Peanut Butter Candy Bar Brownies

A few of you asked me about this recipe from our small group party, so thanks for your patience! I loved making something different from what I normally do, and they are delicious. Easy to make, too. These brownies would make a wonderful New Year's or Valentine's treat. I saw a lot of Valentine goodies in a few stores this week, so I thought I'd throw that in there. Ha!

Ingredients

• 1 (16-oz.) package peanut-shaped peanut butter sandwich cookies, crushed
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 5 (1.5-oz.) packages chocolate-covered peanut butter cup candies, coarsely chopped
• 2 (2.1-oz.) chocolate-covered crispy peanut buttery candy bars, coarsely chopped (we tested with Butterfinger)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Preparation

Combine crushed cookies and butter in a medium bowl. Press crumb mixture into bottom of a greased aluminum foil-lined 13" x 9" pan, allowing foil to extend over ends of pan. Bake at 350° for 6 to 8 minutes.

Combine condensed milk, peanut butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl, stirring until smooth.

Sprinkle chopped candy bars, chocolate morsels, peanuts, and coconut over crust. Drizzle condensed milk mixture over coconut.

Bake at 350° for 27 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack, and let cool in pan. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of pan. Peel foil away from sides of uncut brownies, and cut into bars. Yield: 28 small bars or 18 large bars.

~ Southern Living Ultimate Christmas Cookbook

I will probably be in bed by 9 tonight, so celebrate for me. ; ) I'm looking forward to what GOD has for us in 2011. Happy New Year!

...and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21

Christmas Memories

Christmas was wonderful and busy but relaxing at the same time. Zach was so much fun to watch. It was his first year to really get into it. He kept saying, "I want to open more presents!" A few times I had to tell him this holiday was not all about him. ; )

It's not easy explaining how we open gifts on Jesus's birthday. He'll get it one day. I love seeing glimpses of his sweet thankful spirit.

I felt blessed this year as Zach kept me busy, Reese warmed my heart, and Colson filled my arms.

Enjoy our family Christmas pics!

Three year old drama...Colson is very concerned.

Gran & Z

Colson loved the bows

One of Z's favorite gifts

Colson with Gran & G-Daddy

Jason's parents put knit hats in Reese's stocking to be given to children in Honduras. I love how others take something meaningful to them and incorporate Reese's life with it. So special.

Another favorite gift

Shannon, Cody, & Westin

Papa & Colson

"To

infinity and

beyond!"

Anyone else hear these words 100 times a day!?

Sweet boy

Reading break

Colson's ornament made by Papa ~ He is so creative with all the ornaments he makes!

Reese's stocking at my parents' house ~ I love the little heart Santa is holding.

My mom went crazy buying headbands and bows for the NICU where Reese spent her two days. I look forward to putting them all together and taking them to the hospital again. I would love to see parents picking them out.

Also in Reese's honor a precious friend donated to Esther's House (an orphanage in Malawi, Africa), and another close friend donated a Christmas book to her church library in Reese's name.

Things done in Reese's memory are better than any gift I could receive!

Grammie & Colson

G-Dad, Jason, & Z throwing rocks in the frozen pond

Three generations

Z showing one of his "big" rocks

We were always in our pjs at my parents' house, so I didn't think to take a picture. Sad! Loved hanging out in my comfies though. ; )

I'm still unpacking but making progress. Anyone want to take down our tree? I can't believe it's going to be 2011 soon!

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...

Philippians 3:13

Laughter

What a fun past few weeks! Jason and I went to Cabo San Lucas at the last minute the week before Christmas. It was so nice to get away and spend time together.

Thank you so much for praying us through another Christmas without Reese. What a privilege it was to have Colson with us this year. Since Reese went to Heaven there are times when I have felt completely carried by prayer. This Christmas was another one of those amazing times.

Our day was filled with family, love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and celebrate with us.

It's going to take me all week to unpack and put Christmas away. Ha! It's so good to be home though. I'm always kind of sad after the holidays, but I try to keep busy and look forward to everything coming up in the new year.

I can't wait to share with you what our families did in honor of Reese. Very sweet things. Until I get our lives back together, this will have to hold you over.

Some things never get old. ; )

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

Merry & Bright

Happy birthday, Jesus! You truly are the greatest Gift.

Merry Christmas!

We love you, Reese. We are not complete without you, but we will be one day in Heaven. You are always missed and forever in our hearts.

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

John 1:14

What to Do...

The week before Christmas?

Only one of the busiest times of year?

Say "Yes!" when Jason wants to take a trip to Mexico. ; )

Take a deep breath

Throw the schedule out the window

What schedule?

Make a mad rush to organize the boys

Finish Christmas shopping

Wrap those last gifts

Get excited

Hop on a plane

Soak up some sun

Talk & laugh

Eat yummy foods

Read a book

Enjoy every moment

Nothing like last minute

We are crazy. ; )

And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in You.

Psalm 39:7

Christmas Cutie

All I want for Christmas

is my two front teeth,

My two front teeth,

see my two front teeth.

Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,

Then I could wish you "Merry Christmas!"

The she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough-because there was no room for them at the inn.

Luke 2:7