Romancing The Chocolate: Prize Winner: Peppermint-Hot Chocolate Cake, Fudge Filling, Marshmallow Frosting

Romancing The Chocolate: Prize Winner: Peppermint-Hot Chocolate Cake, Fudge Filling, Marshmallow Frosting: From Denny:  Love hot chocolate?  Thought of making it into a cake?  Britainy Shaw, 25, of Louisiana (before that she lived in Texas and before that in Montana) decided it was a brilliant idea.  She heard of Southern Living magazine's contest and decided to enter just for fun, taking third for this cake recipe.

She said her thoughts immediately went to her favorite Christmas flavors.  “For some reason, all I could think of were drinks.  I love hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps in it.”

Her cake consists of three layers of buttermilk chocolate cake that is filled with a fudge-mint filling, frosted with peppermint-tinged marshmallow crème frosting.

Fat Elf Christmas Square Cocktail Plate

Delivery: 1 fat elf stuffed full of good cheer! Awww, come on; you know you are part of the I Believe Club.  Take home a fat elf today! 

Romancing The Chocolate: Holiday Cookie: Double-Shot Mocha

Romancing The Chocolate: Holiday Cookie: Double-Shot Mocha: From Denny:  OK, never write a cookie post right before lunch.  It all looks so good you want to rush into the kitchen and start baking! :)  This cookie recipe is basically a dense brownie with pools of melting chocolate oozing out when you break them open straight out of the hot oven!
  
There are two cups of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks in this awesome recipe, certainly more than I'm used to baking.  It's no wonder you can get your chocolate fix in one small cookie all at once.

If you have the discipline to wait until the cookie cools all those chocolate pools solidify into huge nuggets of gooey goodness.  No one ever said these little chocolate gems would last long in your house - or mine!

Peace Christmas Star Round Ornament

Enjoy the profound Peace of the Christmas season!

Music: Michael Buble, Jennifer Hudson Christmas Duet

Christmas music for everyone to enjoy.

From Denny: Michael Buble is the ultimate entertainer. Ever since he was a little boy he dearly wished to become a famous singer. His is an embarrassing story today of how in his childhood he prayed hard every night before he went to sleep and slept with a Bible under his pillow to help along his ambition. But like he says with a broad smile, "Looks like the prayers worked!"







*** For more Christmas music check out this post:

36 Christmas Posts: Music, Humor, Poems, Stories, Quotes



*** For more Christmas music to enjoy:

36 Christmas Posts: Music, Humor, Poems, Stories, Quotes

Music Video: Christmas Tree by Lady Gaga

Music Video: The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole



*** Micahel Buble Photo by Danny Clinch @ Reprise Records


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Funny Santa Cartoons And More Smiles

Check out the most recent funny Santa cartoons along with some cracked cartooning minds.

From Denny: This year the cartoonists outdid themselves when it came to Santa interpretations. Is there anything, anyone or any situation they did not consider? These guys have some of the funniest perspectives on how we live from moment to moment. It's like we are all in a glass cage and they are on the other side observing, laughing and doodling to their heart's content. :)


The Santa Legend lives!

Music: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: It was fun to see the difference of the pop nuanced version of the song versus two operatic singers performing. I always like to see a pop singer hold their own with the powerfully trained voices of opera folks. Celine Dion does a beautiful job here. Josh Groban is always one to take on a challenge outside his usual sphere of experience to stretch his abilities to new heights. He is also a songwriter and pianist. He is stuffed full of talent.

This is the more pop interpretation of the song with Celine Dion:

15 Best Christmas Quotes

From Denny:  At this time of the year, in the early winter, there slowly descends and rests upon the land a sense of spiritual calm and Peace.  

Be aware not to get too caught up in the shopping sales, rushing about to finish last minute gifts and holiday preparations to miss noticing the biggest Gift.  Take the time to absorb this special energy sent from Heaven.

A Christmas Poem: Gifts From The Heart

Waging war in our society: the warm simplicity of gifts from the heart vs. the insecurity of goliath consumerism.




