Just a Bit of Fun

Colours

Frowns can make the start of day
A really dreay kind of grey.
But a smile is sunshine's gold
So will you today a smile unfold?
A smile - and this will make you think -
Puts you - and others - in the pink!

~Elizabeth Gozney

Oh I had a very lazy day yesterday. There was a cleanup at our chapel in the morning, but I begged off for a change, and Todd went on his own. Instead I stayed here at home and made about a hundred cards using my artwork. I am going to try selling cards, some online (so look for them as soon as I have the time to make a page) and then I am going to take some down to the local post office and see if they want to try selling a few and then there is an independent card shop in a nearby urban centre that I may take some to and see if they want a few. They are quite professionally done, with cello envelopes and everything. Each one has a print of my artwork on the front, all done up nicely on artists paper and mounted on a colour co-ordinated background. The cards themselves are linen textured and they have been left blank inside for people do put in their own message of whatever they wish to say! I hope I do ok with them or Todd will want to crown me for wasting yet more money on putting them together! But like I say to my children, you got to have a dream to have a dream come true, and, if you don't believe in yourself, then how can you ever expect anyone else to believe in you!!



I did a bit of blog reading yesterday too, trying to play catch up, and was reading one of my favourite places to go, Holly's My Kids Say I'm Silly . She had found this site online that if you put in your picture and then your partner's picture they make a baby for you. The site is called The Routan Baby Maker. The baby she made was not near as cute as her own three lovely girls, but after looking at the site I thought to myself, why not!!! Todd and I met each other so late in life that we couldn't have children of our own. We have a dog. I am always thinking it would have been so lovely to be able to have been able to have a family together . . . so I routed out a picture of myself and one of Todd and I went baby making! (and as you know I never do anything in a small way, so I made three! Umm . . . I was trying for a girl.)

Here is Nephi (I know not that original a name, but I couldn't think of another)



As you can see, he has his father's high forehead, blue eyes and blond hair. (well, it used to be blond when he was younger) He's a serious looking little boy, but do I see a glint of mischievousness there? I think I do!

Next came Alma. (I know another really original name, but go with me here . . .)



A little darker hair, and more of it, and he looks quite mischievous to me. I think he's inherited his mother's wicked sense of humour! Before you know it he'll be tying knots in Nephi's socks and hiding his favourite toys underneath his bed!!

Finally came Benjamin. (I had to stop myself here or I would have spent all day yesterday making babies!)

He's the baby of the family and quite spoiled for attention, but then again, it's hard not to want to spoil that kind and angelic looking face. I think he is a friend to all and lover of many!



Now with all those youngun's running around how could I not bake??? I had to make them something good to eat so I baked the Peanut Butter Blondies you all chose in my Make Me Bake Poll last week. (the new one's up now, tarts!!) We all settled in last evening with cups of hot cocoa and one of these delicious bars to watch Strictly Come Dancing and the boys were ever so well behaved. I think they inherited their mother's taste for quality entertainment and fine food . . .

I used up my precious store of peanutbutter cups on these and now will have to beg someone to send me some more . . . they were well worth it though!!!



*Peanut Butter Blondies*
Makes 16

Imagine a delicious buttery brown sugar and vanilla flavoured fudgy brownie and biting into it and finding the wonderful surprise of a peanutbutter cup all nestled inside. Mmmm . . . these are some good.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups firmly packed soft light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
16 miniature peanut butter cups

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Butter an 8 inch square baking dish and then line it with parchment and butter it again. (Use enough parchment paper that you have a bit of an overhang, like two handles on the sides. Then when they are all cooled after baking, you can just lift them out and cut them into perfect squares.) Set aside.

Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl and set aside.

Place the butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add the brown sugar. Cook and stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.

Beat the egg and egg yolk together in a small bowl. Add a bit of the warm butter mixture, whisking together quickly, to temper the egg yolks. Whisk the egg mixture back into the butter mixture, working quickly. Whisk in the vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture, just until incorporated without over mixing. Remove about 1 cup of the batter and set aside.

Spread the rest of the batter in the prepared pan. Arrange the peanut butter cups, placing them about 1/2 inch apart over the top of the batter in the pan. Using a spatula, smooth the reserved 1 cup of batter over top.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until just set in the centre. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. When cool, lift out with the parchment paper handles and cut into squares with a sharp knife. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature. Delicious!