Dear M&M's,

Thank you for making delicious treats, you truly make life sweeter.  Now that I have flattered you I would like to make a constructive suggestion that I honestly cannot believe I am the first to come up with.  This means that you should either A) hire me or B) reassess those who are the "creative brains" behind the special M&M candy for lack of creativity.

To the point.  You know those special M&M spectacular giant Easter eggs that I am officially obsessed with and mention at LEAST once a week in common conversations because they seriously rock my world? YET - they are only available once a year which makes me one UN-happy camper.

Well here is the thing... there is absolutely no reason that they should be available only at Easter time when there is another Holiday that you could adequately capitalize on.

Halloween.

Everyone knows that Halloween begins candy eating season, yet the candy picks at Halloween time are boring and usual.  Basically, candy companies take the mass produced candy and pack them in bite-size servings and sell them in Costco sized bags to hand out to little children as they perform tricks at our doors one night a year. The only thing different that comes out at the brink of fall are orange peeps {disgusting}, candy corn and all straight sugar little candy pieces and Reeses pumpkins.  You can use this to your advantage.

I propose that you sell your glorious Easter Eggs not only once a year, but TWICE a year.

Here is the plan.  September is the month they should hit the shelves.  People will find themselves perusing the ever boring Halloween isles and BAM! Next to the fall colored milk chocolate M&Ms {gross - no offense} lies a green, purple and orange bag of M&M Peanut Butter Pumpkins!!  I have already decided that the cute M&M's on the front can be wearing Halloween masks or they can be dressed in pumpkin costumes {you decide}.  Inside the giant PB M&Ms will taste EXACTLY the same as the giant Easter Eggs, yet they will showcase Halloween colors in all their glory.

I have no doubt this will be a top seller.  I can't be the only one hanging on to their last bag of Easter Egg M&M's with ONE egg inside - terrified to eat it in fear that I will never see the treat again.  Even if I am the only one who is this crazy, I took an oath to buy enough bags every year to prove that the PB goodness is a best-seller.  I promise you can count on me twice a year.

I know what you are thinking.... "Halloween is a time for packaged bite sized candies.  Children don't eat anything un-packaged this time of year. "  I say to you - This is not a candy for Children.  Plus, it is a proven fact that Fall is the perfect time for home decorators to bring out their cute little pumpking and leaf shaped candy bowls perfect for PB Pumpkins.  They would eat these up {pun intended}.

There is no excuse.  This is a genius idea that only took me 4.2 seconds to dream up after walking down the awful Halloween candy isle.  You really should hire me.

Sincerely, 
Jonesing for good PB M&Ms

Sweet Bliss

Bliss is... 98 cents for a box of candy and trying to make a decision between millions of sweet sugary choices while holding a snowcone.  Two sugar addicts have never been so perfectly matched.

Bliss is... A 6am flight and a whole row all to myself.  No peanuts for me please, I'll be sleeping.

No good, very bad day

Yesterday was not my day.  Somehow I let a series of stupid events a few words with a women I don't even know completely knock the wind out of my sails.  It was horrible, I felt horrible and overwhelmed and completely inadequate.  Defeated.  I felt completely defeated.  My day started out great, no worries in sight.  I was even on time for all Sunday activities which is a HUGE rarity for me.  Once they were all over, I was just flowing through the day like no big deal, and then BAM. It was like I hit a brick wall and broke my nose {and messed up my hair and tore my skirt, for a little dramatic effect}.  I tried to brush it off, but I somehow it sat with me the rest of the day draining everything out of my glass half full attitude.

My only saving grace {well, my two saving graces} were my sweet husband who let me tell the story over, and over, and OVER again trying to figure out what I did so wrong to avoid my feeling being smashed to pieces ever again.  And the wonderful people at Hershey's who knew my love for crunchy peanut butter and MUST have known that sometime soon I would need that crunchy peanut butter accompanied by chocolate to make my day all better.

Introducing the Reese's CRUNCHY peanut butter cup...

*These solve problems people.

Also, I should probably just say it again for those who don't know,  I am gifted at finding new candy. The checker at Walgreens {aka candy buying central} and I had a good long discussion Saturday night about the new candy that has been released this summer.  We decided we are going to join forces to keep it around.  That my friends, involves buying A LOT of candy to show our love.  I bought 6 and it's a good thing I had some left to heal my wounded spirit on Sunday.

Truth be told this new treat could stand to have a few MORE peanuts in the cup for a more concentrated crunch, but I really think Hershey's is on to something here.

