Peanut Butter Bars

How about some peanut butter bars for your Monday?!! You won't be disappointed with the peanut butter chocolatey goodness! Two of my favorites in one yummy dessert. Oh, they are so good!

I got this recipe from a friend years ago and every time I make it I'm reminded of how good these are. I think the best way to eat one is while it is still hot. So, when they have cooled down(if they last that long) just warm it up in the microwave for a bit to melt that chocolatey goodness! Enjoy!



Peanut Butter Bars
1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
1 c. peanut butter
1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Mix cake mix, eggs, butter and peanut butter well. Spread half of mixture in an ungreased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips then drizzle with condensed milk. Pinch off the remaining peanut butter mixture and place on top of chips and milk. Bake an additional 25-30 minutes.

Taco Dip

Ahhh, college football is here again! Woo!Hoo! I love watching the Crimson Tide on Saturdays, but not matter what team you pull for, you need some good food. This dip is one of my favorites! Great for watching the game! This dip is so, so simple, but very good! Just layer a few ingredients and you've got some yummy Taco Dip! No one will even mind if you use a Christmas platter like I did it's so good! Recipe is at the end of this post.


Taco Dip
1 can refried beans
1 (16 oz.) container sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 envelope taco seasoning
tortilla chips

Spread refried beans onto a pizza pan or large round platter. Combine sour cream and taco seasoning mix.(If you like it spicier, use the whole envelope. Less spicy, use 1/2 envelope of seasoning)Spread sour cream mixture over top of refried beans. Top with shredded cheese. You could also sprinkle on some chopped olives, onions, tomatoes or put these out in small bowls with the dip so everyone can top theirs with the things they like. Serve with tortilla chips. Here, I've served mine with Baked Scoops.

Homemade Butter Cream Icing

Today I thought I'd share the recipe I use for butter cream icing. I've made two, 3-layer cakes in the past couple weeks and used this recipe for the icing. I've had the recipe for years and it's the one I always go to when I want to use homemade icing instead of canned. Of course, the consistency can be changed for making roses, borders, writing,etc. For 3 layer cakes, I double the recipe and usually have just a bit left over (which my son usually sneaks in and tries to eat when he "thinks" I'm not looking). It's delicious. Give it a try for your next cake!



Butter Cream Icing
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened (not margarine)
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. salt
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. milk (might use more or less, depending on consistency your going for)

In mixer, blend together butter, shortening, vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar about 1/2 c. at a time. Add milk 1 Tbsp. at a time, mixing well after each addition. I check my consistency with a spoon after 2 Tbsp. milk to see if I need more milk. If you're just icing a cake and making a border, you'll want a medium consistency that's not too stiff and not too runny. For icing the cake, I use an offset spatula as well.

Build-A-Bear Birthday

Ivy got to go to Build-A-Bear Workshop for her birthday this year. She loved the bear her sister made there, so we knew she would like this little b'day trip! Their were so many animals to choose from, but she settled on this purple one with hearts and peace signs. She helped stuff her bear, give it a bath and pick out clothes for it. Ivy named her cute bear Lily and Lily hasn't left her side since we left the store. She loves that bear!

Bears, bears and more bears......well, there were dogs and a monkey, too!

Giving her bear a bath!

Waiting on her bear to be stuffed!

And finally making a birthday wish!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to Ivy!!! Our little miss priss is 4!!! She's been waiting a long time to celebrate her birthday and it's finally here! She's so excited!

We had her party with family and a couple friends on Monday! She had fun opening her gifts and eating strawberry cake and Neopolitan ice cream. Just what she requested! Happy Birthday to my "sugar and spice and everything nice" little girl! I'm so thankful I get to be her mommy!