I’m a charm collector- I have dozens of them on 4 different silver bracelets and one gold bracelet. But this pretty sterling silver dolphin charm is truly my favorite. It has a sweet little smile on its face and to me looks just like it’s jumping through the waves. It reminds me of a trip our family made to Florida in the 1980s; I’ll always remember the way I felt the first time I saw a bunch of dolphins moving through the water in the Gulf of Mexico. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! Ever since then I’ve had a real thing for dolphins, and it all started at the age of 11. (more…)

Have you read the label on store-bought chocolate syrup?  I did and it convinced me to start making my own homemade chocolate syrup.  Now that I have, I’ll never go back to store-bought again.  For one reason, they say a little pure cocoa is good for you, and the recipe calls for good old fashioned cocoa.  The other reason is the taste.  Of course, you can adjust the sugar to suit your individual taste.  I like my chocolate a little more dark or bitter than my kids and husband like their chocolate.  So, I mix up two batches and we’re all happy. (more…)