Made For Each Other

Some things just go together. Peas and carrots (thank you, Forrest Gump). Popcorn and butter. Robyn and ice cream. Oh, and chocolate and peanut butter!

I didn't realize there's a "peanut butter and chocolate day" next week when I began planning for my trifle today. But no, I'm not making another one next week! I already felt guilty like I was cheating on my coworkers because this one was not going to the office. 

But it traveled to Rudolph for a night of music and laughing with friends we'll be performing with in the near future. I'll fill you on that later. For now, the recipe I cobbled together this time... 

For the bottom cake layer, I tore apart one container of those "brownie bites" you can buy at most grocery store bakery areas. (I used a second container for the other cake layer later.) Also around the bottom, I cut Reese's Thins in half to border the outside.

Next layer is the pudding layer. I mixed two packages of white chocolate pudding with 4 cups of milk, then added in a heaping tablespoon of PB2 powder (basically powered peanut butter that goes great in smoothies, too). Only use half the pudding to start since you'll have another pudding layer!

Third layer is the crunchy layer. I diced up a package of Little Debbie Nutty Buddy bars. Made the perfect amount for the two crunchy layers. I refrigerate for a few hours so the Nutty Buddies dice up nicely – no mush.

Repeat first 3 layers. The top layer is just Cool Whip and some mini Reese's cups. You can embellish with whatever you want. There are so many peanut butter and chocolate treats out there!

As predicted, it was a hit and I brought home just enough to have trifle for breakfast. Gotta get that protein in first thing, right?

Happy Trifle Tuesday!

Easter Weekend

This makes me laugh every year. Predictable, juvenile humor. But I love it. And who doesn't need a good laugh these days?

Today there were a ton of egg hunts in the area. I did not participate in any of them. I did however check out a bake sale and RAFFLE BASKETS for the Best Christmas Ever program. Last time, I walked away with two winning baskets. Today, well, zero. Unless they're still making calls. LOL.

Other than that we had a lazy day. I finished the baby girl blanket and am starting the boy one now. 

And baseball was on TV. And basketball. My bracket blew up so I don't know if I care. I do like close games though!

Jim is singing in his church tonight and I have to sing at both Easter services in the morning. The Easter Bunny did not make up baskets for either one of us so that chocolate pictured above is all I'm going to get. Probably for the best.

A picture is calorie-free!

Enjoy your Easter weekend – hopefully with family, loved ones, or your own box of chocolate!

 

A Not-So Trifle Tuesday

How can it be only Tuesday when it's been a whirlwind week at work already? Monday was crazy because I worked from home in the morning, then had to be in the office in the early afternoon (I was accidentally a stunt double for myself plus a hand model, LOL), then back home before an end-of-day meeting.

With the caveat that I needed to log off in time for my VIP meeting with my hair artist!

I don't know how the timing all worked out to my favor, but it did! 

But in the midst of all this, Boy Wonder (aka Mr. Smooth) was going to call us at an appointed time for a "chat." This meant all kinds of scenarios in the brains of Papa and Mama Smooth – from general "catch-up" convo to marriage proposal. I mean, who knows?

We were thrilled to learn that the sentence that started with "We have news..." ended with his girlfriend securing a full-time job in the fashion industry with Maurices. Guess where their headquarters are? Way the heck up in Duluth of all places. Who knew?

So today while I was "working" I had to dedicate some time to reach out to any and all Duluth connections to guide these young professionals in their housing situation. Sketchy versus good neighborhoods, etc. Got lots of information and where to and where not to go, and a few rental bites. But we're working on it.

I say "we" though they didn't ask me and might not want my intervention. But there comes a point in life you know people in a lot of places, and if you did them good, they'll do you a solid too. So we'll see.

Tonight my one task was a birthday trifle for my supervisor, who shares a birthday with my mom. I can't ever let this NOT happen because I'm sure she's up in heaven saying, "Yes, for me, you must do a putzy, layered dessert to earn the adoration of your club / neighbors / friends / co-workers."

On it, Mom!

