Substance of Living

Homemade Hot Cocoa See all the dark chocolate swimming around in that rich and creamy cup of steamy hot cocoa?  If we hadn't drank all of it last night, I'd be sitting here with a cup right now.  Then again, there might be some chocolate left in the pantry.  As soon as I'm done here, I'm going to go see.   There are all kinds of cocoa. There are instant, homemade, kid friendly and of course adult versions. So let's start with your favorite version of cocoa or hot chocolate mix, whether that is from a package or a secret family recipe passed down through the generations.  If you don’t have a favorite, here is one I think you might enjoy. Ingredients: 4 cups Non-Dairy Milk 2 Tablespoons Vegan Butter 8 ounces Chocolate (candy bars, baking chocolate) 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract Directions:   Chop the chocolate very finely.  If you’re using dark chocolate you might need to sweeten your drink a bit.  However, i...

I'm not usually one for spouting off my political beliefs but this poem came in from a reader and I had to share with you. Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. Why the PC Police had taken away The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would ...

Many years ago, when I first learned about Hanukkah, I thought it was Christmas for eight days.  I mean, can you imagine receiving gifts for days on end rather than having to wait for one specific day?  Also, I liked the idea that it came at different times in the winter months.  I had heard that it might come as early as November!  Can you imagine Christmas in November?! As much as I like the idea of getting presents on a daily basis, I've never been really good with the whole advent thing.  I tend to want my gifts all at once.  What a glutton I am.  Hey, what can I say, I want to eat the whole cake in one sitting. Talk about lack of control. DH would absolutely vouch for this oh-so-positive trait in me.  :-) Since that time, I've learned a lot about rationing and not having it all in one sitting.  Don't get me wrong, that little girl is still in there wanting it all and NOW !  I didn't just want my two front teeth for Christmas...

What I've learned living in the south is that Southerners really are about family.  I think it might be because they like to cook.  ( Or is that me wanting to fit in because I have lived in the south for so long, enjoy cooking, and having company around my table? )  It's common to find the family gathered together for Sunday suppers. Thanksgiving seems to be an excuse to have a Sunday supper during the week. Another thing I've learned living in the south is that holidays are HUGE events.  Everyone is invited.   Not enough room or tables?  No problem.  Move the furniture around and instead of eating in the dining room, eat in the family room or spread the tables throughout the house.  The finest dishes are used no matter how fancy or simple and whether or not they match. This first table makes me think of a tea house or a romantic setting in an historical hotel.  The rich colors, napkin holders, and the overall elegance takes me ba...

Is it your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner this year?  Why not make it a casual affair by setting up a buffet.  That way everyone can dish their own plate and the big reason is to allow more room in the center of the table for your beautiful tablescape ! Thanksgiving Tablescape by Between Naps on the Porch Here's the menu to make life a little easier. Buffet Table by Divine Dinner Party Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner Menu Deviled Eggs (This can be made the day before) Apple, Cranberry Walnut Salad tossed in a Brown Sugar Glaze Roasted Corn on the Cob Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce (This can be made the day before or open the can and refrigerate on serving dish) Green Bean Casserole (This can be assembled the day before minus the french fried onions ) Sweet Potato Souffle (This can be prepped a day or two ahead) Cornbread Stuffing (This can be prepped a day or two ahead) Herb Roasted Turkey (Thaw according to USDA guidelines ) Slow Roasted Beef wi...

*** WINNER of the General Mills Giveaway announcement! *** This was such a fun contest and I enjoyed reading all of your comments.  I hope I've been able to catch up and follow each of you back.  Will you please let me know if I've missed one? Cheryl F. was our blessed winner! Cheryl F. was entry number 22 chosen by Random.org.  An email has been sent and you have until Saturday, November 9, 2013 to respond or a new winner will have to be (unfortunately/fortunately) selected.  Please send your email to substanceofliving at gmail dot com. Congratulations!  You've won a great prize and hopefully you will send us a picture of what you received and let us know how you will use your gift. Cheryl F.'s Winning Number Names of entrants and their subsequent entry numbers as they were received: Elis Brockway 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Carol Ezovski 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 1,6, 17, 18 Rachel Wooldridge Lewter 19, 20, 21 Cheryl F. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 2...

I love parties that are over the top with decorations and tablescapes but sometimes simple is more elegant.  Especially at Thanksgiving, it seems that we automatically want to concentrate more on those around the table than the decorations.  Besides that, if you have your table full of wonderful decorations, where do you put the food if not on a buffet? There are many occasions that the center of the table, the runner, is the buffet table.  That's when individual touches come into play. Tea Towel over Chair Organic Table Felt Leaf Table Runner Place Card with Herbs Natural Leaf Place Cards Simple ribbon tied around a napkin, folding a napkin , or by placing tea lights at each setting saves time and money allowing you more peace of mind. Use what you have on hand.  Because even if your dishes or silverware aren't complete sets, they will add authenticity and personality to your table. Tweet this Post Please share me with...

This past summer we started a book club of sorts.  It certainly isn't a typical book club where we all get together and discuss books but more of a sharing of our favorite books, genres, and authors. He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark One Glass is Never Enough by Jane Wenham-Jones Do you belong to a book club?  How often do you meet?  How does your club work, do you pick out the books for the year, do you meet at someone's home? Whispers from the Heart: A Novel (Journals from the Heart) by Heather Hummel Joe Cafe by JD Mader If you're new to our book club and would like to get caught up, check out June , July , August , September , and October . We, at Substance of Living hope you're having fun and as always love hearing your thoughts and recommendations.  How would you like a more interactive book club where discussions are free-flowing? Tweet this Post P.S., Should you decide...