I ran across the idea of Hot Chocolate on a Stick on several different blogs & first made them up for our Holiday Craft shows. I like to have something at the Holiday shows that can be used as inexpensive gifts for kids to buy for Grandparents, teachers etc. I used Ghirardelli bittersweet( instead of unsweetened) & semisweet chips , for the shows I did them in an icecube tray-- wrapped each individually & sold them for $1.25. Also offered a "package deal " of your choice of a Christmas mug ( I scronge these from second hand stores like Salvation Army, VOA etc, usually pay 25 cents apiece) one Stick and then wrap in a Christmas themed cello bag with tagged instructions-- that sells for $2.00. I didn't add the block of homemade marshmallow for those sold at our shows. I did do one batch that I added espressor powder to in the final stirring. here's a few blogs that give recipes & instructions: http://giverslog.com/?p=3290 http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/blog/2009/12/02/hot-chocolate-on-a-stick/ That's the recipe I finally used. Also used the marshmallow recipe from that site as I didn't want one with eggs Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Choc on a stick

I finally made it back here! The closest I can get to what my Grandma's apron looked like is #4 at the link below. I will try one as soon as I have some time. I would love one for each season. And in denim maybe. One for basket weaving...... The shirt apron will still pull on my neck but I like the look. Liz, the jar mixes are quick and easy! Tami Here is a link that might be useful: my grandma's apron

Thank you so much Mtn. I'll pass your tips along to my DDIL who fell in love with my mini loaf pan and 'borrowed' it. She thought it was so clever that each loaf had a different design on top. She's on the board of a local animal rescue and volunteered to host the next meeting. I think it might be prudent to purchase another pan for myself. lol She is a very creative and enthusiastic individual and immediately said she was going to use 2 colors of icing, white for a base and then she would add a light yellow tint to highlight the lemons on top. Interesting that your icing hid the relief. I went back to look at the post where you linked the W.S. pans and the lemons show fairly well. It appears they used a really thin icing on the lemons and then a thicker one around them and to drizzle over the side. I wouldn't dream of making them without icing! Ah clever Mtn! - you found white and yellow striped ribbon! Perfect

My favorite Christmas gift is one I won't be able to fully enjoy until next Christmas but I have an entire year to look forward to it!! We have an arm of the family - my sister's middle daughter and her spouse - that has considerable wealth. They are extremely generous and three years ago they hosted the entire family - 28 of us - to an all expense paid Christmas vacation in Mexico (an all-inclusive resort on the Mexican Riviera). Next Christmas they are doing the same and made the announcement Christmas day!! The first trip was a magical experience and everyone enjoyed it immensely. Some of the family is getting on in years and the ability to travel much is diminishing. We have actually lost one of the original members in the past year and this may be the last time that we can get the whole extended family together once again, as they are scattered across the country. And my daughter had just started a new job the last time and couldn't join us but she will be with us this time!! My nephew is the big planner and he delights in putting these extravaganzas together. He plans outings and adventures, plans parties for our two Christmas time birthdays (24th and 28th), gets the resort to put on an amazing Christmas dinner (last time was on the beach with bonfires and our own mariachi band!!) and derives year long entertainment doing all the planning and ironing out the logistics. I can't wait!! Mexico in December is heavenly! We are indeed blessed :-)