Christmas Elfiz

Sidenote: when my sister was little, she couldn't say "elves," so she called our elves the "elfiz."

I love having a little sibling that still believes in Santa. Since this is probably the last year I will get to put out the elves, I've decided I am going to have fun with them. There are lots of blogs out there that have creative Elf on the Shelf ideas, even some highly inappropriate and possibly scarring displays. I know it's a little late, but I'm going to make a post of my own with my fun Elves.

We have two, they were actually my mom's when she was little, and with the recent resurgence in popularity, they came out again. They're twin elves that have had fun doing acrobatics around our house in the past. This year, they're going to have even more fun...

Day 6: Wii Mario Kart

Shannon wrote letters to the elves and Santa again, but I didn't have time to respond because I had to get to work. Hopefully she won't be too upset that she didn't get a reply...

Day 5: Remote Control Car Ride

Shannon also wrote the elves and Santa letters...

 So, the elves wrote back:

Day 4: Zip Line Elves! 
Zip-lining from the Chandelier to the Christmas Tree!

Day 3: Reading Harry Potter in the book case

Day 2: Marshmellow Fight

Day 1: Peppermint Bark Stuffed Elves
(Notice the chocolate on their faces and the crumbs everywhere. Don't worry, I saved the peppermint bark. It is a prized possession.)

Dad had a bit of a conniption when he saw that all of the peppermint bark was gone. But fortunately on day 2, the elves returned the bark and apologizes for the disruption that they caused. 

-Soo Coco

Time for Christmas Cookies

First day off from working at the Teddy Bear Tea (which is so much fun, but the way), so I'm preparing for our Christmas cookies! It is quite an extravaganza. So this is what I did....

I have a good cookie cook book, which I actually left in Baton Rouge, stupid me, but Katherine was nice enough to text pictures of my most used recipes to me. The other recipes I got off of Epicurious.com. Some of them I made last year, some are new. I decided on....
-- Holiday Sugar cookies
-- Spritz Cookies
-- Almond-Oat Lace Cookies
-- Christmas Wreaths
-- Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
-- Bourbon Balls (we are using a little less four and adding some chocolate to them)
-- Grasshopper Squares
-- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (not making them hazelnut)
-- Coocoons (an old favorite of our family's)

First I printed out all of the possible cookies I was going to do and mom and I chose which ones.

Then I made a list of how much of each ingredient I would need, as well as other ingredients

Then I typed it all up and added the amounts, now I'm ready to check the pantry and go to the grocery store!

Happy Baking!!
- Soo Coco

Rum Hot Chocolate

My friends Emma and Christine (shout out!) came over the week before finals to help me decorate my cottage for Christmas! So naturally we wanted to make hot chocolate. And for such an occasion, you need home-made hot chocolate, not some silly stuff from a packet. So, we asked Google for a good from-scratch alcoholic hot chocolate recipes. This is what Google found for us.It was actually quite tasty, if I do say so myself.


Ingredients: (About 2-3 servings)
-- 4 cups milk
-- 7 ounces chocolate (I used semi-sweet mini chocolate chips)
-- 4 teaspoons honey
-- 2 tsp. brown sugar
-- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
-- 4 tablespoons dark rum, or to taste
-- Peppermint Candy Canes
-- Mini Marshmellows

Directions:
1. Pour the milk into a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the chocolate, honey and sugar. Stir regularly until the chocolate is melted.
3. Add vanilla and whisk briskly.
4. While still whisking, add half of the rum and taste. Add more if desired.
5. Ladle hot chocolate into mugs
6. Top with a handful of marshmellows and add a peppermint candy cane.


The candy cane really gives the hot chocolate that extra holiday-feel. I actually like it with more rum than less. My friends say it tastes better and is less noticeable when there is more rum.

Enjoy!

-Soo Coco

Christmas in the Cottages

I absolutely love Christmas. Even though I was only in my cottage for about 2 weeks of the Christmas holidays, I decorated! I decided I am going to invest in different pieces of decoration each year. This year, my mom gave me a garland, and then I invested in some lights, a tree stand, and some ornaments. Everything Christmas at hobby lobby was %50 off! It was fantastic. And I got my little tree at Lowes for $25. Here are a couple pictures of my decorated cottage!

 Bah Humbug Tree Toppers!

 My Hand Made Wreaths!

Merry Christmas!

-Soo Coco