Let's have S'more

If you love chocolate and marshmallow as much as I do then you will love these s'mores brownies.  I made them this past weekend for a get together at a friends house.  All the kids loved them.  (and the adults too : )

They are really easy to make.  The best part is that you use a box brownie mix - and no one will know the difference.  The chocolate chips and marshmallows on top make them moist and gooey, and the graham cracker hidden inside gives you that traditional s'mores taste.  Enjoy them by the campfire, or at a friends kitchen table.  Either way, they are addictive.  Here's what you need to make them...

 8 whole graham crackers
1 package fudge brownie mix
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate chips)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Arrange graham crackers in a single layer on the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Prepare brownie batter according to directions. (Your choice of either Ms. Crocker or Mr. Hines : )

Spread over crackers and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Once they are done immediately sprinkle with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and nuts. 

 Put back in the oven and bake for 5 more minutes or until marshmallows are slightly puffed and golden brown. 

Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.

I cut mine and packed them all in a Tupperware to bring to our party....

But I did manage to save a few for myself...just to make sure they were ok.....

They were....

I hope your family and friends enjoy these as much as mine did. 

Happy Trails!

My Secret Corner of the World

My favorite place in my house is our smallest room.  This room used to be my son's nursery, but now it's temporally become my craft room.  I love this room because at this very moment in time, everything in it belongs entirely to me.  And me alone.  It's a place I come to at the day's end to check email, read, craft, blog, be creative, or reflect.  It's cozy, quiet, and full of inspiration. 

I have a hundred and one unfinished projects residing in this room. 

Scraps of fabric to be made into pillows, slipcovers, sachets, and next years Christmas ornaments.... 

These are to be little pillows with words of inspiration embroidered on them....

Some things I don't know what I'm going to do with yet.  These fabric hearts are left over from a craft project that my mom was working on last year for a craft fair.  I always take the left over scraps. You never know when you are going to need them : )

My craft table is where I like to do my scrapbooking.  This is one that I have been working on for a while now.  It's a scrapbook of my life, and it starts with pictures of my parents as children and of the homes they grew up in. (I wanted to start at the very begining....)  My mom took me "on tour" one Sunday to both of their old neighborhoods and I took pictures. It was quite an adventure. 

I never took a formal scrapbooking class, so my work is probably a bit amature - but I kind of like that.  I know that I could do lots of fancy things on the computer as well, but I like to have things written in my own handwriting.  It feels more sentimental that way.

Over the years I've jotted down stories and tidbits of things they have told me about their childhoods and I have tried to incorporate them into my scrapbook.  In fact, it's more like a memory book at this point.  Something to pass down through the generations.   

There is inspiration everywhere.  These are some of my favorite books I turn to when I am in need of ideas or have a question on how to do something.  Martha always has the answer! 

The last binder on the right that says "My Book Project" is where I keep all the pages, notes, stories, and recipes for what will someday be my book.  My vision is to write a cookbook full of delicious recepies, incorporated with housekeeping tips, craft ideas, and also family stories. Its been a work in progress for a long time now, but I know that eventually there will be light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm thrilled at how it's turning out so far, but I still have a lot of work to do.  I hope someday I can share it with everyone.
"If you can dream it, be it" - words I live by. 

I went through a stenciling phase at one point, and was coping everything to make stencils. These are place mats that I did after making a stencil of my dish pattern. So far I only have two...

I don't know why I never finished, but I think I need to make a few more : ) 

Stamp and embossing supplies for paper crafting.

More inspiration....

Another scrapbooking project is this one of my son. So many cute pictures I can never decide which ones to use....so I use the all!

I have a comfy glider to sit in....

And a journal to write in.  I've always been a diary keeper, ever since I was little....

Lots of memories fill these pages.  Some happy, some sad, and some just plain embarrassing! I never wanted to forget stages of my life and what I was doing and how I was feeling, so I wrote everything down.  It was just something I felt compelled to do. Kind of weird, but I'm glad I did it. 

Dreaming of far away places.....

I never enter my room without this.... as you can see, I've been in here a while.  My cup is half empty.  Time for a refill.

So  I can see what's going on in the world... I simply cannot do that without caffeine. 

The walls of my favorite room look like this.  As I said, this room was my son's nursery before he moved into the "big boy room".  The room was decorated with a barnyard theme.  One hot summer day when I was eight month's pregnant my mother came over and painted all the animals you see on this wall. 

