Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe: Le Chocolat Chaud

When the winter chill comes to Paris, one of the great pleasures is sipping a cup of rich hot chocolate, le chocolat chaud, in a cozy café. Contrary to popular belief, most versions of Parisian hot chocolate are made with milk rather than cream, and get their luxurious richness from lots of top-quality chocolate. This cup of chocolat chaud is deeply-flavorful, but not over-the-top rich…so there’s no need to feel guilty indulging in a nice, warm cup whenever you feel the need.

Parisian Hot Chocolate
Four ‘Parisian-sized’ Servings

2 cups (.5l) whole milk
5 ounces (130 g) bittersweet chocolate, (with at least 70% cacao solids), finely chopped
optional: 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1. Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Once the milk is warm, whisk in the chocolate, stirring until melted and steaming hot. For a thick hot chocolate, cook at a very low boil for about 3 minutes, whisking frequently. (Be careful and keep an eye on the mixture, as it may boil up a bit during the first moments.)
3. Taste, and add brown sugar if desired.
Serve warm in small demitasse or coffee cups.
Note: This hot chocolate improves if made ahead and allowed to sit for a few hours. Rewarm before serving. I also like to add a few flecks of fleur de sel, the very good sea salt from Brittany.

Enjoy!
Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.com

Happiness by Thoreau

Happiness to you always!
Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.com

Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9" round cake pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa baking power, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs. milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan, turning onto a wire rack. Frost as desire


'PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE' FROSTING

1/2 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
3 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Alternately add confectioners sugar and milk. Beat to spreading consistency.
Add a small amount of milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. 

 

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

New Year 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy 2011! I really meant to post on 11/1/11, but still had (have) the flu. I came down with it just before Thanksgiving and still have it. Blah!

When I was awake, we spent the time making plans for the new year - details to come.

At this point, my Etsy account is inactive. It's just too demanding on my time with the holidays and my poor health. I hope to have it active again soon.

I did all of my holiday shopping on the Internet. What a treat not to have to fight the crowds when I'm feeling poorly. Darling hubby wouldn't tell me what he wanted, so he got lots of gourmet cookware - including a gelato machine that makes ice cream in 30 minutes. Wow! Trouble is, I think we can eat it faster than that!

We are learning the newest game of Trivial Pursuit. Such questions! It has also added the element of gambling. I'm not totally against gambling, but I'd rather answer questions.

Ray bought me a fabulous bracelet from Morning Glory Designs - to be found on Etsy. It is shown in the picture above. Willie does the most fabulous work!

Must rest for a while, so I can beat Ray playing Trivial Persuit. (He beat me 2 out of 2 last night. Hum Bug!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Free counters

Bell's Seasoning Recipe

Monday, November 29, 2010

If you have been unable to locate
Bell's Seasoning,

here is the recipe for making it yourself:

· 1/4 TEASPOON THYME

· 3/4 TEASPOON SAGE

· 1/4 TEASPOON MARJORAM

· 1/4 TEASPOON ROSEMARY

· 1/4 TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER

· 1/4 TEASPOON NUTMEG

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Thanksgiving Day 2010

Friday, November 26, 2010

I hope that you all had a fun and blessed Thanksgiving!

We survived the usual boring dinner at the funeral home.
We had a few extra people this year which made life more interesting.

The Lord has truly blessed us this year.

I am still alive and able to walk some
even though my doctor says that I should be dead.

Ray has been laid off almost two years now.
We had health insurance through last month -
though at a very high rate.

We have had the time to plan for a new business
where we will be totally self employed.

I have had the opportunity to plan some new beadwork.

May the Good Lord bless you and your family!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Jackie Evancho

Bananas Foster Crepe Filling

Saturday, July 10, 2010

1 fresh banana, sliced

2 tablespoons of salted butter
3 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
A a splash of white or dark rum
Sweetened whipped creme
Saute the first 3 ingredients until hot and bubbly. Add rum, spoon into a crepe and top with a banana slice and whipped cream.

 

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com 

Raspberry Dessert Recipe

1 stick margarine, softened

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

Mix well. Press into a 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

8 ounces Cool Whip

Mix together and spread over cooled crust.

Dissolve

2 3-ounce packages raspberry jello

½ cup sugar in

2 cups hot water.

When dissolved add

2 10-ounce packages frozen red raspberries

Stir until the mixture is somewhat thickened.

Pour over cream chesse mixture.

Cover and refrigerate until set.

A lady from our time share resort gave me this recipe.  It is delicious!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Free Beaded American Flag Pattern

Monday, June 21, 2010

Free Beaded American Flag Pattern

This is a free pattern for an American flag bracelet.
It is worked with 11/o delicas and be finished with a purchased or handmade clasp.

