insert dramatic murder mystery dinner gasp here

This weekend, Bob and I participated in something we had never done before...

Duh, duh, dum...

A Murder Myster Dinner!

(Insert dramatic murder mystery dinner gasp here! )

We joined Katie and Jon, and Leigh and Scott for dinner and a "show" at Chaffin's Barn in Bellevue. The dinner wasn't anything to write home about, but I think we all enjoyed the mystery.

The murder occurred at a wedding and the guests were all, well, how do I say this nicely...redneck. We were encouraged to wear costumes.

Meet Prissy Dorite. I fell in love with the groom. Shhh, don't tell. I was tricked drafted into being a part of the show.

 

We were given a book of clues. Here are Katie and Jon studying intently. 

Bob wore his best redneck attire.

 

Prissy and her "assistant" LiLi. Thanks for getting into it with me, LKL!

 

It was a classic case of "Whodunnit?"

It wasn't Prissy, although she did earn the Best Actress Award! I'd like to thank the Academy...just kidding, I have no idea on what planet I could win best actress, but you better believe it's proudly displayed on our refrigerator!

baking...check!

After the baking bug hit last week, I knew I had to get in the kitchen and make something sweet!

Brownies were my poison of choice, and after the reaction I got from my husband when he saw this picture...

Courtesy

...I knew I had a winner.

One word. Rich. Yummy. Delicious. Amazing. I can't narrow it down!

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Recipe adapted from Nestle’s Very Best Baking

Makes 40 brownies as adapted

1 box of your favorite brownie mix
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease 40 mini-muffin cups.

Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed. Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups (about 1 heaping teaspoon). Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into center comes out slightly wet. After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centers to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still warm spoon about half a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.

A few notes...

- My centers never "fell", so I used the backside of a measuring spoon to push them in. 

- Definitely let them cool in the pan. The ones that I took out early (I couldn't wait!) crumbled.
- I would definitely do the "mini" muffins - they were really rich and I think a full muffin size would have been too much. 

This recipe's a keeper. Try it, you'll love it.

all i want to do is bake, bake, bake

Thanks to Pinterest, all I want to do is bake right now! Really, I need to thank my friend Whitney for all her delicious pinnings, but I'm afraid my waistline won't be thankful in a few weeks!

Peanut butter? Brownies? Yes, please.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Courtesy

S'more Cookies. Um, yum. Courtesy

Banana Pudding Pie Courtesy

And this just looks like a heart attack. But I wouldn't turn down a helping!

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie 'n Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar Courtesy

And, OMG, Petit Fours! I saw them on a blog I read and now I. Must. Eat. Them. Not that I'd be able to bake these though! I'm going to have to hit up a bakery one day soon. Lunch buddies, any takers? ;)

Look at the pretties! Martha Stewart, of course.

Are y'all hungry now?
Thought so.
You're welcome.

a weekend at the lake

Guess who took his very first trip to the lake this past weekend?

This little guy!

 

Who wouldn't be excited to put on a life jacket and ride a little boat to potty on the shore?

Getting all suited up alongside Cousins Murphy and Bailey.

Murphy - waiting patiently for his turn..

Feeling the wind in their hair as Dad/Uncle Bob and Grandpa/Dad steer the boat after an exciting trip to the big potty in the woods.

And, just cause he's so darn cute...this is where Murphy thinks he belongs after the day is over

loaded question

Well...gulp...it's happened.

Seeing as two complete strangers have now commented on my rapidly expanding mid-section, I guess I'm due for a belly pic. I'm not going to lie, as much as I wanted to get past the "is she pregnant or just fat?" part, it's pretty unnerving for random people to just assume. Especially since I still just feel fat.

So here she is...

17 weeks, 1 day

And, for the curious, here are how said conversations transpired.

Random Comment #1:

The Scene: Val and Shannon minding their own business, riding up the elevator after eating a normal-sized lunch, obviously relaxed (i.e. Val not sucking in).

Random Middle-Aged Woman #1: Awww, someone has a bun growing in their belly.

Val: Uhhhh, ehhhh. (Nervous laughter.)

Random Comment #2:

The Scene: Val walking solo downtown yesterday during lunch to run an errand. Not really paying attention, just trying to avoid hitting oncoming pedestrians on the sidewalk, probably looking at my phone.

Random Middle-Aged Woman #2 Wearing Dress Clothes and Sneakers: Wooeee, looking good, Mama!

Val: Uhhhh, ehhhh. (Thinking, Is she talking to me? and trying not to face-plant on the sidewalk.)

Clearly I don't recover well.

Seriously, though. I'm not that big yet. What ever happened to not asking or making a comment unless you were sure someone was pregnant?