best.brownies.ever.

And I made them.

I love chocolate brownies. I love making them, they are pretty darn easy using a mix. Only twice did I mess them up; once when I was making 3 batches and forgot the eggs in one batch, and another time when I thought to follow a Prevention recipe and substitute applesauce and banana for the oil and eggs. The first failure resulted in a flat chocolate-y mess. I don't recall what happened with the low fat batch but it must not have been good since I never tried it again.

I love regular chocolate brownies. No nuts, no frosting. I will tolerate nuts but will decline to eat a brownie with frosting. Frosting belongs on cake if at all. I also prefer the edges. I love the corners the best with their chewiness.

I don't know where of when I heard about this wonderful pan, Baker's Edge, but I bought it a right away. But then it sat a long time ago in my garage until today.

First I went looking for a recipe. You see, I am trying to eat healthy. Yes, I know brownies are not health food but I figured that using fresh ingredients would be better than a box. I got a recipe from Martha Stewart but then saw that it called for a 8x8 or 9x9 pan. The Baker's Edge pan is about 9x12. I checked the pamphlet that came with the pan and found a recipe. OK. Oh but I don't have enough unsweetened chocolate. OK, off to the store. And maybe I will get some walnuts since they are good for omega 3s and I can grind them up so you won't be able to tell they are in there.

What a production that was! I had to get out my Kitchen Aid mixer and my little food processor and learn to melt chocolate using a bowl over a simmering pot of water. And could I dirty anymore dishes and bowls? But finally, time to put the pan in the oven and let them bake. Oh the aroma!

We had lunch and then the brownies were done (I need to remember to get toothpicks.) and I tried to let them cool. I knew a girl in college named Tere. Her mother had told them that warm brownies caused diarrhea and they believed her. I told Tere the truth. Finally an hour later, I decided to try them.

I read about someone saying that you had to sacrifice the first brownie to get the rest out neatly. I remember trying to cut up regular brownies and always having a few less than pretty pieces but they tasted the same so it was no loss. I tried using the little nylon spatula that came with the pan, but it was too thick to get between the brownie and the side of the pan. I saw the Tupperware citrus peeler I used to test if the brownies were done. I used the flat side to separate the brownie from the pan and gently ease the brownie up.

Right away, I knew they would be good. I could see the ghiradelli semisweet chocolate chunks melted and oozing. I took a bite an fell in love. Believe the theory that eating chocolate releases the same chemicals as having sex does. I was a bit concerned because these brownies are thick and I thought they might be too cake like. Nothing to worry about. Just rich chocolate goodness. Not too rich but rich enough that one brownie is enough. At least it's been an hour and I am still satisfied.

losing teeth

When the boys have lost teeth in the past, they really lost them. The most I could get from them is what room they were in when the tooth fell out. We could never find the teeth.

So the tooth fairy never came to visit.

Yesterday, Andy's tooth was hanging by a thread. I told him to give me the tooth when it fell out and he did. Then we put the tooth in a plastic bag and hung it up on the fridge. The tooth fairy came and took the tooth but left $.50 in the bag. Andy took the money out and put it in his bank. He was not excited by the money.

I doubt the tooth fairy will make a return trip.

2008 christmas/holiday card

My photo card is complete and I have sent for prints. If you are lucky enough to be on my list, expect to see one in the next few weeks. If you aren't on my list, enjoy it here.

cookie of the day

advent conspiracy = good idea

junk drawer

It's really not a junk drawer. It's where I keep my washcloths and few odds & ends. But then...

You see, I liked having a cocktail after I got the kids to bed. It helped me relax. Sure, I could have done some deep breathing but the beverage tastes better. And this favorite beverage was having a contest where you could win prizes just but matching the number under the cap to one online. So I thought I would look at caps all together rather than doing it each day. And I kept adding to the pile.

I finally realized that I have never looked at one cap and don't even know if the contest is still running. One clue might have been to see that the newer bottles no longer had this message. But I hadn't purchased any in months. So the whole thing became ridiculous and I knew I needed to just throw them out. But I took this photo first just to share how ridiculous I can be.

