Thursday, January 31, 2013

Double Chocolate Brownies...

...from "Egg Farmers of Ontario". I found it on allrecipes.com (here)

 My critique:

 They did NOT look like the picture!  

Deceitful critters, they actually looked "healthy"...

These brownies had a nice hard top, and soft insides, but they are very fragile.

SO, the only reason that I would make them again would be to eat on Ice Cream or Pudding. 

My changes:

1/3 cup organic Cocoa

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips

Baked in an 8" glass pan for about 25 minutes.  

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~Happy Eating!

Adrienne

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Yum...


Have you ever had TAZA Chocolate?   They are organic, dark, & stone-ground!


I bought my Taza Chocolate (the Coffee kind) as a souvenir in San Antonio.   It was expensive at the little shop, but you can get them less expensively from Azure Standard or Amazon!  I can't wait to try more- like Chili or Ginger! =)

You can just eat it or make cocoa- we ate it!

Read about the company here:
http://www.tazachocolate.com/


Curious George visits Taza Chocolate Factory:


(or watch here: http://youtu.be/MY_wD10tszA)

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Taken from Wikipedia:

 Taza Chocolate has been noted for being economically, and environmentally sustainable, and for their focus on compensating growers fairly for their work.


In the February 2009 issue of Gourmet magazine, Charles Kelsey wrote, "On the palate, Taza chocolate is wild. It buzzes, slaps, and sings with an exotic, winy complexity. Most intriguing is its coarse, faintly gritty texture. At first it's slightly off-putting. But when the tiny granules - pieces of cacao bean - start flashing on your tongue, they hit it with intense nutty, citrus flavors."

 In the October 15, 2008 edition of Wine Spectator, Owen Dugan commented, "I also liked Taza Chocolate... Forget about the texture - these guys stone-grind the beans. Yep, stone-grind. Why? the simple answer is, because they're crazy. But they claim that they get more fruit out of the beans by refining less. Typically, there's a sweet spot in chocolate production- perfect texture and peak flavor at the same time.... Bottom line; If you can get past the graininess you do get a very fruity (I tasted kirsch in the 80 percent bar) but also rustically chocolaty bar, at both 70 and 80 percent"
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Do you know anyone who needs chocolate for Valentine's Day? Why not try Taza?  =)

Monday, January 14, 2013

Where is Sophie going?

Have a good trip, Sophie!

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Happy New Year, 2013!

I can’t believe that a whole year has passed since my last year-end letter….I’d say that all in all, 2012 was much better than 2011, and I can’t wait to see what 2013 holds! 
At the beginning of last year, I was able to participate in an internet 5 week long “blog party” that Bramblewood Fashion put on- that was a lot of fun, and my blog got a lot of attention, both in the US and the rest of the world! 
I also reached my 300th blog post, and celebrated with giveaways, and got a few new “blog friends”!

We did not travel a lot this past year, but on one of our little trips Mom, Grandma, and I went down to Austin for a day , for Mom’s birthday~ that was fun! (I can’t wait to do something like that again!) 


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I had some firsts this year:
(things that I “needed” to do to be a "well rounded" individual)
1. I’ve now got 1 ½  Sisters In Law
2. ½ a 13 yo nephew
3. I watched:  “Grease”, “American Graffiti”, "Good Morning, Vietnam",
“Gallipoli”, “South Pacific”, “Mash“, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, “Leave it to Beaver”.
(FYI: I have NO desire to re-watch those first 5.)

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Some highlights of my year:
1. I had both of my brothers home for my birthday!
2. My health is improving,  thanks to Mrs. Cronin & Mom
3. I’ve been working as a caregiver for Grandma H.
4. Mom and I are better friends than ever
5. I attended my 2nd Ball/Dance
6. My folks have been married for 30 years
7. I am the proud owner of blue jeans that are actually long enough for me! (that was no easy feat!)
8. Sophie came to live with me!
 


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My top posts this year Were:
1.  1970’s Fashion (2012)
2.  1930’s Children’s Food Ad’s (2012)
3.  1960's Fun (2012)
4.  Summer of No Pants (from 2011)
5.  My own “Too Much Fun Dress” (from 2010)

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My wishes for 2013:
(not numbered, because I don’t think that I could do it justice)
~Get completely moved in
~Make a snowman
~Have a fun 28th birthday party
~Make time for sewing/creative fun every week
~Have one get together/party every month
~Learn to drive
(if I write these down will they be more likely to happen?)

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Embedded just for you:
 
(or click here)

Auld Lang Syne (with lyrics)


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P.S. ...we tried to get RP elected...


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Happy New Year~ and to all a goodnight!
Love Ya, 
            Adrienne