Grandma's Famous Fudge Brownies

I have to admit, I would by no means make it as a skinny baker. The curves would overtake my body like a wave of chocolate. Today, as I dreaded the thought of baking but fantasized about the taste of chocolate brownies, I peeled my worn out body from the recliner in an attempt to create something so scrumptious the dishes would be licked clean before they ever hit the sink.

I dug out my dusty pans and asked a friend for his Grandmother’s Famous Fudge Brownie Recipe that he so often has bragged about. The thought of baking something I have made a thousand times before seemed too dull and the thought of something original seemed fresh and exciting. Mind you, I desired excitement after peeling myself from my over-sized leather recliner. The professional Kitchen Aid mixer in place, the glass cake pan clean, and my wrinkled gingham apron attached to my overly exhausted body -I began the journey of making these bragged about brownies.

The butter and chocolate started to soften and the aroma began to energize my lazy spirit. The buzzing sound of the mixer whipping the butter and eggs offered a much needed change of pace to my sluggish evening. As I whipped the remaining ingredients into a chocolate fudge fantasy I could taste the treat that would brighten my night in a mere 30 minutes.

Spooning the batter into the pan and waiting for my outdated oven to finally preheat, I had a craving leading to quick adultery of this famous family recipe. The urge to add peanut buttery goo throughout the fudge like brownie batter made me feel as though I had been converted into Ms. Betty Crocker. My artistic baking background took over and I was impulsively converted into a brisk baking mode. I threw a little of this and a smidgen of that into the peanut butter sauce pan and accidentally replicated the filling for Reese’s’ Candy Cups. I poured and swirled the two delectable treats- my two favorite treats simultaneously became one.

The preheated oven beeped. As I opened the squeaky oven door all I could do was pray my concoction turned out somewhat wonderful. The smell of the baking peanut butter chocolate fudge was making my mouth water. If my kitchen were a path full of grass there would be a new formed natural pathway from pacing back and forth to check the oven. Every sneak peak lead to instant tummy growls. Subconsciously I assumed that by turning on the dim oven light and checking the brownies they would magically cook faster.

Finally it was time to remove them and taste the decades old recipe that I had attempted to adulter. It was going to be magnificent or suffer from a creative cooking malfunction which would lead to severe frustration and an impromptu outing to the local bakery. The whirling swirls of peanut butter interlaced with rivers of chocolate fudge looked like miniature squares of heaven sitting on my messy kitchen counter. I succeeded and the taste bud sensation was inconceivable. I have to say if I ever decide to open a bakery- which I would never do- this recipe would be the first on the long list of victorious baking creations.

Fudge Brownie Recipe:

2 Eggs

     1 Cup Sugar

½ Cup Butter

½ Cup Flour

1 Cup Nuts (optional)

½ Cup Cocoa

1 tsp. Vanilla (I added a smidgen more)

1/8 tsp. Salt

*Melt butter and chocolate together. Beat eggs and sugar (I did this on super high for approximately 3 minutes) Add chocolate, butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Put flour in last.

Bake about 25 minutes at 350

Peanut Butter Goo…

½ cup Butter

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

½ cup Flour

1 tsp Vanilla

*Melt butter, chocolate, sugar, vanilla and peanut butter in a sauce pan. Mix well. Add flour last. (if you don’t add flour it tastes just like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup filling)

*Pour peanut butter mixture into brownie batter before cooking. Run a knife thought the batter making swirls throughout the pan.

*Let cool completely before eating (They seemed even better the next morning. Yes, I had one for breakfast)

I should mention that the old photo above is the original recipe and we can all see that it has been used many times and many people have enjoyed this wonderful recipe. Thanks to TR. Brixey for sharing this with me!

A Reflection of Frustration, Exhaustion, and Triumph

To be quite honest, at the completion of this assignment I have reached the point of bloggers exhaustion. I have found this routine entertaining and it has helped in the fluency of my writing. However, I will be the first to admit- I’m over it! Every night for the past three weeks I have blogged in exchange for watching my favorite television programs. This new leach in my agenda has officially worn out its welcome.

