Food: Snow Brings Hot Chocolate!

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Snow Brings Hot Chocolate!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Here in the Midwest, we are expecting our first major snowstorm of the season over the next few days. The weathermen are in a tizzy, each one trying to outdo the other at an impossible task: predicting how much snow will fall from the Lake Effect and exactly who will be dumped on this time. In case you are unfamiliar with the phenomenon, Lake Michigan complicates the forecasting around here. The cold air from Canada hits the very warm water of the Lake and picks up a ton of moisture, then drops it as snow as it blows inland and cools. The counties near the Lake are quite used to snowfalls above a foot at a time, while just a few miles away, neighbors get virtually no snow at all.

But this annual fuss on the weather segment means just one thing to my children: HOT CHOCOLATE!! We are the proud owners of one of the only bits of sloping ground in the entire town, and when the snows come, out come the sleds. Children gather from all over to sled down our little hill, and then they troop into my house, cheeks red and fingers tingling, and they all start asking for hot chocolate. They're quite a sight with their fuzzy hats and gloves caked with snow and the younger ones bundled so tightly that they can hardly walk! Boots and hats and gloves and snowsuits and boots come off at the door and the entire group lines up for their mug of steaming goodness. The warm, sweet milk coats their tummies and warms their hands as they hold the hot mug close. Their eyes light up and they chatter excitedly amongst themselves. It's a warm and cozy picture, and one that I'm sure they will keep with them in their "best memory" file forever more.

And at the heart of it all is the drink that warms body and spirit: hot chocolate. We've modernized the process just a smidge by using the microwave instead of heating the milk on the stove. That also makes for quick servings without the hassle of trying to keep the milk warm without scorching it. And we also cheat just a bit by using instant chocolate milk mix instead of trying to find the right balance of cocoa and sugar. It takes the guesswork completely out of the equation, and makes the children much more independent at the whole process.

But the feelings of warmth and goodness remain intact. The milk still warms the tummy and the hot mug still warm the frosty fingers. We still put marshmallows into the cups, or peppermint sticks to add a bit of splash to the flavor. Some things just never change. The smell of warm milk still makes everyone just a little bit drowsy and the whole group usually settles in front of a video to get the chill completely out of their toes. The hot chocolate mugs are quickly drained, but the feelings linger. The household, and all of its visitors, are warm and snug and safe and loved. The kids are happy with their friends. We parents are the hit of the day, having topped off the perfect afternoon of sled riding with such a treat.

It's a simple thing. It takes very little time and energy, and it's not nearly as expensive as one might think. Providing hot chocolate to the whole group is well worth the time it takes to wash up because it will warm the body and the spirit.

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