My Favorite Recipes: Cooking with Kids

As Valentine's Day approaches, it has me reflecting on this past year, all that we have celebrated and those that I really love. This year has been a humbling year full of trials, but we have also seen victories and blessings. At times, it felt as if the wind was knocked right out of us as we have gone through several surgeries, including spinal surgery, breast cancer, skin cancer, physical therapy, car wrecks, more physical therapy and eye surgeries. Then, add in a wedding, gaining new grand babies to love, a foreign exchange student to share life with and sending a son out of the country to serve for two years, among other things. It has been a year full of lessons. Here are a few of the things that I have learned:

Remember to tell those around you how much you love them. Look for little ways to tell them. It can be as simple as a smile, hug or just taking a moment to really listen to them when they are talking.

Even when things feel tough, there is always someone that is going through something more difficult and could use some support and love. Don't stop helping others.

Every day you can find something to be thankful for. Take a moment to recognize it at the end of each day.

Life is full of changes, just keep rolling with them. Wearing a smile helps.

Be gentle with yourself and others as we all learn and grow.

Spend your time doing the things that matter the most to you.

Count your many blessings when you find yourself living in a community full of people that are kind, thoughtful and full of goodness. Then make sure that you are contributing to that as well.

As I write my last few articles for this column and prepare to pass the baton on to another person, I find myself grateful to be pushed out of my comfort zone and given the gift to get to know so many people in this county. Whitman County is a gem, and every person that I have been blessed to interview has enriched my life in some way. I am looking forward to putting into action many of the lessons that I have learned this past year and spending more time with my six grandsons and looking for small ways to enrich their lives. The older I get, the more I realize that life is made up of all those little moments.

Fun Recipes To Make With Kids:

Edible Peanut Butter Playdough

Recipe from http://www.ohsweetbasil.com

1 cup peanut butter

2-1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup honey

Mix until well-combined and place in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from fridge and let kids have at it!

*You should all take a little nibble too. It seriously isn't bad at all!

Hot Chocolate Spoons

Recipe courtesy of Rosanna Pansino at http://www.cookingchanneltv.com

This is a hit with the grandkids and their parents!

1 pound dark chocolate

1 pound milk chocolate

1 pound white chocolate

1 cup peppermint candies, chopped

1 cup prepared caramel sauce

1 cup mini marshmallows

Hot milk, for serving

Place the dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate in separate microwave-safe bowls. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave at medium heat for one minute, then stir. Microwave in 20-second intervals until completely melted, stirring after each interval. Repeat for the milk and white chocolates. Dip a spoon in the dark chocolate, pulling it out at a slight angle to hold some of the chocolate. Place the spoon on the prepared baking sheet, with the handle of the spoon resting on the edge of the tray. This will keep the spoon flat, and the chocolate will stay in the spoon. While the chocolate is still wet, top with some candies, caramel, marshmallows or a mixture of the three. Repeat for the remaining spoons and chocolates. Allow the spoons to dry completely before moving them. When completely dry, arrange the spoons on a platter and serve with hot milk. Stir a spoon into a mug of hot milk to create custom hot chocolate.

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Recipe courtesy of http://www.foodnetwork.com

My teen loves to make these with her friends

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt, optional

3 Tbsp. milk

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Splash vanilla extract, optional

3 Tbsp. chocolate chips

Special equipment: A 12-ounce microwave-safe ceramic mug and a microwave oven

Put the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt if using in a 12-ounce microwave-safe ceramic mug. Blend thoroughly with a fork. Add the milk, vegetable oil and vanilla if using and blend until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Do not overcook, or the cake will be dry. Let cool for two to three minutes before eating.