Snowed In

Last week like most of the country, we got hit with a pretty big blizzard. As long as we don't have to go anywhere, I love the occasional cozy snow day. We kept plenty busy playing out in the backyard, and then warming back up inside with hot cocoa and making place mats with foam stickers.



Asher decorating his place mat with lady bugs and leaves.
We made this delicious hot cocoa adapted from Food Network's Alton Brown. It's very easy, fast and tastes better than any store-bought hot cocoa mix.

Ingredients

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 pinch cayenne, or more to taste
• Hot water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.

Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water (I prefer using milk). Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk.