot cocoa has an appeal. It’s quick, and easy to make. Nowadays, there are some rather sophisticated powdered concoctions that offer a good, creamy-tasting instant cocoa, often in different flavors. One reason to go this route is to avoid using milk. Hot water is often all that is needed.
The next step up is semi-instant. These are the cocoa powders that require hot milk to be used. The milk has to be watched as it heats, to make sure it doesn’t scald. This added layer of difficulty is often worth it in flavor.
Another option is slower still. A ball of chocolate ganache is put into a cup and covered with hot milk. The ganache melts into the milk.
One can always melt chocolate, too, into milk.
With instant hot cocoa, the choice must be made to go with or without tiny marshmallows. With the others, one has the option of adding marshmallows or whipped cream (and then the choice of real or ready-whipped).
There is also the matter of other flavorings. Some like adding chocolate liqueur, nutmeg, cinnamon, or flakes of chocolate.
I typically have the instant-water version at hand, but like to treat myself to something more serious when out and about. A rich, hot, chocolate beverage topped with a cold, solid dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon can really hit the spot.
Of course, I’m not going anywhere, so instant it will be.
A Thank You
A message from a reader:
“Thank you Chestnut St. neighbors for using your excellent snowblowing skills (and lots of time!) to make the neighborhood more walkable today. Yay snow, yay Vermont neighbors! Thank you thank you thank you”
Hot drinks
It’s a big white fluffy comforter in Melrose Terrace. Nobody is even out walking and the snow is undisturbed.
When it comes to hot chocolate, I prefer the hot milk and cocoa variety, and later in the day I’ll be adding some whiskey. Right now a pot of tea is hitting the spot. In a little while I’ll be making chili soup. These snowy days are my favorite time of the year. A great day to bake, too. 😉
The Weather Outlook
“Snow with patchy blowing snow before 5pm, then snow likely after 5pm.”
Playing in the snow
One of the cats asked to go out today. She took a flying leap off the back steps, swam about in the snow for a few seconds, and raced back in.
Then she did it again.
I have since shoveled her a path. It’s really nice snow out there for now… light and soft, and still very quiet out.
I got out.
Well, I went out on some errands, and lo! It seems the entire town got snow, and not just my driveway.
In fact, a whole new mountain range of snow-capped peaks has emerged from each parking lot around town. The white mountains have crossed the border.
If you haven’t shoveled, there’s still time to do it before the snow gets too heavy, though piles dumped by plows are always a special joy to deal with.
Most roads are quite passable, but visibility is poor – a bright sun, no shade, everything white and shiny or wet, and cars kicking up slop onto windows of other drivers makes it rather unsafe,
18 inches or so total here, it look like.
hot drink and maybe cookies on a snowy day...
i make my own instant cocoa mix and a peppermint stick to stir it with is sometimes nice. i like a nice cup of glogg is good if something stronger is needed!
there is something wonderful and magical about the intense quiet and purity of new fallen snow…still i DO look forward to springs rebirth and warmth!
even my most adventurous cats are curling up inside and trying to stay warm like myself!
mmm
Peppermint stick is a great idea. I’ll have to try that sometime.
Enjoy another snowy day! We have light flakes slowly falling.
And a shot of peppermint
And a shot of peppermint schnapps makes even the most ordinary instant cocoa into something divine!
Someone gave me a container of Ghiradelli’ s ” drinking chocolate” . It looks like finely ground slivers of dark chocolate that you slowly stir into hot milk.
Quite delicious although probably a little intense for kids to like.