The northeast is bracing for bitter cold weather. Our hope is that you all find warmth with family and friends this St. Valentine’s Day weekend. Plus, it’s a great excuse to eat some chocolate! This week, we share our take on some delicious chocolate truffles, some ideas for using last week’s woven heart baskets, a plant update, and of course, the bears!

EASY TRUFFLES

Ingredients:

• one 8 oz. package light cream cheese, softened
• three cups confectioners sugar, sifted
• three cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• cocoa powder, chopped walnuts, coconut, dried fruit sprinkles

How to make:

• Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Gradually beat in confectioners sugar.
• Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Form into one inch balls.
• Roll in toppings of your choice.

Varieties for truffles are almost endless. Chocolate and orange go great together, so replace the vanilla with same amount of orange…