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PB&J Bars {recipe}

I’ve always been a fan of peanut butter. I could eat it straight out of the jar, with apple slices, in a pie, on a gooey-gobbler, but I’m pretty sure this recipe takes the cake.

If you’re a pb fan, make this recipe and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

PB&J Bars 

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Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2c raspberry jam
1/2c fresh raspberries, mashed
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1c crunchy peanut butter

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish. Line with parchment paper.

Combine the jam and raspberries in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder.

Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add the peanut butter and beat until combined.

Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Press half the dough into the prepared dish. Top with the raspberry mixture. Add the other half of the dough on top.

Bake until the top is golden brown, 35-40 minutes.

Cool in the dish for 30 minutes, then cut into squares.

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Tip: Enjoy with vanilla ice cream for dessert or eat for breakfast – it has fruit and pb so it’s totally okay!
xo

You might also enjoy: {Almost} Better Than Sex Cake, Oreo Brownie Delight

The Power of One – The Warm Heart Co.

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Remember how I said I was reading a book called The Power of One? It’s an inspirational story about how one person can make a difference. Well, I’m now seeing in my own life just how true that can be.

One of my oldest friends, Danielle, is one person making a difference in children’s lives in Malawi.

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San Diego, California 2005

About Malawi:

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa, bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. The estimated population is 14.9M. The country is also nicknamed “The Warm Heart of Africa”.

Malawi is among the world’s least-developed countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although this need (and the aid offered) has decreased since 2000. The Malawian government faces challenges in building and expanding the economy, improving education, health care, environmental protection, and becoming financially independent.

Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is a drain on the labour force and government expenditures. There is a diverse population of native peoples, Asians and Europeans, with several languages spoken and an array of religious beliefs.

About The Warm Heart Company:

Danielle has visited Malawi twice and in her words “it seriously rocked my world. I see everything different and left a piece of my heart over there! I sponsor 3 little girls through Children of the Nations, and I am so incredibly in love with them that I cannot even put it into words.”

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She started The Warm Heart Company on Etsy selling men and women’s t-shirts. Currently, 75% of the proceeds will go to sponsoring her 3 girls in Malawi, but she hopes she can eventually support other opportunities in the country, including The Thatch 210 Project, which is re-roofing huts in the Malawi.

From my personal opinion (and husband agrees), the shirts are AWESOME, and more designs are coming.

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photo 29Please please support this terrific cause and my dear friend by purchasing a t-shirt and sharing with others.

Purchase on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWarmHeart
Follow on Instagram: @thewarmheartco

xo

Happy 1st Birthday, Olli!

I can’t believe our baby boy is a year old today. He’s just as crazy and just as cute as we he was when we picked him up last November.

In honor of his birthday, I’m sharing my favorite photos of him throughout the year. It’s amazing how many puppy photos I’ve taken. Lord only know what it will be like when we have kids.

November{November: the first night}

Decmeber{December: the first family photo}

539750_1856577607186_566937347_n{January: the playdate}

February{February: the Saturday morning}

March{March: the mommy/son}

April{April: the profile pic}

IMG_5065{May: the wake up call}

June{June: the haircut}

July{July: the playful one}

August{August: the birthday boy}

xo

You might also enjoy: puppy love, Olli’s first puppy shoot

NWA Brew Hop

Saturday night we had an adventure.

We set off with another couple to go Northwest Arkansas brewery hopping. You might be as surprised as I was to learn just how many craft breweries there are in the area. We went to 4 and there were 4 more we wanted to go to, so of course there’s already a brew hop round 2 in the works.

Here’s my review of the night and the brews!

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Our beautiful drinking buddies for the evening

Core Brewing and Distilling Co: A little sketchy, very small (though they’re expanding), located behind Northwest Arkansas Newspapers in Springdale. Not our favorite beer overall, but you can get a lot for cheap. A flight of everything currently on top (7-8 beers) for $6.

Favorite Brew: Raspberry Ale

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Saddlebock Brewery: Awesome place, out in the middle of nowhere Arkansas, with a fantastic two-story deck to sit outside. Overall, best brews.

Favorite Brew: Arkansas Farmhouse**

**also winner of favorite brew of the night

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Apple Blossom Brewing Co: Newest of the four and favorite atmosphere, indoor/outdoor seating and restaurant, unique decor. Along with our brews we also had amazing (and huge!) fried pickles and alfredo fries.

Favorite Brew: Gris Cast Wheat

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West Mountain Brewing Company: Best thing about this place? It also has pizza and really really good pizza at that. In all honesty, we didn’t even drink at this one. All we wanted was pizza and a bed.

