Live Blogging the Blizzard: The Tease

Well, the hail-y stuff was just a tease. There has been no more white stuff, though, in fairness, 3 p.m. was the most commonly predicted start time.

We just finished making Chocolate Pretzel Candy, a great activity because it takes awhile to lay out all the pretzels, unwrap all the Hershey Kisses, and put the chocolate on the pretzels. Though, Mama and I had to be the ones to place the M&Ms on the melted chocolate. Now the candies are cooling on our porch, both because it is cold enough and there is no room in the fridge.

The cats are all worked up. They know something is coming, if only because we're all here in the house in the middle of the day, with lots of going in and out. The biggest fun for them was when Mama shucked the CSA brussel sprouts off the stalks. They wanted to eat the greens and chase the sprouts. Poor deprived little indoor cats--all they want is greenery. You should see how Albus will chase a dry leaf or a stalk of celery or a grape stem (warning: grapes are dangerous to cats)! Hermione much prefers plain old plastic--like candy cane wrappers or the artificial Christmas tree needles.

Next we're going to frame two of the kids' recent drawings as well as hang the dried salt dough ornaments on the tree. I'm saving the gingerbread cookies until tomorrow (morning for baking, afternoon for decorating). Besides, it's got to be rest time soon, right??

-=-=-=-=-=-

Chocolate Pretzel Candy

pretzels, either bows or grids (something on which a candy can rest)

Hershey's Kisses (we used milk chocolate; striped Hugs would be pretty. I wonder if any of their flavors--Irish Creme, Mint, Caramel--would work as well. Hershey: You need an orange/citrus dark chocolate kiss!)

M&Ms (we used just the regular bag; you can use any colors or flavors)

Preheat oven too 170F. Yes, 170F. It takes all of 2 minutes.

Put parchment paper on cookie sheet. Spread pretzels in a single layer. Place unwrapped Hershey Kiss in middle of pretzel. This is the great part for the kiddos.

Bake 6ish minutes until chocolate softens--it will not completely melt.

Remove tray from oven and press an M&M into the middle of each Kiss.

Place in fridge (or freezing front porch) for 10 minutes or until set.

Miss J.L.