From Denny: Somehow this year's holiday season has taken on an intensified gravity since the economic downturn. Finally, after decades of excess consumerism, the whole world has turned their thoughts to serious and deeper thinking beyond how much they can spend at the local mall for Christmas. While I enjoy the giving of gifts as much as the next person, at some point it's wise to balance it with reflection upon the season. It's good to be generous with others on more levels than a present under the tree.

While I was researching for some wonderful Christmas quotes there are a number that stood out and really helped the thinking process for this poem story. Three are incorporated into the poem and here are a few more:

Romancing The Chocolate: Christmas Gift Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge

Romancing The Chocolate: Christmas Gift Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge: From Denny:  This is an easy unique way to cook fudge - in a slow cooker!  What fun, a super simple fast recipe!  It has our name all over it and think how you can make up many batches of this to give as hostess gifts at Christmas parties or other seasonal gift giving.

It's also a kid friendly recipe it's so easy to do.  You cook the fudge on High in the slow cooker for about 20 minutes total and then pour it out into a pan lined with waxed paper.  Place in fridge to cool and harden.

Santa Rejoices Music Round Ornament

Santa loves the music of the season!

Music Video: My Sweet Lord By Beatle George Harrison

Cover of George Harrison

From Denny:  George Harrison was an intensely private and spiritual person. Like all of us, there were those times when he took some odd turns in life that were not his best choices. Yet he remained a spiritual seeker.

Learning to operate in a powerful musical anointing is no easy feat, especially the one given to The Beatles. They were young men who had no clue as to what their long and lasting legacy would prove to be. They also had no clue as to what the Spirit of God was calling them.

Many like to criticize those among us who one day find themselves in the public eye as celebrities. Try growing up in that public eye of condemnation. Try experimenting musically and personally while trying to maintain success. It requires a tough balancing act, not an easy nor quick achievement.

Along the way, over many years, this man known as George Harrison wrote some deep and moving music as he related what he felt from his experiences on his spiritual journey.

Learning about your own personal spiritual energy, an anointing, is humbling at best. It's also a struggle to learn how to harmonize with it. Sometimes, the best we can hope for - until we learn and grow into our full spiritual discipline - are fleeting glimpses of the awesome.

Eventually, the awesome becomes every day living. Now that's Heaven on Earth! Definitely, a reason to say, "My Sweet Lord!"

Music: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

Here are the lyrics to the song written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. This version is sung by Filipina pop singer Charice:

Note To God

If I wrote a note to God
I would speak whats in my soul
I’d ask for all the hate to be swept away
For love to overflow

If I wrote a note to God
I’d pour my heart out on each page
I’d ask for war to end
For peace to mend this world
I’d say, I’d say, I’d say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road…… we’re on

If I wrote a note to God
I’d say please help us find our way
End all the bitterness
Put some tenderness in our hearts
And I’d say, I’d say, I’d say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we’re on

No, no no no
We can’t do this on our own
So

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we’re on

No, no no no
We can’t do this on our own
So, So

If I wrote a note to God


This version is as she sung it on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Music: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: This year I thought I'd add more music to this blog, music that inspires and music that soothes when we need it from a hectic day or a time of transition. Whether it's changing jobs, a new member of the family or the loss of a loved one it helps to sit back, relax and listen to some wonderful music to get us back into balance.

In interview it's interesting that recording artist Josh Groban talked about how he has always been attracted to the sad and tragic songs. He said this song just somehow appealed to him as inpiration, a nice departure from his usual choice. He says he is the happier for it too.

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 15 Funny Tasty July Fourth Posts

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 15 Funny Tasty July Fourth Posts: From Denny:  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday time off.  It certainly is hotter than ever this summer.  And we have global warming to enjoy for years to come.  So laugh a lot while you are figuring out how to adapt to this new extreme weather sport:  scorching summers.

Meanwhile, I have some great photography to give you a smile and some amusing poems to read while you try some new recipes.  Be sure to check out the July Fourth quotes both funny and serious that will certainly make you think.  Happy July Fourth!

