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There is something kind of wonderful about the last days of summer. A little bittersweet, as we are saying goodbye to another summer, exciting because back to school is almost here, and relaxing because we know it’s the last chance to just enjoy the warm days and slightly cooler nights!

Growing up a few hours from the Jersey shore, the beach has always been part of our summers, and still is! My Dad was always teaching me something new, and one year he bought a tumbler from Sears so we could polish the stones we found on Sunset beach in Cape May, NJ. Then we would turn the tumbled stones into necklaces and bracelets. If we were really lucky, we would find a clear quartz stone known as “Cape May Diamonds!” 

Here I am on Sunset beach about 1976.

I still have that tumbler, and we just spent a sunny day searching for perfect stones to turn into jewelry, just like I did when I was little on the very same beach.

This is also a great time to enjoy that last day trip, picnic lunch, or just a lazy day outside! I am sharing my Mom’s super easy, and super yummy, peanut butter and chocolate rice cereal treat recipe that just feels like summer to me!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Cereal Treats

1 cup corn syrup

1 cup sugar

6 cups rice cereal

1 cup peanut butter

½ cup butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

In a medium saucepan, combine corn syrup and sugar under low heat until sugar is dissolved. Add butter and peanut butter until melted.

In a large mixing bowl, combine rice cereal with melted mixture.  Press into a greased 13x9”pan. Melt peanut butter and chocolate chips in microwave and spread over the cereal. Chill in fridge, cut into squares or shapes with a cookie cutter.

PS: My daughter, Cara, likes to make these with the peanut butter and chocolate chips, but you can do 2 cups of chocolate chips for a more chocolate flavor. Or, vary the flavors if you like with milk, dark or white chocolate chips. Enjoy!

-Jane