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mint brownies

if you wake up planning to go shopping all day
and your entire town is covered in ice
and your husband calls and tells you
“do not drive here…it’s too dangerous!”
what’s a girl to do?
pout? i did for awhile.
go anyway? i almost did…
but the thought of that phone call from me stuck in the ditch was too much.
so i put on my best clothes…

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and started baking.
if you are going to make these you must wear furry slippers & sweat pants
and if you have a christmas apron…put that on too.

okay…these brownies are my most favorite christmas treat.
i look forward to december because of these.
i don’t know why i have never made them any other time.
it wouldn’t feel right eating this in july.
my mom has made these as long as i can remember.
where did you get his recipe mom?

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i have seen this popping up in magazine ads but i doubt it compares to mom’s.
it’s on the side in the album of recipes.

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gather your ingredients.
unsweetened baking chocolate…don’t worry there’s lots of sugar too.
butter, eggs, flour and sugar

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melt the chocolate and butter together over low heat.
just the smell of this alone will bring your family into the kitchen…
‘what are you making mom?”
or as annie yelled “SNIFFFF…What dat ‘MELL?!”

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once it’s melted, turn off the burner
and add in the beaten eggs.
and then stir in the sugar.

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pure sin….

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add in the flour
and find a good helper to lick the beater while you pour it in the pan.

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you should line your pan with foil and spray it.
(and you should move your coffee cup before taking a picture…)
if you are looking closely…you probably aren’t
but if you are you’ll see i am using a 9×13.
i double this recipe always because they are so good.
but the recipe on the side is the 8 x8 version.
bake it for 20- 25 minutes at 350.

and look…i don’t even have to wash any dishes.

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after they cool…you make layer #2.
basically just green mint frosting.

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and spread it out on the brownies.

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than you make layer #3.
the last layer…that makes it so good.

melt more chocolate…but this time semi-sweet baking chocolate.
and butter.
pour it over the green frosting and tilt it till the whole pan is covered
in a sweet very thin blanket of chocolate.
oh…YUM!!!

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put this in the freezer for awhile…
as long as you can wait.
when the top layer is frozen it’s easier to cut.

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cut them into small squares…these are even bigger than i normally cut.
they are rich so too much is too much.
then grab a tin and load them up.

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i prefer them in the frigerator or freezer.
i love cold chocolate…is that weird?
but you try whatever you want.

we listened to charlie brown christmas music while we baked these.
on pandora…i just typed it in.
that site knows everything.

and i must confess…
just so you don’t think
that i think i am some amazing cook…
i had to throw out the first batch of brownie layer#1.
i mixed up the sugar and flour amounts.
and the night after i made the chicken enchiladas
i burnt our entire dinner.
like really bad.
so….i am no chef.
i just like to bake and cook and i like to share my favorites with you!

i hope you like these and they become a tradition in your home too.
i will enjoy sneaking one many times a day a week
when walking through the kitchen.

Bren - Mmmm these look soo good! I can’t wait to try them! We’re getting hit with the snow right now and will be baking cchip cookies and sugar cookies today. Wish I had all the ingredients for these on hand right now!
LOL and you crack me up in your best outfit!! 😛 I love reading your blog – you always make me smile!

Christine - Ok. So I made them yesterday. And they are YUMMY. I did a pan of 9 x 13, so I doubled the recipe. But I also tripled the recipe for the top portion. This seems to work really well. The part where I messed up was with the food coloring!!! Seriously, I overdid it! I took these to a party last night and one foodie friend refused to eat them until he learned that I had made them. The brightness of the green made him suspicious. I just NEVER work with food coloring. I need to practice! BUT they are still incredibly tasty! They are going to become a family staple for a long, long time. Thanks so much for sharing!

traci - yumm-o, megan those look very tasty!!! i am afraid that is what is going to happen to us tomorrow. karlie and i are supposed to go shopping, but that ice that you got is on it’s way here. maybe we’ll be baking instead too!! have a great weekend.

Kelly - Those look so yummy!

amy - one of those tins was put away for tomorrow night, i hope?! (please!)

cynthia - oh goodness! i can’t wait to make these…chocolate mint, you can’t get any better than that…well you know?

kristin - christine, can i quickly become one of your students?
i think i will call jerry now and as him to pick up some ingredients. wow. amazing.

Christine - These look incredible! I KNOW Chris would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me if I made these! Maybe I’ll make them for a party I’m throwing for students this weekend. That way he’ll get a few, but not too many!
I meant to tell you that I caved in and bought a seasonal drink at Starbucks the other day. I NEVER do this. But after reading your post about loving to try all the seasonal promotion drinks, I had to. Chris calls it blog peer pressure!

Mom - Funny – I just made these brownies Tuesday night for our volunteers appreciation party (that was cancelled because of the snow!). The recipe actually comes from a Junior League cookbook that your Grandma Ranney gave me. I started making them after she made them many years ago (maybe 30). I think she may have given me the cookbook because of these brownies – it was either these or the frosted pumpkin cookies that are also fabulous.

Jennifer Peterson - Mint and chocolate and more chocolate, what could be better? Thanks for the recipe and the photos. And regarding your last post and the picture of all the magazines on the floor–that’s exactly what my family room floor looked like last week. I think we must subscribe to all the same ones, and keep them for just as long.

All Things Bright and Beautiful..... - Meg – I found you via the inspired room. Your blog is hilarious and colourful and your craft room amazing!!! And I love your photos too :-). Looking forward to more 🙂

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good day

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decorations are going up all over the house.
i think i am close to finished.
did you notice my crazy reflection in the first photo?
i am wearing orange…how christmas-y…
and i was bending all crazy to get a straight shot.
i am goofy like that.

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i have been searching for inspiration and ideas
for something different or whatever catches my eye.
i went through my magazine collection and pulled out every december issue.
from years and years back.
does anyone else do this?

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i got the boys these shirts…
“my brother is the naughty one”
they were just too appropriate.

today was a good day.

i had a dentist appointment early.
i had no cavites.
that is a big deal.
so big.
it’s never happened in my 32 years.
woo-hoo!
so i could breathe a huge sigh of relief and leave without having cried.
i almost always cry at the dentist.

then i got to hang out with my friend jill and watch her make jewelry.
she even brought me a coffee…mmm.

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our local bead store is so pretty.
the colors and details and big beautiful paintings.
it doesn’t feel (or look) small town at all.
and i like that.

melissa has me featured on her blog today for my craft space!
i do love that craft room.
it’s such a mess right now.
christmas gifts everywhere…
fabric pulled out of every box and thrown all around…
sewing stuff all over.
total mess.
but what a neat thing to be included in.
thanks melissa.
i’d love to hear from all the new visitors…leave me a comment!
do it for melissa.
we’re virtual BFF’s don’t you know?

i finished off my good day with a peppermint shake from sonic.
i am a sucker for seasonal drink items.
you should hear me order at starbucks.

and now my husband is home from his 2 day business trip.
all is right in my world.

mary w - just discovered your Blog inspired Room and I think your style rocks!
I have a tote bag that has been filled with Holiday issues of all my magazines-I have been shlepping it back and forth between work and home for a month(or longer)-I finally decided it might be a brilliant idea to keep all of my Holiday issues in one mag. holder(or two or three-you know) so next year I don’t have to go through all of the magazines to pull those AGAIN!I have a couple of packs of those cardboard Ikea mag. holders-maybe I’ll even get crafty and cover them with leftover Holiday papers.
AND thanks for that minty brownie recipe-I may have to give it a try-I am waiting for a good snowy day to some baking and my outfit will look remarkably like yours!
I’ll be back…
mary w
Edinboro PA

Danelle - well..i’m not new but had to comment anyway….awesome news on the no cavities!! woohooo!!! love to see your crafty decorating, thanks for sharing.

kari and kijsa - wait…a peppermint shake from Sonic….why were we not informed….no time for commenting…we have to get to Sonic….LOL…seriously you have the most beautiful photography on your blog….love it!
Have a very, very, very, blessed day!
smiles, kari and kijsa

Adla - Hi there,,
I saw your featured room through melissa. It sparkles with creativity.I love it. You have a wonderful blog, I shall definitely be back to visit 🙂
Ta for now,
Adla at http://www.vintagedelights.blogspot.com

Cre8Tiva - came from melissa’s…love your room…the boys are so cute…mine are all grown now…but the t-shirts would be appropriate for all of the and their sister…do they come in adult sizes???…i will return for more visits…blessings, rebecca

meg duerksen - maryaz-
wal-mart…
that’s all we have in town. so i am there at least once a week…unfortunately,

Maryaz - PLEASE tell me where you got those t-shirts! I have two little boys who live that statement every day in December!!!

Jennifer Peterson - I commented on your last entry, but since I discovered you through Melissa’s site, I thought I’d pipe up again. Loved the photos of your craft room (beats my spot on the floor by our bed where I craft :)!)

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sewing

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i have been busy busy in the craft room the past few weeks.
and will be for a few more weeks.
3 years ago i made stockings for my family
and then i made them for my sister’s family.
since then she’s had another baby.
her baby maya is over 1 year old now…
so she needs a stocking.
this is what i sent.

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sewed on lots of buttons…a jingle bell trim and a fluffy messy trim over that.
the back side is black & white polka dot with pea green pom pom trim.
the white velour cuff was made from my old navy hoodie
that i spilled coffee on too many times
and got too small…
because i shrunk it in the dryer.
yeah…that’s it…i shrunk it in the dryer…it had nothing to do with the sizing.
ha ha

i just love to get crafty.
i was so happy to be making that stocking because i was enjoying the process.
it feels good to work with your hands
and create something unique.
don’t you think?

sean and i realized at prayer time tonight
it is exactly 3 weeks till christmas today.
wow…i have a lot to do.

