Winter Has Arrived

Winter has arrived at our house for sure.  All the gardens have been cleaned out, pots and garden accessories have been tucked away, leaves are raked and the fire wood is split and stacked.  I woke up to a hard freeze this morning and the most beautiful blue sky!

Falling  Snow
Author~Unknown

See the pretty snowflakes
Falling from the sky;
On the wall and housetops
Soft and thick they lie.


On the window ledges,
On the branches bare;
Now how fast they gather,
Filling all the air.


Look into the garden,
Where the grass was green;
Covered by the snowflakes,
Not a blade is seen.


Now the bare black bushes
All look soft and white,
Every twig is laden,
What a pretty sight!


As long as I'm on the subject of winter, here is my homemade hot cocoa recipe.  I make a big batch at a time and store it in a gallon ice cream bucket.  Enjoy!

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Ingredients



10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer


Directions


In a large mixing bowl, combine milk powder, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer. Stir till thoroughly combined. Store cocoa mixture in an airtight container like an ice cream bucket. Makes about 15 cups mix, or enough for about 45 servings.


For 1 serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mixture in a coffee cup or mug, and add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Top with dollop of whipped cream or a few marshmallows, if desired.