Enjoy!
Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Chickens and Roads

Sunday, June 13, 2010

I want to live

in a world

where a chicken can

cross the road

without anybody

questioning its motives.

~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

 

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Think Like a Queen

Monday, May 24, 2010

“Think like a Queen.

A queen is not afraid to fail.

Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”



–Oprah Winfrey

Simplicity

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

~Leonardo da Vinci

My Mission of Serving

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

"God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission -- I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. Somehow I am necessary for His purposes, as necessary in my place as an Archangel in His -- if, indeed, I fail, He can raise another, as He could make the stones children of Abraham. Yet I have a part in this great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep his commandments and serve Him in my calling. Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve him. My sickness, or perplexity, or my sorrow be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, He may shorten it; He knows what He is about; He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me-still He knows what He is about.”

~Venerable Henry Newman

The Gentle Gardener

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Gentle Gardener





I'd like to leave but daffodills to mark my little way,

To leave but tulips red and white behind me as I stray;

I'd like to pass away from earth and feel I'd left behind

But roses and forget-me-nots for all who come to find.

I'd like to sow the barren spots with all the flowers of earth,To leave a path where those who come should find but gentle mirth;

And when at last I'm called upon to join the heavenly throng

I'd like to feel along my way I'd left no sign of wrong.

And yet the cares are many and the hours of toil are few;

There is not time enough on earth for all I'd like to do;

But, having lived and having toiled, I'd like the world to find

Some little touch of beauty that my soul had left behind.

Edgar A Guest 

 

 

Happy Spring!

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Spring 2010

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Year's At The Spring

The year's at the spring
And the day's at the morn;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn:
God's in His heaven-
All's right with the world!

Robert Browning

Margaret Thatcher Quote

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

'Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end.

It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing;

it's when you've had everything to do and you've done it.'

~ Margaret Thatcher

Garnets

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Your gemstone is Garnet.

Each gemstone has a unique crystalline and chemical composition. For thousands of years, shamans, royalty and healers have used the properties of individual gemstones to bring about desired changes, heal the bodies and minds of people, and ask for blessings or improvements.

You have just completed a test that helped you discover a gemstone that can serve is your crystalline ally. Garnet is inline with who you are as a person and can bring you benefits to different aspects of your life.

Garnet helps bring order and organization to chaotic situations. Being attractive is a characteristic you value. To help you achieve that desired attractivenes, Garnet can be of assitance. Garnet also helps you attract more positive energy into your life. Garnet is a birthstone for the month of January, the month in which you were born.Garnet is also a stone that corresponds to your astrological sign, Aquarius. 

 

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Fun Ship Cocktail Recipe

Sunday, April 11, 2010

For Your Sipping Pleasure:

"FUN SHIP®" COCKTAIL

• 1/2 oz. Amaretto
• 3/4 oz. 151 Rum
• 3/4 oz. Vodka
• 1/2 oz. Apricot Brandy
• 4 oz. Fruit Punch (recipe below)

Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

FRUIT PUNCH

• 2 oz. Orange Juice
• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix
• .25 oz. Grenadine
• .125 oz. Angostura Bitters

"FUN SHIP®" COCKTAIL
(non-alcoholic)

• 4 oz. Orange Juice
• 1 oz. Lemon Juice
• 4 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
• dash Grenadine
• dash Angostura Bitters

Blend and pour over ice

 

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Spring Has Sprung

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Our geese have returned!
I love to get up early and
hear them talking outside my office window!

Our ginseng has started to come up.
We planted seeds in the pots early in the year.

We planted seeds in the milk jugs and ice cream tubs a couple of weeks later.
We planted the tubers in the woods last fall.
I'm sure that they are coming up,
but we haven't found them yet.

Our plum trees haven't had plums in several years,
but the dwarf tree is lovely this year.
The sticks surrounding the plum tree
are dwarf blueberries.
the messy greenery at the base
is an assortment of mints and herbs that survived the winter.

Have a joyous spring!
Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

The Legend of the Dogwood

Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

There is a legend, that at the time of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion the dogwood was the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in his suffering said to it: Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross...two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember.

Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Morning Glory Cottage Jewelry Designs

Friday, March 26, 2010

Willie Zuniga
of
Morning Glory Designs
creates some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen.

While my jewelry boxes overflow with
fine jewelry,
bridge jewelry,
and
pieces collected in foreign lands,
I prefer Willie's jewelry.

Just don't tell my husband!

Willie's jewelry is all handmade
using the best products.
All of her metalwork is specially coated
to give it a sturdier,
smoother feel.
Though I am allergic to most metals,
her ring, which I wear almost constantly
has never bothered my finger.

I own many pieces of Willie's jewelry
and want much more!

There aren't enough good things that I can say
about Willie's jewelry,
except that you must buy some for yourself.
I have purchased pieces to give to my friends,
but they are all still here.
I just can't bear to part with them.

