Birthday Shopping and a Recipe

I have this really bad habit of pre-spending all of my anticipated birthday money (and then some) before my actual birthday.

Sometimes I start as early as February.

It's great for breaking up the monotony of winter in Utah,

But not so great for when my actual birthday rolls around.

This year was no different.

I started shopping the first of March.

Then we went on a girls' trip to California and I made my mom buy me my present while we were there.

Then I told Jeff I spent way too much money and to please not get me anything.

And, dang it, he listened to me.

Wah!

But, BUT, this birthday wasn't a total waste.

We are leaving for the beach tomorrow.

(Yay!  Get me outta this crappy, snowy weather!)

So..... I saved all the pre-vacation shopping for that day.

I spent some quality time at my favorite store, Target, and bought new swimsuits for everyone, and other beachy stuff.

I also got a birthday check in the mail that day, too, from my dad.  Score!

So, we'll be gone for a week, but I'll leave with a recipe.

Neurotic moment:  Does anyone else get major anxiety before a vacation?  These are the things I will worry about for this one:

1-The drive, which is better than a plane, but I still worry that we will be that family that you hear about in the news that were all killed in a roll-over accident.

2-I hate semi trucks.  I hate passing them.  It makes me nervous.  I really want to get up in the cab of one of those things and look out the mirrors to see if you really can see all the little people on the road.

3-The germs.  Before I let anyone in the hotel room, I will spray Lysol on every surface.  I'm not scared of the kids or me getting sick (except the stomach flu) but it sure makes a trip miserable.  

4-Immediately after I Lysol, I will baby/child-proof everything.  Windows and balconies especially scare me. I will also map out the escape route in the event of a fire.

5-The beach.  I love the beach but there are so many perils.

I will repeatedly count and recount 4 heads the entire time I am there.  I don't like talking to people when I am at the beach (or the pool) because it distracts me from my vigilant counting.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

I haven't made these in years.

And now I know why:  I eat all of them.  And right before my beach vacation. Boo!

2 bags of Hershey's Kisses                     1/4 C. milk                                         

1 C. shortening                                     2 t. vanilla                                        

1 1/2 C. creamy peanut butter             3 C. flour                                     

2/3 C. sugar                                         2 t. baking soda                      

2/3 C. brown sugar                              1 t. salt                           

2 eggs                                                   Sugar

*Remove wrappers from Kisses

*Have hired-help vacuum...

 ....the mess from letting the kids help unwrap Kisses

*Cream shortening and peanut butter

*Run to store for peanut butter and a box of cereal because I can NEVER just get the ingredient I need when I go to a store.

*Add sugars and beat

*Add egg, vanilla, milk; beat

*Gradually add flour, soda and salt.

*Shape into 1" balls and roll in sugar

*Run BACK to the store for more Kisses (whoops, ate too many) 

and sushi, yes sushi.  

Did you know Smith's has really good sushi?

*Bake at 375* for 10-12 minutes.

*Immediately press a Kiss into the center of each cookie

Enjoy!