The fastest, easiest homemade cookie

It's hard for me to believe that the Super Bowl is right around the corner.  How is the time flying by so fast?

We love to host Super Bowl parties at our house, but I don't do elaborate decorating of any kind; I just let the game and the food take center stage.  I like to serve foods that can be eaten without utensils, so cookies are my desserts of choice.

Usually I'll make brownies and chocolate chip cookies, but I like to include an option without chocolate as well.  My favorite is a recipe that I began making years ago, when my boys were very small.  The original recipe had a name, but I've long since forgotten it--because my boys always called them "World's Fastest Cookies."  Seriously, it takes longer to measure out the ingredients than it does to make the cookies!

Here's the recipe:

World's Fastest Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cups corn flakes
1 1/4 cups crispy rice cereal
 (or use 2 1/2 cups of either cereal)

Directions
Bring the syrup and sugar to boil in a saucepan. Don't cook; just bring to a boil so the sugar can melt. Remove from heat. Mix in peanut butter; stir until smooth. Mix in cereal. Quickly drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Cool. Makes 2 1/2 - 3 dozen.

TIP:  Spray your measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray before measuring corn syrup and peanut butter.  Those sticky substances will slide right out!

These are so yummy! They're always a crowd-pleaser, and believe me, I've made them for many crowds!

And if you have a handy beagle, she'll be glad to clean the pan for you.




Have any game-day recipes that you're willing to share?  I'd love to see them!

The truth about a product review

I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for L’Oreal Age Perfect. 

 Opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with 

L’Oreal Age Perfect and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.

My husband snapped this photo of me and our sweet 8-year-old friend right after Thanksgiving.  While I know I'll never again have skin as smooth as a young girl's, I want to do the best I can with what I have.

So I was excited last fall when I got the chance to review a new product from L'Oreal.  After a few days of use, I found it to be a lovely product, and I promised to let you know how it worked for me. 

As it turned out, though, my sensitive skin had a reaction to the product.  The product is hypo-allergenic, of course, I developed a mild rash and had to stop using it.   

Bummer, huh?  

Actually, no, and I want to tell you why.

First of all, the rash cleared up right away, so there was no harm done.  But it's so much better than that.

If you're like me, you're a little skeptical of sponsored posts.  It's always seemed to me that if a company provides a product to a blogger for review, of course the blogger is going to say wonderful things about the product.  I don't think anyone ever means to be dishonest, of course, but are the reviews completely honest?

Well, here's the completely honest scoop about what happened with me.  I developed a rash after using the product.  I reported the results to the coordinator of the review project, and she reported it to L'Oreal.  L'Oreal recorded my experience, informed me that the rash might be caused by the fragrance in the products, told me that they appreciated my feedback and are monitoring the feedback, AND offered to send me another line of products to try.

Can you believe that?

So while I had to discontinue the use of the cell renewal products, I've been enjoying L'Oreal's Glow Renewal line, and I've found them to be wonderful.

There's a daytime lotion that contains a broad spectrum suncreen, SPF 30--so important for a redhead like me!

And the night cream is light and lovely but deeply hydrating.  

Here's what I especially like about these products: they are extremely hydrating, but not at all greasy.  I can't stand to wake up in the morning feeling as though there's a layer of cream on my skin.  These products absorb so well that my skin just feels soft and smooth.

You should know that these products, just like the Age Renewal products, are fragranced.  The fragrance is light and dissipates quickly, so it hasn't bothered me.  If I were to develop a reaction to this product, I'd be sure to let L'Oreal know about it.  I for one would love to see the company develop a line of fragrance-free products designed specifically for sensitive skin.

All in all, I give L'Oreal's products a big thumbs-up.  It makes me happy to see products such as these that are department-store quality available at affordable prices.

And I'm so glad to know that companies like L'Oreal that sponsor product reviews like this one are actually listening to feedback and want to be responsive.

What about you?  Have you tried any new products lately?  Had good or bad experiences that you'd be willing to share?