Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs: winter

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSsDhMyoog62vXd3p-mA78ovPZFdZNMm4rkNqb9mX9RizIMj5GHFWIgQdqrycNNFGf3W_iEhZUGJS3arWdKhGYPSDJ7mYxQZAGkaz_gwUsMZIO6XuZf9o2UyKVVBuc8WzOha4QUOWM_XI/s1600/IMG_5408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSsDhMyoog62vXd3p-mA78ovPZFdZNMm4rkNqb9mX9RizIMj5GHFWIgQdqrycNNFGf3W_iEhZUGJS3arWdKhGYPSDJ7mYxQZAGkaz_gwUsMZIO6XuZf9o2UyKVVBuc8WzOha4QUOWM_XI/s640/IMG_5408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We woke up to a new blanket of snow yesterday - a fresh way to start the new year and romanticize remaining (potentially long...) winter months.  As I've said, I actually love the quiet, coziness of January and February - warm soups, snuggly days, and hot chocolate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4gx9mBSoWPdqTSWpRAEtBMc7_hPR5sorBKgBnZxzKRT-MivxhyB11depEl_-L0RYpAxsKQSkDoMrMVRGhioBwBBUL-UcPXEM3v1iONykARt-qOGeoPzyISt9rYSwu7fQjd2er7HtsppJ/s1600/IMG_5398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4gx9mBSoWPdqTSWpRAEtBMc7_hPR5sorBKgBnZxzKRT-MivxhyB11depEl_-L0RYpAxsKQSkDoMrMVRGhioBwBBUL-UcPXEM3v1iONykARt-qOGeoPzyISt9rYSwu7fQjd2er7HtsppJ/s640/IMG_5398.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Mike's parents are not coffee drinkers.  (Which happens to be the exact opposite of my parents, who start their morning with a full pot, then move to K-cups throughout the day and finish with decaf at night.)  But Mike's Mom & Dad do love real, decadent hot chocolate.  Joy (his mom, Emma's Mimi) recently shared her new favorite Hot Chocolate recipe, titled "Cream & Dreamy Hot Chocolate."  It is just that, so creamy and silky, hot chocolate "...as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars," - ok, not quite that rich, but it's a quote from Polar Express that I've read to Emma no less than 4 times a day for the past month.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsu_jHQ0J2UIBXA_jOKtMOZsw2THC4aWbeglVPpjeQ9Z7B6929RVQtr3hUM6Fd5LCmXYQcXT-9pPNaHl7P9OAMwv9UcI82Z6mdHRSV2zLemFN5EOlmg0ZueEsKgbGqmzCvU9FQ3XvhIcv/s1600/IMG_5395.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsu_jHQ0J2UIBXA_jOKtMOZsw2THC4aWbeglVPpjeQ9Z7B6929RVQtr3hUM6Fd5LCmXYQcXT-9pPNaHl7P9OAMwv9UcI82Z6mdHRSV2zLemFN5EOlmg0ZueEsKgbGqmzCvU9FQ3XvhIcv/s640/IMG_5395.jpg" width="424" /></a>One reason this is such a fabulous recipe is that it is very easy (no chopping chocolate) and it can keep in the refrigerator for quite a while (maybe a week plus?) so you can make one cup at a time to enjoy.  However, I have made it with milk (instead of water) and it is even more cream and dreamy than the original - but using the milk does shorten its lifespan... which wasn't a problem around here, as we're already on our third batch.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcqA4RcMpfuCZXjF4A-H8Q5S8Ip2OFPMIMqlCiZUEPsJU8-bef27LsaZFu4I-2c8GX0klVslBgAlarKfEZpZEqDBjE6ZmeUmYyRyaiav6MYHff1jcr2umo6Gj2Iw965B_bynKmTTiRACm/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcqA4RcMpfuCZXjF4A-H8Q5S8Ip2OFPMIMqlCiZUEPsJU8-bef27LsaZFu4I-2c8GX0klVslBgAlarKfEZpZEqDBjE6ZmeUmYyRyaiav6MYHff1jcr2umo6Gj2Iw965B_bynKmTTiRACm/s640/IMG_5390.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />My favorite thing to do is put the cold mixture into my Nespresso Aeroccino.  It whips it up into a delicious creamy froth - no whip cream needed.  You can do the same thing with a whisk after heating it on the stove or in the microwave.  