Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Creme

This little recipe,  from the Southern Living's Big Book of Christmas, was a last minute addition to our holiday menu.  I'm so glad I gave it a try!  It's easy, quick, rich, creamy and delicious!  All of the things I love in a recipe!

 A little goes a long way so consider serving it in demitasse cups instead of ramekins.

2 cups half-and-half

1/2 cup sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup brandy

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into chunks (I used Ghiradelli, SL suggests Scharffen Berger)

Garnishes: Unsweetened whipped cream, fresh berries, lavendar

Whisk together first 6 ingredients in top of a double broiler, add chocolate.  (I confess, I did this in a large sauce pot instead of a double broiler...I NEVER stopped stirring nor did I take my eye off of it.  If you use a double broiler you do not have to worry about the chocolate burning.)  Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, whisking constantly, 24 minutes or until mixture reaches 160 degrees (mixture will thicken to the consistency of chowder.) 

Remove from heat.  Spoon chocolate into demitasse cups, chocolate pots, or 4- or 6- ounce ramekins.  Cover and chill at least 4 hours.  Garnish, if desired.  Yield 6 to 8 servings.

Smiles!

May share this yummy recipe with some of the blog parties in the side bar =>

Star Wars Room

Our boys received a very special Christmas present this year...

a new room!!

Our little Padwans have been wanting bunk beds for some time so we decided to redo the nursery as a surprise.  We told them we had to fumigate the room due to a bug infestation...thank goodness for gullible little Jedis!

We painted with the same Benjamin Moore colors found on the Pottery Barn website, Comet and Bachelor Blue, lightening Comet two shades.

The comforters and shams were discounted finds from Pottery Barn and  Ebay!

This is my favorite part of the room!  I saw inpirations for the Lego storage/play station and the Lego mini figure board on Pinterest but forgot to pin them!  If you are the mastermind behind these great ideas, please let me know so I can give you the credit!!

***UPDATE- My boys AND THEIR FRIENDS LOVE the minifigure board!!!  They play with it ALL of the time!  Occassionally a brick pops off, but I keep some super glue in a hidden location (don't need anyone super glueing their brother to wall) to quickly put it back on.  Knock on wood, we haven't had any pop off in awhile, even with a couple of playdates!****

The mini figure board was made by measuring off even spaces and using super glue to adhere the 2 x 6 Lego pieces.  In the orginal tutorial, they used glass but I was afraid it might break so I chose to use white board.  After a little use, some of the bricks are coming off with the white coating.  I'm guessing a piece of metal would work best, but I couldn't find any in the short time I had to put it all together.  If you try it, let me know how it works!

The lightsaber night light can be found in the science section of Toys R Us.  The boys LOVE it!  It automatically turns off after 15 minutes, but has a remote control to turn it back on if the padwans need a little more "light" before falling asleep.

The silver board on top of the plastic drawers and on top of the shelves are MDP (?) board painted with metallic paint.  Be sure to sand the edges and wipe it all down before painting!

We also found the cool Star Wars planetarium in the Toys R Us science section.

It not only shows the Earth's stars, but it also show the Star Wars Galaxy.

 After getting the silver boards put into place we added silver thumbtacks as a trim.

It's a great finish to the room.

The shelves back to back add extra storage that keeps clutter hidden.

Nice. 

We looked around for an affordable storage armoire for this space, but didn't find anything before Christmas.  I set up this little table (with R2D2 Sorry on top,) to fill the area for now.

It was such fun getting the room ready and even more fun seeing the look on the boys' faces when they finished their scavenger hunt that led to their new room!

Oh!  I forgot to share a cute little story earlier...
I was tucking the boys in on their first night and the youngest said,
"When I pick a girl and we get married, she's gonna like Star Wars so we can have Star Wars room!"  KAH=UTE!  Love that boy!

Smiles!

May link this fun, new Star Wars room to some of the great parties in my side bar =>

Rudolph Oatmeal

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Nothing special about this bowl of oatmeal except that I shaped it like Rudolph...some brown sugar, pretzels and M & Ms finish the job!

Kah-yute!

Smiles!

May be linking to some of the fun parties found in my sidebar=>

Tuesday To Do Party #42 and #40 & #41 List Makers

Are you recovering from the after Christmas let-down?

Visiting your fun blogs has helped me with my post holiday blues!

Check out the List Makers from the last TWO weeks:

Isn't this a cute centerpiece idea from Between U and Me?

Crushing over these cute sled cupcakes that Randee made!

Definitely need to make Kimberly's Christmas Planner!

Heather's Peppermint Brownie Pops look so yummy!

Everyone needs a hot cocoa station like Sherry's!

This wonderful gift idea from Permanent Posies is definitely on my list!

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
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Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Tuesday To Do #41...#40 List Makers coming soon!

Hi Sweet Bloggy Friends!!

Please forgive me, but I absolutely forgot about the Party this week!

I'm going to go ahead and put it up....I'll put add the List Makers tonight!

Show me what you've been up to...besides shopping!!



Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Clark Reminds us the Reason for the Season

We found little Clark holding baby Jesus in the Nativity scene.  In all of the fun we have with him, we're so happy he remembers the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas!

May share this post with some of the parties in the sidebar=>

Celebrate Flask

This post is just to show a friend another flask idea...

see more HERE.

Smiles!

May share the fun at the parties in the sidebar =>

Clark in the Cards

This morning we found little Clark hanging out in the Christmas card wreath!

He must have had fun catching up with our friends and family!

We sure have!

