Paws for Connection ~ A Book Review

When you are away on holidays you really don't want to get bogged down in a heavy novel that requires your total attention.  So instead of going deep into a book, you get a book that you can put down easily and take up again without too much trouble.

Such is the book Paws for Connection!  

It's a sweet little read, that will certainly make anyone smile at the antics that are happening between the local bookstore owner and the driving force at the local animal shelter.

Jeanine Lauren has crafted a well told and sweet story.  Second chances and sweet romance fill this novel and will keep you smiling and enjoying a well written, easy to read book. 

Sarah and Simon are both single again parents to a daughter each.  Both are afraid to take that next step from friendship to something more.  Riley and Sally are best friends and the daughters of the aforementioned adults. Needless to say, the girls have a plan.

Then there is Lance (the bookshop owner) and Raven (operator of the Animal Shelter).  Who doesn't love it when two kindred spirits find each other?  It takes time and some lovely adopted kittens to bring all of these people together.  But it works and each of the couples manages to find a way to make things work.

This is a heart warming story that makes you smile at the antics that seem to be happening all around.

I'm sure this is a book that everyone will enjoy for some light hearted reading with a warmth that just makes you happy that you picked up this book.

Well done Jeanine Lauren!

Paws for Connection!

I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens.com and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Pretzel Day Review

National Pretzel Day is celebrated each year on April 26.

Pretzels and Their History

Founded in 2003 by Governor Ed Rendell, this food holiday honors Pennsylvania’s long-standing pretzel heritage, a cultural staple that remains a vibrant part of the state today.  Pennsylvania, and especially Philadelphia, is home to 80% of the country’s production of pretzels. 

In the late 18th century, immigrants from southern Germany and Switzerland introduced the pretzel to North America. These immigrants became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, and became known for their handmade pretzel bakeries throughout Pennsylvania. Southeastern Pennsylvania is considered the birthplace of the American pretzel industry, and many pretzel bakers are still located in the area.

Created by monks as 'little rewards' (pretiola) for children learning prayers, the pretzel’s signature shape mimics arms folded in prayer. Its three holes represent the Holy Trinity.

Two Kinds of Pretzels

• Crunchy and Salty - Crunchy, salty pretzels are baked snacks, often knot-shaped, but also popular in a variety of shapes. These shapes include the traditional knot, along with mini twists, bites and nuggets, rings and pretzel sticks, plus several ‘fillable’ shapes of pretzels. These pretzels have a satisfying crunch with a savory burst of salt and a slightly nutty wheat flavor.

• Soft - Soft pretzels are fresh-baked pastries with a warm, chewy interior and a distinctively shiny, golden-brown crust. This type of pretzel is perishable and best eaten soon after baking.  Soft pretzels became very popular in areas such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York. You can frequently find them available from street vendors in these cities.  Philadelphians on average consume five times more soft pretzels than anyone else in the country.

• 
  

Summary

Your choice of pretzel comes down to two things: the setting and your snacking style.

Soft pretzels are wonderful on cold days when you crave something warm and tasty.  Hard pretzels are a convenient, crunchy snack. 

For the perfect pretzel taste, why not choose both on April 26 to celebrate this tasty food holiday known as National Pretzel Day! 

For more holiday reviews, check out 

ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*This National Pretzel Day Review was written by Wednesday Elf

Pretzels Galore:

The Ultimate Pretzel Recipe Book: Delicious Pretzel Recipes for You to Make at Home!Check PriceAmazon Grocery, Mini Twist Pretzels, 40 OzCheck PriceUltimate Guide: Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe: Delicious and Easy Pretzel Meals to Make at HomeCheck Price

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Handmade Clocks by Clever Crafters

For truly unique, you can't beat 'handmade'. Etsy has some very talented clock-makers. Below are a few from my favorite Shops.

You can also browse throughout Etsy to search for your own unique ideas. Click here to get to Etsy

Owl Wall Clock | Decoylab on Etsy

DECOYLAB is a designer/illustrator in Kansas City, Missouri who makes very unique timepieces using wood and paper.

Pictured here is an Owl Wall Clock, from her collection for the nursery/kids room that are simple, modern and fun! 

