Hallmark Christmas in July

Hallmark Christmas in July

Can you believe it is already that time of year when Hallmark  is about to release its Christmas ornaments? The plus is, Christmas movies on Hallmark, Christmas previews of upcoming specials, Christmas events on Home and Family, and of course, being able to see some fun ornaments soon. Even so, it seems so quick, school one month away, fall two months, then Halloween when the Hallmark Channel will start its countdown to Christmas!!! It's Christmas insanity and I love it.

For those wondering, the Keepsake ornaments will be in the stores on July 12th, 2014. Also, as an added bonus, this weekend on ABC Family, Home Alone 2 will be airing on Friday evening, right after Casper, and before Harry Potter weekend. "Now that's holiday!" So, for all of us wishing for autumn and Christmas, between ABC Family and the Hallmark Channel, we should get our fill.

Since it is close to Christmas, it is time to start thinking about gifts and decorations (yes, July is close, once August ends, the time will fly). So starting now, here is the first suggested gift for someone at Christmas....FOOD.

A batch of cookies, fudge, or my favorite peppermint bark.

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. bag white chocolate morsels
• 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 12 finely crushed candy canes
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Baking spray 
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or half-n-half (optional)

Directions:

1. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper, spray well with the baking spray.
2. Crush Candy Canes in a food processor or by putting them in a freezer bag, placing them on a couple of folded towels and use a kitchen hammer or a real one until finely crushed, set aside.
3. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave according to package instructions, if it seems too thick, add about a teaspoon of milk to thin out, or melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove, turn the heat to medium-low (if there is no double boiler, place a round baking dish (oven safe) with handles over a pot fill about half way with water, stay with it and stir to keep it from sticking.
4. Once the semi-sweet is melted, add half of the crushed peppermint by folding it in. Spread onto the parchment paper and put it in the refrigerate until hardened for 1-2 hours.
5. Once the semi-sweet is hardened, melt the white chocolate (microwave or stove method).
6. Pour the white chocolate over the semi-sweet and spread out, sprinkle the rest of the peppermint on top and place in the refrigerate for up to 4 hours to hardened make sure the door can close and do not use the freezer).
7. After the bark has set, pick it up in the parchment paper and place on a large cutting board or clean surface. Before breaking, peel off the parchment.
8. Break or cut into squares or triangles and put in large Mason Jars with ribbons and tags or decorative tins or boxes.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like food, and this peppermint bark is a definite win when it comes to gift giving and can keep for up to a month! Alright, enjoy and let's keep talking Christmas :)