Rose's Brownies

I have made these brownies for two years for our local Charity League's Holiday House event and they are so good I thought I should share the recipe.  Just make these once and trust me, you'll never want boxed brownies again.

I think the secret is that the icing is just as thick as the brownie and it a slight mocha taste from the coffee you put in. Enough trying to sell you on them, here's the recipe:
Brownies:
1 stick butter, melted
2 cups sugar
8 tablespoons cocoa
4 eggs
1 1/3 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix dry ingredients; then add eggs and butter. Add vanilla and nuts and mix well. Pour into (2) greased 8x8 inch pans. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes (toothpick should come out clean).

Frosting:
1 stick butter, melted (with 1/3 cup milk added to it)
1 box powdered sugar
3 heaping tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix powdered sugar and cocoa. Add milk and butter. Add vanilla and coffee. Beat well and then pour over warm brownies.

Now you will be tempted to eat the entire pan right away, but they really are better if you wait till the next day to cut them. So eat 1 pan when you make them and then save the other for the next day! Enjoy!

It's Exactly What It Looks Like

Yep, it's a bacon t-shirt. Why might one need a bacon t-shirt you ask? To torment my husband, that's why. A few weeks ago the RedHead and I had a discussion about having a third child. We have discussions about this quite often, but we both know that it would be best if we wait just a tad bit longer.

During this discussion I decided it would be best if we had a code word. Kind of like a "safe" word, but really the opposite. He says the word and I know that we're ready to start trying. The word: Bacon! Since then I've been completely harrassing him about all things bacon. I'm perfectly content waiting a few more months, but this is just too much fun to let go. So this little beauty is going to be hanging on the closet door for him when he gets home.

And I think I've found a stocking stuffer as well:

I kid. That's just gross!

 

So It Begins

With Thanksgiving's passing, the Christmas season arrives.  Just today my Mama asked me what I had going on this week. I replied, "Drop off food for the Holiday House Shoppes and Colson's basketball practice on Wednesday, Preview Party on Thursday, Charity League Holiday House shift Friday...  The calendar is filling up quickly.

Once December begins it seems that there is a steady stream of activities, parties and general busyness. I am happy to have this season of celebration with my family and friends, but I look forward to the small moments with my closest family that put that intense feeling of joy in my heart.

I look forward to hanging the stockings on the mantle, drinking cocoa while watching Christmas movies, making cookies with my children, and talking with them about the story of our Savior's birth. The parties are fun, but these small moments are the ones I will treasure forever.

Many Blessings

This Thanksgiving I have more than my fair share of things to be thankful for. There's the big things:

I'm beyond thankful for a husband who loves me so much and spoils me rotten. He is the most supportive and attentive person I know.

I am thankful for my two children who bring light and laughter into my life.

I am thankful for my Mama, a job that allows me to share my passion for reading with children every day, and friends I can count on for anything.

Then there are the little things:
Sugar-Free Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer that allows me a treat while not breaking my carb diet.

My hairdresser being able to work me in the day before Thanksgiving so I can have "good" hair through the holidays.

Hunter Rainboots that keep me stylin' even in yucky weather.

Bacon...because bacon makes everything better! ;)

Here's The Trick

Here's the trick...I'm posting this a month late. But these two are adorable little treats. We had the best Halloween this year. We visited family first, and then we met up with other families in the neighborhood, ate pizza, and had a hayride for the kids to trick-or-treat all of the homes. Here are some pictures of our little Strawberry and Fire Fighter!

 With Daddy, at least Lilly-Belle is excited!

 

With Mommy and our pumpkins

 

With Nana

 With Great Grienky

With Great Granny

With Miss Liz, Lauren, and Logan

Monkey Goes To School

Way back in August Colson Monkey started Kindergarten. We decided to send him to our neighborhood school instead of having him come to the school where I work. It was hard for mommy to let go, but boy am I glad I did. He is an independent little boy who is loving school, has the best Kindergarten teacher, and tells me a hundred new things that he's learned each day!

His first day of school:

And after just a few short months, here he is reading!


I couldn't be more proud of him!

Homemade Brunswick Stew

This is seriously the best soup you will ever make. If you like Vegetable Soup, you will love Brunswick Stew. It's like vegetable soup on steroids! Here I have made a double batch because I was sending in some to my Monkey's school for the teachers, but you don't have to double up (unless you love it as much as I do!)

Grab your biggest pot get started!

Brunswick Stew – Makes 6 quarts

3 large Chicken Breasts – boil until done / cool / shred

1-1  ½  lbs Barbecue (I use sliced and I shred)

4 medium Potatoes diced

1 lb Carrots diced

Cook Carrots and Potatoes until tender

In large pot add:

1 can Petite Diced Tomatoes

3-4 cans Tomato Sauce

2 - 3 cans Chicken Broth

2 cans Kitchen Sliced Green Beans

1 can Black Eye Peas

1 bag frozen Baby Limas

1 bag frozen Shoe Peg Corn

Potatoes and Carrots

Shredded Chicken & Barbecue

2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes crushed or 1 Tbsp Chicken Base (Paste found in Chicken Broth section)

Salt & Pepper to taste

 Sugar (1 TBSP)

Nature Seasoning

Simmer on low for 1-2 hours stirring often. This soup freezes well, so don't worry at all about what to do with any leftovers you'll have (as if there will actually be any!) And a big Thank You to my Mama who helped me make all of this!