I've made a couple adjustments to the original recipe - I added a little bit more salt, and I use Vanilla Bean Paste instead of extract for that real vanilla bean essence. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXzTETox6VcXVAuiTGqxuxDy5YdnJhbvR8hp1qCgftVdWbO7PQLhM89sKqmT6AiUmUgSgJ0m6D3sWXrRnA_hAkQ-bblXm-HvijPLS9Ju9fAdP9MdfG_NGbU5F5vgmPeXTIvCLCyml8BJ4/s1600/hot-choc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXzTETox6VcXVAuiTGqxuxDy5YdnJhbvR8hp1qCgftVdWbO7PQLhM89sKqmT6AiUmUgSgJ0m6D3sWXrRnA_hAkQ-bblXm-HvijPLS9Ju9fAdP9MdfG_NGbU5F5vgmPeXTIvCLCyml8BJ4/s640/hot-choc.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><i>Creamy & Dreamy </i><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hot Chocolate</span><br /><br /><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F01%2Fmimis-creamy-dreamy-hot-chocolate.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-UUJKfA8RBVk%2FUscFx4ofi-I%2FAAAAAAAAVWI%2FLK7r3dqYjVU%2Fs640%2Fhot-choc.jpg&description=The%20Easiest%20Creamiest%20Hot%20Chocolate%20Recipe"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a><br /><br />1/4 teaspoon sea salt<br />1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or extract)<br />1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa<br />1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk<br />6 cups of hot water (or milk)<br />Mini Marshmallows<br /><br />In a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla  and salt; mix well.  Over medium heat, slowly stir in water; heat  through, stirring occasionally.  Do not boil.  Top with marshmallows. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy-CyZUosHeVNbkKYdYsR8wJqJIC38bkZUPEvgLX7Ivxg7Dm7ZQiNlPo94AXSTa2GS1J1ecrOPfGoKI_uIelI8r1D9hCH6VymIZGPWi6iS6Mdat_1ZIX2NgsHc80iXKhMjFj72kfyNyoR/s1600/IMG_5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy-CyZUosHeVNbkKYdYsR8wJqJIC38bkZUPEvgLX7Ivxg7Dm7ZQiNlPo94AXSTa2GS1J1ecrOPfGoKI_uIelI8r1D9hCH6VymIZGPWi6iS6Mdat_1ZIX2NgsHc80iXKhMjFj72kfyNyoR/s640/IMG_5278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv5846kna5uhwYThxRpTWKOVnJocU4UyPd8IOzxBs2dca99n_lJMw5RaK5a5YJA1IWbxHs7uuiYnGA_FYF6w61Linpt-jnCpR7omPq5fkxGBXHAuJFwHpU02Llt-_Bp5fv76R1CrgNQNf/s1600/IMG_5351.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv5846kna5uhwYThxRpTWKOVnJocU4UyPd8IOzxBs2dca99n_lJMw5RaK5a5YJA1IWbxHs7uuiYnGA_FYF6w61Linpt-jnCpR7omPq5fkxGBXHAuJFwHpU02Llt-_Bp5fv76R1CrgNQNf/s640/IMG_5351.jpg" width="425" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I love baby hands holding Hot Chocolate... looks like me clutching my latte.  Wonder what she is pondering? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaTpLkBrY9kOHN9YE1tn5uF3ItD-9RYRNYzgT3iGZ8RPSBlb9GAyCAeSVTGVQ4MMcbTHr_kKsGfybnViciCaJ-LecA6zYUZOoWzyuze0MZFTvO-iKX-XluGhrFRTfVGvERar7vJnlqXyI/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaTpLkBrY9kOHN9YE1tn5uF3ItD-9RYRNYzgT3iGZ8RPSBlb9GAyCAeSVTGVQ4MMcbTHr_kKsGfybnViciCaJ-LecA6zYUZOoWzyuze0MZFTvO-iKX-XluGhrFRTfVGvERar7vJnlqXyI/s640/IMG_5348.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /> Yum.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0ZyMKUeh1OW92OK6X6_aoNj2lnACYjxjofqsD3ApSDFi1Ya-3RZQhH4Mjd8Ga3HGxAA2ckJTwRfIaaiDl161gtBb20kAt_vc2rkzYgrleUX3aIurbnL-JQ_256o7rEQod89bwAKO3LZX/s1600/IMG_5333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0ZyMKUeh1OW92OK6X6_aoNj2lnACYjxjofqsD3ApSDFi1Ya-3RZQhH4Mjd8Ga3HGxAA2ckJTwRfIaaiDl161gtBb20kAt_vc2rkzYgrleUX3aIurbnL-JQ_256o7rEQod89bwAKO3LZX/s640/IMG_5333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Happy Snow Day!<br /><br /><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Mimi's Creamy & Dreamy Hot Chocolate

