Monday, December 9, 2013

Laura Loves…Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

I LOVE this recipe, it makes the best hot cocoa EVER! Really. No, really it does! There are a few versions of this recipe available online, my inspiration came from Mrs. Happy Homemaker. I have tweaked it and just love my variation. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients: 
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk (I use 2%)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
dash of salt

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and all chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

If I am entertaining I love to make a double batch and have a Hot Cocoa Bar for my guests. I offer a selection of toppings such as; mini marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, Andes mints, and Kahlua for the adults. Everyone can make their very own custom mug, just the way they like it! Every time I serve this I get nothing but RAVE reviews! I love how easy it is to make and so impressively delicious.

But here is my real secret true-love obsession with this hot cocoa: MOCHAS! Oh my…they are amazing! I heat the left over cocoa and add it to my morning coffee. Heaven in a cup.

'Tis the season and I love to make Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa!

Happy holidays everyone!

~Laura

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Laura Loves...Iced Pumpkin Cookies!

I love to make Iced Pumpkin Cookies and just HAD to share the recipe with you! These cookies are so soft and the icing is yummy and simple.

I've made these two ways: drizzled and dipped. Drizzling the icing on was good, but dipping the tops of each cookie in the icing just made it so much better! I definitely recommend that method. Dip, people, dip!

We did find that these came out a little better if you slightly undercook them.

'Tis the season and I just LOVE to make (and eat) Iced Pumpkin Cookies!

~Laura


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Laura Loves...

Elizabeth Turner Needle Buddies: Dress on a Hanger!

Oh my, how I love the new Elizabeth Turner Dress on a Hanger and matching High Heeled Shoe!

These new Needle Buddies are adorable! Meredith at Elizabeth Turner really puts her heart into her Buddies and it shows! She is creative and on the pulse of what is new and wanted in the world of Needle Buddies.

The Dress and Shoe come in two colors: Pink and Black.  You all know how I love pink! And the black looks like something that would come straight from my closet.

I am loving the price at just $19.99 and they are currently available but in limited quantities.  

Check out our eBay store or contact us directly and get yours before they are gone!

~Laura


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Laura Loves...

Periodically we like to feature something that Laura, owner of Bloomin’ Stitches Needlework®, is crazy about! In her own words, ”Laura Loves...” is all about her current obsession.

Laura Loves...Beading Containers!

There is nothing better than a magnetic beading tool! Well, maybe chocolate, but that is a whole other “Laura Loves...”.
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There are two I love: Elizabeth Turner Collection Bead Buddies and EZ-Beader by The Collection.

I love both of these beading containers. They both contain a tacky strip upon which you sprinkle your beads and a magnetic fastener to attach to your current project.

The Bead Buddie container is 1.75” x 1” and sits just half an inch above your canvas. The tacky surface sits inside the container thus ensuring no beads fall out. I love the price at just $7.99.

The EZ-Beader is 2.25” in diameter and the tacky surface sits atop a wooden base. The beads are not enclosed, like with the Bead Buddie, thus on occasion the beads may fall off. This isn’t a concern for me as I love the wide, flat surface. The price is just $10.00.

Both containers are available in our eBay store or by contacting us directly.

~Laura