Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

OK, one last post for Valentine's week. Last Monday, I made these to take to my surgeon's office. They are easy and very good!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 C butter; softened

1/2 C peanut butter

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C brown sugar

1 t vanilla

1 egg

2 T water

1 1/4 C flour

3/4 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 13 X 9 baking pan. Mix first six ingredients until well blended; stir in water. Combine flour, soda, powder and salt and slowly add to mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and spread mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes, till edges begin to brown. Cool and cut into 32 bars.

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Another sunny Wednesday for Katie to sleep all afternoon in the window.

She seemed somewhat annoyed with my endless clicking of the camera.

Finally she sat up and yawned, as if to say ... "are you quite finished??"

~Michele

Roses and Chocolate!

I'm feeling pretty spoiled! I came home yesterday to find Andy sent me these beautiful roses. We normally aren't "flower people" so I was totally surprised! (and happy!!!)

We received lots of pretty cards.

A dear friend brought me chocolates.

And I gave myself chocolate!!

I hope everyone had a day as special as mine.

~Michele

Thanks Andy, for being my forever Valentine and my very best friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

“Love is all you need.”

Paul McCartney

May your day be filled with Love.

(and chocolate, of course!)

~Michele

Overnight winds

Last night we had a few inches of snow, accompanied by howling winds. I always find it interesting how the winds that rattle our windows, create such soft, gentle patterns in the snow.

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Although high temperatures were only in the teens today, Katie found a peek of sun coming in the window, as she enjoyed her afternoon nap.

~Michele

Pineapple Cottage Cheese Griddle Cakes

Years ago I heard about this recipe as a tasty way of adding calcium to your diet. I have changed it quite a bit, to create a healthy version. We often serve these with a salad and some broccoli or other bright colored vegetable. Also, as a snack, (pictured below) served with "Food for Thought" jams.

Pineapple Cottage Griddle Cakes

1 16 oz carton (2 cups) low fat cottage cheese (I like "Nancy's brand" ... it has live cultures)

1 8 oz can crushed pineapple; drained

3 or 4 farm fresh eggs (whatever you like)

1/2 - 3/4 C flour (I use a mix of spelt and barley or whatever I have on hand. Use the lesser amount if you choose a whole grain or more if you choose white flour. Also you will have to adjust the flour depending on the consistency of your cottage cheese and how well the pineapple is drained.)

1 1/2 - 2 T vegetable oil

dash of salt

Beat the eggs; add everything else and gently mix, by hand, until well blended.

Spray griddle with a non-stick spray and cook like you would pancakes. I use my 1/4 C measure to drop the batter onto the griddle. They can sometimes be a bit tricky to cook. Make sure your griddle is heated well on medium or medium-low, before starting. These cook best if cooked slow, otherwise they will brown before the center is completely cooked. Cook the first side till top starts to become dull rather than shiny. They are much easier to turn if the first side is cooked well. (tip: these don't come out the same twice; but they are always good!)

Hope you give this recipe a try

~Michele