Friday, December 21, 2007

Anyone want a cold??? No???

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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? 

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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

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

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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 :)

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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.

scones

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.

scones

And here's the Vanilla Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix:

jarmixes

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.

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20071220_62 20071220_63 20071220_65I 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.

Jesusimage

24 comments:

Mari said...

Sorry you are feeling crummy again - it has been a bad year for you with sickness! I love the little fudge packages - they are so cute!
Merry Christmas - hope you are all feeling well and can enjoy the day!

Jen said...

Merry Christmas to you to dear friend. Hope you are feeling better too. Enjoy this holiday sweetie!

Christina said...

I hope you feel better soon. I have to say I wish I was in Jasmine's class, boy do I love fudge and yours looks so pretty wrapped like that. The teachers are some lucky ladies too.

The pics of reading with the kids are awesome. I really love the sepia. These could be in a magazine with your pretty bed and the cute little kiddies.

PS the jars came out beautifly and I am a fan of Lori Wick so thanks for the reviews the other day.

Cheri said...

I hope you all feel better once and for all!
What a great mom you are.
Merry Christmas to your family!

Anonymous said...

I'm coming down with a cold I can feel it itching in my chest. Little squidge is coughing upstairs right now so I can sympathise with you poor {{{Sandra}}}. Hope you feel better soon! HUGS.

The Frugal Apprentice said...

You're such a good Mommy :) I'll be praying that your cold clears up and you feel great for the rest of this blessed holiday!

Sherry

Susanne said...

Sandra: I hope you feel better quickly. Christmas time colds are no fun!

Those fudge presents are a wonderful and cute idea!

Jenileigh said...

Praying you feel better for Christmas sweetie!! {{{{Sandra}}}}

Courtney said...

I'd take the cold for ya but sorry I already have it!! Feeling better today just can't stop coughing my head off!
That was so sweet of Jasmine & you for doing all that for her class. I'm sure they all loved it.
I hope you & your family have a Very Merry Christmas!!!
Love ya girly=)
Hope you feel better Soon!!!!

As We Sail... said...

How can you be so busy while you're sick, that's not fair. If it were me I'd not be doing anything. You must be from pioneer stock!

P. said...

Com respeito Ă  gripe, nĂŁo obrigada!

--

Que coisas bonitas e apetitosas - como sempre.


Feliz Natal.

Renee said...

Thank you so much for posting all these great recipes! Hope your feeling better.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Tiffany said...

I am excited to try the hot chocolate recipes. Thanks for sharing! I hope you get to feeling better before Christmas!

crystal said...

Oh, how I want to just reach into my monitor & grab a scone!!! Poor you, with your continuous cold :( Try zicam nose swabs--they're magic! I sure hope you feel better soon for Christmas.

someone else said...

I'm so sorry you have a cold again. You certainly do catch more than your fair share of them. Hope you feel better really soon!!

I love those two pictures of you reading in bed to the kids!

Kelli said...

Aww..I'm sorry you are sick, Sandra! Sending get well prayers and (((hugs))).
I LOVE the little fudge packages you made for Jasmine's friends. They are too sweet!! I'll bet yummy too!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love,
Kelli

La Dolce Vita with LeAnn said...

So not fun to be sick during the busiest time of the year, but of course Mom to the rescue every time, for every reason, even when sick. I do hope you are better soon. Thank you for stopping by to say hello, I've been MIA for a few days... Christmas came to our house today. Storm is suppose to hit Monday, and my parents don't want any of us on the road.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. You have been a blessing, and an inspiration this year.

Laura said...

Merry Christmas to you Sandra! I sure hope you feel better soon. LOVE the little packages, wish I'd thought of that :)

All the best,
Laura

FarmHouse Style said...

So sorry you are sick. I really hope you are all better by Christmas. I love the photos of you and your kidos:)

The fudge presents are precious!

Merry Christmas, Sandra.

Rhonda

Michelle said...

I'm sorry you're not feeling well; but wow how impressive with the little fudge presents you whipped up for Jasmine's class! and the whole gift package you put together for her teacher!

Hope you feel better and a Merry Christmas to your family!

heidi @ ggip said...

Merry Christmas Sandra! I hope that you feel tons better really soon. Your menu sounds wonderful, as always.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandra,
Merry Christmas dear friend. Hope you feel better soon.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

SueakaNana said...

Hi Sandra, gee another cold whats with that, hope you are feeling better soon. Here is my wish for you and your family a very Merry Xmas and all good things come your way for 2008 Happy New Year to all. We had about 3-4 feet of snow and now today we had rain and wind, so its yucky. Our nephew surprised us for a Xmas visit, we are all so happy to have him here with us. He lives in Vancouver so its great to have him back with us. Talk to you again and enjoy the school break I know I will!!!

Cris said...

Hope you are feeling better... Sandra, I am a christian work-at-home mom, and your blog is so inspiring, I am so glad I found your blog this year.