Brownie Surprise

Haven't shared a recipe in awhile so today I thought I'd share a fun super easy twist on Brownies.  I call it Brownie Surprise, because of the yummy chocolatey middle.  My mom made these last fall when we were home visiting her.  To make them yummy you need lots of candy bars that is the secret.  OK OK so here is the recipe.

just look at that layer of milk chocolate.  Oh to die for.  That is what makes these brownies.

Ingredients:
1 - 9x13 box mix of fudge brownie ( I cheat using a box mix.  You can make your brownie mix from scratch if you wish.  you'll need what ever ingredients that your recipe calls for)
6-8 milk chocolate candy bars - 1.5 or so oz. bar size 

directions:
1.) Make the brownies as per box instructions. 
2.) in greased 9x13 pan spread about half the brownie mixture
3.) now layer your candy bar across the pan don't leave a spot without candy bar
4.) cover the candy bar layer with remainder of brownie mix. 
5.) bake as brownie directions call for.
6.)  allow to cool and then cut and see the surprise that awaits....

The creamy chocolatey center is just to die for.  it is oh, so melting.  I couldn't believe how perfect this turned out equal amount of brownie layer on top and bottom. 

Annie's Truth by Beth Shriver

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Annie's Truth Realms (May 15, 2012) by Beth Shriver

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Childhood memories of her grandfather's ranch came alive as Beth wrote her first Amish story. Her parents grew up in the country, so she understands pastoral life and respects those who make a living off the land. She frequents a nearby Amish community just south of Fort-Worth for an occasional church service or brunch with the bishop and his wife. And on the way home she stops at the community store to get some plum jam!

In 2003 Beth began writing her first book. A couple of years later it was published and she has been writing ever since. Beth received a degree in social work from the University of Nebraska and was a case worker before starting a family. Beth followed her passion and has written in a variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After learning the truth about who she really is, can this prodigal daughter be accepted back into the safety and security of home?

Annie Beiler seems to have it all—a loving family in a tight-knit Amish community and the affections of an attractive and respected young man. But when she learns that she was adopted after being found as an abandoned newborn, she sets out on a journey to find out who she is.

Her father is strongly against her decision to leave, as it could mean Meidung, or excommunication from the community and even her family. But Annie knows she must find “the path that has her heart.”

As Annie’s search brings her into the fast-paced world of modern life, she is confronted with all of the temptations she was warned of. Can she make her way back to the order and security of her family? Or will she remain an outsider—torn between her two worlds?

If you would like to read an excerpt from the first chapter of Annie's Truth, go HERE.

weekend happenings

Last night was the night and it was on crazy night here.  Hubby didn't work so that makes it harder for me to participate in FNSI because when he doesn't work he wants to do something.  However, I did manage to squeak in about 2 hours of cross-stitching.  After supper and kitchen cleaned up got about an hour/hour an a half or so between daughter #1 going to work and daughter #2 coming home.  Then after the movie I got another 30 to 45 minutes before bed

SEW here is the before and after progress....

cross-stitch before FNSI

cross-stitch after FNSI

Was so excited today because I got the cookbook I won in the mail today.....

and guess what I quickly looked for a recipe for????......

Had a friend drop off about 8-10 lbs. of fresh asparagus last night sooooo I looked for a recipe and I found one.

However, I don't think I'm going to make this one tonight because I wanted a whole meal so I searched some of my recipes I received in posts this week and found one called Basil Asparagus Penne posted at Goodness Gracious.  (it too comes from a Gooseberry Patch cookbook.)

Take a Trip Around the World!

So many of our favorite dishes have been inspired by international flavors! We love making up stir-fry recipes as we go along, spicing things up with a Mexican meal and enjoying Italian comfort food at its best.

Whether it's as simple as adding salsa to chicken or something more adventurous, tell us...

What are YOUR favorite AROUND-THE-WORLD recipes?
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!

---

Here's one of our favorites from 101 Easy, Everyday Recipes. ..visit our
Recipes page for lots more recipes from this cookbook.

Asian Chicken Wraps
Lisa Stanish from Houston, Texas shared this recipe with us. She writes, "These wraps are very easy to prepare after a long day at work. They're so much tastier than fast food and just as quick!"

2 boneless, skinless chicken
    breasts, cooked
    and shredded
2/3 c. General Tso’s sauce
1/4 c. teriyaki sauce
4 10-inch flour tortillas
10-oz. pkg. romaine and
    cabbage salad mix
1/2 c. carrot, peeled
    and shredded
1/4 c. sliced almonds
2 T. chow mein noodles

Combine chicken and sauces in a skillet. Cook over medium heat until heated through; remove from heat. Divide ingredients evenly on each tortilla, beginning with salad mix, carrot, chicken mixture, almonds and ending with chow mein noodles. Roll up burrito style. Makes 4 servings.

