The Pink Cricut

One of my favorite feel-good meals, is simple and very, "country."   Soup Beans or Bean Soup-- whatever you call it,  I could eat it, and eat it 'til I make myself sick.  It is also very simple to make, and is always served with warm cornbread.   My kids LOVE it as much as I do-- and get excited when mommy makes it.

My grandma is the queen of soup beans-- and has really perfected the dish.  My mother made it when I was a child, and every time I would go home or go to my grandma's it was my one request.  But, then I had to learn how to make it myself and for my kids. 

The only thing that keeps me from making it on a more regular basis, is the lack of  ham bones  lying around my house.  To get a ham bone, I buy a ham, cook the ham, eat the ham, and then use the bone.  Some people can pick them up from a grocer or catering business- for cheap or even free- But, since my husband likes ham-- we do it the long way.

Now, my grandma and mom buy the beans in a bag, and soak them-- etc.  But, I have little patience when it comes to Soup Beans-- so I cut the corners a little.

You'll need:

ham bone (with ham pieces sticking to it preferably)
3 cans pinto beans
1 can navy beans (last time I subsituted black beans)
salt
cornbread

Rinse beans, and throw all ingredients into a slow cooker.  Cover beans with water.  Salt to taste.  Let cook until hot and soupy.  Make cornbread with your favorite recipe or box. 

Serve with cornbread and onions if you would like.  Yum, yum, yum.

So, the neighborhood kids were going to have a Christmas party-- and I volunteered to make the sweets.  My mom had told me about these cute melted snowmen cookies--so, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to give them a try!

I love homemade everything--if I can figure out how to make it from scratch-- I will.  It tastes better, and makes me feel better about giving it to my family.  One thing I have learned to make, that also saves money are spice blends.  Yes, I am still a spice-snob, and do most of my spice shopping at Penzey's nowadays-- but their spice blends as well as everyone else's are so ExpEnsivE...and you can't really change them.  So instead, I buy their amazing spices, and make my own blends.  Then I save my old jars, and fill them with my new spice blends--I can give them as gifts or just always have what I need on hand.

Here are a couple that I love to make and use a lot of:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon sea salt or salt to taste if you are on a low sodium diet
• 1 tablespoon black pepper

There are some things I have become spoiled in, as I have gotten older.  One of them, is hot cocoa.  This grown-up girl is not settling for those powder packets and hot water ever again.  I am just too old to waste calories on a less than yummy version of what should be a delectable treat.

I have tried many hot cocoa recipes, and used a variety of ingredients to get the Hot Cocoa I LOVE!  I know not everyone will think this is the BEST cocoa recipe, because we are all different.  Some of us like it super-rich, some of us like it with a spicy kick.  I like mine foamy, and with a perfect dose of chocolate.  However, after finding the recipe I preferred, I then started to switch the brands of ingredients--and found the best ingredients for this PERFECT cup of cocoa, IMO.  However, you might want to take my word for it, if you know how picky I am about my coffee-- and that I would unhesitatingly pay $5 for a cup at Starbucks.  But, this cocoa--has Starbucks cocoa beat.

So, without further ado, here is the recipe with brand suggestions, please do not feel obligated to use these brands--they are not paying me to write this--(although, I wish they were).

Frothy Hot Cocoa
Makes 1 big mug

2 cups of milk
2 t of Penzey's High Fat, Dutch Process Cocoa
4 t of sugar
3/4 cup of mini marshmallows
1 t of homemade vanilla (message me for how-to)
Sprinkle of Penzey's Cassia Cinnamon

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a pot.  Heat on med. until marshmallows are melted and foamy.  Add vanilla, and then pour into warmed mug.  Sprinkly cinnamon on top-- and sip away! Mmm

Next yummy drink recipe I will try to conquer- Peppermint Mocha