Coco, Tea or Me !!

 

The NW is gray and drizzly a lot, but I find that February and March are really long, hard months. The holidays are over, there is much going on, it is too cold to go outside and the weather really can get to you. I am always looking for little ways to entertain and brighten these days. Since we drink so much tea and coco, I thought I would make it a bit more special. I set up a little tray in my kitchen, I got a fun, cheery cup-cake towel at Target. I added our coco mix, tea, strainer, a mini-tea pot, sweetener, mini-marshmallows, a scoop, spoons and cups.

We have over 15 different types of tea. So each morning I set out a new tea and have a little tag in the bowl saying what tea it is. All day I keep a thermos filled with hot watter and I plan once a week to change a treat for the coco. Maybe candy canes, chopped chocolate, cinnamon, ect. It is inviting to see everything all set out and ready to go. A cheery spot on these not so cheery days.

Hot Chocolate Mix

I have looked at a lot of coco mixes but the problem with a lot of them is they use produces like chocolate drink mix, pudding mix or non-dairy creamer. These items have a lot of things in them I do not want to give to my family. So I decided to just keep it simple. Dried milk, coco powder, sweetener and a pinch of salt. Salt always makes it taste sweeter. I wish I could afford organic dried milk, but at this point I am still looking for an affordable option.

1 cup dried powdered milk

1/4 cup coco powder

1/3-1/2 (depending on your taste) cup vanilla sugar or plain sugar, I use evaporated cane

good pinch of salt

Mix and store in a air-tight container, I make at lest 3 times this amount at a time.

To make coco, add 1/4 cup of mix to 1 cup of hot water.

Comments

[Poppett]

I make a cocoa recipe that is similar to this, but instead of adding water, I add scalded milk. So much richer - not to mention more fattening!

[Deby]

oh yesss...I am so tired of the GLOOM out here....ENOUGH..what a great way to brighten your corner of the world.
Deby

[Deb]

This is such a lovely idea.

[Wendy]

I love the cozy little tray you put together. What a wonderful way to brighten any day.
Thanks for the coco mix.

[molly mcgovern]

Simply charming once again.

[Stacy]

Your whole blog is such an inspiration! I look forward every week to seeing what you will come up with. I cannot wait to try some of your beautiful and practical ideas.

[Gumbo Lily]

Sweet tea & cocoa tray. May I come? I love how you make the "everyday" special.

Jody

[Jill]

Clarice,

Looks cozy and comforting.

Jill xo

[Rosemary]

Hi Clarice,
It's so nice that you make everyday special.
I would like to come over for tea.
Have a nice weekend,
Rosemary

[Rosa]

Yum! Love that cupcake tray!! xo

[Lena]

I appreciate how much thought you put into creating a cozy and happy environment for your family Clarice.

Thanks for sharing!

[the feathered nest]

You make everything so special! I'm sure your family enjoys all these little things you do to brighten the day.

Manuela

[countrymouse]

Tea time at your house just gets better and better : ) I wanna come live with you!