Hello, From The Fold

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
My, my...I can't believe so many days have passed since I blogged. It's been that kind of month, lol. September is the "End of Fiscal Year" for The Ram. Kinda like March and April are for accountants. We've been gritting our teeth and plunging forward like a running back with the ball, at 3rd and Goal. LOL Whew...C'MON OCTOBER!!!
The pressure on The Ram is always worst this time of year. Me, I keep busy baking him brownies to take in to the office. No, The Ram isn't so hooked on brownies, but the gals who work in his office *are* and they really count on the chocolate high to get them through, LOL.
We are all looking forward to the first weekend and last weekend of Oct. The first weekend, we'll be celebrating Lovable's Double Digit Birthday. Yup...she's adding a digit to her age. Possibly the last time she'll ever do that, though I wish for her to make it to 100. :-)
I expected her to want a Tea Party, like Lioness did this year. She surprised me, though, and asked to go camping. Go figure. Oh, but keep in mind, she wants to camp in a cabin. LOL So, we'll be pulling up stakes next weekend and setting up camp over in KS in a cute little cabin at a state park.
Now, at the end of the month, we're planning a trip Down South to visit the GrandRams and EweDaddy. So exciting! Oh, and, by the way, EweDaddy will be turning 80! We're planning on celebrating with him while we're down there.
Oops...the Lambies are streaming inside after a romp in the yard. I've gotta rush off to let them know those brownies in the kitchen are NOT for THEM! :-)
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "You can do it! You can do it! You can! You can!" Ravi Zacharias, preacher on the radio

The Story of the Nuclear Chicken

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, it seems The Weather has a calendar, here in the Midwest, as the temperatures have become quite Fallish and Wonderful! The Ram was shocked a few days ago to come home from work and find me *outside*!! "Ah," he said, "fall must be here! The Ewe is out of hibernation!" LOL Indeed, I'm loving the cool weather.
A question posed to an e-list I'm on reminded me of a story that I must tell you.
Many years ago, I was making a chicken broccoli casserole.
The recipe called for a tablespoon of lemon juice, which I didn't have. "Hmmm.....what to do?"

Inspiration!! I had an envelope of lemon-lime Koolaid...that would give a lemonish flavor, no?

So...I sprinkled some Koolaid mix into the casserole and it immediately turned the whole thing neon green! Chicken and all.

I stood over the dish, gazing into it... "Hmmm...Maybe The Ram won't notice." LOL

My wonderful husband, who suffered through the early years of our marriage while I desperately learned how to cook; the poor man who patiently went to the door on more than one occasion and convinced the firefighters that, "Really, there's no fire--it's just smoke!"
This wonderful man, who had choked down every other suspicious meal I'd put on the table for years...Could NOT force himself to eat Neon Green Chicken Casserole.

Sigh...I'll tell you what, though, I treasure that memory. I have since learned to "hold my own" in the cooking department, but the family LOVES to remind me of the Lime Green Chicken. ROTFLOL

Well, gotta run...I've got an experiment going in the oven I'd better go check on. Watch out for the mushroom cloud.
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

Brownie Recipe and Comments Problem

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm having a problem with the comments section, and I can't reply to your comments...boo hoo! Anyway, I *am* reading them, though, and I guess I'll "comment" here. :-)
As for the brownies, I thought about it...and decided I *would* share the recipe. LOL (had thought about keeping it a secret...NAH!)
Ok...here goes:

Mrs. H's Fudgy Brownies

3 squares (1 oz each) baking chocolate, chopped coarsely
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips

Prepare 8X8 pan by lining w/ foil and spraying (I like Baker's Joy). Preheat oven to 350. Stir flour and soda together in small bowl.
Melt butter and chocolate on LOW (very important to be on low), stirring occasionally.
When chocolate's melted, remove from heat and stir in sugar. Once sugar is dissolved, beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spread in pan and bake for 33 minutes (or so).
This makes about 16 brownies.


Now, that is my recipe. It's only won a blue ribbon. L.L.'s is a two time reserve champion. I'll let her post hers on her blog. :-)
Ok...that's all for today.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

Brownie Bonanza Results

Hey there,

We visited the Fair today and dropped by to see the results of the baking contest. Thought I'd let you know...

My brownies got a blue ribbon, as did Musical's. Lovable was awarded a red ribbon. And (drum roll, please) Lioness got not only a blue ribbon, but was named the Junior Baking Reserve Grand Champion. YAY!!! (I'm guessing that if the Grand Champion shows up hot for steroids or something, Lioness will get her crown. ;-) This mint brownie recipe of L.L.'s has now won two baking awards...This current one, and the second place in our church's Brownie Bake Off.

I've said for some time now that my girls will surpass me in the cooking department. I fully expect and promote that. I didn't get started until I was already married--our girls have a head start!
;-)

Well, must run...laundry beckons.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

Brownie Bonanza

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I've just got a quick minute to tell you what's happening at The Fold today.
Lioness, Lovable, Musical and I are about to head out to the local country fair. (I know...it's strange--a country fair here in the city...well, here in the suburbs...)
We are each entering our brownies in the baking contest. Mine are the classic, fudgy sort...Lioness has developed her very own chocolate mint...Lovable chose a peanut butter chip...Musical whipped up some with white chocolate.
After sampling a nibble of each (!) pan...I feel as if I never care to eat another brownie...ever. YUK!
I can't imagine the judges liking any of these! LOL
Well, we'll see what happens. Maybe next year we ought to diversify a bit. :-)
Anyway, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe