Snow Days and the best hot chocolate ever!

I love snow! As in love, love snow. I have ever since I was little and it still has the same magical effect on me. Watching it fall, seeing the constant stream of light, dancing flakes glide past the window, still fills me with the same joy and excitement.  At the same time it also has a very calming, soothing effect, the way watching the waves of the sea does. Maybe it’s the counter-balance to my fiery nature, who knows?!

I’ve been waiting for snow this winter, hoping that we’d get some and last night it started. I know snow gets a bad reputation, especially in the UK where everything comes to a grinding halt in bad weather; but this is one of the definite advantages of being mainly house bound. I don’t have to worry about going out into, except for a wander in the garden. I can stay cuddled up inside, while everyone else has to deal with the traffic, the delays, the icy wetness.  I don’t mean to sound smug, it’s just there’s very few advantages of not being able to get out much, I like to enjoy them when they come along.

Right now I’m sitting at my desk, looking out at the snow which is coming down in a rapid, powdery sheet, like rain’s prettier cousin. It’s like watching little feathers or tiny fairies getting carried down the road, racing to see who can go furthest, float lightest and then land fastest. I’ve watched as the road disappeared and the layer of white crept its way up to the curb. Almost to the top now. I’m hoping that the cars all stay tucked up in the garages, so nothing disturbs the perfect, sparkling white blanket. It makes everything look different, more beautiful and magical.

I love the silence that snow brings, the stillness in the air, the muffled sounds of the world. It’s as if everything is holding its breath in awe of this natural wonder. So I’m happy to sit here and watch the snow fall, while I sip on my nice warm mug of hot chocolate!

The question is, what do you do when it’s cold and snowy outside? Do you have any special traditions? Things you like to do, foods you eat? Having hot chocolate is one of mine and this is a delicious recipe and so easy to make.

Hot Chocolate

Per person
Contains Dairy
Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 25g (1 oz) of good-quality plain or bitter-sweet chocolate(Bournville is my favourite)
• 1 cup milk

 Instructions

1. Heat one cup of milk in the microwave or in a pan over the stove.
2. Mix the chocolate in and stir until dissolved.
3. Serve with marshmallows, whipped cream or grated chocolate on top. Or all three if you're being really decadent.

From Easy to Swallow – Recipes for people with eating, chewing and swallowing problems.

(My other hat on for that site and my very first website! It looks rather basic now, I think I might have to do an update, when I find a few extra hours in the day and spare energy!)

I’d love to know what you do during the cold weather? Or if you’re in the southern hemisphere how are you coping with the heat?

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Photo: "Hot Chocolate With Cinnamon". Image courtesy of dusky / FreeDigitalPhotos.net