This one: Chocolate brownies, topped with... white chocolate pudding with peanut butter power mixed in, then... diced up Nutty Buddy bars, and the top... whipped cream with mini Reese's PB Cups on top.

I do have to call out it took me 5 stores to find the Reese's THINS these days.. Festival Foods for the win. Just needed to cut them half for one outside layer around the bowl.

I think my "be sure to make this a putzy, layered dessert" is accomplished.

Continue to guide me on these important quests, Mama! 💗

 

Have Trifle, Will Travel

A little change of plans for my scrapbooking weekend. My friend Julie (coming up from Madison) and I are heading to camp tonight due to a forecast change. It looks a bit sketchy for Rosholt tonight and tomorrow. When they add "ice" to the forecast, I shift into precaution mode, that's for sure.

But of course, I still had things to get done after work. Finish organizing (bwaahaa), pack (just finished) and whip together a chocolate-mint trifle for the scrappers! That's the only thing I better not forget!

So for this one, the bottom layer is crumbled brownies, next layer is white chocolate pudding using Kwik Trip Mint Milk, then it's a combo crunchy layer of Thin Mints and Keebler Mint Stripe cookies. Then repeat and top with some whip and Andes Mints – pieces and grated.

I'm 99.9% sure I will not be bringing any home on Sunday!

Gotta hit the road soon. Be careful in the dang non-spring weather!

Love Favorite Feelings

Our nephew Colin's wife does an amazing job each Christmas of creating a family calendar of sorts for the next year. 

So when Endless January did indeed finally end, it was nice to see cute pictures of him with his family at the racetrack, with his mom at the awards ceremony, and just a random shot of his favorite uncle and aunt at the Nashville Music Hall of Fame Museum.

I like the title: You are my favorite feeling.

What's your favorite feeling? Does it involve a person, place, or object?

I can tell you I love goodbye kisses in the morning from my husband... but also loved the feeling of eating that Andes Mint Chocolate Cupcake at work 2 hours later today (Bless you, 2 1/2 Cups Bakery in Marshfield!)

I also love when people drool over my trifles, genuinely appreciate my photography, and give me the best hugs ever (usually my sisters – there's no holding back!).

But it depends on the day, doesn't it? 

On many Sundays my favorite feeling is nailing our choir song in church. Then later hanging out with BINGO friends I didn't even know a year ago – whether we win or lose.

On Mondays, my favorite feeling is sleeping until the last possible minute to just cross the hallway into my office to work! No shower. Maybe comb my hair.

On Tuesdays, it's going into the office and seeing the people I sincerely like and respect, who care if I had a decent weekend and days out of the office.

Wednesdays typically mean my monthly Girls' Night Out dinner then church choir squad. (Yes, a squad. We're that cool.)

On Thursdays, my favorite feeling only applies in the summer when I have my Foxy Ladies Night golf league.

Friday it's ditto of Monday with an occasional fish fry sprinkled in.

On Saturdays, my favorite feeling is no alarm and no plans. 

So yes our favorite feeling can vary by the calendar. But mine, no matter what, is just feeling loved, respected, and appreciated – no matter who or what prompts that feeling! 

Hope you all have some favorites that never let you down!

For Your Enjoy-Mint

 

Had a busy day and evening with work, then book club, then choir practice. The whole time I'm thinking, "I gotta get home and whip together that trifle!"

And I did.

Bottom layer is brownies, next is that fabulous Shamrocky pudding, then crushed up Mint Oreos. Repeat and top with a thin layer of Cool Whip and Andes Mint chips.

Think anybody will like it?

I don't even know if the birthday boy will like it. But I did two peanut butter and chocolate ones in a row so I needed a change of flavor. I wouldn't mind taking most of this back home with me since it's my favorite. Ha.

Hope you found some enjoy-mint in your Wednesday as well!

Well Shake My Shamrocks

I forgot to mention one of the highlights of Camp Crop-a-Lot. Every year the event falls on the weekend of my friend Becky's birthday. She's one of the coordinators so for her, there's no place she'd rather be to celebrate.

