That is SOOOOO good!

As someone who loves to share my cooking, this is something that I LOVE to hear! I think everyone needs to hear compliments every so often. It helps us to feel good, confirms we are doing what we should, and, in a way, helps keep us humble. Today, for Eat. Live. Be., we are supposed to talk about compliments were have received.

One of my favorite compliments, one I will probably always remember, was a simple one that occurred on my birthday of my freshman year in college. I was in the cafeteria and one of the guys I knew from church, a senior friend saw me. He just simply looked at me and said "Claire, you look beautiful today." Now, people will say, "Awww, you look so pretty," or "Your dress is so cute," etc.; but for some reason, hearing "beautiful" made a big difference...it made my day! And this guy is one of the most genuine people you will meet; his comment was simple a superficial one, it meant more...and it has stuck with me!

On the other hand, the compliments that have meant most to me recently relate to my job. When parents tell you that they appreciate the care that you have provided their child, that they would recommend you to their friends, it really humbles you. In a way, those are hard compliments to accept; it is my JOB to take care of children; it is what I'm called to do. I'm called to do the best I can and to do all to the glory of God. Yet, to the families of the children that I take care of, it is a BIG DEAL! I think that, in a way, I will always feel uncomfortable when I receive those compliments, and I don't think that is a bad thing. If I get used to it, I'm becoming prideful and (pardon the Souther phrase) "too big for my britches!" What compliments have meant a lot to you? Are there any compliments that remind you of what you are supposed to be doing?

On the other hand, when someone tells me that what I have made is SOOO good...it does make me smile! I like it! This is another treat I made a couple of months ago for call. It's one of those yummy bars that uses sweetened condensed milk (YES!!!) and has a great oat crust (YES again!!!). Add dark chocolate M&M's to that...you've got a winner. And, yes, it's from my Souther Living Cookie cookbook. Try it!

Oat Candy Bars from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups M&M's, divided
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 375. Combine oats, flour, sugar, pecans, soda, and salt - mix well. Add melted butter and stir well until mixed and crumbly. Resever 1 1/2 cups of mixture. Press remaining crumbs into a 15 X 10 jelly roll pan. I put aluminum foil in the bottom of my pan and then spray with cooking spray. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Cool. Reduce heat in oven to 350.

Place 1 cup M&Ms in bowl and microwave for 1 minute; stir after 30 seconds. Break candy with the back of a spoon. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Spread this over the baked crust with 1/2 inch border on the sides.

Combine the 1/2 cup M&Ms remaining with the rest of the crumbs. Sprinkle this evenly over the bars and press in slightly. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Cool completely and then cut into bar. Enjoy!