BIG Changes & Peanut Butter Chocolate S’mores Cookies

I had been waiting for weeks and finally, the tears came. And they came hard.

It was an ugly cry, I know it.

Streaming down my face, the tears ran wild just as every fear, doubt, and memory was racing through my little head. I knew reality would set in sooner or later and the tears would take over but it happened all at once! It was our last night in our first home as husband and wife. Dan only smiled as he reassured me we were making the right decisions.

I have not really shared much about our “double life.” The house I often refer to as our “farmhouse” has only been a weekend escape for Dan and I this past year. We have been living back and forth between the farmhouse and a rental house closer to my work in the city.

Every weekend, we would drive an hour south to be at the farm and close to our family and friends. It worked for us. It was like a small vacation every weekend. However, extended “vacations” can sometimes be exhausting. Pack up the laundry… unpack the laundry. Pack up the groceries… unpack the groceries. I can’t tell you how many times I thought I had bought milk or eggs and then would realize they were at the other house! We soon realized we couldn’t do this forever. It was time to settle down… in one home… with one refrigerator!

I recently put in my notice at work. It has been a very difficult decision for me. I absolutely love my job and all of my co-workers, but I know deep down that it is time for change. Change… that word always puts a lump in my throat. It is one word that is currently very hard to swallow down without getting choked up. When my sister went off to school, I remember telling her so many times that change is scary and hard but it always works out for the best. She would be fine. I now have to take my own advice and embrace BIG changes… but not without a few tears here and there. I will also be fine.

Last Thursday, we camped out in our barren rental house for one last night. We laid there on the air mattress in the middle of the living room, no furniture, no TV, only silence. Dan turned a flashlight on from his phone and proceeded to create shadow puppets on the ceiling, anything to get me to stop sulking on my pillow! Like the three-year-old that I am, I joined in his nonsense. I showed him my best shadow characters, complete with voice-overs. I thought to myself, what a silly, perfect way to end our time here in this house. We won’t soon forget our first year together here. Nor will I forget this feeling of fear, excitement and hopefulness for the years to come at our farmhouse – our new full-time home.

 

With BIG changes approaching, I cry… and I crave chocolate. I believe that only makes me human.

Here is a super-fast, chocolate covered recipe. Perfect for a crowd, the little ones… or when you need a pick-me-up all your own!

Peanut Butter Chocolate S’more Cookies

Crush both packages of graham crackers.

*I found it easiest to crumble them within their packaging and then dump out the crumbs. You could also pulse in a blender or food processor.

Add the whole bag of peanut butter cookie mix to the cracker crumbs.

Add the melted butter and work crumbs together until moist.

Press crumbs evenly into a greased 9 x 13 cookie pan. Bake for about 7-8 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour chocolate chips into a microwaveable bowl and heat in microwave for about 60 seconds.

Stir melted chips and add the peanut butter. Microwave another 40 seconds.

Steal a melty chip… no one is looking!

Once the chocolate is fully melted, remove the crust from oven and spread chocolate over top.

Spread to every corner and all edges.

Now, what to do with this left over chocolate…

I’m no longer crying but chocolate still fits my mood just fine! HA!

Top it all off with the marshmallows. Place each marshmallow an inch or two apart (one per cookie once cut).

I had a few mini marshmallows on hand so I threw on some extras. I wanted these to be extra gooey!!!

Place the cookies back into the oven and turn on the broiler. Broil a few minutes or until the marshmallows are melted and toasty.

Remove from oven when toasted. Cool and serve.

CAUTION: These little monsters are ooey-gooey! May cause sticky fingers!

Hope you enjoy! Here is a handy printable!

 

Have a great rest of the week!

-RH

P.S. The apple pie recipes I made for the Labor Day Picnic will be up soon so come back and see me!