I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For...Snow Cream!

"Snow Mist," original photo by the author, 
copyright,  Kathryn Louise Wood

(*Author's note: I prepared this post several days before the Northeast got blasted with the blizzard. We even got a little dusting here in Edenton; more like powdered sugar than snow. See my photo at the bottom of the post of our little winged porch pig. The photo to the left at the top, is one I took along the Blue Ridge Parkway of Virginia, several years ago.)

I think one of the most depressing weather conditions is a 38 degree rainfall. It just makes you cold to the bone and isn't even pretty. I realize I am speaking as an eastern North Carolinian, far away from the lands of winter-long frozen tundra, but I do wish we could have at least one lovely snowfall this winter. Just one. Maybe two, but any more would just be over zealous and take some of the magic away. Growing up in eastern North Carolina and Virginia, a snow day was always an exciting event and we celebrated by making Snow Cream. I used to think Snow Cream was a confection limited to the South but my research has found its consumption all over the country.

Looking for the oldest written recipe I could find for the fluffy fabulousness, I found the following from Elizabeth Ellicott Lea of Ellicott City, Maryland. Her cookbook, Domestic Cookery, Useful Receipts, and Hints to Young Housekeepers was published in Baltimore in 1841 with later editions in 1846 and 1851. You can see the original text and all her other recipes at: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/cookh10h.htm

-Snow Cream (19th century style)-

“Take the richest cream you can procure, season it with a few drops of essence of lemon or syrup of lemon peel, and powdered white sugar, and if you choose a spoonful of preserve syrup, and just as you send it to table, sitr in light newly fallen snow till it is nearly stiff as ice cream.”

"Snow Cream!!!!!!" by Chris Breeze, via Wikimedia Commons

I grew up with Snow Cream made with fresh, raw eggs whipped into the mixture but concerns about salmonella poisoning from consuming uncooked eggs has put a damper on that childhood memory. So...here is a modern (egg-free) recipe which is still delicious and appropriately celebratory. (As with ice cream flavors, variations are endless.)

-Snow Cream-
Ingredients:
1 gallon of clean, fresh, fluffy snow (if you can, set out a bowl to catch it as it falls)
1 cup sugar (powdered makes for less graininess but some of us enjoy granulated's crunchiness)
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups milk (or cream or half&half or canned evaporated milk, etc)
Directions:
Stir sugar and vanilla into snow to taste, then stir in enough milk for desired consistency.
Serve immediately! Quick, before it melts!

"When Pigs Fly" Edenton Snowfall Photo by the author, Kathryn Wood

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now!

Kate

Beautiful Brides...Lantern Swinging!...Read all about it!

Bride and Groom 1910, Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

While doing research by investigating turn-of-the-20th century newspaper articles online, I ran across several examples bursting with charm we seldom see in today's news media. The ones I bring to you this week, are from the southeastern coastal communities of North Carolina, Wilmington and New Bern. Each is so picturesque, we are given a real feeling for the life and times of the townspeople.

(Here comes the bride...)
July 26, 1907-- The Daily Journal (New Bern, North Carolina)
Maysville, July 25- Under the silvery waves of a full moon, surrounded by a vast crowd of men, women and children, the friends of the bride and groom, Miss Nannie Dixon and Mr. W. C. Waters were united in holy wedlock. Rev. D. C. Geddie performing the solemn rite. The bride, beautifully gowned in white silk and orange blossoms, was the admiration of the large concourse of people present and of the entire community in which she lives.

Broadway After Storm, 1905, Wikimedia  Commons Public Domain

(It's snowing! Let's all party!)
Feb 24, 1901--The Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, North Carolina)
Local Dots.- The amount of drunkenness on the streets yesterday and last night during the snow storm was the occasion of frequent remark. Many people took the day as a holiday and judging from appearances they all had a good time. 

(Lantern swinging! New Bern's Got Talent!)
March 11, 1893-- The Daily Journal (New Bern, North Carolina)
Y.M.C.A. Entertainment--

Brakeman's Lantern, Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

...A novel feature, never attempted before, was introduced here, lantern swinging by Mr. C. J.McSorely. The exhibition was given in the dark with red lanterns. It was gracefully executed and remarkably beautiful. Mr. McSorely was called back and the repetition was viewed with as much delight as the first presentation. He was accompanied by Miss Agnes Foy on the piano...The program closed with a few specialties in athletic performances accompanied by Mr. C.L. Gaskill on the piano...The young men took part with much earnestness and zeal, and appeared to fine advantage. The audience appeared delighted at their cleverness and cheered them heartily.


Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! 

Kate