Welcome to JKs Rough String Ranch

Welcome to the Rough String, and thanks for stoppin' by!! Grab a hot cup of coffee and sit a spell!
10/22/18 You will see a name change on the blog. Lots of things have changed in my life in the past few years, and I feel compelled to share my story.

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Thursday, December 11, 2008

A Beautiful Sunrise and A Sharing Giveaway

I couldn't sleep this morning, so at 4:45 I got up and turned the coffee on and started catching up on some blog reading. I saw the beautiful sunset that Amanda over at Amanda's Veranda captured with her camera and sure wished I could get something half that good.

As I sat there, I kept looking toward the east to see what the sunrise was going to do today. It started with a faint glow and continued to build its intensity. I ran out across the barn yard to the fence and used a post as a tripod and got a couple of pretty shots...nothing close to Amanda's or Linda's beautiful New Mexico sky over at the 7MSN, but not too bad.




Well, there's been some mention, and lots of photographic evidence of snow in many parts of the country. In my book, along with snow comes hot drinks...Hot Chocolate to be exact! We're supposed to have snow starting tomorrow, and I didn't have any of my favorite Cinnamon Hot Chocolate mix made up. I dug through the cupboards and amazingly enough I had all the ingredients.

As I sit here blogging, sipping my fresh cup of Hot Chocolate, I thought it only considerate to share. The best way would be to "Give Away" the recipe!

Hence the "Sharing Giveaway". Yep...I'm cheating on the giveaway thing. But, I've got ideas of what I'm going to do for next year...but, for this year, this'll have to do!


This is a really easy recipe mix and I cannot take credit for it. It's from Taste of Home's Quick Cooking submitted by Linda Nilsen of Anoka MN. Please feel free jot down the recipe for your winter enjoyment!

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Mix

1 - 3/4 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup nondairy creamer
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup mini marshmallows

Additional Ingredient:
3/4 cup hot milk

In a bowl, combine 1st 5 ingredients and mix well.
Stir in mini marshmallows.
Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 3 months.

To prepare hot chocolate:
Dissolve about 3 tablespoons hot chocolate mix in hot milk.

Way too simple!!! A splash of Peppermint Schnapps is tasty in this too...or just a candy cane would do!

Ok...one more to share...

Sometimes you're just not into something chocolaty...how about a hot citrus drink instead? This mix is my favorite...another recipe from Taste of Home's Quick Cooking submitted by Arma White of Golconda IL.

Friendship Tea Mix

1 jar (21.1 oz) orange breakfast drink mix
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sweetened lemonade soft drink mix
1/2 cut unsweetened instant tea
1 package (3 oz) apricot gelatin
2 - 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Additional ingredients:
1 cup boiling water

In a bowl combine the 1st 7 ingredients, mix well.
Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

To prepare 1 cup of tea:
Dissolve 4 - 1/2 teaspoons tea mix in boiling water; stir well.

That's too simple!!! Sometimes I'll add a splash of Peach Schnapps.

I've given the mix away to family and friends at Christmas and it makes a nice lil' gift with a mug, a cute tea towel, or maybe some cookie mix!


Merry Christmas to all my wonderful new blogger friends.
God Bless You.


10 comments:

  1. What an absolutely gorgeous sunrise! Great capture!

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  2. Oooo, lovely sunrise, and cinnamon hot chocolate is one of my faves! :-)

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  3. I think your sunrise shots are great! Thanks so much for the recipes. They look yummy!

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  4. Beautiful pics! we are susposed to get snow by Sun, and it going to be real cold, they said its going to be 18 degrees tues/wed brrrrr, I hate winter, lets all go visit Bush Babe LOL its summer in OZ.

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  5. Thank you for the recipes! I've printed them out. I think the whole family will love the cinnamon hot cocoa.

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  6. Your sunrise is gorgeous! Looks alot like my sunset photo I took and posted today.

    Thanks for sharing your drink recipes. That cocoa is just the way I like it. I will be saving that recipe. Thanks again :)

    Happy Holidays to you, too!

    ~Lisa
    New Mexico

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  7. Those were great sunrise pictures!
    We might get snow this weekend, too! I just might have to take a walk then come back and try that yummy recipe!! Thanks for sharing, and merry holidays to you, too!

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  8. Thank you for the recipes. I love trying out things like this. I will try and include some in my gift baskets I'm making up for Christmas giving. They both sound yummy!! And I think your sunrise pictures are lovely.
    Merry Christmas and blessings to you and yours too.

    On a different note, I wanted to let you know about a horsemanship clinic coming to my hometown this coming June. Brad Cameron is the clinician and he is just awesome!! Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you're possibly interested.

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  9. Sadly I can't indulge in the drink mixes, but I can make them and give them away as gifts! The cinnamon hot chocolate sounds so good!

    I liked your wordless Wednesday pic and your sunrise both beautiful!

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  10. Oh, the sunrise are wonderful. Thanks for the recipes.I will taste it.

    The best wishes send you
    Cheyenne

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I love your comments! Let me know what's on your mind~~