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364 Days~ Left

Today–we are celebrating the beginning of the official count DOWN for my sweet boy in Siberia. Yes, yes–hard to believe for some people–not his mother–but this cute fellow left us exactly one year ago yesterday.

He is working hard and loving every second of his experience, but ooooh–we miss him so much! So, in celebration–we nibbled on bananas–one of his favorite fruits and looked at his pictures and told stories about him. A lovely way to spend and evening, I must say.

I’ve put a count down on the left side of the blog so that I can keep an eye on the days and time and even the temperature in his country. Last week it was a whopping -47 degrees. Yes, I said 47 below zero. That should make us all grateful for what ever winter weather we have–don’t you think? Me…I’m just thrilled out of my mind happy to finally be on the down side of this adventure…

because…I miss this handsome face, and because

crybabies make dreadful missionary moms.

There. I said it.

366…365…364…

:}

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Potterhead~ism

Being the blubbering Harry Potter junkie that I am–I wanted to show you this. It’s beautiful, especially if you’re a fan of the “Boy who lived”
like me.

I miss them.

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What To Do

Have you ever felt like there was just too much stuff to accomplish in one lifetime and that you’ve no idea how to do it all? Now, wait–I don’t mean that like, “Wah-wah…so much to do! Wah…”

No, I’m talking about all of the incredible things that I want to learn and make, or make up…even. I actually get all giddy and weird when I look at patterns and pictures and instructions for things like that.

I’ve even made lists of everything and it turns out to be pages and pages long and I can’t seem to stop myself, or take any of it away.

I want to sew baby clothes and make peppermint soap and raise buff orphington chickens and write hat patterns and make cheddar cheese and milk a real goat and crochet bolsters and booties and purses and blankets and learn to quilt and make yogurt that tastes good and read every book on my shelves and make every single Christmas present because I want to not because I have to and grow potatoes and make compost and bake whole wheat bread every week and bottle salsa and…

hmmmm…

Maybe you get the point. Sometimes there’s just so much that I’d like to accomplish that I’m not sure, exactly what to pray for–

a really, really REALLY long life…

or a second pair of hands.

I’m thinking both.

PS~AND I’d like to pour my own lip balm and sprout wheat grass and grow seedless sweet green grapes and crochet a canopy for my bed and make real tamales and dry fruit leather and dye Easter eggs with spices and berries and learn homeopathic remedies…

too.

:}

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On A Winter’s Day

Took a little stroll around the yard with the little Missy this afternoon…you know, just to see how things are going for all the neglected things outside in the cold. It’s been so long.

Periwinkle…in there somewhere…

check.

Faded, pretend chicken, still hanging out under the rosebush…

check.

Strawberries hanging on…

and the silly little Buddah man–just happy to be here. He looks cold though.

The fruit trees are trying to bud–and they shouldn’t be doing that…

not in February.

Cute kitty…

and Nessie are still with us…thank goodness.

Even our music stick is in fine shape in this crazy 22 degree weather.

She lasted longer than I did, this little snow baby of ours. I’m heading in for some Peppermint tea…and a brownie.

I’ll watch from the window on this chilly winter day.

:}

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The Perfect Brownies

If you’ve been on the look-out for the best brownie recipe on the face of the earth, my lovelies– your search has come to a happy ending. Lightly crisp edges and just chewy enough inside to be incredible without tasting…kind of…you know…raw. You know what I mean?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the plethora of boxed mixes that are floating around out there, but sometimes, don’t you just get the hankering for a real, live, honest to goodness, homemade brownie? Well, I do. And once you taste this–you may just have to rethink everything else–and you won’t be sorry.

Trust me.

The Perfect Brownies

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups butter

3 cups sugar

1 Tbsp. vanilla

6 eggs

1-1/2 cups flour

1 cup cocoa

3/4 t baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease large baking pan. Mine is nearly as big as a cookie sheet…yeah, it’s big. If you don’t have one this big you could cut the recipe in half…but where’s the fun in that? :}

In a mixing bowl, blend the butter and sugar until creamy, then add vanilla. Add eggs and blend well. Slowly add all of the dry ingredients and beat on low for about 2-3 minutes or until everything is mixed thoroughly. Spread into pan and bake for about 35 minutes.

Allow to cool then dust with powdered sugar. Prepare yourself for the best brownies you’ve ever tasted. Oh, and you are welcome to drizzle frosting over the top, buy seriously, you won’t need to. These little guys are perfect alone…or with ice cream…or whipped cream…or a cold glass of milk.

You get the idea.

Nom…nom.

5.0 from 1 reviews
The Perfect Brownies
 
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Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 cups butter
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla
  • 6 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup cocoa
  • ¾ t baking powder
  • ¾ tsp. salt
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease large baking pan. Mine is nearly as big as a cookie sheet.
  2. In a mixing bowl, blend the butter and sugar until creamy, then add vanilla.
  3. Add eggs and blend well.
  4. Slowly add all of the dry ingredients and beat on low for about 2-3 minutes or until everything is mixed thoroughly.
  5. Spread into pan and bake for about 35 minutes.
  6. Allow to cool then dust with powdered sugar.