Mint brownies

This past few weeks have been so busy, I really sometimes cannot believe how fast time goes by. We have had bike races and Brad and David had an overnight backpacking trip up on South Willow Canyon this Friday night. Then had full packs and food and our puppy,Maddie. They really had fun.

Sammi and I were not invited this year, so we went and say Mama Mia and had fun with that. I have never seen the play, but the movie was enjoyable. I have been working full time and along with my calling, well the Blog just get put on the back burner.

This past week at work, our Manager, Carla, had her last day. She and her family are moving to Idaho. I really wish them all the best in this new adventure in their lives. Carla loves my mint brownies, so I made them for the lunch, but also made her, her own tray to take with her on her drive to potato land. I will really miss her, she was an incredible boss. Anyway I thought I would pass along the recipe for all to make and enjoy.

Chocolate-Mint Bars

The dense base layer is like a rich, fudge brownie, so don’t overcook it or the dessert bars will be dry. Refrigerating the mint bars before cutting, allows the chocolaty top layer to set properly.

Bottom Layer:
1 c flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 c granulated sugar
½ cup egg substitute
¼ cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, beaten
1 16oz can chocolate syrup
cooking spray

Mint Layer:
2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons fat free milk
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
2 drops green food coloring

Glaze:
¾ c semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter

1- Preheat oven to 350
2- To prepare bottom layer, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and salt, stir with a whisk. Then, combine the rest of the bottom layer ingredients in med bowl and stir until smooth. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. Pour batter into 13 x 9 baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 23 minutes, or until pick comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
3- To prepare mint layer. Combine ingredients and mix until smooth. Spread mint mixture over cooled cake.
4- Glaze; (I always double this part) combine the ingredients in medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave at High 1 min or until melted. Stirring after 30 seconds. Let stand about 2 minutes and spread over top. Refrigerate about ½ hour then cover and continue to refrigerate until ready to cut and serve

Janes Visit

Jane is here for her 3rd summer visit and we are having fun. We started with a fun trip out to Grantsville for the 4th of July Parade. It was HOT, but we still had fun. David brought his super soaker to spray down the people going by, and we learned that by doing that, we got a lot more candy tossed our way. Some of it quite hard, but still free candy. When a little league baseball team went by and he sprayed them, well they were ready with water balloons and boy did they get him good. We all had a great laugh.

Later that day we drove up to Park City for the rest of the weekend. We saw some great fireworks sitting in the park. On Saturday, we went up to the resort while Brad and David rode bikes (I know, surprise), it was also Brads birthday. At the resort, we did the zipline, climbing wall and the super slide. I was a bit unwilling to do the slide, but we were there after 5pm and got 2 for 1 tickets, so up the lift we went and then down on a little thing, I did have fun, but felt sorry the kids behind me. I was a little slow. Oh well.

Brad and David also were able to ride the Mid Mountain Trail (sorry John and Marissa) and really had fun. We do enjoy having Jane and time go to fast when she is here. We sure do enjoy loving in Utah and all the fun and beautiful things we are able to do outside during the Summer months. Yes we know winter will come back, but until then we just love it here.

One last picture

This is a great picture taken of David at the race on Saturday. Boy he loves this sport.

Busy Week for the Sneeds

Well this was a busy week for us. This week at work we moved the whole store around. That took most of the week, but by Friday it was looking good. We had the Brasiers here on Wednesday for a quick visit. They stayed the night on there way to Idaho and we really enjoyed seeing them. The boys are so tall, and, well I just miss everyone in Vegas, so remember the Sneed Inn is always open.

David and Brad took a great ride up in American Fork Canyon this week. I drive them up to the top and then they ride home. It takes about an hour and a half, but boy do they love it. They were able to stop and take a few great pictures for me.

This weekend they had a big National Race up at Deer Valley. Both David and Brad did well. Brad took 2nd in his cross country race and David took 15th out of 31 riders in his downhill. We were all just really happy that he came out of that course unhurt, it was a really hard course.

Sammi and I, were as always, the cheer squad, but Sammi tried to take the lead, so she had to be put in her place.

Race Day in Eden Utah June 22,2008

Well we spent the weekend in Eden Utah for a Downhill Mountain Bike race this weekend.

David races in the Expert Class 13 - 18 years of age. He did really well, placed 5th this weekend out of 12 riders in his class.

We enjoyed Eden. It is a beautiful valley with a great lake and lots of hiking and mountain bike trails.

We stayed at a great little condo that we found on the Internet. It had a great pool and putt, putt golf. Sammi is was a great big sis, and spent hours in the sun supporting David and then more time at the pool. She is now paying for it with a killer sunburn.

We are looking forward to this week. The Brasier Family is coming for an overnight visit. The Sneed Inn is always open. We are excited to see the kids and Don and Kelley. Next weekend we have a race in Deer Valley. It is a National Race so a big deal. Both David and Brad will be racing. Wish them luck.

Why would you??

Well a beautiful day here is Highland Utah. Just for a laugh I thought I would send along this picture. I took it at Lagoon last year. I just can't see why they even had to post the sign.

OK, this is for Lisa

Ok, because Lisa McIntyre is one of my dearest friends and I promised her I would blog more, here it is. I am going to go slow and take it one step at a time, but really want to learn this to keep family and friends posted on our what nots, and because Sammi is leaving on a mission soon. She meets with her Bishop on Sunday and right after that, the Stake President, so we should know where she is going soon.

Well the Sneed survived the worst winter in Utah in the past 20 years. We had snow and then more snow and then more snow. Spring was really late, but my tulips did show there beautiful color and now summer is starting to appear.

We had the Moss family here for a visit. There were here for 4 wonderful days. It was fun to see them and hold that sweet baby Sarah May. Brad, John and David did many bike rides and Marissa went on one with them and then spent the rest of the time with me looking at the Utah County Prade of Homes and at cute shops.

Well this is a start and I will try and do better.