S'mores Bars

I love to read blogs. There is a long list of blogs in my reader that I follow every day. It probably takes more of my time than it should, but I love all the craft ideas and recipes that I find. When I had several Valentine events approaching this February, I went searching for a fun yet EASY sweet I could make. This one was very easy to make and hit with all the kiddos. I ended up making it for THREE different Valentine parties.

1c. graham cracker crumbs
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. softened butter
1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
4 c. mini marshmallows
3/4 c. M&Ms
homemade chocolate syrup (or store bought, if you wish) :)

Crush graham crackers, then beat them in mixer with brown sugar, butter, flour and baking soda. (Did you know that you can crumble graham crackers in the food processor? I feel silly that I only realized that recently. I have always used a ziploc bag and a rolling pin. I just don't get out enough!)

Press mixture in the bottom of a greased 9X13 pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven and spread mini marshmallows over the crust. Bake 1-2 minutes until marshmallows puff.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Sprinkle with M&Ms.

Let cool, then cut into bars.
Try really hard not to eat them all yourself (you'll fail).

This delicious recipe was found on It's a Crafty Life.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

In these recent cooler months, I have enjoyed preparing soup for our meals. Some of my favorites have been Tortilla Soup, Spicy Potato Soup and White Chicken Chili. Recently, while perusing Pinterest, I found a recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Thanks to The Little Girl's Guide to Sugar and Spice for a new favorite soup!

The first time I made this, I discovered that it did not make enough for our family. So, I made a few adjustments to make it stretch. I think it tastes just as good and feeds us each at least two full bowls of soup.

2T butter
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2c. broccoli (about 4 small heads) cut into very small pieces (you want them to fit on a spoon)
4c. chicken stock
3c. milk
1c. flour
1 1/2c. grated cheddar cheese
Salt 
White pepper


Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add onions plus a pinch of salt/pepper. Cook until soft. Add garlic, cook for another minute. Add broccoli, cook for a minute, then add the chicken stock and cover. Allow the broth to come to a boil, and cook until the broccoli is soft.


Whisk together flour and milk until combined. Add this mixture to the pot, stirring gently. The soup will thicken and once it's thick and creamy looking, add the grated cheddar. Salt and pepper to taste.

Thanks, again to The Little Girl's Guide to Sugar and Spice for this recipe.