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Philly Cookie Bars~Chef Valentine

- robin

On Sunday, I cheated.

Dessert was made from things right out of the fridge,

This is super easy and overwhelmingly delish.

I served it with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy.

Philly Cookie Bars

1 package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese {soft}

1 egg

 1/2 cup sugar

1 {18 oz} roll of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough

*********

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease bottom of an 8 X 8 ” baking pan.

Cut cookie dough in half. Press 1/2 half into bottom of baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine soft Philly, egg and sugar till smooth.

Pour over crust.

Crumble 1/2 of the cookie dough on top, making 3rd layer.

Bake 40-45 min till toothpick comes out clean.

Cool then cut into squares. {i made 9 squares}

Store in refrigerator.

These were better the day after making them.

These were a huge cheat dessert

but

they were awesome!

Till next time,

Valentine.

American Sampler

- robin

It is funny to me,

that something can be hidden in a drawer for thirty years

and

once found, it can become an important possession.

A few weeks ago,

I found a crewel embroidery kit in the guest room dresser.

I stashed it in the work room to deal with later

and last Friday,

while watching the inauguration of President Trump,

I saw it on my work table.

The long lost crewel embroidery kit.

{dated 1980-when on earth did I buy it?}

As I opened the crumpled old packaging,

 my lap top was streaming Donald Trump  vowing

 to be the best president that he can be.

The linen fabric, in my hand became an important reminder.

Oh beautiful for spacious skies…..

In all of the drama surrounding the presidential election,

citizen voices have forgotten one thing.

This is our country.

Amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties…..

 how can we expect someone to step up and make everything “good”

if we are not willing to make the same promise for OUR country?

I hope that I never forget that feeling.

I have promised that each night I will put stitches in this beautiful sampler

and with each stitch promising to be a better citizen.

Started on January 20, 2017.

This is the Inauguration Sampler.

It is in a basket by my bed.

Each stitch, it will be my promise to never forget

how beautiful this country is

and

how lucky we are to live here.

I wish everyone had an Inauguration Sampler.

It is a wonderful reminder

that God shed his grace on thee…from sea to shining sea.

Love you.

Me

Six Year Molars and Assorted Fun

- robin

 

On Wednesday night, my phone rang.

A little voice said: Robi, tomorrow is my 1/2 birthday.

Will you and Pa come for cake?

I said: of course!

After dinner yesterday, we headed to Matilda’s  house.

We were greeted by Matilda, wanting to show off her 6 year molars.

Yup.

They are coming up!

Then we watched as she opened her 1/2 birthday gift.

{a bead craft set}

Her 1/2 birthday balloons were awesome!

I think that she was very happy yesterday.

She put,  5 and 1/2 candles on her cake….

Her Momma lit the candles, we sang

and

Ma Cherie made a wish.

Then we

Played CLUE!

It was a fun evening.

Larry and I are thankful that we were included.

The sun is shining today and my cup runneth over…

*******

There are 24 days till Valentine’s Day

Today’s Love Quote:

There is never a time or place for true love.

It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat.

~sarah dessen~

I wish you a lovely weekend…

Love you.

Me

A Wink and a Smile

- robin

He loves everything with sugar.

Perhaps that is why he is so sweet?

I know that is a bit corny, but true.

My Larry is a candy eating, wine collecting, man.

But,

{there is always a but, isn’t there?}

But…..he is absolutely killing me.

I am on medications that make me gain weight.

I am happy just staying where I am {wight wise}

but

temptation is all around me.

Good grief.

I quit smoking, cold turkey in 1995,

{June 26th to be exact}

since I am married to Mr Enabler,

this journey to health has been, interesting.

The photo above was taken this morning after he left for work.

Humm, do you think that he is hinting for me to bake a cake?

Ok. I surrender. Wink.

********

There are 25 days till Valentine’s Day.

Today’s love quote:

Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love.

~virgil~

I believe when Virgil wrote that,

he was not thinking of me eating a piece of cake.

Have a happy, wonderful day.

Love you.

Me

Pretzel Pizza~Chef Valentine

- robin

I do not love pizza as much as I love pretzels,

but this was exactly what I was craving.

I did a little research and here is what I came up with.

Pretzel Pepperoni Pizza

 1 box of any pretzel mix – I used Fleishmans Pretzel mix.

