Where have I been?

Well... I have been a little busy... as I am sure YOU ALL have been as well! What a crazy season!

Leo and I had volunteered to make many things for his work Christmas Party so we have been running around like crazy people.

AND... Goosie had her school Christmas party, Nana and Pop Pop arrived, we had dinner at a friend's house last night... it was sooo nice not to cook!

This was the cake I made for Leo's party and for the first time... I cheated and used "non-edible" things on the cake. There just wasn't enough hours in my day to do otherwise!

I hope to continue to blog frequently with many creations... but if my hopes are diminished with spending time with my family, which I am soooo happy to see, then I will be back soon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR... AND MAY YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON BE BRIGHT!

Peppermint Bark... TAKE THAT WILLIAMS-SONOMA!

(please remember that all photos are copyrighted)

My goal in this post is to show you how to make Peppermint Bark at the FRACTION of the cost of what Williams-Sonoma is offering it for this year... 1lb. $26.50 not including shipping.

I have been making this for years and we love it! I do not put the milk chocolate on the bottom because I make a marbled toasted almond bark, also. If you like, I can post those instructions as well.

What you will need for this project:

one microwave safe bowl

1 to 2 tablespoons of oil

two bags of white chocolate chips

1 box of candy canes crushed

a foil lined cookie sheet

Recipe:

Place the chips into the microwave safe bowl and add oil. Microwave at 30 sec. intervals, stirring each time until smooth.

Pour chocolate onto foil lined sheet and spread evenly.

Tap the cookie sheet on the table to remove air bubbles.

Sprinkle the candy canes over the chocolate... evenly.

Tap the cookie sheet again to set the candy canes into the chocolate.

Place in the refridgerator on a flat area for approx. 40 minutes.

Take out after 40 minutes... peel the foil away and now the fun part...

BREAK!

The point is to have radomly broken pieces! So... have fun!

I hope you find these informative and I WILL post about bows soon but it so fun to create and SAVE MONEY, too :)

Peppermint Twist

Below this blog post you will see the photo slideshow instructions for these great additions to your hot cocoa this year! I saw these in the Better Homes and Gardens December issue and thought I would give them a try! Here are the basic instructions and as stated I have included a slideshow in the post below with the instructions, also.

Stir together a cup of sifted powdered sugar with water, a teaspoon at a time (2 to 3 total), until it is the consistency of a thin glaze. Dip half of marshmallow in glaze, lightly shaking to remove excess. Roll glazed end of marshmallows in finely crushed candy canes or peppermint candies. Place on waxed paper/parchment paper coated side up to set. Thread on skewers and serve.