This clock is made with laser cut, ¼ thick 3 ply bamboo and clock parts .The clock measures Size: 6" w x 8” h x .75” d. Made with sturdy 3ply bamboo (¼” thickness)

Clock for your Craft Room

If your 'hobby' is in the field of fiber arts, like me, time spent in your craft room would be fun with a clock that represents your favorite craft, like this one about Knitting! 

Funny Knitting Time Clock

This very amusing clock design fits a crafters' thoughts exactly. When you are engaged in working with your favorite craft, time tends to either 'stand still' or be ignored because of the pleasure it gives you. Thus, this delightful hobby clock will fit in your craft room perfectly! 

Knitting clock is created using solid oak or maple in several sizes, and the wood is laser cut with a laser engraved design.

Sports Clock

Sports Clock on Etsy

There are a variety of sports-related handmade clocks on Etsy. Since MY favorite sport is BASEBALL, I chose to display a clock with my favorite MLB team - the New York Yankees. 

Handcrafted out of wood, these sports clocks with your favorite team are Laser-cut out of fine wood and hand painted. They measure an average of 14 x 14 inches.

Created by a Vero Beach, Florida designer for their TimeOutPaintedDesign Etsy Store, here’s what they say about **Why You'll Love It:**

These clocks are not just about telling time; it’s about celebrating our love for sports with style. Whether you're a fan of football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, this handcrafted piece adds a personalized touch to your decor. It also makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions for the sports enthusiasts in your life. --- Add this charming sports clock to your collection today and enjoy a perfect blend of elegance and enthusiasm in your home!

Summary

So browse through the handmade clocks on Etsy and find just the clock design that suits your needs.  Perfect for various rooms throughout your home, hand-crafted clocks also make lovely gifts for friends and family. 

Take a lesson from the clock;

it passes the time by keeping its hands busy.

                                                ~Evan Esar

For more reviews of ‘clocks’ on ReviewThisReviews, click here

*This guide to “Handmade Clocks by Clever Crafters, was originally published on November 12, 2014. While the original site is no longer active, Wednesday Elf has brought the best of that content here for you.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle

This is the second of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

If anyone has a store on Zazzle that is getting to big, it can be helpful to make a separate store that features designs that aren't currently in the original store. Since my original store was all about my artwork, I decided to make the photos that I was wanting to use, be in a separate store. This method can also help customers more easily find what they are looking for; as there is less categories to look through.

I don't have near the amount of photos that I do of my artwork, so it is easier to navigate. As of the writing of this blog, there are only nine categories in CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Although there are only nine categories, there are a wider variety of the different photo types. They can include animals, fireworks, flowers, floral peace signs, insects, scenes, trees, wood, and more.

The categories that I decided to have are:

Apparel and Accessories:

I love this beautiful photo of when my pink azaleas were in full bloom along the neighbors back wall. I thought this beauty would have been popular on a variety of products, but the main one that sells is on men's ties. Cool!

Pretty Pink Azaleas Floral Neck Ties
by CherylsArtPhotos

Sometimes photos are the way to go!

The sub-categories in this section are Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.

Celebrations:

Although I used a bit of my artwork to top off the groundhog, it is more photo than artwork, so this critter got assigned to CherylsArtPhotos. Did you know that Groundhog Day is always on February 2nd?

I heard it's your birthday, groundhog cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

There are not many items in this category, so there are not sub-categories to see here.

Holidays:

I have always been a cat lover and have created a variety of designs inspired by a number of my cats. Sometimes, the photo is just cute enough to leave things as they are. Here, my cat Tori is exploring her present. This photo is printed on downloadable cards, if you happen to be ordering close to the holiday.

Cute Cat Christmas, enjoying present holiday cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

The various holiday items only take up one page, so there is also no sub-categories for this section.

Home and Sewing:

Home and Sewing includes a variety of sub-categories. They are: Clocks, Doormats, Fabric, Kitchen and Dining, Magnets, Nail Art, Notepads, Shower Curtains, Throw Pillows, Tiles, and Wall Art. The Kitchen and Dining sub-category actually has sub-sub-categories.

This pretty black eyed susan photo looks great on mugs. The mugs can be easily personalized on the provided template form.

Personalized Black Eyed Susan Flowers Photo Mugs
by CherylsArtPhotos

I currently have two mugs that I purchased from Zazzle. The artwork looks great, as does the finish on them. They wash up great in the dishwasher.

