As an Iowa native, there are certain things I’ve learned not to long to see when living in Oregon. A weather report like the one in this post is one of them. I like snow days – don’t get me wrong. And, I love being in a state where they will call school and work more quickly than any place I’ve ever seen. But, living in the land where everyone has an SUV and chains, snow and ice means crazy people believing that they can still get out and drive when they should just stay home and watch the local news to see what crazy headline they are going to create for this bout of weather. (I took a cue from them when creating the title of this post.)
Here is the problem with Portland and snow. Unlike other areas that get this weather more routinely, our city isn’t equipped to deal with the snow removal or the de-icing or sanding of streets. As a result, they have to focus their efforts on helping the state keep open freeways. They keep some major thoroughfares clear, but generally speaking it is nearly impossible.
On top of the lack of resources to remove it, you have a bunch of residents that have relocated here from somewhere else. Some of these people believe that they can drive in it because they came from Minnesota or Wisconsin, but can’t really do it anymore. And, I think to acknowledge that fact is to admit that they are less Midwesterner than they were 10 year ago.
So stay tuned. For those of you who live in areas where winter is more than just rain, this could be entertaining.
And even thought I didn’t say I would participate, I’m feeling the pull to do it anyway. 🙂
Here is a cookie recipe I will be making myself. I cannot vouch for it personally, but it looked very good so is on my list.
Seven-Layer Cookie Bars
Hands on time: 15 minutes Total time: 2 hours and 20 minutes Serves: Makes 40 bars
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
1 (12-ounce) package milk chocolate chips
1 (12-ounce) package butterscotch chips
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Spray sides of 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Pour butter into pan. Sprinkle crumbs evenly on butter, then pat them down to even out. Sprinkle semisweet, milk chocolate and butterscotch chips evenly over crumbs. Sprinkle with coconut, then nuts. Pour milk over layers. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until mixture bubbles and browns on top. Let cool on a rack; cut into squares.
