Luxuries: Peanut Butter Brownies

Christmas is only three days away. Are you ready?

Being the die-hard cook, baker, creator that I am, I find enjoyment in searching the internet, blogs, and magazines for the ultimate perfect foods, treats, and home-made gifts to serve during the Christmas Holidays.

Are you the same way?

Well, today I have chosen to take a break.

Three days before Christmas and you want to take a break? Are you crazy?

I chose to take today and use it as a "focus" day.

Have you ever sat back and determined what blessings you actually do have? Or do you just look past them, considering them an everyday affair?

The car you drive, the food you eat, the house you live in, and all the things that make your life easy.

The blessings I have in my life are going to be noticed (here lately, every day) today. I would like to take today and call them "luxuries".

One luxury I have is, my oldest daughter works at a frozen foods facility.

Why is that a luxury?

She brings us frozen pizza crusts, bags (big bags) of frozen pizza toppings, and sometimes the most loved pizza rolls.

Luxury #1: We are eating.

My daughter delivered two great big bags of deluxe pizza toppings that can be stored in my freezer and used for omelets, casseroles, and soups.

Deluxe pizza topping in an omelet is out of this world. I know, because we had omelets made with the topping mix just the other day.

This is our "luxury" pizza.

Luxury #2: Pantry is full.

My youngest daughter can walk into our kitchen and decide on the spot that she wants to make peanut butter brownies. All the ingredients are there for her to prepare her treat.

Luxury #3: Computers/Internet

My family also has the opportunity to use the best educational tool in the world. The internet. Where did my daughter find her peanut butter brownie recipe? Of course, the internet.

Being unemployed for over a year, this is the first Christmas I have struggled to produce my children with just one gift each.

One thing that I made sure of when my children were growing up is, they know the meaning of Christmas. They know the reason for Christmas.

Do my kids look for, or demand the most expensive gifts at Christmas time? No they don't.

Does it pain me to not be able to produce mounds of gifts for my children and grandchildren? Yes it does.

My unemployment has been a wake-up call for me. Did I take advantage of the blessings (luxuries) that came easy before my unemployment? I sure did.

Did I neglect to allow God in my life? Yes I did.

Do I have a leader now? Yes I do.

Is it too late? No it's not (never).

When the day arrives where my blessings (luxuries) come easy again, will I take advantage of those blessings? I will not.

Thank you for taking the time to count my blessings (luxuries) with me.

Are you now counting yours?

Peanut Butter Brownies

1 c. butter

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. creamy peanut butter

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 10 x 15 inch jellyroll pan with foil.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and peanut butter until smooth. Combine the flour and baking powder, then stir into the peanut butter mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Spread the dough out flat on the prepared pan.

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes (my daughter's took close to 25 minutes), or until the top looks dry. Cool in pan, then cut into squares.

Good Luck~Happy Eating~Enjoy

"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise." Prov. 21:20