Homemade Heath Bars

This recipe is from Mom's Big Book of Cookies. 

Ridiculously easy to make, they taste exactly like Heath bars.

Now that I know I can make my own heath bars in 10 minutes, I'm in trouble.

Stir 6 tbsp. butter w/ 1/4 cup brown sugar over low-medium heat until sugar is dissolved.

Pour in 8x8 pan (you may want to place down some aluminum foil to make cleanup easier) that has been lined with...graham crackers!  You may need to cut the graham crackers to get them to fit right.  Bake at 375* for 10 minutes or until bubbling.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chocolate chips on top, return to oven for 2 minutes.

Spread melted chips across top.

Add chopped pecans if desired.

Refridgerate until firm and cut into bars.

These are so yummy, and have the potential for creativity (use white chocolate or butterscotch chips, etc.)

I'm linking this recipe up with Mere's Foodie Friday.  You can find her HERE.

Christmas Book Exchange

I was excited to participate by the holiday book exchange hosted by JDaniel4sMom and the Activity Mom.

I asked if I could be paired with someone from Virginia who had an elementary aged child.  Why?  Because last year when Barnes and Noble had their holiday clearance, I stocked up on several books and found this really neat one:

In the book, you travel all over the state of Virginia and visit the different historical landmarks.  So I've been waiting for just the right kid for the book.

Luckily, JDaniel4sMom was able to match me up with the right family. 

Stephanie lives in the Virginia Beach area and has a 9 year old son.  She is not a blogger, so I can't link you up to her, but she seemed very nice in the emails we exchanged.

This is what they sent to us: 

This is perfect because it's a very early reader book.  It has tons of pictures, and included stickers too!

A very fun swap, and it'll be neat to remember where this book came from each year.

Don't forget to enter my holiday giveaway HERE.

My Holiday Wish List

Every year Paul asks me what I want for Christmas.  I learned long ago that he needs a list.  A very specific list.  Otherwise I end up with very unlikeable random gifts.  Like the year I got a Chia Pet for Christmas.  Or a really ugly unusual brown and green flannel shirt.

And there was also the year I got long underwear.  Not technical long underwear (which might've been cool for hiking) but old timey long underwear.

Okay, so the long underwear was kind of comfy.

So for the benefit of Paul (and any other relatives passing through who might be looking for gift ideas) here are a few things I'd like.

1.  A new blender.  If you win the lottery, I'd like a Vitamix.  Otherwise, I'd settle for a Betty Crocker or similar cheap brand, just like the one I had before the 11 month old Cort broke the thing.  That's right.  He broke the virtually indestructable glass pitcher of our blender.  And now I can't make protein shakes anymore.  It's been a real bummer.

2.  Hammer Tissue Rejuvenator.  For running purposes.  Link HERE.

3.  A pair of small hoop sterling silver earrings.  Just like this one (originally from Target), whose mate I lost:

4.  Balega running socks, women's, size medium.  The ones that come just over the ankle.  Because there is a little gremlin in our dryer that keeps stealing my running socks.

5.  A Power Balance Bracelet.  The celebrity athletes all wear them!  Okay, so logically I understand these probably do nothing.  That those athletes get paid to wear the bracelet.  That it's likely $30 down the drain.  I still have my curiosity though...LINK.  It couldn't hurt my running...Size small, black.

6.  English Toffee.  This request is specifically targeted towards my Mom, who probably doesn't want to make it, but she makes THE BEST English toffee in the world. 

7. Everest - Beyond the Limits, Season 1 and/or 2.  I've never seen this show, but my brother Taylor, who never fails me in movie recommendations, says I'd like it.  If he says it, then it must be true.

8.  A new pair of L.L. Bean slippers, size 8.  WARNING - UGLY MARATHON TOES AHEAD!  Seriously, I'm so embarassed to post this picture. 

But you can see why I might be needing a new pair:

Ewwwwwww.

9.  Gift cards.  Yup, I love them.  Particularly those for drive thrus, because I hate getting out of the car with 3 kids in carseats.  So Starbucks or Chick Fil A are the best - my favorite drive thrus!   For clothes I love NY and Company or REI.

10.  A macro lens for our Canon Rebel.  I'd like to be able to take super close up pictures of things like my black marathon toes.  Okay, not really.  I'd love to use it to take food pictures, flower pictures, and more.  It's out of our price range this year, but just in case there is an anonymous benefactor out there who wants to adopt a blogger for the holidays, there ya go ;-)

What's on your wish list this year? 