As a bonus, her husband always delivers her a cake, balloons, and a Shamrock Shake. Make that a 4-pack – because he's been bringing one for me for the last 10 years! So that was a nice surprise that I hoped would happen.

Either way, it put me in a minty mood.

So this week's work birthday trifle – yes, the 3rd week of trifling in a row – will include a wee bit of Shamrock flavor with chocolate.

Here's my game-changing ingredient. Instead of adding mint extract to pudding mix, one of these bad boys from Kwik Trip is 2 cups. And blends perfectly with a package of instant White Chocolate pudding. It's Shamrock-a-licious! A perfect pudding layer for what I will now have to call my Shamrock Trifle when I "assemble" it tomorrow night.

Follow me for more Trifle Tips! ☘😋

A Trifle Hot

We are in a heat advisory in the Midwest so I became a trifle bit of fraud when making this trifle. Trust me, I would've been arrest or, at a minimum, kicked out of the house if I turned on the oven to bake the cake and cookie layers.

So I cheated.

I mean look at this. Not only was it 94 with a real feel of 106 degrees at 5 p.m. But it's only getting down to maybe 85 at 8 p.m. Uffda! 

So about the trifle... I made it a friend celebrating a huge personal milestone in her life. She deserves to be treated and happens to enjoy peanut butter & chocolate. Who doesn't? Making this trifle, I found my new secret ingredient (well, until I tell you) for PB & C trifles. Here you go:

• Bottom layer if store-bought (gasp!) chocolate cake with Reese's THINS Peanut Butter Cups cut in half and outlining the trifle bowl.
• Next layer up is Cheesecake-flavored pudding that I added PB2 (a TB of powdered peanut butter powder) to make it Peanut Butter pudding. I'd recommend White Chocolate-flavored pudding if it's available. It just blends better with the other flavors. (In my opinion – no one complained.)
• Next layer on top of pudding is just a smattering of crushed Chips Ahoy Peanut Butter Cup cookies (again with the store bought!) and... for the win... chopped up Little Debbie Nutty Buddy bars. Game changer, folks!
• Repeated those layers then added a thin layer of Cool Whip on top with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup minis scattered for appearance – and added flavor of course.

And yes, it was as delicious as it sounds. Still, it's almost too hot to eat anything. But, if I'm going to go for it in an extreme heat advisory, I'll take a trifle every time.

Wouldn't you?

Be careful out there, friends! 🔥

PB CSI

 

I'm pretty serious about my love for peanut butter and chocolate. So when I saw Reese's was presenting their Easter egg as a Football, I became quite suspicious of the imposter. And had to purchase one for investigative purposes only, of course.

Then, upon opening Evidence Exhibit PB, I discovered it looked exactly like an Easter egg – not exactly football shape. Especially with the lack of white icing piping you'd exact after seeing the package.

I'll admit it didn't taste too bad. But seemed to be missing a good volume of the peanut butter we experience at Easter time.

Still, if you're addicted, this could serve as a good hold-over for now.

PB Consumer Reports, over and out!

Holiday Excite-Mint

I could say I knew all along that today was National Chocolate Mint Day and that's why mint was on my mind. But I'd be lying.

I can't keep track of all the made-up daily celebrations. This one must be a legit holiday, though, because the banks were closed and there was no mail service. That's serious!

Too bad I had no more chocolate mint anything left in the house. Pretty sure I "pre-gamed" enough of it this weekend. Speaking of games...

Got home in time to catch the end of the Assumption Royals game on TV. Well, we THOUGHT it was the end. But they pushed it into OT. And thanks to accurate free-throw shooting in the closing extra minutes, our boys came away with an exciting victory! Finally some decent hoops on TV. 

I have a lot going on this week, but I'm hoping to catch one more home game for the girls (starting playoffs tomorrow) and the boys (home game Thursday). 

Get hot and stay hot!

For Your Enjoy-Mint

So it turns out my sun-seeking sister Sylvester is also my Shamrock Shake sister! I couldn't eat all of it on Valentine's Day, so I put it in the freezer and we both enjoyed the slightly thawed version Friday night.

