We Deserve Treats

I recently started trying to make special treats to have at home more frequently. We all needed a little something sweet around here. 

Don't get me wrong, we have snacks with a little chocolate here or there, but we are not really a dessert kind of family. For both Shawn and I growing up, desserts and treats were special and not a daily occurrence. 

I decided to try a no-bake treat that I could easily make any day of the week. What I also love about this treat is I don't really need to measure anything. 

I start it off with some basic granola, probably 2 cups, a big glob of peanut butter, and a hefty drizzle of honey. More can be added if necessary. I also get to let off a little steam smashing some roasted peanuts. I could use my food processor, but instead, I smash them up. After some mixing, little scoops get pressed into a mini-muffin pan. With a spoon, I just pressed each down to make a little well.  

From there, a little melted peanut goes into the well, and they all go into the freezer. Then comes the melted dark chocolate on top and a little more time in the freezer. 

These treats are so yummy. Everything comes together. Peanut butter, chocolate, crispy, creamy, sweet, bitter, it's got it all, and we all love them. It's like a little mini dessert for any day of the week. 

What's your favorite little tasty treat these days?

Pens and Chocolate: A Happy Combo

I think most people who write, doodle, sketch, or draw all have one thing in common--they love pens. Now, I don't go crazy over pens, but I do love them. I like buying something especially unique for myself, but I really love buying beautiful pens as gifts. I gave my mom a blue agate designed pen earlier in the year. So pretty. 

During the holiday season, we had a couple of Zoom Christmas celebrations. We exchanged names with my husband's family, and everyone got a little something in the mail to open on the day we zoomed. After sharing some ideas over a big group chat, we all made our purchases and sent them on their way. 

It was fun to see everyone in their little boxes and chat. We opened gifts, and mine was some dark chocolate, a notebook, and fine-tip markers. It was perfect. 

The chocolate was immediately opened. I still have several pieces to enjoy. One of the delights of dark chocolate is one square is very satisfying and delicious. I indulged in one this evening. 

Those fine-tip markers are bomb-tastic too. I didn't realize at first that they can erase clean! Like completely erase with friction. Not only do I like how fine they write, but the colors are also pretty great, and if I want to, I can precisely clean up whatever I am working on. Fun and so fascinating too! 

I will need to keep my enthusiasm for the markers hidden though, I have several pen loving doodlers and journalers in the house, which could easily begin to swipe these beauties from my desk. So, for now, I'm only confiding in all of you how much I love them. To everyone here at home, they are just regular old pens. Nothing special.