Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate Covered Pretzels are simple to make and inexpensive.  You can create them at home for about 20 cents a piece.   They cost about $1.00 per pretzel in the candy store at my local mall, but mine are bigger and prettier!  Scroll down for some helpful tips.

I like to use Wilton Candy Melts in Light Cocoa & White.  They cost $3.00 for a 12 oz bag at Jo-Ann's, and they are often on sale for less.  You can make 18-20 pretzels with one bag.  Do NOT use the chocolate bark from Wal-Mart.  It's a bit cheaper, but definitely not worth it in my book.

I heat my chocolate in the microwave.  I pour one bag of chocolate into a glass bowl and heat on high for 45 seconds.  Mix.  Then microwave on high for 30 seconds.  Mix.  Then microwave on high for another 15 seconds and mix.  I find it's important to mix each time to allow the chocolate to melt evenly and to prevent it from burning.

I like to use Sourdough Style pretzels from the San Francisco Pretzel Company.   A big tub (3.25 lb) at Costco is about $5.50.

When you get to the bottom of the bowl and there is not enough melted chocolate to dip another pretzel, break a pretzel into small pieces into the chocolate and mix.  Drop by spoonfuls onto your cookie sheet (I like to cover my cookie sheets with wax paper, but parchment paper or foil works). These little bites make great samples for hubby & kids.

A batch of 40 chocolate covered pretzels takes about the same amount of time to bake a batch of cookies.  These make great gifts, and are perfect for special occasions or pot-luck dinners.

10,000 Honey Bees

"In the spring, if a honeybee colony has grown large enough, swarms of thousands of bees with a new queen will split off to look for a new nest.  It takes a swarm anywhere from a few hours to a few days to inspect its surroundings before it finally flies to its newly chosen home."

~Smithsonian Magazine~

This swarm came from a nest two houses down from us and settled on this tree stump in our next door neighbor's back yard.

Estimated 10,000 to 11,000 bees!  Because there is a shortage of honeybees, and knowing that we were expecting freezing temperatures at night, and realizing that this new colony would not survive till morning, our neighbor called the Bee Keepers of Colorado Springs to cover this hive and remove it the following morning to a safe haven.

Before sunset this Bee Keeper simply covered the hive with a tarp and weighted the corners with bricks, and then removed the tarp in the morning and set to work.

 He carefully vacuumed some of bees.

 But gently scooping seemed to work faster.

 Into a 5 gallon bucket they went.

He patiently worked as bees buzzed about him.

He carefully scooped and scooped, ever so gently as to not harm any of the bees.

 Then he vacuumed some more.

 Sometimes one bee at a time.

This went on for over an hour as we watched from a 10 ft. distance.

Before he would remove each layer, he would lightly spray the bees with water to keep them from taking flight.


The honey bees were attracted to this panel that he set on the tree stump.

 Looking for the queen.

 He was NOT stung one time!

Ready for transport.  He was not sure he saw the queen, but he thinks she must be in the bucket with the free bees on top, trying to get to her.


We've had an unusually warm winter, which is probably why these bees split off from their hive early.

Our neighbor was really torn emotionally about "giving" these bees to The Bee Keepers who would surely harvest their honey, but she felt this was a better option than them freezing to death.  (We were expecting freezing temperatures for the next several nights.)  She also believed that if they found a home in one of the neighbors' yards, they would kill them.  I have nothing against honeybees, except that my daughter-in-law is extremely allergic to them.  So, I was just has happy to see them go.


I learned that unlike African Killer Bees, Honey Bees are not aggressive.  They do not have a vested interest in stinging, because when they sting, it's the death of them.  

Also, if walking along and a honey bee "bumps" into you, the best thing for you to do is to turn back and walk in the direction you came from.  This "bumping" is a warning that you are getting too close to their hive.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.                ~Isaiah 7:14 & 15~

Western Groom's Cake

My friend Cindy made this beautiful cowboy groom's cake for my son's wedding.  He is western through & through, but not so much a chocolate fan.  The cake was perfect &  everybody loved it!  Thanks Cindy!

The salt & pepper shakers are inspired by the movie, "Fire Proof."  The silver cowboy hat came from a key chain that I bought at a western wear store.

Easy Cheesy Chili Dip

This recipe is super easy & super yummy!  I learned how to make it from a demo at Costco.

 Easy Cheesy Chili Dip

 Just Two Ingredients ~ Velveeta Cheese & Chili

Empty one can of your favorite chili into a sauce pan.  Cut 1/3 block of Velveeta cheese (generic brand is okay) into cubes and add to chili.

Heat over medium heat & stir constantly.

When the cheese is completely melted, it's done.  I like to serve this dip with wheat crackers, and it's very good with tortilla chips.  It also makes a wonderful topping for hot dogs.  Definitely a crowd pleaser!

Road Trip with the Girls to Leadville and Back to Colorado Springs

Last month Anna Marie, Abigail & I enjoyed a little drive to Leadville, Colorado.  Seeing how it was "gals only," we took great pleasure in stopping as many times as we wished!

Majestic is an appropriate word to describe the mountains!

Mountain streams are a common sight in Colorado, but I never tire of them.

Don't you agree?

Little Red School House on the Praire

We stopped at Twin Lakes.

Would you like to live in one of these houses?

The View from the Bottom of the Hill beneath the Houses

Can you make out the ice fishing shacks?

Here they are.

A Closer Look

Take care fishermen ... Spring is on its way!

The view was breath-taking!

Notice the fisherman on the shore?

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork .     ~Psalm 19:1~

We stopped at a pond and Anna Marie took a few shots.

Abigail did a little exploring.

It was a beautiful, clear day!

We saw a lot of pronghorn.

Some people mistakingly call them, antelope.

I call this the "Lincoln Log Cabin" because that's just what it looks like.    Isn't it beautiful!

It was a very pleasant day spent with two of my girls.  I am very blessed.

Long Hairstyle Up-Do ~ Tutorial

 Style this Up-Do yourself at home and save a bundle!

This is a relatively easy up-do for long hair, and once it's done it stays put until you take it down.  While I cannot do this style on my own hair, I have done it several times for my daughter, and it's a winner every time!

You will need:

Brush clean, dry hair.  This is Anna's natural hair texture.

Take the top, front section ....

... and secure it into place with a hair clip.

Apply hair gel to any fly a-ways and curl with a curling iron.

Brush hair and pull it through the plastic hair tool.

Firmly hold hair as you wrap it around the hair tool.

Start rolling ...

... Keep rolling ...

... and rolling.

At first you may have to do this several times to get it right.

Don't worry, you can do this.

Hook the two ends of the hair tool together.

It will look kinda messy ... Don't panic!

Using a comb and your fingers, smooth hair into place.

Wrap hair net around the bun.

Secure the hair net into place with a bobby pin.

Tuck the extra hair net under the bun.

Spray generously from all directions with hair spray.

And then spray some more!

Attach a hair bow / clip to hide the two hooks on the hair tool.

And it is complete.

Simply Gorgeous!

All this style calls for date-night with Dad.