*I should also note for anyone taking me seriously that I didn't truly drown my sad feelings in peanut butter and chocolate.  The peanut butter and chocolate were just a sweet treat after I remembered that I was doing the best I could and as long as I am doing my best I really don't give two hoots about what other people think!

Sixth sense

I have a sixth sense.  Basically I can find awesome candy anywhere we go.  It's a gift.
The latest find is something I had never even imagined, but exactly what you need in your life.

COCONUT TWIX!  

I literally made a scene when I saw the spread of new, limited time, candy bars.  I immediately walked over and grabbed a handful to take home with us.  My candy partner in crime, Ben, was equally excited but reminded me that we may not need the entire display of candy bars.  Although my "what if I never see it again!" panic was setting in, he is usually right so I settled on a couple.

When we got it home we waited a few minutes {see we're not entirely insane}before breaking into the new find.  I was a little nervous to give it a try - not wanting it to ruin the goodness potential that it obviously has.  I wondered if it would just be coconut flavor hidden somewhere or would there be an added strip of coconut.  And if there was an added strip would it be flaky coconut goodness like the coconut kisses or would it be boring wanna-be coconut like the M&Ms.  After explaining my fear to Ben he insisted that maybe I should just open the package so we could give it a try.

It was delightful.  No flakes, no wanna-be coconut, just coconut flavored caramel.  {Which I could have found out if I would have actually read the package instead of debating the options for 10 mins.}  The cookie and yummy milk chocolate remain untouched and just as satisfying as you would expect a Twix to be. The caramel has an added coconut flavor which isn't over-powering or too subtle.  It was melt in your mouth awe-some. Thumbs up to Mars for the fun summer time treat.  Now, I should probably go back and get more...

Mouse Chocolate

I don't know about you, but I LOVE mouse milk chocolate.  Forget the mousse just give me little marshmallow chicks covered in mouse, HURRY get them now before they're sold out! 

As I was perusing the Easter candy isle {which is pretty much a daily occurrence} this sign made me laugh really hard!  Whoopsie Target - better make sure to check the spelling next time, but thanks for the good Easter candy laugh!  

Maybe not so genius

Last night after coaching my endurance class I met some of my favorite girls for dinner.  One thing I miss about living close to Oregon friends are the quick bites to eat and the the late night girl talk.

This obviously wasn't from dinner last night.... no I didn't wear my wedding dress out for a quick bite!

After a fun night with these girlies I was driving myself back over the bridge and doing some serious thinking.

On that drive, I came up with a GENIUS idea!

My serious thinking was on one of my favorite topics.  Chocolate.  I was craving something sweet, but I wasn't real hungry.  I just wanted a little mini sweet goodness.  Visions of Kit-Kats and Heath Bars floated through my head. {Random candy for me, I know, just chalk it up to the fact that I love all candy and can't control my cravings.}  And then the genius idea came.

Kit-Kat and Heath bites!!  They already have them for Reeses, why not for all candy?  Just little mini tiny pieces of your favorite candy bar.  Then you can grab a few pieces out of a bag so you can just have two or three!  Sugar craving solved.  Am I a genius or what??

Turns out I'm not.
I googled my smart idea this morning and I am behind the curve.  It's already been done.

Honest to goodness I was dreaming about both of these and they
are suddenly pictured together! Fate?  I think so.

Now, does anyone know where can I find these little bundles of joy? How could I have possibly I missed them in the past?

You complete me

Well, is it my sweet hottie husband or the Easter Peanut Butter Speckled Egg M&Ms that I anxiously waited for all year?  That, my friends, is one close race. :-)

The PB M&Ms are double the size of regular M&Ms, shaped like eggs, and the hard candy shell melts in your mouth opening a wonderful treasure of PB and chocolate.  I am in love.

No holiday candy can beat Easter candy. It is hands down the best, most yummiest, prettiest colored candy ever.  I found these PB M&Ms last year and Ben, Deneal and I {mostly me, but I am trying to prove that I share. Sometimes.} went through probably 6 bags.  I brought them as church snacks! Then I bought 3 bags right after Easter was over and swore to make them last as long as possible.  Two went pretty quick, but the last I would NOT allow to be open.  I froze it and told Ben we would save it until I was SURE I could get them again.

The day after Valentines Day I anxiously went to Fred Meyer praying they would be on the shelf.  They were!  I bought one bag and rushed home to open my year old bag.  They were terrible!! Stale and old.  My crazy self wasted a whole bag of PB M&Ms in fear that I would never taste the goodness again.  Oh crazy self.... {shaking my head}.