The drawer is clean once again and contains washcloths, dish towels and only 3 of the medicine dispensers. Just in case.

it's all too much

It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nothing new but great motivation. I even had to stop reading to get up and clean! I still have a long way to go to get uncluttered but I have made a start and that is more than I have done after reading other books. Walsh is not about buying stuff to reorganize, he is about getting rid of it! Most of it I can agree with. I can't get rid of books I haven't read. I know I will read them and will give myself a few month to get through them.



And I cannot get rid of my music CDs even though I have them on my computer. Doing so would violate the terms of use as once you no longer own the CD, you don't have the right to play the music. I don't understand why so many people feel it's OK to keep digital copies of the music and sell the original CDs. I guess that may be just my pet peeve but it's a big one for me.



Walsh did motivate me to get rid of an old roll top desk that belonged to my husband. It was his grandfather's and he was proud of the refinishing job he did on the desk. It is a nice desk but means nothing to me and will not mean anything to the boys. I will be giving it to goodwill where someone can purchase it and enjoy it.



I have never seen Clean Sweep but I think Walsh is a good cheerleader and motivator.


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tagged

I was tagged by Pat today for the Book Tag.
Here’s the rules of the tag:
1. Get the book on your nightstand (or whatever book you are currently reading).
2. Open it to page 56 and find the 5th sentence.
3. Post the next couple of sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
4. Do not go and find your favorite book, it has to be the one you are reading now!
5. Tag 5 other people to do the same.

I am re-reading Allan Stein by Matthew Stadler:

We split a bottle of heavy Bordeaux and then a Napa Valley red zinfandel that was like drinking a brick wall. A little bon voyage.
"Is that a new watch? You never wore a watch before."

I tag: (sorry if you've been tagged already!)
Dianne
Kimber
Vickie
Stephanie
Susan

freefall

Freefall by Joann Ross

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I like Joann Ross. Her books have good twists and a bit of sex. Freefall is no exception. Sabrina moves back to Swann Island after a terrorist bombs the hotel she manages in Florence. Zach Tremayne moves back to Swann Island after his SEAL operation goes horribly wrong. Of course these 2 will fall for each other but it's the other stuff that happens around them that makes the book interesting. I was surprised by whom the Swann Island Slasher turned out to be. And a little disappointed in the way the ending wrapped up way to easily and quickly as if the publisher was nagging Ross to finish in 5 minutes.


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greedy little goblins!

We have a love/hate relationship with Halloween. I love the candy, hate the costumes. Andy loves to dress up and go to people's homes, Ryan hates to be outside in the dark.

Before Andy was born, Gail said he didn't want to do the Halloween thing. I didn't say anything but it bothered me. He changed his mind once Andy was here. He thought it was fun to dress Andy up. When we moved down here, I didn't want to Halloween. Doesn't it seem hypocritical to tell our kids that on this one day it's OK to beg for candy from strangers? But Gail was sick so I got costumes for the boys. Andy was the Cat in the Hat and Ryan was Tiggr. Gail went to take the boys out and Ryan screamed but Andy was glad to go with his dad. Andy thought that he should be able to go into the homes and look around. He didn't care about the candy. We didn't know about the autism them.

Andy Gail died, we kept it low key. We stayed home to pass out candy. We never got many kids. Last year, I decided not to pass out candy. I put the bench in front of the door and the lights were out but kids still came and rang the bell. I was going to do the same thing this year but then changed my mind on Thursday since Publix had buy one get one free on candy. So I spent $20 and got over 11 pounds of candy. I set it on the porch with a note to leave some for others. It was gone in about an hour. Someone must have been pushing because the box was flipped and there were a few pieces on the ground smashed. Remind me not to give out candy next year.

Ryan had to do a book report on a biography. He chose Richard Nixon who happens to be his favorite president. (He was Gail's as well, I have no idea why.) Ryan had to give an oral report and had to dress up as Nixon. He also got to wear his costume in the Book Character Parade at school. He wouldn't look at me. Neither would Andy. I think I might just stay home next year.