MY GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST

Okay, I realize some of these are a bit lofty (and materialistic), but a girl can wish, right? :)

Don't worry, I don't actually ask for any of these thing, but isn't it funny how our Christmas lists change as we get older? From games as a kid, to nothing but name-brand clothes as a teenager, work clothes and household items as a graduating college student to this list here; and I'm sure once I have kids of my own, my list will disappear because it'll be all about them.

WC CHRISTMAS PARADE

As I've mentioned before I love West Chester. Even more, I am loving West Chester during the holidays. Reason #4837196? The Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Parade & Jingle Elf Run.

The night started off with appetizers and drinks at my house to warm up before braving the freezing cold, so we missed the Jingle Elf Run, but we bundled up and made it in perfect timing for the Parade. It was filled with Old Fashioned Cars, Fire Trucks, Marching Bands, and performers from all over; very West Chester-esque. AND I heard that Jason Castro was there for all you American Idol fans, but we missed him...I've never heard of him so I'm ok with that, except for the fact that he sang one of my favorite songs...you can catch it here.

Apparently my parents used to bring us to this same parade when we were little (I think I may have still been in the tummy!), so it was neat to re-visit it and be able to bring the next generation: Mackenzie :)

Burrrrrrr!

SANTA?!?

Nooooo, just Santa's cute little helper :)

Ghiradelli Peppermint Brownies...Recipe DEFINITELY to follow...SO GOOD.

"Mackenzie would like like a bite of GramE's brownie??"

Hahaha, she couldn't fit enough of it in her mouth!

GramE's face is priceless as she loses the better part of her brownie.

It doesn't look like it, but Chubbs loves dinner parties. I think it has something to do with all the attention he gets.

Kisses for the monkey.

Are we in Texas?!

Trying to stay toasty!

And my last picture of the night...a Rock n' Roll Christmas Pig?? Hah!

Happy Weekend!

GHIRADELLI PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

These deserve their own post. They are A-MAZING! 


Warning: This recipe is neither vegan nor healthy, but it is delicious and it is the holidays, so who cares, right? Everything in moderation: serve them in tiny bite-size squares and enjoy!

Ghiradelli Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

4 ounces Ghirardelli 100% Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate baking bar, broken or chopped into 1 inch pieces

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 (5.32 ounce) bag Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate with White Mint Filling Squares™, unwrapped
• 4 small candy canes, crushed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and dust with flour, tapping out any excess.
2. In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or whisk, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt until combined. Beat in the chocolate mixture. Gently stir in the flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the brownies comes out clean. Arrange the mint squares on top in one layer and return the brownies to the oven until they are just melted, about 1 minute. Evenly spread the chocolate with a spatula and sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Cool completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.

COFFEE

Always tastes better in a cute mug.