All While Big Brother Slept

The weather today was absolutely beautiful! After we got home from jujitsu this evening I sat on the driveway while Nixon played with the broom and dust pan. I just love that little guy and his ability to turn anything in to a toy!

 

 

Then he decided to make faces at the camera

 

 

All while our dog Bailey watched over him...

 

 

And big brother napped in the truck.

 

I love little moments like this. They are pure joy... Until it was time to come in. That's when the little demon came out ;)

 

Nicole

 



Changing Directions....

Hey there everybody!! For the last few months I had been making yummy things out of my home and selling them here locally. It was fantastic! I met some really awesome people and things were just going great! Then I received a Cease and Desist letter from the Nevada State Health Department. Apparently it is illegal to sell food that has been prepared or even stored in a private residence. Ugh. After reviewing my option I decided that what is most important for me right now is being home with my boys. Baking for sale is out the window... for now.

In the mean time I need something to keep me occupied other than dishes, laundry and poopy diapers (yuck!) so I am going to pour some love into my blog. I cook and bake and prepare food daily and I very much enjoy it. Why not share my knowledge? So in the upcoming months (and possibly years) I am going to share some of my favorite recipes and party ideas (I also love to entertain).

This wasn't the path I had in mind but who said I get to choose? The big man upstairs has a plan for me so I am going to roll with it!

As always I love to hear from you! Feel free to email me with question, comments or suggestions of things you would like to read about at simplysweetelko@gmail.com  . I'm excited to see what this next chapter has in store for me!

I mean I would have to be crazy to not enjoy these little faces while I can!

 

TTFN

 

Nicole

Practice Cake and Hot Chocolate

We woke up to frozen rain, closed schools and icy roads this morning. The funny things about it is it was actually warmer today than it has been in a while! Despite that little fact it is the perfect day for hot chocolate.

I found this hot chocolate recipe on Pinterest a while back and I have made it at least once a week ever since. It is the most creamy, delicious hot chocolate I have ever had!

My favorite thing about this recipe is it is so easy. Just throw it all in the crock pot, give it a little stir and walk away. Mmm I love this stuff!

Here's the recipe:

6 cups Milk
1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 cups Chocolate Chips

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on High for 2 hours or until it is all melty and hot. Give it a good whisk to combine all ingredients.

You can also speed up the process by heating it in a pot on the stove or even the microwave.

I like to serve it with either mini marshmallows or homemade whipped cream.


I have had a lot of inquiries for cakes recently. Cakes are not my strong suit so I have been practicing here and there. I made this one yesterday. The cake is chocolate with cream cheese frosting. Not to toot my own horn but it was yuuummy!

Have a great day!

Valentine's Day Special

Marshmallow Pops! They are my new obsession. I've never been a big marshmallow fan but there is something so yummy about the combination of the candy coating, gooey marshmallow and crunchy little sprinkles. I just love them and they are so festive. I have started keeping some on my counter for every season or holiday. They are great little gifts too. I like to give people who come to my house a little something to go home with. These fit that bill perfectly.

So for Valentine's Day I am running a special on these little treats. They will be $5 for a dozen. I did mine in chocolate with pink, white and red sprinkles but they could be done in just about any color combo you would like. Wouldn't they make great little Valentines for a child's class? You could attach a little note on a string. I just love them!

Give me a shout if you interest. You can email me at simplysweetelko@gmail.com or 760-382-1469 :)