Monday, August 16, 2010

Coming to a close

It has been so darn hot here in Minnesota. Like Africa hot. Okay, that was totally a line from a movie, but it has been a scorcher. Over 90 degrees for at least a week and over 70 percent humidity. Makes a gal cranky.

Today I awoke (after working 6 twelve hours days in a row) to......cool. 75 degrees. About 50 percent humidity. Blue skies and puffy white clouds. I spent the early afternoon hours picking cukes and zucchini. Weeded, watered and mowed. Sat in my favorite yellow chair and watched some clouds go by. Threw some steaks and spuds on the grill while I sipped some Riesling. It was a good day. And I just sat in my scrapbook room surfing Facebook and Blogger and watched the sun set in a beautiful array of orange, pink and purple. I looked at the clock and it was 8:32. The days are getting shorter. And soon my favorite time of year will be upon us-fall.

We leave in two and a half weeks to bring Hermit Crab back to school. She is so excited to be back at school with all of her friends and, of course, the boyfriend. But she is also looking forward to being her own person again. Making her own decisions and plans. Not having to clear anything with Mom or Dad. Not arguing every day with Drama Queen. I will miss her like always, but am looking forward to the quieter days with only the three of us at home. And soon just the two of us.


I had posted about the bars and salad I had made for my nephew's grad party. Here are the second set of bars I made. Probably even easier than the Chocolate Chip cookie Dough brownies.
Only 6 ingredients, a pan and the oven.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars

1 package Betty Crocker Peanut butter cookie mix

ingredients on package-water, oil and egg

1 tsp. vanilla

8 individual Reese's Peanut butter cups, chopped

Mix the cookie mix with the water, oil and egg as directed on package. Add vanilla and stir to mix. Pour into a prepared pan. Use either a 9x13 pan or a bar pan-I think mine is 8x12. Prepared by spraying with a cooking spray. Chop up the peanut butter cups; sprinkle over the dough and press slightly into batter. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes. You want them to be golden brown and just pulling away from sides of pan. The first time I made them in the 9x13 pan and they cooked faster than in the bar pan.


The summer days are coming to a close. Sad, yes, but I say-bring on autumn!

Oh, and I'm not ashamed to say I ate 4 of these!

10 comments:

Pam said...

I think I could eat 4 of them too... they look tasty!

Bob said...

Fall is my favorite season too. Good times. I bet I could eat the whole pan, myself! ;)

Jennifer said...

Fall is my favorite season as well, I love the cool crisp air! Those brownies look yummy too, I love things using a boxed mix, so easy!

Debbie said...

I could eat a bunch of those bars...they look good. I like the fall but it's what comes after...winter. We had a rough one last year and I hope this one is not as bad...

Monica H said...

It has been incrediby hot here too. I let the dog out on the covered back porch and as I stand there (for 2 minutes) I am sweating! It's crazy! I can't wait for cooler temps- it's been averaging about 100 degrees here- ugh.

Janet said...

I'm as excited about Fall as you are! I'm so tired of the heat and humidity as well.

Your bars look amazing! And, you did a lot better than I would have... I doubt I could have stopped at only four! YUM!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

You kinda made me sad reading the beginning of your post...mine will be gone soon and I just know they aren't ready. Really it's not me, it's them, really!

BUT! your sure cheered me up with those peanut butter chocolate bars...who can remember a kid, much less their name when these are sitting right in front of you? Really!

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in to say hi! I could eat the whole pan of these--whoo, I'd be in trouble!

Julie said...

I'm definitely ready for summer to be over too! And some of these cookie bars.

Alea Milham said...

I feel another gluten free adaptation coming on! Those look so good!

I had to put on a sweater yesterday morning when I went out to feed the horse. I had such mixed feelings: relief that the hot summer is coming to a close, but sadness that winter is just around the corner.