Saucy.

Trying to be good.  Trying to be fit.  Trying desperately to finally lose those last few pounds.  I dragged myself to the gym after work.

And let me tell you something.  I crushed it.  I spinned.  I spun.  I worked it as hard as I could.

Shedding my sweaty gym clothes, I headed toward the Y Center showers.  I know, I live a glamorous life, but that’s beside the point.  I glanced in the mirror.

And what did I see?  Well, I could have seen a body almost at its goal.  Nope, I missed that.  Instead, I saw something startling.  Something that made me crash back to Earth from my post-exercise high.

I saw (brace yourself) a vein that appeared to be popping out of my scalp.  Ugh, musta pushed a little too hard at the gym.

And so it goes, but I assume that the proud vein addition does not add any calories.  So vain took a hit and vein made a gain, but one more step in fitness.  So it’s a sorta win and that’s enough of a win for me.

Time for America’s favorite game, “What smells in the Mud Room?”

Stinky Abandoned Towel in the Sink, you’re our winner!  Congrats!  You win an all expenses paid trip straight to the washing machine and a lifetime exposure to Tide laundry detergent.

In front of my weary eyes, I saw a single M&M bounding across the kitchen floor, as my 8-year-old son desperately raced my furry beagle child to reach the tiny chocolate candy.

Call it what you like, but I tend to think it was a “Glimpse into Terrifying Post-Apocalyptic Days Ahead.”

Yep, if that’s the future, it ain’t pretty.

I could be wrong, but I believe the old saying goes, “The dog that threw up last night, does not get to eat table scraps today.” – Proverbs 26 (or something like that)

Sorry, Kirby the Beagle, but the Bible tells me so (or something like that).

Fashion Tip of the Day from Frumpy Middle Age Man…

Always make sure to walk around with the tag of your pants flopping all about.  Yes, scream your pant size loud and proud, all while proclaiming your overpowering dorkhood.  You can thank me later.

Oh the irony, as my kids discuss improving their race times, even as they move at a snail’s pace to get ready for the race.

I guess that the tortoise did win the race.

“We’ve caught ourselves a keeper!” 

PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES

“Still have a hankering for Peanut Butter Cups?  Well, come a little closer, because www.CookiesbyDave.com has what you need.  Enjoy!”

1/2 cup Butter

1/3 cup Peanut Butter

1/2 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1 Egg

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 1/8 cups Flour

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1 cup Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (these little bits of “mini” magic come unwrapped in a bag)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar.

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.

Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Mix in the chocolate chips and mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Drop Tablespoon sized balls of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for 8 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are lightly browned.

Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheets, before removing to cool completely on wire cooling racks.

Makes about 36 cookies.

Revised Source:  “Peanut Butter Cup Cookies” recipe on www.TasteofHome.com.

PEANUT BUTTER CUP BROWNIES

“Dig in!”

“Long time fans of www.CookiesbyDave.com (all four of you) know that I steer away from two things, mixes (I fear being viewed as lazy, although I may well be) and peanut butter (my son has an allergy), but in this case, I broke both rules with wonderous results.  You know it’s good, when multiple people compliment your dessert, without begging for attention or approval.  Hey, the people have spoken and these brownies are good.  Go for it, Peanut Butter Cup style.  Enjoy!”

16.5 ounce (or close to it) package Refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough

24 count Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

1 box (about 1 pound 2.4 ounces) Brownie mix

Additional items asked for on the Brownie mix box (such as water, vegetable oil, and eggs)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 13”x9” pan with aluminum foil (aluminum foil should hang out the ends of the pan).

Lightly coat the aluminum foil with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan.

Top with a single layer of Reese’s Peanut Butter cups.

Prepare brownie mix, as directed on the box.

Pour the brownie batter over the peanut butter cups.

Bake for 40 minutes or until the brownie topping has finished baking (a toothpick will come out clean).

Remove from oven, place on a wire cooling rack, and allow to cool for 20 minutes in the pan.

Remove brownies from the pan by using the aluminum foil to lift the brownies.

Allow to cool completely (about one hour) on a wire cooling rack.

Makes about 24 brownies.

Revised Source:  “Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough Brownies” recipe on www.Pillsbury.com.