Holiday Memories - Ornaments

By Anne Marie Novark

 

Several years ago, I bought a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I don't put up a large tree any longer, not since the kids have grown up and moved away. But this little tree is my idea of the perfect tree. I've been collecting Christmas ornaments for the past thirty-five years, and I wanted something to display my very favorites. The little tree is ideal and it gives me a warm fuzzy every time I look at it. I love warm fuzzies . . . especially during the holiday season.

Speaking of warm fuzzies . . .

Here's a recipe for the most delicious, most decadent, most luscious chocolate cake you'll ever put in your mouth. This cake has played a role in several of my books. Chocolate and romance go hand in hand, right? This was one of my grandmother's signature cakes, and she called it a Texas Hot Cocoa Cake. I've since found out that it's also called a Sheet Cake or Sheath Cake. No matter what you call it, it's DELICIOUS!!!

Go ahead!  Indulge yourself!!!

Texas Hot Cocoa Cake

1 stick oleo
½ c. shortening
1 c. water

Mix these in a small pot and bring to a boil.

¼ c. sour cream
¼ c. milk
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix these together and let sit.

2 c. flour, 2 c. sugar, 4 heaping T. cocoa, pinch of salt.

Mix these in a mixing bowl.  Pour hot liquid over and mix.
Add 2 beaten eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla and milk mixture, beat
all until smooth.  Pour onto a greased 18X12 cookie sheet.
Bake 20 minutes at 375 F.  Or until toothpick comes out
almost clean.

Hot Cocoa Icing

1 stick oleo
4 heaping T. cocoa
6 T milk

Melt these in a sauce pan; do not boil.

1 box powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Combine these with the hot liquid
and beat until smooth; pour hot icing
over hot cake.


Enjoy!!!

 

Here's something else you might enjoy:

If you're looking for something to read during the hectic holidays, maybe during some downtime or on your lunch hour, check out my Texas Two Steps Christmas short story. It's the perfect length to read when you're rushed for time. I'll be giving three stories away today. Just post a comment and you will be automatically entered in the give-away.

 TEXAS TWO STEPS: MELANIE AND BLAKE 

Blake Chambers is the president of the Lone Star Cattle Ranchers Association, and it's time for the Annual Christmas Ball. Blake doesn't know the first thing about organizing a holiday dance. Lucky for him, Melanie Woods does. The sexy Meeting/Events Manager at the Coyote Lake Resort Hotel takes charge and all goes smoothly . . . until Blake's date cancels at the last minute. Melanie can't believe it when the ruggedly handsome rancher asks her to step in and be his escort for the night. In the spirit of the holidays, how can she refuse?

EXCERPT:

"Then how about it?" Blake asked. "Go with me tonight and be my date. We've worked hard together organizing the dance. You should be there."

It was tempting, but wouldn't going with Blake be mixing business with pleasure? Professional with personal? "I don't have anything to wear," Melanie said, stalling for time.

He held her away from him, keeping his hands on her shoulders, and looked her up and down. Admiration and desire gleamed in his oh-so-blue eyes. "You look great," he said after looking his fill. "Just wear what you've got on."

"No way," she said with a flustered laugh. "The Christmas Ball is a formal affair. I can't wear my work clothes."

"You look beautiful to me." He pulled her against him again and stared down into her eyes. "But then again, you always do." Bending his head, he kissed her.

What could a girl say to such an honest declaration as that? And how long had she dreamed of this moment? Melanie gave it up, draped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

To order a digital copy:

Kindle
Nook  
Smashwords  
Amazon UK 
  Do you have a favorite ornament, present or past? How do you display it?

Happy Holidays to one and all!!! 

Anne Marie  :)

www.annemarienovark.com

Wednesday's Chow - Sea Salt Brownies

Oh, chocolate brownies!  Thanks Jennifer Ann Coffeen for sharing this recipe with us!  I really, really can't wait to make it! Be sure to check out Jennifer's post, too. It's good reading!


If you haven't stopped by Jennifer's Monday post, do so now,  Second Book Jitters.

Sea Salt Brownies

Ingredients:

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened dark cocoa

2 cups sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°. Next, line a 9-inch square metal cake pan with foil or wax paper. You can also lightly butter the foil or spray with cooking spray.

