Hotter Than Hot Chocolate

The holidays are now part of Christmas past, but 'Tis still the season for cuddling and hot chocolate. Nothing warms the chilliest of innards like the hot, creamy, rich drink. The first people known to have made chocolate itself were the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America, who used ground cacao seeds to make a frothy drink. No doubt, we still love it and crave it today. Most hot cocoa mixes from the supermarket are crammed full of trans fats and icky additives. This pure and natural homemade recipe of mine is a slight variation of the one on the back of the Hershey's baking cocoa box, and it's so exquisite-tasting!

Hot Chocolate

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 Tablespoon Hershey's cocoa powder

Dash of salt

1 cup milk (I prefer organic)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

*Mix sugar, cocoa, and salt in a large mug. Heat milk in the microwave for 1-1/2 minutes or until hot. Gradually add hot milk to cocoa mixture. Stir well. Stir in vanilla. I like to use a wire whisk to help the cocoa dissolve more quickly and to add some pretty bubbles and foam.

*Before serving, try some add-ins like a candy cane (if you have any left over from Christmas), whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, marshmallows, or a chunk of chocolate that can slowly melt and turn the whole cup into a thick lake of melted chocolate. Go and prepare it now, and while you're at it, grab your loved one to cuddle while you sip. That's the cream on top!

Beauty Tip - A New Year, A New You! Or At Least A New Layer of Skin...

It's a new beginning! We have 365 brand new days worth of 2009 to live to the fullest. Out with the old and in with the new. That means we must end our long and unhealthy relationship with dull, dry skin and dead and gone skin cells. Breaking up is hard to do, but look that epidermis in the pore and say, "I'm sorry, but I'm just not that into you. It's not me, it's you." Then just move on - to the kitchen! Open your fridge, pull out a container of plain yogurt and apply it to your skin and life.

The lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt soothe, soften, brighten, and tighten the skin while refining the pores. Its nutrient content and natural antibacterial and antifungal properties help to get rid of germs and other bacteria from the skin. It is mildly acidic, which is perfect for dissolving dead skin cells, removing surface impurities, and restoring the skin's own protective acid mantle. Who knew we had a mantle? And furthermore, who ever would have thought its acid needed protecting? Oh, how very moving.

Spread a thick layer of plain yogurt over your entire body and face. You may want to let the yogurt sit until it reaches room temperature first, unless you want to gasp and shriek with the shock of the cold substance hitting your skin. Put on a robe you can throw in the wash afterwards, and then relax, starry-eyed, for fifteen minutes while thinking deep thoughts about your wise break-up with your dull old dry skin, and the sweet association you'll have with your new layer of hydrated skin. Then, take a handful of cornmeal and massage it in circular motions over the the yogurt, rinse with warm water, and then complete the transformation with a thick moisturizer. Now that's moving on.

...And We KNOW We're Having Fun!

My mother always says in life we tend to not realize how fun something is until it's over, and then it's too late to exclaim the "fun-ness" of the experience. She often says, "We're having fun and we KNOW we're having fun!" During this holiday season, we enjoyed every minute of the Christmas gaiety - the music, the snow, the food, the decorations, the traditions, the hustle, and the bustle. All during which, we KNEW we were having fun.


There's nothing like lying under the Christmas tree and gazing up through the twinkly branches. As I said in my previous post, you must try it. You'll gain a testimony of it!

Here is Summer chillin' in the snow. Literally!

We took Summer to the Mall to meet Santa Claus! She was so excited and escaped the line several times to rush up to him. When it was finally her turn, she sat on his knee for a private Summer to Santa chat. When Mr. Claus learned her name, his eyes twinkled as he said, "Well, Summer, you're just as pretty as a summer's day."

...And Summer got to see Santa AGAIN at her Grandparents' house the next day! Incidentally, his beard grew eight inches in 24 hours. Hm...

Jerald and Summer and I braved the cold and went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. They were spectacular! I must take a moment and give voice to the fact that I look like I weigh a good 200 pounds in this shot due to the four layers of clothing I was wearing!!

My dad and I always used to go to Siegfried's Delicatessen for lunch on Christmas Eve day, and to buy good German food for Christmas dinner. Since he and my mother are in New York, Jerald and Summer and I carried on the tradition and dined there for a noon meal and enjoyed goulash over spaetzle and an imported Rittersport chocolate bar for dessert. Above is a picture of the mass of choices of the mouthwatering confection.

The evening of Christmas Eve was spent at Jerald's parents' house where we participated in some yuletide cheer. Below is a picture of Summer looking at the nativity set in their front yard. She loved the baby Jesus and liked rubbing his hair!

Here is Summer in her jammies on Christmas morning! Yay! Summer loved all of her presents - especially this princess tea service cart.

...And here is silly-faced Summer amidst the mess of wrapping paper. It was a capital Christmas! I'm sad it's over, but it will roll around again in just a few hundred days. Here's to then!

Just How Well Do You Know Me? Or at Least My Views on Christmas!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE! Copy this entire post & paste onto your own new post! Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then tag a bunch of people you know. My cute sister-in-law tagged me. Thanks, Cindy! Here are my answers:

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? I always love receiving a wrapped gift. There's something about that tearing sound that makes me so excited.

2. Real tree or artificial? I love the scent of a real one, but artificial ones are much easier - especially when they are pre-lit.

3. When do you put up the tree? We put up our masterpiece the day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? We glumly take it down around the time of New Years.

