Nothing tastes better on a cold winter day than a drink that heats you from the inside out. And that’s exactly what this sinfully delicious slow cooker hot cocoa is made for. Decadent to the core, this traditional, easy recipe will fill your home with the sweet, sweet smell of chocolate as it cooks, and …
I never tasted a kolache until I moved to Texas. Before the move, breakfast was all about donuts, or the occasional sausage gravy over biscuits. Both amazing options, don’t get me wrong, but nothing compared to a delicious kolache. See, kolaches make you feel as if you’re both getting a treat, and eating a somewhat …
Winter is filled with to-do lists. Between shopping, baking, holiday parties, kid recitals, school parties, and a dozen other things you won’t know about until last minute, sometimes it feels like winter is trying to kill you. Not only is there a ton to do, but almost every stop involves you making or bringing some …
When it comes to winter flavors, one of the first things I start to crave each year are fresh cranberries. By themselves these tiny tart berries are a bit hard to handle, but once you start mixing them into delicious recipes? Boy, howdy, I’ll be one of the first to gobble them up. These orange …
Next time you’re craving a little extra chocolate in your hot chocolate, make these adorable Hot Chocolate Spoons. Think about it…what better way to make your drink extra sweet than to mix in melted chocolate and cute little sprinkles? Or next time you have the kids over for a party or movie night, imagine the …
Remember when you were a kid and winter life was as simple as coming home from school, kicking off your shoes at the door, and plopping down for homework before dinner? Maybe some bike riding. Maybe some running around the street screaming with your friends. Maybe you’re a lot younger than me and for you …
You might not know this, but blogs aren’t always written in order. You might get a kick butt Arbor Day blog idea, but Bastille Day is just around the corner. What are you suppose to do? Post one holiday’s blog the same time as another? That would be stupid. Plus, I hate how Big Arbor …
When I was little, we couldn’t even go to the mall after Thanksgiving. The department stores were okay, Mom tells me, but as soon as we approached the main mall where SANTA CLAUS was, I’d start screaming like I was being murdered. Now that Santa shows up around Halloween, I can’t let it dominate my …
It’s hard to stay in the Christmas spirit. Between the shopping, and baking, and kids being home from school, and inlaws coming to visit (oh, good LORD, the inlaws), you can slip from “Merry Christmas To All” to “Get the Heck outta my kitchen before I deck your halls” pretty darn quick. Plus, with the …
When my dad was a kid, he and his brother got these barber-pole sized peppermint candy canes in their Christmas stockings. Being boys, and being presented with more candy than they probably saw all year—because it was the olden days, when he had to walk to school in a snowstorm, uphill both ways—they each ate …
Whether you are a seasoned chef or a backseat baker with a thousand viewing hours of Chopped, there are lots of little tips and tricks to getting the perfect pastry. Unfortunately we usually only figure them out after an epic baking fail. Here are some hard earned bits of baking wisdom that I’ve learned from …
Working at Starbuck during the holiday season is its own type of pumpkin spice flavored hell, but you don’t think about those poor baristas stuck listening to the same songs for six to eight hours. Shuffled or not, it’s enough to make you want to drown yourself in the coffee urn. I swear if I had …
Let me just say first that I’m a total slug when it comes to the layering trend. So many people are way ahead of me in this game, but I’ve lately embraced the idea of layering. Why do I hate layers, you ask? Claustrophobia. Only, for some reason I always feel like the only thing …
You read that right, we don’t have one Christmas tree. We have seven. Believe it or not, that’s our version of compromise. When two people move in together not all things are going to be wonderfully in synch. For as great as my boyfriend and I have combined our lives there are some things we …
When I was very young (around the age of 5 or whenever the hell it is you start having actual memories), I liked my December birthday. It’s Christmas Eve. Being close to a holiday that my siblings and friends were excited about made me feel special. My Mom used to jokingly call me ‘Kyle Christmas’ …
“You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen…Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, and Blitzen…but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?” So let’s just take a moment and talk about this, the absolute worst of all the Christmas songs. First, I get that you may not agree with me. You might have …
Every year we go through the same thing: I put up a Christmas tree; my animals do everything in their power to take it down. I’d say it’s the circle of life, but the truth is this is more a battle of wills between me and those little furry beasts I call pets. It’s like they’re …
