Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Christmas bits

We are getting blasted with cold in the Chicagoland area but that hasn't kept us inside completely!  


We were able to take the beans out to the Metra for a fun Polar Express train ride to the city.  Caroling, Santa, candy canes, and jingling bells made for a festive experience!




 One of our favorite things to do is go for night walks.  On this particular night it was completely quiet as the snow fell.  We made fresh tracks with our sleds and took in the Christmas lights around our neighborhood before coming in for hot cocoa!  


 Though all of my shopping is not completely done we have started our baking.  We feel really lucky to have been blessed with wonderful neighbors.  I made a big batch of peppermint bark, cut it up and put it in mason jars.  After loading the beans in the wagon we delivered the jars to our friends.
This recipe was inspired by my sister Christy's peppermint bark...she is a talented baker!  




Peppermint Bark...
~12oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips
~12oz of white chocolate of almond bark
~6oz of wrapped peppermints
~1/2 cup of whipping cream
~1 teaspoon of peppermint extract

The first thing you want to do is chop your peppermint candies.  We used candy canes so either will do.  In a homemade double boiler (bowl placed over pan with water) melt the semi-sweet chocolate with cream and mint extract.  Line a cookie sheet (one with sides) with foil.  Pour in the goods!  Sprinkle half of the candies over the chocolate.  Place in fridge for 30 minutes to set.  While this is setting melt your white chocolate over the same double boiler.  When this is finished pour it over the chocolate and sprinkle on remaining candy.  Pop it back in the fridge for a good hour and then break it up by hand or with a knife.  It freezes really well so you can make a bunch ahead of time!  

Linking up with my friend Sarah for Tea Party Tuesdays!!!

Grab button for CHANTILLE FLEUR

Wishing you a wonderful WARM Wednesday everyone!



36 comments:

  1. Looks and sounds like you had a lovely time out. Love the sound of the peppermint bark.

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  2. so cozy with snow! when I lived in chicago (burbs) my parents and I would always go for night walks in the snow! so quiet and fresh! just magical. And how nice for the kids to take a nice shot of oxygen before bedtime to sleep extra sweet! yeah, i wish you were MY neighbor, now neighbors bring me any candy!!!! then again to be fair I don't bring them any either.... :-/

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  3. Oh my, it does look really cold. Glad to you that your little beans are all rugged up! Stay warm, my friend. I'm not really sure what peppermint bark is but it sounds very delish and festive.

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  4. Oh, oh, oh...thanks for THIS recipe!!! It WILL be made, here in Vegas - where I wish we had snow! Stay warm, my friend...love the Beans photos (wish I had little ones again, too!) XOXO

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  5. I love love love peppermint bark! Hope that your neighbours like it too. Hope that you and the beans had fun on the Polar Express. I e-mailed to say thank you for your card, but not sure if I used the right address! Hope you got the message. xx

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  6. The beans are so precious. Have fun each day creating your Christmas memories.

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  7. Night walks sounds like a wonderful idea. As my children got older walks were a great time for sharing confidences. I see Amy is a fellow addict. I have a no candy policy for myself at Christmas. The one exception is chocolate bark. My husband knows to make sure Santa puts some in my stocking. I nibble on that stuff like a little mouse, stretching it for as many days as I can.

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  8. Thanks for the recipe, and your little ones are so precious!

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  9. It's so cold here too. I can only imagine how cold it is there. Do you live close to the lake? I love seeing your little beans, they're so cute. I think the littlest looks just like her daddy now that I've seen him!

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  10. This sort of weather was a good time for snuggling, making popcorns, and introducing the kids to some classic so they can learn proper appreciation. Either that, or going out to prune the crab apple.

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  11. What a wonderful post. Such good festive fun. It sounds like you are making the most of the winter season. I'm really liking the look of that peppermint bark, yum!

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  12. I made this today and it didn't turn out at. all. Grrrr. Mine had crushed Oreos on top of the regular chocolate. Then the white chocolate went on top of that, and I just don't think there was enough white chocolate. So I set it up like that and added drizzles of dark chocolate for the crushed candy canes to get attached with. Yeah, not so much. The Oreo section completely came apart from the first layer when I started breaking it up, so it turned into a whole bunch of small pieces and crumbs. Ah well, it'll be good on ice cream. :)

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  13. sounds like a very fun day I love the sound of your recipe-gonna try it-thanks

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  14. Nicole, Look how cute those kiddos are. This is a great post and I love to hear about your family. It looks cold there-the same weather that we are having here- UGH!!!!! I am ready for Spring- well, right after Christmas that is-xo Diana

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  15. Oh yum!! That sounds delicious Nicole!! Your beans are adorable as always :-D

    Happy Christmas!!
    Sarah xx

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  16. I bet your neighbors were super excited to get that peppermint bark! It looks yummy and the jars are the perfect presentation for them. I love walking around at night to look at the Christmas lights. Too bad we have only one person on our street this year who actually has real lights up! Stay safe and warm this holiday season!

