Keeping warm.

...with peppermint cocoa.

I'm on "winter break". Yesterday it snowed, so I was completely grateful that I didn't have to drive home in that white monstrosity. If you had to, I don't envy you...and I hope you got home safely.

So on my second day of non-work, I had every intention of getting half of my wrapping done. And then I ran out of boxes. So I have four presents in boxes. Wrapping paper has not been cut yet. I suppose I could knock out a couple before I go to bed. Instead, I opted for some hot cocoa. Peppermint cocoa to be exact.

After I had the taste of peppermint in my mind, I realized that I left my stash of candy canes in my desk at school. Next best thing? Andes peppermint baking chips of course! And in my attempt to be quick and somewhat healthy, I like my Ovaltine. Perhaps this is just another sign that I'm getting old. Besides, I save my cocoa powder for baking. :p

Impromptu Peppermint Cocoa
8 oz. milk
4 tbs. Ovaltine
1/2 tsp. Andes peppermint crunch baking chips
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions: Warm milk in the microwave about 1 1/2 minutes. Add Ovaltine. Add peppermint chips. (Once you stop stirring and let the cocoa rest, red flecks from the chips float on top -- Weird or festive? You decide!) Top with whipped cream. Yum.

On a side note, I've been wanting my own whipped cream aerosol can. On my several visits to Amazon these past few weeks, I've been looking at them, questioning if it's truly worth the (rather small) investment. I'm torn.

I'm going to curl up on the couch now, and watch the roaring fireplace my hubs play video games. And then maybe I'll do some wrapping.  :)

See -- pumpkin cheesecake!

mobile blogging

So I said that I want to commit to blogging, and clearly I have failed. Perhaps beginning to blog right around the holiday season was not the best idea. It's been birthdays here, family and holiday events there, and friend and co-worker gatherings sprinkled in-between. And it's only been just over a month. Sheesh! (And it's not even Christmas yet!!)

That said, I am attempting to blog from my mobile device. It's pretty handy. I had every intention of blogging the other day -- despite my lack of pictures to catch your gaze and grumble your stomachs. My mistake: I decided to update my iPod library first (Glee Christmas for those inquiring minds)...and my computer decided to go bonkers. And it's been out of commission since. So no Glee to rock out to, and no blog. Until now!

Since I last left you, my kitchen has been running non-stop. I started with a pumpkin cheesecake for my sister's birthday and just finished my cookies for an annual cookie exchange. My intention was to upload the minimal amount of pictures that I do have to show for my mess of a kitchen. However, I still have to figure that all out :)

I have to make sure this post works first! hehehe

Sent from my iPhone

work. in. progress.

So I decided ( a while ago actually) that I was going to try my hand at blogging. And with this new baking adventure of mine, I am now committing to this blog to share my kitchen's joys and pitfalls with you. 

Since I have a lot on my plate this particular morning, I leave you with a link to the Sugar Shaker Sweets' website and Facebook page. Visit me again soon! 

Sugar Shaker Sweets 
Sugar Shaker Sweets on Facebook 

Thanks for stopping by :)