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As I look at the calendar telling me it’s the 20th of December, I can’t help but want to turn back the clock, oh just a few months.  Pretty please? I’m sure many of you all have all the shopping done, the goodies baked, the Christmas menu planned out.  Me?  oh no, this year I have absolutely nothing done.  I made it to a few holiday parties and am working on some handmade hot cocoa mix gifts, but haven’t even managed to get a tree or decorations up.  Heck I haven’t even listened to any Christmas music, except unwillingly in all the stores that are blaring the jolly tunes.  Yep, you can call me scrooge this year! ha! 

Not sure why I’m just not into it this year, but when my mom sent me a cute, little package in the mail, and I started balling, I realized that I missed my mom and fam so much.  Looking over pictures from last year and not being able to visit this year is tough.  Of course I love the holidays, but with not too much moola to get gifts, lack of time these days, and missing that little time spent with my mom’s side of the family, makes me want to skip it over I guess.

Don’t worry though, I have been in the kitchen 🙂

For Kristen’s cookie exchange party last week I wanted to make something quick and tasty.  I have never made buckeye balls, or have even tried them for that matter, so when Gina (CandidRD) recently posted a recipe for them I thought I HAD to try them!  Plus peanut butter and chocolate is the best combination ever.  Just sayin.

Buckeye Balls

(adapted from CandidRD)

For the ball filling:

• 1.5 cups smooth peanut butter
• 2 sticks Smart Balance 50/50 blend
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar

My favorite peanut butter.  Barney butter ain’t got nuthin’ on TJ’s.

Mix it all up.

I did not lick this.  No not me.

Nor did I stick my finger in this for a little taste.

I used a little ice scream scoop to scoop out the balls and then put toothpicks in the center before placing them in the freezer for at least a 1/2 hour (I left mine overnight).

In the picture above with all the ingredients I had milk chocolate on hand, so I just used that.  After finding that it would not melt for the life of me, and was a really strange texture, I looked at the bag’s expiration date that said it had expired! oops.  I made a quick run to the store, picked up some darker morsels and added a bit of vegetable oil to get it flowing and glossy for dipping.

Dip ’em in the chocolate and then place them back in the freezer for at least 3 hours and that’s it!

These were a huge hit at the party and I still have one or two in the fridge that call out ‘Kristen, eat me!’ every time I open the fridge.

They fit wonderfully with the other cookies at the party.  So. Many. Cookies.  I couldn’t believe how many there were!

Oh and all the food and this white sangria was wonderful!

Next up on the holiday gifts . . .

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

This is also pretty easy to whip up a large batch, but I wish I had a larger, stronger food processor for the chocolate.  It didn’t quite chop it as fine as I would have liked.  There were many recipes out there, but this one is adapted from Gourmet.

For 18 – 1/2 cup servings:

• 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 9 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2.5 cups cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp cornstartch
• 1.5-2 tsp cinnamon
• 3-4 cups vanilla sugar (mix 1-2 vanilla bean seeds in the sugar to infuse & let sit overnight)

Blend the chocolate pieces and sugar in food processor in batches until very finely chopped.

Add to a large bowl along with the cocoa, cornstarch and cinnamon.  Mix well and serve up in mason jars with some marshmallows and instructions.  Cute!

To make a single serving of hot cocoa:

Heat 1 cup of low fat milk over the stove, just until warm, add 2 tbsp of cocoa mix and stir until dissolved.  Serve with a few marshmallows and enjoy!

Everything’s so much cuter with ribbon involved.

mmm comfort

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In cycling news, I’ve been getting in some pretty good miles, nothing crazy, but good.  Last weekend I got in a great 65 miles with some of the guys from the team and was on a high for the rest of the day I felt so good.  Yesterday on the other hand was another story . . . I knew from the weather report, small drizzle outside, and gale force winds, it probably wasn’t the best day to ride.  I know that when I have a hunch it’s not going to be a good riding day, I should listen.  Just not fun.

The winds were horrific and blew me around like a boat sail in bike form.  I battled to stay on any wheel that I could, but it was tough. We only got in about 40 some odd miles, but those miles felt like the longest, and worst miles in a long time.  After the ride I felt like I had been riding against a brick wall, while someone simultaneously beat me with a bat, and my body was exhausted.  It was still great to have more time with the team; that’s what made it worth it.  The ride on the other hand, sucked major booty.

Ah well, the clouds were sure neat to look at. Ominous and mysterious.  So beautiful, yet something terrible lurks behind. muahahaha

Even though I may not have a ton of holiday spirit this year, I’m still very thankful for all the family and friends in my life that make me feel loved, being able to live comfortably, have yummy food, ride my bike even when some rides aren’t so great, have my health, and enjoy the little things that make this thing called life special.

Are you ready for the holiday?  What are you thankful for this season?