Hot Chocolate Recipe + Such

Just the other day I was talking with my mother-in-law and she confessed that she is having a hard time with her taste buds.  As in she doesn't taste the richness of food or the depth of flavor of some foods anymore.  Weak, watery hot chocolate was one of her chief complaints.

So... I set out on a quest to come up with a rich, creamy, full-bodied hot chocolate recipe just for her.  After a few attempts I came up with something that largely resembles my hot fudge sauce recipe that is usually reserved for ice cream and brownies.

Here's the recipe - I think you'll love it!

HOT CHOCOLATE STARTER

1 bag {11.5 oz..} chocolate chips

1-2 T. cocoa powder

1 can {15 oz.} sweetened condensed milk

1 C. boiling water

3/4 C. granulated sugar

1/4 t. ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat. 

Stir until combined and all chips are melted.  Remove from heat and let cool.

{Do not, in your greed, lick the hot spoon.  You will burn your tongue - not that I would know or anything.}

To make: 

Put 2-4 T. of syrup in a mug.

Pour piping hot milk to fill. Adjust to taste if necessary.

Top with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings or all  of the above.

Store leftover syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.

There you have it! the only thing that could make this any more decadent would be the addition of homemade marshmallows - which I also gifted my mother-in-law with.

I just happened to have a box of toffee on hand when I made these so I chopped it up and added it to the mix. Boy, am I glad I did!  They taste great and if I get the time to put the how-to and recipe up here, I will!

Have a great day!

Kim

A Memorial Day Recap

Ah... laziness I must be rid of you.  It is almost the 4th of July and I am just now getting to a Memorial Day recap. Good heavens!!  My 4th of July recap {likely in October} will look much like this post, except everyone will be in red, white and blue, of course.  And there might be a flag or two thrown in for good measure.

My in-laws have a nice little place in the mountains that we head to for all the summer holidays and an occasional fall weekend or two.  Or three.  It's here that the vast majority of our family gathers to spend time together, relax and get away from it all.


For the kids this means cousin time.  And we all know that there is nothing better than 48-72 hours of  the sheer delight that is know as 'cousin time'.  A new house was built on the property in the last year and my in-laws had the super great idea to make the upstairs 'the bunk room'.  A place with numerous bunk beds and cozy nooks for all the kids to gather, play games, read a book and most importantly, sleep together.  They couldn't be happier.  They all get along fabulously {all 13} and highly prefer each other's company over most anyone else's.  They play and laugh and the fun never ends.  For me and Todd, it means a long walk through the pastures and uninterrupted queso dip!

  It's like a living dream.

Isn't it just lovely??

best buds

they kinda like each other a bit :)

growing up waaaaay too fast

2nd fish ever - brought this one home and grilled it

always a good time

7 of the 13 cousins


Blessings,
{K}

Where Did You Go, Fall?

I'm trying to keep things light around here today. 

Sara passed away late Saturday night

and her funeral is this afternoon. 

Her family decided to stream her funeral service live

because she touched so many lives globally.

They knew there would be so many who couldn't be at the funeral.

  Her homecoming service will be a celebration, for sure.

  If you are interested in viewing it
and dancing with Sara,

 click here.

My thought and prayers are with the family today

as they send their sweet girl

HOME to victory!

Today we are expecting near record highs. 

Whaa?? 

What happened to fall, crisp air, sweaters and boots, and baking??!!

  Well, in an effort to reclaim what the weatherman stole from us,

I am going to share with you what I would be wearing, 

were fall to behave itself

and act accordingly.

Oh, how fun!  {via pinterest}

 The only thing that delightful ensemble is missing

is a pumpkin spice latte, 

wouldn't you agree?

Ok - your turn.  What would you be wearing today if Fall was to make a return?

Blessings,
{K}

PS - Don't forget to go to the previous post and sign up for the fall giveaway.  Only two more days until the winner is announced!

Happy Fall and a Giveaway!!

Today is the day I wait for all year... the first day of fall!! 

Oh, how my heart goes pitter-patter

when I think of warm sun and cool breezes, 

crunchy apples, cozy fires, and the smell of pumpkin goodies baking in my oven.

  I'm not much of a sports girl 

but I do love heading to our high school football games as a family.

  I get to sit right next to my man,

chat with all the other parents {and I do mean all, my man is a social guy!},

and watch our kids hang out with their buddies - such a fun way to spend a Friday evening in the fall!

  There really is no finer time of year, 

and so I thought today would be a good day 

to reveal the new {seasonal} look of my corner of blogland,

as well as offer my very first giveaway to all you wonderful friends!!

  I am a girl who loves the little celebrations of life

as well as the big ones 

and offering you all a chance to win a little something 

on my favorite day of the year, seemed like a good idea.

So without further ado, here is the giveaway.... {drum roll please}....

This celebrates all the colors of fall 

and includes a Starbucks gift card, 

a magazine to peruse through at your leisure,

a fabulous shade of red for the perfect toenails,

a yummy candle to fill your home with the smells of the season,

and a wonderful blend of tea

to help you defrost on chilly mornings.

Here are the rules of the giveaway:

*Anyone can enter, you don't need to have a blog , just an interest in free stuff!!

*The contest will be open until September 30th.  I will announce the winner  October 1st on the blog and contact the winner by email.

*To enter:  Just leave a comment telling me your favorite thing{s} about this glorious season.  That's it!  Easy peasy, right?

*If you can't leave a comment - I know some of you get kicked out while trying to leave one- just shoot me an email.  My contact info is on the 'about me/ contact' button on the header.

*Please make sure to leave me YOUR contact info so I can make sure the winner receives their goodies - very important!!

*You can enter more than once by becoming a 'follower'.  If in doubt, check the little icons under the 'followers' tab at the top right.

Good luck and be sure to let a friend know!!

Blessings,
{K}