Grab a beverage, pull up a stool and get comfortable, because there are some good things on the blog today, and a little surprise for you at the end of this post.
Ok, got your beverage? If not...you could be drinking this one. It's called Winter Warm-Up or more commonly know as Hot Chocolate, and I've been making it forever. Chances are you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry. It's so much less expensive to make your own than buying the premium cocoa mixes in the store. I whisk up a big batch in early winter so my girls can grab a cup and go. We needed it this morning; just look at the snow we woke up to.
This is a great addition to a little gift box or you can even plan a theme around it. I 've made baskets or boxes with a couple of cute mugs (find them on sale or from the discount store), a cellophane bag full of Winter Warm-Up with instructions on the tag and a small bag of homemade marshmallows, a sack of cookies or muffins or a small loaf of bread. The possibilites are endless.
Winter Warm-Up (Hot Chocolate Mix)
2 cups of instant non-fat dry milk
¾ cup of Non-Dairy Creamer
¾ cupsof granulated sugar
¼ cup of sifted cocoa
Mix all ingredients together and store in a air-tight container.
To make one serving: Mix 1/3 C. of the mix with 8 oz. of hot water and stir.
Now...for the surprise I promised at the beginning of the post. It involves gift-giving from CSN to you.
CSN stores are giving one of my lucky readers a $45.00 gift certificate to be used in any of their online stores; no strings attached. Isn't that generous? All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog between now and Sunday, December 12th. For more chances to win, become a follower or tell me that you already follow in a separate comment. Advertise this giveaway or link it on your blog for a third chance to win and leave me a separate comment telling me that you did.
I love these gift certificates. So many great things in the 200 online CSN stores that I would love to have for the upcoming holiday season. Good luck!
Linked to Hearth 'n Soul.
and Tip Day Thursday
Linked to Hearth 'n Soul.
and Tip Day Thursday
We love hot chocolate, so I need to make some of this for sure:) I'm sure it's better than store-bought, and less expensive is always a plus!
ReplyDeleteI am a devoted follower:)
ReplyDeleteI love csn! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletehewella1 at gmail dot com
I'm a gfc follower.
ReplyDeletehewella1 at gmail dot com
I just wrote down your Winter Warm Up for future use. I am drinking coffee right now. Need my wake up call so I get started on my Christmas projects! I would love to win you give-away. I have noticed so many of these around the blogs. I have not won one yet but I try anyway. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie -- this sounds like a fun mix to try. My youngest loves hot chocolate so I set up a hot chocolate station in the winter. Have you seen the gingerbread marshmallows this year so cute. Joni
ReplyDeleteI am a follower. Joni
ReplyDeleteBonnie -- we don't have ANY near the amount of snow that you do. We have just a skiff, but it is really cold. I linked to your giveaway on my sidebar. Joni
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice give-away! Guess I'll just have to slide over to the CSN site and browse while sipping a cup of 'winter warm up'. :-)
ReplyDeleteand I am a follower!
ReplyDeleteMom, I could use this to buy your Christmas present!
ReplyDeleteRach, You sweet generous girl. Do I get to pick out what I want?
ReplyDeleteWonderful giveaway, Bonnie! CSN is the best. I love how they promote good will in the blogging community.
ReplyDeleteI'm already a follower :)
that hot chocolate looks delish! my sister, valerie, told me about your blog... and the awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeleteand i just started following you!
ReplyDeleteOh Yay!! Love CSN...fingers crossed ;) Hard. And yummy hot cocoa, too!
ReplyDeletePlus, I'm a follower...and thanks for sharing this on the hearth and soul hop...so many good things to find!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog when Googling a recipe, and started following it so I could find some new favorites. After a few posts, you added a picture, and I thought to myself, "Wait a second, I know this family!" My maiden name is Christensen - Erin's friend all through grade school! What a small world, and what a great blog. :) Tell Erin "hi" from me!
ReplyDeleteThere's just nothing like a cup of hot chocolate for a cold day. This sounds like a great way to always have some on hand.
ReplyDeleteI have started to follow your links to other food blogs.
ReplyDeleteYour hot chocolate sounds lovely, and I like the idea of the gift boxes - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love that you call hot chocolate, winter warm up. So cute! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower!
ReplyDeleteI look at your blog every day so I won't miss anything.
ReplyDeleteHot Chocolate and snow are made to be enjoyed together! My kids drink it all winter - thanks for sharing this with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop - and your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower!
ReplyDeleteI've given away several CSN Store gift certificates, but I'd love to win one for myself. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI am a gfc follower!
ReplyDeleteAwesome giveaway, thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteykatrina at hotmail dot com
Thanks so much for this generous giveaway! Lovely hot choc picture, by the way ;)
ReplyDeletebridgestranslation at yahoo dot com
I follow you on gfc as bridgestranslation
ReplyDeletebridgestranslation at yahoo dot com
Bonnie, thanks for commenting on my blog. I just became a follower. Love the hot cocoa recipe and idea of gifting.
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious, thank you!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed.
great giveaway i have never shopped at csn---yet
ReplyDeleteanne
www.anniebakes.net
Ooh, Bonnie, you always share the best recipes AND ideas. I will prepare this hot chocolate when the weather gets a bit cooler -- this week has been warm. I envy the snow you woke up to. I wish you could send me some. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower. You'll never be rid of me!
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas and recipes. Can't wait to try your hot chocolate with my marshmallows.
ReplyDeleteThe hot chocolate sounds delicious, though hardly the weather for it where I am :-)
ReplyDeleteSue
I love CSN Stores.. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletedgoodridge84@yahoo.com
I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeletedgoodridge84@yahoo.com
I'm gonna have to try this! Thanks for linking up to Tip Day Thursday at Around My Family Table.
ReplyDeleteWendy
Hi Bon bons! Oh hot chocolate is so delicious! That snow picture alone makes me want some! I would love to share your CSN giveaway on my thoughts on friday link love at a moderate life this friday! hugs! Alex
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower! Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway. Merry Christmas to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your site, sent by Joni and I love your darling nutcracker collection on the mantel. It's very cheery!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this and finish my Christmas shopping!
ReplyDeletefourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
I'm a gfc follower.
ReplyDeletefourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/12953400949870592
ReplyDeletefourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
I would love to win! captainliss40@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteeemoody77 at gmail dot com
I added your giveaway to my sidebar!
ReplyDeletehttp://quiltznhoez.blogspot.com/
eemoody77 at gmail dot com
Seriously just made your hot chocolate.... YUM
ReplyDeletecher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com
I am a follower
ReplyDeletecher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com
Great, i found what i 've been lookin for.
ReplyDeleteJust want to say what a great blog you got here!I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work! Thumbs up, and keep it going!.
ReplyDeletePretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
ReplyDelete