America Mug

America: Does it get any better?

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Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Best Funny Mothers Day Quotes, Trivia, Photography, Poetry

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Best Funny Mothers Day Quotes, Trivia, Photography, Poetry: From Denny:  Today is the day we honor the mothers in our lives.  Sometimes, those mothering women are our fond memories of those who helped us to become better and stronger people today.

They may be our biological or adoptive mothers, grandmothers, aunts, older friends who mentored us, fabulous school teachers.  Whoever the best women are in your lives, take a moment today and this week to enjoy the best of what they gave to you.

As I've blogged over the past few years, there are now a happy pile of women inspired posts and some very funny Mother's Day quotes to enjoy:

Music: Light of the Stable by Tara MacLean

From Denny:  This country song was recorded back in the 1990's yet retains a classic quality for the season.  To learn more about this Canadian singer, go here to understand her inspiration.

This is her most recent album released in 2009.  It contains some familiar folk songs along with her own:

Original Christmas Poem Story: The Night Before Christmas

From Denny: This fun poem has a lot of riff off imitators that make us smile too! Here in Louisiana there is the Cajun version that follows.

Christmas PEACE Poem by Longfellow: Christmas Bells

From Denny: Too often, in each generation, we think our society is on the wrong track and that we are the only ones who believe war is foolish and delays Peace on Earth. Read this thoughtful poet's feelings as mysteriously Peace gently drifts nearby, gifting him a powerful awareness... These words are as powerful today as the moment he wrote it.

Christmas Love Story: The Burglars Christmas

From Denny: How many of us have struggled in Life to find our way? Some have struggled more than others because of self-deceit that delays the Truth penetrating our awareness. This story, though written some time ago from an anonymous author, judging by the prose, is a story that plays out generation after generation. This sounds a lot like the hard times of America's Great Depression Era.

Many times during the holidays people get so lonely and depressed that their thoughts are not the Truth. While it's good to do some self-examination, do so in a positive vein to help you on your Life journey of discovery. What this man found out to be true absolutely amazed him!

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 8 Easter Posts To Enjoy: Food, Funny, Poems, Photos

Isenheim Altarpiece: The Resurrection by Matthias Grünewald, completed 1515 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 8 Easter Posts To Enjoy: Food, Funny, Poems, Photos: From Denny:  When you blog for a few years you start amassing some interesting posts on a theme.

Check out the fun facts posted about Easter on my blogs from traditions, origins of the holiday, a photography post of awesome sunrises by many good photographers, a funny Easter Bunny Rap music video, recipes and Spring renewal Easter poems.

May you enjoy your renewal this Spring!

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: The Long Road, An Easter Poem

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: The Long Road, An Easter Poem: From Denny:  An Easter poem about how sacrifice can deliver unexpected pleasant surprises.  With global protests against oppressive governments, like the Arab Spring in the Middle East, and against greedy Big Business like the Occupy Protests in the West, it is evident there is great need in the world.

When economic times and society get hard pressed what is the one thing you can do about all the wrong going on around you?  You can be a friend.  You can slow down, even come to a full stop on your own life, and look around to see what is happening in your vicinity.

To address the needs, think of offering some real friendship and mentor those around you.  You will be surprised how many people will tell you how glad they are you took time for them as they thought no one would ever notice how much they were struggling.  It could be at work, at church, your neighborhood, the local grocery store, anywhere.  Offering the fact that you care is often the most appreciated.

Romancing The Chocolate: Celebrate Valentines Day With Fiery Chocolate Fondue

Romancing The Chocolate: Celebrate Valentines Day With Fiery Chocolate Fondue: From Denny: Chocolate fondue is the favorite of Valentine's Day menus. This recipe is extra special with the addition of some Tabasco hot sauce to kick it up a notch - the romance, that is. :)

It's also a ridiculously easy recipe, with only a few ingredients, sure to be a crowd pleaser at a party - or just for two.

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