PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE & SUPER SUNDAY

Before we get started, let's give a super shout out to my girl Kim of http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/, who lovingly does her weekly meme every Sunday about news, reviews, books and other great info.  

Also, this recipe comes straight to us from Lyuba of www.WillCookForSmiles.com, who says her kids love it!  By the way, be sure to visit her site for some of the MOST amazing recipes you've ever seen!  My mouth is watering already, and yours will, too!  Isn't the name of her blog super cute?

PEPPERMINT WHITE CHOCOLATE HOT COCOA

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups of whole milk (or 2%)
• 1 cup of white chocolate chips
• 1 cup of Peppermint Hershey's kisses
• Whipped cream (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small sauce pan, add the chocolate chips and kisses, on medium heat.
2. When it starts to melt, slowly add the the milk while stirring.
3. Cook (on medium), stirring slowly and constantly, until all the chocolate is melted and smooth (about 7-10 minutes).

VENDING MACHINE NEWS
I don't use vending machines, but lots of people do, however, in the near future, if you're craving a Pepsi, you may be in for a surprise.  In an attempt to be more healthy, look for Naked Juice and Hummus as a couple of your new choices, instead.

DON'T GET STUCK IN RETURN HELL

If you've picked up some goodies from Victoria’s Secret, they will issue a refund within 90 days, but if you come in after that, you'll only be able to receive merchandise credit. Still not bad, but either way, expect to pull out your driver’s license. Here’s what their return policy.  This policy allows habitual returners to be penalized if applicable.

GIVE ME BACK MY EARS PLEASE

Has anyone noticed being really into a good movie on television when all of a sudden the background music comes on  and nearly blasts your ears off?  What in the world is up with that?

GET RID OF THAT BLOAT

Everyone thinks I'm nuts because I eat raw ginger all the time.  Initially, I used it because it helped with nausea, but did you know that if you drink hot ginger tea, it can also help with that bloated tummy that's been getting on your nerves?  Add the juice from half a lemon along with 1 Tb of thinly sliced ginger to 2 cups boiling water, then cut off the heat to let it steep for about 10 minutes.  Strain, then sweeten with honey.

CELEBRATE YOUR BEAUTY

Now that it's almost that time again to pull out the resolutions, it got me to wondering.  What do you absolutely love about yourself?  Your smile, eyes, nose?  This is the perfect time to celebrate the good things about yourself!

OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

If you live in the NC, (where it's supposed to be 75 degrees on Christmas Day) area and would enjoy seeing a Victorian Christmas, stop by the Poe House through January 10.  Visit http://museumofcapefear.ncdcr.gov for more info. 

 I'm hooked on movies and watch them every chance I can, but have you ever wondered which ones have topped the box office?  Look below for the deets.

From www.the-numbers.com/movie/

Released	Title	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
1	2009	Avatar	$760,507,625	$2,023,411,357	$2,783,918,982
2	1997	Titanic	$658,672,302	$1,548,943,366	$2,207,615,668
3	2015	Jurassic World	$652,270,625	$1,013,977,407	$1,666,248,032
4	2012	The Avengers	$623,279,547	$896,200,000	$1,519,479,547
5	2015	Furious 7	$353,007,020	$1,162,986,161	$1,515,993,181
6	2015	The Avengers: Age of Ultron	$459,005,868	$945,700,000	$1,404,705,868
7	2011	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II	$381,011,219	$960,500,000	$1,341,511,219
8	2013	Frozen	$400,738,009	$873,496,971	$1,274,234,980
9	2013	Iron Man 3	$408,992,272	$806,400,000	$1,215,392,272
10	2015	Minions	$336,045,770	$827,489,131	$1,163,534,901
11	2003	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King	$377,845,905	$763,562,762	$1,141,408,667
12	2011	Transformers: Dark of the Moon	$352,390,543	$771,400,000	$1,123,790,543
13	2012	Skyfall	$304,360,277	$806,166,704	$1,110,526,981
14	2014	Transformers: Age of Extinction	$245,439,076	$858,600,000	$1,104,039,076
15	2012	The Dark Knight Rises	$448,139,099	$636,300,000	$1,084,439,099
16	2010	Toy Story 3	$415,004,880	$654,813,349	$1,069,818,229
17	2006	Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest	$423,315,812	$642,900,000	$1,066,215,812
18	2011	Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides	$241,063,875	$804,600,000	$1,045,663,875
19	1993	Jurassic Park	$395,708,305	$643,104,279	$1,038,812,584
20	1999	Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace

BESTSELLERS
Did you know that AFTER the Bible, the #1 bestselling novel of all time is a Tale of Two Cities?  Do you remember having to read that in school?  Also, Harry Potter novels rank up there in the millions sold, too!.

The other day, a really good friend was telling me about a situation she experienced many years ago, and because of what she went through, (she's now divorced after 23 years of marriage)  this quote came up. "I'd rather be hurt with the truth, then be happy with a lie".  Powerful words that work with every type of relationship in life...