{Auntie Ann has a box also}

1/4 pound Boarshead pepperoni {I like it sliced fresh cut at the deli}

1 jar Tostitio queso {medium heat}

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 egg- well beaten. {for egg wash}

********

Follow directions on the pretzel box to make dough.

{it is super easy}

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

When dough is ready, spray Pam on cookie sheet or pizza pan.

Spread dough out, pizza style on prepared baking pan.

Brush egg wash just around outside edge.

Sprinkle pretzel salt over egg wash. {the outside edge of pizza}

Place oven and bake for 5 minutes.

Bring out the crust.

Now, spoon thin layer of cheese queso over the center of crust

spreading to just the outside crust, do not cover the egg wash.

Place pepperonis in the center, I use 6-8 of them

and

then cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake pizza for about 15 minutes  at 450 degrees or till crust is golden.

Serve with a crisp salad.

This was so good….Larry wants to heat up left overs tonight!

Enjoy!

Till next time.

Valentine

Joy

- robin

Last summer, I left Face Book for a few months.

The negitive postings

either upset me or made me sad.

I returned because I was missing many of my daughters posts.

{and photos of grand daughter, Matilda!}

Last evening, after being appalled at a friends post,

I thought why do I  log on to this ignorant site?

Half of my friends voted red, half blue.

Do you know what is awesome?

They VOTED!

But now they are trying to convince the population of Face Book

that they made the best choice.

Really?

I wish I had that kind of time to waste.

So, in honor of the “dear ones”

who find that fighting about politics on Face Book is productive,

I am going to buy a case of beans

and

donate it to Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano.

TODAY I CHOOSE JOY

{wouldn’t it be awesome, for every political argument on Face Book

a case of food would be donated to a food pantry?}

Libby Pug is lazy in the studio,

but will be asleep soon. It is early.

*******

There are 27 days till Valentine’s Day

Love quote for today is:

Love must be as much a light as a flame.

~henry david thoreau~

I love you.

Me

Sunday Dinner and a Movie

- robin

Our Sunday turned upside down yesterday.

But we held steady with traditions.

Sunday dinner and a movie!

Larry requested a Country Burger-burger {our local burger joint}

and

a movie that Jamison told us about.

Lets face it, for a crappy New Years Day,

it was OK.

Our burgers were awesome

but that movie was even better.

We loved it….

LOVE this movie….oh yes, well. it does have Jeff Bridges in it.

Happy New Year and Happy Sunday, Dinner and a Movie.

Love you.

Me

A Joy

- robin

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. After my mother died and found myself without parents or sisters, this was my hymn for truth. I am not sure who wrote it, but I only like how Amy Grant sings it.

When I heard the song yesterday, it reminded me of so many things.
It reminded me that people treat us the way we allow them to treat us.
It reminded me that living our true self is a gift,
surrounding ourselves with people who love us is a joy
and
God has a plan.
My journey has been a little bit bumpy, but in the words of my beloved Uncle Bruce: Chin up Kiddo.
Have a happy day.
Love you.
Me

Butterscotch Milk-Chocolate Bars

- robin

I have been requested to post this once again….

Here you go Jill. Let me know of you love them.

Butterscotch Milk Chocolate Bars
The Sprinkles Cookbook by Candace Nelson
***
1/2 half stick of unsalted butter Melted, plus more for greasing
7 whole graham crackers {14 squares}
1 {14 ounce } can sweetened, condensed milk
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut shavings,
1 1/2 cup whole shelled unsalted walnuts
1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Butter an 8-inch square baking dish.
Line the dish with parchment, butter the parchment.
Break the graham crackers them process them
 In a food processor for 30 seconds.
Stir crumbs with the melted butter.
Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom of the
prepared baking dish.
Pour the condensed milk on top of graham cracker crust.
Scrape all of the milk out of the can with
a spatula.
Sprinkle with butterscotch chips
Sprinkle with chocolate chips
Sprinkle with coconut on top of chips
Finally,sprinkle with walnuts
Pressing down somewhat firmly,
so that the mixture soaks up to the walnut layer
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min till center is set.
Sprinkle with fleur de sel while warm {gives a little crunch}
Let cool and cut into 12 squares
{I cut ours into 16 squares)
We loved these bars.
Please enjoy.
Till next time,
Valentine