HOWDY YA'LL!!!

Ben's first day of kindergarten!

Auntie Lo Lo and Lukey Pookie

Ben. Skinny and white!

Me wake surfing behind my in-laws boat.

Wyatt and cousin Logan....to the rescue!!

I couldn't look at that picture of peanut butter bars one more time. Forgive my absence! Tis' the season I suppose. I notice a lot of other bloggers out there falling behind for one reason or another. I was on vacation!! When I went to Mexico, I had done some posts before I left for a friend to finish up for me. This vacation, I didn't even get that far. Yikes! We were in Utah spending time with family. Lots of sunshine on the lake. My family had our 6th Annual Keith Family Amazing Race. It was so fun. We jet- skiied, visited Lagoon( an amusement park in Utah), bowled with the kiddos and camped at Pineview Reservoir. Utah really is beautiful. We ate also. Boy did we eat!!! I think my favorite thing on the race that I ate was a cold meatloaf sandwich. AMAZING! Don't knock it til' you try it folks! I will share that recipe with you soon. When we got back last Sunday, it was time to get Ben ready for his first day of kindergarten. I didn't cry, but he did look like a little baby walking into that classroom. He loves his teacher and is getting used to going to school. It feels good to be on a schedule again. One more week until my preschool opens up... yeah! And I look forward to blogging this week! I will be sharing with you some baseball cupcakes, pistachio cake, some back to school cake pops, and a cute and simple cupcake topper ribbon rose. Stay tuned and forgive my absence...I will make it up to you!

The Easiest, Fastest, most Deliciousest Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Fast, easy, no turning on the oven...bu-yah! These bad boys are creamy and light (well, according to me...). Believe it or not...this is the first time I have made peanut butter bars. I am sure they are a staple for most, where have I been. But, if you have been lost in the world like me, here is a ggrreaat (said like Tony the Tiger) recipe for ya! I made these for my company the other day along with a raspberry chiffon pie that took me hours, 3 steps, homemade crust, boiling raspberries, etc. The peanut butter bars were gone in an instant and the pie was a disappointment. So, here you have it....drumroll please....the winner of the backyard BBQ desserts ....

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Source: The Brown Eyed Baker

1/2 cup butter
3/4 graham cracker crumbs
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Line an 8 X 8 pan with foil or parchment paper. Butter the insides. Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan. When it is melted, stir in powdered sugar til smooth. Add in the peanut butter and crumbs. Press into the bottom of the pan firmly.

Melt the 1/4 cup butter and chocolate chips in a saucepan til smooth. Spread evenly over the top of the peanut butter layer. Chill til set about 30 minutes. Store these in a container with a lid. In my photo you will notice spots on the top of my bars...this is from not covering them.

Sassy Shoe Sugar Cookies

A girlfriend can never have too many shoes...right? I did these for a retirement party for a friend. The retiree had worked in the women's shoe department for Macys. (HELLO!!! DREAM JOB!) I made 4 dozen shoe cookies and every single one was different...it was sooo fun! Some were polka dotted, some were swirled, some were glittery red Dorothy shoes. It was a great creative outlet. I always recommend to not work with more than 4 colors or the pain in the butt royal icing process becomes WAY more painful. I did hot pink, red, white, and black. Thought those were fun shoe choices...I know I love my red pair of flats!!