AfricanKelli

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New Year’s Eve dinner party success, even if we did have to watch the ball drop on my computer in lieu of TV.

Happy 2012, y’all. May this year knock our socks off with joy and blessings!
~K

I traveled early to Phoenix for the holidays to see Kim graduate from nursing school. And the girl didn’t disappoint. In fact, she was one of a few in her class honored, and the only one to receive a leadership award.

Needless to say, her fan club went bananas crazy with pride, including ringing a cowbell. She had rows of people screaming like mad for her and every yelp was well deserved.

Because if you are going to have a nurse in the family, let it be a super smart one who can lead!

And then, because this is Adam and Kim, after way too much pizza and libations — we bowled:

Yep. She’s even gorgeous bowling. Smart and gorgeous. I know. 

So damn proud of her!

~K

Nelson wanted to get into the spirit this year, whipping up some easy dog cookies for his friends in the neighborhood:

His peanut butter dog treat recipe was super simple to bake.

He even stamped them with a tiny paw stamp — although it isn’t so easy to see.

I’m pretty sure his friends next door would have preferred tiny barrels of bourbon in this chilly weather. Next year.

When he isn’t chasing squirrels (who could just hibernate already. Please.), sniffing butts at the park, or being attacked by mean dogs with stupid owners, he’s watching me run around like a Christmas crafting maniac baking.

~K

Taking a bit of a break to head home to Phoenix for a few days with loved ones.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

xo,

Kelli

What’s that? You are going to a Cosby sweater holiday party with your bestie BJ and you don’t have anything to take to the potluck? Looking around the kitchen you notice way, way too many left over pretzel pieces from your other holiday exploits. And so the conversation goes a bit like this:

“Hmmm. I need to bring a dessert. I’ve got pretzels. I love brownies. Safe to say, nothing bad can come of this.”

In fact, these were rather delicious. For those who enjoy the sweet and salty combination, I’d go so far as saying they were a delight. An easy chicken fried rice, goulash, gumbo, kitchen left-overs inspired dessert:

Pretzel Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients:

2 cups broken pretzel pieces

1 cup peanut butter, warm + melty

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoon cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt (Sprinkle the top with kosher salt for a kick when you pull it out of the oven)

1 cup unsalted butter

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups of dark chocolate chips, melty

1 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

6 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter/spray a casserole dish. Place pretzel pieces at bottom of dish. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon. Melt butter. Add chocolate chips and peanut butter until mixed well. Slowly add sugars and mix until no longer grainy. In a third bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and stir just until combined. Add chocolate mixture. Pour batter over pretzels. Bake for 40-45 minutes. These are better under vs. over cooked, so be mindful of checking them every few minutes after 35 minutes. Let cool. Enjoy!

{But of course, the real winner of a dessert at the Cosby party were the pudding pop shots. Wowzers!}

~K