Buying a little love.

Some parents use toys, other's use candy, ponies, trips to Disney or what ever else floats their little cherubs boats. I use food.

Waking up this morning to a brisk 28-degrees, I knew cocoa was in order. Yes, as the kiddo's were curled snugly in their beds, I was plotting. Hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, accompanied by fresh made honey wheat toast would be this mornings menu. The marshmallows were a project yesterday and if you've never imbibed in one I highly recommend it. Not the chewy, lifeless sponge you stab on your campfire stick, but creamy, cloud-like puffs that melt as the warmth of your mouth envelopes them. These are the real deal. I understand now why someone demanded they be packaged and sold to the masses. Unfortunately, as with anything industrialized, they are now a reflection of their process, simply a cold waste of space in your cupboard. Things made at home ultimately have heart. You can taste it in the melding of perfectly blended spices in your families secret spaghetti sauce. It's in the quick grate of nutmeg on the spinach picked from the garden and in the comically orange scrambled eggs, a color only achieved by truly free range, grass, weed, worm, spider, garden pillaging foul. I doubt they pick up on all the effort now. Like many lessons I'm trying to cram in their heads, it's one best learned as they reflect upon childhood and hopefully be amongst the things they choose retain for their brood. There's a plethora of law's, rules, values that they need right now. Thinking ahead to some of the more subtle ones that may have real influence later is a delicate process. Right now it drowns me in hugs, kisses and squeals of delight, I only pray one day they will be swimming in the same.

Marshmallows: 13x9 pan, lined in foil, grease and heavy dust w/powdered sugar. 3 pks gelatin sprinkled over 1/2 cup cold water in bowl of mixer, let set till absorbed about 10-15 min. In a pan over med heat dissolve 2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup corn syrup, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 cup water. crank up heat and boil w/o stirring till 240-degrees. pour over gelatin slowly w/mixer on low, gently increase to high and beat till fluffy, thick and stiff about 15 min. add 2 tsp vanilla, blend to combine about 30 sec. scrape as best you can (sticky, thick, not easy) into prepared pan and smooth w/WET spatula. cover w/more powdered sugar and let set at room temp till set, a couple hours. turn out on counter and cut into squares (I used a pizza cutter) separating squares and rolling in more powdered sugar! hide from kids.