a little blogkeeping and a recipe

According to the weatherman, we're heading toward fall very soon.  Supposedly, we'll have snow in our mountains by the weekend! I can taste the chicken and pastry already!  The kids can't wait to try it!  Doug already loves it, as he remembers my grannnie's.  Now, if I can just make it half as good!

For Family Night, we had, as Doug calls it, "Family Home Apple Picking" and then a Family Home birthday party with the B's to celebrate their daughter's tenth birthday. Doug went to bed early and I'm up late.  The babes have no school tomorrow, so we can sleep in a bit!  A few little odds and ends/blogkeeping today:

• I've received emails asking about Buddy's brother, Max.  He's doing great!  To look at him, you'd never know that he'd been in such a life threatening accident, a coma for weeks or so near death less than a year ago!  He's excited about attending college, he's working and he's just as awesome as ever!
• I've been asked about Doug's cousin, JC, who was injured in the roadside bombing in Afghanistan in July.  He's expected to leave the hospital in Texas and go home in a few weeks! I can't imagine what all he has been through.  Our every prayer still includes JC.
• I've been asked what my birthday plans are.  I don't know!  Denise has informed me that I can go to lunch with Doug or her.  Anyone else, I'm in big trouble.  I do have a few lunch dates scheduled with different friends.  I've not asked for anything specific for my birthday.  The only thing that I can think of asking for is a new DVD player for the gallery.  I do not want a Blu-Ray.  I want basic and simple ~ something that I can hit play and stop and call good!  Will I get it?  That remains to be seen.  But, Liza says that UPS should be knocking on Wednesday.  How fun is that?  Okay.  It's not as fun as spending time with her that day, but it will do!  Other than the DVD player,  Chicken Marsala at Olive Garden, dinner with Doug at Elements this week, a molten lava at Chilis and some time with the family all sounds great.
• I've been asked for updates on Kelly's "enhancement" issues.  She'll be having another surgery next week to re"balance" things again.  Yes, the same surgeon is doing it.  The local surgeon told her that it's the least the original surgeon could do is to fix the problems.  I'm not so sure, but hey, I'm just the mom.  When we discussed it a few days ago, she asked me to go with her.  I told her that she really does not want me to go with her because I would tell the doctor exactly what I think of his surgery.  I also suggested that rather than the planned "re-enhancement", she might consider "un" enhancing and bagging the entire idea.  Her response, "But, Mom!  I love my left one."  Okey dokey then.  (sorry, if this is too personal.  But, you know, if you're reading this blog... I'm open book.  It is what it is.)
• I've had several blogging friends ask about my restrictive diet with so many limitations and weight control. Yes. I've lost 31 pounds and seem to have leveled off since my trip to North Carolina.  I'm getting used to it and no, I don't really like it.  But, it feels good to feel good.   And yes, on occasion, something will be "worth it".  I eat those things knowing that I'll pay for it for the next day or two.  What's worth it?  An occasional biteof molten lava cake at Chilis.  An occasional Happy Hour Coke with lime.  Most any southern cooking, which isn't an issue since it's not readily available here in Utah. What's not worth it? Most foods!  :)
• And last but not least, my dad is rested and feeling much better after we wore him out during our visit!  I heart my dad!  Thank you for asking!

Now, on to today's cookie recipe...

I've not tried this recipe yet!  But, it looks so delish and extremely dangerous.  I've been waiting because this is a "try only when you have lots of company to share it with" recipe.  Doesn't it have Girls' Night Out written all over it?  I'll be sure to add a photograph when I make them!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Combine:

1 box of yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to crumble on top.

Melt:

1 (12 oz) pkg. chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 T. butter
Melt on low heat in a small pot. Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. vanilla and

1 c. coconut, if desired.  Spread the chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan and then crumble the 1 1/2 of reserved cake mixture on top.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 325 degrees. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Life is an open book.  Fill is with love, hope, dreams and memories.

Comments

[Nicole]

I have to update myself on your blog reading, I don't want to miss these cookie recipes, thanks Sophia!