I understand the assignment and as I avowed it has been very effective. However, who really writes seven nights a week? If I were an aspiring writer I could see writing daily as an inspirational tool. Or, possibility if I were writing and earning money at the same time I wouldn’t mind the continuous intrusion on my television time. However, I am none of these things. I am merely taking a Basic English course in efforts to complete my bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, ENG101- which apparently entails extensive blogging- is a required class for any major.
When this assignment began nearly one month ago I felt confident that I would not need to use any of the suggested “all purpose” blogging ideas. I knew I could write about anything- I am a woman of many thoughts. Unfortunately, as the conclusion of the task drew near my mind encountered writers block- my mind had run out of thoughts and refused to be repetitive. In an attempt to become creative I tried to steer clear of the all purpose ideas forcing myself to develop my writing style through creativity. It is amazing how much you can write on the subject of dirt when you are creatively thinking of a subject beyond an effortless statement.

I have learned a great deal about my writing style as well as becoming a speed typist.  I will not sugar coat reality though- I still maintain five nights a week would have been an easier writing regimen. I will continue to blog occasionally over subjects that are dear to my heart, possibly new products I buy, and vent- as it is a great soap box tool. I have opened a new blog on a business blogging site and hope to incorporate it within my business.  Thank you for introducing me to the world of blogging- In the end I actually gained writing confidence from this dreaded lesson.

           Now, please excuse me while I curl up in my warm bed on this wintry Sunday morning. Wearing my Betty Boop feety pajamas and holding a cup of hot cocoa I will embark on a television marathon to catch up on my- every so missed- television shows.

To view my new business blog please visit http://wrbathandbody.wordpress.com/

I Will Never Do Agains...

Sometimes we reflect on choices that were less than productive- choices that should never be repeated. Let’s look at my personal list of “I will never do agains…”

·    Bridge Jumping (this is not recommended for several reasons)

- It’s more than likely illegal.

- Would be classified as dangerous.

- If you try this you've usually consumed too many adult beverages and should not be swimming.

·     Body Piercing
     -It hurts.
     -Can turn into un-cool very quickly.
     -In hindsight, I looked pretty stupid.

·         

      Four Wheeling in unknown territory… at dark

-    -Let your imagination wonder- that’s probably what happened to me.

-    -However, noticeably I did live.

·    Skipping the first two hours of high school.. daily

-That caused a lot of bad karma with the principal- I wouldn’t recommend it.

-You don’t exactly get A’s- or B’s, C’s, or D’s-when you don’t show up to class.

·    Getting married at 19 (to an idiot no less)
     -No one should marry and idiot before they are 25. That’s my personal advice- we’ll leave it at that.

·       

     Having a baby at 20

-Again, no one should reproduce until they are at least 25- enough said.

·      

    Opening a business while having three kids under the age of 5
     -It’s too stressful and can induce anxiety, wrinkles and grey hair.
    - One benefit to this one- you can call in sick .

·    Don’t drive while drinking

-I haven’t done this but I know people who have.

-Those people have really complicated lives now and driving is the least of their worries.

·    Always think I am right.

- Face reality-you’re not always going to be right.

-sometimes “no” is a lifesaver in the end- trust me.

·    Never drive through Kansas

-God did not bless that state with any beauty.

-Drive around it- not through it.

-Better yet- fly.

Winter Has Worn Out His Welcome....

Today I will stay calm in with the threat of another winter storm headed our direction. Snow is beautiful, but this year- it has worn out its welcome. Cold temperatures leading to day long inconveniences are not the way I wanted to spend my winter.

This year I have missed many of my quiet afternoons snuggled in bed watching reruns of my favorite television shows. My children are a day shy of a three week snow sabbatical. The forecast for this weekend ensures Monday they will embark on snow day #14. To reinstate- THREE WEEKS! Honestly, I’m not sure how these bright minds are even going to accomplish a steady pace of learning in light of the choppy weeks that have become so familiar this winter. As their minds turn to mush from watching 50 episodes Saved by the Bell I have hopes they will gain something by watching Zach and Screech go to Bayside High School- where they don’t have snow days.

            In my defense, they are just as tired of being off routine as I am. Even the treasured snow has lost its sparkle and the sled has been parked due to overuse. The puffy snow pants and Eskimo boots are sitting on the floor waiting to be worn as everyone in this house would rather reject playing in the snow at this point. Too much of a good thing has turned into a detested nuisance leaving us to suffer the awful cabin fever.

This winter has been one for the records. The temperatures have plummeted, heating bills have sky rocketed, and my cuddle duds have a new hole from overuse. We are anxiously awaiting a splendid spring where the green leaves will shine and the thunder will roll. I believe we have earned the right to celebrate the new season with a highly anticipated party on the porch.

Opinions Are Underrated...

·         Opinion: belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing

·         Opinionated: expressing strong beliefs or judgments about something: having or showing strong opinions.

