Irish Much?

A lucky leprechaun visited us and left us all some green to wear so we wouldn't get pinched! Although we decided, instead of getting pinched those not wearing green would get a kiss and those wearing green would get 2 kisses (a much better game!)





I finally got THE BEST recipe from my friend Mary for Mint Bars, so of course I had to make them for us! Check out the recipe below.

Brownies
Melt: 2/3 cup Shortening, 4 Tbsp Butter, and 10 Tbsp Cocoa.

Add: 1 cup Brown Sugar, 1 cup White Sugar, 3 Eggs, 1 tsp Vanilla.

Beat until smooth.

Add: 1 1/4 cups Flour, 1 tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 tsp Salt.

Spread in a greased 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350*F for 30 minutes.

Mint Frosting

Beat together: 1/2 cup Butter, 4 cups Powdered Sugar, 4 Tbsp Milk, 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract, a few drops of green food coloring.

Frost cooled brownies.

Chocolate Drizzle

Melt together: 3 Tbsp Chocolate Chips, 2 1/2 Tbsp Butter.

Drizzle over top of frosting.

Enjoy!

That night Len and I went to a reception at the Irish Ambassador, Declan Kelly and his wife, Anne's home in Rockcliffe Park. There were about 500 guests including many Canadian Politicians, National News Anchors, and other Foreign Ambassadors. Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, Lawrence Cannon gave an entertaining speech to the crowd that was written by a Mr. Leonard Reil I know (way to go, honey!) You can read more about how "Not Just Irish Eyes Were Smiling" from the Ottawa Citizen.

From the above picture you can see how the middle portion of the house is the original and that there are now 2 new wings on either side. This picture is one of the wings. This home is now the largest residence in all of Ottawa!