Quick fix for my sundress craving

Much to my dismay, winter-like temperatures have returned to Luxembourg.  The last few days have been in the high 30's and today we sit at 36 degrees with a messy rain / snow mix.  I must admit, Facebook post pictures from sunny places like California and Texas have me a bit jealous.  My desire to slip into a sundress and sandals is intense.  But today, I'll have to redirect this craving...

I've decided to embrace the once-again-cold with a new favorite recipe - homemade spiced hot chocolate.  This quick recipe is divine and too easy not to share.  So...regardless of the temperature where you are, mix up a little of this goodness and enjoy!

Spiced Hot Chocolate
(from Allrecipes.com)

2 cups skim milk (I used soy)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp white sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp chili powder
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Gently heat the milk in a saucepan on the stove.  Once the milk is warm, add cocoa powder, stirring constantly.  Then add the remaining ingredients while mashing the clumps out with a spoon.  The measurements above yield 2 cups of delicious, spicy hot chocolate!  Enjoy in your favorite mug.  This is mine (post-hot chocolate :)...

And, if you want to make the "mix" ahead of time, just leave out the liquid ingredients (milk & vanilla) and add them when you're ready to make a cup (keeping in mind that the above measurements are for 2 cups).  A glass jar works great for storage...

As you can tell, its been cold - my stash is getting low!

Love from Luxembourg...Melanie