Adventures in.....BAKING!

So Casey has always wanted me to cook more, or at least produce something of substance in the kitchen....and while I am late on the New Year's Resolution, I think I've finally started something that I can keep up with every week. At this time, I will start with Baking. While it might not be the healthiest option, I'm practicing with measuring, reading recipes correctly and finding recipes that I like. My first objective was to find the best brownie recipe from scratch.

The first time, I just did a random search on the internet and found a recipe from cooks.com. The only thing I did differently was add a little brown sugar to make up for the sugar that I ran out of....and I also added toffee bits and chocolate chips. These brownies came out a little too dense.....almost like Texas Cake-if you're ever heard of that. So these brownies didn't really float my boat, although after a day or so of just sitting on the counter, they hardened up and tasted a little bit better. But I think the fact that there were 4 eggs made them chewy and dense.

So last night, I googled "best brownie recipe from scratch" and found this recipe from allrecipes.com. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Brownies/Detail.aspx?src=etaf I've actually found recipes from this website and they are very helpful because there are many reviews to help you decide if it's worth making or not!

So, I went ahead with this recipe (which only had 2 eggs)....and the only thing I added was chocolate chips, toffee bits and raisins. Now, I know what you're thinking, RAISINS??? Yes, when my mom made brownies for us when I was little, she would put raisins in them, and I LOVED them! And I have now found out that I may be one of the only people that do!

Anyway, these turned out delicious...perfect texture and everything. Casey is one of the anti-raisin lovers, so his quote was "if it wasn't so fruity tasting from the raisins, then they would be perfect!"

Gonna try and figure out what my goal is for next week......maybe a pie!? Or struesel or cobbler of some kind? We are getting into spring here with all the fruits. YUMM!

We're alive, I swear!

Can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I last posted something on here. But between painting almost everyday...... to helping Matty and April move..... to going to school..... to working three jobs...... to visits with mom and Jason.........life got pretty hectic. Now that my art show has commenced after this weekend, (if you weren't aware, check out my art blog at http://www.paintedchiartwork.blogspot.com/) .....all I have to focus on now is work and school. Seems like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Yet, the busy schedule will persist. But for now, I can breathe a little bit better.

Casey and I have definitely gotten used to our new schedule with him working nights, yet we still seem to have lots of quality time together on Mondays and weekend mornings which is great.

He also keeps harrassing me about the new year's resolution that I haven't kept up on...which was 'start cooking more often'.....yeah, I haven't cooked 1 meal in 3 months. Guess I better get cracking!

I also have learned that I am going to be a bridesmaid for one of my highschool friends in Placerville! She's having the ceremony at her parent's house in the backyard (which ironically my dad did the landscaping for <3 )...and the reception will be at The Sequoia which is one of my favorite restaurants in Pville. So it's very exciting to be involved in another wedding, that is not my own! But I love looking at all the details again with her because it's such a fun process! August 1st, gotta fit into another dress!