The Last Christmas Tree...a poem and three fabulous Hot Chocolate Recipes!

I saw a truck of Christmas trees

And each one had a tale,

The driver stood them in a row

And put them up for sale. 

He strung some twinkly lights

And hung a sign up with a nail;

"FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES"

It said in red

"FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES FOR SALE." 

He poured himself hot cocoa

In a steaming thermos cup,

And snowflakes started falling

As a family car pulled up. 

A mom, a dad, and one small boy

Who looked no more than three

Jumped out and started searching

For the perfect Christmas tree. 

The boy marched up and down the rows,

His nose high in the air;

"It smells like Christmas, mom!

It smells like Christmas everywhere!" 

"Let's get the biggest tree we can!

A tree that's ten miles high!

A tree to go right through our roof!

A tree to touch the sky!" 

"A tree SO big "That Santa Claus

Will stop and stare and say,

'Now, THAT'S the finest Christmas tree

I've seen this Christmas Day!'" 

It seemed they looked at every tree

At least three million times;

Dad shook them, pinched them,

turned them 'round 

To find the perfect pine. 

"I've found it, mom!

The Christmas tree I like the best of all!

It's got a little bare spot,

But we'll turn that to the wall!"

"We'll put great-grandma's angel

On top the highest bough!

Oh, can we buy it?

Please, mom, PLEASE?!

Oh, can we buy it NOW?" 

"How 'bout some nice hot cocoa?"

Asked the man who owned the lot.

He twisted off the thermos top,

"Now, THIS will hit the spot!" 

He poured the steaming chocolate

In three tiny paper cups.

They toasted, "Here's to Christmas!"

And they drank the cocoa up. 

"Is this your choice?" The tree man asked,

"This pine's the best one here!"

The boy seemed sad--- "My daddy says

"The price is just too dear." 

"Then, Merry Christmas!" Said the man,

who wrapped the tree in twine,

"It's yours for just one promise.

You must keep at Christmas time!" 

"On Christmas Eve at bedtime

As you fold your hands to pray,

Promise in your heart

To keep the joy of Christmas Day!" 

"Now hurry home! This freezy wind

Is turning your cheeks pink!

And ask your dad

To trim that trunk

and give that tree a drink!" 

And so it went on

All that blustery eve

As the tree man gave

Tree upon tree upon tree 

To every last person

Who came to the lot-

Who toasted with cocoa

In small paper cups, 

Who promised the promise

Of joy in their hearts---

And singing out carols,

Drove off in the dark. 

And when it was over

One tree stood alone;

But no one was left there

To give it a home. 

The tree man put on his

Red parka and hood

And dragged the last Christmas tree

Out to the woods.

He left the pine right by a stream

In the cold, 

So the wood's homeless creatures

Could make it their home. 

He smiled as he brushed off

Some snow from his beard,

When out of the thicket

A reindeer appeared.

He scratched that huge reindeer

On top his huge head---

"It looks like we've

Started up Christmas again!" 

"There are miles more to travel,

And much more to do!

Let's go home, my friend,

And get started anew 

He looked to the sky

And heard jingle bells sound-

And then, In a twinkling,

That tree man was gone! 


 I'm sure that after reading this wonderful poem, all you are craving a steaming cup of hot chocolate! Me, too! So here are two three fabulous recipes with variations. The first is making hot chocolate the good old fashioned way and the second recipe is for those of us with a little less patience! And the third is a wonderful spin on making hot chocolate. Hot chocolate truffles that you can drop in a cup of hot milk and Voila, Hot Chocolate! Enjoy!

Hot Chocolate ~ recipe and picture from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 2 cups Milk
• 2 cups Half-and-half
• 1 cup Good Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional)
• VARIATIONS: Orange Rind, Orange Syrup, Cinnamon Sticks, Raspberry Syrup, Abuelita Chocolate, Mint Extract, Peppermint Patties, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Shavings

Preparation Instructions

To make the basic hot chocolate, combine milk with half-and-half in a small saucepan.
Warm over medium-low heat, then stir in chocolate chips.
Stir until melted (though there will still be lovely particles of chocolate throughout.)
If it’s too chocolatey for you, splash in a little more milk.
If it’s not quite sweet enough for you, add 1 teaspoon sugar.
Serve in mugs with whipped cream.

VARIATIONS
Orange Hot Chocolate: Add 4 slices of orange rind as you warm the milk mixture. Add a splash of orange syrup if you have it, but it isn’t necessary.
Raspberry Hot Chocolate: Add 3 tablespoons raspberry syrup to the hot chocolate. Drop a couple of raspberries into each cup.
Mint Hot Chocolate: Drop 1 to 2 miniature peppermint patties into each mug before adding hot chocolate. Stir to melt.
Mexican Hot Chocolate: Substitute 2 discs of Abuelita chocolate for the chocolate chips. Simmer cinnamon sticks in the saucepan with the hot chocolate. Add 1 cinnamon stick to each mug before serving.
Garnish any and all variations with whipped cream or chocolate shavings.

 recipe found at the pioneer woman

DIY Instant Hot Cocoa Mix ~ Recipe courtesy Alton Brown
Serves:
5 1/2 cups dry mix

Ingredients
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
Hot water

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. 