New Products:

The New Products category is actually assigned by Zazzle if you don't already choose a category when designing your product.

Office and School:

There are three sub-categories in Office and School. They are Business Cards, Mousepads, and Pens.

Sports, Toys, and Games:

The Sports, Toys, and Games section also has a variety of sub-categories. They are: Cornhole Games, Jumbo Fast Four, Pickleball Paddles, Playing Cards, and Puzzles. As you can see, the store designer and fine tune how they choose to make their categories, sub-categories, etc. If I had a lot of items in this section, the sub-categories would have been more general in nature.

Stationery:

There are six sub-categories in the Stationery section. They are: Address Labels, Cards, Post It Notes, Postcards, Stationery, and Stickers.

Floral and scenic postcards seem to be a popular choice.

Yellow Orange Marigold Flowers Postcards
by CherylsArtPhotos

Travel:

The Travel section has two sub-categories. They are Luggage and Luggage Tags.

I hope you enjoyed the overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Any of the product links above will take you to my CherylsArtPhotos store on Zazzle. To search this store, choose a link that says CherylsArtPhotos; once there, you can do a search for what you are looking for by looking for the search box below the header.

May you have a great day and may you find what you are looking for.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Overview of CherylsArt on Zazzle

This is the first of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

Zazzle is a print on demand company. They print, ship, and handle the orders and any returns. Artists and designers open stores on Zazzle and upload their designs to various products. My first store that I'll be giving an overview of is CherylsArt.

CherylsArt is my general overall store and my first store on Zazzle. You'll find a lot of different design types and product types there.

The current main categories are:

+ Affirmations

My most popular item in my Affirmations section is the Proverbs 25:11 verse featuring an apple of gold on a background of silver, on magnets. There are a lot of different affirmations, on various products, to choose from in this store.

A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold magnets
by CherylsArt

You will find quite a few affirmations here on a variety of products. Sometimes we all can use a reminder to feel good and or to refocus.

+ Apparel and Fashion Accessories

The apparel part includes leggings, tank tops, and tshirts. The accessories part include belt buckles, belts, hair ties, hats, head bands, nail art, necklaces, pin on buttons, scarves, and watches.

Although I designed this apple watch back in 2013; it didn't start selling until Christmas of 2025! I think it finally became the right time for it; people were ready for a bit of humor I believe.

Red Apple Painting and Numbers Watch
by CherylsArt

+ Art and Wall Decor

Art and Wall Decor includes canvas prints, drawings on faux wrapped canvas, drawings on wrapped canvas, posters, wall decals, wall panels, and wall tapestry. The drawings categories have their own categories so that the ones that can be painted in can easily be found. They make fun activity options.

+ Baby

The Baby category includes, adoption, announce baby, baby bags, baby bibs, baby blankets, baby shirts, baby shower, binders for photos, burp cloths, clocks for the nursery, dry erase boards, and pillows for nursery.

These cloud themed dry erase boards are a great way to share messages about the baby. They come in a choice of pink and blue. This is especially great for new and busy parents who need a way to communicate what's up.

Pink Sky Bubbles and Clouds Dry Erase Board
by CherylsArt

+ Celebrations

The Celebration category is about all things that can be celebrated. This category includes birthday, candle parties, graduation, neighbor get together, party hats, retirement, ribbon, rubber stamps, stickers, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. This category pretty much covers what isn't a birthday or wedding themed.

+ Elections

The Elections category includes products for my preferred candidates, as well as informational items on helping all votes to count.

+ Holidays

The Holidays category includes Christmas in July, Christmas/Winter (which also includes other winter holidays), Easter, Father's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, Mother's Day, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

+ Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car

The Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car category includes sub-categories for each of the mentioned categories.

The car category includes bumper stickers, car mats, license plates and frames. The home category includes accessories for the home, bathroom, bedroom, calendars, clocks, doormats, dry erase boards, hand sanitizer, kitchen and dining, light switch covers, moving, ornaments - that aren't holiday, and tiles. The Pets category includes dog beds, pet bowls, and pet tags. Sewing and Crafts includes fabric. There are sub-categories under fabric to make browsing easier.

