Crunchy Chocolate Treats

I have had this recipe in my book for years.  Today is the first time I made it and wow!  I wish I would have a long time ago.  Peanut butter and chocolate goodness.  These are  rice crispy treats with a kick!  This recipe comes from Food Everyday.

crunchy chocolate treats

Makes 2 Dozen  Prep time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes

1.  In a large, deep saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, over low heat, about 4 minutes.  Add 1 bag(10 ounces) mini marshmallows; cook, stirring, until melted, 6 to 8 minutes. 
2.  Add 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped; cook, stirring, until melted, 2 to 4 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Quickly fold in 6 cups rice cereal and 3/4 cup peanut-butter chips until evenly distributed.
3.  Coat a 1/4 -cup dry measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray; scoop mixture onto waxed paper, forming clusters.  Let set, about 10 minutes.  Store in an airtight container for up to several days.

Note:
To make squares instead of clusters, use a wet spatula and evenly spread mixture into a buttered 9-by-13 inch baking pan.  Let set before cutting with a serrated knife.

*I just poured the chocolate morsels in and it worked fine.  I also think I will make them smaller next time.

I linked up with:
Crazy for Crust
Fireflies and Jellybeans
Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
The REAL Housewives of Riverton
Sugar and Spice
My Turn(for us)
Me and My Sweets

20th Anniversary Gift

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  We sure did here!  Lots of family and friend time.  Love it!  On Saturday we went to a 20th wedding Anniversary party.  I wanted to get the couple something that was meaningful but did not break our bank.  I looked up some information about gifts and decided to go with plants.  The Aster celebrates 20 years of marriage so I really wanted to find it!  I had never heard of this particular plant and that made me a little nervous.  I went to a local plant nursery, Green and Growin'.  They carried the plants.  How lucky is that for ya?  The first place I went to look.  I picked up 3 small Asters.  Next, I went to the Dollar Tree and got a small green basket, some yellow shredded paper and white ribbon.  I brought everything home and put the basket together.

Very simple but I thought very sweet.  I made the bow myself.  Not too bad but need some practice. 

Fall Aster

I made a gift tag with scrapbook paper, pen, stamps, Popsicle stick and glue.

Even if you are on a budget, you can still be very creative when it comes to gift giving. 

Have a great Monday!

I linked up with:
The Gunny Sack
My Favorite Finds
The REAL Housewives of Riverton
a bowl full of lemons
Sugar Bee Crafts
The NY Melrose Family
Polkadots on Parade
Fireflies and Jellybeans
The Taylor House
Delightful Order
Two Yellow Birds Decor
My Turn(for us)

DIY Picture Frame

Pinterest is a crazy thing.  I love to pin and like so many amazing things with the good intentions of doing that project or trying that yummy looking recipe.  I rarely do any of it though!  Well, when I saw this really cool DIY frame from Smashed Peas and Carrots I thought, "Rebecca, you can do that for a Mother's Day gift and it looks easy enough for even you!"

So, I did it!














Here is what I used:

One solid wood piece
One wood frame
Paint
Glue Gun
Metal Picture Stand

First I painted the wood piece and frame.  I went with blue and white to go with the picture of the bluebonnets.

No rocket science here!  Just painted the pieces.  Depending on what look you are going for will determine how many coats you want to put on.  I wanted something more rustic, so I only did two coats.

Next was getting the little pieces off the back of the frame I painted white.  I tried to find a frame without anything bulky on the back but did not find one at Hobby Lobby that day.  We also had to take off the picture stand on the back and I let my husband do that for me.  It did leave two holes, but that would not be showing, so no big deal.

Lastly I put in my picture and taped on the backing since I did not have the little dohickies on to hold the picture in anymore.  Next I put hot glue onto the white frame back and glued onto the blue piece of wood.  I used hot glue because I did not want the person getting the gift to need to change out the picture.  So if you go this route, it is permanent.

There you have it!  I bought a nice metal stand to place the picture on.  I think it turned out nicely and it was pretty easy to do. 

Here is a link to the blog it came from:Smashed Peas and Carrots

I enjoyed doing this project that I found on Pinterest and will be challenging myself to do more from now on!

I linked up with:

Shaken Together(on my sidebar)
Six Sisters' Stuff(on my sidebar)
Fireflies and Jellybeans(on my sidebar)
Cowgirl Up (on my sidebar)
My Favorite Finds
The REAL Housewives of Riverton
a bowl full of lemons
Sugar Bee Crafts
Not JUST a Housewife
Tales of a Trophy Wife
52 Mantels
The NY Melrose Family
My Turn(for us)