Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

Victory tastes so sweet!  My beloved Georgia Bulldogs beat up on the defending National Champions, the Auburn Tigers, to continue our quest to win the SEC East (Sorry, Melissa!).  All that stands between us now is a W over the Kentucky Wildcats next Saturday.  Go Dawgs!

Ryan and I spent the day in Athens tailgating and cheering on our team with dear friends and family. (Hi, Liz & Lindsay!)  A special thanks to my brother for providing an unfailingly fabulous tailgate setup.

What did I bring to share?  After careful perusal of my Pinterest boards Friday, I decided to make these sweet treats: Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies.  They were delicious! The recipe made 65 cookies -- and there was not a crumb left by game time.  I guess that means everyone agreed with me?

(Side note: I actually discovered that I pinned the recipe twice...I guess that means they really sounded good to me.)

The original recipe was on the always delicious baking blog, Two Tiny Kitchens.  I pretty much followed her recipe exactly (though a little less sugar).  One thing to note if trying this out, I made the cookies the night before, and they definitely tasted better the next day.  I am not sure why -- I guess that the flavors needed to meld together.

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp softened butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar (give or take)
3/4 cup brown sugar (give or take)
Pretzels (you will need about 130 pretzels)
1 bag  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Step 1:
Combine peanut butter and butter in a large bowl with whisk a stand mixer.  Add the sugars and mix to combine.  If the filling rolls easily into balls without sticking to your hands (note: roll in your palm rather than your fingertips to reduce stickiness), you are ready for Step 2.  If not, add a little more of each sugar until you reach a consistency that is easy to roll.

Step 2:
Roll filling into small balls (approximately 1 tsp), then sandwich them between two whole pretzels.  When all the balls are rolled and sandwiched, place the tray in the freezer for about half an hour.

Step 3:
Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally until completely melted.  (Note: You will need the entire bag.)  Remove the pretzel sandwiches from the freezer and quickly dip each cookie into the melted chocolate.  When all are dipped, return the tray to the freezer to set up completely.  Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator until serving time.

Yum!

Want to see what others brought to share?

My mom made this incredible (seriously, I could not stop eating it...notice the missing bottom right corner of dip?  Whoops!) 7-Layer Greek Dip she found on Pinterest.  (She substituted Tzatziki sauce for the cream cheese base.  Delish.)

 

My friend Liz brought this tasty Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips.   The fresh, crisp flavor of the fruit was such a nice change from your regular tailgate fare.  I ate quite a bit of this too... 

(Note: I am not sure if that's the exact recipe Liz uses -- but it is very similar.  She says she uses all sorts of different fruit depending on what's in season.)

 

Food, football, and friends?  An all together great weekend.  What's your favorite tailgate recipe?

Weldon Loft: Master Bedroom & Bath

Finally...my favorite part of the Weldon's home: the serene and comfortable Master Bedroom and Bathroom.  (See: Entryway, Living Room, Guest Bedroom & Bath, Kitchen & Dining)  After a long day of dentistry, Ryan and Leigh can unwind in this beautiful space.  I have a hard time picking my favorite part of the room -- I adore the framed (and symmetrical) artwork above and to the side of the bed.  The monogrammed bedding is totally my style.  I also love the new lamps and bench at the foot of the bed.

What's your favorite part?



That wraps up my coverage of the Weldon's -- thanks to Leigh and Ryan for letting me show off their gorgeous home.  I know many happy, exciting times are ahead for these two in their new home and new town.

I suppose I am going to have to actually think up my own topics for future posts.  Here are some of my ideas -- let me know which ones you are the most excited to read:

• Thanksgiving Hostess Gifts for 2011 (Remember this post from 2009?  It was well-received.)
• Pumpkin Cranberry Bread recipe
• DIY Wall Unit Refinishing
• Thanksgiving Centerpieces
• Homemade Applesauce recipe (a family holiday favorite!)
• What I Want for Christmas
• Fall Decor at Our House

Weldon Loft: Kitchen & Dining Room

Moving on from the entryway, living room, and guest bedroom &bathroom...we check out the kitchen and dining room at the Weldon's.  The dining room in their loft opens to the kitchen, which allowed for our host and hostess to remain engaged with their guests (us!) while finishing brunch preparations.  I am a big fan of open floor plans -- especially in the kitchen -- so that those of us who like to cook are able to feel a part of the action while trying out (or cleaning up from!) new recipes.

