A cold, rainy day in November

Yesterday was not the first cold day this season but it was the first cold, rainy day. First thing in the morning (yes, I woke up early) I had to be at my family therapy course in another part of the city, but for some reason I wasn't dreading the hour drive (which should have been 25 minutes) in the rain. The class is held on the second floor of an old mansion that our instructor lives and works in. It was a beautiful morning, some may say dreary, but the rain really made the colors of the leaves pop. I really enjoyed the whole day, admiring the leaves outside, learning new stuff, and connecting with other therapists.

After class I stopped at the grocery store for more milk and marshmallows to make hot chocolate and hurried home to get Riley. We enjoyed a quick walk in the rain and headed back inside to dry off and clean his dirty little paws.

He was happy to hang out and chew on a new bone as I got to work in the kitchen. Homemade hot chocolate is something I have enjoyed during the winter months of every year. I remember my Mom making homemade baguette and hot chocolate on snow days, this may have only happened once, but it was the best snow day ever. I didn't go that far yesterday, but definitely made some hot chocolate and piled it high with marshmallows. A few years ago, either my Mom or little sis discovered this machine called a Cocomotion. Quite possibly the best little invention ever. All you do is combine a hot chocolate mix (Williams-Sonoma is the best) with some milk and turn it on. Voila! It stirs and heats while you wait. Then when you're ready to pour, it comes out nice and frothy. Of course you can use cocoa powder and sugar as well, but I don't have the exact measurements for you. I usually just do this to taste, maybe two tablespoons of cocoa to every tablespoon of sugar. If you're patient, it will all work out.

As I waited for the cocomotion to do its magic, I finished putting up my pictures on the huge, blank wall. I finally decided that I wasn't going to spend any more money to squeeze another a piece of furniture that I don't need. So I moved around some pictures from my bedroom, spent $27 on new frames and this is what happened. What do you think?

When the pictures were hung and the hot toddy was made, I was reminded of my family and starting thinking about how far away they are. Hoping to feel better, I made phone calls and sent text messages to let them know I was missing them. Then I settled in with my hot cocoa and holiday pottery barn catalog to enjoy this rainy, cold night. Bottoms up!