Willi also donates a large portion of her sales
to buy supplies to teach cancer patients to bead.

Go forth and buy!

Irish Music

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

  

 

Buy American

Monday, March 8, 2010

You might want to pass this on. I buy 90% of our gasoline at ARCO..................but take a look at WALMART. WOW they do it right

WHERE TO BUY AMERICAN GASOLINE. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW. READ ON.

Gas rationing in the 70's worked even though we grumbled about it. It might even have been good for us!

Are you aware that the Saudis are boycotting American products? In addition, they are gouging us on oil prices.

Shouldn't we return the favor? Can't we take control of our own destiny and let these giant oil importers know who REALLY generates their profits, their livings? How about leaving American Dollars in America and reduce the import/export deficit?

An appealing remedy might be to boycott their GAS. Every time you fill up your car you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia . Just purchase gas from companies that don't import their oil from the Saudis.

Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill up my tank, I'm sending my money to people who I get the impression want me, my family and my friends dead. The following gas companies import Middle Eastern oil:

Shell................................... 205,742,000 barrels

Chevron/Texaco..................... 144,332,000 barrels

Exxon /Mobil........................ 130,082,000 barrels

Marathon/Speedway............. 117,740,000 barrels

Amoco................................. 62,231,000 barrels

And CITGO oil is imported from Venezuela by Dictator Hugo Chavez who hates America and openly avows our economic destruction! (We pay Chavez's regime nearly $10 Billion per year in oil revenues!)

The U.S. currently imports 5,517,000 barrels of crude oil per day from OPEC. If you do the math at $100 per barrel, that's over $550 million PER DAY ($200 BILLION per year!) handed over to OPEC, many of whose members are our confirmed enemies!!!!! It won't stop here - oil prices could go to $200 a barrel or higher if we keep buying their product.

Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:

Sunoco.........................0 barrels
Conoco.........................0 barrels
0ASinclair.....................0 barrels
BP / Phillips................. 0 barrels

Hess.............................0 barrels

ARC0............................0 barrels

Maverick.......................0 barrels

Flying J.........................0 barrels

Valero.........................0 barrels
Murphy Oil USA *.........0 barrels

*Sold at Wal-Mart , gas is from South Arkansas and fully USA owned and produced.

*Not only that but they give scholarships to all children in their town who finish high school and are legal US citizens..

All of this information is available from the U.S. Department of Energy and each company is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

As a post script to this, Wal-Mart is China's number one employer.  Guess they don't do it all right.

Thar Be Dragons!

While traveling in China Ray bought me a pearl bracelet with little gold beads. The clasp was a gold dragon biting its tail. Mr. Dragon had ruby eyes.

We had a break-in at our old house a couple of years ago, so now someone else owns my lovely bracelet. The clasps above are the closest I've found, but they're only sterling with no rubies.
Anyone know where to find a gold dragon?

Thanks!
Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Art Beads Muse Contest IV

Friday, March 5, 2010

The 'Use the Muse' kit 4 beads and treasures were mailed today. I expect to receive mine Thursday or Friday if the Post Office doesn't get it hung up somewhere along the way. I think my mail lady enjoys my beading magazines, because quite a few never arrive.

Except for County and State fairs, this is the first contest I have ever entered. I know there are far better beaders out there, but I'll try not to embarrass anyone. ;o)

If you should see a strange woman hanging onto her mail box, it will probably be me!

Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

As a postscript to this note, the contest was not worth what it cost.  Almost 2 years later, I have yet to use any of the beads.

A Field Full of Robins

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Our little skiff of snow is gone and the field is full of robins today.
The snow didn't last long, but is was exciting to those of us who rarely see snow.
Our Bradford pears were in full bud, but now are frozen nubbins.
The grass is starting to grow in spots.
Oh, lovely spring!
Work. Work. Work.

Have a great day!
Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Craft Map

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I'm on the
Craft Map
now.
Look for me in
Dunlap, TN