When first moving in, Leigh wasn't crazy about the green cabinetry in the kitchen.  However, once the rest of the decor was in place -- she loved the warm, comfortable feel that the non-traditional cabinets gave the space.  (To my dismay, I just realized that none of my photos show Ryan 2's beautiful stuffed turkey(?) that rests on top of the far right cabinet.  The turkey(?) keeps the deer in good company.)

Leigh's mom and Aunt Susan found this dining room set at a local estate sale.  The china cabinet proudly displays their gorgeous wedding china, while also providing storage for their many serving pieces.  (Don't you love when things are aesthetic and functional?)  Leigh felt that the dining room set was very traditional and formal when compared to the rest of her decor -- so she worked with her decorator to tone down the traditional.  To do this, they recovered the seats of the side chairs with a coordinating fabric from the living room throw pillows and added simple monogrammed linen parsons chairs to the ends.  Leigh also ordered long window panels from West Elm for her exceptionally high windows to add softness to the room.

Of course, I can't finish up this post without talking about Leigh's seasonal decor.  (Seasonal decor -- my favorite!)  She started with Pottery Barn's Linen Hemstitch Table Runner and an apothecary jar (given to her by Your's Truly).  I personally love apothecary jars because they are so versatile. You can change their look from season-to-season (or in my case, mood-to-mood).  I love how she lined the center with fall foliage and candles in the colors of autumn.  Take special note of the cork tray.  This was a little DIY project that Leigh took on using saved wine corks and a shadow box.  It was perfect for holding our mimosa mixings!

We'll finish up the tour tomorrow with the grand finale -- the Master Bedroom!

Weldon Loft: Guest Bedroom & Bath

We're back at the Weldon's...remember their entryway and living room?  Today's tour is of the guest room.  While we were visiting Rome, the boys played a friendly game of golf -- where the wager was a bed for the night.  Thanks to my husband's golf skills, I was able to lay my head to rest in this beautiful guest suite.  I'm going to let the pictures do the talking today:

Happy Monday!

PS--Notice the new signature?  I am pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to add that...

twirl [lbr]: The Grace Project

I am dedicating my post today to Laura over at twirl [lbr].  I met Laura while at the University of Georgia -- but I feel like I actually know her better now through her beautifully-written, all-at-once funny and heartwarming blog.  I get excited when she publishes a new post and look forward to her updates on her daughter, her photography business, her amazing family, DIY projects, and life. 

Today's post [The Grace Project] is absolutely inspiring.  Laura tells the tale of her experience serving in Africa and an unexpected friend she meets along the way.  Though she is no longer there, Laura and her family continue to make a difference in Africa -- and she is asking for help.

Please visit Laura's blog and hear a story that will warm your heart and inspire you to make a difference.

Happy Thursday!

Ashley

Weldon Loft: The Living Room

Welcome back to the Weldon's!  I got derailed from showing you their beautiful home (remember Day 1?) when I headed down to Jacksonville to help these guys bring home a win over their our nemeses: the Florida Gators.  (Bulldog fans -- you are welcome.) 

Back to the Weldon's -- I am really excited to feature their gorgeous living room.  This picture is taken from the dining room looking across the entryway.  I love the open, airiness that the transoms above the doorway and oversize windows give the space.

 

Again, since this is not their permanent home, Leigh and Ryan wanted to use as much of their existing furniture as possible.  Leigh loved these green couches for her town home during dental school, but now felt that they were not the right look for her "married home".  Her decorator recommended updating the look by recovering pillows in coordinating fabrics and bringing in sophisticated accessories, lighting, and art.

I love how Leigh repurposed her dining room table.  See that end table between the sofa and chair?  Though its difficult to tell the scale from this picture, that was Leigh's kitchen table that comfortably sat four in her Augusta town home.  Here in Rome, the table didn't seem to quite fit anywhere-- until it was suggested that she use it as an end table.  I LOVE how it looks in the space.  I think that anything smaller would not have looked to scale with her oversized furniture and high ceilings.

Also, notice the HUGE piece of art hanging on the wall.  I truly think that the art pulls the palette of the entire room together and acts as a stunning focal point.