Which served as my inspiration Saturday morning when I made a Thin Mint Magic trifle! As usual, I never make a trifle the same as previously. I just FIND the ingredients. In this case, the cake layers didn't involve me baking. I happened to see a big frosted mint brownie pan at Festival Foods and grabbed it. Next layer is white chocolate pudding with a bit of mint extract and green food coloring. Then comes a layer of crushed Thin Mints. Repeat and add Cool Whip to the top and sprinkle Andes Mint chips on top. 

And yes, it was as tasty as it sounds!

I brought it to Rudolph for the pot luck after church – featuring the guitar choir – last night.

Besides great music and fun with friends, we were treated to this gorgeous sunset out the back door of the Welcome Center.

Today I sang in my own church choir and was treated to an early moon view this afternoon during a short walk. It was finally above freezing again after a few days of cold, "normal" winter. 

And our brain-washed Wisconsin minds are thinking... it's 36 degrees. Maybe we should grill out for supper! The brats in our fridge are yelling, "Yes, please!"

Hope you found some sources of enjoy-MINT this weekend!

It Came Upon a Cellphone Clear

Oh my gosh, this has been the story of my life lately. Are you sure you trust me to host the family Christmas tomorrow? 

We had dinner tonight with some friends. I zoomed on the menu but didn't need to take a picture. This time. However, here's a few recent labels...

In my defense, I could read the separate label with the poundage, just didn't know how long to heat it up. Now I see I'll need to take an additional photo to zoom into the correct temperature setting!

We also needed to replace a bulb in the bathroom today. After all this work to zoom in and focus, we still weren't 100 percent sure of the wattage, but we went with 40. 

And don't get me started on the Advent calendar. It was a challenging month! I texted pictures to Carter some days. For example, for this one, I asked him if this was a stocking hat, a bag of money, or a fat cat wearing a scarf. For the record, it tasted like chocolate!

Wish me luck tomorrow! Or maybe I should say, wish my in-laws good luck tomorrow! Just kidding. My recipe cards are pretty legible. Mostly.

NO-vember

Well, November arrived today. Acting all cool. Too cool. Here I thought it was a balmy 22 degrees when I left my garage, but when the temperature kept dropping as I drove in the "real world," I had to take a picture at a stop sign down the road. Dang, that's super chill.

At least it wasn't snowing on my commute like yesterday. Thanks, Mother Nature, for small favors.

Of course, after yesterday's Spooky BOO-fay, we had treats leftover. I guess my diet is in transition (above), just like my body.

I'm fully aware that while my body is in the 55 mph speed limit, my metabolism has hit a mall parking lot speed limit of maybe 10 mph. And that's being generous. Trust me, I've seen the pictures.

So in my mind, I thought I should make this NO-vember. Like say NO to sugar, sweets, and bad decisions. My mind said that this morning but I'm eating popcorn for supper between a chiropractic appointment and choir practice as we speak, so maybe my mind needs to pump up the volume.

I know I can't completely fight this "transition" time in life, but darned if I'm not gonna try. I'm sure there's no magic cures, but thankfully there's a handful of people or so that love me as I am. 

I just have convince myself that my self-worth isn't dependent on whether a Reeses's pumpkin or Christmas tree makes an appearance in my daily choices. Maybe I'm just that sweet! 

Wish me luck in NO-vember!  

Trifle Tuesday :: Candy Cane Kiss Bliss

With family and work holiday parties in full swing, it's not too late to play the potluck hero. This is how I cobbled together some Candy Cane Kiss Trifle Bliss for today's team Secret Santa exchange party. 

Bottom layer is what I'll call chocolate peppermint cake:

• Mix 2 cups milk and 1 tsp. peppermint extract with white chocolate pudding mix
• Fold in a chocolate cake mix (dry) and stir about 50 times.
• Place in bottom of greased 9 x 13 pan.
• Layer one bag of peppermint chips on top.
• Bake at 350 about 20-25 minutes.

