Peanut Butter M&M Chex Bars

Ummm...YUM!

These Peanut Butter M&M Chex Bars are delicious, easy and a definite crowd pleaser.

Not to mention; colorful, gluten free, and fun.  

Make them!   ASAP.

PEANUT BUTTER CHEX BARS

(from cookiesandcups.com)

What you'll need:

6 cups Rice Chex (gluten free, if that's your preference)

1 (10.5 oz) bag mini-marshmallows, divided

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 (11.4 oz) bag peanut butter M&Ms

2 oz semi sweet chocolate to drizzle

1. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray.  Set aside.  In a large pot over low heat melt butter.  Add 4 cups of mini-marshmallows and stir until melted.  Remove from heat.  Stir in peanut butter until incorporated.  Add Rice Chex.  Stir until evenly coated.  Add remaining  marshmallows and the M&Ms.  Mix thoroughly.

2.  Transfer to prepared dish; press evenly.  Melt the chocolate for 2 minutes (stirring after each 30 second increment).  Drizzle chocolate on top of mixture.   Let cool in refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.  Cut with a sharp knife and serve.

Strawberries

Last May I put six little strawberry plants in one of my raised beds.   As first year plants, they bore no fruit, but they did more than quadruple in size.   In October I cleaned them up, transplanting several runners--and now I've got quite a crop.  The amount of fruit they are producing this spring is utterly astonishing.

The mix of rain and sun we've had has been incredibly good for the plants.  Every couple of days I seem to be picking off at least a pound of berries.  We're losing some to pests (little chipmunk bites are actually pretty cute) and now the lower-leaf mold is starting up, but I've learned a great deal about how to manage the plants and next year will be even better.

I've got a knitted FO to share in the coming days.  It's blocking now and just needs the finishing touches.  Stay tuned...

Rainbow Socks

I love stripes.

I love rainbows.

And I really love these socks.

But most of all I love that I have enough yarn leftover to knit another pair. Because this is a set of socks, I could firmly stand in forever.

Pattern: Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock and Dream in Color Smooshy

Started: March 28, 2012
Finished: April 11, 2012
Raveled: Here

Doll Cake

We have a doll cake; let the birthday party begin!


Pan from Wilton.

Inspiration from my Mom, who made me a doll cake a long time ago:

Child's Cape

Someone special is having a birthday this week. She (and we) are very excited!

Her wishes aren't much: a pack of gum, a doll cake, and a cape.

Joe will take care of the gum, we've already secured the cake pan, and this morning I whipped up a cape. I'm not sure if she aims to be a superhero or some kind of royal princess with it. Either way, she's going to feel fantastic!

I found the pattern on pinterest; super easy, very cute. Shiny lilac fabric with specks of silver that sparkle in the sun are definitely going to make her tiny heart skip a beat.

And the color is a perfect match for the brand new bike she's also getting. An awesome surprise she doesn't even know she wants!

Fisherman's Pullover

My latest knitting project is a little fisherman's cabled sweater, worked for a friend's new baby.

It was knit in pieces, then seamed together: not my favorite method, but definitely a good fit for this particular piece.


The cable and seed stitch patterns were easy to memorize and kept my mind pleasantly busy while working. From start to finish this was a very fun project to knit.

And I love the finished item. So full of detail; with textured cables and a sophisticated little collar. One handsome little baby is all this sweater needs.

Pattern: Fisherman's Pullover by Lee Gant
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash

Started: February 26, 2012
Finished: March 23, 2012
Raveled: Here

Snickerdoodles

I recently got a craving for snickerdoodles. Odd and of note, because I hadn't eaten one in what I can only approximate at around 22 years ago. I associate them with a favorite neighbor from my childhood who passed away following a terminal illness when I was about twelve years old. I saw her widower at my Grandpa's funeral in January and a snickerdoodle spark must have been lit.

I found this recipe on pinterest and recommend it; if a soft, cinnamon-and-sugar coated cookie is your kind of treat.

SNICKERDOODLES

(from Two Cooks One Kitchen)

What you'll need:

1 cup butter (room temperature)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar (to coat)

2 teaspoons cinnamon (to coat)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small mixing bowl sift together flour, salt, soda and cream of tartar; set aside.

2. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time and mix thoroughly. Add flour mixture; combine.

3. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into 1" balls. Roll the balls in the cinnamon and sugar and place 2" apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes, until cookies are a light color and soft to the touch.