Don't forget to enter my holiday giveaway HERE.

Make Your Own Snowman - Muffin Tin Monday

Today is Muffin Tin Monday, and the theme is Christmas.

So we had a build your own snowman breakfast.

Wine berry pancakes (picked and frozen last summer) with chocolate chips (for buttons), cranberry sauce (for a scarf), honey pretzels of assorted lengths (for arms), and an orange starburst (to shape as a carrot nose).  Fun breakfast, huh?

I posted a kid-oriented holiday giveaway yesterday (in celebration of my upcoming blogiversary) and you only need to be a follower and post a comment to enter - go check it out!

To participate in Muffin Tin Monday, go here:

Upcoming Blogiversary and a Holiday Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.

Wow, it's hard to believe my one year blogging anniversary is coming up on Saturday.

Of course, we must celebrate! 

So it must be time for a giveaway.

Up for grabs - it's all holiday goodies- and I pledge to ship them right away so you'll have them before Christmas.  Unless you live in another country.  Then I promise to do my best.

The winner will get a Bake and Build Gingerbread House book and kit.  It comes with cookie cutters, a plastic wreath and snowman for decor, pastry bags, and a book to tell you all the fun ways to go about building your house.

Also included is a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer boardbook and snow block.  The snow block is like a snow globe - only it's a block with Rudolph inside and lots of snow.

Finally, a very festive reindeer pin.

Okay, so to enter.  For the first time I am requiring that all those who enter be a follower of my blog.  Why?  Because I want to give back to my followers, who have hung out with me here in my blogging adventure.  If you want to enter but aren't a follower, it's not too late to become one.

Once you're a follower, enter by leaving me a comment of what you'd like for Christmas. 

I will use Random.org to choose a winner.  The giveaway closes on Friday at 2:00 pm.  I'll announce the winner Saturday December 11th, on my actual 1 year blogiversary. 

Good luck!

English Cottage Pie

I was browsing through last month's Cooking Light magazine when I found a recipe for English Cottage Pie.  The name just conjures up cute little cottages down winding lanes, so I stopped to read through.

Now it sounded a bit like shepherd's pie, which I hate.  Hate big time.  But in reading that this was a British pub staple, I decided to give it a shot.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tbsp butter, softened

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped carrot

1 8 ounce package cremini or button mushrooms, sliced

1 pound extra lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 cup beef broth (I used chicken)

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups leftover mashed potatoes

3/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese, divided (I used regular cheddar)

Paprika

Preheat oven to 350*.

Combine flour and butter; stir well.  Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add onion and carrot (I also tossed in some garlic); saute 5 minutes.  Add mushrooms; saute for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove veggies from skillet.

Add beef to pan, cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble.

Stir in tomato paste, cook 3 minutes.

Stir in broth and pepper.  Return veggies to pan, and bring to a simmer.  Stir in parsley, thyme, and salt.  Add flour mixture and cook for 1 minute until thick, stirring constantly.

Spoon meat mixture into an 8 inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray, spread evenly.  Combine the potatoes and half the cheese, spread evenly over meat mixture.  Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with paprika.  Bake at 350* for 20 minutes or until bubbly. 

Since I was in British pub spirit, I had one of Paul's home brewed beers.

Course, I don't like dark beers, so I had an American light. 

I was really impressed with the English Cottage Pie.  It had excellent flavor, and Pierce and Paul liked it too.  It'll be a definite repeat!

Memory Lane Friday - A Favorite Snack

Memory Lane Friday is a weekly blog carnival, where you blog about one of your memories and link up.  This week has no theme.  All are welcome!

Something happens in November and December and all I can think about is food.  I'm usually coming off a marathon, and with the holidays approaching, I start cooking all sorts of meals.  You may have noticed I'm suddenly posting more recipes than usual.  I can't seem to help myself.

When I was in high school, my Dad created this snack that we all went crazy over.

It was very simple.

Take Triscuits.  Top with cheese (slices of American or in this case, Velveeta).  Add half of a green olive.  Microwave for 20-30 seconds to make the cheese melty.

It seems so basic, but they are delicious.

Pierce is really crazy for them too.

If you'd like to link up, do so here (and visit others' blogs who link up if you have time!):

Next week's topic is "A Favorite Holiday Food".  See what I mean about being obsessed with food?  LOL!