Ah-mazing Rice Krispy Treats

Christmas isn't over just yet. At least not in this household. I say this only because I haven't been able to bring myself to take down the Christmas tree or empty out my stocking. After all, we just received a few really amazing ornaments as gifts in the last few days, and I'd hate to miss displaying them for at least a week or so.

Besides, if you'd like to get technical, we're in the midst of the 12 Day of Christmas right now. So, I really shouldn't be contemplating the removal of our Christmas tree until Epiphany on January 6. How do I know this? Christmas Eve Trivia with the Bogdajewicz side of the family. I'm really not brilliant enough to come to my own defense when it comes to Christmas decoration removal.

Even if you're done with Christmas, I think you'll appreciate this tasty little recipe. If you're hosting an appetizer night for NYE like my friends, or just planning to take some treats with you to a get together, you can't go wrong with decadent Rice Krispy Treats like these.

AH-mazing Rice Krispy Treats
Makes approximately 30 - 40 treats depending on size

8 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups creamy peanut butter
24 oz. vanilla bark
10 oz miniature marshmallows

Combine cereal and marshmallows in a large bowl. Set aside.

Lightly coat a large jelly roll pan or cookie sheets with edges with non-stick spray. Set aside.

Place vanilla bark and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt on regular power for 45 seconds. Stir. Continue to melt the peanut butter mixture in increments of 30 seconds, stirring between each. When the mixture is completely melted and smooth, pour over cereal and marshmallows.

Stir the cereal and peanut butter mixture until completely coated. Transfer to the prepared jelly roll pan. Using a spatula, evenly spread the mixture across the pan. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Normal Never Looked So Good

There have been days in the course of the last few months when I felt as if my life wasn't mine at all. My life, the life that I like to think of in terms of some sense of normalcy, had been taken over by the wedding life which is much, much different. The wedding life is one in which you leave work to go home and work. It's the type of life where you wake up in a cold sweat and wonder whether or not you remembered to write down the confirmation number for the tables and chairs you ordered from the party rental company. It is the life that, when it finally comes to a close, reminds you of why you love your life so much.

I love the quiet monotony of my life. Or, perhaps not monotony, but the predictability of it. I like knowing that I have 3 - 4 work-related programs a week, but usually only one of them will take place after 5pm. I like to know that the weekend holds two free days, one of which may be taken up by family obligations. I enjoy the notion that I will leave my desk between 5 - 5:30pm and head to the gym for a group class or to the park for a run. I appreciate knowing that my dinner will be served when I've finished cooking it.

Where some may look and see certainty and boring, I see comfort and happiness. I am not a fan of drive-thru dinners or microwaved lunches. I prefer to grocery shop at my own pace, not one dictated by invitation folding or envelope sealing. I enjoy nothing better than sitting on my couch in my jammies at 7pm on Saturday reading an embarrassingly thick novel with the fragrance of multiple scented candles and baking cookies filling the air and a Scottish terrier curled up on my feet.

I'm really not complaining. My wedding was beautiful. My reception was perfect. I am married to a man who makes my heart dance on a regular basis, and who is so much more than I ever expected to deserve.

But now? Now, I am ready for my life to be mine again. Mine and his. His and mine.

Ours.

Restaurants Saved my Sanity

Sometimes I forget I have a life that exists beyond work. It's the beginning of another school year, and I'm in the midst of the thrill of the first week of classes at the moment. This means I'm at work from 8am - 11pm some days.

I do not exaggerate when it comes to the length of the days.

Last night, I fell into bed at 8pm to watch a new episode of "Ghost Hunters." I woke up when Shannon called me an hour later. Good thing I have a DVR. I started off this morning by oversleeping. My alarm went off at 6am. I woke up at 6:53am. Uh oh. I digress.

The point of all of this is to remind myself that I have been a poor blogger lately. It's also to remind myself that I have failed to cook anything creative in quite a while. All of you who read (or past tense "read") before my long leave of work and craziness already realize these things. If you didn't, I'd be surprised.

I promised myself when I started this most recent food adventure that I wouldn't be "that blogger" again. I feel, in some ways, as if I've failed. I've tried to remind myself that it's really because work has been so crazy that I haven't felt like cooking. I've also tried to remind myself that I have plenty of chances to start cooking again coming up after Labor Day weekend. All that being said, I still feel like I need to get back on track. In reality, I'm at home in my kitchen. It's my zen location. It's where I work off stress and whip up goodies. The fact that they longest I've been in it recently is to heat up some pre-grilled chicken I purchased at Trader Joe's makes me sad.

With that being said, I promise things will get back to normal shortly. Food will be cooked. Photos will be taken. Words will be shared.

I plan on starting these things on Saturday. Originally, we were talking about going out to dinner and seeing a movie. Instead, I might see if the soon-to-be-hubby wants to spend the day at home. It sounds a bit more up my alley for this time of the year. A bit more relaxing. Even though restaurants have been the bright spots in long, long weeks recently, a glass of wine at my patio sounds like something I'd prefer to the hustle this weekend.

When Lunch Looks Like Dessert...

...you know it's going to be a good day.

Sunday was a great day. We got up fairly early and made our way to a local cafe for breakfast. We hit the local farmers market (closed on Sunday, oops!). We found the Bittersweet Bakery for a lunch of ridiculously decadent desserts. And all before we made our way to the local art museum for an exhibit on mourning.

Did I mention that we rounded out the day with a picnic lunch on the living room floor while we watched Kick Ass? No? Well, we did.

Although the whole day was wonderful, the focal point was really the dessert lunch we had at Bittersweet. Let me tell you, this place was phenomenal. The selection of cookies (Lavender Shortbread, anyone?) and biscotti (Double Chocolate Chip) was unbelievable. And the bread pudding? Absolutely sinful in every way.

Just look at it!



I was also a huge fan of Shannon's Black Walnut Brownie ice cream cone. Can you blame me?



Between the two of us, we ingested enough sugar to put a diabetic into shock. It was so, so worth it, though. So worth it. It was so worth it that I didn't mind not eating much of anything for the remainder of the day. Who needed to after having half of that bread pudding? Surely not me!