The Whatevers or The Snowman's Ball

Hello everyone…are you surviving this very strange winter??? I'm here today to share my take on the Feb. version of The Whatevers.

"You can't get too much winter in winter." Robert Frost

It was one of those winters that just wore people out. Between the snow, wind and frigid temperatures that blew across Chautauqua Lake everyone was looking for some relief. There weren't many of Lilydale residents around as most traveled south to Sarastota, Fl. in Oct. and will return in the warmer spring months. The few residents that remained were full time residents that took care of the grounds and maintained the town.

Mama and Papa tended to the Maplewood Inn along with the surrounding grounds and gardens. They also looked after the staff who remained to keep the inn open for travelers. It seemed like those endless days would never end so Mama and Papa organized THE SNOWMAN'S BALL for the town folks. It was a great success with lots of great food and libations, along with music and dancing. Everyone enjoyed the party with lots of laughing and carrying on. Mama made her famous Hot Buttered Rum for the grown-ups and for the children Peppermint Cocoa with a peppermint stick to stir it with.

Papa dressed up as a snowman and Mama cut out silver snowflakes to decorate the ballroom. It was a wonderful time and after everyone left we caught Mama sitting on Papa's lap and it looked like the were in their own little world!

For that short time we forgot how brutal the winter had been!

Here's Mama's recipe"

Hot Buttered Rum Mix {Makes about 1½ quarts}

Ingredients:

½ pound unsalted butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1½ cup packed dark brown sugar

1 quart best-quality, vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

1½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1.    Combine butter and sugars in the mixing bowl, and beat until smooth and creamy.

2.    Add ice cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla, and incorporate well. 

3.    Scoop into a freezer container, cover, and keep frozen.

Hot Buttered Rum Directions

1-2 tablespoons Hot Buttered Rum Mix

1½ ounces Dark Rum or Spiced Rum

boiling water

whipped cream, lightly sweetened

freshly ground nutmeg

1.    Put a heaping tablespoon of Hot Buttered Rum Mix into an 8-ounce coffee cup, then add 1½ ounces of dark rum and boiling water to almost fill the cup.  

2.    Stir to dissolve the mix. 

3.   Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of freshly ground nutmeg.

4.  Sip & ENJOY!

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers.

Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach {MIA due to computer issues} 
• Vickie Chrisman

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

HERE IS THE PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH'S WHATEVERS:

Thanks for stopping by. Stay warm and remember that spring will arrive…someday!

An InLinkz Link-up