Oh well. You live, you learn, and you promise to never let such a wonderful gift from the PB heavens go to waste again. I vow to eat as many bags as I can during the few months they are with us. You're welcome.

The running started the happy day

I needed to run because my mind was about to explode.
I needed to run because I couldn't think about one more thing.
It felt like every email hitting my inbox was a ticking time bomb.
The race was to see if it was me or the email that exploded first.
I needed to run to ground myself.
Have time for myself.
Remind myself that I have a healthy body.

Oprah told me to be happy I should take 10 minutes a day just for quiet breathing.
Me time.
I don't really like Oprah.
I don't like how everyone listens to what she says.
But I DO like me time.
And my me time includes running.
I took me time.
Lunch time came and I went running.

It felt good.
Amazing.
My mind turned off for a few minutes.
It was just me. music. the sound of my feet hitting the ground.
I only got 4 miles in.
I longed for more.
I really did have too much to do.
Maybe I could run more in a world where I was crazy fast.
It changed my day though.
Me time, running, happy day.

And then for MORE happiness

SIL Emily called this afternoon saying her water broke. She was going to the hospital. A few hours later we welcomed Baby Kennedy into the family!  So excited and more to come....

And then something happy...sad...then happy again...
I  watched Hubs play some basketball tonight.  I was parking the car and noticed a tiny bag of skittles. I was super happy since I am pretty much a child and need snacks everywhere I go.  I walked into the game. Placed them on my lap.

As I watched hottie hubs I savored every sugary ounce of each Skittle {Happy}. I got into conversation with one of the other wives.  We were talking about my most favorite pair of boots and as I lifted my leg to show her the boot Skittles went everywhere {Sad}.  I COULD NOT lose those Skittles!  I was starving and enjoying them WAY too much.  So, I did what any sane person would do. I dropped to my hands and knees and picked them up. Every last one. Skittles never tasted so good {Happy again}.  I am not sure I will be invited back.

Peanut buttery goodness

One of my favorite flavors, peanut butter.

....I guess that's not really a "flavor" since so many actual flavors go into making it, but let's not get technical....

Honestly though, I have a weakness for it.  We buy the big jars of peanut butter from Costco and I can go through one in just a couple weeks.  I put it on everything - bread, crackers, waffles, just straight up on a spoon. I dream about it and keep jars on the very top shelf in hopes that it will keep me away.  It doesn't.  I just climb onto the counter, like a child, so I can reach the crunchy and creamy goodness. This is why peanut butter jars were not allowed in my previously single life, but that's neither here nor there.  I am obsessed.

One of my other favorite flavors, chocolate.

We've talked about this and the amazing-ness that is the chocolate and peanut butter combined to make the perfect little peanut butter cup. Seriously I should own stock in JIF and Hershey's {and Anthropologie} because I could eat nothing else and live a perfectly satisfied life. 

UNTIL NOW

The brilliant food makers at Mars have released their own peanut buttery goodness {aside from the already amazing peanut butter M&M} that I has taken my mind by storm....The Peanut Butter Snickers.

It's like eating crunchy peanut butter covered in chocolate, caramel and yummy nougat!
I found myself in Walmart the other day perusing the Christmas clearance. As I walked to the checkout a bright yellow Snickers display caught my attention.  "PEANUT BUTTER Snickers?!?", I said to myself. I immediately grabbed 4 bars and headed on my way.  In effort to not eat all 4 bars, I had a little yummy melt in your mouth taste and in true Amber style, hid the rest. {Which drives my sweet husband crazy, btw... "Why do you hide it? YOU know where it is!", he says. Ha - I can't help it.}  Luckily, my hiding trick worked and I quickly forgot about my new treasure.  The next day, Ben and I took a trip to Walmart together for a few items.  As we passed the yellow display Ben looked right at me, "AMBER, DID YOU SEE THAT??", he said.  "Ummm... I may or may not have a stash at home....", I replied. "HA, of course you do!"  But just to be sure I had enough to share, I grabbed a couple more.  THEN last night while we were at Costco there was a HUGE bag with 52 squares in it. 52!! I refrained... I didn't buy it, although in a slight panic that I may never be able to find it again, I REALLY wanted to. Plus - Costco, with their super-sized amounts pretty much make everything that much more appealing!  This peanut buttery goodness really is fabulous. I know I am borderline crazy.... but  you have to try it!  

Ah, thank you Snickers.