Peanut Butter Lovers Blondies

August 18, 2021August 17, 2021 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

We had a few rainy days in Cleveland last week, and B was busy, which meant that I was trying to find ways to entertain 3 (!) kids inside our house. One of the things that we all love to do – well, except for GM, but we’ll find out about that soon enough! – is bake. And luckily, I’d been dreaming up these bars for a while, so when we had one rainy day and I asked the kids if they wanted to bake (and they said yes!), I knew exactly what we’d make.

I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Especially when there’s not TOO much chocolate involved. Which is probably why I love Reese’s peanut butter cups and pieces. Thus, this recipe.

This recipe uses my standard blondie recipe, plus a few additional add-ins to make it perfect for peanut butter lovers! If you wanted to use a peanut butter cookie base, you could make this EXTRA peanut buttery! But this is perfect if you want a chocolate chip cookie with some added peanut butter candy.

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Running, Reading and Eating — What We’ve Been Up To Lately

February 24, 2019February 26, 2019 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 3 Comments

If I had to sum up my life lately, it’d be as follows: running, working, eating, (somewhat) sleeping. And then do it all over again.

Yup, that’s pretty much what we’ve been up to lately. But in case you want to see some pictures, here you go:

I recently finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It was so good! I have never read it before but it was our book club book for this week and I really, really liked it.

A coworker and friend took me out for a belated birthday lunch. I LOVE Lebanese food and this cauliflower was amazing.

We’ve been trying to get outside as much as possible. It was chilly on and off this past week, but we did get outside a few times.

Smiles with this girl ❤ She’s fighting a double ear infection but doing alright.

And this guy of course, too.

I also got to go to an amazing blogger tea party. Crystal from Eat*Drink*Cleveland hosted several bloggers last weekend for an AMAZING meal.

She also had this gorgeous tea. Look at that flower!

And she made us cauliflower soup in her Vitamix. I need the recipe; it was SO good!

And of course, there were treats. In addition to tiny tea sandwiches and deviled eggs, there were macarons. Mine was so so good.

What else have we been up to? This weekend we walked to Luna and enjoyed breakfast. FW is loving croissants.

B also made us pizza.

We hung out with Celia and Maura.

And went to the rainforest!

Oh, and of course I’ve been running! The weather has been hit or miss lately- cold and icy in the beginning of the week and then finally it cleared up yesterday and I got outside for a few miles.

And in other running news – my half marathon training starts this week! Today was supposed to be cross-training (or rest) and I actually took it pretty easy. We were supposed to go for a hike with the kids, but it ended up being really windy and rainy so we didn’t get to go. But tomorrow is 3 miles – here’s to hoping that the kids sleep well so I can actually get up and run!

Some questions for you:

Have you read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
Are you in a book club?
What does your training look like right now?

I’m linking up with the weekly wrap.

A Semi Girls Weekend

March 25, 2018March 25, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

Hooray for the weekend! After a semi-stressful week, we were all excited when Friday came around.

Friday night started off with some time outside– I am loving how late it is staying light now! Then, pizza for B. FW even had a few bites of a mushroom garlic slice!

No pizza for me, though, because I had other dinner plans. My bff for nearly 20 years, Jane was coming into town! After I picked her up from the airport, we headed out to dinner.

We ended up at Felice, a really cute restaurant nearby. It’s in an old house, so each room is unique and cozy. The food was really good – we split the Brussels s sprouts appetizer and then got the polenta and jackfruit tostones entrees.

Saturday also included some great food. We started the day with breakfast at Luna.

And then some shopping and pedis! We even ended up picking matching colors.

The day included some more girlyness – sheet masks in the evening. We look frightening.

While Jane and I hung out, B took FW to hang out his friend Celia and they went to an Easter egg hunt! I’m bummed I didn’t get to join him on his first hunt, but it looked like they had a good time.

Jane and I decided to stay in for dinner Saturday, and enjoyed it courtesy of B. We started with some Old Brooklyn Cheese Company deliciousness.

And B made us some homemade pasta with homemade pesto, potatoes and green beans. It was really good.

We hung in Saturday night and watched some Netflix before passing out. Yes, we’re pretty exciting like that 🙂

Sunday started with some DELICIOUS brunch. I’ve never been to Fire before, and it had been recommended by tons of people, so we decided to try it out. It did NOT disappoint! I got the vanilla French toast and it was so so so good.

After brunch and a short walk, we were all pretty pooped. Including FW, who fell asleep on me while Jane took a nap on the couch. I can’t remember the last time he fell asleep on me, so even though I was trapped for a good hour without my book, I was relatively content.

After nap time, it was pretty much time to take Jane to the airport. FW came along for the ride and enjoyed watching the planes fly before we headed over to B’s family’s house for dinner. No pictures from there, but we had some delicious lasagna and a Girl Scout cookies for dessert.