Next layer is white chocolate pudding colored red with food coloring.

Next layer is crushed peppermint bark. I had a devil of a time breaking it apart with my rolling pin. Ended up pounding it quite a bit with the end of the roller! Might opt for something different next time. Not sure what.

Added a thin layer of Cool Whip then repeated.

Top is garnished with Hershey's Candy Cane kisses. I also used my cheese grater to grate a kiss to add pretty peppermint shavings on top. You know me, putz, putz, putz!

It was soooo yummy. I could have eaten the whole bowl full. A sure crowd pleaser this season so go for it! Good luck and happy holi-graze!

Side note: If you're local, the only store I found white chocolate pudding at was Baker St. IGA (none at Pick and Save or Walmart, just FYI).

Some Bunny Was Lazy

This is the extent of the work the Easter Bunny has to do around here this year. Carter is in Washington, D.C., for work and Mamie is back home. Hubby just happened to mention these Cadbury mini-eggs the other day. I had no idea he liked them so much. I mean the Easter Bunny probably knew. 

So after a morning photo shoot, I stopped by the grocery store to get some essentials for tomorrow's big dinner and they had some of these among their minimal Easter treat inventory. Sweet!

And yes, they are sweet as well. I put them on Jim's recliner and when he got home from his hair cut – and yes, a shave – he was happy to get a visit from the E.B. a day early. I had a few (or more) and yes, I see why he likes them.

That was about all I expended energy on today. I took a nap on the couch for some reason – totally unlike me – and passed on going to see a friend's band tonight. Gonna hit the hay and hope I am just tired because of dealing with Empty Easter Basket syndrome. 

Probably having scrambled Cadbury eggs for breakfast will re-energize me in the morning. Some bunny told me they're good for any meal!

A Trifle Busy

I feel bad that my trifle bowls (yes, I have 2) have been sequestered away in a cupboard during the pandemic as they'd done something wrong. Nope, just the world hasn't created enough opportunities to make one. Because making one requires a bit of a group gathering so we won't scarf it down ourselves.

Because, we probably would. Because, yes, they always are that good!

Today I was a trifle busy during my lunch hour whipping this together for such a gathering. Baked the cake last night and added the other layers in today. Basically, bottom layer is mint-chocolate cake with Andes mint baking chips, a layer of cheesecake pudding (colored green), topped with crushed Thin Mint cookies, then Cool Whip, and start the layers again with cake.

Yup, as good as it sounds.

Definitely had to treat it like precious cargo since it had to ride all the way to Wausau. It arrived intact and was well-received. Actually it was the perfect trade – I provided the long-awaited trifle to the game night crew and they provided the much-needed laughs I've missed this year. 

It really was a blessing to just set aside life and worries and big concerns to just eat and visit and laugh and laugh. It is the perfect medicine for the blues, that's for sure.

Even came home with just about a serving or two in the bowl. In case I want to share with the mister tomorrow. He'll have to act quickly though. I mean, who doesn't love some tasty trifle for breakfast?

SWEET dreams!

Hugs and Kisses

After years of holiday parties and bridal and baby showers in my family, I've honed my guessing-game skills. And today that paid off. In a sweet way.

How many kisses are in this jar? Make your guess before reading further. 

I was at a bridal shower brunch for Macyn, one of Carter's classmates. Being the competitive sort, I made sure to submit my guess of 333 kisses. I was only 5 off. If you guessed 338, then I guess I'll have to share with you!

Too bad I'm not back in the office yet. Will chocolate keep for 6 weeks? I've never worried about chocolate expiring before. Have you? Probably won't have to worry this time either. If hubby helps, we can each have 4 kisses a day and we're done come Labor Day. We'll see if we're up for the challenge. It's just fun to say Jim and I "share kisses" all the time! 

After getting home from the bridal shower with my chocolate kisses, we went over to our nephew's for real hugs and kisses.

Got to meet little Eli and he woke up just enough to blow Great-Aunt Robyn some kisses. Isn't he the cutest?! He was sleeping for the most part so I didn't want to disturb him. Just settled on "air" hugs and kisses for now. 

