Hubby's Homemade Mint Hot Chocolate

I love new beginnings, don't you?  This blog has a new name, a new background, and new tabs to more accurately reflect the blog's overall theme.  Check out the "Yearly Goals" tab to see how I am kicking off 2013. 

It was so nice today when the kids were able to get all their winter stuff on (helping each other and doing it without my assistance).  They had a blast playing in the snow and making a snow science museum.  I have no idea what a snow science museum is, only that my kids are having fun building one.:)

In light of my goals for 2013, I was the good Mommy and called them in for hot chocolate before their faces were too red.  Hubby gave me this idea the other night to make homemade mint hot chocolate; so easy and delicious.
  
   Hubby's Homemade Mint Hot Chocolate

   Step #1:  Gather the supplies (Andes mints- I got these crushed mints on sale at Aldi after
   Christmas for $1.30; they are usually quite a bit more- you could use whole Andes mints too.  You
   can crush up candy canes too although that is harder, literally).  Also you will need hot water,
   mugs, spoons, candy canes and hot cocoa mix.

  

   Step #2:  Boil water for the hot cocoa (I like the whimsy of using a teapot).

   
    Step #3:  Add mints to the bottom of the mug

   
  
   Step #4:  Pour hot water over mints and stir.

   Step #5:  Add your favorite hot cocoa mix and stir

  Step #6:  Add a candy cane if desired (careful because it cracks and breaks when the water is hot. 
  Make sure the drinkers know there may be large candy chunks in their drink before it melts).  You   
  can also use a candy cane for dipping too.  Let the drink cool some before you serve it, you can
  always add an ice cube.  Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles would be a fun add-on.

 

     Step #7:  Enjoy a cup for yourself and the smiling faces that think you are the best!
 

First Pinterest Party

I put this photo first, because you need grace for a Pinterest Party, grace for yourself, that things are not going to turn out perfect with your recipes or crafts and it is okay.  The point is that you try and you do and have fun with friends.

I had only tried a few things from Pinterest, but knowing the party was coming up, I was inspired to try more things.  Below is a description of each item with credit given to those who came up with it.

This is my adaptation of:

Lemon Quinoa Avocado Cilantro Chickpea Salad

thediva-dish.com 
http://thediva-dish.com/uncategorized/healthy-living-class-green-drinks-sweet-eats-and-salads/

 

(I didn't have quinoa so I used rice, didn't have fresh tomatoes, so I used canned.   I went a little too heavy on the garlic cloves, I would use less next time.  It is really flavorful and yummy)!

 

 

 

Here is my adaptation of the Pina Colada pops from:


http://therealityofskinny.tumblr.com/foodrecipes

I added vanilla yogurt and fresh coconut to the recipe and then put it inside the scraped out coconut and froze it.

The guests arrive- Anna and Abby.  They introduced me to Pinterest so it was fitting that we had our Pinterest Party together. 

I made these Andes Mint Cookies from my Dessert Pinterest Board. 


http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/04/andes-mint-cookies.html?showComment=1323739192245#c8874412180426553846

I used chopped Andes Mints (instead of whole) and mixed them into the dough...these are SO good.  I had to make another batch, since my family and I had eaten most of the first batch the night before.   I will be taking these to gatherings, so easy and delicious.

Anna made these yummy pretzel bites and cheese sauce for dipping.

www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/hot-pretzel-bites/2690b027-f62d-426c-9777-fb69ec754b66

   Abby made these good granola bars- healthy and great tasting!
http://www.anjasfood4thought.com/2010/04/banana-pecan-granola-bars.html

    Enjoying the yummy goodies!

Anna made the canvases and taught us how to do this craft.  We arranged the fabric petals on our own canvases.  Theirs turned out much cuter than mine, but this is where the grace comes in right?  Proud I did it, instead of just leaving it unmade on my Craft Board (can't locate who did this originially, repinned it from a friend's board).

Darling daughter and I tried these out the day before the party.  We found that sticky, puffy letters work best...while not the cutest font they were easier to manage than other flat stickers.  We used a bit of tape on the bottom of the candle so it would stand upright and added rocks around it.  Wide-mouthed jars work best too.  This idea was adapted from:

http://radicalcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/02/baby-food-jar-recycling.html

So, there you have it; our first Pinterest Party!  Hope it is the first of many.  It was fun to provide a time and place to put feet to these projects.  None of us spent very much money and we enjoyed being together and getting creative.  I would love to hear and see what you have made from Pinterest! 

Check out "The Mom Creative" for a great blog article on using Pinterest.
 
www.themomcreative.com/2012/03/10-tips-for-using-pinterest-well.html