I know I know – before you all throw me under a bus for being an ungrateful scrooge, hear me out. I am kind and thoughtful. I am appreciative. I have experienced both the haves and the have nots. We do practice gratitude and being thankful for what we have. While we don’t necessarily revel …
Yeah, not New Year’s. Not just before swimsuit season or even in the middle of the Summer. Right now. Well, maybe not right now, depending on what time you’re reading this, but close enough to now. Within 24-hours of now, at least. And I get it, you’re not going to trust some rando post telling …
Winter weather got you down? Snow and ice seriously cramping your style (and keeping your kids home from school and stuck in the house all day)? It’s time to take your revenge the elements – sweet revenge, that is. This Winter Bear Kids Snack might not be exactly what you need to combat Mother Nature, but …
Some people might call what’s happening outside in the Northern Hemisphere a “winter wonderland.” Personally, I like to call it various slightly inappropriate words that I’m not allowed to use on this website. Either way, we can probably all agree on the fact that it’s rather…frozen out there. Luckily, there are several ways to combat …
Isn’t it funny how the holidays have a certain smell? You know — gingerbread cooking, evergreen trees, cinnamon flavored candies — all my favorite things. Now you can get all the scents of the holiday season in a bottle with Christmas Spirit Essential Oil from Young Living. This is my favorite oil EVER! We made …
Sometimes, when I’m stuck inside my house and it’s like 30 degrees outside, I find myself with a strange and sudden craving for s’mores. I have no idea where it comes from or why, but I think all of you can probably sympathize with unexpected desires for chocolate-y goodness. If so, you need to try …
Rudolph was always my favorite reindeer. While the other reindeer always seemed a bit snooty (they wouldn’t let him play their games, c’mon!) Rudolph used his bright red nose to guide Santa through fog and make sure all kids get presents. What an amazing guy! That’s why instead of making any ol’ boring reindeer candle, …
My parents have been married for forty-five years. I feel I should write this as an early disclaimer before I completely throw my dad under the bus and before I tell you how men shop for Christmas. See, my dad is one of those guys who doesn’t always…know…what his wife is into. It’s not that he …
It’s getting cold outside and all the songs are telling you to warm up by a nice, crackling fire. We have a different idea. This winter, don’t warm up by the fire…get kinky in the cold instead. This Get Kinky In The Cold Cocktail will warm you up and taste smooth going down. Drink it …
We are getting ready to head into the holiday season, my favorite time of the year! I love how the season has an effect on people and the best in everyone seems to come out. I love the Cookie Exchange parties. I love the magic that comes with Christmas. I love all of the holiday …
If I hear another person asking me if I want to build a snowman, I might just throw something. Then again, if they want to build something like these Snowman Oreos, I might reconsider. Truth be told, these cookies are probably the only kind of snowman I want to even lay eyes on this time …
Growing up, there were certain situations that were always harder for me than for my brothers. I’d shrink away from loud parties, or start crying the second certain commercials came on, or basically have an emotional breakdown anytime I thought I disappointed anyone…and we (my family) just chocked it up to my personality. As an …
For some people, spending a joyous Christmas with family is less about enjoying the warm fuzzies and more about sticking your claws into said joy and hanging on for dear life as that family does their best to drive you crazy. And yes, when I say “some people,” I mean me. And when faced with the …
For some, it’s the season where dreams come true. For others, it’s all about bah humbug and waiting for the new year to come. For me it’s all about that sweet smooching…and, of course, finding every opportunity possible to get my mack on with that hot guy I’ve been eyeing for months now. Now, if …
As the weather turns colder, visits become longer and this Red Snow Drift Cocktail is a great way to surprise those visitors with a wonderful winter drink that they won’t soon forget. Fruity, warm, spicy, and delicious, this drink will relax those winter blues, usher in welcome conversations, and warm tummies before anyone has to …
Now that Halloween is over, we all know what’s coming…Christmas Carols! Everywhere you go, you’re going to hear about how it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and how it should snow, and that Santa and mommy were caught canoodling underneath the mistletoe. So you’ve got two options here, folks: you can fight it, …
Temperatures are dropping! My son needs a coat and I’m cheap-I need a selection of boy’s coats for under $40. My son grows so fast (apparently 12-year olds do that), I always wait until the last minute to buy him a coat. (this post contains affiliate links) Given that the temperatures here in Texas dropped to …