Ruth Ann

http://glamorouschic.etsy.com

I Love You in 100 Languages

Thursday, February 25, 2010

How to say I Love You in 100 Languages

English - I love you
Afrikaans - Ek het jou lief
Albanian - Te dua
Arabic - Ana behibak (to male)
Arabic - Ana behibek (to female)
Armenian - Yes kez sirumem
Bambara - M'bi fe
Bengali - Ami tomake bhalobashi (pronounced: Amee toe-ma-kee bhalo-bashee)
Belarusian - Ya tabe kahayu
Bisaya - Nahigugma ako kanimo
Bulgarian - Obicham te
Cambodian - Soro lahn nhee ah
Catalan - T'estimo
Cherokee - Tsi ge yu i
Cheyenne - Ne mohotatse
Chichewa - Ndimakukonda
Chinese
Cantonese - Ngo oiy ney a
Mandarin - Wo ai ni
Comanche - U kamakutu nu
(pronounced oo----ka-ma-koo-too-----nu) -- Thx Tony
Corsican - Ti tengu caru (to male)
Cree - Kisakihitin
Creol - Mi aime jou
Croatian - Volim te
Czech - Miluji te
Danish - Jeg Elsker Dig
Dutch - Ik hou van jou
Elvish - Amin mela lle (from The Lord of The Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Esperanto - Mi amas vin
Estonian - Ma armastan sind
Ethiopian - Afgreki'
Faroese - Eg elski teg
Farsi - Doset daram
Filipino - Mahal kita
Finnish - Mina rakastan sinua
French - Je t'aime, Je t'adore
Frisian - Ik hald fan dy
Gaelic - Ta gra agam ort
Georgian - Mikvarhar
German - Ich liebe dich
Greek - S'agapo
Gujarati - Hoo thunay prem karoo choo
Hiligaynon - Palangga ko ikaw
Hawaiian - Aloha Au Ia`oe
Hebrew
To female - "ani ohev otach" (said by male) "ohevet Otach" (said by female)
To male - "ani ohev otcha" (said by male) "Ohevet ot'cha" (said by female)
Hiligaynon - Guina higugma ko ikaw
Hindi - Hum Tumhe Pyar Karte hae
Hmong - Kuv hlub koj
Hopi - Nu' umi unangwa'ta
Hungarian - Szeretlek
Icelandic - Eg elska tig
Ilonggo - Palangga ko ikaw
Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu
Inuit - Negligevapse
Irish - Taim i' ngra leat
Italian - Ti amo
Japanese - Aishiteru or Anata ga daisuki desu
Kannada - Naanu ninna preetisuttene
Kapampangan - Kaluguran daka
Kiswahili - Nakupenda
Konkani - Tu magel moga cho
Korean - Sarang Heyo or Nanun tangshinul sarang hamnida
Latin - Te amo
Latvian - Es tevi miilu
Lebanese - Bahibak
Lithuanian - Tave myliu
Luxembourgeois - Ech hun dech gaer
Macedonian - Te Sakam
Malay - Saya cintakan mu / Aku cinta padamu
Malayalam - Njan Ninne Premikunnu
Maltese - Inhobbok
Marathi - Me tula prem karto
Mohawk - Kanbhik
Moroccan - Ana moajaba bik
Nahuatl - Ni mits neki
Navaho - Ayor anosh'ni
Ndebele - Niyakutanda
Norwegian
Bokmaal - Jeg elsker deg
Nyonrsk - Eg elskar deg
Pandacan - Syota na kita!!
Pangasinan - Inaru Taka
Papiamento - Mi ta stimabo
Persian - Doo-set daaram
Pig Latin - Iay ovlay ouyay
Polish - Kocham Ciebie
Portuguese - Eu te amo
Romanian - Te iubesc
Russian - Ya tebya liubliu
Scot Gaelic - Tha gra\dh agam ort
Serbian - Volim te
Setswana - Ke a go rata
Sign Language - ,\,,/ (represents position of fingers when signing 'I Love You')
Sindhi - Maa tokhe pyar kendo ahyan
Sioux - Techihhila
Slovak - Lu`bim ta
Slovenian - Ljubim te
Spanish - Te quiero / Te amo
Swahili - Ninapenda wewe
Swedish - Jag alskar dig
Swiss-German - Ich lieb Di
Surinam - Mi lobi joe
Tagalog - Mahal kita
Taiwanese - Wa ga ei li
Tahitian - Ua Here Vau Ia Oe
Tamil - Nan unnai kathalikaraen
Telugu - Nenu ninnu premistunnanu
Thai
To female - Phom rak khun
To male - Chan rak khun
Informal - Rak te
Tunisian - Ha eh bak
Turkish - Seni Seviyorum
Ukrainian - Ya tebe kahayu
Urdu - mai aap say pyaar karta hoo
Vietnamese
To female - Anh ye^u em
To male - Em ye^u anh
Welsh - 'Rwy'n dy garu di
Yiddish - Ikh hob dikh
Yoruba - Mo ni fe
Zazi - Ezhele hezdege
Zuni - Tom ho' ichema

 

Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Mardi Gras Pancake Race

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

In England and other countries around the world the beginning of Mardi Gras is
celebrated with Shrove Tuesday.
It is the day before the beginning of Lent or Ash Wednesday
when all fats and flours are removed from the household.
In many places, particularly in Olney, England,
this is celbrated by a pancake race.
While having been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans a couple of times
and to an Ash Wednesday service once,
I have never been to a pancake race.
We'll have to give to give it a try some day.

Happy Mardi Gras!
Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Snowy Day 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010