Let It Snow

In my opinion, there is nothing in the whole wide world better than a snow day.  An unexpected day off with no plans and nowhere to be?!  Yes, please!

The snow started coming down hard yesterday afternoon, and, with the temperatures only in the 20s, the roads were quickly covered. It was quite a treacherous drive home! Jay and I both received word yesterday afternoon that our schools were canceled for today before the second round of weather even came through. We immediately turned off our alarms, poured some wine, and put in a movie. It was the best feeling!

This morning I've had no trouble entertaining myself around the house.  I'm pretty sure I could be snowed in for a month and not get bored.  

I started the day off by completing some Christmas shopping online and making one of my favorite breakfasts: baked banana oatmeal.  I base my recipe off of one from KathEats that can be found here.  It only takes about five minutes to throw the ingredients together, and it is warm and comforting on a cold winter morning!

Baked Banana Oatmeal

(serves 3-4, although Jay and I managed to eat the whole thing ourselves)

2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon (plus more to sprinkle on top)
1/4 tsp kosher salt

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 egg, beaten
2 bananas (mash 1.5, save the rest for topping)
1.25 cups almond milk
1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Combine oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Combine mashed banana, egg, milk, and vanilla.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Mix well.

5. Line an 8″ pan (square or round) with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.  Pour batter into pan. Slice up remaining bananas and layer on top. 

6. Bake for approximately 25 minutes. 

7. After 25 minutes, increase heat to broil, sprinkle with 2 tbsp brown sugar, and broil for 3-4 minutes.  (Careful not to burn!)

8. Top with additional cinnamon, serve, and eat!

I also got around to some other tasks that I have been meaning to do for FOREVER, like cleaning my make-up brushes.  They say you are supposed to do this about once a month...I'm pretty sure I do it more like once a year. 

I just used 1 cup of warm water, 1 tbsp of vinegar, and 1 tbsp dish soap.  Swirl brushes around in solution, then rinse, reshape, and let dry.  Mine were so dirty I had to do it twice!  At least they are clean now! Until next year...

I also took the time complete another long overdue task - cleaning out the coffee maker.  To do this, just pour equal parts vinegar and water into the water chamber and begin to brew.  Halfway through, turn off the coffeemaker and let it sit for about an hour. Turn it on again to complete the cycle, then run several cycles with clean water.

 

It's so easy, I have no idea why I don't do it more often!

I'm off to go enjoy the rest of my snow day.  The afternoon is wide-open!