A Hot Cuppa of Time

There's nothing like a snuggly blanket, a good book and a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate when the weather turns cold.  Sharing a quiet moment with the necessities makes life worth while, don't you agree?  I've been thinking about this very thing while our friends in the northeast have been affected by power outages and Sandy's wrath.  (Sending prayer for toasty goodness to our friends up north!)

Life gets so hectic sometimes that we often forget the little things in life that make life worth living.  We start off the year welcoming it in with wide expectant arms and a to-do list a mile long.  Valentine's Day arrives and we're toasting the loves of our lives.  Fast forward to Easter and peeps overflowing baskets of treats.  Memorial Day arrives with a nod to our fallen heroes.  July 4th celebrates our quest for freedom. On Veteran's Day we thank those who've given us the opportunity to grab that snuggly blanket, sit still, and enjoy our freedoms.  (Special thanks to my rogue who served our nation for 22 1/2 years, my two sons and nephew!)  Then on Thanksgiving we're thankful for all the many gifts in our lives until Christmas and New Year's Eve arrives and we start it all again.

Though we enjoy all these moments, we cannot help but be overwhelmed at times.  And while the world gears up for Black Friday, which means, as commericials attest, that the mad holiday crush is almost upon us again, we make lists and plan.  And as is typical with each holiday season, we tend to get caught up in the day to day grind without taking time to recharge batteries or enjoy the little things... like time spent with ourselves.

So in honor of enjoying the simple life and getting cozy with a book, I want to share one of my ultimate favorite recipes for something that is sure to fix you right up— my family's Hot Chocolate recipe. 

Hot Chocolate Mix

1 lb. confectioner's sugar
8 quarts powdered milk
2 cups regular sugar
1 lb. Coffeemate
1 2 lb. box of Nestle's Quick or Hershey's Instant
Marshmellows (opt)

Mix together and put into containers.  Use 2-3 heaping Tbsp.'s per cup and hot water.

This makes a LOT of hot chocolate mix, so be sure to have some ziplock containers or pretty sealed jars at hand. 

From my house to yours, may you all experience the snuggly comfort of a soft blanket and a good story.  Stay warm!

Katherine
Duke by Day, Rogue by Night Available Now
www.katherinebone.com

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

Sunday is Easter, but at my house we don’t celebrate it the way most Southerners do with the trip to church in a new dress or hat followed by the family dinner and such. And yes, I’m Christian. We just do things differently than tradition dictates around here.

I do, however, still put together baskets brimming with gifts for my children and make it a family time to celebrate together. Chocolates and surprises overflow along with items to enhance their beauty. Weird, I know. But we call them Esther Baskets after the biblical beauty pageant winner, Queen Esther. (If I had boys I guess it’d be a different holiday for us!)

Of course, as the years tick by the baskets get more and more challenging. Last year one of the baskets was a pink bag of automotive tools for the child that had recently acquired her first car. How does that apply to beauty? Well, there’s nothing more UN-attractive than a woman who can’t take care of herself, right?

Anyway, this year is a conundrum for me. The oldest has digressed to toddler style gifts that center around Beatrice Potter and the youngest wants computer parts! What do I do with that? Isn’t it supposed to be the youngest child wanting the gifts and the oldest growing out of the need or desire for them? Hmm.

No matter the basket's contents, one thing's for sure…the ugly rabbit will appear and then everyone will want to paint. Blame it on my mother, Norma Jean. She had me paint that god-awful thing when I was 4 and I don’t have the heart to throw it away or repaint it. So it will make its appearance and both kids will then reach for a paint brush and off we’ll go…..hopping down our own unique art-filled bunny trail.

And then we will have cake. Bunny Cake ^.^

So what do you do for Easter?