Some questions for you:

Do you typically go sweet or savory for brunch?
What’s your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Keeping Warm in the Burbs

January 7, 2018January 7, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 9 Comments

It was another COLD weekend here in Cleveland. The temps were highs in the single digits, with windchills making it much much colder. It made it hard to want to go outside, but as you can imagine, with an 18-month-old energetic boy, staying inside all weekend is not an option.

Some highlights from the past few days:

FW had his 18-month checkup. He’s still a little guy, but everything looks a-okay. Plus his doctor’s office is decorated with jungle animals, which he quite enjoys!

FW and B made breakfast over the weekend! Scrambled eggs and some local nitrate-free bacon from a local butcher.

It was delicious!

We stayed bundled up inside and outside.

And even ventured out to Ohio City for lunch and a trip to the Market.

Jambalaya soup for me 🙂

A few minutes in the snow.

Then it was back inside for some baking. FW likes these muffins and they’re pretty healthy – they’re spinach and banana.

Yes, FW likes these – a fistful in his mouth!

I also made some almond butter. We had been running low and spending time indoors gave me some time to do so.

I took Saturday off from exercise, but I did get a few miles – inside – on Sunday. It “warmed up” but was still “feels like -1” with winds 15 mph and higher, so I decided to stay inside. I am so so so grateful for my treadmill – I’ve been getting in many miles this week with it!

Also, while staying inside this weekend, B and I got up to speed on Game of Thrones. OMG … I can’t believe I will have to wait until 2019 for the next (and final!) season to come out.

So now we wait.

Some questions for you:

Do you watch Game of Thrones?
Were you stuck inside this weekend?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

December 10, 2017December 10, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

I can’t believe how fast December is flying by – and I don’t mind it one bit! I love the holidays and with each day that passes, we are one day closer to going home and seeing my family for the holidays.

This weekend I started feeling in the holiday spirit – mainly because it included some COLD weather, baking and gingerbread house making!

I started off the weekend and made this graham cracker toffee from Two Peas and their Pod and she’s right – it’a addicting!

Before the flurries hit us, I also got in a run this view. I feel lucky to live so close to a path that runs along some lakes.

Saturday included a LOT of errands. We went to Target to do some holiday shopping for our adopt a family, Old Navy for some more adopt a family (and FW) shopping, Home Depot and then out to lunch. It had been a while since I went to Boaz and I still love their bowls!

That afternoon, we made some sauce and then B made homemade pizza. We bought some all beef pepperoni at a local butcher shop and OMG it is so good. What a difference it makes.

That night, B and I also caught up on some Game of Thrones (we are lost done with the season!) after FW went to bed. I never would’ve thought I would like the show – but I really do enjoy it too much!

Sunday was our Ladies Craft Beer Society holiday brunch! Nicole hosted and we made gingerbread houses. FW got to hang out with some of his other baby friends and semi help make the gingerbread house … can that be my excuse as to why it doesn’t look so great? 😉

The rest of the day included a little walk and playing in the “snow” we had gotten (just a dusting from Winter Storm Benji) before dinner with B’s family.

We had brownie sundaes for dessert. I strongly believe that it is never too cold for ice cream.

Some questions for you:

Did you get any snow this weekend?
What’s your favorite dessert?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Another Rainy Weekend in the Burbs

November 5, 2017November 5, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 1 Comment

It was another rainy weekend here in Cleveland. But we made the most of it and didn’t even stay inside the whole time! After what felt like a long week, B and I decided to go out to dinner Friday night. We took FW to Tommy’s, a local restaurant known for their vegetarian food, meat pies AND milkshakes (I know, funny combo … but I guess it works).

I had a tempeh burger and fries (super large platter of fries not pictured).

We of course had to get one of their famous milkshakes. B and I split the amazing mocha shake. I’m not usually a milkshake lover, but this one was amazing. FW ha a sip and loved it- we had to pull it away from him!

Saturday morning we decided to out for a family run with the Bob. We picked up our niece and went for a run around the lakes.

In the afternoon, FW managed to only take a 15 minute nap — butI had plans to make brownies, so that’s what I did. They came out super chocolatey.

We brought the brownies over to Dave and Anson’s house – they just had their second baby, a beautiful girl, Mara! It’s crazy how big FW looks compared to a newborn.

That night, we grabbed takeout at one of our favorite Little Italy places, Valentino’s. I’m a fan of their pizza.

And after putting FW to bed, it was time to FINALLY watch some Stranger Things!

Sunday morning FW slept in again (until like 7:30), which was amazing. We started off the day with some French toast, made by B!

After breakfast, B got busy on some housework and FW and I went out for a run. He passed out just as we returned home, so we decided to go for a walk in the rain to Stone Oven to pick up a loaf of their bread.

When we got back, FW got to help B with some of the housework.

After running some errands, it was time to watch the NYC Marathon!

