Anyone want a cold??? No???

Seriously, I just can't take it anymore, it feels like everytime I get over a cold, another is lurking in the shadows ready to pounce  and tackle poor unsuspecting me to the ground.  (talk about feeling sorry for myself lol)

I was finally over the other cold....or was I?  Sometimes I wonder if I really do get over one or if it's the same one that just doesn't want to leave because I'm OH.SO.SWEET!  UGH! 

Anyway, I woke up yesterday morning feeling cranky and with a sore throat.  By mid afternoon I had a raging headache, congested nose and a fever, I just wanted to go to bed and stay in there forever........well maybe not forever but it certainly made me wish I was back home BEFORE marriage and kids....where I could climb into bed and have my grandma and my stepmom nurse me back to health.  Oh those were the days!  LOL

You'll be happy to know though that I didn't succumb to it, I still cleaned and did laundry, picked up Jasmine from school, fixed dinner and did the dishes AND then sat up and wrapped 25 little tiny fudge presents for Jasmine's class.  She wanted to take some fudge for the kids and I had to figure out how to give 2 pieces of fudge for each....so this is what I came up with. 

Hey for being really sick I think I did a great job, didn't I? 

So that's the batch of fudge I whipped up last night, I'm so glad it takes but only a few minutes otherwise I would have told Jasmine that "No can do kiddo" LOL

I grabbed some aluminum foil and some leftover ribbon from wrapping presents.

Aren't they just the sweetest little things??  There's two squares of fudge in there and it looks just like little christmas presents.  I hope the kids enjoy it :)

And here's the 25 little presents ready to head to school.  Jasmine was SO excited.  She took off this morning with a gift bag for her teacher which included a big jar of Chocolate and Cranberries Scones Mix, 2 small jars of Vanilla Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix, a block of Fudge which I wrapped in plastic wrap and then some vintage fabric that I had laying around and added a little bow.....and a jar of Homemade Caramels.  I truly hope the teacher enjoys it :)

Now one of my sweet readers, Lori, asked me to please post the recipe for the Scones Mix and the Hot Chocolate, so here goes.

1 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips

Layer ingredients in 1-quart food storage jar with tight-fitting lid in following order: combine flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; whole wheat flour; and sugar. Place cranberries and chocolate chips in plastic bag; seal bag. Add bag to jar.
Seal jar. Cover lid with fabric circle, if desired. Attach gift tag and fabric to jar with raffia or ribbon.

And here's the Vanilla Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix:

FLAVORED COCOA MIX IN A PINT JAR

Flavors: Amaretto, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Irish Creme
Ingredients for Jar

Mix the following 3 ingredients in a small bowl:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons flavored powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup dry milk
1/2 cup chocolate flavored drink mix (like Quik)
(flavored coffee creamer is available in several flavors including the ones listed above)

Place Ingredients in Jar in This Order:

Place half the milk mixture into jar.
Place half the chocolate drink mix into the jar next.
Add the remaining milk mixture.
Add the remaining chocolate drink mix.
Decorate the jar.
Attach recipe below to jar. Name cocoa by the flavor you chose.

______ Cocoa

1. Empty cocoa mix into a large mixing bowl.
2. Blend very well with a whisk.
3. Place mix back into jar or a container of your choice.
4. Place 2 tablespoons mix into a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until completely dissolved.
5. Top with whipped cream if desired.

I used Vanilla Caramel powdered coffee creamer, hence the Vanilla Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix :)

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One thing we do in my house every night, is read with the kids.  I love it, they love it and it's one of those moments where we get to wind down from the crazy day and just hang out on my bed, under the covers with a great book in hand.

I just LOVE his face in this one LOL

 

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The school lets our early today for the Christmas break, I can't wait....sleeping in, staying up late, reading stories, watching movies and anxiously awaiting Christmas.

Of course my kids love the fact that we celebrate Christmas on the 24th, we have the big meal and the opening of the presents at midnight, then on actual Christmas day they get whatever Santa left under the tree and their stocking stuffers.

My menu for the 24th is really simple, we don't have an actual dinner but a bunch of things on the table.  I'm making Rabanadas (Cris also has a great recipe up for them), Rissois de Camarao - Shrimp Cakes, Chicken Wings, Sandra's Dessert (it's so YUMMY), Pasteis de Massa Tenra - Little meat pies and Orange Jelly Roll.  I'll have all the recipes up probably on Christmas day because I'll be getting the photos etc as I cook on the 24th. 

Anyway, I feel awful and I need to go lay down for a bit.  I still have some last minute gift shopping to do tomorrow so I'm hoping I feel a little better to brave the crowds.

I don't know if I'll be back on the blog before Christmas rolls around, so if I'm not, I wish you all, my family, my friends, my blog readers and everyone else out there, a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New year.  May the Lord bless you all and may you get everything that you've ever wished for.