We woke up to a new blanket of snow yesterday - a fresh way to start the new year and romanticize remaining (potentially long...) winter mon...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKf70FN6KrkvAlJFht2RFtWmxWtXC7-L9kalhjvPm1trCoLHN2EbBfpdnb6T4t38e4qYbAtQj3h2y9s39am76ihqYkxDLR3yUm6xXULgVsQC-m2KuToL-ux0y12DSCzDbZuFwfMUHQOg/s1600/IMG_1927.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKf70FN6KrkvAlJFht2RFtWmxWtXC7-L9kalhjvPm1trCoLHN2EbBfpdnb6T4t38e4qYbAtQj3h2y9s39am76ihqYkxDLR3yUm6xXULgVsQC-m2KuToL-ux0y12DSCzDbZuFwfMUHQOg/s640/IMG_1927.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW4uDT_VhGirWpWJWTH1YayQUGHUhnbEPoZjLbOsbPSlAlP5LsI4z6RRcPekhS88OWXquPUjA_GDPb7B0kd3EXe4y6pEe9_rvh7LoKQsz7yNufjZyhtYjc6ATC4sRjM8glwnpYpJBbuY/s1600/IMG_1932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />Maybe you're hosting a Wedding or Bridal Shower?  Or maybe you'd like to have your friends over for a Ladies Only Valentine's Day Party?   This table setting is perfect for an Elegant Winter brunch or a Ladies Luncheon.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxF8YeQe1YhvhbRqp9jvuRuN0KAXyw23ab3O0Z6WZC2vf24ztbSpfNkKm60a38y77VQ2p3v2bJxy8wc24iqpSAcZjxfMtyAoCuuzr0EPMe0evH-j05724vylVkltTI5tvH7Xv5Q2mAvk/s1600/IMG_1924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxF8YeQe1YhvhbRqp9jvuRuN0KAXyw23ab3O0Z6WZC2vf24ztbSpfNkKm60a38y77VQ2p3v2bJxy8wc24iqpSAcZjxfMtyAoCuuzr0EPMe0evH-j05724vylVkltTI5tvH7Xv5Q2mAvk/s640/IMG_1924.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Light & Sweet Table Setting</span></i><br /><br />Powder Blue Gold Rimmed Anna Wheatherly China Plate<br /><br />Pewter Flatware<br /><br />Rustic Wine Glasses & Elegant Water Glasses<br /><br />Pale Pink Hyacinth Centerpiece in Water Glass "Vase"<br /><br />Planted White Hyacinth Favor in a Stone Pot tied with Twine<br /><br /><a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000037104476&pubid=21000000000393866" target="_blank">White Hemstitch Linens</a> <br /><br />White Pillar Candles in Glass Hurricanes <br /><br /><br />I got the hyacinth from the grocery store and put them in simple clear drinking glasses... beautiful flowers don't need much more than that! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbE83UyN0wy4Rj_EW70TVxqejQNIGIRFwQGelaZF050oPTco3phDIZ1-NCKoHTJg5etiRJEhkGDZo7FRz4fQzKznHjKOLIhAyVqRtEqDWjaV1Gq0APeP93SAk3g687TgiiHGuL0tKyc0/s1600/IMG_1917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbE83UyN0wy4Rj_EW70TVxqejQNIGIRFwQGelaZF050oPTco3phDIZ1-NCKoHTJg5etiRJEhkGDZo7FRz4fQzKznHjKOLIhAyVqRtEqDWjaV1Gq0APeP93SAk3g687TgiiHGuL0tKyc0/s640/IMG_1917.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />It is so fun to receive a gift when you go to a party... even better  when you actually like it!  I LOVE potted flowers.  I love to have them  in my home, on my porch, in my bedroom - especially sweet hyacinth  that remind me that Spring is just around the corner.  I planted these (I got them for $3 from the grocery store) in petite stone pots that have a chalkboard finish.  I think you could mimic the pots finish easily... anyone out there that wants to do a DIY?<br /><br /><div id="PageDiv" style="position:relative; min-height:100%; margin:auto; width:1100px"> <div id="pinliketweetfollow" style="position:absolute; left:0px; top:0px; width:505px; height:121px; z-index:1">  <img alt="pinliketweetfollow" border="0" height="119" src="Resources/pinliketweetfoll.jpeg" style="position:relative; top:2px; float:left" usemap="#map1" width="505"/><br /> </div> <map id="map1" name="map1"><br /> <area alt="twitterlogo1" coords="285,42,345,103" href="http://twitter.com/#!/jennysteffens"/><br /> <area alt="rsslogo1a1" coords="409,43,468,104" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JennySteffens"/><br /> <area alt="images1a" coords="164,43,224,103" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everyday-Occasions-by-Jenny-Steffens-Hobick/158431867535965"/><br /> <area alt="pinit" coords="33,39,101,101" href="http://pinterest.com/jennysteffens/"/><br /> </map><br /></div><script src='http://files.go2web20.net/twitterbadge/1.0/badge.js' type='text/javascript'></script><script type='text/javascript' charset='utf-8'></script>

Valentines Day Table Setting | Simple Hyacinth Place Setting & Centerpiece

Maybe you're hosting a Wedding or Bridal Shower? Or maybe you'd like to have your friends over for a Ladies Only Valentine's Da...

Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs

Mimi's Creamy & Dreamy Hot Chocolate

Valentines Day Table Setting | Simple Hyacinth Place Setting & Centerpiece

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