·         Mellie Maggard: A strongly opinionated woman.

I am a very opinionated woman- Always have been, always will be. The power of opinion has often been advantageous. On the contrary it has also been detrimental. Many times in my life I have been in situations in which my mind acknowledged I should have thought prior to speaking. Most members of society have a filter that removes any harmful words before exiting their mouth. This is an essential part of harmony among friends and family. However, my genetic composition skipped the filter stage and gave the word a pretentious dogmatic woman.

My over articulation has welcomed several achievements in my adult life. I am well spoken, a go getter no matter the obstacle, and I entertain the proposal of debate. I am open-minded but cannot be swayed effortlessly. If my view is challenged I fight to prove its legitimacy. Speaking what is true to your belief is a character trait I admire in others. Agreeing to disagree is better than not offering any opinion at all- In my opinion.

Oppositely, I have grown quite fond of the taste of my foot. In my countless attempts to prove legitimacy I have often faced oppositional defeat. Becoming frustrated, prolonging the debate until I am justifiably defeated does not offer the gracious appeal I would prefer. Nevertheless, learning from other’s opinions has allowed me to grow into a well rounded individual who values the creditable opinion of others.

I would challenge individuals who sit back in an effort to avoid participation in constructive debate by hushing their opinions, to stand firm by offering opinions when the opportunity presents itself. There is a fine line between saying too much and not saying anything at all- but speaking your beliefs and understanding the opinions of other’s is a great avenue in which to expand your horizons.  

Merriam-Webster 2014.Web

To be quite honest, today I have reached the point of blogging exhaustion. I have found this routine entertaining and it has helped in the fluency of my writing. However, I will be the first to admit- I’m over it! Every night for the past three weeks I have blogged in exchange for watching my favorite television programs. This new leach in my agenda has officially worn out its welcome.

I understand the assignment and as I avowed it has been very effective. However, who really writes seven nights a week? If I were an aspiring writer I would see writing daily as an inspirational tool. Or, possibility if I were writing and earning money at the same time I wouldn't mind the continuous intrusion on my television time. However, I am none of these things. I am merely taking a Basic English course in efforts to complete my bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, ENG101- which apparently entails extensive blogging- is a required class for any major.

         Sunday is so close, yet so far away. I will blog a minimum of 5400 words between now and then. I honestly don’t know that I can come up with that many additional words. Interestingly enough, I am not a woman of many ideas. I know that I can blog about anything under the sun, but my mind encounters exhaustion when presented with the thought of researching for purposes of a college blog.

           I apologize for being a Debbie Downer tonight. In all fairness to my English Professor, I have learned a great deal about my writing style as well as becoming a speed typist.  I will not sugar coat reality though- I still maintain five nights a week would have been an easier writing regimen. I will be back again tomorrow with high hopes that my writer’s block has vanished. (Now, everyone say Hocus-Pocus!)

They Are Magnetic...

The unnecessary accumulation of dirt is an annoyance that I wish would become extinct. Have you ever noticed how it mass-duplicates defying your constant efforts to remove it? Dirt comes in many forms- mud, dust and even sticky goo like substances fixed to household furnishings. Wind, rain, and sun magnifies this obtrusive tyrant leading to a never ending cycle of cleaning.

   Some people are not affected by the company of dirt and have the luxury of built in dirt blinders. I secretly wish my eyes were naturally foggy and I didn’t overreact to the sighting of a dust bunny lurking under the couch. Unfortunately, for me and the co-inhabitants of this house, I have binocular vision for muck. It’s a sixth sense in which I can sense the dirt- I can feel it before I even lay eyes on it.

       The filth plays games with my mind. As the sun rises and shines through the newly squeegeed windows I can see the remnants of defeat. My morning view is obstructed by the sloppy smears, the stubborn spots and the resistant residue that I missed while slaving in the cold wind to acquire perfect clarity. I stand defeated and forcefully concede.

Having three children only increases the dirt in my house. It is as if they are connected by a magnetic dirt field and welcome each other with open arms. I have repeatedly thought of posting threatening signs throughout the house advising the dirt magnets to depolarize themselves. Unfortunately, my house still attracts dirt that nestles itself in for the long haul.

The magnetization of dirt vs. children has become a permanent obstacle in my goal to acquire household perfection. However, someday the dust bunnies will be gone, the finger prints on the walls will fade, and the wash room will always be pristine. Until then, I will welcome this unruly house guest and remind myself- without the constant dusting dilemma I might actually miss the little dirt magnets that make this house a home.