Beep Beep!

This one comes from the 1950s.  My dad used to sing this one just for fun as we drove down the road.  You can't help smiling as you listen to the story unfold.  Absolutely love this song.

More chocolately yumminess!

When I was younger, I worked at the mall. Yes.  "The Mall," because while my town has 2 malls, only one is really recognized as "the place to shop" anymore. 

I used to treat myself to some really amazing cheesecake brownies once in a while.  They were made at a shop just outside the store I worked in so I couldn't resist the temptation.

Sadly, my husband doesn't share my fondness for these cheesecake brownies.  Or maybe that's a good thing.  Maybe I need to make more--like these!  After all, this is another "healthified" recipe :-)

Cream Cheese Brownies

Filling                      

1 package (8 oz) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened                                
1/3 cup sugar                                           
2 egg whites                                   
1 teaspoon vanilla

Brownies

1 box (1 lb 2.3 oz) Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix                                           
1/4 cup canola oil or unsweetened applesauce                                           
1/4 cup water
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Step 1:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining filling ingredients until well blended.

Step 2:
In large bowl, stir brownie mix, oil, water, 4 egg whites and 1 teaspoon vanilla with spoon until well blended. Spread in pan.

Step 3:
Spoon filling mixture over brownie batter in pan. Cut through filling mixture and batter with knife several times for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Step 4:
Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in brownie 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 24 brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator. (Ha!  As if storage instructions are needed!)

Cream cheese brownies

Enough with the music! Let's talk chocolate!

After all, today is St. Nick's day and in my world, that's a reason to celebrate with chocolate!

I was wasting time researching a project one day and came across this recipe for truffles.  I think it looks fabulous and cannot wait to try it myself.  I see this becoming teacher gifts this year. . .and since I teach, what better way to gift myself, right?

Recipe below and link to the original recipe is included at the bottom of this post:

4 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped
4 oz semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur
1/2 cup crushed Chocolate Cheerios cereal, finely chopped toasted pecans or flaked coconut

Step 1:
In 1 quart heavy saucepan, heat both chocolates over low heat, stirring constantly, until mentled and smooth.  Remove from heat; stir in half and half and liqueur.  Refrigerate about 2 hours, stirring once, until thick enough to hold a shape.

Step 2:
Place cereal on sheet of waxed paper.  Drop chocolate mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cereal; roll lightly to coat (truffles do not need to be perfectly round).  Serve immediately or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
    
Dark chocolate truffles

They sound divine don't they?  And so easy to make!  I can't help but giggle over "serve immediately."  As if I will have a choice.  Once my family sees these, they will be in the kitchen asking over and over "Are they ready yet?  What about now--are they ready now?"

I do hope you have a lovely St. Nick's day filled with special treats!

Enchanted!

I am not a giant Taylor Swift fan.  But I do see that she does a fine job of putting into words and music what every young girl feels. A few years ago I heard this song on my way to a winter formal dance.  It was so fitting for the night--Christmas lights, crisp but not too cold weather.  Just a beautiful night and a beautiful song.

Seven years went under the bridge Like time was standing still

Today is a day of remembrance.  Apologies for being a bit self-centered today.  But it has been seven years.  And in some ways it is like time was standing still.  And yet it marches on.  So much has changed in seven years.  Kids have grown.  Celebrations have been had.  Without a key player in the family--my first friend and best friend.  So many songs remind me of her.  I can be in the grocery store and be reduced to tears.  One of the girls will ask me what's wrong and another will realize, it's the song. 

This is one of the songs that always makes me think of her.

Johnny and June

Powerful song.  Johnny Cash and June Carter met on the road while married to other people.  Some would say it was inevitable. . .they were meant to be together.  Eventually they became the king and queen of country music.  Inseparable.  And people came to accept them even during a time when divorce and remarriage was not accepted.  Even though Johnny had been quite a troublemaker and a drug addict.  Some could argue that June Carter had too many husbands. But obviously, the life they built together was one that people could see was a life built on love and respect for each other.

Love this song.

Home of the Blues

Love me some Johnny Cash.  I couldn't have imagined anyone else could do such a great job with this one but Norah Jones did a lovely tribute to Johnny Cash a few years ago.  It's good enough to drag back out and share now