Springing into Spring!

Happy Spring Everybody!

Usually spring is one of the worst seasons. The snow hasn't all melted yet, it's kinda cold but also kinda warm, and everyone is waiting for summer. But this year, all the snow is gone, and has been gone for a while, it's practically warm everyday. It rained a couple of days ago and has been pretty gloomy which is good because of our lack of snow this year.

Spring came pretty quick this year and the school year has been going by extra fast. But I feel like it's starting to slow down a lot. Since I've realized how little we have of school less, all I've been wanting is summer to come faster  and thinking that we still have over a quarter of school left hurts my head.

As you may have noticed, I'm really excited for summer, a.k.a going to California. I'm not sure of all my set plans for spring break so far but I do know a couple of things. To start out, Easter is the first sunday of break so we will probably do an easter egg hunt (or not... I'm one of the youngest cousins so everyone might be over it by now). My friend, Hayden, is visiting her grandparents in Ojai, California so we've been planing a "play-date" together. Our itinerary is pretty full! We planned on meeting in Santa Monica, going to the pier then eating lunch on Third Street promenade. We also want to go to Las Angeles and visit the pink wall on Melrose Ave. After we will be on our way to Balboa Island, maybe go to the beach, have dinner, then finish the day off with a Balboa Bar. I also really want to visit my friend Lija (I talk briefly about her in my Craving California Pt. 2 post) but her spring break is a week before mine so it might be hard. Another fun thing I want to do is go to 1000 Steps beach in Laguna. My cousin posted a picture of her in one of the pools there and my brother and I were talking about how cool it looked. We told my dad about it and he knew exactly where we waned to go. That's about as far as I have planned, other than my volleyball tournament in L.A at the end of the week!

Someone taking pictures at the "pink wall"
Photo Courtesy of: GPVS

Photo Courtesy of: Fly.com

A Balboa Bar is basically just a square of ice cream, dipped into chocolate then dipped into a topping of your choice. My favorite is half rainbow sprinkles and   half crushed Oreos.

In the spirit of spring, I thought I should share with you some of the prettiest spring themed cupcake decorations you've probably ever seen! This isn't a recipe but more of decorating ideas.

I know, SO CUTE!
Photo Courtesy of: Taste of Home

Sorry for the randomness of this blogpost but stay tuned for more random posts! :))

1000 Steps Beach, Laguna California.
Photo Courtesy of: Orange County Register

Luck O' the Irish Brownie

HAPPY  ST.  PATRICK'S  DAY!!!!

My family, especially my mom, is really in to keeping traditions but we don't having any fun ones for this holiday.
I'm not a big fan of St. Patricks Day but I do love brownies. St. Patricks Day isn't my favorite because (one) I don't understand why we celebrate it, (two) I don't have a lot of green, I wore an army green colored jacket today and I was barely green... (three) I don't like to be pinched, and (four) I also don't like corned beef and cabbage.
This specific recipe reminds me of the mint brownies from kneaders and that reminds me going to lunch with my friends which reminds me having fun, and these brownies now remind me of St. Patricks day so I guess I do like St. Patricks Day!

if looking at this doesn't make your mouth water, something is wrong with your taste buds!
Photo Courtesy of: Your Homebased Mom

Luck O' the Irish Brownie Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 (1 ounce) squaresunsweetened chocolate
  1 cup margarine, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  2 tablespoons milk, or as needed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  • 6 drops green food coloring
  • 1 1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Melt the unsweetened chocolate in a cup or small bowl in the microwave. Stir at 15 second intervals until chocolate is smooth. Allow to cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in the margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Stir in the flour just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread evenly.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the surface appears dry and the sides are beginning to pull away from the edges of the pan, 20 to 25 minutes. The brownies may look more like cake and may jiggle slightly in the center- this is normal. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan set over a wire rack.
4. To make the middle layer, beat 1/2 cup of butter with confectioners' sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Add milk as needed to get a spreadable consistency. Stir in the peppermint extract and green food coloring. Spread this over the cooled pan of brownies. Refrigerate for 30 minutes
5. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips with the butter until melted. Stir every 20 seconds until chocolate is smooth. Stir in vanilla and then pour over the chilled brownies and quickly spread to cover the surface. Cool again until firm, about 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

The actual recipe.

If you need a St. Patricks Day dinner recipe: I think this is the actual recipe my family uses to make corned beef and cabbage.

Fall Foods- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

As fall is approaching and the leaves are changing, our tastebuds are adjusting to the temperatures. Autumn in Park City is one of the best times to live in this unique town. The colors are always changing and the temperature is just right. For the perfect temperature there is always a perfect snack. In this case, chocolate chip pumpkin bread sounds simply scrumptious and is a must for fall! This seasonal sweet is the ultimate treat for a crispy fall afternoon. Paired perfectly with a cold glass of milk, your new favorite fall food tastes of the highest quality. This pumpkin bread is extremely moist and filled with rich pumpkin flavoring. Best served in the beautiful trees of Utah. As the smell of the bread in the oven reaches your nose, you know fall had officially begun.

(High Altitude)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread- twopeasandtheirpod.com

INGREDIENTS
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream sugars, butter and eggs. 
Add flour, pumpkin, water, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cloves. 
Mix thoroughly. Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into four greased and floured 6-in. x 3-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. 
Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until breads test done.Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

Park City is a very popular destination in the winter. Known for it's ski resorts and "best snow on earth", this unique city located in Northern Utah attracts skiers from all around the world. Many don't know the beauty of it in the other times of years, especially autumn. The view from any window is breathtaking and the leaves are appealing to all eyes. According to Travel and Leisure Park City is the third best town to be in during Halloween. Park City is the place to be for fall on Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just an average day, you'll never be disappointed with the scenery.

Just an average day in early fall.

Happy fall everyone!