Hi All – I’m trying something new and would love your feedback.  I’ve reset the blog to view only one post at a time.  Previously 10 posts were brought up on the front page.  Since my posts tend to be long and obviously full of photos I thought this might streamline the experience for you.  Let me know if you love/hate, would rather see 2 posts, etc…  I’m really curious to see what you think!

Thanks!! – Jennie

Valentines Day was huge for The UnKichen Diva.  That day she not only tackled lasagna but also in a fit of madness decided to make homemade marshmallows!  I kid you not.

I saw homemade heart shaped marshmallows somewhere on etsy in the weeks leading up to Valentines Day and I KNEW that I wanted to use something similar for my “Love Is…” project over on Strawberry Road.  I thought how hard can this be?  I was sure I could do it and went off to hunt through my mother’s cookie cutters looking for heart shapes.  Actually, it really isn’t that hard at all but very, very messy and sticky!!  Here’s the link to the recipe – recipe I used. They explain it far better than I can – plus they have photos for each step – gotta love that!  I made mine vanilla flavored and used red and blue food coloring to get the pink color I liked.  Then I cut the marshmallow slab into all different size hearts and odd shaped square bits…

So now I have two containers of homemade marshmallows – what do you do with that?!?  Make hot chocolate of course.  Not just any hot chocolate but Ghirardelli Cocoa hot chocolate!  I have to admit I’ve never made this before – I am traditionally a Swiss Miss girl through and through.  But pink homemade marshmallows deserve something a little higher class.  I just followed the  recipe on the container and WOW this was some mighty yummy hot chocolate!!  Between the hot chocolate and marshmallows I think I put myself into a sugar coma that lasted several hours!!  As for the rest of the marshmallows – I packaged them up and sent them to the two ladies I knew would most appreciate them – my 2 and 4 year old nieces.  And to think, this all started because I had this fabulous idea for a photo….

Normally during the winter months I settle in, hibernate and plan the up coming year.  Usually I’m alone during this time and in fact it can be days before I have any contact with the outside.  This winter, however, I have an entire crew hanging with me and keeping me on my toes!  Meet Sadie, Fred and Zoe – they are my new constant companions.

First up – Sadie.  Sadie and I have a true love.  It started over a decade ago when my parents brought her home – this white fluffy butterball of a thing.  She is a complete sweetheart.  She is however also a poser – she was posing for this image in fact – I have yet to ever be able to sneak up on her and get a non posed image!!

Fred – well I honestly don’t know where to begin…  He came into my parents home a year after Sadie – 2 days before Christmas.  He was the last Shitzu in the state and in fact they almost didn’t take him home because he was not a she!  Fred has an energy and verve for life like no other creature I have ever met!  He expects everyone to be on his wavelength and to love him and some how you do.  I do take exception to the 6:30 morning wake up barks however – I swear I can set my clock by it…

Zoe – this sweet thing is the family hot potato.  She originally was my sister’s cat in college and then she went on to live with my Gram.  When I became the caretaker to my Gram’s house Zoe came with it.  She love loves loves late night antics and I’ll often wake up and find her literally bouncing around the bed – it so does not amuse me!!  But then she curls up next to me becomes a little heating purring engine and how can you not love that?!?