2. In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over very low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.

3. In a large mixing bowl begin stirring together the dark cocoa, flour, and sugar. Slowly add in your eggs and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix them well. Slowly add in your cooled chocolate.

4.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the batter. Using a butter knife, swirl the salt into the batter. Bake the brownies in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes, until the edge is set but the center is still a bit soft and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out coated with a little of the batter. Let the brownies cool at room temperature in the pan for 1 hour, then refrigerate just until they are firm, about 1 hour. Lift the brownies from the pan and peel off the foil. Cut the brownies into 16 squares. Serve at room temperature.

Wednesday's Chow - Chcolate Cake

Today, this week's guest, Caroline Clemmens (see her post National Literacy Month HERE)  shares a recipe from HOME, SWEET TEXAS HOME, a chocolate cake heroine Courtney made for a party--a formerly secret recipe her housekeeper shared with her.

Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar sifted
2 cups flour, sifted
1 stick butter
4 Tablespoon cocoa
1/2 cup Crisco
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon soda

Bring butter, Crisco, cocoa and water to boil. Pour over sugar and flour. Add other ingredients. Pour into greased, floured pans. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Icing:
1 box powdered sugar
1 three-ounce pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1 stick margarine, softened
1/2 package or more chocolate chips, melted and added to above
1 Tablespoon milk, or as little as needed to cream mixture

Spread on cooled cake and enjoy.

Thanks, Anna Kathryn, for hosting me today. I’ll be giving away a pdf. of HOME, SWEET TEXAS HOME to one person who leaves a comment, either today or on Monday's post....or both to increase your chance to win!

Caroline Clemmons writes Romance and Adventure
www.carolineclemmons.com
Visit my blog http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com
Team blog http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com

Holiday Cheer - Reindeer Chow

First, we have a recipe for Santa's reindeer - food to help them fly all night and also to help them find your house. Then there's a recipe to make hyper those who are waiting for Santa.....

Reindeer Food


Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
¼ cup sugar
3 tbsp red colored sugar
3 tbsp green colored sugar

Directions:

Mix together and place in a plastic bag. Sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve. The smell of the oats and the glitter of the sugar will help the Santa’s reindeer find YOUR HOME!


Reindeer Chow

 Ingredients:
 1 stick butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
7 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Melt the butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter in a pan over medium; stirring to blend. Put cereal in a large bowl and add mixture. Mix well. Add powder sugar and stir until well coated. Keep in a sealed container.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
- Clement Moore, The Night Before Christmas

Wednesday's Chow - Mississippi Mud Brownies

Mississippi Mud Brownies


Ingredients:

1 bag Martha White brownie mix
1 cup nuts
1 back chunky chocolate chips
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 jar caramel sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven 350°. Mix brownie mix according to package directions. Add nuts, chocolate chunks and marshmallows.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Heat caramel sauce in microwave oven and pour over brownies. Cook an additional 15 minutes.

Wednesday's Chow - Chocolate Cake

One thing I'd have a hard time giving up....for anything....is chocolate. Here's a delicious chocolate cake recipe.

Chocolate Cake

1-18oz box chocolate cake mix
1 cup mayonnaise
3 eggs slightly beaten
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water
2-16 oz cartons prepared chocolate icing

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients, except icing, together. Pout into two 9-inch round cake pans. Bake according to cake mix package directions.

Let cool. Then spread one carton of chocolate icing on bottom layer. Place other layer on top and spread with remaining carton of chocolate.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Booksigning - August 15
FMI check out:
http://www.aklanier.com/

Wednesday's Chow - Peanut Butter-Chocolate Fudge

I love easy, and nothing can get much easier than this recipe. Cook, stir, pour and chill. That's it.

PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE FUDGE

1 6-oz package semi-sweet chocolate morsels (1 cup)
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup powdered sugar

Cook chocolate morsels, peanut butter and butter over low heat, stirring constantly, just until mixture melts and is smooth. Remove from heat.

Add powdered sugar and stir until smooth.

Spread into an 8-inch square pan and chill until firm.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
Heartwarming, Sensual Westerns
http://www.aklanier.com/

Wednesday's Chow - Five Minute Chocolate Cake

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg 3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)


Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.


The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT!







This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous.









And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!