Surviving Winter - Eat, Sew and Read!

I don't have to tell anyone how cold and snowy it has been this winter.  This weekend in Kent we had about 10 inches of snow and lots of wind.

My son called this morning to tell me about a weather phenomenon out where he lives in Freedom.  Last night it warmed up, rained a little and then got really windy.  As a result, out in the fields, hundreds of balls of snow were rolled up by the wind, almost like snowy white hay bails.  Some were even hollow in the middle.  I didn't get to see it, but found a picture on Google.  They are called snow rollers.   Click here to read the story about snow rollers in Northeast Ohio from NewsNet 5. 

Tomorrow and the next day it is supposed to be a high of about zero.  Brrrr


After not getting out for two days I pulled out my unfinished not so "Easy Street" mystery quilt.  I had 12 half square triangles to finish, but now only one!  While sewing I worked on some enders and leaders for fun.  I do have a scrappy quilt on my list.

Now I have to find a place big enough to lay out the blocks and start sewing them together.  

The end is in sight for Easy Street

Cream Cheese Dessert  

Michelle called and needed the recipe that Mama Barb made on our Winter QBee Day.  It was delicious, easy and tasted like cheesecake.  Here it is:

2 8oz packages of cream cheese

2 cans of crescent rolls

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.  Set aside.

Press one can of crescent rolls into the bottom of a 9x13 pan

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the rolls.

Top with second can of rolls and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar

Bake 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes - top should be lightly browned

So easy and delicious.

It could easily be cut in half by using an 8" pan.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Between sewing and eating I finished the true-life novel, Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.  This book is dedicated to all teachers.

I have already read Walls' memoir The Glass Castle.  It was honest and unforgettable; you should definitely put it on your list of books to read.  Not being a fan of books about the West, Half Broke Horses has been sitting on my shelf for over a year and I almost gave it away but decided to read the first chapter.  That was all it took.  Who can stop reading a book when the first line says:

"Those old cows knew trouble was coming before we did.  It was late on an August afternoon, the air hot and heavy like it usually was in the rainy season." 

Half Broke Horses chronicles the life of Lily Casey Smith, Jeannette Walls grandmother.  You will love her spirit and adventures.  If you decide to read both books, I would start with The Glass Castle, but they can be read independent of each other.

So cuddle up under a warm quilt and read a good book.  Don't forget the comfort food!