Jennifer Peterson - I must say that I stayed up till 12:30 am gawking at the pictures of your home. I’m an interior designer by trade and I’d never know that you weren’t! Simply lovely. I have linked your site off of mine, but if you would prefer I removed it, just let me know. Thanks so much for a peek inside your lovely life. -Jennifer

melissa @ the inspired room - Your stocking is adorable, love all the buttons and trim!

Blanca - This is so cute and whimsical I’m sure your sister will love it.
Blanca

traci - that is a beautiful stocking. i love that you recycled your hoodie for part of it. very crafty you are. i have never been a sewer.

diane - I love that stocking! Will you take pictures of the rest of your family’s stockings and share?
I made stockings for our family a few years ago, out of burlap with a sage green silk damask cuff, I like them but I feel like something is missing, They need an unexpected touch, maybe it’s buttons and fun trim.

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tea party

i am not one for ladies activities.
i don’t enjoy singing carols in a group
or skits or costumes….
but i do like to decorate.
this is my table at our church’s ladies tea.

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and i like yummy food.

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and tea is okay too.
(but it’s not coffee…or even close)

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there were 27 tables.
all different.
all very pretty.

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it was very girlie.
(as you can see…my table could win a prize for tallest table decoration…ha)
it was fun to get all that stuff together.
to finally use some of my red christmas dishes.
and finding enough santa mugs at the anitque store.
thanks mom for sending the vintage tablecloth….i hope you don’t want it back.
i like it too much.
i was remembering the last time i went to a ladies tea.
remember jenny?
talby was a teeny tiny baby.

and i was also cracking up during the program thinking
“Men would NEVER do this”
and that’s why i am glad i am not a man.
among many many other reasons.

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michelle - What a great looking tea. I love your table and how your own style (similar to mine I think) comes out. I’m also not one for the traditional girlie things but like you did here, you put your own slant on it. I would definitely want to sit at your table! : )
Thanks for stopping by my blog and turning me onto yours! I love how you’ve organized your studio.

traci - your table looks absolutely beautiful. i bet you got some great ideas there.

Linda - First off, I have to say…I wish I was your friend. Because then we could hang out at your gorgeous house, drink coffee, and I could nibble on all your great recipes! I think we’d even shop well together, and we both agree on filling our tree with kids ornaments that we add to each year…
You are obviously such a great mum…it just shows in your posts…all the lovely things you do with your kids…I need to come by your blog more often for inspiration!!
Anyway, thanks for all the blogging goodness!
Linda

Mom - I knew you would like the table cloth. I believe that was originally your Grandma Osborne’s. I used it every year until we moved to Lawrence. Just seems to fit your house now better than mine! It’s all yours.
And your table was very pretty. Loved how you used your little Santa mugs. Watch out Martha!

Craig - I am also glad that you are not a man.

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tradition

one tradition we have…
picking a special ornament each year.
in the beginning…i would pick it.
something to represent a milestone in their life for that year.
but then we had 5 kids.
and i couldn’t think of good ones anymore
and they were hard to find.

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now i just take them all into target and let them pick whatever they want.
only one.
and course they like this much better.

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but now instead of pianos or bicycles or baby shoes
we have years of batman, disney princess and star wars.
and that’s okay.
i wish i had a care bears ornament from 1983.
or barbie or cabbage patch or rainbow brite.

here are some the picks for 2007

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nothing says christmas like tie dye and spiderman.

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love this one.

traci - how fun for them. all smiles – love the last picture too!

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gingerbread

this was too fun.
not the fighting and arguing part…but the project itself.
so much fun.

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i commissioned a friend who is known for her gingerbread making skills
to make the house pieces for me.
i wasn’t feeling brave enough to take that on this year.
she brought us the house in pieces…mmm…smelled so good.
while the kids were at school i built the house and tiled the roof with rice chex.
i could have easily sat and done the entire house
all by myself.
i was having a blast.

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it’s a good craft for all ages.
but i think next time i will have more than one house
and everyone will have their own frosting.
sharing is a hard concept.
(at least for my kids)

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it is pretty sweet.
literally.

Adla - That is so cute…all the kids involved, what a wonderful outcome. I’m sure they’ll treasure these memories when they are all grown 🙂

melissa @ the inspired room - What fun and sweet memories! Love seeing your little tribe all working together like that! Even if they were fighting. 🙂

Danelle - I love this!

Jen CD - What friend made the pieces? I am definitely interested!!!!!!!!!!
Jen CD

kristin - this is a family tradition of mine…my mom is amazing and does it all before we get there…then we each take a side and have at it…
i wonder when i’ll start it at home…

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12 hours later

friday night dinner with the family at our house this time.

just before they needed to hit the road the little girls jumped in the leaves.

these girls don’t get to do the trampoline leaf jumping at home…

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the night set in.

we said goodbye.

we said goodnight to our kids.

and this is what we woke up to.

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just 12 hours later.

isn’t a snowball fight more fun when you get to throw them at your grandma?

**edited..i know the color looks funky on the recent pictures.  it’s just that i am so used to my own computer and setting that everything else looks different.  i heard that my computer is fixed an should be home tonight.  i may give it a welcome home party.  i should start making it a cake right now.***

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