Autumn

Sunflowers and Monster Cookies

8:00:00 AM


When you go to bed at half past midnight and are woken up at seven in the morning because you have a roommate who decided to make use of the microwave at such an early hour, and then eat her breakfast only to fall asleep shortly after eating, immediately putting you in a grumpy mood, it's important to treat yourself a little bit.
 Last semester was cold, and Winter-y. You remember. Being my first weekend back at University, I decided to check it out. I was up already anyway...so why not?


Peppers

There was Autumn in the air, and I started to feel very excited that I can pull out my new jackets bought a few months ago, and my favorite ones as well.
I parked my car a block away, pulled my bag over my shoulder and grabbed my camera. It felt so nice having my camera with me once again, on one of many adventures. I've missed it.
The park was scattered with people of all ages and rows of vegetables, fruits and homemade goods. There were peppers, and squash and pumpkins. I love Autumn. 
Along the way I picked up a few samples of bread and dip, and good-for-you granola, which seems to becoming more popular! I love making granola, I find it quite fun! 
There were HUGE wheels of bread of all kinds! My eyes weren't that big, there would be no way one person could eat that all by themselves in one sitting, but I suppose that isn't what they're meant for! 
They did look great though! Being woken up at 7am almost, I thought it would be nice to get myself a bit of a treat, there were homemade cookies with all natural ingredients, so I picked up this Monster Cookie-cookie for $1, because you know what. I deserved it. It was delicious, soft and fresh..It's still my birthday month anyway. 
Across from the food market, there was an art market as well, where a lot of cool jewlery and tapestries were on display. I picked up some little stickers, that I'm sending off in the mail with some of the cards I'll be writing soon! As well as, a little something for my Grandma, even though her birthday isn't until November...at least I'm not shopping for Christmas yet....right? 
I kept walking by a cute bouquet of Sunflowers, having really wanted them, it was kind of an impulse buy. And by kind of, I mean it was. I don't have a vase, or any idea how to keep these flowers alive. But they're pretty to look at while they're here. 
It's always nice to treat yourself. Because who's going to buy you flowers if you've just got yourself/ anyway? Whenever I feel down I can always look at these and have a better mood. They're so bright! I love it!
Have you been to the markets lately? Are they still happening around you? What is your favorite thing to get? 
I hope you're having a great week! 
xx
Kenzie


Bar

Favorite Cookie Bars

2:45:00 PM


Don't yell at me. I know I keep saying "I'll do more recipe posts this summer!" and I honestly have been slacking on that part. Partially because most of the recipes I've been doing aren't changed in anyway from the original and I can't just copy someone else and call it my own! 
So here's one, that I've made before, haven't posted, but changed it up a bit. 

This recipe is fairly healthy, it includes oats, brown sugar, raisins, craisins, chocolate chips and butterscotch. I said fairly healthy right? 
I love eating, and healthy desserts that don't taste overly healthy are right up my alley! 

To make this you'll need:
*1/2 cup(100g) packed brown sugar
*1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter 
*2 teaspoons vanilla 
*1 cup (127g) whole wheat flour (the first time I made this I used white flour and it works just as well!)
*1 cup (80g) oats
*1 teaspoon baking soda
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/2 cup (120mL) milk (I've used chocolate almond milk every time, and you can't really taste the chocolate but it also works!) 
*1/2 cup butterscotch
1/2 cup raisins, craisins, or chocolate chips...or all three. 

Here's what you'll need to do! 

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 8x8 baking dish with parchement paper or nonstick spray and set aside
-In medium bowl, mix brown sugar and peanut butter (I used an electric mixer) until light and fluffy. 
-Mix in vanilla
-Add in flour, oats, salt and baking soda on medium speed (if using the mixer). The dough will get thicker and a bit clumpy but don't worry! 
-Add milk, then fold in your add-ins like chocolate chips, raisins, craisins etc
-Once completely combined, here I found it just comes right off the bowl and doesn't sit on it like cookie dough would, press it lightly into 8x8 dish
-Bake about 17-20 minutes, for my oven I did about 17, as it keeps the softness inside the bars

Near the end of the bars bake time, I melted about 1/3 cup butterscotch to drizzle on top once they came out. You can use those or regular chocolate chips, the packages tell you how long it's recommended to melt them. 
-I put the butterscotch on top right away as I haven't completely mastered it and it seems to not stay hot long enough! 
Last time I truly just drizzled the butterscotch on but it came out clumpy, I decided to make the rest of the bag which turned out to be just enough to cover the entirety of the bars! They went over well both times!! 

I love this recipe, and I definitely love to make these for parties or just for the family. 
What do you like for dessert? Have you got any favorite recipes?? 
Thanks again for reading! 
xx
Kenzie



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