Snow Day!!

It snowed up here a few days before Thanksgiving. I was instantly transformed into a six year old kid again, and it was fabulous!

All my childhood memories came rushing back to me-spending Christmas break applying fake blue nails and watching Twister, only to lose a fake nail in the snow later that day. I remembered playing until long past the point my ice cold fingers would have wanted, only to rush home and dunk them in steaming hot water (which, by the way, I totally don't recommend!).

Just thought I'd share some pictures for those of you still enduring 80+ degree days!

The first day it snowed, it wasn't very sticky, so instead of a snowman I went with a snow angel.

Poor Arizona Freddy the Focus was coooold.

Snowy tree!

Front yard blanketed in snow.

It was cold. Like 22 degrees cold. Snow brings out the Arizona cold weather whiner in me rather quickly, though. Don't get me wrong, I've pretty much been cold here since mid-August. Even at the of July I wore a sweater all day with my shorts and sandals. But give it about 5 minutes of solid snow play and I'm ready to go inside and just look at it through the window. I told my mom the other day that I wanted it to snow again cause I wanted to play in it some more. But then I added that I didn't want to drive in it...or be cold. Something tells me that won't be happening!

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

I officially consider it Christmas cookie time. And since I first made these 5 years ago, they've been my go to Christmas cookie ever since.

I literally remember where I was standing when I copied down the recipe. Is that weird? Hey, at least I don't remember what I was wearing...

These cookies are just so fudgy and fantastic. They come out in perfect circles, and I love the textural and taste differences with the soft chocolate and crunchy peppermint. Trust me, you need to throw these on your cookie tray this year-you'll thank me.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
From Martha Stewart

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz. milk chocolate
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
3 eggs
35 crushed peppermint candies, divided


In a small bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Melt together chocolate and butter in a large bowl placed over a pan of simmering water. Remove bowl from over pan and add sugar and extracts. Allow to cool, then mix in eggs one at a time. Slowly add in flour mixture. Stir in 15 crushed peppermint candies. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or as long as overnight.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Roll dough into circles, and dip tops in remaining crushed peppermint candies. Place cookies on lined/greased baking sheets, and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, and enjoy!