Here is a basic recipe that I did for Christmas and tinted the filling pink. They are sooooo good! Peppermint Patties: 2 cups confectioners sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons evaporated milk Chocolate Coating: 9 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon shortening Peppermint Patties: Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, smoothing out any wrinkles. Lightly dust the foil with confectioners sugar. In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat at low speed, the sugar, butter, peppermint oil, vanilla extract, and evaporated milk until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until very creamy, 3-4 minutes. Transfer the batter to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to chill until firm enough to roll into balls, about an hour. Roll the batter into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared pan. Flatten each ball with the palm of your hand until the patties are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/3 inch thick. Cover and place in the refrigerator until the patties are firm, one to two hours. Chocolate Coating: Melt the chocolate and shortening in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove the patties from the refrigerator and dip, one patty at a time, into the melted chocolate, making sure both sides of each patty are completely coated with chocolate. Let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl and then place the patties back on the foil. Once all the patties have been dipped in the chocolate, return to the refrigerator to chill until firm (30 - 60 minutes). Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, using parchment or waxed paper between layers. Will keep about a month or freeze them up to 3 months. Yield: about 30 patties.

I had a couple over for dinner. The plans were made early in the week, then hubby got called this morning to go play in a band, for today. It's a company picnic. and he's having a blast. He's phoned me a few times to tell me about it. So we carried on without him. Chicken Marabella with rice and broccoli, and chocolate-zucchini cake from a fresh zucchini. I made 4 loaves of bread today as well, and sent 1 loaf home with my friends.

Right!! No calories today, so eat a piece of cake for me! Y'all both have a great day!!

Thanks everybody. Actually, my birthday's on the 24th, but I appreciate your wishes. Harry got me a new stove for my birthday. Well, I picked it out and dragged him to the store but, hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. It's beautiful!