Long run of the week:
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 1:25
Weather: 5 degrees, clear and sunny
Overall, it was a decent run–nothing bad happened, it was just really cold, which never makes for a super enjoyable run, but I made it! 🙂
My hand are always cold–even when I am not running. Actually, often times the only time my hands are warm is when I am running.
In order to keep my hands warm when it is this cold, I have to wear these mittens:
These would be full-fledged ski mittens. They are super thick and it is the only way I can keep my hands warm.
Look at how ginormous they are.
While out on my run, I had the strangest thing happen to me. . . . out of no where, a loud POP sound came up from the snow at my feet and a very faint white cloud of “smoke” poofed up. I screamed a little and instantly thought someone threw a pop-it firework/firecracker at my feet. I turned around looking for someone lurking in the bushes, but of course there wasn’t anyone around. . . who else is crazy enough to be outside in this cold?!?!
I think what had happened was as I stepped, the snow cracked and made a pretty loud popping noise. It sure scared me though!
Sightings on my run:
– 3 moose
– 3 runners
– 3 walkers
– 2 bikers (I was hoping to see a third one, so it would have been all 3s.)
~~~~~~
After my run, I made myself some lunch:
A good ol’ wrap with Taco Loco chips. 
I also had this honey tangerine to eat.
I saw them on sale at the grocery store last night, and I’m always game for trying new produce. Sadly, it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. The produce in Alaska is often sub-par and this was no exception. 
Last night I made these scrumpdilicious bars for a baptism at our church we went to this afternoon.
Bars are such a Midwest thing. . . . . I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else in Alaska make them–unless they grew up in the Midwest.
The corner pieces are my favorite: you get the doughy-ness of the middle AND the crunchy-ness of the edge–the best of both worlds! 🙂
Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Icing Ingredients
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 Tablespoons milk
Directions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugars, and peanut butter. Add egg and vanilla; mIx well.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
3. Stir into wet ingredients
4. Spread into a greased 9 inch x 13 inch baking pan. Wet fingers to press dough into pan.
5. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool 10 minutes. Make icing and drizzle over top.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!
I love bar cookies! A lot of the time, they are much easier to make than regular cookies.
Most definitely! All you have to do is plop them in the pan instead of scoop them out individually.
Your cookie bars look like the bomb.com and your photography with your food.
I wish I had fun things to look at during my runs but it’s all so boring on the dread.
haha! I love your huge awesome gloves.
I never ate bar cookies growing up, but those look delicious!
My hands are super cold all the time too and I definitely go for the ginormous mitten look. And what amazing sights on your run! I’ve never seen a moose while running, but I did see a wolf once!
OMG, my husband loves moose, he’d be so excited to see one in real life!! 🙂
Your wrap looks so yummy!
You should come up to Alaska!!
AMAZING run! 🙂
The bars look great! I happen to love bars! I am not huge on sweets but if I had to choose it would be bars and bread!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Oh yes! I could live off fresh, homemade bread and bars!
oooh those bars look so good!
My mom is from Oklahoma and made cookie bars all the time when I was growing up. Now, whenever I make them for friends, they think they are such a novelty!
I made these for a dinner party tonight and they were awesome! Thanks, Michelle 🙂
I have have have to try those bars! they look delicious! We made peanut butter special k bars growing up in Minnesota (midwest).
Sooo funny come to think about it, my grandma always made some sort of bar when baking- rubarb bars, apple bars, choc chip cookie bars, you name it. lol. I never realized that before but bars truely are a midwest thing!
You’re from Minnesota too?!?!? What city/town?
I love bars!! My mom would make them all the time!!
these bars where amazing!