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For many people, winter means rum toddies and spiked coffee. But for those who want the taste and warmth that hot drinks provide without the alcohol effects, there are still options. Frank Thomas and Karen L. Brown detail these and many other delicious beverages in their book "The Mocktail Bar Guide: 200 Recipes for Alcohol-Free Drinks"

Hot Cocoa l'Orange

Topping: 1.5 tablespoons heavy cream, chilled 1/4 teaspoon dark brown sugar (not packed)

Drink: 1 large orange 1 cup milk 2 ounces premium milk chocolate, chopped 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Whisk together topping ingredients in bowl until stiff peaks form. Cover and chill. Use vegetable peeler to remove rind from orange. Place rind in large saucepan. Add milk and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and cover. Allow to steep 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, then return liquid to saucepan. Bring to simmer again over medium-high heat. Whisk in chocolate and cocoa powder until thoroughly melted and well-blended. Pour into Irish coffee glass and add chilled topping.

Hot Apple Buttered Rumless

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened 1/4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 5 cups Martinelli's Cider or Apple Juice 10 teaspoons rum extract

For butter mixture, mix ingredients in small mixing bowl until well-combined. Use immediately or cover and chill for up to one month.

For each serving, place one rounded tablespoon of butter mixture in coffee mug. Bring Martinelli's Cider or Apple Juice to a boil, then pour into mugs. Add one teaspoon rum extract to each. Stir well. Yields 10 servings.

Three Easy Ways to Update Your Home for the Holidays

As winter draws near, thoughts turn to the holidays and everything that comes with them ??� cooking the turkey, buying presents, visiting friends and family and, of course, holiday entertaining. Whether it is an intimate dinner, neighborhood cocktails or a full-blown, packed house celebration, a lot of work goes into the preparation. For many hosts, it??�s not only about the food, beverages and entertainment, but the appearance of their home as well.

Not long ago, decorating for the holidays was as simple as putting a wreath on the front door and hanging garland and balls on the tree. Now, hosting a get-together is an opportunity to make a home more welcoming and appealing to guests and family members ??� and an opportunity to be remembered for more than just the sparkling lights and fabulous foods. Many people host get-togethers during the holiday season because that is when their house looks the best.

Besides holiday decorating, there are easy ways to update your home for the holiday entertaining and provide a million-dollar look on a shoestring budget. Here are three ideas to give your home a whole new look. They??�re quick, easy and inexpensive enough to do before any holiday entertaining.

1. Instant Class

Bean Soup Mix

Mix and pour into jar:

1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans
1/4 cup dried navy beans; black beans or lima bean
1/4 cup dried red kidney beans; soy beans or pinto beans
1/4 cup dried whole or split peas
3 tablespoons minced dried onion
2 tablespoons whole wheat berries
2 tablespoons pearl barley
2 tablespoons dried celery flakes
2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon dried basil; crushed
1 bay leaf

Gift Tag Directions:

Combine contents of package with 7 cups water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. (Or soak bean mixture in the water overnight in a covered pan.) Do not drain.

Bring beans and liquid to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir in one cup diced ham or 1 pound Italian sausage which has been cooked, crumbled and drained. Remove bay leaf. Season to taste with salt or seasoned salt.

Variation: Add one 16-oz. can tomatoes, cut up and undrained and one medium carrot, chopped. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season to taste.

Winter Potato Soup

1 3/4 cup instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoon dried onion
1/2 teaspoons thyme
2 teaspoon parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. I mix a bunch of this up and plan on putting this into quart jars to give as a gifts too!!

Gift Tag Directions:

To make soup: Place1/4 cup mix into 1 cup boiling water.