Mommy Mondays: Paisley Jean is ONE

On Friday December 11, 2015 (at 10:45am) Paisley Jean turned one after what was the fastest year of my life!  

I have so much to share about Paisley turning one, so I am doing my Mommy Monday in two parts!  Today, I am taking a walk down memory lane and looking back at Paisley's first year in pictures! 

12 Days of Christmas: Mistletoe Mix

We are halfway through my 12 Days of Christmas foods countdown!  

Today is Day #6

Mistletoe Mix

This is a fun snack mix that is so easy to whip up!  It's the perfect, festive snack to put out in little bowls when you are having company during the holiday season! 

Your Shopping List for the Mistletoe Mix:

•  5 cups of popcorn (I used SkinnyPop)
• 2 cups broken pretzel pieces
• 1 bag Christmas Cadbury Mini Eggs (I have found them at Wegmans, Target, and CVS)
• 15 Holiday Oreos broken (I break each oreo into 4 pieces)
• 1 4oz bar of white chocolate, melted (I use Bakers)
• holiday sprinkles (I used red and green sugar sprinkles)

Now Let's Make the Mistletoe Mix:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the popcorn, pretzels, cadbury mini eggs, and oreos
   
2. Melt the white chocolate according to package directions (I use a double boiler)
3. Pour white chocolate over the mix
4. Use a rubber spatula to carefully stir and coat everything evenly
5. Spread mixture onto cookie sheets lined with wax paper
6. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles
   
7. Allow to cool and harden before storing in an airtight container for up to 48 hours

12 Days of Christmas: Chocolate Mint Chip Bars

Today I'm bringing you Day #5 of my 12 Days of Christmas Food!

CHOCOLATE MINT CHIP BARS

Because any good Christmas recipe collection has to have something that brings together the flavors of chocolate and mint! 

It's also Cake Mix Recipe #58!

Your Shopping List for the Chocolate Mint Chip Bars:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 bag mint chips (I used Guittard mint chips because they are a beautiful festive green color and they are peanut free)

Now Let's Make the Chocolate Mint Chip Bars:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 pan (I always use PAM for baking)
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and beaten eggs until a soft dough forms
3. Stir in the mint chips
   
4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes
5. Remove from oven and press down the surface of the bars with the back of a spatula
   
6. Cool completely in pan before cutting into bars 
7. One cool, cut into 24 squares and enjoy

Now I always feel like I need to put this disclaimer in whenever I make any mint or peppermint recipes - if you are the type of person who makes several types of Christmas Cookies, do not put these in the tin or cookie jar or basket with all of your other cookies!  Keep these cookies separate!  If you put them with other cookies, everything will end up tasting like mint!  Trust me!