I'm in 5b/6a, so a little warmer. All my peppers ripened. What really made the difference was buying a cheap cold frame. It increased temps outside by 20 degrees. So when it was 40 degrees I could put pepper plants out as it was 60 degrees in the cold frame. I brought them in at night. I did this for about 3 weeks, what a pain, but what a harvest!! By the end of three weeks they barely fit, and it was still kinda cool outside. i think they were slightly stunted when taken out, but were pretty much hardened off. I used a fan inside, so they were ready for wind etc. My tomatoes were in there too. My first tomato was around June 28th. Still have some as a matter of fact. When it got to be 60 outside I had to vent the frame as it was 80-90 degrees inside. The peppers grew like mad in it! When planted out they were over 12 inches tall, all had flowers. here's a photo of them in the cold frame

I've made something similar, but I used graham crackers instead of saltines and sliced almonds instead of pecans. I just made a pan of your recipe and it's cooling in the fridge. Here's a recipe I make for my grandkids CHOCOLATE SQUARES In a heavy pot melt 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky) 3/4 cup of honey. When melted and mixed add 3 cups rice krispies 1 cup peanuts Press into a 7 x 11 pan (or whatever size you have) Refrigerate and cut into squares. Kids really enjoy these. I sometimes use dried cranberries and raisins instead of peanuts. Enjoy Carole.

My ex-MIL used to make chocolate pudding cakes (not bread pudding) in her slow cooker. They were delicious, especially with some ice cream. Chocolate bread pudding sounds great. I love bread pudding as long as it's custardy enough. I hate when it's too dry.

Kim, it's 6:30 am Wednesday and I just read your post. First, I think it was very brave of you to post asking for a kidney donor. When I first got kidney trouble in 2001, the doctors knew I would go downhill and need a transplant eventually. They told me cadaver kidneys last around 10 years, living donor kidneys last about 20, but family blood relatives can last much longer. I don't plan on living to 100. I asked family members, all said no. My brother already had high blood pressure,he offered me a kidney but he's the wrong blood type (B). I joked with him "This means one of us was adopted." My two sisters said they had their reasons. One sister had a daughter with liver failure (a drug user) and was planning on giving a part of her liver to her daughter. The daughter suddenly got much sicker and needed a "full organ transplant" so only a cadaver could be used. That niece got her liver transplant in 2007 and still has health problems. For one thing, she can never have a child of her own. She can't work at all, and it's likely she'll be on Social Security and welfare the rest of her life. Other relatives (on my husband's side) also said no. I asked around at my job and at church but no one would be tested. I have type O blood and can only accept a Type O kidney. I've been "on the list" for years, on dialysis since 2007 and I'm just about as desperate. I've been told to "advertise" and reach out to any organization that might help. Second, you were rudely treated on the health forum. Being an organ donor does have risks, but medical science has done its best to minimize them. The donor surgery can be done ny laparoscopy, which uses a very small incision and very little blood loss. The medical cost to the living donor is handled by the recipient's insurance company. It's illegal to pay someone for a kidney, tho I have heard of people doing so, buying organs from India and other "poor" countries. We patients can give donors money for travel and small gifts, but that's it. We're pretty much condemned to this hellish treatment. I have had all kinds of complications, tho I have NEVER ever missed a treatment since 2007. I have felt severly dizzy, thrown up,had leg cramps, had bleeding problems with my arm where the needles are put in. And believe me, those suckers do HURT going in. Then you have to lie perfectly still for over 3 hours. Once I nearly died during dialysis , I turned blue (cyanotic) from lack of oxygen. A nurse saved my life. Anyway, Kim, I applaud you for trying. Sorry you were treated so roughly on the Health Forum. I have always lived by that American Indian saying (and I'm part Blackfoot) "Walk A Mile in My Shoes." I am so sorry what happened to you. Try to stay strong. I know how hard it is waiting. But our transplants are coming. Every day you live is another day closer to that transplant.