I completely forgot how long it took me to code a website.  I probably make things more difficult than necessary, attempting to understand what everything stands for. I get a vague idea of what does what, but there are still some things I’ll change and it either doesn’t do anything or alters it completely different than expected. So maybe this layout doesn’t look as different as the previous, but I’m relatively happy with it. It’s nice, sweet and simple with a little bit of hand design.

This past week has been completely hectic and crazy. I worked, interned, studied and took my Italian final, had two job interviews, and made a lot of Christmas presents for all of my lovely co-workers. The peppermint hot cocoa recipe I listed below is a fabulous recipe and all of my intern coworkers loved it. I would actually adjust the serving size to a 1/4 c. instead of a 1/3 c. because it is relatively rich with 1/4 and absolutely delicious. I think it is my favorite hot cocoa recipe by far. And it was a very cute gift to give because it looked like sandart, but of course food.

As for my coffeeshop coworkers, I gave them a variety of things: a classic holiday mix, the chocolate hazelnut bark, and lemon baby teacake. A quick little thing about the bark is that the recipe says it serves 8. Maybe all of those people are on diets, but for myself and the people I know, it definitely only serves 4. It is very easy to make though so there really is no issue in doubling (or tripling) the recipe. Just make sure to still spread the chocolate out thin.

On Thursday, one of my intern coworkers brought in 6 little lemon baby teacakes and they were absolutely delicious! She said that she found the recipe in the Parade magazine, and she served them with blackberry and cherry jam.  Some of my coffeeshop coworkers are working this next week, including Christmas Ever and Christmas day, and I wanted to give them a little something extra. I was originally going to give them some cookies but after having these teacakes I decided this would be perfect.

Lemon Baby Teacakes
Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 c. sugar
• Grated zest of 2 lemons
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. milk

Steps:

• Preheat the oven for 325 degrees. This recipe calls for 3 5 3/4” loaf pans. My coworker actually used bread pans, which were smaller and she was able to get 6 loaves. Whichever pans used, butter/crisco and dust with flour.
• Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium size bowl. Beat the butter, sugar, and zest together in a large bowl for about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each egg goes in. Stir in the vanilla. Alternately, blend in the dry ingredients (in 3 additions) and the milk (in 2).
• Divide the batter among the pans. For 5 3/4” pans, place 1 1/3 c. of batter in each. Recipe called for 2 cups, I changed it to 1 1/2 c., and it still rose a little more than I would’ve liked. If using aluminum foil pans, place the pans on a baking sheet before placing them in the oven. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Cool before wrapping.

I have not heard how my coworkers liked it yet, but my family provided a little feedback. The teacake was a little dry for their liking, but I liked it given that it is a teacake. My only issue was the zest. We don’t have a zester, and I’m particular when it comes to lemon, so I didn’t like the chunks of lemon. My coworker didn’t have these at all, and so I’m figuring a zester will make it finer.

Last but not least, the snow! Oh my goodness! Every winter, the weathermen always call for a little something or maybe a shocking 6”, and we always get squat. This year, they called it, I was ready for disappointment, and we got roughly 20”! I can’t even remember the last time this happened. I was supposed to work but my dad and I didn’t even attempt yesterday, and when we did today we got our car stuck in the snow. Go figure. So besides that it’s been a lovely weekend filled with a snow mound and snow sea turtle (who needs the typical snowman?), snow fights, peppermint hot cocoa, watching the best Christmas movie: Elf, and eating christmas cookies. And best of all, my sister made it home to enjoy it all with me :) I’m thoroughly enjoying this marshmallow world!