Rich Bourbon Hot Chocolate with Boozy Whipped Cream Stars {Recipe}

I made some delicious Bourbon Fudgesicles this summer, and as I was whipping them up I made a mental note to come back and tweak the recipe for a yummylicious hot chocolate beverage when the weather was right. The recipes are very similar, but the main difference besides the serving temp is that this hot chocolate can have more booze because it doesn't have to freeze (too much alcohol would prevent popsicles from freezing, as the booze lowers the freezing point of the mixture).

This wonderfully rich chocolatey recipe is perfect for a sweet romantic night at home with your honey by the fire on a cold winter night. It is pretty strong, so if you want to switch out some of the bourbon for a bit more water, that would be just fine, depending on your preference.

I would also recommend making the whipped cream first if you want to make the cute little star shapes, since it needs a few hours in the freezer to work. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Carved with Cookie Cutters - Stars and Hearts

I actually carved my pumpkin several days ago, but I'm only just finally getting around to posting a photo. I figured this might be my last chance, since it's almost Halloween!

Homemade Maple Pumpkin Butter Recipe (with free printable labels)

This delicious homemade Maple Pumpkin Butter is a wonderful autumn treat - thick and spreadable, perfect on toast or apples or bagels, or even ( - if you're not afraid of a pumpkin overload - ) some warm homemade pumpkin scones.

Packaged in these sweet little canning jars and tied with raffia or ribbon, I think this recipe makes a wonderful gift for coworkers or hostesses, on its own or as part of a gift basket full of other goodies!

(I'm including the link below to download the free printable for the labels I made, in case you'd like to use them too!)

Lucky Gold Hamsa Necklace: Beautiful Handmade Spiritual Jewelry

 

Hamsa Necklace in 24k gold vermeil with garnet rosary chain by bespangledjewelry on etsy

This lovely gilded Hamsa necklace is one of my latest creations, featuring carefully hand-wrapped gemstone rosary chain and a handmade hook clasp. I love the look of the satin finished vermeil on the hamsa charm, which is a fine layer of 24k gold over solid sterling silver.

Delicate gemstone rosary chain comes in your choice of garnet, green onyx, peridot, or amethyst and is 16.5 inches long. Other lengths available by request!




Symbolism of the Hamsa

The hamsa is a symbol which is associated with a code of conduct called “Ahimsa,” which means ‘do no harm.’ Archaeological evidence indicates that a downward pointing hamsa (meaning 'five' in Arabic and representing the digits on the hand) was used as a protective amulet, often worn around the neck to protect the wearer from the 'evil eye'. It has long represented blessings, power and strength.

This beautiful lucky hamsa necklace is in the Spiritual / Yoga jewelry section of my shop, where you'll find other handmade hamsa jewelry, ohm symbols, and Christian crosses as well.

Upcycled Plastic Water Bottle Planters {+ a Cool Spray Painting Technique!}

Every month, my wonderful Etsy Fort Worth street team hosts an Upcycling Craft Challenge Contest.

For September, the secret "Iron Craft" ingredient was plastic bottles, and I just happen to keep and reuse a lot of water bottles already. (Oh, what's that you're surprised?!? Surely not :)

My favorites to use are Vitamin Water bottles, because I like the way they add their flavor to the water when you fill them up! I also happened to notice that they have a pretty cool embossed pattern on them, under the label. Have you ever noticed? Take a look ⤵

Pretty neat, huh? And the larger bottles have a slightly different pattern, which is also kinda cool. I have my eye on those for my next planter pots.