Finally!

I walked upstairs this morning from working out (and watching Eclipse) and Dad had left a list on the table.  It was his Christmas list!!!  If you need it I will publish it later, but I know that Lauren has already got him covered.
Also, I made sugar cookie dough yesterday.  If any of you need the recipe for either the puffy ones or the thinner, crispier ones I can post it here.

Recipes

Okay.  A couple of you needed some recipes.  Below are the recipes for the special marshmallow brownies that I used to make all of the time and the white chocolate trail mix Julie likes.  Good eatin'.

CRISPY MARSHMALLOW BARS

This was a super hit at swim meets.  All of the girls loved them.

ATTENTION:   Requires chilling time!

Recipe:

1 (22-ounce) package fudge brownie mix

1 (10 ½-ounce) package miniature marshmallows

1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 ½ cups Rice Krispies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. 

Prepare brownies according to brownie mix directions.  Spoon into prepared baking pan.  Bake until brownies test done, about 25 minutes. 

Place marshmallows evenly on top of brownies.  Bake until the marshmallows are golden, about 5 minutes.  Transfer baking pan to a wire rack to cool. 

Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a medium saucepan.  Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate chips melt.  Remove chocolate chip mixture from heat.  Stir in cereal.  Spoon over brownies.

Chill until set, about 45 minutes.  Cut into bars.  Serve immediately or at room temperature.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PARTY MIX

This recipe comes from Granny.  I have made it every Christmas since she gave it to me.  I usually make two batches.  One with nuts and one without.

Recipe:

1 package (10 oz) mini pretzels

5 cups Cheerios

5 cups Chex cereal (or Crispix)

2 cups salted peanuts

1 lb M & M’s

2 packages (24 oz total) white chocolate chips

3 t. vegetable oil

Mix oil and chips and melt according to package directions.  Pour over remaining ingredients.  Spread onto 3 waxed paper lined baking sheets.  Cool.  Break apart.  Store in a covered container.  May be frozen.

FYI:

-I use the red and green Christmas M & M’s and the Christmas tree pretzels, if I can find them.

-Really read the melting directions for the white chocolate chips.  They are very tricky.

-You may decide to put more of one thing and less of another.  I always use less Cheerios and peanuts and add more Crispix.

-I make two larges bowls out of the ingredients as it is difficult to mix all of the ingredients together in one large bowl or pot.

Computer

Okay, so I caved and went in to Best Buy yesterday.  I discovered that the hinges to the screen on my laptop are broken so the only way I can keep it upright is to have it lean against something.  This apparently has been going on for a while but it always leans against the wall in the Bat Cave, so I never noticed it.  This has, of course, made the decision to finally get a new laptop, easy.  I have no choice.  I was looking at PC's, but this kid gave me a crash course in Mac and I think I am sold.  They are pricey and the screen is smaller, but I may go there.  The only additional program I would need is Iworks and then a protection plan.  Done.  Heavy sigh.  They are so expensive.
Oh, by the way, someone is getting something from Best Buy.  Tee hee.

Couple of Links

Here is a link for an ad on Best Buy that has the sound bar thing I was talking about for the basement tv.
http://bestbuy.shoplocal.com/bestbuy/default.aspx?action=entryflash&adref=header

Here is the link for the Gypsy that I want.  It is down to $129 which is super great.  Plus, 7 cartridges for free (they retail for $79 altho I rarely pay over $30.)
http://www.hallmarkscrapbook.com/cricut-gypsy-machine-accessories-c-238.html

I was thinking that I might want an Ipod, but now that I have my droid, I may just use it.  Not sure how all that works yet so I am counting on help from you guys.

I'll let you know if anything else crops up.

How do I do this blog??

Numero un!

Well.  I am finally starting a blog.  This blog is mainly for my family.  Thanks for reading.  Lets move on to the important stuff, my Christmas list.

Here's what I have so far.

1.  At Penney's, they have a very cool jewelry box that hangs on the wall and has a collage on the front for pictures.  There are lots of spaces inside for necklaces.  This is what I need.  I would like the bigger one, dark wood, if possible.

2.  Gypsy - This is a really cool remote device for my Cricut.  I will be able to work without the Cricut (designing, etc).  The main thing is that I will be able to separate elements and weld letters to form words.  They retail for about $280, but hallmarkscrapbook.com has them for $159.  Right now, Cricut is running a promotion and if I register a Gypsy by the end of the year, I can download 5 cartridges for free.  That alone is a $300 value or better.  Plus, the 5 cartridges are ones I don't have!  Rate this a high priority item.

3.  Robe - Cotton terrycloth.  No microfiber or slick stuff.  Cotton and knee length please.

4.  JJill gift card - my favorite store

5.  New computer

6.  HD TV for our bedroom.  Our old TV's remote is almost inoperable and I can't find one on Ebay or anything.  I can't hardly set the time!  Still works though, so this isn't huge.

7.  Speakers or something for the TV in the basement.  I have to crank that puppy up to hear it over the furnace, treadmill and humidifyer.  I know these TVs are notorious for having lousy sound.

8.  Jewelry - earrings, necklaces, nothing fancy or expensive

9.  New wallet with checkbook holder that will hold my license.  I like having my license on my checkbook as it makes it really easy to pull out.

10.  New kitty (just kidding)

11.  Some of those good jelly chocolates from Wild Berry Products in AK.

12.  Kindle

 If I think of anything else, I will post it.  I really like anything anybody gives me.  I am not picky.  You guys don't have to spend a lot of money on me.  Thanks.