Fix-It and Forget-It

I love living where I get to experience all four seasons. Give me the changing leaves of fall and the new life that spring brings rather than the heat of summer, but I really do look forward to all of the seasons.

My husband, Rob, and I like to mark the passing of all four seasons by visiting the nearby 1000+ acres of Longwood Gardens to see their changing displays. In the spring, their rows and rows of daffodils and tulips are breathtaking. But, my favorite season at Longwood is winter. For the winter, they deck their trees with lights of all colors and fill their conservatory with poinsettias, create trees from hydrangeas, and lead you on a magical tour through their grounds.

We lucked out this year. The night we got bundled up, a light snow was just beginning to fall. We explored the grounds amid snowflakes. The snow clung to each tree—a perfect dusting. Families were out, enjoying the weather, laughing as they tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues.

What completed the magical night was hot chocolate. You can find this delectable treat in Longwood’s cafeteria or in outside booths set up to serve you as you explore the outdoor displays. Nothing is better than a cup of rich, gooey, hot chocolate to warm your fingers and your belly.

I plan to recreate a version of this yummy chocolatey treat at home. When you have a hankering for a comforting drink on winter days, I recommend this recipe:

Rebecca is my daughter. She’s a very good cook. While I couldn’t get her to chop an onion when she was growing up, she’s become a cook who tries everything now—successfully. She also is the Manager of The Good Cooking Store in our little Lancaster County town of Intercourse, PA. She taught Language Arts to middle-schoolers for 7 years. Now we benefit from all of her energy and good ideas. Don’t miss what she has to say!