Blondies

  Photo By: Kellie Putnel

They may look like Chocolate Chip Cookies bars but don't let that fool you, these babies stand apart from the crowd!  The brown sugar and butter in this recipe lends a slight butterscotch taste that will have you reaching for seconds.  They are great alone or served warm with a scoop of ice cream (butter pecan is my personal favorite with this recipe). 

Blondies 
Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Ingredients:
1 stick of butter (8 tbsp), melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt


Baking Instructions:

1. Butter an 8×8 pan (or baking sheet if doubling recipe)
2. Mix melted butter with brown sugar and beat until smooth. 
3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Add salt and gently incorporate flour. Mix in any additions (below).
5. Pour into prepared pan. Spread evenly.  Bake at 350°F 20-25 minutes, or until the middle is set.

Note: Typcially I double this recipe so it fits nicely on a 1" deep baking sheet (standard size I believe).  Cooking times may vary slightly, my oven bakes a double batch in a cookie sheet in 20 minutes.


Favorite Additions:

• 1 cup chopped nuts 
• 1 cup chocolate chips 
• 1 cup white chocolate chips 
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips 
• 1/4 cup bourbon, scotch or other whiskey; increasing flour by 1 tablespoon
• 1 teaspoon butterscotch extract (in place of vanilla) 

Enjoy!

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. 

~Author Unknown

Late One Summer Evening...

Lil Miss M asked if she could stay up later than usual to work on her "Summer Masterpiece" last night.  She explained she has an idea to collect things all summer and add them to one big work of art.  She rattled off all kinds of things she wants to collect, from shells to buttons and ribbons to magazine clippings.  She has plans for glitter and decoupage and even a some yarn.

So...tonight rather than enforcing bedtime, she and I sat at the table together, armed with a sketch book, pencils, cookies and milk, and conspired until well after midnight about this wonderful work she is going to make.  Perhaps someday, when she is grown, she will look back on this summer night and remember how we stayed up past bedtime and giggled together while making grand plans for the summer.

Time for bed Lady-Bug...sweet dreams...I love you!

Photo By: Kellie Putnel ~ All Rights Reserved

 

Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed.  

~Robert Gallagher

Tag You're It!

Yesterday, Telma “tagged” me on her blog, Knitty Or Nice, so to keep the ball rolling, here is a little info about moi...

1- What’s your staple meal (ie. what meal do you cook most often when you can’t be bothered to be adventurous) ?

Well, during the week "cook" is a relative term around my house...but if it involves the stove I would have to say Taco Salad.  We eat a LOT of salads and do a lot of quick things like oven baked chicken strips with a side of cucumber, tomato, bacon and cheese salad.

2- What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I grow up I would LOVE to be a photographer, writer and designer...I'm still working out my plans for a combination yarn/coffee/fro-yo shop as well =)

3- What book are you reading at the moment (if any)

I'm on a classics kick at the moment and am re-reading Walden (next up is Pride & Prejudice) and of course the latest knitting magazines.

4- How do you relax?

Knitting, writing and daydreaming.

5- What color are the interior walls of your home?
Foyer and living/family room are Goldenrod, the former dining turned playroom is a light sage green, kitchen and eat-in are Rusted Brick Red, DD's room is periwinkle, DS's room is tan and colonial blue and the remainder of the house is a light beige color... Whew! Didn't think we had THAT many colors hehe

6- What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Hmm...my iPhone.  I LOVE it.

7- What time is bedtime and getting up time?
Bedtime is anytime between 12am and 2am.  Wake up time is usually somewhere between 7:30am and 8:30amduring the week and about 9am on weekends.

8- How long do you spend reading blogs (per day or per week)?

Tough call on this one.  Probably a few hours.  I have all m favorite blogs tagged so it doesn't take to long to read through them and drool over their recent projects or recipes....however if I stumble onto a new blog then I might be there for a log time.

