We visited an old fashioned Christmas tree farm over the weekend and brought home a beautiful tree that is making our whole house smell heavenly!
We drove “up the mountain” as the locals say here in North Carolina, to a wonderful Christmas tree farm. We went on a hayride, chose and cut a tree and ate Christmas cookies served by our wonderful hosts. It was dreamy!
My angel baby, who will turn 3 months this week, slept through it all, even the chainsaw! Sweet boy.
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Hot chocolate is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas tree shopping and this handmade version is divine but ever-so simple. It is perfect topped with fresh homemade whipped cream. As an added bonus, both the hot chocolate and the whipped cream are fun to make with young children. It is a post-afternoon nap ritual at our house during the winter months.
Favorite Hot Chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup hot water
1/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa
4 cups milk
dash of salt
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
Mix cocoa, sugar, water & salt in saucepan.
Stir constantly until mixture boils over medium heat; cook and stir 2 minutes.
Stir in milk and heat but do not boil. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and serve immediately.
We had dinner guests this evening and I served this hot chocolate for dessert in pretty cups and saucers.
To make fresh whipped cream, simply pour a carton of heavy whipping cream into a mixer bowl and whip on medium-high speed until cream becomes soft, billowy whipped cream. You may add confectioners sugar if you like, but I prefer to not add any sugar when topping something sweet like hot chocolate.
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Bliss my friend, loved every image, word, and feeling! You are very blessed.
xo
Kate
Thank you, dear Kate. And yes, I am very blessed. God is so good.
I love the Christmas-ness of this whole post!
the trees
the cheeks
the hot chocolate!
s
Looks delish! Will have to try! Can u email me your address in NC so I can send you a Christmas greeting? 🙂 Thx kh
Looks like your family has a new tradition. 🙂 Such sweet photos. Nothing compares to the smell of a real Christmas tree! 🙂
I am always excited to come to your blog to see what you’ve posted. I’m looking forward to trying this recipe. 🙂
laura
thanks, Laura!
I pinned that picture of the hot chocolate!
yummo!
We love our little hot chocolate bar…the kids think it’s awesome…it’s the small things, right?
Erin, I cannot believe James is already three months old. That sweet baby! I just want to squeeze him. I’m pinning that hot cocoa pic as well. Yum.
Tara from Between You and Me will be guest posting on my blog tomorrow. I didn’t realize you were friends, too! Would love for you to swing by and see her home! 🙂
Hope you guys are doing great. I sent a Christmas card to MI since I don’t have your NC address.
Oh my!! Those cheeks! And I am soooo making that hot chocolate this week. Lovely photos, as always Erin!
Thanks for the recipe. I sweeten our whipped cream with pure maple syrup – 1-2 tbsp. Gives it an earthy sweetness! Although I think we will skip that and try it naked this time!