National Hot Cocoa Day

Today is National Hot Cocoa Day. Not being a coffee drinker I do enjoy a hot steamy cup of cocoa, especially on a cold evening. There are many ways to enjoy hot cocoa. You can buy a hot cup from a restaurant or coffee shop. You can also add a packet of mix to hot water.

But my favorite is homemade. Here is my recipe.

Genie’s Dairy Free Hot Cocoa

This recipe makes 2 servings. You may double it to serve 4.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (I prefer dark)

3 Tablespoons Stevia

1/4 cup water

2 cups almond milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Mix together cocoa, sugar and water in saucepan.
Stir and cook until mixture starts to bubble.
Slowly add milk and vanilla, stirring to blend.
Heat continuing to stir until the cocoa is drinking temperature.
Pour into cups or mugs and serve.

Note: If you use vanilla almond milk the extra vanilla may not be needed. You may also use any type of non-dairy milk that you prefer. My go-to is almond.

For more information on hot cocoa day visit

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-cocoa-day/

Gingerbread House Day

Yes, it is gingerbread house day! Don’t you love gingerbread houses? I gained a new appreciation when we started going the annual display at the Mormon Trail Center when we lived in Omaha. There were some real masterpieces there.

I have never had the courage to attempt one myself. I’ve never been real skilled with a pastry bag and would be holding my breath as I tried to raise he walls and “glue” them together with royal icing.

But this could be a great family activity. You could start by helping the kids make their own small versions from graham crackers.

Do we have any Gingerbread artists out there? Please share your stories and/or photos.

International Mountain Day

If you were not aware of this day, neither was I. According to https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-mountain-day/ “Established in December of 2003, the United Nations General Assembly created this day to help bring awareness to all of the things we rely on mountains for. Whether it’s all of the glories mentioned above, or how necessary they are for the health and well-being of the flora and fauna that call them their home, International Mountain Day promotes them all.”

If you live in or close to mountains I hope you can find some time to get out and enjoy their beauty. Bob and I have lived in the foothills of the Rockies and now we live on the edge of the Ozarks. It is wonderful to live in the mountains and enjoy their natural beauty, however continued growth and development of mountainous regions destroys the natural beauty as well as natural flora and fauna.

Whenever I am in the mountains I have a sense of awe and wonder. In Scripture mountains are usually considered sacred or holy places. Mountains are not ours to destroy or use their natural resources until they are depleted. When we are in the mountains may we remember we are on holy ground.

Second Sunday of Advent

This is the second Sunday of Advent, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is a time of expectant waiting for the celebraton of the birth of Chirst or in some traditions the second coming. A candle is lit each Sunday, often with an accompanying reading, medtation or prayer. This is done in some churches and some families light advent candles at home. The color and meanings of the candles vary among Christian churches. The candles may be displayed in a row or as part of an advent wreath. A white Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Chrstmas Day.

For a guide to the 2023 Advent season visit:

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-advent.html

Christmas Card Day

“This holiday honors Sir Henry Cole (1818 – 1874) who created the first commercial Christmas Card in 1843.”

But isn’t today a good day to get started on your holiday cards? Whether you buy or make your own let this be a cause for celebration rather than a dreaded chore. Think about each recipient as you prepare the cards for the mail. Think of fond memories of the person and give thanks for their role in your life.

Check out this old post for more ideas on making and sending holiday cards. https://espirational.com/2020/12/10/making-and-sending-holiday-cards/

Read more aout Chirstmas Card Day here.

National Brownie Day

I have to admit I love a good brownie. My mother never met a convienience food she didn’t like, so brownies at our house were always from a mix. But my mother still took the time to make them. It wasn’t until I was out on my own that I discovered the joys of baking.

This is my recipe. I bake them in a mini muffin pan so they are brownie bites. The secret to a nice fudgy brownie is to not overbake them.

Genie’s Brownie Bites

1 cup brown rice flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder (I prefer dark)

1 t. baking powder

1/2 cup agave nectar or 1 cup sugar

1 egg or equivilent substitute

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/3 cup water (I like to use raspberry or peppermint herbal tea instead)

1/4 cup walnuts if desied

1 cup chocolate chips (regular or minis will work)

Directions:

1, Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Combine flour, cocoa and baking powder in a large bowl.

3. Add applesacue, agave, egg substitute and water, stirring to combine.

4. Mix in walnts, chocolate chips and almond extract.

Bake in a mini muffin pan for 15 minutes or until brownies are done. Watch them carefully. If your want fudgy brownies don’t overbake.

Makes 24 brownie bites.`

Hannukah Begins

As we celebrate the first night of Hanukkah we revist this post from last year.

First Night of Hanukkah

“That’s what Hanukkah is about: trying to survive the darkness on the far-fetched hope there’s still some life and light left in the universe. It’s more than just a religious story. The days have been growing shorter, imperceptibly but inescapably darker … Heading into the night of the winter solstice, every spiritual tradition has some kind of festival of light. We’re all just whistling in the dark, hoping against hope that someone up there will see these little Hanukkah candles and get the hint.” — Lawrence Kushner

This is the first night of Hannukah. This is the time Jews around the world gather as families for eight nights to tell the old story of a great miracle involving light.

For more information please visit:

https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm

https://pjcc.org/jewish-life/jewish-holidays-explained/hanukkah/embed/#?secret=7NNYUDhela

Mitten Tree Day

Mitten tree day is a day to celebrate the gift of warmth. It is also a good activity for children. Mittens are collected for those in need and displayed on a Christmas tree. I have seen mitten trees that also included hats and scarfs. One church we attended had a special service after the Thanksiving meal where families went to the front of the church and hung mittens on the tree together as an act of worship and service. A mitten tree could also be a part of the annual childrens Chistmas program.

Some schools, business and non-profit organizations have mitten trees. This could also be a great activity to do with your children at home with your own mitten tree. The mittens you collect could then be donated to the Salvation Army, homeless shelter or other organizaton serving those in need. During a time when we tend to focus on what we will receive this is a great way to teach about giving.

For more information on Mitten Tree Day visit https://nationaldaycalendar.com/mitten-tree-day-december-6/

Celebrate Shelter Pets Day

We have always celebrated the birthdays of our cats in December because they have all been adopted and we did not know for sure when they were born. Our cats have always received special gifts and food as we celebrated the December holidays.

This is a good time of year to draw attention to the plight of homeless animals in shelters. Shelters are always in need of volunteers and donations of not only cash but food, blankets. Contact your local shelter or rescue organization to find our about immediate needs.

Finally let’s talk about pets as Christmas presents. Pets require love, dedication and commitment from their humans. If you give an animal as a gift be sure the person receiving it is prepared for the responsibilities of pet parenthood. This is especially important with children. Don’t let you well intentioned gift end up being neglected, on the streets or in a shelter.

For more information on this day read https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/celebrate-shelter-pets-day

National Sock Day

Call me crazy, but I will never complain about receiving socks as a gift for Christmas or any time for that matter. But no plain black or even white socks for me please. I love socks and the brighter, wilder and sillier the better. So I’m ready to celebrate National Sock Day.

But what exactly is National Sock Day and where did it come from? It was started by a clothing company called Pair of Thieves. They have a program to donate socks to those in need for socks purchased on that day as well as year round.

While we are talking about socks have you ever thought of donating them to your local homeless shelter or other charity. Things like socks and underwear are needs that most people just don’t think of donating.

So on this National Sock Day enjoy your socks. You might even buy a new pair and while you are at it pick up a few extra pairs to donate.

For more information on National Sock Day please visit https://nationaltoday.com/national-sock-day