Birthday parties are so much fun but at the same time can be so much work, and when you have 5 children, it's 5 times the work, 5 times a year. Even still, I love to have lots of baked goodies for my kid's parties......

My latest creation I stole from a woman's magazine. For my daughters 20th birthday, I decided to go with a scrabble theme since our last match she won "again" and was very quick to make sure that we all knew that she is the best there is at scrabble and can't be beat.

See the whole article at Susan's Basket Store - Fresh Baked Goodies

Growing up I remember the smell of coffee early in the morning as I would wake and begin my morning routine getting ready for school. Both of my parents were coffee drinkers. I don’t think a day went by during my childhood that I didn’t see my parents sipping a cup of the mysterious black brew. I remember my Mom putting cream and sugar in hers and my Dad I think had his black. I never remember trying it or even wanting to taste it myself. Even to this day, I’m not much of a coffee drinker, however, I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee. I am sure my brain connects the feeling of security with the smell of coffee as the aroma triggers fond memories of my childhood.

I think that being introduced to the taste of coffee is a determining factor as to whether you will become a coffee drinker as an adult. When my oldest daughter was very young, my Mother would give her sips of her cooled coffee with cream and sugar. It wasn’t long before my daughter would beg for it when she would see her Grandmother. Granted, my Mother only gave her decaffeinated coffee, it was as if one taste had her hooked. Throughout my daughter’s childhood, although her father and I do not drink coffee, she seemed to crave it. By the time she was 16 she was what I call a full-fledged coffee addict. She began working for a popular coffee house and to this day at age 20 still works there and still begins her days with her double shot of espresso and it’s the same stuff that keeps her up at night, studying for her college exams or keeping awake for entertainment.

Regardless of whether I drink coffee, I still own a coffeemaker. It’s just one of those things every household must have and believe it or not, it actually gets used. I’ll brew a pot for guests whether friends or family and of course my Mother or Daughter if they happen by. I’ve even been known to brew a pot of coffee just for the aroma. Of course, my husband will drink it if it’s there. I have also found that coffee is quite a popular gift idea. Anyone who appreciates a great cup of coffee will certainly love a basket filled with coffee beans, biscotti, a coffee mug and if you know them well enough, perhaps a good book to go along with it.

Susan’s Basket Store has several gift baskets to choose from for the coffee drinker in your life. From a burlap gift sack full of fine coffee and imported European treats, to the latest addition of the StarBreaks Coffee Basket which includes a 1 pound bag of House Blend, Starbucks® Coffee, 1, 9.5 fl oz Starbucks® Frappuccino, 3 Cafe Biscotti, 1 coffee mug, a wall mountable coffee mug hook, and a coffee scented aromatherapy candle made with real coffee beans. Any of the coffee break baskets brought to you by Susan’s Basket Store will surely bring a smile and a little pep to your favorite coffee drinker’s day. Remember your Mother this Mother’s Day and if she is half the coffee lover as my Mother is, she’ll surely appreciate your thoughtfulness.

The story of chocolate goes back to the discovery of America. The Cacao Tree, the plant from which chocolate is derived, was worshipped by the Mayan Civilization of Central America and Southern Mexico. They believed the tree to be of divine origin. Cacao is a Mayan word meaning “God food”. Early European explorers changed the word Cacao to the more familiar Cocoa.

Chocolate is now recognized as having many qualities that are beneficial to health. Several medical studies show that eating chocolate in moderation can actually prolong your life by reducing risk of blood clots and fighting bad cholesterol. Cocoa is also the highest natural source for magnesium. Chocolate is a very complex food source and scientists are just now beginning to unlock its secrets. It contains essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium, and potassium, and vitamins A, B1, C, D and E.

Chocolate has been found to contain substances called Phenyl ethylamine and Serotonin, both of which are mood-lifting agents. The brain naturally produces these chemicals when you fall in love. Perhaps this is why chocolate was considered an aphrodisiac by the Aztec Indians, and as such, was forbidden to women. It’s no wonder that the average American consumes almost 12 pounds of chocolate each year.

If you love chocolate, Susan’s Basket store has plenty of wonderful gifts for you or the chocolate lover in your life. Is your anniversary coming up? Surprise her with the Passion Play basket or the Say it with Chocolate basket. Whatever the occasion and whoever its for you cant go wrong with a decadent chocolate gift from Susan’s Basket store.

Visit Susan's Basket Store and choose one of our decadent chocolate gift baskets for your loved one!