Winter Pick-me-up

February is here and the mid-winter blues have set in. Not that I don’t love skiing, hot chocolate, and nights by the fire, but sometimes the freezing weather is just depressing. And with the groundhog’s prediction of six more weeks of winter, I knew I had to do something to get me out of this wintery funk. There’s nothing like a warm bath, a long sleep, and some color that cures my love/hate relationship with the coldest season of the year.

I love to cuddle up in my faux-fur blanket from Pottery Barn. Its ribbed lining is super soft.

A single vase of flowers can brighten up even the gloomiest and coldest of days. 

Pink walls add a punch and bring light to this simple kitchen.

Mint is It!

I was first attracted to these delicious mint chocolate chip cookies not from all their claims of yummy and deliciousness. No. I was attracted to them because of their color. Sad, isn’t it?

Not that I’m not a huge mint fan. In the old days, my big sister used to take me to Cold Stone Creamery once a week after school for a sweet treat, and Like It Mint was my sole order. “Are you sure you don’t want to try another flavor?” my sister would often question as she experimented with peanut butter, cookie dough, and exotic fruit flavors with mix-ins galore. No, mint was it for me.

Anyway, aside from already loving mint-flavored goodies, the looks of these cookies really caught my eye. I’m a sucker for the kind of food that looks so good that you feel guilty eating it away. Not that these cookies are like the delicacies you see on Cake Boss, but they aren’t just your average oatmeal raisin either.

Green is the Theme

These are a few of my favorites that inspired my love.

Jeffery has always been number one on my list, but these have risen even higher above my expectations! Find them here

 

This jewelry set is absolutely gorgeous. Available at Urban Outfitters

Not exactly mint green but more of a Tiffany blue! Regardless, green is the theme and this color is AH-MAZING! Find it here

Another handmade favorite, couldn’t resist! But it here.

Cookies, Anyone?

And now for the recipe! It’s faster than you can say, “Betty Crocker is my hero.” 

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mint extract

6 to 8 drops green food color

1 egg

1 cup creme de menthe baking chips

1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks.

Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart

on ungreased cookie sheet.


Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 3 minutes; remove from

cookie sheet to wire rack. Serve warm or cool completely. Store

tightly covered at room temperature.

love, jenny

Funfetti is Everywhere

Welcome to Paint it Light! This is our way of sharing the things we love. 

Batter Up!

My first love began with Funfetti. I used to think my mother invented Funfetti because it always magically appeared out of our tiny, sixties style kitchen right around my birthday each year. Then I discovered her secret and realized Pillsbury was genius. It was my favorite. And as I’ve grown up, not much has changed. So when I saw this recipe on The Pursuit of Hippieness I knew that I was going to fall in love all over again. What better way to endure the winter gloom than with some Funfetti cake batter fudge. 

Funfetti Inspiration

Etsy Abstract Art Print & The Change

8 x 10 by AeropagitaPrints

Limited Edition – "Pink, Heart, Love”

Kate Spade New York "Aubrey" wrap dress

Available here 

A shock of creamy hot pink to make Funfetti nails

Essie “Fiesta” nail polish...

...If only it were possible on the lips too!

These Funfetti bobby pin are too cute! Buy them here

Funfetti cake topper ballerinas are a cute addition to a birthday 

Funfetti Cake Batter Fudge

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

3.5 cups white chocolate chips

3 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

Rainbow Sprinkles

Pour milk and white chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2-3 minutes, or until white chocolate is almost completely melted. Do not overheat. Stir until completely blended, melted, and smooth.

Immediately add vanilla and almond and combine thoroughly. Add a handful of rainbow sprinkles and fold in quickly, because they will melt. Do not allow the sprinkles to melt by stirring them for too long or all the colors will run together.

Transfer to an aluminum-foil lined 8×8 inch baking pan or a 11x7 inch pan. I used a 11x7 inch pan for very thick fudge. Let set at room temperature or in the refrigerator (for about 3 hours).

Once set, peel off the foil and cut into cubes. Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in a cool place.

love, julie