5. Do you like Eggnog? Eggnog straight up is so thick, you practically have to chew it, so I fill up my glass with 2% organic milk and splash in a little eggnog for the sheer flavor of it all.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? It was a doll house. I've carried on the tradition for my little Summer, seeing as she has three doll houses already and is receiving her fourth this Christmas!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Oh, there's something for everyone. If all else fails, get them snappy decor.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Summer! The hardest part is narrowing down the choices!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I love those.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I love to receive both. Sending them out is a different story. I always have the most grandiose plans for cards with a picture of our family and all, but it hasn't happened yet. Next year will be our year!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? If someone gave me a gift, then that means they love me, so I wouldn't want to criticize it.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Too many to name! Well, I'll try - "The Bishop's Wife", "It's a Wonderful Life", "A Christmas Carol", "Home Alone", and "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus".

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but we did for our wedding! We entered Duplicate City with all of our Pyrex bakeware sets. Twelve of them!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything. I just love to eat.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes! It's the best when you lie down underneath your tree and gaze up through the twinkly branches. Try it. You'll gain a testimony of it.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love all of the really old ones.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I'll be home for Christmas! You can count on me!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes. Just sing the Rudolph Song... Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Ruldolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Both are happiness-inducing.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Oh, in the morning for sure!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who talk about annoying things about this time of year. Why must people complain? It's Christmas! Spread the joy. Go on now!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Anything iridescent, sparkly, or glowy.

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? German fare! Brat wurst, German mustards, potato salad, hard rolls, salami, cheeses, apple juice, Rittersport chocolate, and black forest cake!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't even care because I'm so excited for Summer and Jerald to open their gifts from me!!

I tag anyone who wants to do this on their blog too!

Beauty Tip - Sugar and Spice

What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice, right? Of course we are! If we do say so ourselves. And what better way to be sugary, spicy, and nice, than by silkifying our skin with the said items? Here is Zanny's "skin-turning-into-plush-velvet" body scrub recipe to do just that.

Sugar and Spice Body Scrub

1 cup granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

3 tablespoons milk or sweetened condensed milk (or just enough to make a paste)

*Combine ingredients. While in the shower, massage the mixture over your skin in circular motions. Rinse well, pat dry, apply a thick body cream, and then enjoy the satiny, downy, creamy, sleek, and polished self that is you. That's what little girls are made of!

God Watches...

Two Christmas' ago, Jerald and I had just finished decorating our house for the holidays and were lounging on our sofa admiring our handiwork. We sipped hot cocoa and took turns reading poems and sonnets to each other. Jerald has a smooth, radio announcer's voice and reads poems the way they ought to be read - slowly, meaningfully, and with emphasis on all the right words. He read to me one so lovely, short, and sweet. This poem's simple phrases touched my soul and has become my very favorite. It opens with a short paragraph of description, which I have included.

“Sweet are the uses of adversity.” They bring us benefits not otherwise to be had. To mope because of them is foolish. Showers alternate with sunshine, sorrows with pleasure, pain and weariness with comfort and rest; but accept the one as necessary to the other, and you will enjoy both."

Is it Raining, Little Flower?

Is it raining, little flower?

Be glad of rain.

Too much sun would wither thee,

‘Twill shine again.

The sky is very black, ’tis true,

But just behind it shines

The blue.

Art thou weary, tender heart?

Be glad of pain;

In sorrow the sweetest things will grow

As flowers in the rain.

God watches and thou wilt have sun

When clouds their perfect work

Have done.

-Anonymous

This poem has meant a great deal to me, and I hope it means as much to you too. I felt prompted to post it on my blog, for I feel it may provide some much needed comfort. It was surely written with inspiration and shows how our Heavenly Father is aware of our every pain and sadness. I have felt, this weekend, Heavenly Father's love for me and His comfort when I very much needed it. Whatever our personal rain shower, "God watches, and we will have sun". The clouds will break through, revealing the most brilliant sunshine to drench our souls with warmth and peace. Joy is here for the taking. Our tears dry, and as my mother says, we look to the sun and move forward. We can know all will be well as we put our faith and trust in God, who generously provides us with flowers in the rain.

A Child's Prayer

A couple of weeks ago, Summer wasn't feeling well, so I took her to see our wonderful pediatrician. Summer has always detested the doctor's office. Sure, she enjoys the airy waiting room with the fascinating fish tank, but as soon as her name is called, she bursts into tears. Oh, it breaks my heart every time. She hates to be checked and poked and prodded. When we arrived, we were guided by the nurse to a small office and were told our doctor would come in a few minutes. I took the opportunity to cuddle Summer and let her know everything would be alright. She pressed her little face into my collar bone and cried. I tried to distract her with the office story books, but that didn't work for very long. She knew what was coming. I wiped away her little tears and hugged her some more. I felt so worried - until it occurred to me we could pray. I excitedly stood up from the chair with her in my arms and said, "Summer, let's say a prayer to Heavenly Father. We can always ask Him to help us when we feel scared or worried." I told her we'd say two prayers - the first one by me and the other by her with my help. As soon as I uttered the words, "Dear Heavenly Father", I stopped, unable to continue for a moment as my throat closed and my eyes filled with tears. The spirit filled that small, stark office. I felt strongly Heavenly Father heard our prayer because He is aware of our every worry. No fear is too small for the enormity of peace He provides. I asked for His help and comfort for my little girl, who was so frightened. I then helped Summer say a prayer sentence by sentence. As soon as our prayers were over, the doctor came in. The examination went just fine and he and I marveled over how well little Summer did, and how she wasn't scared and didn't cry like all the times before. Only Summer and I knew the real reason. The primary song, "A Child's Prayer" is one of my favorites. The words are beautiful and begin with, "Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child's prayer? Some say that Heaven is far away, but I feel it close around me as I pray." We all have, in this terrestrial world, opportunities to have celestial experiences that bring us closer to heaven. Prayer will get each of us as close to it as possible, and it sure brought us to heaven's outskirts that day. Heavenly Father blessed little Summer with the comfort for which she asked. He heard His child's prayer.