Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats...a different kind of birthday cake!

Today is Honeyman's birthday so what better excuse is there for making these yummy treats?!  My husband is a HUGE fan of peanut butter and loves just about any food made with it.  Whenever these treats are made for the Relay for Life bake sale, he usually buys all they have.  He loves peanut butter sooo much that a good portion of his daily food intake consists of something containing...you guessed it...peanut butter!

There are probably thirty gazillion Peanut butter Rice Krispie Treat recipes on the internet, so if this is similar to anyone else's recipe, my apologies!  This is a recipe my husband and I came up with some time ago and have played around with it to get just the right peanut butter-marshmellow flavor he enjoys.  I personally prefer these made with crunchy peanut butter, but Honeyman prefers the smooth version.  If you make these yourself, please leave me a comment letting me know what you think!  These are super easy to make and one that kids can help with! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

• 1 1/2 cups (around 12 oz.) crunchy or smooth peanut butter
• 2 regular bags tiny marshmallows (some folks prefer marshmallow creme instead, but I prefer using the actual marshmallows)
• 1/2 stick of butter (do not substitute margarine)
• 6 cups Rice Krispies (some prefer chocolate Rice Krispies instead of plain)
• 9x13 inch rectangular glass, ceramic, or metal pan sprayed lightly with  non-stick cooking spray or greased with butter (I've found that cooking spray works the best)
• optional ingredients:  add up to 2 of these with the Rice Krispies depending on your taste - chocolate chip morsels; coconut; peanut butter tiny morsels; chopped walnuts; M&M's

Use a large skillet and melt butter over low to medium heat until melted.  Add all the marshmallows to the butter and stir constantly until completely melted, being careful not to burn the marshmallows.  Unless you're using a non-stick skillet, some marshmallow mixture will inevitably stick to the bottom of the pan and darken.  Remove from heat and add all the peanut butter to the butter/marshmallow mixture and stir until well mixed.  Measure out Rice Krispies into a large bowl and pour marshmallow mixture over the Rice Krispies.  Fold mixture together quickly until well combined being careful not to mash the Rice Krispies too much in the process.  Transfer mixture to prepared glass, ceramic, or metal pan and pat into place to fill entire pan. Cover and transfer to refrigerator until chilled. Cut into squares and enjoy!

I'm not sure why everything is gone from the "home" page, but I'll look into it tomorrow.  Check back tomorrow evening for a couple of great recipes!

saluu,

Spring has sprung!

The time has finally arrived to get those seeds started for the Spring crop of veggies! This just so happens to be my favorite time of year with the arrival of crocus & daffodils nudging out the cold. When we were living in South Dakota, the crocus were always the first to peek through the late winter snow reassuring us that Spring had arrived!

Here in Alabama this year, I think we had 2 full days of chilly weather and that was it! Though skipping most of winter is nice, it unfortunately means we're probably going to have an active tornado season. Nearly a year ago on April 27th, 2011, several states, including Alabama, were hit hard with a series deadly tornadoes. That day hoping (& praying!) that we would be safe from the storms, my son, the Fred's, and I spent that day holed up in the hallway of our home. We were fortunate and escaped harm, but sadly many folks did not. Still nearly a year later, many areas here remain devastated and look just as they did when the tornadoes hit.

Now our new year has begun with renewed hope that this year will be better than the last. Folks are recovering and rebuilding their lives one day at a time. Difficult lessons were learned as ~many~ of us realized just how unprepared and vulnerable we were. For many folks, this new year is all about preparedness and regaining control of their lives. A renewed movement toward sustainability and self-reliance has taken hold and folks are running with it! I know that for our small family we are researching, learning, and moving forward.

This last month, I've been pouring through seed catalogs and making a list of all the seed & plants we need to get started. I found a great deal at Lowes on some nice, STURDY grapes vines. I can't wait to get them in the ground! :) This year I've also decided to try something different by planting a couple of Paw Paw trees and a Chocolate Vine! I mean, what could possibly be better than a CHOCOLATE VINE for crying out loud!?! haha...There's a couple "new" veggies I'm itching to try too. Purple potatoes seem to be all the rage this year and of course, this chickie is going to have to try these. Artichokes are new on the list too...LOVE them! Honestly, I'm not real sure how I'm going to feel about eating a purple potato, and I seriously doubt the boys will touch them with a ten foot pole. We shall see... :)

This year, instead of buying those aggravating little peat pots to start seed in, I'm making little newspaper pots. I borrowed the idea from here. These little guys are a cinch to make and work great!

Honeyman tilled the garden while I was at mom's today (thanks babe!) so I believe it's time for me to get cracking!

saluu,