See how the sophisticated fabric print really updates the sofa?

The TV sits opposite of the sofa (duh, a boy lives here).  The media console is the only new piece of furniture that Leigh and Ryan purchased for their living room.  This piece was worth investing in due to its versatility in any new home -- it can continue to be used as a media console, an entryway table, or as a library table behind a floating sofa.

Leigh's mom (hi, Ms. Joy!) found those great blue leather chairs at a local estate sale.  They are not only beautiful, but they add additional seating in the room without taking up much real estate.

 

I adore this room and think that they did a great job making it feel very "adult" while still comfortable and "homey".   Stay tuned for Part 3, the Guest Bedroom & Bath.

Ashley

Weldon Loft: The Entryway

Yesterday, I wrote about our relaxing weekend spent in Rome visiting dear friends.  However, I would be doing you a disservice if I did not give you a tour of the Weldon's stunning loft in the downtown district.  They are on the top floor (read: high ceilings and great views!) of a historic building overlooking the beautiful sites of the city -- charming main street, the old clocktower, the river, and more.  

Leigh wanted their new place to be a welcoming and comfortable home.  But, knowing that this was not their "forever home" -- she wanted to work with the furniture they already owned and update the look with accessories, lighting, pillows, and artwork.  To do so, she worked with a local Rome designer.

First up?  The entryway.  This dramatic entryway sets the tone for the entire loft.  Leigh's husband, an avid hunter, had one request for their first home together: his first buck had to hang on the wall.  He agreed to store the other bucks, gators, ducks, etc -- but this buck was a must.  (See the priority he placed on the buck when they moved to Rome!) 

Leigh was not excited about bringing the outdoors into her decor-- but she conceded to his only request.  We had many conversations about ways to incorporate/hide the looming deerhead.  Like this pin I showed her on Pinterest.  (Technically, animal is in!) Leigh was even less excited when she discovered that the only place the buck really fit was in the entryway.  The first thing guests would see.  Great.

Fast forward a few months and enter her decorator.  He accessorized around the deer and her existing console table to create a stunning entry.  He created a symmetrical look with a two-toned mirror flanked by lamps with enough height to balance the tall ceilings. 

 The driftwood accessory, the only other natural element in the arrangement, ties the deer into the look nicely.

 
The upholstered bench adds weight to the entry display -- and also gives Leigh additional storage (for such important items as wrapping supplies).

 To personalize the space, Leigh put together a gallery wall on the left side of the entry that includes an engagement photo, portraits from their wedding day, their wedding invitation, and a rendering of the church where they were married.  (Conveniently, they can now see the church steeple out their window!)

This weekend, Leigh claimed that of all the decorating she has done in her new home -- the entryway (with the buck!) was her favorite.  Isn't it funny how that happens?  Sometimes you just need an outsider's perspective.

Stay tuned for posts on the living room, kitchen & dining room, master bedroom & bath, and guest bedroom & bath.

What's your favorite part of this room?

Ashley

Weekend in Rome....Georgia

 Ryan and I spent a wonderful weekend in Rome, Georgia visiting our dear friends, Leigh and Ryan (aka, Ryan Two).  These two served as amazing hosts from the moment we arrived for brunch on Saturday morning.  Not only did we get to spend time with these two...

...and these two....

...but these two!

After brunch, the boys headed off to challenge each other on the golf course while the girls took a tour of the Weldon's newly decorated, GORGEOUS loft (detailed decor post coming later this week) and set off for a relaxing day in Rome. 

First up on our agenda?  The Chiaha Harvest Fair ("a toe-tappin', cider sippin', fun-for-everyone Arts Festival") to enjoy the beautiful weather and local art.

After the art festival, we poked around several great shops in downtown Rome and enjoyed gelato from Honeymoon Bakery.  Most exciting, though, was visiting Leigh's dental office, the Rome Center for Pediatric Dentistry.  We are so proud of our Leigh-Leigh!

That evening, we enjoyed delicious venison chili made by our wonderful hosts, drinks on the rooftop terrace of their building, and some dancing at a nearby watering hole. 

We wrapped up the weekend in my favorite fashion -- girl talk over coffee in the rooftop sunroom and walking to Sunday brunch at Harvest Moon Cafe. 

Farewell, friends!  Thank you for a great weekend!

Ashley