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| A mug of cocoa for a squirrel-y mom. |
Today is the
perfect fall day to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate. I even splurged with a
messy glop of whipped cream. Not quite coffee-shop quality, but satisfying. It’s
in my favorite mug, too. The one with the squirrel on one side, and a loving
sentiment on the other: “Nuts About You.” It makes me grin to think of my son, Peter, who gave it to this squirrel-loving mom.
Smiling at
this mug reminds me of a mug from my youth. At my best friend’s house, I was
often treated to the home-made cocoa mix made by Helen’s mother. I vividly
remember the taste and the surprise of my first mug of it.
Helen and
her siblings and I were gathered around the kitchen table, laughing and talking
after school one day. Her mom passed steaming mugs to each of us, and the
conversation died as we focused on the treat.
Mmm, smooth and sweet. Not too hot, not too cold. It went down easy,
warmed me up, then gave me a surprise!
With mug
tipped to my mouth, I spotted something emerging from the brown liquid like a
swamp monster. I almost spilled it in shock! The expectant faces around the
table burst out laughing. The mug had a ceramic green frog affixed to its interior
bottom!
I obviously
wasn’t the first guest to be given this special treatment. And I wasn’t the
last. That mug never seemed to lose its power to create a laugh. As a frequent
guest at their house, I got used to sipping from the frog mug. I looked forward
to spotting its bulgy eyes peeking from the cocoa.
Hmm, I wonder
where that mug is now? I’m guessing it’s still in their cupboard, ready to play
tricks on the grandkids.
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| I'm nuts about you, too, Pete! |