Watching Shalane win was amazing. I may have teared up when she crossed the finish. Such a great race to watch and such a great finish! And of course, Meb. Can you tell I love the race? It was a great end to my weekend!

Some questions for you:

Did you watch the NYC Marathon?
What’s your favorite dessert?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Why Can’t Weekends Last Forever?

October 22, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

Why can’t weekends last forever? But seriously – shouldn’t they be even at least a little longer? Can someone figure out a way to make that happen? Because some weekends – like this past one – are just pretty great.

Friday started with going out to breakfast with B and FW. We got some fruit and eggs for FW and some amazing lemon ricotta pancakes for me. FW actually ended up eating most of my pancakes – he loved them!

That night, I was in the mood for some Vietnamese food. So, after little outing to my favorite Asian grocery store (we picked up some more Vietnamese coffee and canned jackfruit), we grabbed some dinner at Superior Pho. I got some bun with an egg roll – it was amazing!

Saturday morning started off with a run with my friend Nicole. We used to run together all the time when we both lived downtown and it was great to run together. I should’ve taken a selfie of us together like I used to! Instead, just a selfie of me.

Then, there was some time to hang out with FW. Which meant a few books were read – the little guy loves reading.

That afternoon, some friends came into town and they went to B’s high school football game. FW went too (and was dressed for the part to root for Ignatius).

While they were gone, I was busy! And it was all great stuff. I watched part of a chick flick – the Holiday! It’s not quite the holiday season yet, but the movie is great all year long in my opinion.

Without a baby and husband, I made meatballs (well, sorta – B had already gotten the meat ready – I just balled them all up and cooked them ) …

I also did a bit of baking. I baked some chocolate cake and some buckeye bars.

Saturday afternoon included hanging out with some friends from out of town (unpictured) and eating said delicious meatballs.

Sunday morning started with a short walk with FW to pick up some pastries to enjoy with our out-of-town guests. FW enjoys cinnamon croissants 🙂

The day also included some housework – cleaning and raking.

That afternoon, we decided to check out a little street fair happening not to far from our house. It was fun to be able to walk to it!

We decided to stop by the local bookstore and pick up few items. Including a hedgehog book for FW!

I hope he likes hedgehogs as much as I do 🙂

The night ended with some homemade pizza. I love B’s pizza!

So yeah, it was a pretty great weekend. Can we do it all over again?

Some questions for you:

What’s your go-to Vietnamese order?
When was the last time you baked?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

My Weekend – One Sentence Per Photo

October 15, 2017October 15, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 9 Comments

Friday nights call for homemade pizza.

And cupcakes.

Saturday morning started with brunch with ladies (and avocado toast).

Afternoon walks when it is 78 degrees in the fall are the best.

Homemade pasta is my favorite.

I’m starting to enjoy runs in the burbs.

He is my new running buddy!

He likes to help paint.

Storytime before bedtime.

Some questions for you:

Did you enjoy some warm weather too this weekend?
What’s your favorite children’s book?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Weekends in the Burbs

September 24, 2017September 24, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

For those of you following along, B and I are officially suburbanites. We traded in our downtown apartment for a house in the ‘burbs a month or so ago, and while we still have much to do to get it ready (including some more painting and 2 bathrooms to finish), it’s coming along.

I’m not going to lie – I miss our easy downtown apartment living. Being able to walk to the grocery store (and well, everywhere, including work) was amazing, and having 2 full working bathrooms were something I took advantage of. That being said, life in the ‘burbs isn’t that bad, especially when you have some fun AND relaxing weekends like the one we just had.

Friday night we had a parent meeting at daycare, so we didn’t get home until after 7. BUT, I was able to go running around the local lakes earlier in the day, which led to this beautiful view.

For dinner, we had Indian takeout, which was delicious.

AND this delicious ice cream.

Saturday morning started with a run with my sister-in-law Mary. We ran to our niece’s cross country meet and got to watch her run. I unfortunately took a fall during the run and bloodied up my knees … but my niece ran her 1.5 mi pretty well in the hot weather!

blurry bloody pic 🙂

Saturday afternoon we hung out for a bit with our friends Joey and Lulu and cleaned up / worked on the house for a little. Which of course included some snoozing.

For dinner, we had plans to invite friends Sarah and Bobby over for homemade pizza that B made. After pizza, we put FW to bed, and enjoyed hanging out on the front porch drinking beers. Having a porch and being able to sit outside is definitely a perk of our new house.

Sunday morning started with a walk to a local bakery for breakfast. It was another hot morning, but felt good to be outside and walking! I decided to take the day off of running since I hadn’t taken a day off in more than a week.

After our walk, we had lunch plans with Dave and Anson who wanted to see the new house. They brought us Aladdin’s, some of my favorite Lebanese food! Then, their daughter, Celia, and FW played for a bit.

That night, we had plans with B’s family to celebrate some birthdays. Not only had B had a birthday since we last got together, but out of all the people who were at dinner, 6 people had had birthdays since August!