How to spend a snowy night in

After you’ve worked up all that energy and motivation to get to class after four long weeks off, you get an email that classes are cancelled!

Well...back to bed, right?

Wrong! While most of us probably only have the typical “read your syllabus” assignment, don’t just waste this stormy day catching up on some “z’s” before the semester has even started. We’ll help you plan your perfect snowy afternoon in.

Ever scrolled through Netflix looking for that perfect movie to watch? Now’s your chance! Here are a few top movies on Netflix for those who like to binge-watch during stormy weather (or normal weather):

1. Sleepwalk with Me: A comedy featuring stand-up comedian, Mike Birbiglia. For anyone who would rather be napping, why not watch a movie about sleeping?
2. Caddyshack: Referred to as, “a film for the books”. If you haven’t seen this must-watch, today’s the perfect day!
3. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial: We may all of already seen this classic but why not go back to your childhood for the evening and re-watch a hit.
4. The Shining: This old horror film is set in a snow storm, so it seems fitting for a day like today! Fun fact, the exteriors for this movie were filmed at our very own Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.
5. The Graduate: For those students who just experienced their last first day of school!

Now that you have your perfect movie picked out, why not whip up some comfort food too! Here are a few recipes for the best stormy treats:

1. Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast (YUM): Perfect if you have a few “too old” bananas laying around.

¼ cup cool water                                              1 tbsp. margarine

2 bananas, peeled & sliced                              3 eggs, beaten

½ tsp. vanilla extract                                        2 tsp. peanut butter 

4 slices egg bread                                            2 tbsp. maple syrup

Beat the water and vanilla into eggs until mixed. Spread a teaspoon of peanut butter onto two slices of bread and dip into egg mixture. Then take the other two slices and dip them into the egg mixture. Heat margarine in a large frying pan over medium heat. When margarine bubbles, add the peanut butter slices into the skillet with the peanut butter side up.

Quickly lay out banana pieces (saving some to garnish for the insta pic) onto the peanut butter and top with a slice of egg-dipped bread. Squish the sandwich together with a spatula and cook for about three minutes each side. Serve with maple syrup!

Since we’ve got breakfast covered, let’s move onto a lunch/dinner option.

2. Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese: If you don’t have all the ingredients, get creative! How hard can a grilled cheese be?

1 pound ground beef                                      1 tsp. ground mustard

½ onion chopped                                            ½ tsp. garlic powder

⅔ cup ketchup                                                 slices of hearty bread

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce                           1 cup shredded cheese

4 tbsp. butter

Add ground beef to a nonstick pan placed over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks. As soon as you have it crumbled, add the onion. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened. Add ketchup, worcestershire sauce, ground mustard and garlic powder, combine well and cook for five minutes. Remove from heat.

For each sandwich, place ¼ cup cheese on top of a slice of buttered bread and add sloppy joe mixture. Place the other piece of bread on top and cook in a griddle over medium heat until each side is golden brown (unless you’re one of those people who likes their grilled cheese extra burnt).

Since it’s a storm day and you’re probably tired from all that cooking now, what better way to end your movie with a classic s’more!

3. Microwavable S’more:

graham cracker halves

1-2 chocolate bars

1 bag of large marshmallows

The easiest comfort dessert known to man, just place the chocolate piece on top of the graham cracker and top with a marshmallow! Heat it in the microwave until the marshmallow is extra puffy and the chocolate is melted. Then squish it together with the other graham cracker. If you want to get fancy you can roast the marshmallow over the stove, unless the stove top is electric.

If the movie ended and you still don’t know what to do, here are some craft options (because who doesn’t love a good craft) with everyday household items:

1. Cotton Ball Painting: All you need is a piece of paper, cotton balls and any paint left over from your Fine Arts project. Q-tips also work instead of cotton balls. Just use a rubber band to hold a group of Q-tips together, and create whatever masterpiece comes to mind!
2. Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting: A good option if you and your friends already have cabin fever but don’t want to bundle up to go outside. Find any bubble wrap laying around, maybe from the care package your mom already sent you, and a big piece of paper or newspaper. Create makeshift bubble wrap shoes with tape, step in some paint and head to the paper!
3. Yogurt Silly Putty: Have some yogurt and cornstarch laying around? Mix together 1 cup of yogurt and ¾ cup cornstarch and you have homemade silly putty! Make sure the yogurt doesn’t have any fruit chunks.

Whether it’s a movie, comfort food, or a craft, whatever you decide to do on the rest of this stormy day, don’t let it go to waste.

Stay safe, stay warm, and have fun Pilots!