If you follow me on Facebook, you know we recently moved. When you move, you pray that God will protect your new house, protect you as you move, pray that your new neighbors are nice. After meeting your new neighbors, and finding out that they are really nice, older, and have lived in their home for a while, you begin to feel a sense of community at your new location. You start thinking that these are the kind of people you want to have around you if something were to ever happen and there was an emergency. The type of people you could run over to ask for a cup of sugar for your baking recipe because you thought you had enough, but it turns out you didn't. The type of people you feel will have your back should you go on vacation and need someone to look after your dog.
One thing you might not think about is what if something were to happen to them? Unfortunately, last night we experienced this. We had been home from a weekend in Branson for about 30 minutes. All of a sudden our lights started flickering, I heard what I thought were screams and some banging. I kind of pushed it to the side because, I just was not certain I actually heard what I did actually hear. Then about 5 minuets later (if even that long) I heard them. The sound nobody ever wants to hear. Sirens. I listened intently as they became closer and closer. Thinking they were going to pass by, I looked out my front window to see they had stopped at the house next to ours. My heart sank.
Hubby and I ran out the back of our house to see how bad it was. I begin to pray. We could not see flames and could only see a bit of smoke. I ran back inside, pulled on my shoes, a hoodie and ran out the front door to make sure our neighbors were OK. They were distraught, but OK. I have never experienced anything like that and was not sure how to handle it but I knew I needed to be strong for them. Luckily, the fire department was extremely quick to respond and there will be very minimal damage. It could have turned out so much worse. They estimated the fire department only used around 5 gallons of water to put the fire out. I am so very thankful the house is not a total loss and other than some smoke and water damage, everything is ok.
To show my thankfulness, I made a batch of Peanut Butter Cookies with M&M's and will be taking them to the fire department as soon as the girls get out of school. I will also be taking a box to our new neighbors and let them know we are thinking of them.
Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
Adapted from Food & Family
Ingredients
1/2 Cup Butter - Room Temperature
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar - Packed
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
1 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter
1/2 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Plain M&M's
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease cookie sheet(s) and set aside.
Using a hand or stand mixer, cream Butter and Sugars together until light and fluffy.
Add Vanilla and Egg, mix until well incorporated.
Next, you will add the Peanut Butter, Salt and Baking Soda, mixing until combined.
Once combined, incorporated the flour.
Turn off mixer and carefully fold in M&M's.
Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
I found these cute stand up M&M's at my local Walmart. I love the fun colors! As much as I like the original colors, I am pretty fond of the pink.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, don't forget to take some time and thank the local heroes in your community! It is a VERY busy time of year for your local fire department.
Right now there is an awesome Baking is Better with M Pinterest Sweepstakes going on for M&M's
Pin for a chance to win 1 of 3 $250 Walmart Gift Cards! It's as easy as submitting your email and pinning an image. Simply complete the following steps:
1. Enter your email in the form below and click "Enter"
2. Pin the contest image to any of your own Pinterest boards
3. Visit the Baking with M Pinterest Board and Re-Pin your favorites to enter
Three (3) Winners will be selected at random - One (1) entry per person.
Contest runs 12/6/2013-12/31/2013
Pin for a chance to win 1 of 3 $250 Walmart Gift Cards! It's as easy as submitting your email and pinning an image. Simply complete the following steps:
1. Enter your email in the form below and click "Enter"
2. Pin the contest image to any of your own Pinterest boards
3. Visit the Baking with M Pinterest Board and Re-Pin your favorites to enter
Three (3) Winners will be selected at random - One (1) entry per person.
Contest runs 12/6/2013-12/31/2013