Best (and Easiest!) Chocolate Truffle Recipe Ever

I'd like to say I can take credit for the recipe to these little gems, but alas, I can't. I actually spied them in the pages of a woman's magazine several years ago, as part of a holiday advertising spread by Kraft.

I can however take credit for the smiles and looks of pure joy that radiate from the faces of those who have received them from me.

They make a wonderful gift, they look beautiful and they are insanely easy. Of course, you don't have to tell anyone that--and if you don't tell, I won't either;-)

Kraft Chocolate Truffles

2 1/2 packages of semi-sweet chocolate (8 squares per package, for a total of 20 squares)
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened (can use neufchatel if you would like)
Various sprinkles and crushed nuts, crushed candy canes work nicely too

Melt 8 squares of chocolate following directions on package
Mix into bowl with softened cream cheese
Stir with electric mixer until completely blended
Put mixture in refrigerator until firm
Shape into balls
Melt remaining chocolate
Dip truffles into chocolate
Decorate with toppings
Place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate for one hour
Store in refrigerator

It's that simple. It makes about 36 truffles per batch.

You can find fancy fluted candy cups and a variety of boxes and ribbons at any craft store.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY MUNCHING!

Follow this link for more easy recipes from Kraft: www.kraftrecipes.com

Happy Holidays?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, at least based on the number of e-mails in my inbox asking me to stick to my guns and say Merry Christmas. Of course, that’s only if I am a true Christian and don’t want to turn my back on Jesus Christ.

I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins. I celebrate Christmas. However, I do say Happy Holidays—though not out of political correctness. To me, it is a more apt reflection of the time of year. I am not going to wish you Merry Christmas on Thanksgiving. I'm not going to wish you Merry Christmas on December 1st or 5th or even the 10th. I will say Happy Holidays at those times though, to encompass ALL of the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years, Solstice, All King’s Day, etc.) that people will be celebrating for a six to eight week period.

Perhaps I am naïve, but I really don't believe a Jewish person or a Muslim or even an atheist is going to take offense at my saying Merry Christmas to them.

I also don't believe that other people's religious beliefs should be considered less important than mine, so I am equally not offended if people say Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa to me. To me, those greetings are well wishes to ring in a season of celebration and hope for all.

According to these e-mails, the only acceptable form of holiday greeting is Merry Christmas. But if you’re not Christian, why would you say Merry Christmas?

I don't think anyone should be told what to say or what to believe. And at this time of year, it seems like people would have more positive and important things to focus on. But for those who don’t, I will simply be hitting delete.

Faking It

No, not “it.” I’m talking about the enthusiasm we all sometimes fake when we’re playing with our kids.

Several years ago, freelance journalist Helen Kirwan-Taylor created a firestorm when she said that certain motherly duties bored her to death. And the collective mothering community let out a huge gasp. I just wasn’t sure if it was because we thought she was horrible or if it was because she actually said it out loud—the thing that has passed through most of our minds at least once or twice.

Sometimes, being a parent IS boring. Show me a mom who wouldn’t occasionally rather be shoe shopping, enjoying a glass of wine or reading a good book in *silence* rather than playing the Thomas the Tank Engine game for the 50^th time and I’ll show you a phony. The shame and the guilt that come along with those feelings aren’t necessary.

The problem only comes when feelings of boredom are your default. If you find your mind wandering with every turn around the Monopoly board, it’s probably time to examine what you aren’t getting. For me it was a lack of creative outlets and challenges--one reason for the new blog.

 For a long time my career was my priority, and was extremely fulfilling. Then, I had kids. While I would never trade the time I have with them for any amount of money or acclaim, I allowed the balance to tip too far.

 I thought to be a good mom I had to stuff my own desires and interests—that the only time it was OK for me to do something for myself was after everyone else’s needs and wants were already met. But that couldn’t last. It wasn’t healthy for anyone.

So I started small, with a running club at the local Y. I committed to just three short hours per week, and within eight weeks had finished my first 5K.

From there I started taking on additional challenges—growing my business, updating my website and reaching out to make new friends in the community of moms I have growing around me—to help me be satisfied with all aspects of my life.

It’s not always easy to acknowledge, but sometimes I have to be first. It’s those things that help me keep my sanity during the really challenging, and yes, boring times. And occasionally, when that isn’t enough, I have a glass of wine during Thomas the Tank Engine.