The last few weeks have been full of sending holiday cards, baking, and trying to finish up work before I take (somewhat of) a vacation next week. As I do every year, I like to bake a variety of cookies for the holidays. This year, I went with some tried-and-true recipes, as well as some new ones.
Sugar Cookie Bars (The only difference between the two bars is one has crushed peppermint on the top)
Chocolate Fudge (I left out the walnuts)
Jingle Cookie Bars (These are a great way to use up leftover Butterfinger Halloween candy too)
Cranberry and White Chocolate Snickerdoodles
I also plan to make Molasses Crinkles and my favorite Christmas Cherries. But alas, this is all I could do for now!
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In other news, today (December 21) is my blogging anniversary! Yep, I started this blog three years ago today with the goal of doing more personal writing, improve my writing so I could one day make a living doing this, and to journal my life stories in words, photos and recipes. It has been an incredible three years and I still love writing in this blog as much as I did then. It’s funny to look back and the early posts and see how much is different (yet the same too).
To celebrate my blog-o-versary, we had dinner out at Casa de Bandini, a San Diego treasure of a Mexican restaurant for dinner and a Holly Jolly Mocktail. For those of you not aware, a mocktail is a beverage that is non-alcoholic. Casa De Bandini served up their Holiday Peppermint Patty, which was absolutely incredible! It was full of chocolate syrup, Horchata milk, candy canes, and a dash of Grenadine.
You see, I’m not that much of drinker. Nothing against it. I just don’t really enjoy drinking alcohol. Yet I always feel bummed – especially around the holidays – when there are all these cool drinks available, but they contain alcohol. So when the opportunity to try the Holiday Peppermint Patty Mocktail at Casa de Bandini came up, I jumped at the chance. Thanks to the North Coastal Prevention Coalition for coming up with this great Holly Jolly Mocktail idea!
Bryan, Sophie and I ended up having a lovely evening out to dinner, did some shopping, and had some great family bonding time.
By the way, if you’re local, there’s another mocktail available at Rancho Valencia called the Winter Warmer with mulled cider cinnamon, cloves and allspice. I hear is quite tasty!
Thanks for being such loyal and encouraging readers over the last three years! I don’t know what I’d do without you. Have a great Christmas! Enjoy a cookie (or two) and a cocktail – or mocktail – to celebrate!
NOTE TO READERS: I received a free Holiday Peppermint Patty from Casa de Bandini for writing about the mocktail. Even though I received this benefit, the opinions in this blog are 100% my own. In addition, I only review products that I am proud to endorse and recommend to others. The mocktail epitomizes this as I feel very strongly about sober drinking options.