Almost As Good As "The Coffee Store"...

I'm a HUGE coffee drinker...

Even better I'm a HUGE fan of Starbuck's...

The downside...I'm the ONLY coffee drinker in my house (though Drew demands multiple sips each morning so there is hope yet)

Being the ONLY coffee drinker means no weekend mornings curled up in the chairs at Starbuck's, hands wrapped around warm cups, savoring each sip, trading bites of yummy breakfast treats, people watching, and talking...not "throwing words" at each other as we run from point A to point B, but truly talking, catching up, laughing until we can't breathe, smiling until our cheeks hurt...

BUT...I am beginning to see the tide turning...as the weather grew colder and the holidays began to show themselves in walks through parks to admire the lights, in parties, in time spent with family and friends, Kate has enjoyed her first tastes of hot chocolate and she L-O-V-E-S it...and I LOVE that she loves it and I LOVE that Starbuck's has great hot chocolate...

I wasted no time in taking her...just as I thought she was a FAN! She requests it at least once during the week and often both days of the weekend and I am more than happy to oblige...of course I love the coffee, but more, I love the time with my girl..each of us curled up with our own "red holiday cup"...

Of course, it's not always feasible for us to make a trip to Starbuck's so I wanted to make sure we were prepared when she had a craving at home...I found a recipe for "homemade" hot chocolate and tonight, me and my girl whipped up a batch, she grabbed a bath, and then we both settled on the couch, in our jams, cup in hand and savored the sips (complete with marshmallow mustaches)

She looked at me, smiled, and said "Momma...this hot chocolate is as good at the hot chocolate at the 'coffee store'"...oh how I love her!

Kate's "Almost As Good As Starbuck's" Hot Chocolate

8 Cups Powdered Milk
6 Cups Nestle Quick (approximately a 1 lb. 8 oz box)
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
2 - 8 oz. jars powdered flavored coffee creamer **
11 oz jar powdered regular coffee creamer
1/2 tsp. salt

**The flavor you choose will be the flavor of your hot chocolate. I used vanilla (or "banilla" as Kate says), but you could use any flavor

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl
Store in an airtight container
Mix together 1/4 cup mix and 1 cup hot water
ENJOY