Snow Days, Valentine’s Day, and Signs of Spring

photo of the snow before it melts

beautiful sky and 60°

What’s that phrase, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a bit.” This quote has been use by many; I’m not sure who originally said or wrote the phrase. Some attribute it to Mark Twain; others say, Will Rogers. Well, no matter the first to say or pen these words it has been all to true in Georgia these past few weeks. Rainy days, which seem endless. Then a powdering of snow and my favorite a 60° Spring day teaser knowing it will turn 29° in a couple of days. Not to be discouraged Spring is just around the corner. The days are getting longer.

A few things I have been doing around the house to prepare for Spring is making a Spring wreath for the front door, changing out the pillows on the front porch benches, and new table arrangements. I wanted the wreath to have a rustic feel so I used flowers that had a dried look and added wood cuts to fill the empty spaces.

Last Sunday was Valentine’s and I hope your day was filled with love and family. Every year for Valentine’s I prepare and send a goody box to our grandkids and family. I usually like to try making new treats each year. This Valentine’s I made sugar cookies, but used a different cookie cutter and icing decoration. I also made hot coco bombs that seem to be all over Instagram and Pinterest. The sugar cookies were the same except for the decorating part as you can see in the photo below.

The newest thing I did were the hot coco bombs. They took a bit of tweaking and experimenting to get the correct measures. The videos made them look so easy and perfect, and they were after a couple of tries. I will take you through the process that was successful for me in case you want to try them for something special.

Ingredience:

1 cup of mini chocolate chips

coco mix (I used Swiss Miss)

bag of mini marshmallows

1/2 cylinder silicone mold

1 paintbrush used in baking

cupcake papers

1. This is the brand of chocolate chips I used. They seem to work best for me.

You will need 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips. This seem to be enough to fill the mold.

2. Pour chips into a microwave safe bowl. In my microwave I did 1min. 30 sec. in 30 sec. intervals stirring the chips each time. (your microwave may be different; the key is to not burn the chocolate)

3. Take the melted chocolate and using a Tablespoon. Put 2 Tablespoons melted chocolate in each cylinder of the mold. (I know this seems like a lot, but you don\’t want the bottom and the sides to be too thin or they will crack when you unmold the cylinder)

4. Using a paintbrush (some videos used the back of the spoon; for me the paintbrush was easier)

5. Next place the prepared mold in the freeze for at least and 1 hour. (I just walked away and did something else for a while. I wanted to make sure they were good and frozen.)

6. Gently pull out the chocolate, placing 3 in a cupcake paper.

7. Fill the chocolate sphere with about 1/4 cup of coco mix and about 6 to 8 marshmallows.

8. Release the other half sphere and warm a small plate in the microwave. Run the half sphere on the warm plate allowing is to melt a little. Place on top of the prepared coco/marshmallow sphere. The melted chocolate will act like glue and seal the top to the bottom.

9. To decorate the top melt white chocolate and pour into a sandwich bag. Cut a very small hole in the bag corner to squeeze the white chocolate on the top. (**An important note: the white chocolate just needs to be warm enough to squeeze out. If it is too warm it will melt to top of the chocolate sphere.)

Have the sprinkles ready and immediately sprinkle on to of the white chocolate; as it dries it adheres to the chocolate.

End result are these very fun Hot Coco Bombs. The next special occasion is St. Patrick’s Day; use green sprinkles. Easter is coming; use colorful Easter sprinkles.

Try this very special treat. Your family will love them.

Hoping you all have a week filled with Love,

Libby Stephens

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