Homemade Birthday

Tonight we celebrated David's brother, sister-in-law and dad's birthdays. Yes, the month of November is quite a busy birthday month for our family. Today was spent finishing a birthday cake, making gifts and assembling presents and cards. Below are two homemade gifts we gave to David's dad.

Here are the recipes if you are interested in making some for yourself or to give as a gift.
Hot Fudge Sauce
(from Southern Living's December issue)
Makes: 3 1/4 cups (I halved the recipe.)
Melt 1 (8oz) package unsweetened chocolate baking squares and 1/2 cup butter in a large, heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Add 2 cups sugar, and cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds or until blended. Add 1 cup milk, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated and sugar is disolved. (Do not boil.) Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla extract and 1/8 tsp. salt. Cover and chill sauce up to 2 weeks.
*To reheat, microwave sauce in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring occasionally, at HIGH for 15- to 30-second intervals or until warm.

Chocolate Chunk Hot Cocoa Mix
(from Real Simple's December issue)
What you need
2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder; 3/4 cup sugar; 8 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate.
What to do-In a bowl, combine the cocoa, sugar and chocolate. Store in an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for up to 4 months.
*Instructions: In a small saucepan, whisk 1/4 cup cocoa mix with 3/4 cup milk. Bring to a bare simmer. Serves 1.