Life In The Way & Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

I’ve been hearing from many of you about how long it’s been since I posted anything. First of all, I appreciate being missed. You make me feel so loved. Second. I’m sorry. I was shocked to look back and realize it’s been almost 7 months. For shame for shame!! I wish I had some amazing excuse. Some reason that would be forgivable in any reasonable world – unfortunately, I do not. I suppose I could blame it on the fact that I have a son who just turned three, and the past few months have felt particularly draining with him. But, my little man is (mostly) remarkably well-behaved and I only think he’s trouble until I hang around other three-year-olds.  Reality check! He’s really quite delightful. I really don’t feel right blaming him. I don’t have any debilitating ailments or horror stories of massive trauma in my life (thank you Lord for that!). Basically, life has just gotten the better of me. Do you ever feel that way? Like it’s a chore to just get through each day? That adding anything beyond keeping your children breathing and out of the ER is too much to ask? Well, that’s been my state of mind for a while. Can’t pinpoint exactly why. Just, life.

It’s not even that I’ve been baking and not sharing the pleasure with all of you. I really haven’t done much of any kind of deliciousness for the past 6 months or so. I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s really true. I’ve eased back into baking in the past couple weeks because Christmas is coming and I always give out plates of goodies to my neighbors. Even my lazy-non-baking-do-nothing self can’t let that tradition go. I used to help my mom deliver trays of awesome to the neighborhood when I was a child and it’s one of my most cherished memories. So, here it goes. I’m going to get back to blogging. And baking. I suppose I should do that in reverse. Bake and then blog. I’m pretty sure nobody wants to read about the mundane details of every day life. I’m really not that exciting.

So, here’s a little recipe for you. One of my favorites. I use a melon baller to get uniform sized balls. Also, a little peanut butter in a Ziploc with the corner snipped to drizzle takes these from delicious but not exactly amazing looking to the “these-cannot-be-homemade-because-they’re-so-pretty!” level.

1 cup peanut butter
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal (rice crispies)
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (or semisweet)
4 teaspoons shortening

1. In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and marshmallow creme. I like to nuke the creme for about 10 seconds. Makes it easier to stir.
2. Add cereal and stir until well coated. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until chips are almost all melted. Stir to melt final few chips.
3. Roll cereal mixture into 1 inch balls, dip in chocolate. Place on waxed paper-lined pan. Refrigerate until set.