WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY MOM MINUTES

Winter has definitely arrived! I don't know about you, but I am ready for Spring! It has been very cold here, in the minus degrees, and I haven't wanted to go outside. What I have been doing is alot of baking...not only does it make my apartment smell really good, it also makes my kitchen warm!

My Tip for today is a simple one: STAY WARM! If you are home, do some baking. Try and fill your oven with more than one item: for example, bake 2 cakes instead of one (you can always freeze the extra one), put some bread alongside the meat item: get creative! I have found that by arranging the pans just right, I can bake 3 things at once!

After you are done with the oven, leave the door open; that extra few minutes of escaping heat will really help make the kitchen nice and toasty.

If you are at work, drink some nice hot cocoa, coffee, or tea during your break. Don't get a chance to leave your desk? Fill a thermos at home (or at work) and keep it by your desk. It'll keep you warm throughout the day.

I've included a very yummy homemade hot cocoa mix that is very popular around my house:

AMISH HOT COCOA MIX

You need only add boiling water to this powdered mix and stir to make hot chocolate.

To make your own:

Combine 2 cups powdered milk,

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar,

1/2 cup cocoa, and

1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer.

To make hot chocolate, mix one part cocoa mix with three parts boiling water. Substitutes: Mexican chocolate

***EARLENE***

btw: My daughter told me what you said about your tree, Helene! TOO FUNNY!!!!

COFFEE...SNOW...NESTLE TOLL HOUSE COOKIE BARS...YUM!

I am sitting at the computer, drinking some coffee, and it is SNOWING outside! It looks lovely from inside my house...it isn't going to be so lovely when I have to go out in it! I don't mind the snow, really I don't. It adds to my Christmas-y mood!

Today I am going to be doing some baking ; I really want to take some baked goods over to the neighbors and have not accomplished this yet. I am also going to be wrapping some gifts (ssssshhh..they are hidden somewhere, but I can't tell you where, because my family likes to read this blog!) :)
Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Pan Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened (Have no butter on hand? Butter does have a distinct flavor that is best in cookies, but using margarine won't change the consistency)
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans) (optional)

Directions

• 1. Preheat oven to 375; Grease a 15x10" jelly roll pan.
• 2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
• 3. Beat butter, both sugars & vanilla in large mixer bowl.
• 4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
• 5. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture.
• 6. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
• 7. Spread into prepared pan.
• 8. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

*If you want really thick bars, you can make these in a 9x13 but I would increase the baking time to around 30 minutes.

Anyone else baking today? Or doing shopping? Fill me in on YOUR activities during this last weekend before Christmas!! :)

This cartoon is dedicated to SonyaAnn..Enjoy! LOL