Need help Identifying growth Please!

This growth was found on the side of my house. It is on a north wall. It wasn't there a few weeks ago, and with the freezing temperatures and snow/ice we have been getting lately, I don't know how anything could grow out there now. This is only 1 cluster of whatever this is; there are many over a span of about 15 feet long. I took some off and it was dry and crumbled like mud, but I have never seen mud with "spore-like growths" on it.

Here is a picture:
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=64272



The largest one was about 3x4" and about 1" deep.
Thanks for the help! Tweet