Brrrrr!! Winter has arrived with a vengeance! Here in North Georgia it's 15℉ with the wind chill bringing it down to 4℉. And forecast to be colder tomorrow. (I know a lot of you are experiencing much colder temps and many inches of snow, but we don't usually get truly wintry weather in the northern metro 'burbs.)
Our two black labs can't get enough of the outdoors!
So . . . what to do? Set up a hot cocoa station of course!
My sweet MIL indulged my obsession with all things hot chocolate with a wonderful gift for Christmas. The cute red box that was filled with a selection of hot cocoa mixes was accompanied by mini marshmallows, Hershey kisses and buttery shortbread cookies.
I've not had the kisses before. They're milk chocolate filled with marshmallow cream. Yummy!
The box corrals the mixes and I love the bold red color!
She also surprised me with a striped mug (and matching candy canes). I added two mugs of a similar size and shape (you may remember them from Setting the Table with Art).
I set up the hot chocolate station on the corner of the kitchen island closest to the breakfast table. When we renovated the kitchen we more than doubled the size of the previous island, re-oriented it, and made it a single level. We now have plenty of room on the island to use it for decorative vignettes, buffet service for dinners or chocolate stations while while still being able to do meal prep and cook on the stove. To see all the changes we made to the kitchen after gutting it, you might want to visit our renovated kitchen.
To set off the station on the island I used this wonderful tea towel I've had for a couple of years but never used. It's perfect for winter! There are pine boughs and holly leaves in shades of green and teal and three wonderfully sassy birds, one with a crown—
and another with an elaborate hat!
The birds all share colorful plumage with large doses of red!
Beyond the island is a wintry scene I designed several weeks ago hoping for a cold spell in the midst of unseasonably warm temps!
Though we're more likely to see coatings of ice rather than fluffy snow drifts, I've been enjoying the snowmen in the glassware cabinet!
I recently added these adorable salt and pepper shakers to the dinnerware set my sister gave me.
Snowmen, birds, goodies and hot chocolate!
There are touches of red on the plates, in the napkins, as a border on the tea towel, and even on the snowmen. Red ties it all together.
I love the candle glow as the sun sets.
Stay warm and drink hot chocolate!
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Sandra, it's freezing here in Texas too, so I'm all in for a cup hot chocolate. Darling snow folk dishes, and I adore those sassy birds. Great linen!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! I've been working my way through my chocolate supply LOL. I had stashed away the tea towels and totally forgot about them. The reward for going to the bottom of the tote!
DeleteI love this display and hot chocolate bar. Perfect for these cold, cold days! Visiting from Wonderful Wednesday linkup.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer, I've been enjoying using it. I'm glad you stopped by!
DeleteThat looks like the perfect set-up! We've been drinking lots of hot chocolate this week to try and keep warm.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne! Hot chocolate is the perfect antidote when it's cold. The folks at the NFL game agreed and provided lots of hot chocolate to the fans!
DeleteOh my gosh Sandra - I think it's freezing everyone on the planet lol and what a great antidote for the cold weather that you have put together. That's a great gift from your MIL and I love your cocoa station and the snowmen are delightful. That tea towel is gorgeous and those sassy birds are wonderful. Enjoy you hot chocolate and stay warm and cozy down there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! My MIL thinks it's funny I only go to Starbucks for their hot chocolate. And she's a wonderful supporter of my blog. I have to admit I like cold weather (without the wind!!). Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOh yummmmm - a hot chocolate station! Good thing we're not neighbors, or I'd be popping into your place at all hours, holding out my mug! 🤣What a fun gift, and what a great way of using it with your beautiful bird linens and red tie-ins. Looks like your snowmen did the trick too - there's winter weather everywhere! Stay warm down there, and thanks for the delicious inspiration!
ReplyDeletePop over any time! I can't help but smile every time I glance at those sassy birds (when I'm making hot chocolate of course!). We got the low temps -- and the high winds -- but no snow. Maybe if I cross my fingers . . .
DeleteHave a great week!
gonna have to try those kisses soon have not even seen them so going to have to look. YOur snoman dish set is adorable. come over see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI have to admit the level of the kisses in the bowl is getting noticeably lower. They really are good! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI am visiting you from "A Stroll thru Life." The weather has sure been a bit different here in Texas as well. This week we have had Lots and lots of rain. Your chocolate bar is adorable and so creative. Great gift from your MIL. Hot chocolate sounds really good right now. I sure enjoyed your post and will be back to visit...
ReplyDeleteThank you! Since then we've been engulfed by a monsoon. Each week has been so different -- but chocolate works in all kinds of weather! I'd love to have you visit again!
DeleteSandra, such a lovely post. I really enjoyed how you set up your hot chocolate station. And the snowmen are super adorable. I'm happy to feature your post tomorrow at The Crazy Little Love Birds link party #22. I hope you will join us again. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the snowmen are just about the cutest I've seen! Thanks, Stephanie, I really appreciate being featured!
DeleteA chocolate station - oh yummy.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for participating and sharing at SSPS 294. See you again next week!
Thanks, Esme! I sure hope you get a chance to sip some hot chocolate!
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