Do you want to make a Christmas Card Wreath?

Check out how HERE!

Smiles!

Sharing some of Clark's antics with some of the fun parties in the sidebar =>

Teacher Gift Card Wreath

Thought I'd share with you the gift card wreath that we make for the teachers at our school.  It takes a little planning before hand, so it's probably too late for you to pull it off this year.  Just put it on your to do list for next year!

We start by sending out a letter a few weeks before hand with a self addressed envelope attached. (CLICK HERE TO SEE LETTER.)

The parents are then asked to either send in a gift card, cash or check by a certain date...usually a week before the end of school.  Once we have collected all of the cards and the money, the room moms purchase the gift cards, wreaths and ribbon.  

The cards are simply tied to the wreath with ribbon and that's it!  Of course you can add more embellishments but it looks great just as it is.

   It's so easy and such a great gift for teachers!

I'm lucky enough to be the room mom to both of my boys' teachers so you get to sneak a peek at the two I created this year.  (To see the tree I made last year, click here.)

The paper mache' letters were added to personalize the wreaths a little bit.  Tied to the wreath with ribbon lets the teachers' use it for a Christmas decoration now and in the future.

Clark the Gamer

Clark got out the boys' DSi games and had a little fun taking his picture!

They were so tickled to see what he had done!

What has your little elf been up too?!?

Smiles!!!

May link up to the parties in my sidebar!

Welcome Home!!

Silly Clark!  He beat us home from our trip!

What a nice elf to welcome us home!!!

Smiles!!

May share this sign made by our thoughtful elf with some of the thoughtful people's parties found in my sidebar =>

Tuesday To Do #40 and #39 List Makers

Are you getting in the Christmas spirit out there in bloggy land?!?

I sure am! 

Your amazing links are so inspirational!

Take a look at last week's List Makers:

Vintage looking ornaments from Ugly Duckling

Aimee from Its Overflowing set a beautiful Winter White Brunch Table

Love these little bird ornaments that Esther created over at Happy in Red!

Check out how to make hot cocoa in a jar over at Happy Hour Projects!

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON

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Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

A Hunting We Will Go...

We recently took a little trip down to the hunting cabin. 

Guess who followed us?!?

Clark, our elf, was holding a peppermint while perched in some antlers above the boys' boots....look out below!

Their boots were filled with peppermints!

They were so surprised to find the Clark had made the long trip, too!

Clark has magic elfin powers which help him transport himself quickly from the North Pole to our house or, say, from one end of Texas to another!

We trudged through the back door after our LONG drive (and SHORT trip) to see that Clark had beat us back home!!!

Be sure to come back Wednesday to see what we found!

Happy hunting & Merry Christmas!

Smiles!

Doodlling with Clark

Look at the silly faces Clark left on the pictures!

Thankfully he used dry erase marker!

Merry Christmas!

Smiles!

Cruisin' with Clark

This morning, we found Clark cruisin' around the Christmas tree with some of his friends!  I wonder where he found the keys to Spidey's ride?!?

Merry Christmas!

Smiles!

Game Time

Last night, the boys forgot to put away a game they were playing...looks like Clark and the Toys Story gang took advantage of this!

Is Rex about to win?!?

What has your elf been up to?

Smiles!

May share this antic with my friends in the side bar =>

Football Birthday Cookies

Fun football cookies for a cute boy's 7th birthday party favors!

Each guest received a football & "7" in cellophane bag tied with rockin' ribbon.

 Mom wanted to show the coaches some cookie love, too!

Thanks again, Michelle!

Smiles!

May link up these cool cookies to some of the awesome parties found in the sidebar =>

Frosty Goes to the Movies

This week I was asked to wrap up a secret Santa gift for a friend.

Her gift recipient collects snowmen so I made this paper mache' box to hold the goodies.

I think it would be really cute made from a bucket, too! 

It was really pretty simple...spray paint the botton white, paint the lid, the rounded wooded pieces and the wooden wheels black, add some glitter to the wheels, some snow & glitter to the lid and super glue everything together.  OH, don't forget the snowman's scarf!

Now he's ready to be delivered!

I wonder what's inside?!?

Popcorn, candy, drinks and a movie theater gift certificate!

This gal must have a pretty special secret Santa!

Happy gift-giving to you!

Smiles!

May share Mr. Frosty with some of my fun friends found in the sidebar =>

Wrap it Up

***Looking for Tuesday To Do Party?  Click here or scroll down to next post!***

Our little Clark has been a little mischievous lately...guess he's feeling a little more comfortable in our home this year!

We hadn't put the decoration on the tree yet, so it looks like he decided to take matters into his own hands!  What a mess!!!  Hope he plans on cleaning it up!

Smiles!

May link up this mischievous antic to a party or two found in my sidebar =>



Tuesday To Do Party #39 & #38 List Makers

It's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas around here...

love, love, LOVE this time of year.

All of your fun and helpful posts are such a kick to read.

Here a the LIST MAKERS from last week:

Love the Santa canvas from Ugly Duckyling...she shows you how to create your own...can we all say "Merry Christmas?!?"

These are definitely on my To Do list as they may come in handy as I work on my next super secret project.  Molly at Just a Little Creativity shows you how to achieve this great look!

Isn't this burlap wreath GORGEOUS?!?  Amy at Sugar Bucket Ink made this for a charity auction...I'm sure it went for big bucks!

Easy Peasy Grandma, Donene, shows how to make these rockin' glitter ornaments using floor finish...yes, you read correctly, floor finish!

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON

  <center><a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!