Doors, fear, and Peanut Butter Fudge Bars! Oh My!

"He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you." Psalm 91:4-8

You know when you are stuck at a crossroads in your life and people say don't worry - God will open doors for you?  Well what if there are no doors?  Just windows.  Or maybe there are no doors - and then all of a sudden there are 3 doors.  Or maybe there are 2 doors but the one you want to walk through is locked and you don't have a key?  Darn!  How do you know which door is the best door for your life?  Also, once you walk through one door you can never go back and choose the other door.  Or maybe the doors are invisible and you just keep running into them, but can't find the door handle?  Stupid doors.  Do you ever find yourselves paralyzed with fear of walking through either door so you just stand still - stuck in indecision?

Have you ever seen the movie "Strictly Ballroom"?  It is this quirky Australian movie about Ballroom dancing by Baz Luhrmann.  It really is a funny movie and I recommend seeing it!  Anywho -  the main character is this nerdy lady who dreams of being a ballroom dancer.  By a twist of fate she ends up being partnered with a professional dancer and becomes a really good dancer!  One of the lines from the movie is "A life lived in fear... is a life half lived."  Every time I am afraid of facing something I think about this girl who was a quiet, shy, nerdy chick who decided to suck it up and face her fears.  In the end she didn't regret it.  Even if she had failed miserably at least she could say she gave it her all.  Sometimes I forget this, and hesitate with making decisions.  Sometimes my fear of being laughed at, judged, or rejected holds me back and instead I do nothing.  How wonderful it would be if we could all accept ourselves where we are on our journeys and just dance without fear!

If I have learned anything over the many years I have walked upon this earth it is this.  It is always better to be moving in some direction rather than to not be moving at all.  Nothing will change if you stand still and don't do anything about it!  Now, this is not to discredit the importance of standing still every once in a while, taking a step back, and re analyzing the doors you are walking through.  This too is important - just don't get stuck standing in the same spot too long!  When this happens I feel like maybe you just need to turn around and consider a new door.

Personally I make the boldest moves and decisions when I know that there are people standing behind me and supporting me in these drastic moves.  Having someone who will help point you in the right direction and is in your corner is always encouraging!  Maybe you have those people in your life, and maybe you don't - but be reassured that God is always in your corner and he is always routing for your happiness and success!

Here is my second attempt at a video...please note - making cooking videos is so much more complicated to do than you think!  It is wicked long - so feel free to fast forward. : )  As always, I love hearing feedback - positive and negative!   Thanks Guys!

Peanut Butter Fudge Bar Recipe
from the recipe box in my head

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups Peanut butter, crunchy or smooth
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

2 cups chocolate chips
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 TBSP butter
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper.
In large bowl cream the butter until smooth.  Add the sugars and cream until smooth about 2 minutes.  Scrape down the bowl.  Add the peanut butter, and mix to combine.  Scrape down bowl.  Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.  Scrap bowl.  Add the flour and baking soda.  Mix until just combined.

Pour 1/2 of the batter into lined pan and spread smooth.  Place in oven and bake 10 minutes until golden.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Meanwhile make the fudge filling.  Place chocolate chips, condensed milk, butter, and vanilla in large pan and mix over medium heat until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.  Be sure to keep a close watch as the mixture is thick and will burn easily.  Pour filling over partially baked dough.  Spread smooth and top with chunks of remaining batter.  Place in oven and bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

*These bars freeze well, and also ship well.  They also taste really good. : )

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

Be bold, don't live a half life, listen to this song, watch this video and make these scrumptious Peanut Butter Fudge Bars.

Eat your heart out,

Dagny