As I sat in my family room this sunday afternoon, I couldn't help but notice that it was raining outside and maybe it's because I'm anemic (I'm actually not sure if I am but I might be) but I was freezing, even while sitting in my hoodie, sweat pants and socks on!

I'm not ready for it to be fall but this weather isn't really giving me a choice. As I was watching Fringe (The entire series is on Netflix now!) there was an episode where one of the main characters Olivia gives a child she's caring for hot chocolate. As I watched this fictional boy drink his hot chocolate I thought "I could use a cup of that!"

I called my best friend Leslie to ask her how she made her hot chocolate. I loved her hot chocolate. When we lived in China, as we sat in our un-insulated apartment in the dead of winter, a hot cup of hot chocolate was the closest thing we had to home. It was unbelievably comforting and it warmed us up better than the many layers of clothing we put on ourselves.

She simply used cocoa power, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. I thought about just using her recipe but I started looking around online for other recipes as well. I found myself at The Pioneer Woman's blog. (Her food is amazing!) She has at least 4 different hot chocolate recipes. Although they all looked good, her simple hot chocolate would do.

I prepared to just mix Leslie and Dee's (The Pioneer Woman) recipes together but then I remembered I had some peppermint schnapps in the cabinet. Drinking that stuff straight is like drinking mouthwash, but more intensified. But if you mix it with something, like hot chocolate, it's definitely not so bad. So with all these things combined I give you "Chocolatey Peppermint Hot Chocolate"

(Warning: If you don't like really chocolatey things, this recipe is not for you ^.^)

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman's "Delicious Hot Chocolate" and Leslie's recipe

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups of Milk
1/4 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream (Can substitute and use Half & Half)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp (or to taste) Peppermint Schnapps (Can substitute and use peppermint extract)

Makes 2 Cups (3 Cups if using smaller mugs)

Preparation Instructions

Combine milk and whipping cream to saucepan and warm over medium heat.
Add chocolate chips in milk mixture and stir until melted
Add cinnamon to mixture, continue to stir
Add vanilla extract, continue to stir
Add peppermint schnapps, continue to stir (Add as much or as little as you want; the peppermint schnapps is so strong so I didn't use as much but if you're using extract you might need more, it's all about your taste and how much you want)

Hope you enjoy this chocolately drink just as much as I did! Until next time,

Iquo

I've got fresh peppers, eggplant, rosemary, tomatoes, parsley, basil and many other veggies and herbs growing outside in my little garden. I realized I needed to start eating healthier because I kinda fell of the wagon. I was trying to figure out what I could put my fresh basil in, so one morning I decided to make an omelette.

I know it's a pretty common recipe but I thought I'd share it with you (and share my pictures too) It was such a delicious meal to have at the beginning of the day.

Ingredients:

2 eggs
5 cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 cup of chopped onions
2 to 3 basil leaves
1 cup of mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp of italian herb cheese spread
1/4 cup of evaporated milk
1/4-1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 Tbsp of butter

Makes 2 omelette servings

1. Veggies: First chop up your onions. You don't want them to be too small that you can't taste them and yet you don't want them to be too big either. Then slice your cherry tomatoes. If you don't have cherry tomatoes you can use regular tomatoes. Just use half of one. Take two or three fresh basil leaves (depends on how much you prefer) and tear into smaller pieces.

2. Cheeses: Take a cup of mozzarella cheese and 2 Tbsp (or a packet) of Alouette and mix together.

3. Eggs & Milk: Take two eggs and evaporated milk and mix together. Add 1/4-1/2 tsp of garlic salt.

4. Blending Together: Add blended cheeses to egg & milk mixture. Next add the tomatoes, onions and basil. Stir until well blended.

5. Making the omelette: Take pan and put over medium heat. Take 1/2 Tbsp of butter and melt in pan. Add half of egg mixture and cook until ready to be folded in half. Once folded in half cook until done. Repeat to make second serving.

There you have it ladies and gents. I slightly over cooked mine but thats ok. I also didn't make mine 2 servings when I first made it and realized it was too much as one serving so I revised the recipe to 2 servings.

My dogs were anxious to see what I was making. My cute little fur babies.

Until next time

Iquo