Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

It all started last night when we looked out the window and found this not long after the snow had started falling. It came down quickly and immediately stuck.

We told the girls we would go out and play in it after breakfast this morning. Craig grabbed our pink inflatable tube for the pool and we had an instant sled.

The girls were SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!

Fergus HATED the snow. He had no idea what to do with himself.

Thanks for the awesome “Canada Mittens”, Nanny and Poppy! We love them!

Livie has been wanting to make a snow angel for ages. She finally got her wish.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

We used the tire tracks and they worked like a charm! I nearly ended up in the cul-de-sac when I went flying down the hill.

  

We left this hill and walked one street over to the steepest hill in the subdivision.

Half the neighborhood was here, it was definitely where all the action was. All the golf carts were out in full form. (I wonder how well they handle in the snow…)

Olivia took a turn tubing down the hill with her little neighborhood crush. She was thrilled. Lauren thinks he’s pretty nifty too. (Hey, wait for me!!!)

Cold and tired, we returned home for some hot baths and peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Warm and yummy!

Here’s the scene in the backyard. I cannot believe how much snow we got!

Our little “Snow Chalet”.

Something tells me I won’t be sitting in one of these chairs reading a magazine while the girls are playing in the backyard…

Big Kitty felt the same way about the snow as Fergus did. Not a fan.

Perhaps we’ll go outside again after naps and build a snowman in the front yard.

Quick and Easy Steel Cut Oats

For those of you who are lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s nearby, this recipe is for you!

Pick up a container of Quick Cook Steel Cut Oats and a bottle of Pear Cinnamon Cider.

You need 3/4 cup of liquid for every 1/4 cup of steel cut oats. (For four people that’s 3 cups of liquid, and one cup of steel cut oats.)

1. Bring 1 1/2 cups of Pear Cinnamon Cider and 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil.
2. Once boiling, add a cup of Steel Cut Oats, stir, cover and reduce heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Spoon into bowls and serve with fresh cut fruit and orange juice.

This is a quick and easy hot breakfast  that works great on cold and snowy mornings. (Not that we get many of those in Atlanta, but if you look outside the window behind Livie, you can see we most certainly have a lot of snow.)

It has a great flavor, especially when you make it with the cider and it is creamy and filling.

Once you finish eating, grab some boots, a coat, hat and mitts and head outside to play in the snow!

Sweets and Treats!

A few of things we’ve been eating way too much of this week.

After this picture was taken, these mints were never seen or heard from again. (I have no idea what happened to them…)

Chickpea Cakes and Chopped Mediterranean Salad

Meat and Cheese Lasagna, made with ground chicken instead of ground beef.

The girls loved the lasagna and the salad, but not the chickpea cakes… they were both delicious. Both recipes came from The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook.  (It’s on sale right now in-store at Barnes and Noble for 50% off and if you are a BN Member, then it’s 60% off.) It is a fabulous cookbook and would make a great addition to your cookbook collection or a thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Inside Out