So what do you do when it DOES snow?

Well, first you take a long HOT shower...put on your comfy clothes

ie sweatshirt, pants & fuzzy socks

then,

you dig out your favorite

Hot Beverage Recipes and make some!

This first recipe is my favorite, found it last winter on

http://www.allrecipes.com/ it was submitted by "Jo"

Thank You Jo, it's wonderful!

Chai Tea Mix

(love coffeehouse Chai Tea but it's a little hard to come by in my neck of the woods & it's pricey)

1 Cup nonfat dry milk powder (I don't use this, I double up the regular non-dairy creamer)

1 Cup powdered non-diary creamer

1 Cup French Vanilla flavored powdered creamer

2 1/2 Cups White Sugar

1 1/2 Cups unsweetened instant tea mix (no lemon)

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground cardamom

(cardamom is an expensive spice, I got my at www.puritan.com,

they often have a B1G1 free sale, plus free shipping)

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together.  I use my handy dandy little food processor for grinding to a fine powder, you can use a coffee grinder or blender too.

Add 2 heaping tablespoons to a cup of hot water...Enjoy!

Store in airtight container. My container of choice is an old Blue Ball Mason Jar ;)

This next recipe is a close second Favorite

Lori from The Black Crow shared this on her blog last year (she said it came from one of the Christmas Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks)

Fireside Coffee

2 Cups powdered hot cocoa mix

2 Cups powdered non diary creamer

1 Cup instant coffee

1 1/2 Cups sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Mix all ingredients in large bowl, store in an airtight container.  (I grind this fine in my lil' food processor too)

Add 2-3 heaping tablespoons to a cup of hot water.

I often substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice for the cinnamon and nutmeg...it's soooo good!

Both of these have a long shelf life (well no, not really, they don't last too long around here)

and the mixes make a quick and easy Christmas Gift for just about anyone.  Put some mix in a nice little jar, add a pretty new coffee mug, directions and the recipe.......viola a great gift!

Hope you enjoy these....

Blessings,

Traci