A Warm Fire On a Snowy February Night

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I am enjoying a warm fire on a snowy February night. The last few days have been filled with sunshine and warm weather that has melted so much of our snow. Today it has been snowing all day and it sounds like it will continue well into tomorrow morning. Enjoying a quiet night in front of the fireplace while the snow falls!

Valentine's Day Gifts - Bachman's Floral Gifts And Garden

Happy Valentine's Day! Through the years I have received many lovely Valentine gifts including a dozen red roses delivered to work one year that was a total surprise! When the gentleman from Bachman's Floral Gifts & Garden walked straight for me I was overwhelmed!

The next year I received another Valentine's Day gift from Bachman's Floral Gifts & Garden. I couldn't believe my good fortune! I received this beautiful Watch'em Grow Bulb Garden. Every day I could not wait to get home to look at my dining room table and see the growth of my garden! The flowers were amazing and brought a smile to my face every day! The bulbs are now outside in my garden and continue to bloom every spring! What a wonderful gift to give that I have enjoyed for many years!

What are the Valentine's Day gifts that mean the most to you? Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

Sweethearts Conversation Hearts

I have to admit that every year during the Valentine season I indulge in a few Sweethearts Conversation Hearts! I take the time to read each phrase and eat them one at a time!

What special treat do you indulge in during the Valentine season?

Free Valentine E-Cards From Kate Spade

I was surfing the web tonight and came across these wonderful free Valentine e-cards from Kate Spade!

The Kate Spade New Arrivals remind me that spring is right around the corner!

Taste Of Chocolate - Bloomington, MN - March 13, 2011

Mark your calendars now for the Taste Of Chocolate that will be held in Bloomington, MN on Sunday March 13, 2011 from 1:00-5:00 pm. Taste of Chocolate is an annual dessert competition and benefit for Bloomington Fine Arts Council. It is presented in partnership with the Bloomington Chamber Of Commerce and sponsored by Minnesota Monthly, Kraus Anderson, Destination Bloomington, Larkin Hoffman Attorneys, Mall Of America, The Toro Company, Burt's Disposal, Excel Energy, and HealthPartners.

The Taste of Chocolate is held at the Bloomington Center for the Arts where you can enjoy delectable chocolates by chefs and chocolatiers, entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle drawing for extraordinary prizes. Tickets are $25.00 in advance, $30.00 at the door. Early admission (12:00-1:00 pm) costs an additional $10.00 per ticket. You can purchase tickets at the Bloomington Center for the Arts. Please feel free to call 952.563.8562 or visit http://tasteofchocolate.org/index.html.

Guests at the 2011 Taste of Chocolate will sample chocolates by fabulous
chefs and chocolatiers including:

Art Institutes International Minnesota
Creative Confectionaire
Droolin' Moose
Ganache: Truffles for Every Occasion
Groveland Confections
Jason's Deli in Eden Prairie
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant - Edina
Obrigadeiro
Obsession Chocolates
Pardon My French
Patisserie Margo
Thomasina's Cashew Brittle
3 Tiers Bakery

Enjoy!

Chocolate Caramel Bars

Chocolate caramel bars are a family favorite! This is the perfect time of the year to prepare a home baked treat for the ones you love! These bars are super easy and will melt in your mouth! Prepare them and then let me know what you think!

Chocolate Caramel Bars
1 package caramels
1 12 ounce evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter
1 12 ounce milk chocolate chips
1 German chocolate cake mix

Preheat oven to 350
Melt package of caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk
Mix cake mix, 1/2 cup butter and 2/3 cup evaporated milk
Place 1/2 of the mixture in 9x13 greased pan
Bake 6 minutes at 350
Top with chocolate chips and then spread caramel mixture over chips
Add the rest of the cake mixture and bake 15-20 minutes

Cool and enjoy!

Dreaming Of Summer

Dreaming of summer on a very, very cold winter night!