Old-Fashioned Bake Sale ~ Brownie Squares

Do you know Brown Eyed Baker? I love her blog and boy is she an inspirational baker. A few months ago I baked her Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake as a gift for a friend's son (who LOVES cheesecake -- ME TOO!!). The brownie recipe used for the brownie mosaic squares makes way more than you need for the cheesecake. I froze the excess. It didn't take my teens long to find them hiding in the freezer. They used them as ice cream toppings and raved about what great brownies they are (since I had a taste while constructing the cheesecake, I KNEW they were right). Flash forward to now -- I have company coming from out-of-town next weekend -- including 2 of the cutest kiddos. We will be grilling and I want a dessert that will be fun, kid-friendly and low-fuss. I figured I would make some homemade vanilla bean ice cream and bake some of my Monsterously Wonderful Cookies that I have stashed in the freezer for make-your-own ice cream sandwiches but wanted something more to offer both the kids and adults -- then I remembered those brownie squares and thought *what a great idea* since I'll already have ice cream made, we can also do make-your-own (see a trend here?) brownie sundaes. So yesterday I baked these and hopefully hid them well in the chest freezer under some frozen veggies -- shhhh, don't tell my kids or they will disappear before next weekend :)


Brownie Squares
(Printable Version)

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1-3/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Grease foil.

Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and salt; mix well. Spread into prepared pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minute or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool in pan on wire rack. Remove brownies from pan, using foil handles. Cool brownies, then cut them into 3/4- to 1-inch squares.

Radish Revolution

Am I the very last person on the face of earth to know that radishes, sweet creamery butter (unsalted) and sea salt is the GREATEST food combo there is?
Sadly, radishes have a history of languishing in my house. I have great intentions when I plant them (or buy them), but they have gone underused.
THAT was then........this is NOW!!!
In case you're concerned that I am eating too much butter (is there really such a thing -- said in my best Paula Deen accent, lol), I just had my cholesterol checked as part of my annual physical and since my number is under 150 (well, just under, total cholesterol was 148 -- pretty good for this low-carb eating old gal), I'll indulge in this sinful snack occasionally without guilt -- besides, the health benefits from radishes include cholesterol reduction (doesn't that counter the butter, lol), stablizing blood pressure, support of liver and digestive health and cancer prevention -- YAY RADISHES (with sweet creamery butter and sea salt, lol)!

Pretty Random!

"Hey Mom, I am wanting to do something pretty random...will you go with me?"

That was what I heard as I answered my phone while grocery shopping on Saturday morning. Now my daughter loves to follow her heart and so *random* never surprises me with her. Then she explained that she wanted to follow MY lead and do something that I had done way back in January.........
Lop off her locks for Locks of Love!






Isn't she lovely?!!!

Sharing at Met Monday.

From The Hymnal ~ Near To The Heart of God

He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. Isaiah 40:11

The chorus of this hymn is one I sing often in my private praise and worship time with the Lord.

Near To The Heart of God

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God;
a place where sin cannot molest,

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God;
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.

There is place a place of full release,
near to the heart of God;
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of God.

Old-Fashioned Bake Sale ~ Key Lime Bars

Isn't citrus so cooling and refreshing? -- especially lime. Seems I only make these wonderful bars in the summer months. They always make a splash and are perfect for toting to a picnic or cookout.


Key Lime Bars
(Printable Version)

2-1/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder, divided
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
5 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (use Key Limes if you can get them)
powdered sugar or coconut for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2 inch baking dish. In a medium bown, combine 2 cups flour, confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, sugar, juice, 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Pour over hot crust. Bake 22-25 mintues or until lightly browned. If desired, spinkle top with powdered sugar or coconut. Makes about 2 dozen bars.

Detasseling Season

I live in Nebraska -- that is a different statement from *I am FROM Nebraska*. I am a transplant -- I've lived here since 2006. I love my adopted state -- I cheer for the Huskers and bleed RED like most native Nebraskans with one HUGE difference. I have never detasseled. The seasons here are autumn, winter, spring, summer AND detasseling!!


Those of you who do not live in the corn belt are asking, *what is detasseling?* According to Wikipedia, Detasseling corn is removing the pollen-producing flowers, the tassel, from the tops of corn plants and placing them on the ground. It is a form of pollination control, employed to cross-breed, or hybridize, two varieties of corn.


That would be the technical answer -- the simple answer is detasseling is a rite-of-passage for young teens in this part of the county....the first job of most. The school buses pick the kids up early and their LONG day begins.


In our area, the detasseling process starts with a machine that uses rollers to roll off the corn tops. Then the detasselers go through the fields and manually take off the portion of tassel that the machine didn't get. Sometimes this is done by walking through the field and in some operations, or when the corn is too tall the detasselers ride through the corn field on a detasseler carrier.


My little friend Meg, age 13, started her first detasseling season this week. Up early, 10-12 hours days in the 100°F heat (humidity driving the heat index to 110°F) trudging thru the mud and *corn rash* a probability -- she says it's worth it -- she has visions of a new trick bike and name-brand clothes -- good luck Meg -- make sure you drink enough water!!


Quite different from my first job -- babysitting for 50 cents an hour!