I’m constantly amazed at what a small world the internet is!

I’ve been trying to figure out what font was used for my blog sidebar headers and went to What the Font to work on it. After numerous tries I gave up and decided to join the forum to get more help.

I submitted my “case” and was redirected to a page listing the most recent cases, where I was surprised to see my blog signature! Someone liked the font and wanted to know what it was. What are the chances?!

Of course I posted the answer: The font is Scriptina and you can download it for free. I can’t wait to see what or who turns up next time I’m surfing the web!

I’m lying facedown on a comfy bed in a dim room, the scent of candles and sound of relaxing music fills the air. I sigh deeply, feeling my muscles relax under the massage therapist’s skilled hands. Heavenly!

Teacher got me a Massage Connection gift certificate for Christmas and I couldn’t wait to use it. I’d never had a massage before so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but now I’m addicted.

The appointment started with a standard form: no I don’t use drugs, yes I’ve had alcohol in the past 24 hours, Baileys Irish Cream last night, am allergic to aspirin and amoxicillan, etc. Then I used the bathroom Can’t relax when you have to pee… and was shown to a small room with a bed. I was expecting something rather institutional but was surprised by a warm, cozy room. One wall was painted a rich chocolate color and the other three were “cafe au lait”. That’s the color of coffee with cream in it. Dim lighting, flickering candles and soothing music added to the relaxing ambiance – something I’d love to recreate at home.

Since my “problem area” is the upper back, the massage therapist told me to remove my shirt, bra and necklace. I could either take off my jeans or roll roll them down to keep lotion off them. I can’t stand jeans on in bed so they went on the chair with the rest of my clothes. I lay on my stomach on the bed, covered myself with the sheet and blanket, and browsed the collection of CDs and essential oils while I waited.

Once the massage started I forgot anything except the sensation of hands kneading my back and soothing music in the background. I’ve had good massages – very good massages – before, but there’s a difference between an amateur massage and a therapist massage. This massage found all the knots I’d felt and some I hadn’t known were there. I could feel them melting away as she worked on them.

After the half hour I was completely relaxed and ready for the day of shopping we had planned. I can’t wait for the next massage!

We’re back! I am SO glad to be back home again even though we had a great time. All my worrying was for nothing, as usual. Little Guy slept all night for Grandma and Grandpa, I pumped and didn’t lose my milk, and best of all – he still wanted to nurse tonight at bedtime! The other kiddos missed us more than I thought they would and were really happy to see us.

I’ll take time over the next couple of days to post about what we did and saw, but for now I’m just going to enjoy being home. I have to agree with Dorothy – There’s no place like home!

Tomorrow morning Teacher and I are hopping into the van and driving to Chicago for the Midwest Clinic. I don’t know why they call it the “Midwest” Clinic except that it’s held in the midwest. It’s actually an international conference, with clinicians and attendees from all over the world.

We’ve gone twice before and had a lot of fun both times. I’m really looking forward to going again… kind of. Actually, I’m torn. I want to go, but I don’t want to leave Little Guy. He still nurses to sleep at night and sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to nurse. I’m worried that he’ll wake up and want me but I won’t be there for him. I know we can’t take him – a fifteen month old at a conference is a recipe for disaster! I toyed with the idea of bringing Princess to babysit him while Teacher and I were at workshops, but how long can a toddler stay in a hotel room before being bored? Plus we keep long hours at the Clinic; getting up early for workshops, running around all day, going to late concerts, not eating supper until 8:00 or later, etc. There’s no way he’d survive that schedule.

So we’re leaving him home. I know he’ll be fine – it’ll probably be harder on me than on him. He’ll be home in a familiar environment with Z-Man and Grandma. They both love Grandma so much and are used to seeing her at least once a week. Plus all the other kids will be around to help out too. I gave him extra cuddles today and held him long after he fell asleep tonight. I know that once I get to the conference tomorrow I’ll be distracted and not worry about him. The hardest part will be leaving him in the morning but once we get on the road I’m sure I’ll be OK. With all the fun Grandma has planned he might not even miss me!