Next time on the tour: Tanglewood, Fossil Cove, Hog Haus, Brewskis

xo

Book Reviews: From Gossip Girl to South Africa

Screen Shot 2013-08-01 at 5.47.11 PMReconstructing Amelia – Remember when I wrote about wanting to read this book last time? Gossip Girl meets Gone Girl – and it did not disappoint. Though it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat quite as much as Gone Girl and it wasn’t nearly as chic & conniving as Gossip Girl, it was somewhere happily in the middle and kept me thoroughly entertained.
Grade: A-

Don’t Worry, It Gets Worse – One TwentySomething’s (Mostly Failed) Attempts at Adulthood – Fact about me: If I’m not completely engaged in a book, I won’t finish it. I just feel like it’s such a waste of my time if I’m not really enjoying what I’m reading.  All that to say, I did not finish this book. Maybe I had too high of hopes, thinking it was going to be the next Mindy Kaling or Tina Fey book (both of which I adored). It does have some similarities and I definitely could relate to some of it, but it was too long-winded with not quite enough wit to keep me reading. If you’re interested, stick with her blog: The Frenemy, but save your time with the book. {Though I did blog about her Advice for TwentySomethings, Post-College, which you should read}
Grade: N/A*

Soul Detox – I’m reading this book with a group of women at work and so far it has been amazing. The book examines the toxins that assault us daily including: toxic influences, toxic emotions, and toxic behaviors. It really forces you to dig deep and examine the toxins you personally deal with, how to deal with them and how to remain clean, pure and focused on God. Our group has had great conversation so far around the book and I’m looking forward to continuing it.
Grade: N/A*

The Power of One – This is next on my list and I hope to start it soon. Husband actually got this book as a gift for his birthday, but I’m stealing it while he’s reading Game of Thrones. In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams–which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the power of one. I love inspirational stories and I have a heart for South Africa, so I’m pretty excited. Review to come next time.

*didn’t finish book

* * *

I’m headed off to Dallas for a few days for work {and a little play}. See you in a few! xo

You might also enjoy: “I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”, Mindy, Facebook + The Dinner

life lately

photo 24{enjoying // this lovable guy}

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photo 26{celebrating & celebrating // this one’s golden birthday}

photo 27{remembering // an awesome wedding through this awesome photo}

parks-and-recreation-11{getting addicted // to this show}

Also, baking this deliciousness and enjoying this weekend with family.

xo

Good ol’ spaghetti {recipe}

Last night I had a really weird craving – spaghetti with a really good meat sauce. I’m not a big spaghetti eater. I’d typically rather have a light pasta with veggies and pesto. But for some reason last night was the exception. I also happened to be in a cooking mood, again – rare, so I found a recipe and whipped it up.

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Ingredients:

1lb ground turkey
3 -4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
3 teaspoons fresh basil
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/4 cup red wine (a good Cabernet!)
1 lb thin spaghetti
parmesan cheese

Directions:

In large, heavy stockpot, brown ground turkey.
Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water.
Add basil, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
Stir well and barely bring to a boil.
Stir in red wine.
Simmer on low, stirring frequently for at least an hour. A longer simmer makes for a better sauce, just be careful not to let it burn!
Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
Spoon sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Serve with texas toast and a glass of that Cab!

xo

You might also enjoy: Linguine with Summer Vegetables + Goat Cheese

A List of My Favorite Lists

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I like lists. A lot.

To-do lists, grocery lists, packing lists, work lists, bucket lists, reading lists, etc.

I’ve just recently realized my fascination with lists. I like making lists because of the accomplished feeling after crossing things off the list. I like reading lists because of the organizing principle. I like going into something knowing exactly how long I’ll be reading.

I’ve written quite a few blog post lists: 10 Truths About Aquarians {aka me}, 10 Favorite High School Memories, 10 Teensy Things That Make Me Happy, Top 10 Movies of 2012, 10 Things I Want to Do in NYC, Thanks to Pop Culture, My Week in To-Do’s, The Book List, 15 Truths I’ve Learned from 15-Year-Olds

(It also seems like I like an even number of 10 … )

And I’ve shared a few Thought Catalog lists: 32 Things You Should Stop Caring About, 10 Greatest Quotes About Women, 42 Life Lessons from Mean Girls

And now my latest obsession, as you know, is Buzzfeed. So sharing a few of their lists as well: 21 Kids Who Will Definitely Change the World Someday, 26 Struggles of Being a Social Media Addict, 26 Perfect Responses to Ridiculous Facebook Posts

Anyway, now you know a fun fact about me. And if you want to know more, there’s a list for that. {10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me, but Should}

 xo

Weekend Picturebook: Little Rock

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{T-Dub, aka Theo Wiley, is the cutest}

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{lunch + shopping at The Promenade at Chenal}

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{lounging with family + pups}

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{sushi at RJ Tao}

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{SO glad we got to spend time with this guy}

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{had to stop by for a whatta-burger on the way home}
xo

You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Kansas City, Weekend Picturebook: Las Vegas

the golden birthday boy.

golden birthday: the birthday when you turn the same age as your birthdate

This year is Husband’s golden birthday, turning 26 on the 26th (which will be my golden birthday too in a couple years!) So I decided to do something a little fun and asked everyone to bring something gold to his birthday dinner.

As husband said at the end of the night, “Birthdays are so much more fun with a theme.” Agreed.

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{golden Batman pinata = awesome}

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{gold on gold on gold}

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{love}

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{gold shot of tequila, of course}

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{golden bros}

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Happy Birthday, Husband! I love you to the moon and back.
I hope you have as much fun as below on your birthday. xo