Ghirardelli Fudge Recipe ~ Easy

Every year I make this decadent fudge, which tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen whipping up. It is the best gift to bring to a gathering and you can literally throw it together in less than 15 minutes.

• 1 package of Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

• 2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Line a small shallow baking pan (8 x 8 x 2) with wax paper. 


Stir the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together in a medium glass mixing bowl. Microwave/stir for 30 sec intervals, until just melted -- usually takes about 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla extract. 


At this point, you can add chopped dried cherries or mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips or nuts ~ or nothing at all!  The cherries are always a hit and taste like chocolate covered cherries.


Pour into lined baking pan ~ for a sweet and salty treat, you can sprinkle some slightly crushed coarse sea salt and colored sugar crystals on the top, prior to refrigerating.


Refrigerate (or freeze for 5-10 minutes if in a hurry). 


Pop the fudge out of the wax paper and cut into small bite sized pieces. Arrange on a festive Holiday plate and you have a fabulous hostess gift! To make it extra special, I like to make sure that the recipient knows that the plate is theirs to keep as well.


I recently gifted this to my sons Middle School Teachers on a large platter surrounded by grapes and pears and wrapped up in a large cellophane gift bag ~ healthy and decadent are always a good pairing!


Enjoy!

Simply Taking Care of Yourself During the Holidays

Good Morning everyone! I just saw a status from Canyon Ranch on Facebook that said "How will you nurture yourself today?" Love that this simple reminder is phrased as a question which tends to get ones mind thinking ...... "I DO deserve to nurture myself" and the creativity of just thinking "how will I do that?" is just a delicious way to start the day.


At my stillness meditation group yesterday, I was reminded to take care of myself during this hectic time of the year. Drink water, slow down, forgive yourself and others, continue with daily meditation ..... simple things really, but crucial in taking care of ourselves emotionally, physically and spiritually. Practices that we tend to put on the back burner when we are multi-tasking and our days are filled with urgency.


So, I ask you, how will YOU nurture yourself today? 


Have a wonderful Tuesday ...... Namaste ......

Supadupa

I was one of the lucky ones to set up a free lifetime storefront on supadupa.
carolines.mysupadupa.com/


So easy to set up, great templates and am looking forward to putting some more work into it!


Looks like it would be a worthwhile thing to check out, even though the freebie has ended -- who knows, maybe they will offer it again!

Vintage for the Holidays – 20% off

Vintage for the Holidays – 20% off: "Take 20% off entire order before shipping"

No Coincidences.....

As a cancer survivor, I often find myself interpreting and internalizing things in a much more connected way than I had before my diagnosis.  I've always been very spiritual and have known in my heart that things happen for a reason.  I believe that it's our job as humans to discover the connections that are set out for us and to realize that there really are no coincidences.  This belief system was a great comfort to me while undergoing diagnosis and treatment and is even stronger now, after 4 years post diagnosis.

I love it when I run across other like-minded people who feel the need to share their stories, art, quotes in order to validate those special life connections and my 'no coincidence' theory.  For several years, I volunteered at the Arizona Cancer Center in the chemotherapy infusion room.  I originally volunteered to 'give back' but ended up getting so much more than I gave.  My job was to make the patients as comfortable as possible while undergoing chemo.  I often would run up and down the stairs to fetch food, beverages, information for the cancer patients.  I chose the stairs, instead of the elevator for a healthier me.  Many times, I passed by a plaque which simply stated, 

 “The happiest people are those who discover that what they should be doing and what they are doing are the same thing.”  

I loved the simplistic reminder of this message! One day I decided to quickly jot this quote down with the author's name, etc. on a piece of scrap paper, which promptly became lost in 'the purse' for about a year. 

During a recent bout of spring cleaning, I  unearthed my scrap paper quote and decided that it would make for good sharing. I haven't blogged for a while and have really been feeling the need to focus on creating; whether it be through the medium of jewelry, food or writing.  I googled the author's name, Janie Cohen, and was delighted to discover that she is a Tucson Artist and cancer survivor who also received treatment at the Arizona Cancer Center. While exploring Janie Cohen's website, I came across a publicity article reported by Laura Marble May on May 16, 2007  and another  insightful quote reached out and touched me .

“It doesn’t matter whether the tree is crooked, bent, verdant, or barren. It doesn’t matter if the tree blooms softly or is rigid and hard. It does matter that the tree of life speaks to us. Listen.”  

The article ends with the profound statement "Likely, some people who walk through the Arizona Cancer Center will pause and hear", which is exactly what I did.  Thank you,  Janie Cohen, for connecting with me and validating my truth that there are no coincidences.  Now, it is my turn to reach out and pass it on.

Vintage Hawaiiana at its Best!

I just have to share this fabulous barkcloth shirt that I have on auction right now.  This Kay O'Kauai Hawaii shirt has such a quality feel to it, and its bright, vibrant colors are truly masculine.   The best feature of this shirt are the goldtone Tiki buttons!  What a one of a kind find!  http://tinyurl.com/yls66du

Sweet Greens Blog

Check out this great Eco-Friendly Blog from Sweet Greens.

She is also the professional Blogger for Cascadian Farms.

Do your part in trying to reduce our Ecological Footprint and forward this blog to your friends!