12/12/2008

It's Snow Much Fun.....Hot Cocoa Anyone?
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Hello and Happy Friday!!! We're not only counting down the days till the weekend but we're counting down the days till Christmas! There is always so much "hustle and bustle" this time of the year....but I'm ready....as ready as I'll ever be! Christmas shopping is finished....Christmas decor is finished....it's time to just sit back and relax and enjoy!!! Sooooo....how about grabbing a snowman cup full of hot steaming cocoa and take a little tour of my "Winter Wonderland"!!!
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Aren't these just the cutest little snowmen cups....I just have a "thing" for snowmen!!! I found this cute little ceramic snowman set at the Dollar General. The big snowman in the center is a canister.....just right for holding my homemade hot cocoa mix! It was only $3....the snowmen cups were only $2 ea. One of the reasons they caught my attention is that they are really 3 dimensional....I just love em'!!!
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This is a corner in my kitchen! I just love this little table...it's old...naturally distressed...hehe! I love the big chunky table legs (as you can see the paint is peeling...I love it!) The table top is metal. Our home was built in the 1920's....when my honey bought it, it hadn't been lived in since the 50's....this little table was left in the house and my honey had it outside on the back patio when I came to live here....I quickly rescued it and brought it into my kitchen...hehe!!! My snowmen seem to be very happy here...see their smiles? Oh yes....as you can probably see....I just love green plants....this one is monster sized and has just about taken over the corner but I don't have the nerve to cut it! It sits in one of those old copper pots....I know they have a name, I bet my friend Gloria could tell you what they were used for!
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"Welcome to our Winter Wonderland"
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This photo was taken from our back door. The lamp post is pretty old....I don't know how old exactly, it was already here when my honey bought the house! I know that it's very, very heavy cast iron! Our back yard looks out into a large field....we live way out in the sticks....for you city folk....that means country...hehe!!! Our yard is surrounded by big old pine trees! Isn't the snow pretty? Okay, I must confess....these photos were taken last winter. We've had 3 or 4 snows this winter but I really haven't taken any pictures!
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Another view from our back door....
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Just beyond the pine trees.....lies this big ol' field....it's always so pretty in snow!!!
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This photo was taken of the west side of our house.....
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This is really one of my favorite winter photos....doesn't the tree all dressed in it's winter finery look pretty? The photo just doesn't capture the beauty....I remember the day I took the photo, the tree just sparkled....it was like millions of little cyrstal jewels hung from the branches....and against that blue sky.....Oooooh!!!
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Our little black furbabies....hehe!!! They don't seem to mind the cold snow at all....hehe!!!
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Well....after all of that trampling through the snow....I know that you're ready for a cup of hot cocoa!!! Let me fix you a cup!!!
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I know that there are many hot cocoa recipes....this is the one that I like to make! I just prefer homemade hot cocoa....it tastes so much better than that ol' boxed mix stuff. I make a big batch of it every winter at Christmas time....then I put it pretty Christmas canisters and give it as gifts!
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Hot Cocoa Mix
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1 - 8 qt. box of Carnation's dry powdered milk mix (25.6 oz. box)
2 lb. box of Nestle's Quick
6 oz. Coffee Mate coffee creamer
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

It's really so easy! I like to use about 1/3 cup of cocoa mix to a mug of boiling water. This recipe makes 28 cups of hot cocoa. Sometimes I get adventurous and I add different flavored coffee creamers to the mix....like Amaretto or Irish Cream....it's really good!!!
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Well my friends....thank you for stopping by today....I've had snow much fun!!! Hehe!!! I sure enjoyed taking you on my Winter Wonderland tour....and warming up with a little hot cocoa!!!
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Love ya'll....




17 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Chari! That is one gorgeous snowfall, I love it!! Your snowmen cups are adorable, I always get out my wintertime mugs too. I tweaked my tree AGAIN today, come by and see it! xoxoxo

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OH Chair its just so wonderful to see all the beautiful trees with the sun on them..and they do looks like crystals when the sun hits them...love your snowmen cuos wait unti LYnne see them..and now that is a cooper boiler pot they would fill it with water and keep it on top of a fire to do the laundry in ..I have one with a lid on it in the barn that I use to keep my wood pellets in for my pellet stove..hope you have a wonderfu day dear friend...hugs and smiles Gloria

xinex said...

Those snowmen are the cutest! Pour me a cup of chocolate, please Chari, so I can tickle the tummy while I drink. LOL! I love your winter wonderland pics!....Christine

Lisa (aka) French said...

Chari I do love to look at that snow and sometimes I miss it~~~rarely though (lol) I hate the cold and it hurts me just to think about it but it's so beautiful to look at;) I have similar cups from years ago;) French

Anonymous said...

