Dark Chocolate S'mores = Decadence

So, since we have a big group of family visiting from Canada this week, two of whom are fresh off the boat from Iran, we thought we'd have a little fire in the backyard and do some good ole fashioned American s'mores. Since I was the one delegated to get the ingredients, I decided that a little decadence was needed - I'm typically not a big fan of s'mores because I don't care much for milk chocolate...yes, I'm a choco-snob. I got Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bars for those of us who have refined taste buds and plain old Hershey's for the rest of the folks (who couldn't tell good chocolate from tree bark...just sayin'). I have to say, I've never enjoyed a s'mores quite like I enjoyed the 2 I ate last night! On my list of "quick, yet decadent desserts," Dark Chocolate S'mores.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside My Window...Sunshine! It's cool and crisp.

I am thinking...What a blessing it is to be able to have the windows open in late December!

I am thankful for...My husband, my kids, the end of the Christmas season. Have I mentioned I love, love, love my new job? My boss gave me a gift of $100, plus he paid me for the full day on Christmas Eve and I only had to work half the day. What a generous man! I've only been working for him for 3 weeks but I think he and I will get along just fine. In addition, he wrote in the Christmas card he gave me, "Thank you for your positive addition to our team. May God bless you and your family this Christmas and in the New Year." Hmmmm, God? Does he believe?

From the learning rooms...there's no learning going on around here! Well, maybe a little from "Life's Big Book of Lessons."

From the kitchen...hmmmmm, not. so. sure. Well, I do know that I will be hosting my 3rd, yes you read that right, my 3rd turkey dinner of this year on New Year's Eve. That's turkey and all the trimmings. uggghhh! We have LOTS of family here from Canada and my MIL wants to treat them to a turkey dinner. I guess it's good practice...insert whimpers and moaning here.

I am wearing...polka-dot pj's and a pink t-shirt...no slippers!

I am creating...an environment with less stress and more God - which equates to more peace.

I am going...to the kitchen to get my second cup of coffee.

I am reading...nothing, but I want to read "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" maybe I'll start next week.

I am hoping...for a week of mind-renewing peace and happiness

I am hearing...the kids interacting with Dora The Explorer. It's just amazing watching them grow and learn.

Around the house...a little laundry, a little vacuuming, a little tidying-up to be done

One of my favorite things...besides the hot cup of coffee, a good book that just captivates me so much I can't put it down.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...we are hoping to get to go to Boca Raton this weekend to visit Dan's cousin.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Katie & Sophie playing in the surf at Playa Linda beach...YESTERDAY!

Mom, This One Plays Weird Songs

I went shopping for Christmas decorations yesterday. I decided to buy a couple of lighted wreaths to hang up next year. While at Home Depot, the kids fell in love with those little plastic snow globes; you know, the ones that you push the button and they play holiday music and little Styrofoam snowballs fly around. Well, the girls chose a princess one and I chose the Peanuts one for Adam. He managed to break it before we left the store and had to settle for a Rudolph one instead. On the way home Adam says, "Mom, I don't like this one, it plays weird songs!" Come to find out, it does play songs that are "weird' because they are all the songs from the old Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer claymation thing. Claymation gives me the creeps, always has. Just sayin'...

So, today we went back to Home Depot to pick a few things for our clothesline-improvement project and we let Adam exchange his snow globe for one more fitting his generation... Mickey & Minnie. This one plays "The First Noel" of which Adam has labeled "the most wonderful Christmas song ever!" This kid cracks me up!

So Long Santa!

Part of me loves the magic of Christmas, the other part of me very strongly "dislikes" the whole "holiday thing" in general. My family has never been into holiday get-togethers, and typically when we do get together I end up being referee to some unnecessary conflict. This year wasn't so bad though. I only had to talk one person down from the ledge and there was no begging on my part, it was basically, "come down if you want to." I've learned a lot this year, such as:
1. what I can and cannot control, 2. I can't change reality, and 3. the fact that it's not my responsibility to "keep the peace." These revelations in my life have liberated me in ways that words cannot even express. My new-found mantra this year, "It is what it is!" I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas!

Chocolate Charms

Ok, so my cookies were a big hit at the cookie exchange yesterday! So, here's the recipe for Miss Martha Stewart's Chocolate Charms. (all of you who ate them may be tempted to go and purge yourself when you see there's a half pound of butter in them, but that's what makes them oh-so-good!)

Chocolate Charms

2 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, plus more for dusting. I used Hershey's Special Dark cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temp.
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Sift together flour, cocoa, & salt. Set aside.
With electric mixer, beat butter & sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes
Add vanilla & scrape down sides of the bowl
slowly add the flour mixture scraping down sides of bowl if necessary. Do not over mix, stir just until flour is incorporated. Put dough onto plastic wrap, flatten into a disk and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 325F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment
using a spoon, form dough into 1-inch balls; place on baking sheet
Bake until firm, about 20-25 minutes, rotating halfway through.
Cool completely, dust with cocoa powder just before serving.

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temp. for up to 1 week.

Makes about 3 dozen

A Simple Woman's Daybook

A Simple Woman's Daybook for today...December 22, 2008

Outside my window...Sunshine!

I am thinking...When's my mom gonna get here so I can go finish my Christmas shopping?! She was supposed to be here already!

I am thankful for...healthy kids, my new job, kind of getting to sleep in this morning, the 3 cups of coffee I've had already!

From the learning rooms...teaching my babies about the true meaning of Christmas.

From the kitchen...I may make ham & bean soup with the leftover ham bone from our early Christmas celebration with my mom, dad, & sister on Saturday. Other than that, ummmm, not. so. sure

I am wearing...jeans, a burnt orange cable knit sweater I just got from Kohls. I'm loving this sweater. I may have to go buy a couple more in different colors. Also wearing the kitty slippers.

I am creating...not a thing!

I am going...to the scrub store to buy new scrubs - one size larger; then I'm going to buy 3 last gifts.

I am reading...Paula Deen's "Holiday Baking" special edition magazine that Lisa gave me for my birthday.

I am hoping...for a magical Christmas with my family.

I am hearing...all three of my kids playing together nicely... wonder how long that will last!

Around the house...my dad hung a curtain rod in my family room on Sat. and I hung curtain panels that I got from Bed Bath & Beyond. Silk panels that were originally $60 a piece, I got for $10 a piece. So, for the first time in 6 years, the 140 ft long sliding glass door in my family room has a covering!

One of my favorite things...a nice, hot cup of coffee that I get to drink while it's still hot.

A few plans for the rest of the week...celebrating Christmas!

A picture thought I'm sharing... This is my sister on my shoulders. We were just being kids. This was a nice moment. Things are often times way too serious between my sister and me.

Yum! Is The Word

Have I mentioned I have a minor addiction to baked goods? I made this orange cranberry bread tonight. Yummmm! I wonder if this is why my hiney has grown a size since May. Anyway, I really made it to take to work tomorrow and I had to taste it to make sure it was good.