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  17. Wow! I love everything about this... it's like reading a book... bringing the kids out at night in fresh fallen snow to deliver homemade gifts to the neighboursand coming back for coco?? Nicole I am moving in next door!! And I have never made bark... so that's another on to add to list! It sounds...amazing! Happy Christmas my dear friend, Hazel xxx

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  18. Hi Nicole, gosh your kids are so adorable! How nice that you do activities with them like watching the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. When I was driving through our street yesterday I noticed that many people went all their way out and dressed up their houses with lights. I would love to do a walk through the neighborhood and just enjoy the lights with my husband as well. Hopefully on the next weekend. Your neighbors are very lucky to get homemade peppermint bark from you! How lovely to get a gift like this. Wishing you a nice rest of the week!
    Christina

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  19. Your beans are sooooooooo cute. Your oldest daughter looks so much like you. What nice traditions you are making and your children will always remember them fondly.
    Cindy

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    1. Your beans will have great memories of this special trip and making/delivering the goodies to their neighbors! I'm making peppermint bark tomorrow for my extended family. Hope it turns out as great as yours looks!! Merry Christmas!

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  20. Cute little beans... Carry on with your preparations for Christmas...

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  21. Ahh, I love the simple things we do that bring pleasure! Nicole kids are so cute, seriously! The peppermint bark looks so yummy, thanks for the recipe, I have never made it before! Have a super wonderful weekend!

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  22. Your kids are so adorable Nicole ... really, those little cheeks?! We got down for our holiday shopping in the big city last weekend, and it was fun as usual. But I think our kids need something more interesting now that they're older. I've looked at peppermint bark and always think "this year!", and then never get around to making it. This recipe sounds so easy and it looks terrific in those mason jars. Great idea. I'll bet your friends enjoyed the delivery system you had with your li'l beans ... too cute. Enjoy your weekend ... yeah and stay warm is my thought too ; Wendy x

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  23. Love the Polar Express idea-how fun! I can just picture you pulling your sweet children through a quiet city neighborhood in the snow....what a treat!

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  24. I almost missed this post Nicole!!!! What a fun trip with the little ones. They all look sooo cute!!!!!
    I must say, we think a lot....I made peppermint candy too!!! but I didn't add the dark chocolate. I might try next time! Lucky neighbors---I know they love it.
    I hope you pop over soon...I made a new craft blog and there is a link to follow it if you wish!
    Happy Holidays
    xoxo Shari

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  25. Your beans sure are growing since I started following you! I love the train rides into the city. Thanks for passing along this recipe. I have some left over bark after a not so successful recipe. And I think I have the remaining ingredients on hand. More snow coming tonight!!! Looks like those sleds will be put to good use again! Have a great weekend!!!

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  26. Don't you just love that they recreate the Polar Express? We did the one in Hood River... I mean the North Pole and it was wonderful! I am so glad you took your beans! And I love peppermint bark, your neighbors are so lucky! It is great you are making the best of winter. I can't stand it. Yesterday, I told my husband that we are winter vacationing in a warmer locale every winter for as long as we live!! Merry Christmas, Nicole! Have a great weekend!!

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  27. The train ride looks like fun! I wonder if there's anything like that around here.,.,there's a few tourist type trains so it's possible, especially up near Cooperstown where they have jazz music train rides.

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  28. One of my students told me he went on the Polar Express and I just thought he was making it up until his mom told me they really did go on one. I had no idea such things existed! Looks like you and your family had great fun. Adorable pics!

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  29. What thoughtful, creative gifts! (Love the photos of the little beans, too.) <3

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  30. My hubby loves trains, I am sure they have one around here, I should take him on it for his christmas gift! hahahaha! The bark looks amazing, lucky neighbors you have!

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  31. O wow, a Polar Express train ride sounds wonderful! Your children are so beautiful :)

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  32. What nice little traditions you and your family have Nicole. I bet the kids love looking at all the light and enjoy the hot cocoa at the end of the walk too. Your house is looking very festive. I love all the decorative touches in the last post especially all the kid's little projects. Those are keepers!

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  33. wow i cant wait to make this... it's my favorite holiday treat!!!!

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  34. Great photos of a wonderful outing. Such lovely festivities. My garden is quiet and snow covered right now but the kitchen is busy. Coconut macaroons aren't a traditional Christmas cookie but they are a favorite.

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  35. Oh the polar express on the Metra is such fun!! Stay warm and have a wonderful holiday!!

    Londen

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