Normal

Normal clearly recalls winter in Montreal. First big snow all the transit workers go on strike. EVERY year! Also got to experience -40 C.
Learned that was the point where the scales intersect, so it was
also -40 F. Fortunately, long wool skirts for dinner parties was the fashion, which helped. That's where we acquired our first 4-wheel drive car as well.

Baldur

+sense
they -y =the
imprenated +g =impregnated

Baldur

I personally loved the fashion when women wore very long skirts to parties. Were those called maxi-skirts or is Baldur confused?

Login

Yes, maxi was full length ... midi was a bit shorter, looks good when worn with high boots.

puzzler

You are correct Baldur! I still wear a long black maxi coat every winter.

maddyjean08

I hate long skirts, I cannot run in them whatsoever. Though, it is my place in life to design less skimpy outfits for girls so there might have to be a few long skirts. Check this out! =^.^=

Baldur

One would wear a maxi-skirt at functions were one does not anticipate anything in the track & field line of activities.

Baldur

poor maddyjean is having trouble at her channel keeping her audience involved. It's difficult being perpetually charming for most people.

This was a quiet afternoon so I grabbed all 3 remote controld and a dvd asnd fought with the television until it allowed me to watch the original version of: 'A Miracle on 34th Street'.
Even with 3 remotes to work with the booming volume could not be adjusted down. Baldur ended up using the controls on the television itself.
That was perhaps the first time they had ever been pushed.

Baldur

I do love that movie.
Ronert was up to something on the computer until he realized I was watching a disc.
He soon joined me, and even Seiki the cat jumped up on the bed and fell asleep.

Baldur

Ronert -n +b =Robert

Baldur

It's snowing in Primrose!
Oh how exciting, I should make a mug of hot chocolate
You all do know that making it from scratch is not all that difficult.

A si ple version can be prepared with just milk, cocoa powder, sugar and perhaps vanilla.
Since I prefer mine not to be very sweet this is the way to go.
One can embellish it in many ways, I even sometimes ever so slightly thicken it with a bit of cornstarch. The idea is not to arrive at a pudding stage but with a slightly thick liquid; it seems so much richer then.
A shot of rum or Kahlua doesn't hurt either

Baldur

si ple +m =simple

Baldur

Hot cocoa

In a suitable sized pot combine
3 Tablespoons Cocoa powder
1/3 Cup sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
Stir the dry ingredients together using the sugar granules to break up any lumps in the cocoa powder.
While constantly whisking the mixture slowly add:
4 cups milk.
Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and continue whisking until it is quite hot, but do not allow it to boil.
Be especially careful to not allow sediment to form in the bottom of the pot.
Stir well to prevent that, as all the good flavor will try to sink.
When it is ready taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.
Baldur really doesn't like it very sweet.
Remove it from the heat and add:
1 teaspoon of vanilla

If you must, serve with whipped cream or marshmallows
(or a very slight sprinkle of cinnamon on top like I do it here at Chez Baldur)

Baldur

An easier and much more decadent version is to just heat one quart of milk until hot, turn off the stove and the break an entire bar of semisweet (baking) chocolate into the pot.
Allow the chocolate to sit in the bottom of the pot of milk for about a minute and then whisk it until the chocolate completely dissolves.
This is so good it should be illegal.
Again you may add vanilla

To both recipes a shot of rum or liqueur is a great last second addition.
Actually sometimes adding a pinch of salt during the heating process is rather nice too.

sheftali52

Baldur's hot cocoa sounds divine, even for those times when it's not quite so frigid outside. Sheftali's view about snow is pretty simple: I like it when I'm inside and don't have to go anywhere, and the larder is full. Then, it can snow all it wants! Sheftali shoveled snow for one winter in Ogden,Utah and two winters in Rantoul, Illinois, and five winters in Germany. (Hey, not bad for a gal raised in sunny Hawaii!) Now, living in Virginia, snow is an oddity here at sea level, but enjoyable on those rare occasions that we get some. Sheftali loves a good cup of coffee on a cold day, with a nice of brandy in it. Warms me all the way to my toes!

sheftali52

Hot milk with a large bar of chocolate melted in it??? Decadent!!!

Baldur

I had tried that after reading of something similar in one of Marion Zimmer Bradley's 'Darkover' novels.
A Darkovan rescues a Terran he finds half frozen in the wilderness. He builds a fire and melts some snow in a cup, then he rummaged among the Terrans pockets and found a chocolate bar which he melted into the hot water to help revive him.

Baldur

Apparently on Darkover they have something similar which they call 'Jaco'

Baldur

Baldur baked brownies today using a boxed mix.
So much for my reputation of not using convenience foods.
I did add a teaspoon of peppermint extract this time.
Sometimes I add orange extract instead, both are marvelous with chocolate.

sheftali52

All I can say is, Chez Baldur must've been heavenly today, with smells of hot cocoa and peppermint-infused brownies wafting through the air. (Who cares if it was a boxed mix?)