In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water. 

Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. 

Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. 

This also works great with warm milk.

recipe found at food network

Hot Chocolate Truffles

Yield: 15 truffles

Ingredients

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

cocoa powder, crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips for rolling 

 

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a pot and melt together on low heat until smooth. Stir constantly.

2. Let cool in the fridge until stiff enough to scoop.

3. Make small scoops, about 2 Tablespoons each. And place them in the freezer for and hour.

4. Remove scoops, roll into balls.

5. Roll in your choice of decoration. Crushed candy cane, cocoa, cinnamon, mini marshmallows. (If you try the mini marshmallows, you really have to push the marshmallows into the chocolate balls.)

6. Wrap each ball in suran wrap and keep chilled until ready to use.

7. When ready, drop chocolate balls into 1 ½ cups of hot milk and stir!

Recipe found at  YourCupofCake

The Peasant and the Cucumbers

A peasant once went to the gardener's, to steal cucumbers.

He crept up to the cucumbers, and thought, "I will carry off a bag of cucumbers, which I will sell; with the money I will buy a hen.

The hen will lay eggs, hatch them, and raise a lot of chicks.
I will feed the chicks and sell them; then I will buy me a young sow, and she will bear a lot of pigs.

I will sell the pigs, and buy me a mare; the mare will foal me some colts. I will raise the colts, and sell them.

I will buy me a house, and start a garden. In the garden I will sow cucumbers, and will not let them be stolen, but will keep a sharp watch on them.

I will hire watchmen, and put them in the cucumber patch, while I myself will come on them, unawares, and shout, 'Oh, there, keep a sharp lookout!'"

And this he shouted as loud as he could.

The watchmen heard it, and they rushed out and beat the peasant.


story source: Fables for Children; Stories for Children; Natural Science Stories written by Leo Tolstoy translated by Leo Wiener published 1904 

I have two cool and yummy recipes for you. Both are
great ways to get kids to eat their veggies!

Cucumber Slushie

Ingredients:
1 large cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces
2 cups of water
1 cup of ice
3 tablespoons of sugar (or to taste)
the juice of 1/4 lemon or 1/2 lime

Directions:
Place all of your ingredients in blender, and puree until completely smooth
Serve immediately.

Cool Mint Cucumber Soup

Ingredients:
1 cup of plain yogurt
2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded and chopped
Juice of 1/2 a lemon (add to taste)
1 to 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic (to taste)
1 to 2 tablespoons of honey (to taste)
Chopped fresh mint (to taste)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions:
Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
The items that are listed as _to taste_ can be added slowly and you should taste as you go.
Chill soup, well (approximately 2 hours).
Served garnished with a few fresh mint leaves and/or with pieces of very finely chopped cucumber.

Legend of the Watermelon....a Vietnamese legend

Once upon a time, the sixth son of King Hung Vuong the Fifth named An-Tiem disobeyed the King's order and was exiled to a deserted island.

The Prince had to build his own shelter, dig a well for water, and fish and hunt animals for food. One day, he found a green fruit as big and round as a ball. He split the fruit into halves and found the inside of the fruit red. He dared not eat it because he was afraid it was poisonous.

Days passed and the dry and sunny season came. It was so hot that all the plants were dry and the well had no water left. One day An-Tiem was so tired and thirsty that he tasted the fruit He found out that it tasted delicious and quenched his thirst. He tried to grow the plant around his house then. Soon the whole island was covered with the green fruit.

An-Tiem carved the island's name and his own on some of the fruit and threw them into the sea. Later, seamen found the strange fruit with An-Tiem's name floating in the sea.

Soon, words about the fruit reached the continent and many merchants tried to find the way the island. This then turned the deserted island into a busy island. The island was now crowded. Many boats came and went. An-Tiem helped anyone who wanted settle on the island. Soon, news about that reach the King.

King Hung Vuong was very proud of having a son who was brave and strong enough to overcome difficulties without anyone's help. An-Tiem was immediately summoned back to the court. He brought his fruit with him to offer the King, his father. The King gave him his crown and An-Tiem became King Hung Vuong VI.

Since then the fruit which was called "dua hau" and has become the symbol of luck; people often offer it to relatives and friends as a New Year present.



Summers almost over so rush out and get those watermelon!!

Watermelon Dippers

Ingredients
8 ounces sour cream
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Watermelon stix or small wedges


Instructions
Blend together the sour cream, sugar and vanilla in a small serving bowl. Use as a dip for the watermelon.



Watermelon Slushie

Ingredients:
8 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
6 ounce frozen lemonade concentrate thawed(1 can)


Preparation:
Place watermelon in a large bowl; cover and freeze.
Place half of frozen watermelon, half of powdered sugar, and half of concentrate in a blender, and process until smooth.
Do the same procedure with the other half of the ingredients.
Serve while cold.

