Weird Weather Makes for Mixed up Plants ~ WW

Apple is done producing, a few left on tree - is now blooming again!

Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato lived through last winter,

 I forgot to pull it out.

Started producing Spring 2018 hasn't stopped.

It climbed gazebo, is now 10' tall. 

 Wonder if it will live through this winter?

If we ever get out of this 80* weather. 

Starbucks Knock Offs

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha has to be my all time

fav holiday luxury, which if asked for they will make anytime of the year. Very refreshing as frappuccino in the Summer!

But in these frugal times I don't splurge on it very often.

I decided to try my hand at creating a similar flavor.

I already have my arsenal of knock offs

and thought I'd share since Jack Frost seems to be coming 

to visit most of us!

So here is what I came up with. 

Now it isn't exactly the same,
 but in a pinch it suits me fine :)

Peppermint Mocha

3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer

1/2 cup cocoa

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Mix well and store in an airtight container.

The amount you add to your cup of hot coffee depends on the size of your cup and how strong you like your flavoring. I normally use a larger 14 oz cup  and add 2-3 heaping teaspoonfuls,
 just to give you an idea.

Other favorites include:

Cappuccino Coffee Creamer

1 cup hot chocolate mix

3/4 cup dry non-dairy creamer

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup dry non-dairy coffee creamer

1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon vanilla

Melissa's fave is:

Cinnamon Coffee Creamer

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup dry milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Ty's fave is:

Toffee Coffee Creamer

1 cup dry non-dairy creamer

1/2 brown sugar

Cody's fave is:

Mocha Coffee Creamer

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup nonfat dry milk

1 tablespoons cocoa

We all like:

A Snowy Night Coffee Creamer

2 cups hot chocolate mix

2 cup dry non-dairy creamer

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For those of you who like Amaretto:

Amaretto Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup dry non-dairy creamer

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar

The amount you add to your cup of hot brewed coffee depends on the size of your cup and how strong you like your flavor. I normally use a larger 14 oz cup and add 2-3 heaping teaspoon fulls,

just to give you an idea. 

One of the good things about making these dry mixes is that you can control how much sugar you use. Or you could even use Splenda in place of the sugar since they are measured the same. Another thing is these can be made into instant flavored coffee mixes by adding 1/2 cup, more or less depending on your taste, to the mix.

Another way I keep costs down is by making my own...

Hot Chocolate Mix

5 1/2 cups dry milk

1 cup cocoa powder

3 cups sugar

1 cup dry non-dairy creamer

Use 1/3 cup of dry mix to 1 cup of hot water

for 1 cup of Hot Chocolate.
Add marshmallows, if you'd like and

Enjoy!