A popular item in my Home category, is this Moving postcard, in the Moving sub-category. The truck painting proved to be a very popular choice for awhile. As with any item in CherylsArt, if the item includes artwork, the artwork is created by me. With the truck image, I saw a truck that I thought was awesome, and got permission from the driver to include my artwork of it on products. He said it was fine as long as I included his name in my description. Here is a shout out to Dan Hyde. p.s. The color choices are mine.

We're Moving, change of address postcards
by CherylsArt

+ New Products

You will not normally find any products in this category. Usually I choose the category right after designing the new item.

+ Office and School

The Office and School category has a lot of sub-categories. They range from alphabet rulers to yard signs, and pretty much anything you can think off, in between.

+ Sports, Toys, and Games

The Sports, Toys, and Games category includes games, guitar picks, sports, and toys.

No, these aren't throw pillows. They are actually game bags for cornhole games. So you will find these in the Sports, Toys, and Games Category, under the sub-category of Games.

Personalized Beach Theme Cornhole Game Bags
by CherylsArt

+ Stationery

The Stationery category includes pretty much anything stationery related, that isn't birthday, graduation, or wedding related. Items include address labels, cards, envelopes, letterhead, notepads, photo cards, postcards, rubber stamps, stationery, and stickers.

+ Travel

The Travel category includes luggage, luggage handle wraps, luggage tags, travel mugs and tumblers.

+ Weddings and Anniversary

The Weddings and Anniversary category includes a long list going from Anniversary, to all types of items wedding related. I don't know how it works for customers searching in individual stores on Zazzle, for wedding, but for me when I search for a wedding item in my store, I need to include the item type to get any search results. I guess it may be because there are so many wedding items.

These address labels are in the Wedding category, as I designed them for with a couple in mind, though anyone else can use them. There are also matching wedding invitations, etc. for this design, in Weddings. If you're not sure about which category to begin your search, go towards the top of the page, below the header, and do a Search this store search; i.e. fern address labels.

Green Fern Branch Leaves Address Labels
by CherylsArt

And there you have it. I have changed my store layout a number of times over the years. At one time I based it on the designs, but that got to be way to many. Then I sorted the categories by product type only. That was too much of a mix match. So I currently decided on general themes, and then did further breakdowns into sub-categories. You will find more sub-categories in my CherylsArt store, once you explore on any category that has a lot of items in it. If you know the item type and theme that you are looking for, you can also fill in the Search this Store box that is located below my store header.

Hope this helps for when you're shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Puppy Day Reviewed - March 23

I don't review national holidays very often.  I normally leave those special day reviews to Wednesday Elf, who loves celebrating individual days set aside for unique events.  However, when I noted that March 23 is National Puppy Day, I could not resist!  After all, we brought home a sweet puppy a few months ago and discovered the true meaning of unconditional love once again.

Watson, our baby dog, loves everyone in the household.  He doesn't know how to withhold affection.  Even when he teethes on our hands or wrists, he does so lovingly.  Of course, we immediately seek out a nonliving object for him to transfer that particular show of love.  He really can't help it.  He is a teething baby and those little bites are just a big part of his puppy day and play.  Almost daily, someone in our home will remark that one day we will miss the teething terror.

Our baby Watson loves company in the backyard.  He runs, and jumps, leaps and runs some more.  His favorite games are fetching the balls his daddy tosses for him and chasing the birds.  He has never harmed a bird, he just likes making them fly.  

 

Fun Times with a Puppy 

The buffalo was a Christmas gift from his 
sister & brother-in-law in Buffalo, NY

There is nothing more beautiful than opening the back door and watching Watson run as fast as the wind toward his daddy.  Our baby dog doesn't realize that at 5 months old, his is no longer the 15 lb baby we brought home.  Actually, neither Watson, nor his daddy, realize that he weighs almost 70 lbs now.  I don't know the exact calculation (since I have never gauged his running speed), but I do know 70 lbs flying straight at you has increased force when it hits.  Definitely enough to knock an unprepared recipient to the ground.  Fortunately, his daddy is always prepared for his greetings of love.

It really doesn't matter how long one of us is away, whether it is 5 minutes or 5 hours, Watson is there with a welcoming jump, lick, nip, and game-time call.  If he could speak, I have no doubt his favorite words would be "play ball!"  

Dinnertime is also a great joy for Watson.  That baby loves to eat!  He is the perfect addition to our household.  We all love to eat and we all enjoy giving him treats.  

