Monday, January 9, 2012

Warm Treats

Winter is here, but our very cold days have been numbered!
We are fully enjoying the most beautiful mild weather, but a part of me is waiting for snow:)
On very cold days, the children are searching for warmth all day long..
They warm their hands in front of the fire, they huddle together outside, they ask for warm liquids upon returning inside from the cold.
A popular request has been hot chocolate, but I chose not to serve foods or beverages containing refined sugars to the children.
Our equally tasty alternative has been warm milk with cinnamon and honey...or, as the children are calling it, "white cocoa".

Once a week, we grate our own cinnamon to use in the milk (using the very fine side of a cheese grater), which is enjoyable for everyone...
Upon coming inside, the children remove their snow pants (which we wear on very cold days) and jackets and place them on a coat rack in our mudroom.
Their hats, gloves, and scarves all make their way to their personal belonging baskets...
During this time, I have begun heating a pot of whole milk on the stove at medium heat.
The children sit by the (gas) fireplace and wait for their turn to go upstairs with Monica to wash their hands. This is our quiet time.
I mix the milk with a tablespoon of honey and a sprinkling of cinnamon....the children enjoy this treat and look forward to it each morning!

cheers! (clink!)

Speaking of treats, my new favorite breakfast to share with W is steel cut oats with apples and cinnamon. A friend passed the recipe on, and I've been hooked ever since. The oats are cooked overnight on a low setting in the crockpot, so you have a hot, delicious breakfast just waiting for you when you come downstairs in the morning. Does it get any better?

I hope you are staying warm this Winter with the ones you love...they are the best recipe for warmth:)

In unrelated news, I have some "news"...
After 4 years, Jay and I are finally getting married this Spring (or early Summer)!

Oldie, but goodie:)
 
The time is right and we are excited.
The whole affair will be very small and nothing fancy, just how I am wanting it.
...I am very excited and starting to make preparations as far as, um, accessories for myself...
such as a hairpiece like this one my good friend recommended to me...
I am "working on" growing my hair out by the date (31 inches by June?), which means no heat styling, no excessive brushing, and a lot of  argan oil and avocado treatments.


The happy day is nearing and I can't wait!
...but I suppose I will have to:)


26 comments:

  1. Congratulations and thanks so much for sharing the milk/honey/cinnamon recipe! My kids love their hot chocolate and this is a wonderful alternative.

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  2. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

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  3. Congratulations! Thanks for passing along the "white cocoa" recipe. We'll have to try it.

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  4. What a happy time for you all! W is going to make the cutest "best man"!!
    xoxo
    ~ joey ~

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  5. Funny, I tried out your white hot chocolate idea today after sledding and they not only went for it, but loved it! They used cinnamon sticks for straws. Thanks for the awesome idea!

    Oh, Did you use a pattern for your sons really cute brown sweater thing? I would love to make one for my kids.

    Peace!

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  6. I also wanted to add that in the past we have made a lot of maple milk! We live in Vermont, so it is always in the house. Warmed or cold milk with maple syrup mixed in. VERY scrumptious!

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  7. Oh, haha sorry one more thing.

    Congratulations on getting married!!!!!

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  8. Thanks for sharing the white cocoa recipe! Such a nourishing treat idea! Blessings to you!

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  9. Must try this with my kids, thank you for sharing. Something I also do with my kids in the wintertime is to throw their towels and clothes in the dryer while they take their baths/showers. Afterwards, they have nice and warm clothing and it helps to keep the chills away from being wet! Congratulations on your upcoming marriage <3

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  10. Congratulations and many blessings! :-)

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  11. mmm yummy! and congratulations, I hope that you have a really wonderful day :-)

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  12. What a good idea for white cocoa! Congratulations! I look forward to seeing photos when the big day arrives. :-)

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  13. Wonderful, Congrats and Best Wishes!! Thanks for sharing the white cocoa idea...sounds delicious.

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  14. Congratulations! Can't wait to hear all about it when the time comes.

    The yummy cinnamon milk sounds so good. I'll have to try that and the oats! Mmmm.

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  15. Congratulations!! Best wishes!

    Silvia

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  16. Congratulations!!!! You will be a beautiful bride!

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  17. What a great recipe - as soon as my little ones are up from quiet time I'm going to make them some honey cinnamon milk. My friend from Thailand gets something that the girls call "hot chocolate" but it is mostly rice bran flour, something else, and agave nectar for a little sweetener - my oldest has been drinking it for so long she doesn't actually like real hot chocolate.

    And congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I'm sure we are all looking forward to reading about your journey. :)

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  18. Congratulations! The headpiece is magical!

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  19. Hi there! I have nominated your blog for the Versatile Blogger Award. http://eileensplace.blogspot.com - Thank you for creating such a beautiful space! xoxo

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  20. Oh for heavens sake- congratulations, Rebecca!!! HUGS And gosh you have beautiful hair.
    PS the warm cinnamon milk sounds lovely!

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  21. Somehow I missed this post till now. Congratulations my dear! Very exciting news!xx

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  22. The honey/cinnamon milk was a hit with my toddler - AND me. I'm not a huge fan of milk, but calling it white cocoa is accurate. (I've had white chocolate cocoa, and this tastes about the same - delicious.) Thank you for sharing, and congratulations, too!

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  23. we have been doing almond milk with cinnamon for a long time too -- have you ever tried it with the pumkin pie spice ??? lovely.... it is a fave here on a cold day -
    light and magic
    dawn

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  24. Hello my dear friend! Congratulations to you and family for the upcoming wedding. I imagine it will be an incredibly beautiful day!
    I have thought of you often lately, would love to write and catch up more. Lots of loveliness I have been missing here... I love that winter playscape you made!
    Hope you have recovered from your post holiday melancholy.. I tend to be same way, I have been since I was little.
    Well I'm sure there were all kinds of other things I intended to say, but I guess this will be it for now...
    Lots of love to you! XOXO

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