I am SO excited! I’ve been thinking about redoing my Zany Zebra site but didn’t have the money to hire someone and wasn’t sure what direction to take if I did it myself. But now I’m going to have a new template designed by a designer recommended by a mutual friend. I haven’t seen any of the new design yet, but I know it’s going to be fabulous – he’s that good a designer!

The down side is that I’ll have to move all the content into the new design page by page which will take FOREVER, especially if I can’t suppress my perfectionist streak and try to improve each page as I move it. On the other hand my control issues and I are relieved that I’ll be doing all the work so I know each page is set up the way I want it.

I can’t wait to see what the new design will look like… Once it’s done I think I’m going to have Amy & Kids Co. redone too!

One year Teacher found this recipe and knowing that I am a card-carrying chocolate addict and that I would be over-the-moon-happy if he made it for me, he secretly bought the ingredients and made it it the afternoon we decorated our Christmas tree. I took one sip and fell instantly in love – with the hot chocolate of course, I already loved Teacher. Since then he’s made Hot Chocolate to Die For every year. This makes me over-the-moon happy, which makes Teacher happy, then the kids who don’t want to be left out get happy and we’re all happy enough to be in a 1950s sitcom.

I should warn you that this is NOT a low-fat, low-calorie hot chocolate! It’s actually pretty bad for you, with the cream and all. How bad is it? Well one year we gave my sister-in-law, who loves hot chocolate, a king sized bar of chocolate and the Hot Chocolate to Die For recipe. No, that’s not all she got so don’t get your panties in a bunch and go thinking that we’re stingy. She’s a dietician and always watches what she eats – unlike me who eats whatever, whenever. That’s why she’s a skinny little thing and I’m not. Anyway, she told me later that she made Hot Chocolate to Die For but then sat down and figured out the calories and fat and whatever else dieticians figure out, and couldn’t drink it. She tried to tell me what was all in it but I didn’t listen. I’d rather sip in ignorant hot chocolate bliss.

My point is that you shouldn’t drink it too often because it’ll probably clog all your arteries and kill you. Or make you fat. Or both. And if you decide not to listen to me and drink Hot Chocolate to Die For all the time, don’t complain to me when you die. Or when your pants don’t fit. Or both. I’ll too busy struggling with my own pants to help you out.

Hot Chocolate to Die For – One Delicious Serving

3 oz milk chocolate
1 tsp butter
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 C half-n-half or whipping cream

Combine the milk chocolate, butter and vanilla extract in double boiler.

Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring often.

When the chocolate is melted and smooth slowly incorporate the cream.

Stir the mixture as it heats, but don’t let it boil.

Garnish with marshmallows, candy cane, nutmeg, cinnamon, or whatever else you like. I like mine straight up in my special mug.

Ifs
- If you’re out of vanilla extract you can use a vanilla bean. Just chop 1/2″ or so off the end and add it when you add the cream. Remember to fish it out before drinking the hot chocolate.
- If you’re desperate and don’t have cream or half-and-half you can use whole milk but the hot chocolate won’t be as rich.
- If you don’t have a double boiler you can use a metal bowl on top of a saucepan. Be sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water in the saucepan.
- If you want a different experience try different kinds of chocolate. Some gourmet bars available now are just incredible. There’s also organic chocolate if you’re into organic products.
- If you want your hot chocolate to stay warm longer, fill your mugs with hot water when you start melting the chocolate. Teacher uses our Hot Shot to warm the water quickly.
- If you have any other tips for enjoying hot chocolate please post them here!

I hope you enjoy your Hot Chocolate to Die For! I’m going to make myself some right now, I hope my mug is clean…

I don’t know why, but lately I’ve had the itch to change Zany Zebra again. It’s not that I don’t like the colors, I love purple and green. But I’m dreaming of orchid and lime, with strawberry, cantaloupe, and a nice light blue.

Maybe it’s because winter has hit Wisconsin with a deluge of snow and grey clouds, leaving me hungry for the bright colors of summer. Maybe it’s because I like variety and change. It’s certainly not because I have all kinds of time to spend playing around with colors and site design!

What do y’all think? Is it time for ZZD to get a facelift?