The World According to Me

My Theories

1. Everything is better with a little red wine.

Obviously spaghetti sauce. And the cook. But I learned this week that black bean chili and veggie sloppy joes also benefit from a slosh of vino.

2. The right jeans are more professional than khakis.

I have a drawer full of khakis. I am a teacher, after all, and I think you have to prove that you have a drawer full of khakis to keep your license. But I don't really like to wear them. I don't think they are any dressier or more professional than nice jeans. I don't understand why I can wear khakis any day of the week but jeans only on Friday.

Yesterday, we were supposed to get a snowpocalypse (which never materialized--Dave Freeman is an idiot), and it was flipping cold! So I wore khakis, a sweater, and boots. And I felt like a schlump all day. I would have looked far more professional in dark denim.

3. Three points seem more complete than two.

This post seemed incomplete until I added this third point. Even though it is essentially meaningless, it adds a sense of completeness to an otherwise incomplete post.

Q.E.D.

My New Favorite Brownie Recipe

If you know me, you know that I have an almost pathological obsession with brownies. I'm always on the look-out for a new recipe. (Yesterday, Ryan accused me of loving brownies more than I love him. I denied it, but I did eat about an eighth of the pan of these brownies last night before bed. So much for healthy eating.)

These brownies are dark and fudgy with a yummy crackly top. The recipe is from Good Housekeeping, February 2011.

Valentine Brownies

3/4 C. butter, cup up
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I didn't chop mine because I'm lazy)
1/2 C. flour
1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
6 large eggs
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 13 x 9 pan with foil; grease.

2. In a 3-qt. sauce-pan (I think mine was smaller than that), melt butter and chocolate on low heat, stirring. Remove from heat.

3. In bowl, whisk flour, cocoa and salt.

4. With a mixer, beat eggs on high until blended. Gradually add sugars. Beat on high 10 minutes or until tripled in volume.

5. Fold in chocolate and vanilla, then flour mixture. Pour into pan. Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out almost clean. Cool. (Or do what I did and dig in while they're still hot.)

Enjoy

2010 Rewind

Highlights of the year:

We met Brandi, Josh, Ally, and Anya at the Great Wolf Lodge over Spring Break (and took Kenzie along for the ride).

Ryan taught a tie dye class for Kids' College and covered our backyard with tie dye. He also had an awesome scholars' bowl season and took his team to state.

We enjoyed a fabulous vacation in Albuquerque with Grandma Agnes and Grandpa Bob.

Ella traded dance and Girl Scouts for piano and 4-H. She also read up a storm, wrote in her diary like a mad woman, got a long board and pogo stick, put together a number of fabulous outfits, and took Ava to Hays to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa.

Emilia discovered that grandparents aren't so bad, after all. Her communication skills also blossomed, allowing her to express her desires to eat candy and watch Dora much more clearly. She continued to enjoy junk food in all forms.

Karen did the Couch to 5K program in the spring and went on to run 2 2-miles races, 6 5-Ks, 2 10Ks, and two half-marathons. She also coerced Brent into running a 10K and took her first motorcycle ride as her end of the deal.

And in December, we welcomed a new niece and nephew, Macy and Max! We can't wait to meet them.

Here's to 2011!

Hot Chocolate Love

Christmas Mischief

Emilia discovered the box of ribbon.

Christmas Caroling

Sunday was our church caroling party. I had volunteered to bring cookies, so I baked some sugar cookies and Ella, Ava, and Addison decorated them (with some help from Alex).

The cookies were loaded with frosting!

Dena always dresses up in a festive outfit for caroling.
The weather was perfect--chilly enough to feel seasonal, but not too cold.

Emilia got passed around quite a bit.
The girls ran up to the front at each house we went to. They didn't want to miss any of the action.

More Christmas Program Pics