More things to do while waiting for Winter (it's like Godot)

                Game of Thrones be damned, I don't think winter is coming.  This 40 degrees whilst flirting back and forth with fifties and thirties is a bunch of fickle nonsense, thankyouverymuch.  (If I hear one more stupid weathermoron, um er, weatherman act like this is normal I shall scream. This is only supposed to be normal if you live BELOW the Mason-Dixon Line.)   This sucks and sets off Feisty Pants' mildew sensitivities makes us all nervous. Sigh...  We need chocolate stat.

                 So, since Jack Frost is snubbing us and Valentine's Day is this weekend, there is nothing to do for the non-winter doldrums except grab the kiddos and head to kitchen to cheer us all up.  Cooking is  the perfect family project if you ask me.  And, since you cannot hurt the tender little feelings of your kids, you are doing them a favor by eating what ever delicious cloaked in chocolate concoction they come up with.  (Who's a good parent? That's right, the chubby one with chocolate stains on their pj pants sitting by a happy kid.)

                  Since you are all such great parents who sacrifice so much for kids by eating it, here are three more easy peasy chocolate treats to while away a non winter afternoon.  (And if you see that darn groundhog who is calling for spring go by, kick him once for me...)

                            

Fruit Cones- This one has been making the rounds of FB and looks amazing.

You need chocolate, ice cream cones (any type), sliced fruit , fruit dip (see below)

 Melt chocolate in double boiler (or microwave) dip empty cone to coat.  When chocolate has set, fill with sliced fresh fruit. Serve with fruit dip.

 

Fruit Dip- 1 package cream cheese (or neufchatel) softened, 1 jar marshmallow fluff.

 Mix well.  Eat .

 

Hot Chocolate Ice Cream- you will need 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 3 oz half and half, two envelopes hot cocoa mix (or equivalent), cinnamon to taste, 1 pint heavy whipping cream.

Heat half and half in microwave until hot, stir in both envelopes cocoa.

Mix that into condensed milk in a freezer safe container.  Stir in (about a 1/2 tsp ) cinnamon.

Whip cream in separate bowl until very stiff peaks form.  Gently fold whipped cream into condensed milk. Freeze 6 hours or overnight.

 

Marshmallow Pops- you will need marshmallows (bigger ones look better but any work), pretzel rods, chocolate, sprinkles if you want to be all fancy.

Melt the chocolate.  Stick one or two (or, hell, be wild make it three) marshmallows on the end of a pretzel rod. Dip in melted chocolate.  Sprinkle with sprinkle or colored sugar if you must.  (You could be really fancy and roll in shredded coconut if you are ambitious.)  These look like more work than they are and taste fab.