A night in Christmas Village....

The snow continues to fall outside tonight. It is cold but barely a breeze blowing. These are the perfect nights to stroll through the snow and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. The elves are all off for the next month except for a few who help me to manage the naughty and nice list. Let me tell you though, these elves have earned the break. Believe it or not though most simply stay around Christmas village and enjoy all of the wonderments it has to offer. Our theater continuously shows Christmas themed movies year round while the local diner offers a weekend karaoke night every Saturday evening. We will be strolling down there in a little while to spread a little more Christmas cheer by singing some all time hits. When I belt out "Here comes Santa Claus" I literally bring down the house every time. But for now I am sitting back enjoying my cocoa and some of Mrs. Claus homemade peppermint bark which is my favorite. A piece or two left on a plate for me come Christmas Eve will always bring a smile to my face and a glow to my cheeks. The closest to the Mrs. recipe can only be found in the Netherlands where the Dutch have always done wonders when it comes to chocolate. Historically the Dutch process for modern chocolate was developed in the early 19th century by Dutch chocolate maker Coenraad Johannes van Houten (always on the nice list), and his father Casparus is responsible for the development of the method removing fat from cacao beans by hydraulic press around 1828, which formed the basis for cocoa powder. These developments greatly expanded the use of chocolate, which had been mostly used as a beverage in Europe until that time. I am wandering now as I am sometimes known to do. But back to my cocoa, my peppermint bark and a song or two later. Until then, stay on the nice list......