We took all the baby furniture out of the room last year, but I could not bear to paint over the walls.  You never know when I may be "evicted" and this decor could come in handy.....????  We were so appreciative of all her hard work and so was my son when he was a baby.  He would lay in his crib and just stare at the walls.  These are very nice memories for me, and if nothing else I find it very comforting to be in here surrounded by visions of my baby in his crib.  He's now three and likes to squirt orange juice through his nose.  Are you getting my point? 

 

The room is small and mismatched, but I love it just the same.  Last night I sewed a hem, mended a pair of Scooby-Doo jammies, and restrung the drawstring on a pair of windpants.  Not very exciting, but I did it all in my room.  I guess I feel the same way about being in here as hubbie does about being in the garage or my little one does about being in his playroom.  It's all about what's around you and how that makes you feel. 

Everyone needs a place where they can just be themselves and do what they love - in peace and quiet.  I'm so happy I've found my secret corner of the world....

For The Love of Basil

I have been staring at this basil plant on my kitchen counter for two weeks.  Ever since I got it I've had one thing on my mind. Pizza!  I'll keep this plant all through summer and use the leaves in sauce, pesto, marinades, and salads.  But fresh basil on homemade pizza is something that cannot wait.  Every time I walk into the kitchen and get a whiff of the scent, I crave it.  For the love of basil, I must have pizza. 

I love making pizza and try to make it as often as I can. It's fun and believe it or not, it's less expensive than take out pizza - and healthier. I remember growing up my mother used to make pizza all the time and I always felt like it was such a treat.  Did all mom's make their own pizza?  I thought mine was the only one : )

The first summer hubbie and I were dating I made pizza every Saturday night.  When he found out I loved to cook, and I found out he loved to eat, it was a match made in garlic heaven. 

We would spend our Saturdays at the beach and our nights eating pizza and watching Welcome Back Kotter reruns.  This is true.  This was a long time ago, but still a very vivid memory.  Fun times.

Even if we weren't at my house I would make pizza - his house, friends house, didn't matter.  Have pizza pan - will travel.  One time we had a pool party at his house and I made pizza for all his friends.  I guess he wanted to share the pizza love. 

This past Friday night we were at my parents house.  We were going to order take out when I decide it would be a better idea to make pizza instead.  Enter exhibit A - the Basil. 

I know a lot of people have their own methods for making pizza, but here's what I do.  First thing is the dough.  You can certainly make your own dough, but I find that if you buy it fresh at the supermarket it tastes just as good.  I buy it in the morning and then put it in a warm place to rise and get puffy.

I always use cookie sheets instead of pizza pans. I feel like you get more pizza this way. Drizzle some olive oil on the cookie sheet to coat the pan.  Now spread the dough onto the cookie sheet.  You will have to knead and stretch it a little, but eventually it will fit. 

Drizzle a little olive oil on the dough and spread crushed garlic all around.



Friday night I made two types of pizza.  One with fresh tomatoes and one with traditional sauce. 

For the one with the fresh tomatoes, I always use the vine ripe tomatoes.  Slice them thin and line the pizza. 

Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese - as much as you like.  Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning and then add your topping.  I covered this one with Basil.  Drizzle with a little olive oil. 

For the next pizza, instead of tomatoes,  I used regular sauce.  My mom had some left over meat sauce in the fridge, so we used that.  This is her homemade sauce - it has hamburger, peppers, onions, and garlic in it.

This sauce is a meal in itself.

I spread the sauce on the prepared dough.

Covered with cheese, Italian Seasoning, and my love - Basil.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes and you will get the perfect pizza...

Or two perfect pizzas!

The best part about making pizza is that there is no right or wrong.  Add whatever toppings you love and enjoy. 

I like to make the one with the fresh tomatoes in the summer because the tomatoes are so delicious.  I let them ripen on the window sill and when the time is right it's time for pizza. Sometimes we add broccoli, or mushrooms, or pepperoni.  When I'm feeling fancy I do black olives and prosciutto.  Tonight we went for plain cheese, which is my little one's favorite. 

After dinner there were three pieces left on the platter.  I told my mom to keep it.  When  I went back the next day I walked in on my Dad preparing his lunch.  Guess what it was....

Apparently it's better the second day (with a cold beer!).

Ok, now that I satisfied my craving for tomato and basil pizza I have the start thumbing through my pesto recipes.  I just love basil. 

I also have to see if I can find some old Welcome Back Kotter reruns online.  My hubbie used to be able to do a pretty good Vinnie Barbarino impression.  But like I said, that was a long time ago. 

Fun times.