peskypippi.comBecause I have a lot to say…

Wondering what to do with all of that extra Halloween candy? What? You ate it all? If you did, this recipe is not for you.

But if your kids’ Halloween candy loot is still plentiful, rummage through and grab about 20 “fun size” Snickers, 3 Musketeers, and Milky Ways. Chop them up into little pieces and set aside. (By the way, why do they call them fun size anyway? You eat them in two bites and then bam, the party is over.)

Now you’re ready to rock Pippi’s Positively Pleasant Halloween Candy Cookie Recipe. (Say that three times. Now, say it three times with a mouthful of Snickers. Not so easy, is it?)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened butter
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• 2 ½ cups flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• about 16-20 miniature candy bars chopped up

Note: You can certainly use more candy bars if you like to nibble when food-prepping. J

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugars, vanilla, eggs
• In another bowl, mix together dry ingredients
• Combine the wet and dry ingredients
• Mix in the chopped-up candy
• Plop spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheet
• Bake for about 8-9 minutes. Take out before you think they look done and allow to cool. Otherwise, you will burn the crap out of your tongue and that is never a good thing.

Oh, and don’t go on Facebook or Twitter while you are baking, as you will likely burn a tray or two. Like I did. Just now.

Calorie count? Well, consider this. You are combining candy + cookies. Sometimes it’s just best not to know.

Sarophilus harrisii. That’s Tasmanian devil to you. “The Tasmanian devil is capable of surprising speed and endurance, and can climb trees and swim across rivers.”

We have been Tasmanian devils these past two months since school started in September. Today is the first Saturday in eight weeks where we have no soccer games or football games to shuttle the kids to, coach, or support. My husband and my conversations on Friday night have gone something like this:

“OK, let’s take two cars. You take X and I’ll take Y. Then Z can get a ride with W. Then you can watch X’s game and I’ll watch Y, but I’ll need to leave early so that I can go to Z’s game. So can you pick up Y and go to W’s game and I’ll pick up X?”

I am not complaining. Just a little sleepy.

My husband and I signed our kids up for sports and we support them 100%. The parents that do over complain about “I am so busy…”

Two words for you: buck up. Make it work. Parenting is busy. We know this. Our rule is that each child has one activity at a time. And that is enough.

I have also come to the realization that with three kids–and it’s been a little tough to accept–well, you just can’t attend every game, every Saturday. Especially when games are scheduled at the same time. And they are across town from each other. I have learned that you can’t feel guilty about it. Tasmanian devils have not been cloned yet. Until then, I am fortunate that my husband and I can split up on Saturday mornings to root on and support someone. And we have wonderful grandparents that live nearby and who make good cheerleaders too. It’s a good idea to become friends with other parents on your child’s team because we were also blessed with the magic of carpooling.

Fortunately, we Tasmanian devils are fast and have good endurance. And like all Tasmanian devils, we need a rest. So, finally. A sleep-in Saturday. Or so I thought.

Too bad we decided to feed our dog, Lucy, an abundance of turkey leftovers last night. So at 7:00 a.m. this morning, I awoke to a whining dog begging me to let her out. Because she had a case of the runs.