It’s been a wet and snowy winter, and while my heart is plotting spring adventures, my brain reminds me that it is, in fact, only February. We have not seen the last of snow, and I’m starting to wonder if the whole “March goes in like a lion, out like a lamb” thing will be more applicable to April this year.
Meh.
So, here are some tips for surviving the rest of the snowy season. And I don’t mean the snow angels and snowmen season of kids frolicking and having the time of their lives when school is closed. I mean the “I have to get to work and my driveway looks like an Ice Road Truckers route” kind of snowy season.
Artisanal marshmallows. You’re a grownup, but that doesn’t mean hot chocolate isn’t still the greatest thing about a snowstorm. If you want to tszuj up a cup of cocoa, try some fancy marshmallows. Whimsy & Spice make amazing fluffy squares in flavors like cardamom and maple. Keep a stash in your desk at work or in your cabinets at home for when you need some relief from cleaning off your car or shoveling the white stuff.
Get out the snow paint. Fill some squeeze bottles with water and food coloring, and get the kids to help you decorate your driveway and yard. This will in no way change the fact that the driveway still has to be cleared, but you’ll have a much more festive view when you do get around to it.
Invest in a UE Megaboom. Clearing snow deserves its own anthemic soundtrack. The UE Megaboom ($299.99) is a 360-degree portable speaker with a waterproof and stain-resistant skin. That means it can hold its own against splashes of snow and road salt while spreading sound throughout the neighborhood.
The Megaboom is lightweight and delivers a surprising amount of bass for a Bluetooth speaker. It comes in a bunch of bright colors, and it does not come in white. This is an instant pick-me-up when the latest snowmageddon covers the world like the White Witch from Narnia has paid a visit (winter all the time and never Christmas… sounds like January and February to me!).
The Bluetooth range is 100 feet, so you can keep your phone in your pocket while you work. Park this speaker on your porch or in your garage, and play loud and epic music while you shovel. Like “Eye of the Tiger,” or Pat Benatar, or something. At the very least, get in the Super Mario Bros. theme, and don’t mind those looks from the neighbors. You have got this!
Wax your snow shovel. Here’s a tip from This Old House: Put two thick coats of car wax on the business end of your snow shovel, and no more sticking snow when you’re clearing your front walk. Genius.
Build an igloo with the leftover snow. That snow has to go somewhere. Instead of piling it at the curb or on the front lawn, try this igloo tutorial from Your Modern Family. This is also an incentive to get the kids to grab a spare shovel and help.
Bake cookies and bring beer to the neighbor on your street with the biggest snowblower. In my experience, those who buy large, powerful pieces of outdoor equipment are dying to use them. All. Over. The. Neighborhood.
When all else fails and you simply cannot face that driveway one more time, ply this neighbor with sugar and booze… but not right before he (or she!) is set to go out and plow. Drop by the night before a storm with provisions to see them through it, and chances are you’ll have your driveway cleared for you by morning. This strategy works equally well in the summer for the neighbor who has a rider mower. You’ll thank me later.
GeekMom received this item for review purposes.
