Last Minute Valentine's

Valentine's Day is one of those days I have big plans for, but never actually execute them.  Last night at 8:00 I realized all I had were some red and white gumdrops, and the only reason I had those was because they called my name earlier in the week when I ran into the drugstore to pick-up a few odds and ends.   So, last night after the kids went to bed I rummaged through the kitchen and came up with some stale marshmallows, chocolate chips and decorating sugar.  Twenty minutes later the kids Valentine's were done and I was on the couch ready to veg out to The Voice.

The kids loved their treat and I was able to send three kids off to school all sugared up. And my Valentine's treat is the kids being returned non-sugary.   The girls' school has a no candy policy for Valentine's Day and Will's class is celebrating the 100th day of school instead of Valentine's Day - that is the best way the teachers can show their love.

Peanut Butter Comfort

Tonight was one of those nights where there was a lot of screaming, everyone - big and small - had a tantrum of some sort and by the time the kids were finally asleep I was done, I needed a little pick me up.  There weren't any fresh baked treats in the kitchen and I didn't have the energy to spend a lot of time making something, so I went to my old standbys, peanut butter and chocolate.

I needed something warm and gooey, peanut butter on a spoon wasn't going to cut it.  It was time to go to an old favorite, peanut butter and toast with chocolate chips.  I like to think of this as the first recipe I ever developed.  I started making it for my afternoon snack in elementary school and it has remained my go to comfort food.  It is a classic combination, good at any time day or night, and it can be fixed in a matter of minutes providing a little bit of warmth and comfort when it is needed most.