The Twelve Months...a Russian folktale (and two fab recipes)

The Twelve Months
THERE was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan because she was far prettier than her own daughter.

Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand why her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work fell to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any help.

Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself in her best clothes and go to one amusement after another.

But Marouckla never complained. She bore the scoldings and bad temper of mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a lamb. But this angelic behavior did not soften them. They became even more tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, while Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained, her own daughter would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of privation, abuse, every means was used to make the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all Marouckla grew ever sweeter and more charming.

One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets.

"Listen," cried she to Marouckla, "you must go up the mountain and find me violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and sweet-scented-do you hear?"

"But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?" said the poor orphan.

"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said Helen. "Not another word. Off with you! If you do not bring me some violets from the mountain forest I will kill you."

The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and shivered with cold, and prayed to die.

Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger.

There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the others. His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage returned, and drawing near, she said: --

"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter cold."

The great January raised his head and answered:
"What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?"

"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden.

"This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow everywhere?" said January.

"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be found."

Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the Months, and, placing his wand in his hand, said: --

"Brother March, do thou take the highest place."

March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire. Immediately the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt and the trees and shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was spring, and the meadows were blue with violets.

"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said March.

Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house.

"Where did you find them?" asked Helen.

"Under the trees on the mountain-side," said Marouckla.

Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.

"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They must be very sweet and ripe."

"But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed Marouckla.

"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my strawberries I will kill you," said Helen.

Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the door. The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the large fire round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January occupied the highest place.

"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near.

The great January raised his head and asked: "Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?"

"I am looking for strawberries," said she.

"We are in the midst of winter," replied January, "strawberries do not grow in the snow."

"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother have ordered me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them."

The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and putting the wand in his hand, said: "Brother June, do thou take the highest place."

June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries, and instantly they covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood.

"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said June.

Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran happily home.

Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled the house with their delicious fragrance.

"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly.

"Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are not bad," answered Marouckla.

Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day she took a fancy for some fresh, red apples.

"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh, red apples from the mountain."

"Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor fruit!"

"Idle thing, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you bring back apples we will kill you."

As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of the house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep snow, and on toward the fire round which were the Twelve Months. Motionless they sat there, and on the highest stone was the great January.

"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near.

The great January raised his head. "Why comest thou here? What does thou seek?" asked he.

"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla.

"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the great January.

"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother sent me to fetch red apples from the mountain. If I return without them they will kill me."

Thereupon the great January arose and went over to one of the elderly Months, to whom he handed the wand saying: --

"Brother September, do thou take the highest place."

September moved to the highest stone, and waved his wand over the fire. There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast wind in yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied a tree which grew at a great height, and from the branches of this hung the bright, red fruit. September ordered her to gather some quickly. The girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another.

"That is enough," said September; "hurry home."

Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. Helen and the stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.

"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister.

"There are more on the mountain-top," answered Marouckla.

"Then, why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily. "You must have eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl."

"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I shook the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow me to shake it again, but told me to return home."

"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak. I will fetch some more apples myself. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The shepherds may cry `Stop!' but I will not leave go till I have shaken down all the apples."

In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped herself in her pelisse, put on a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. Snow covered everything. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After a while she saw a light above her, and, following in its direction, reached the mountain-top.

There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the Twelve Months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission, nor did she speak one polite word.

"What hath brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the great January severely.

"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. What business is it of yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going toward the forest.

The great January frowned, and waved his wand over his head. Instantly the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the fury of the storm Helen stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her benumbed limbs.

The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked from the window, she watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The hours passed slowly, but Helen did not return.

"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?" thought the mother. Then she clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in search of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. It covered all things. For long she wandered hither and thither, the icy northeast wind whistled in the mountain, but no voice answered her cries.

Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, and waited, but neither stepmother nor sister returned. They had been frozen to death on the mountain.

The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with her, and their lives were happy and peaceful.

story & picture found at Russian-Crafts.com

I've included 2 recipes since both of them are really simple!

Russian Luscious Strawberry Treat
serves 2
A great recipe for using up leftover strawberries.

Ingredients
20 average-sized strawberries, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar (recommended but go according to your taste)

Directions
1) Mix all ingredients together well.
2) Wait a minute or so before serving so that the sour cream sauce will be slightly pinkish from the juice created by the strawberries and sugar.
3) Enjoy!
Note: This will NOT work with any other berry, so strawberries only!


Strawberry Shake Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup of Milk
1/2 cup of Strawberries (Fresh)
1 tbsp. Sugar
Cracked/crushed Ice (no specific amount, you have to "eyeball" it)

Mixing Instruction:
Mix all of the ingredients in blender until smooth.
Ice can be added gradually until you get the consistency you wish.
Pour into a tall glass.
Garnish with fresh strawberries.