Shhh! It's Top Secret

For years the owners of Serendipity refused to reveal the recipe for their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Even Jackie Kennedy could not get it so that it could be served at a White House gala. Finally, for their 50th anniversary as a thank you to their loyal customers they shared the secret! I have the recipe for this luscious treat in a cookbook that I bought while in NYC called Sweet Serendipity. Here it is:

Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

6 half-ounce pieces of a variety of your favorite chocolates
2 teaspoons storebought hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups ice
whipped cream
Chocolate shavings

-Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

-In a blender place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture, and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings Enjoy with a spoon or a straw-or both!

"For truly authentic Serendipity taste, throw a sprinkle of magic in the mix." Stephen Bruce (Serendipity owner)

Sweet Serendipity

Ser-en-dip-i-ty

-noun

-good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries.

Serendipity is something that I hope all of you have experienced. It's like when you go shopping for snow boots, but you come across a pair of fabulous leopard print, open toed shoes that will be perfect for spring. I love when life is full of grand surprises!

Before going to New York City last fall I watched a show with Rachel Ray giving her recommendations for must sees in NYC. Serendipity3 was a top pick. Rachel, my friend, you know how to pick em! We loved it! The restaurant is located in a Manhattan townhouse in a quiet area on 60th Street. The outside is very unassuming. When you open the doors to walk inside you are entering a magical place. It is decorated with more Tiffany style lamps than you can imagine and a menagerie of antique Victorian finds. The menu is one of the biggest I have ever seen. We did not have a meal there, but there is definitely something for everyone. They serve everything from hot dogs to caviar. We went specifically for their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. (I'm not even going to describe it with words, my face in the corner picture pretty much sums it up! If you are wondering, that is indeed a little blue Tiffany's bag sitting beside me!) If that doesn't satisfy your chocolate craving they also offer a Golden Opulence Sundae containing rare chocolates with a price tag of $1000.00. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this magically delicious place you absolutely should. You may just sit at a table that has been graced by Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Steven Spielberg or John Travolta. Tomorrow I will post the top secret recipe for the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate so you can make your own until you get the chance to visit in person. I hope you have an encounter with sweet serendipity today!

Wordless Wednesday

Whatever Is Lovely

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

I have this verse on a plaque in my home. It is a wonderful reminder that helps get my thoughts back on track when I lose focus. I don't know about you, but there are so many things that can become a distraction that I often need a gentle push in the right direction. I pray that you will be blessed with praiseworthy thoughts today!

Essentials For A Great Snow Day

1. Wear your pajamas inside out and them leave them on all day! (Even wear them under your snow pants, who will know?)

2. Catch a snowflake on your tongue. (Just don't try putting your tongue on a frozen flagpole!)

3. Be sure to have some warm mittens. (Ours were warm from the oven.)

4. Drink plenty of fluids. You have to keep your energy up for the snowball fights and sled rides! (Fluid of choice-hot cocoa)

5. If you spend a lot of time trying to catch what appears to be a ball in your mouth, but then it falls apart when you catch it, take a nap!

That last one was for our four legged friends who love the snow!

Snow Much Fun

Earlier this month we got to enjoy some snow days. We were so busy during Christmas break that it was nice to have a few days to just relax at home. Winter weather is not so desirable if I'm the one driving on the slick roads, but this time I had no where to go. My kitchen was stocked with the essentials (plenty of hot cocoa and comfort foods) so I was like a child eagerly awaiting the possibility of some winter accumulation. Hannah thinks that when there is snow in the forecast that if you wear your pajamas inside out you will be certain to wake up to a winter wonderland. I wouldn't call what we had a winter wonderland, but it was more than a dusting, so we'll just say that the pj's came through this time! It's a good thing that I wore my inside out pajamas nearly all day or there might not have been enough snow for a snow angel. (Just had to do my part for the cause). We had SNOW MUCH FUN! I hope y'all have had a chance to have some cold weather fun!

Wordless Wednesday

Cheep Entertainment

I was thrilled to receive a bird feeder for Christmas this year. It didn't take long for my feathered friends to find their new place to dine. One furry friend also thought he had found a new eatery, but this one is "squirrel proof". Go dig up some of those nuts you buried last summer! I love to watch the little finches scurry about and the cardinals are just gorgeous against the new fallen snow. Forget Regis and Kelly! This morning the birds are much more entertaining!

Wordless Wednesday

Birthday Bash 2009

Each year I find great joy in planning Hannah's birthday party. It takes a lot of energy, but I try to channel my inner Martha Stewart and see what happens. Having Melissa Lester for a BFF is also a plus. She is the birthday party guru! Check out her children's parties at A Little Loveliness. She throws celebrations that are nothing short of spectacular!

Hannah and I usually start the planning with a theme. This year we combined her birthday party with the second annual evening of carolling with her friends. In the past I have tried desperately to keep her birthday totally seperate from holiday celebrations. I feel bad for those of you who were born in December or January. Just so you know I will never wrap your birthday gift in red or green! Your welcome! Hannah assured me that she was okay with having a party with a little Christmas flare. So we rolled with the idea.

We started with invitations that were attached to an ornament that we personalized for each girl with a monogrammed sticker. Thanks to Kelly's Korner for that idea! We started the evening with dinner and then an ornament exchange. Next it was time for the girls to warm up their vocal chords for some Christmas carolling. Thanks to all my friends who opened their door to those wild and crazy girls. I hope your little ones enjoyed the show! We ended the evening with the birthday girl opening her gifts and blowing out 11 candles. It was an exhausting but fun night!