It won't be long before we'll all be there with.....

 

Snow!!! We got about 8 inches of snow overnight. Miss Bailey has been very excited to run and leap around. She definitely loves it!
















My mother-in-law and I had a chance to attend a brunch class at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI. We learned about making a number of brunch dishes and cocktails. The cocktail today seems to be very appropriate. Enjoy!








The Snow Day Martini
from the Ocean House

1 oz Ketel One Vodka
1 oz White Creme de Cacao
1 oz Creme
1/4 oz Grenadine
1 mint leaf

Add all ingredients except grenadine to shaker with ice. Shake, strain into martini glass. Add grenadine at the end and garnish with mint leaf.



 

 

.....and Done!

I finished my last master's class yesterday at 11:00am! It feels so good to be done! It's a bit short lived since I'll start classes in the fall for my 6th year (Administration Certification). However, I'm very proud to say that I was able to finish getting my master's degree in less than a year. I hope the 6th year goes just as quickly.  I technically would have walked in the May graduation, but I opted not to since I wasn't officially done then.  Short entry today, but I wanted to say Happy Birthday to my father-in-law!

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins
from allrecipes.com
Oven 350

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.











 
In a another bowl, combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.











Fold in zucchini and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full (1 large cookie scoop). Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done

Fairy Godmothers

This weekend, my husband's godmother visited from Virginia. We spent Saturday shopping and catching up. It was so much fun and I'm so lucky that my husband has such a nice godmother. Speaking of godmothers...My nephew was baptized today. My youngest sister received the honor of being his godmother. She did an excellent job.  The baby didn't even cry when the water was poured over his head.We had a very nice family gathering afterwards and everyone got to hold the new addition to the church.

As a child, I always thought of Disney movies when I thought about godmothers. They were always so magical, helpful, and usually somewhat plump. My favorite godmothers were from Sleeping Beauty. My favorite scene was at the very end when they couldn't decide on the dress color.

Graham Chocolate Mint Bars
adapted from Taste of Home
Oven 350

FIRST LAYER:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt



SECOND LAYER:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 pkgs (4.6 oz each) Andes Creme de Menthe Thins
9 graham crackers (about 1 cup crushed)

DRIZZLE:
3 ounces chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter

FIRST LAYER:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Spread, with greased spatula, into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan.








SECOND LAYER:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and salt;gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Gently spread, with greased spatula, over chocolate layer. 

Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven; top with mints. Bake 1-2 minutes or until mints begin to melt; carefully spread mints evenly over the top.



Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the top, gently pressing in. Cool completely.

DRIZZLE:
In a microwave, melt bittersweet chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Drizzle over bars; chill until set.