Wrapping Up

Yesterday marked the first full day of winter. And Denver woke up to eight inches of snow, with even more falling. It was the perfect day to work from home and finish up a few last minute items before Christmas. I also (shhhh....) played a little hooky, and Aaron and I went to brunch at Snooze before he went into work late and I went back home. We split an egg white omelette with poblano peppers and tomato, and indulged in a shared sweet potato pancake.

Snowy Snooze.

Since I began working at 6 a.m. when I woke up, and because I was only gone for an hour for brunch (I promise!), I was done with all my work tasks by 2 p.m. And then it was time for wrapping, making Rachael Ray's five minute fudge and making gift tags for said treats.

Five minute fudge is stupidly easy. Just melt one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips + 3/4 bag of butterscotch chips + 1 can sweetened condensed milk + 1 teaspoon vanilla over a double boil. Rachel Ray adds nuts and currants and other strange stuff. I don't. Not so yumm-o.

Melt completely.

'

Pour in pan, let cool for 15 min., chill in fridge. Rachel Ray also makes the fudge into an ornate chocolate wreath. Totally unesscessary. Plain ol' square pieces taste just as good with only a fraction of effort.

Place squares in plastic baggie, place that in tiny decorated gift bags.

Dexter was jealous of all the attention given to baking and unwrapped presents, so he decided to be a present under the tree too.

Thank goodness for snow, or I would have had to do these unfinished Christmas chores after coming home from work. That five minutes of baking really would have put a dent in my night. Instead, we cozied up on the couch all night and watched Home Alone. Classic.