Christmas Hand-print Tree/Wall Art

Xmas is finally here!!


I love this time of the year. People pretend to like each other; I accrued major debt by buying more than I should; and winter, which I really don't like, becomes wonderful and bearable.

Feeling jolly and on a sugar high from the homemade banana-chocolate bread and shortbread cookies I made during Thanksgiving, I decided to finally craft something from Pinterest.

Check out the original wall art from Pinterest. Sorry, but I can't find the link.

Below, you will find what I did.

It was a collaborative effort. Hubby's hand prints are at the bottom of the tree, next are my prints, followed by Camila's prints, and Caio's. I made sure to use washable, kid-friendly paint, and outlined the star and trunk of the tree with a black Sharpie.

Cute and fun project.

Nutella Oatmeal Bars

 You may not know this, but I have a sweet tooth ;) . Unfortunately, my sweet tooth is very selective. For instance, I love chocolate, but don't like chocolate cakes. In face, I don't like most cakes. In order for me to eat it, it needs to be drenched in condensed milk. Yeah, baby!

Recently, I watched an episode of Giada at Home and became intrigued by her Peanut butter Granola Bar. Not a fan of peanut butter (I swear, this is not a blog about my dislikes), I decided to change it up and add Nutella and omit the chocolate chips. OMG! It's heavenly.

Check out the recipe.

Ingredients

• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1 egg 
• 1/2 cup of Nutella
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup (1-stick) butter, melted
• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted, *see Cook's Note

Directions

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 7 by 10 3/4-inch nonstick baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Lay a 6 by 18-inch piece of parchment paper in the pan, allowing the excess paper to hang over the sides. Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, using a hand beater, beat the egg. Stir in the peanut butter, brown sugar, and honey. Add the melted butter, oats and almonds.

Using a rubber spatula, spread mixture into the prepared baking pan, pressing lightly to form an even layer. Bake until the edge of the mixture begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and serve.

*Cook's Note: To toast almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Clean up is also easy. Even a 3-year old can do it :)