My Christmas Village: Day Two

 

Welcome back to Day Two of my Christmas Open House! Today is our 24th wedding anniversary so this part of the village has some places that are special to Mr. Wonderful and me. 

We have spent many, many hours exploring old books stores and Mr. Wonderful has a huge library, so this is his book store. I stitched his initials and birth year on the sign.

We collect pottery and some of our favorite memories are of the excursions we've been on and the shops we've come to love around the country. I converted the florist into a pottery shop because my ideal village would have one! (And I would have no money!)

Of course precious Tiger Lily had to have a place in my village. She was with us for 16 1/2 years, at duty stations from Texas (where she was born), to every part of the country: west, east, middle, and south. I stitched one of her nicknames above the door of the pet shop.

Today's recipe is an old favorite I shared long ago. I love to keep this on hand in the pantry, especially in the colder months. It's a very customizable recipe, too: use sugar-free or sugar substitute ingredients, choose different creamer flavors, use decaf coffee. 

Vanilla Cappuccino Mix

1 1/3 c. sugar (or sugar substitute)

8 oz. jar of French Vanilla creamer (or sugar-free, or another flavor)

2/3 c. powdered instant dry milk

2/3 c. instant coffee (regular or decaf)

Use 1/8 c. mix (or to taste) per mug of boiling water.

Gift bag/basket idea: Package cappuccino mix with a pretty mug and a coffee scoop (usually 1/8 c.) and include the recipe.

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See y'all tomorrow for a very special part of the village tour!