My selections for the next round of "tagging" [insert Jeopardy theme music here] are:

iKnit2Purl2 

Coggie's Yarn Tale 

Joyful Abode  

Double Decker Chocolate Chip Brownie Bars/Cups

Photo by: Kellie Putnel - All Rights Reserved

 Forgive me, die-hard, from scratch bakers. When I bake I occasionally use cheats.  This recipe being one of them.  I can hear your groans of contempt but I assure you there ARE moments in life, at least in my somewhat chaotic household, where sweet little cheat treats are appropriate: potlucks, unexpected visitors, fund-raisers, forgotten birthdays and those times when life just cuts into the baking schedule and you have a craving darn it!  This recipe can easily be made from scratch with your favorite chocolate chip cookie and brownie recipes (that is how I originally made it) if you do so choose.


To Make 
Begin with your favorite brownie mix and chocolate chip cookie recipe or box mixes.  This time I used Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix and Ghiradelli Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix.  They are what I had on hand and don't have to be the same brand.  I've used Betty Crocker Brown Mix along with the Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe (the one on the back of the bag of chocolate semi-sweet chips) and had no problems.  

Prepare the brownie batter as per the recipe or mix you have selected. Spread evenly in a pan (mine is an 11"x9") or in fill cupcake cups 1/3rd full with batter (will make approximately 12 cups if you use full size tins).  Set aside.  Prepare cookie dough batter as per recipe or instructions.  Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough/batter across the top of brownie batter.  There is no need to spread the cookie dough/batter evenly, although you certainly can if you do so choose.  Baking time will approximately follow what is called for in your recipe or instructions.  

Note: Because we are combining two mixes and/or recipes, you may have to adjust baking time up or down, as well as oven temperature if necessary. Keep in mind that cupcake tins at least in my oven) take longer to bake than a flat pan of brownie/cookies.  I recommend checking the bars after the first 25 minutes and adjusting the time/temperature up or down from there.  Make sure you check the "done-ness" of the center with a toothpick, it should come out clean before removing from the oven.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.  When cool, cut into bars/remove from cupcake tins and store in an airtight container until needed.

This recipe is really versatile and also fantastic with nuts, mini marshmallows or caramel candies thrown in.  

Enjoy!

The Scholarship Is Awarded To...

Lil Miss M!!!

At the beginning of the show on opening night all company members were called on stage for special recognition of a fantastic competition season and then the announced the scholarship winners...Lil Miss M had no idea it was coming.  As they began to read off the names she applauded the other 3 winners (from different levels) and started looking at her friends to see who was going to be called from her group...then her name was announced!  Total shock and happiness burst from her little face as she walked across that big stage and gave her teachers a big hug as they hung the engraved medal around her neck.  Lil Miss M walked back into line with the other girls with the biggest smile I've ever had the privilege to see on her face and with her held just a little higher knowing all the work she had put into dance this year.  What a spectacular moment for a seven year old who dances not because she has to but because she LOVES it.

Congratulations Lady-Bug!!!

Time To Dance...

Photo: Junior Company 2009-2010 During Rehearsals

Photo is Copyrighted and may not be reproduced.

What an incredible year it has been dancing...

“We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams.”

 
It is astonishing how much that poem defines us and describes our dancing season that is drawing to a close this week.  Since August we have danced with joy at the celebration of my grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary, danced through the tears and fears of our Lil Miss M's four month cancer scare and then danced the best competition season of our dreams.  To top it off there will be a HUGE announcement on Tuesday night about Lil Miss M...I am so proud of her but until Tuesday it must remain a secret. 

The excitement of the last show is building, we are constantly running our dances in our heads and bouncing to the beat only we can hear.  Our hearts are beating a little faster as the excitement of being on stage draws ever closer.  A little anxiety sneaks in as I imagine all the quick costume changes we have,  yet nothing can mask the smiles upon our faces as we think about all that this year has brought us and what is yet to come in the final show...

 

A creative mess is better than tidy idleness.  ~Author Unknown

Raspberry Peach Jam

Today I canned for the very first time!  It was exciting and not nearly as nerve-racking as I had imagined.  My only frustration was how long it took my new 21 quart pot of water to boil (yes, I know a watched pot never boils but I was too excited to leave the kitchen)!  I decided jam or jelly would be the best choice for my first attempt since air bubbles wouldn't be as much of an issue.  

The recipe: Raspberry Peach Jam (finished product pictured above) - delicious doesn't begin to describe this sinfully sweet concoction.  My husband and children have already tested the batch and given it their stamp of approval.  I have a feeling there will be lots of raspberry, peach and peanut butter sandwiches in the very near future for the kids and perhaps raspberry peach jam on vanilla bean ice cream for the grownups!   

