It’s snowy and cold here. That makes it a perfect day for cooking (and baking) in my house. 

 I am starting with Mexican hot chocolate this morning. Ok, it isn’t technically “cooking”. However, I do need to heat milk and the chocolate on the  stove.  If you want quick and easy, you can heat milk in place of the water the package calls for and add Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix , a dash of cinnamon, and a small splash of vanilla. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon and you have a tasty treat for cold wintry days.

Next on the list is a hearty vegetable soup that will simmer in the crockpot all day. I will throw in vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, corn, carrots, celery, garlic, onion, beef broth, parsley, pepper, chili powder and crushed red pepper. I think I will also dice up some sweet potatoes in it and see how that turns out.  Of course I will need to add bread as a side, so I am trying French Bread from Easy, Fabulous Bread Making. The recipes in this book look super easy, for being homemade bread and could make my life REALLY easy.

Of course my husband is home today (thankfully since he would have to drive 35 miles over back roads otherwise.) so that means it is waffle or pancake day. He is making pancakes although my request to triple the batch so we have enough for freezer meals did earn me that  ” Are you kidding me?” look. He will get over it. I already made the syrup this morning so that makes it so much easier.

I think I will also  make cupcakes. I will probably go the easy way and make up a box of Fun da Middles….or maybe try a recipe for “Better than Sex Coconut Cupcakes”  that looked yummy. We will see what happens though.