Oh you little stinker! I didn't know you had some new posts. Gosh every thing looks so beautiful.. your little snowmen are just adorable. Hoope you are doing well. Love, Cindy

Anonymous said...

Hi Chari! I love your snowman cups! What a great bargain hunter you are. And I was so touched to see your lamp post. I remember when you first posted it to RMS - it looked like the lamp post in Narnia. But my favorite picture has got to be the tree frosted with all that snow. You live in a beautiful part of the country, and it's so good that you share the vistas you see from your house with us. Oh my gosh, you've done ALL of your shopping and decorating? Wish I could say the same thing. Hugs, Fieldstone/Pam

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your trees look like they are dripping with fine jewels..I love, love, love the snowmen cups... move over girl and share some of that hot cocoa with me...I'm here to stay for an extra long visit..hugs ~lynne~

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Chari...Snow, hot cocoa and cats...what else do you need? Love those snowman cups. I'm heading out to $ General!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Chari, you know I want those snowman mugs! So cute and a bargain too! Your winter wonderland pictures are just that -
a beautiful wonderland! I enjoyed seeing them so much. Thanks for the recipe. I'll be trying that, cause I love cocoa. laurie

Anonymous said...

Oh Chari- those snowmen are adorable!!! Dollar General- who would have guessed- I never find any thing there! Guess I'll have to start going back!

THe snow looks lovely! OUr 6 inches from Monday is melting fast!

I love your table- I am glad you rescued it!! I have friends that rescue cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, even snakes- I tell them I rescue things too- tables, chairs, junk no one else wants!!

blessings
mary

ps I am very jealous you have everything done! I don't have 1 gift wrapped yet- actually I don't know that I have 1 gift bought!!!!

lvroftiques said...

Well I see Gloria beat me to the explanation on the copper boiler. I also have one with a lid but girlfriend I never thought of using it as a planter! Great idea!! And it looks wonderful in your kitchen! And I love your enamel top table! It's so lucky you rescued it from the porch *winks* The snow pictures are sooo beautiful!! I saved the one of the tree to my pics. It would make a perfedct Christmas card for next year! Hope you don't mind *winks* And I am now nice and chilled and ready for some of that cocoa! And I KNOW it tastes better in one of those darling snowman cups!!They are the cutest darn things!! Anyhoo my friend your home is a Christmas dream come true! I sure hope we get some snow here too! Vanna

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hey Chari girl.. hope this finds you doing well today. I'm glad you're enjoying the visits.. My blog is a work in progress.. needs a bit of help I think but for the most part is ok huh? I'm heading to the Dollar General after I close today with quite the list.. I'll keep you posted if I find anything..lol..You know I don't "need" a thing in the way of decorations. Haven't even taken out a 1/3 of what I already have..Can't get to them for stuff stacked over there.. I'm getting ready for the carpet guy to come on the 5th to finally lay the carpet from the water pipe that burst in August...Can you believe it? I think I "might" be getting close to having things finished. Then, I can start the decorating "all" over again..lol..Hope you're having a "super" Saturday.
hugs ~lynne~

Tomarie said...

Hi Chari,
My heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw your enamel top table! My mother has one almost identical to it! The table was moved all around the house when I was growing up..very functional AND pretty!! :-)
Your snow is stunning! As you know from being a southern girl (teehee!), we don't see much snow around here, so I bet it must be wonderful to wake up in the morning and look out to see such a beautiful scene!
Love how you've "dressed up" your blog for Christmas! Love ya! L~

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Chari,

Oh my goodness girl your photos are so amazing!
Look at that snow. Beautiful. ;)

I have passed the Christmas Spirit award on to you! Come check it out when you have a moment.

Thanks for the delicious cocoa. MMM...~Melissa :)

Kathysue said...

Hi Chari, Oh my the pictures of the snow are amazing,what a winter wonderland you live in.With all that snow it sounds as if you have found the perfect cocoa mix.I will have to try that,I just made myself a mocha cappucino.It is cold here and rainy,perfect for Christmas weather.In Calif you might have sun or rain on Christmas.I like the rain it just seems cozier.Love the mugs,Hugs to you my friend,Kathysue

Lynette said...

Your snow pictures are beautiful - although I would appreciate you keeping that snow right over there with you!! I'm not a big fan of cold weather at all!! LOL
Loved your snowmen mugs -
Enjoy your season ~

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Those are most adorable mugs!!! Your photos are amazing, Chari...what a winter wonderland just outside your door! I always love coming to your blog...your writing is so uplifting and I just forget every care in the world!
Susan