We got 20" of undrifted snow. The drifts are up to 3' deep but we never lost power (I am SO grateful). Our cars are still completely covered but everything else is dug out. The statewide driving ban lifts in about 10 minutes but we have everything we need so the cars can wait until tomorrow!
 
Created in the Polyvore iPhone app

Since these have figured quite prominently in my discussion of preparations for the storm (that looks like it won't be nearly as bad where we are as was first thought), I thought I would share the recipe:
 
Hershey's Bar Cookies
 
2/3 cup shortening (I used Spectrum coconut oil shortening)
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups unsifted flour (as I have Celiac, I used Domata gluten free flour mix)
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
2 cups chocolate chips
 
Melt shortening. Combine with brown sugar & vanilla. Cool. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, nuts, & chocolate chips. Add eggs to cooled sugar mixture & beat well (by hand with a wooden spoon works just fine). Stir dry ingredients into sugar/egg mixture - this will be fairly thick. Spread in greased 9x13" pan. Bake in a 350° oven for 25-30 minutes.

We're as ready as we can be for the BIG snowstorm that is supposed to hit tomorrow (I'm in WMass). 15-20" of snow is predicted. If it is as wet a snow as they fear, power lines will be coming down but the potentially really dangerous & damaging part of this storm is the up to 35mph wind gusts that will accompany it. This will cause white-out blizzard conditions &, if power lines come down, will keep repair crews off the road. National Grid has already put out a statement that a large swath of the Northeast should be prepared for several day power outages. Our Governor has asked people to get off the roads by noon tomorrow (Friday) & to stay off them.
 
We don't have a generator (yet) or a source of heat but our water stays on without power, our phones are hard wired landlines so as long as the line doesn't come down we'll have phones, & our gas stove can be lit manually. We have lots of food, lanterns + batteries, blankets & cats, & we stocked up on books when we were out today. I think we're ready. I just REALLY hope we have a wonderful curl-up-at-home snow day WITH power. I love days like that. So, fingers crossed that our power stays on & that the Northeast does NOT get the "storm of historic proportions" the news is blathering on about!!
 
Stay safe, everyone.
 
Created in my iPhone app.