Raspberry Peach Jam

• 2 cups seedless raspberry puree (from about 4 to 4 1/2 cups raspberries)
• 2 cups finely chopped peaches
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Fruit Fresh or ascorbic acid
• 1 box (1.75 ounces) powdered fruit pectin
• 6 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon butter

Combine the puree and chopped peaches in a large, deep stainless steel or enamel-lined (with no chips) kettle. Stir in the lemon juice, Fruit Fresh, and powdered pectin. Stir to blend and let stand for 10 minutes.

Bring the fruit mixture to a full rolling boil over high heat. Let the mixture boil for 1 minute. Add the sugar all at once, then the butter. Stir to blend and bring back to a full rolling boil. Continue boiling for 1 minute. Remove from heat, skim off foam, and stir for 1 minute.

Remove jars from the hot water and fill, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Wipe the rims with a hot damp paper towel and fit jars with lids. Screw on bands just to fingertip tightness. Lift jars into the hot canning water and lower the rack. Add more hot water, if necessary, to bring water to at least 1 inch over the tops of the jars. cover the canner and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle but steady boil and continue boiling for 10 minutes.

Turn off heat, remove cover, and let jars stand in the water for 5 minutes. Remove the jars to cool. Do not tip or turn the jars.

Makes 6 8-ounce jars.

*When I made this it gave me 6 - 8oz jars and 1 half pint jar.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~By Scott Adams in The Dilbert Principle (Collins)

The Can Can...

These are the canning goods that the amazing Miss Alice gave me while I was in Pennsylvania last week. She is 91 yrs old and has been canning since she was 5 years old with no plans to stop now.  She did confide that she would like to see recipes handed down and enjoyed by another generation. When she’s done planting her summer garden she said she will e-mail me the recipes (I swear she can do anything)!  

Miss Alice inspired me. I feel blessed to know her. I might be crazy and out of my mind to think I can "can" but I just purchased the Ball Book of Canning and six jars.  Now to decide on a recipe for the "official" first attempt!  If anyone had asked me if I would ever try canning I would have looked at them like they were crazy and replied NEVER!!!

Lesson: I'm eating yet another "Never Say Never" sandwich.

The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary.  ~Mary Kurtz

Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Photo: From Playing House
 

Perhaps it is because I'm doing pretty good on my diet and have lost 55 pounds, or because there are lots of summer picnics and parties approaching, that caused fate to intervene and place this glorious new recipe for Oatmeal Fudge Bars in my path.  Either way, is more than fine by me! These delicious looking bars are on my shopping list for this weekend and I'm thinking they would be a perfect addition to on one of my "Tasty Treat Trays" that I'm planning to bake up for a friend's bridal shower.

P.S. If you haven't visited the Playing House blog yet please make sure you do. It is jam packed with way too many culinary goodies not to be shared!

 

 

Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.  ~Author Unknown

Summer Garden Blanket

Photo: The Summer Garden Blanket by Hddod at www.Ravelry.com

 The pattern/tutorial is by Attic24

Gorgeous? Yes! Begging to be made this summer? Absolutely! Have I stared already? You betcha!  Pictures coming soon of my progress.

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. ~Faith Whittlesey

I Miss Johnstown Already...

We only arrived back in Atlanta two days ago but I'm ready to go back to the Allegheny Mountains and sit on the back porch as the summer begins.  I just want to listen to the giant oak trees rustle in the mountain breeze for just a little longer... Maybe someday.

I See Nanaimo Bars In My Future

The other day I was relaxing...You know, knitting while watching TV while chatting on Twitter and "Stumble"ing around the internet. When I "Stumbled" into Nanaimo Bars at Playing House Blog. What a fantastic blog! There are so many yummy food adventures I want to go on from there! If you get a moment check it out.

I have promised myself that as soon as I hit my goal weight and or win platinum at one of my upcoming dance competitions I will make these bars. One night of endulgence isn't a bad thing. Nanaimo Bars for dinner with hot chocolate from Cheesecake Factory. Sounds like a plan to me!

[Credit: The image of the decadent looking Nanaimo Bars is from www.playinghouseblog.com]