Friday Things #455
1. School was closed yesterday and again today due to the ice and snow that we’re getting here. On top of the three two-hour delays they had last week, it’s been a bit like another mini-break with lazy mornings. I love it!
2. I relive my childhood a bit every time I see a delay or cancellation notice, although I feel like my kids won’t TOTALLY understand the intense anticipation of sitting next to the radio first thing in the morning listening to all of the school delays and cancellations being read, waiting for them to get to your school’s letter in the alphabet, and then either sheer elation when you heard it called, or plummeting despair if it wasn’t, knowing you had to go get ready for school 😂 While the text notifications from the school are super convenient, it’s not quite the same, ha!
3. All that being said, if you are (or have been) in the path of this storm, I hope you and your family are safe, your home hasn’t sustained any damage, and you haven’t lost power. Stay safe!
4. Do you know that amazing smell that hits you as soon as you walk into a Williams Sonoma store? Well now you can recreate that smell at home; they shared the recipe for their “signature simmer pot” on their blog. It would be wonderful to put on the stove if you’re having company!
5. Some good nuggets in here >> 9 iPhone Tricks Most People Don’t Know About
6. What’s your favorite thing to bake or cook on a snow day??
7. I recently discovered the Instagram account @food4tots and just adore it; don’t worry if you don’t have little kids, so much of what Paige shares is super helpful if you’re feeding a family, no matter their ages.
8. Super Bowl is set! Who are you rooting for?
9. We’ve been watching 1883, but also finally watched the last season (season 6) of Line of Duty (BritBox). One of our very favorites!
10. TGIF! Not sure she could press her nose against the window any harder 🤣
Okay, can I just say that I have tried the Williams Sonoma room freshener simmer pot recipe (on the stovetop) and it smells amazing! Â I love making it if I have the ingredients leftover lying around. Â However, I’m confused why they say that the WS stores smell like that: I have gone into many WS stores and never smelled a thing. (??) Â On a non related note, I’m sooo excited to make up some tasty apps for Super Bowl Sunday!! Â Who cares who wins, for me it’s about the tasty food and fun commercials (and maybe some Puppy/Kitten Bowl time if I can . . .). Â :)Â
I’m born and raised Santa Monica girl so I’m cheering our Los Angeles Rams on!!! Go Rams!!!
We don’t get snow at the beach but on a rainy day (we hardly get those either) I love to make Posole or Albondigas soup.! Delicious!
On snow days I like to make soup and cookies. Â
We had snow days earlier this week. Â Most of the schools were closed but the kids weren’t free to play in the show and enjoy the day off. Â E-learning was in practice. Â I think about 5% of the schools were closed without e-learning. Â
Ugh the virtual snow days are such a disappointment! I get the appeal of not having to make the days up at the end of the school year, but gah, I just don’t like it! Last year we had them, too. This year, the school switched to giving the kids packets at the beginning of November; there were 3 pages for each snow day (I think for up to 5 snow days) – a page for math, reading comprehension, and writing. There was no logging onto the computer for school, they just have to turn in the 3 pages within 3 days of school being back in session. A good compromise I think – they do a little work, don’t have to make up the day in June, and can still relax and have the day off.
Yet another great Friday Things. Re snow days, the first I remember, c. 1962, our power was out so we couldn’t even hear on the radio. M & D looked outside and said you kids have to stay home and shovel. (Dad helped us build an igloo after). Bliss! Thankfully I no longer have to shovel ‘cuz PVD RI record single day 19″. Best snowy day is a toss-up-baking bread and/or stew-types. Guinness beef or chicken and dumplings. Then hot chocolate for dessert. NO marshmallows.
I had to smile while reading about listening for the cancellation of school. I agree that a text message can never rival finally hearing whether or not we’d have a snow play day.
Go Steelers!!!  Oh.  Hmmm.  Ah forget it…. 🙈. Â
Thought I was going to root for the Bengals since they’ve struggled for so long, but I’m really having a hard time with Burrow’s attitude.  I think I’m just getting old – LOL!
On to more important subjects….I saw another comment about the Crumbl cookie.  I’m not familiar with the Crumbl cookie but I’m wondering if you’ve tried Nancy B’s chocolate chip cookies?  The bakery is located in the back/basement of a very unassuming building in Homestead, PA.  (I’m a Pittsburgh girl too, but south of the city.). Nancy B’s has been around for quite some time and their chocolate chip cookies could be the best in the universe.  Truly just incredible!  I have no idea what their secret is!  They have other cookies – but nothing comes close to their chocolate chip cookies.  Aw, man.  Now I’m going to have to go get one next week!  🤣 (Only open M – F).
I’ve never tried Nancy B’s; I’ll have to get some! Thanks for the recommendation! :)
I hope you do!  I’d love to knowwhat you think if you are able to try them! 🙂
We had big snow falls all around us but lucked out with less then 3. Hope all stay safe and warm where ever you are. I’m pulling for the Bengals..what a season they have had. (not from Ohio…but I’ll be rooting for them) I love that you share happenings and pics of your children.
Rooting for Cincinnati in the Super Bowl.
Your comments about waiting for  the snow day announcement brought back memories for sure…both childhood and the years I was teaching. I taught in a city that seldom called a snow a snow day. I would anxiously wait for the various district names to be read and if mine was, it was such a relief. I do remember one storm when the call came very late…after I was half way to work. Needless to say, there were many, many angry parents and teachers .
On another topic, you mentioned Crumbl cookies not too long ago. I have not tried them but I did come across this recipe , as I was culling out some desktop folders, that I saved at some point. I have not tested it but thought I would share…maybe you or  one of your followers will want to.
https://letsdishrecipes.com/copycat-crumbl-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Thanks for sharing, definitely checking out that recipe!
I so know what you mean about waiting to hear your school is cancelled! I’m still somewhat reliving it as my daughter is a 3rd grade teacher. I get so happy for her now! BTW, we got 16 inches of snow from this storm and it’s still coming down here!
I tried the William Sonoma simmer pot and didn’t get much of an aroma from it. I used a small crock pot so maybe that’s why. I may try again on the stovetop.Â
Go, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals!!
What a fun post to help erase the winter blues! Â I woke up to a dark rainy day, with temperatures set to plummet below freezing later. Â We will be staying home at least two days. Â When my kids were small, they all liked school, but were thrilled with snow days, and so was I. Â We read a lot and made cookies. Â I was as happy as they were for heavy snow because it meant being able to spend time together, and playing in the snow. Â Why does that seem like a guilty pleasure?! Anyway, great post, and I really enjoy your blog. Â Your recipes are so good, and the kids are so cute. Â
We are just starting season 4 of Line of Duty. Love it! Â