So not quite that one time at band camp but it’s my rendition of what’s been going on. If you follow me on Instagram most of the time you know what’s going on in my life (lucky you it’s so exciting). But here goes:
That one time when you get an MRI on your foot that’s been numb for months to find out you have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR stress fractures in that foot. Can you say long time before back at hockey? Sigh. Double. Sigh. Fear for those around me when I can’t release my frustrations out on the ice.
That one time when our power was out for three days. So yeah, last Saturday our power went out. It’s never gone out for more than 5 hours tops so we didn’t worry. We had a freak summer windstorm and it created much havoc (some people are still without power). Luckily for us we have a gas water heater and stove so we still had hot showers and were able to cook (not bake but cook). We also had a nice friend who had power loan us his generator to keep the fridges running and to charge our cell phones without running to the car.
I will say this when you are without TV you get creative to entertain yourself. My favorite being when MDP and I sat around “competing” to find the song that most represents our dogs. We laughed for quite some time. I can assure you that would have never happened if re-runs of SVU were an option.
That one time when Quaker Oats and the Girl Scouts got together to make Chewy Granola Bars in your two favorite Girl Scout flavors: Thin Mint and Samoas (they call it Caramel Coconut). And you may or may not have eaten both boxes during the power outage. Quaker had sent me a cute little package one for me and one to giveaway. It includes:
A Parachute Play Tent, big enough for the whole family to enjoy. This is what you had in elementary school PE class and you got super excited when you realized that it was going to be parachute day. I haven’t gotten the dogs on board with it yet, but I’m working on it.
A custom picnic blanket, for your outdoor playtime sneak breaks. It rolls up, very cute.
Samples of the new Quaker® Chewy® Girl Scouts® Granola Bars – Thin Mints® and Caramel Coconut. I already bought more at Target since I inhaled what they sent me.
If you would like to win the prize just leave a comment telling me how you would entertain yourself during a three day no power extravaganza. Open to US residents. You have between now and September 12th 8pm PST to enter. Winner will be chosen using a random number generator.
That one time when you find out that Amazon Prime Now is in your zip code. If you don’t know about it, it’s Amazon products (limited but still) deliver to you in two hours from when you order for free or for $7.99 you can get it in an hour, including groceries. Even more interesting is that they deliver booze. BOOZE. To your door. This is going to get me in all sorts of trouble I am sure. I put my first order in today we will see how it goes.
That one time you went to make Greek Butter Cookies and ended up making some sort of hybrid cookie that’s half butter cookie and half French macaron. My favorite Greek restaurant stopped making Greek Butter Cookies and I was deeply saddened as I love them. So I looked up a recipe and tried it. But I got lazy and where it said chopped almonds I chose to use almond flour. I think that substitution is that gave it that macaron feel. These have more of a crisp to them then sort of melted in your mouth. MDP was all about them. He thought they were “ridiculously good”.
I hope everyone has a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!
Macaron Butter Cookie
8 oz. unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 oz. almond flour
1 egg yolk
1 ½ cups powdered sugar, separated
½ tsp. vanilla
1 ½ -2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and almond flour slowly for 15 minutes.
Slowly add the egg yolk, ½ cup powdered sugar, vanilla, and a little of the flour.
Continue to beat, slowly adding more flour, until soft dough forms.
Scrape the sides of the bowl periodically to make sure all ingredients are well mixed. You want the dough to be pliable and easy to form without being too greasy.
Roll the dough into crescent shapes.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes in a 350 degree oven till lightly golden. I suggest using parchment paper or they may stick a little.
Remove cookies from the oven.
Let cookies cool them roll them in remaining powdered sugar.
I got about 24 cookies.
Adapted from ToriAvey.com
Isela G. says
We’d probably play board games and make up silly songs.
Erin M. says
These look amazing! I’ve never had Greek butter cookies. Sorry to hear about your foot! My power was out for several days a few years ago, but fortunately I was able to go to my father’s house and stay with him. If I had to do it again, I’d take the time to catch up on all the books I want to read!
Megan P. says
There would be some serious color time for the kidlet, a lot of reading, and maybe some camping out (depending on the weather outside).
Katie Rose says
I’d probably finally catch up on the 8 or 10 books I’m in the middle of reading, and play a lot of cards and/or House Rules Jenga.
Alexis says
We would definitely be on the uno and playing outside till it was pitch black team. Or ending up painting and scrap poking for days!
Debbie says
We would play card games and entertain the doggies. We like to play Milles Borne. 🙂
Zainab says
A hybrid cookie? I love the sound of this!! And booo on the power outage. I probably would have gone to sleep lol!
Ciara says
I’d knit socks and maybe catch up on podcasts because my phone is usually full of them. And I’d probably go to bed at night instead of staying up until 2 AM…
Liz S. says
I entertain myself during a three day no power extravaganza, with boardgames and word puzzles via candlelight (fall flavor-scented, of course).