If I had to guess – and I'm good at that – I'd have to say we'll make up for it in no time! 

Lord, just keep this pandemic at bay so we can love on these kids!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! I hope you could enjoy and appreciate the miracle of Easter that Christ has risen.  

Easter reminds me that things aren't always as they seem. 

Potato salad? Nope. Sliced apples in vanilla pudding for apple Snicker salad. Christ is dead? Nope. He has risen! 

And look who else rose today. Carter got on the road from Platteville before 7 a.m. to get here for 9:30 church with me. Of course, to get here on time for church with me would have meant a 6:30 departure to get here on time. But at least he was coming.

Didn't make it to in-person church but watched the livestream on TV together. So kind of the same.

He was here less than 8 hours but we made the most of it. A lot talking and catching up, some visiting around the neighborhood, then meal delivery to Grandpa and Grandma Austin in town (still social distancing). After that, we sat down to our own meal at home.

Yes, I made Easter dinner and yes, I did choose all the easy foods: mainly ham, crockpot cheesy potatoes, and that apple-Snicker salad. 

Happy to send plenty back with him. Also sent back a basket for his girlfriend, who spent Easter with her family. I'm proud of myself for not stealing too many of their peanut butter eggs while filling the baskets! (They'll never know!)

Since the weather was gorgeous again – at least 73 – I walked around the lake after Carter left. Felt like a real spring evening. Even heard the early peepers! 

All this fresh air this weekend has been amazing. I should feel springy and rejuvenated but instead am ready for bed, know I will sleep like a log, and don't even want to think about an alarm.

Hope you had a joyous Easter weekend as well!

Tis the Season

I honestly had some legit grocery shopping to do after work today. I had to get a few things for a little baking on tap this weekend and a few essentials like deodorant – you'll thank me later. Luckily I took a picture of my list on the fridge, because I got easily distracted the minute I walked into the store.

Seriously. Already? I guess Valentine's Day is over so we move onto Easter but dang, just two days into Lent and I'm having a hard time remembering I was going to focus on making healthy choices. There are so many unhealthy choices in those 3 boxes! 

But oh, so yummy!

Why are the Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs so much better than the regular peanut butter cups – miniature or otherwise – and those shaped like pumpkins and Christmas trees?! I do not know. But I do know I'm not alone on this. Here's a few funnies I'd bet most of you can identify with...

Super breakfast with lots of protein, if you ask me!

I'll give you a free pass if you have peanut allergies, of course.

You know it! I help the Easter bunny fill the baskets to ensure we have plenty of "leftovers."

And in this ongoing pandemic... 

That last one alone should give me a free pass. But I don't need one. Yet. Today, I resisted. No special treats of any kind. Even though I walked past the ice cream case a few times. Somehow resisted that, too. This doesn't sound like me at all. I should probably get tested for that virus that gives you Will Power.

Pretty sure it won't last in my system as long 40 days. Any time I've suffered a bout of Will Power before, it's usually been short-lived and always quite unsatisfactory. And in the end, all I can hear is the clock ticking...

Good luck this season! Be careful, avoid viruses, and have sweet, sweet dreams!

It's 5 Oh Cat Somewhere

The Badgers Basketball team is driving Sylvester to drink. And now I have proof. 

She rarely drinks anything other than the water in her food dish. We haven't seen her do this unladylike behavior in awhile – not since she was on her chocolate milk kick for a few days last fall. But she got curious again and just plopped her nose in Jim's glass like she was bobbing for apples. She's a smart kitty and knows that the Badgers cup always holds the good stuff.

That would be milk, not beer.

She may change her tune the longer we watch Wisconsin play tonight. Should have been an easy win over Rutgers. But it's tied with over 8 minutes left. 

We also were watching the Assumptions boys via live stream earlier and there were getting handled by Auburndale. That might be putting it too gently. Just not a stellar night for hoops.

Pass that glass, Sly. I could use a shot of chocolate milk about now.