We chose to adopt a Labrador Retriever because we have had such great success with them in the past.  The are almost completely housebroken by the time they are weaned from their mothers.  Wetting accidents are extremely rare for Labs.  Those accidents can be attributed to the humans slow response time because the puppy lets you know the minute he needs out.  Too bad if you need time to dress before you throw open your back door.  

The key to having a happy puppy, even a very active Labrador Retriever, is to be active and loving yourself.  Any puppy of any breed requires patience and love, but they are always worth it!

Remember, puppy = baby.  They are learning at that stage, but they will grow up to be a fabulous companion.

 

Celebrate National Puppy Day on March 23!

The end of March is the perfect time to adopt a puppy.  You have the entire spring, summer, and fall ahead to work with them outdoors.  By the following winter, you and your puppy will be almost fully trained to behave properly. 

 

The picture in the introduction is a picture of Watson when he was 11 weeks old.  This is his picture at 5 months old.  What a difference a few months makes!  In our opinion, he is still the most adorable, lovable puppy ever!

 

Happy National Puppy Day, Baby Dog! 

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Easy Apple Cake Recipe

When we received a bushel of Honeycrisp apples for Christmas, I immediately thought of the apple cake recipe that my mother-in-law gave me many years ago. 

I've often made this cake during the holidays because we have so many out of town guests. Our family members come in from all across the United States, which means they hail from different time zones. Therefore, we have early risers who quietly start their mornings so others who are still sleeping can rest uninterrupted.

With the various sleep habits, we are not going to find a great time to have breakfast together. The apple cake is perfect for me to make in advance and have available for whatever time of the day our guests need breakfast. 

This apple cake is similar to a pineapple upside down cake.  The fruit goes on the bottom of the prepared pan which means it is on the top of the cake when it is turned out of the pan.

The cake does not need to be refrigerated, which is another plus for making this delicious cake and leaving it out for breakfast, or throughout the day as a snack. 

 

Apple Cake Recipe

To begin, set out the butter to soften.  Also, wash, core and thinly slice apples.  Each apple will be cut into sixteenths.

Ingredients  

• 3 large eggs 
• 2 cups sugar 
• ½ cup vegetable oil 
• ½ cup softened butter 
• 1 tsp. baking soda 
• 2 cups flour (I use 2-1/4 cups Swans Down cake flour) 
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 1 cup walnut pieces (if desired) 
• 4-6 large Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, cored and sliced  

​

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 F 
2. Generously butter a 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish 
3. Combine all of the dry ingredients and set aside  (cake flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon) 
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until frothy. Gradually add the sugar, oil and butter (a little of each at a time). Beat until sugar has dissolved. 
5. Stir in the vanilla (with the mixer on low speed is fine) 
6. Add dry ingredients mixture to the egg mixture along with the walnuts (with the mixer on low speed is fine) 
7. Spread the apples over the bottom of the prepared baking pan and drizzle with a few pinches of sugar 
8. Pour the batter over them, smoothing to cover all the apples 

Bake for 1 hour 

Set aside to cool to room temperature. Turn upside down on serving plate. I use my cutting board as the serving tray for this cake. Not only is it the right size, but a knife will not harm it.

 PrepWorks Dishwasher Safe Apple Slicer and Corer – 16-Slice Thin Apple Cutter with Safety CoverCheck Price Swans Down, Cake Flour, 32oz Box - Pack of 6Check Price Thirteen Chefs Large Acrylic Cutting Board, 16x10 Inch with Rubber Feet, Clear - Dishwasher SafeCheck Price

 

If you happen to be the recipient of a bushel of apples, you may also wish to check out my Apple Cobbler recipe or my Chocolate Covered Apples.  They are both delicious! 

 Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe Chocolate Dipped or Covered Apples

 

Check Out More Recipe Reviews at
ReviewThisRecipes.com

Apple Cake Recipe Written by:

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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A Review of Making Hot Cocoa from Scratch

Few things are as good on a cold winter's day, than a big mug of hot cocoa.  The smell alone is enough to take me back to my childhood and the cocoa my Mom use to make.  Drinking it at the kitchen table, looking out the window at a glittering snow covered landscape.  It was magical.

Mom never used hot chocolate mix, she made it from scratch, by the cup. In each mug, she would put powdered milk, cocoa and of sugar. Then she would boil water on the stove and pour one cup each in our mugs with the homemade mix.  Then all you had to do was stir.  Delicious!