Patty Jensen says
I live alone and dearly love board games, so that would be out. My guess is that I would do some sewing…augh, no power! Okay, guess I would try to balance my checkbook, or clean, or organize the garage, or learn how to love jogging, or…….augh!!!! I would probably be out stalking the power people and they would be forced to get power to my neighborhood ASAP. Seriously, I am sure that I would catch up on my backlog of reading and spending way too much time on Pinterest. I’ve been without power for 36 hours due to a blizzard here in the midwest. Not fun, as it was pretty darn cold, as I had electric heat and not much to eat, as I had an electric stove. I cannot imagine four days! True Pioneer spirit.
Erin Ellis says
Oh goodness. I would love the quiet for a bit, but my kids would not. I would enjoy a candlelit bath, coffee in the dark, and I would make sure I had plenty of craft activities for my kids. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
karen says
Power outages can be a regular event in my neck of the woods. Candles, flashlights, gas grill and extension cords are a must. Generator is a wonderful treasure. Extension cords are to help spread what power u have from generator. Keeps fridge running and can charge cell phones and Nook. Have watched movies on portable dvd player. I recommend ereader or tablet as a must have after generator for those no power extravaganza. Wish I had gas hot wster heater though.
Heather says
Our first winter in Olympia we lost power for 90+ hours after a MASSIVE ice storm. There was lots of reading, I remember a stack of graphic novels and activities that made me understand why there’s always baby booms after blackouts.
Cheryl Newton says
I’d probably read by candlelight (like Laura Ingalls Wilder!) and nap.
Carolsue says
This has actually happenened to us a couple times. We kind of cheated and used a generator, but I would read with my Amazon Kindle Paperwhite as long as it lasted (supplemented by my portable charger). And sleep more than usual.
Regina says
I would sew!! I own a small cafe here on a local Marine base so my free time is spent dealing with its needs. Power outage would mean it would have to close, I love to hand piece quilts and they are languishing from lack of attention!!
Melody says
I would obsessively check for updates on the power being restored … And, play board games, build blanket tents and anything else to keep the kids entertained (aka keep them from fighting). 😉
Jaime says
We had a two day power outage this year and it was board game, board games, board games!
Joy says
We had a 6 day out I think 3 years ago. The first day was great after that I was cold and cranky :-/ we did puzzles and played I spy and lived by the pellet stove (which was hooked up to the generator)
Megan B. says
Hi Peabody. I would definitely be doing a lot of crossword puzzles- and I’m sure within in the first hour I would start talking/singing to myself.
Karen says
I would play a lot of board and card games with my kids. And practice my pool skills since my six year old is now starting to beat me.
Vicki Tunell says
LOTS of outside time 🙂 so the kids don’t go stir crazy, and lots of books!
Felice says
Well, once I had to entertain myself and my three children (6, 4 and 1.5) for three weeks when we lost power due to a typhoon. Oh, and I was pregnant too :O. Looking back I’m not sure how we did it, but having good friends helped as we could all get together and keep the kids entertained. If we lost power for three days now I would definitely use it to read all those books and magazines that have been piling up.
The cookies look amazing, and I am such a big fan of Greek butter cookies and can’t wait to try this hybrid.
Kristen says
I would totally have a board game marathon !! I will always love old school board games!!
Susan Christy says
I’d walk my dogs, do crossword puzzles and take naps!
Amanda Joy says
In Utah, around January, 70-90 MPH winds do in fact knock the power out for three days. We grab flashlights and play I Spy. We have also played, “find every crochet blanket from grandma, and build a fortress of warmth”
(Or we go sleep at grandma’s house because she still has power😜)
Stephanie Coldwell says
If I didn’t have power for three days I would take my 3 year old outside to play, we would play games indoors too, take naps and walk our pup! I suppose yard work would be necessary also!
Ashley Morrow says
I would spend the power outage reading. Reading is my favorite thing to do especially when I don’t have the TV or internet to distract me.
Anne says
I like to cook and bake when I’m bored. I don’t know what I would do! I have little kids and don’t get much down time but I love to paint my nails and read books.
Now about the parachute- my kids don’t do that in PE! I loved that when I was little and asked them about it. Very sad to see they don’t.
Glad to hear your power is back!
Ginny says
We would play lots and lots of board games and hang out outside especially in our hammock if it is warm/dry enough.
nancy says
during February of 2014 my hubby and I lost power for 8 days. we spent our days filling every bucket, pot and trash can with snow to keep our food cold and to melt for water to flush the loo ( the joy of having a well for our water). living in our living room feeding our wood stove to keep warm and finding ways to cook food in and on top of the wood stove. 3 of the days we were trapped in our house because of downed power lines and ice. so much fun
Sharlotte says
I would make some jewelry, my other hobby other than baking, and play with my one-year old who doesn’t need electricity to be entertained.
Aimee says
We would have a dance party followed by lots of reading.
Kel says
I would sleep late and then read during the daylight hours. This has happened to us in the winter — we worked by the fire!
Donna S. says
I have lived this a couple of times due to hurricanes. Thank God for gas hot water heaters and city water! If I had no hot water (or worse no water at all), I would be impossible to deal with. For me, I reverted to an agrarian lifestyle. Up with the sun, down with the sun. I was at work for a goodly number of hours each day and they (since they manufacture it) had power. I read by candlelight which is extremely tiring and I cleaned out closets and drawers. God save me from instances that force me into housekeeping!