Over a hill... (Puppy Chow)

My birthday is on Monday.  I'll be 27 years old.  Somehow 27 seems so much more grown up than 26.  When you're 26, you're still in the mid-twenties, you can still get away with being a "retired college kid" (as my husband calls us) and the life is all ahead of you.  By the time you're 27, you're closer to 30 and to figuring out how to be good at this thing called life.  I'm 27 and starting over with a new education and (hopefully!) a new career.  It's been a long road, this 26th year, but I think it was one of my best.  I made some great friends, found furry love, grew a new marriage with my wonderful husband, took some huge risks (like quitting my job for something completely different), discovered new parts of me (like this blog) and learned to trust myself.  When I look back to the turning 26 me from the me who is turning 27, I think I did good by the old me.  I think I can honestly say that I took stock of my life and then made it better.

I guess we'll see if that's true when grades are posted.  :o)

In honor of my birthday, I made myself a little treat.  This was my favorite treat when I was 6 turning 7, and 20 years later this is one thing that hasn't changed.  Except now I have to make it for myself.  Oh, independence...

Puppy Chow

(Not for dogs!)

1 stick unsalted butter

1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3-1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 large box Crispix cereal

(Note:  You can always use Chex or any similar cereal, but Crispix is my favorite, for the unique taste and the pretty hexagonal shape.)

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, chocolate chips and peanut butter until creamy.  Pour the cereal into a large bowl, and drizzle the chocolate mixture over top.  Stir until the cereal is completely coated.  Transition the cereal mixture to a clean plastic grocery bag (I usually double up in case of holes) and dump in the powdered sugar.  Shake the bag to coat the pieces in sugar.  This makes an awesome gift, or appetizer, or study aid.

Warning:  Sister and I determined that this might be one of the most dangerously addicting substances in the entire world.  Proceed with caution.  Don't say we didn't warn you.