The recipe is simple and easy to make....

• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon cocoa
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup boiling water

Making your own hot cocoa from scratch is so much better than buying mixes.  Store bought mixes have all kinds of preservatives and additives that you really don't need to put in your body.  Making your own cocoa lets you control what you put in your body.  Another great thing is that you can adjust it to the flavor you like.  More or less sugar, more or less cocoa, however you prefer it. 

If you want to be adventurous, you can flavor your hot chocolate.  Just add the following to the original recipe.  Remember, one addition per cup.

Cinnamon hot chocolate - add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon

Peppermint hot chocolate - add 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Coffee flavored hot chocolate - add 1 or 2 teaspoons of black coffee, to taste.

Orange hot chocolate - Replace half the water with orange juice and add a pinch of cinnamon

Three Adult Beverage Hot Chocolate Recipes

1.  add 1 ounce of warm Kahlua

2.  1/4 ounce Peppermint Schnapps and 1/2 ounce chocolate liqueur

3.  1/4 tsp. cinnamon, pinch of ground cloves, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg, 1 and 1/2 ounces of spiced rum.

I keep these ingredients in my cupboard all the time, that way I can have hot chocolate any time I want, or make it for guests.  Some times I also make it for a hostess gift, especially during the holidays.  Just bag the ingredients separately and put them in a decorative tin or box for perfect gift giving!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Toast Day Review

Toast Day is held each year on the 4th Thursday of February. It was begun in 2014 by The Tiptree World Bread Awards to celebrate toast and all the breads we make it with. (Tiptree is a brand of fruit preserves, conserves, and marmalade made in England by Wilkin & Sons Limited, so it makes sense they have an interest in toast.)

The organization is in the UK, but the popularity of this day has found a following in the United States.  

The Shades of Toast

Some people like their toast barely toasted (my mother, for one. I used to tell her that her version of toast was more like ‘warm bread’, LOL). 

Others like their toast almost burnt, which is a way I learned to eat it as a small child from my great-grandmother, Banny. At the time, the only toaster she had was a non-popup toaster used in the 1920s to 1930s. You lowered each side, inserted the bread, closed the doors and ‘watched’ it closely. Only one side was toasted at a time. One had to lower the doors, and flip the bread to toast the other side. And, yes, I do remember that toaster - it looked like the one pictured here. Banny, my GG, would wait until the smoke was coming out of the toaster (burnt), then toast the other side. Then she would lightly scrape the burnt part off.

It may sound weird to you today, but as a tiny child who adored her ‘Banny’, I thought it was great, and I loved the burnt flavor. The rest of the way we ate that toast was dipped in coffee (Banny) and cocoa (me). To this day, cocoa and toast is a favorite of mine. Although, I no longer eat my toast burnt! Most people prefer their toast toasted somewhere in between barely and burnt. 

Toast Toppings

Now, the toppings for toast are endless, and depend on your preference. Butter is a standard topping, but favorites run anywhere from jam/jellies to peanut butter to avocados. Then there are standards like poached eggs on toast and toasted sandwiches. 

Summary

So, if you like toast (and most of us do), mark the 4th Thursday of February on your calendar in order to celebrate this ‘toasty’ day! 

Related Holidays:

• National Cheese Toast Day - September 15
• National Bread Day - November 17

For more Holiday Reviews, Click 
on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*A review of National Toast Day was written by Wednesday Elf

*Images: 

• Vintage Toaster image from Rare Historical Photos/Vintage Toasters toasters/
• Toast/toaster images from Pixabay

 

Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Long Slot 4 Slice Toaster, Reheat, 6 Toast Settings, Defrost, Cancel Functions, Built-in Warming Rack, Extra Wide Slots for Bagels & Waffles, Stainless Steel & Black

Oregon Growers, Marionberry Jam, Strawberry Jam, & Red Raspberry Jam Variety Pack - Marionberry Preserves, Strawberry Preserves, Red Raspberry Preserves, Organic Jelly - 12 Oz Each (Pack of 3)

Nature's Own Butterbread, Sliced White Bread, 20 oz Loaf

Thomas’ Plain Bagels, 6 Pre Sliced Bagels with No High Fructose Corn Syrup, 20 Oz Bag

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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