Counting Down

We are almost ready for Christmas here, almost...

Thankfully everyone seems to be well again after a visit from a nasty stomach bug.

We are tracking Santa's whereabouts via http://www.noradsanta.org/ (we are using the 3-D Google Earth version)!

The tree is ready:

The gifts are wrapped and we even managed to paint frames the kid's teachers - a great kid craft by the way. Inexpensive, simple and, most importantly, time consuming. Hard to tell who painted what isn't it?

The cookies baked:

We're getting there - we just need to bake one more batch of cookies because Santa loves fresh Peanut Butter Blossoms. Just in case you are still getting there too, Santa might enjoy these truffles (in the white paper cups). They are quick, easy and very tasty:

Easy Chocolate Truffles

10 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

3 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1 tablespoons corn syrup

1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature (I didn't say they were good for you...)

Flavoring of your choice - I used about 1 tbs orange extract, but you could use vanilla, coffee, peppermint, rum, etc.

Powdered sugar for rolling them in

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler (I just use a Pyrex bowl), stir in butter. Add corn syrup. Slowly stir in the cream adding a little at a time until incorporated. Finally, add in flavoring. Refrigerate until the mixture is firm, about 1 hour. Scoop out about a heaping teaspoon worth and roll into a ball. I found that rolling it in your hands is much easier than using a small ice cream scoop. Roll balls in powdered sugar to coat.