Recipe by Request - Chocolate Brownie Slice

Next time I bake this, I will take and add a photo for you... in the meantime, Trust Me - it's delicious!

It is quite a moist cake. I bake it in a LARGE square pan. If you don't have one, consider 2 smaller pans to keep it a low flat slice-like cake. It will be a dark chocolate brown and a thin crispy layer will form on top. Always best when left overnight before eating - and dust with icing sugar before serving.

I have had a friend make this a few years ago and looked at me with great expectations as I took a bite - and then asking me most excitedly 'do you recognise it?'.... umm... no? should I?
She then told me it was this recipe, which I had given to her.
I have no idea what she did differently but I tell you... it being brown in colour was the only similarity LOL and it was even the wrong shade of brown.
This recipe when made properly is DIVINE... otherwise, it's just 'cake'...

Do let me know if you make it!

Best Ever Chocolate Brownie Slice Recipe

Ingredients

1¼c Plain flour
½ c Cocoa powder
1tsp Baking powder
1tsp Salt
2c Sugar (white, caster or raw)
2tsp Vanilla essence
½ c Oil
½c Water
3lge Eggs
125g Chopped pecans/walnuts (optional)

Method

1. Line 34cm x 23cm tin (or 2 square tins) with baking paper. Preheat oven 180°c

2. Place all ingredients into a large bowl, beat together with a wooden spoon until well mixed

3. Pour into lined tin and bake in moderate oven till springs back in centre - approx 25/30 minutes

4. When cool sprinkle with icing sugar or drinking chocolate & cut into small rectangles

What a week!

This new 'life' is taking some getting used to and there are most certainly adjustments that need to be made. I need more strategies in place to keep from being overwhelmed. This last week has been so so busy, thus no new blog posts since Monday - and the week ahead is looking to be even more busy as we have 3 extra appointments in the week!!

I've pulled out my Fly lady book again and am re-reading as I can snatch moments to do so. It's got some good reminders in there for me and I think this next week I am going to spend more time planning my days before they happen and am going to keep my timer glued to me!


Amongst the busyness we've had some great times this week...
**Thursday evening, 3 girlfriends came over for a fun game and conversation evening. Times like this keep me sane. So good to be able to share, encourage and grow through time spent like this.
**Car day was very productive with Woolworths, Aldi, Green Grocer, Raw milk collection and a visit to the GP for Melinda who was most relieved to find out her mole can be left on her back i.e. does not need to be chopped out!
**Pete is settling in to his new role, though the change is very tiring for him
**We finished up looking at South America/Brazil this week - looking forward to starting 'Australia' on Monday
**Harvested 3 zucchini's and 3 tomatoes from our vegie patch
**Tried a new zucchini recipe with great results
**Taught the children how to play Mancala (I Love this game!)
**Success with organising meals in advance!
**The children and I have enjoyed listening to The Adventures of Jonathan Park as we've driven in the car or sat waiting for Pete to come out from work. Learning is so much fun this way - I highly recommend this series and it can be bought from Heart and Home. Worth every cent spent - yes, every cent!! I know we will keep our series for at least a decade and I suspect it will get passed onto the grandchildren :o)

Potty Training Success

Success! On the potty though, too small for the toilet yet. Will wait till he can do his pants by himself for that :o)
21mo today and potty trained. No accidents in 3 days and can go out for at least 2.5 hours without needing the potty... haven't tried longer because haven't needed to yet.
We've been to church, to the park and market and to somewhere else but I can't remember where it was at this moment lol
We're still in cloth nappies for sleeps and I imagine we'll be using nappies for another 6mo-ish

So far as day time goes - couldn't be happier!

(Photo is April 2009)

'Interesting' Days Ahead

'Interesting'... such a nothing word, gives no indication of how one feels about something LOL
So let's say I'm feeling a tad apprehensive?

Pete starts work today.

For the last 2.5 years I have had him home with us, working on our business. Well, life changes; God calls, and the path of life turns a corner.

We are continuing with our home business but due to my health, I am unable to deal with the pressure of my major role in it. So my part continues, on an 'as I can do/feel like it' basis and Pete will continue is admin responsibilities in the evenings and Saturdays. Yes all up, we're going to lose out time-wise but it will stabilise our income and remove a load of stress from me.
Long term, Pete's side of the business will financially support us.

Having said that though, my physical responsibilities around the home and with the children are on the increase. God has clearly directed this though so I know He will see us through.

Prayer would be great though!

Yesterday I realised that I will be the one taking the children to their school holiday swim sessions 4 days in a row
Then this morning I realised it will be me taking Melinda to her optometrist and Timothy to his health centre appointments - and the list continues on and on and on LOL

New things bring new challenges. Like the need for a car at least one month before we will have $$ to pay for it.

Yes, 'interesting' days ahead - I know it will sort out, but in the meantime I am very very aware of my new responsibilities and limitations