Even if you don't have a blog to link below, tell us about YOUR recipe in the comments or, if you have a moment, share it with us on our website!

---

Link up your favorite AROUND-THE-WORLD recipes below
and, if you're joining this hop, link back
here by using the handy button below.

Want to add this hop to your OWN blog?

Be our guest...just click here to get the code.

Chameleon by Jillian Kent

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Chameleon Realms (May 15, 2012) by Jillian Kent

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jillian Kent is a busy writer and the alter ego of Jill Nutter, a full-time counselor.

Jill spent the first semester of her senior year of college at Oxford studying British Literature, where she fell in love with England. During this season, she came to appreciate the written word, the rich imagery of romantic poetry like The Highwayman, and historical novels of many types, including Jane Austen and all things Regency.

Jill received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Masters Degree in Social Work from WVU, and she brings her fascination with different cultures and societies into her writing.

Jill has always been a romantic at heart, so readers will find a good dose of romance woven through each of her novels. Jill, her husband Randy, and children Katie and Meghan are animal lovers. They currently own two dogs, Boo-Boo and Bandit and a menagerie of cats, Lucky, Yuma, Snow, and Holden. Critters of all assortments make their appearance in her stories.

ABOUT THE BOOK

How much can you really know about someone?
Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.

Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chameleon, go HERE.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Planted

new raspberry bush

6 tomato plants

1 zucchini & 4 cucumber plants

Hubby planted his items last night....Mine...still a weed patch :-/.well, that's to come.  Hopefully, this weekend.  I do have a faithful chive coming and a few volunteer leaf lettuce and then there is my bush that the bunny won't leave alone.  Hubby says, "Keeps it trimmed up free."  I say, "Maybe so but it is over 6 years old and not any higher than an inch."  He leaves the lettuce alone but not my burning bush.  argh. 

sewing time again

It's that time again.  May's sew in is this Friday night.  I plan on doing some more cross-stitching.  Haven't had a chance to stitch an "x" since March so I'm looking forward to getting this sewing night in this month.  Wonder how much I'll get to do.  Just not sure but maybe get a few stitches in.  If you don't know what the sew-in is all about then head over to Handmade by Heidi and find out here.  This month the sign up is at Bobbi's though, click here to sign up. 

Motherhood....

Unfortunately, I was unable to host this tour during the days leading up to, and including, Mother's Day, because of the time schedule and me being out-of-town. However, I believe it is worth you checking out the 7 authors and their thoughts on Motherhood.  Whether you are a mother or not, this series is designed to celebrate mothering in all forms. Some of today's best writers (Tricia Goyer, Rhonda Shrock, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Bonnie St. John and more), have offered up their talent. 

Day#1 ~ PRICELESS TREASURES | Cindy K. Stiverson

We've heard it said and often find it true: You don't know the value of a treasure until you're without it. 

We take for granted the things in life that seem so readily available.
   A paperclip or rubber band, to hold things together.
   A tissue or napkin, to wipe our nose to clean our face, to absorb our tears.
   A Bible to speak words of wisdom and instruction and life and love...  (read the rest of article here)

Day#2 ~ JOY COMES FROM PERSEVERANCE | Sheila Walsh

One of the most important lessons I have learned in my own life is the joy that comes from perseverance. Eugene Peterson, borrowing a phrase from Friedrich Nietzsche, wrote his book  “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction …Discipleship in an Instant Society.” He points to the Psalms as the way believers have always learned to pray what they live and live what they pray but it is not a short journey. It is an intentional commitment to keep walking even when you are worn out.

*If we want to see lasting results in any area of life it’s important to keep walking in that direction...(read the rest of article here)

Day#3 ~ SHE'S MY EVERYTHING | Suzanne Woods Fisher

“A mother is one who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take.”

--Cardinal Mermillod 

Just a few more months. My mother was hoping Dad would hang on long enough so they could celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary in April. But on January 1st, as the sun rose on the new year, my dad’s worn out heart beat its last. Dad had battled Alzheimer’s Disease for ten years. As many of you know, AD is a long, hard journey. Hard on the one afflicted with the disease, hard on the caregivers.

But not without its blessings...(read the rest of article here)

Day#4 ~ WHAT I AM NOT | Tricia Goyer

Becoming a mother is a complicated thing. Not only am I trying to negotiate a relationship with my child, I am trying to negotiate a relationship with myself as I attempt to determine how I mother, how I feel about mothering, how I want to mother and how I wish I was mothered.

— Andrea J. Buchanan, in Mother Shock3

Sometimes the easiest way to discover who we are is to know who we are not...(read the rest of article here)

Day#5 ~ STEPPING OUT ON FAITH | Bonnie St. John

"Darcy . . .”

“Yeah, Mom?”

I momentarily held the undivided attention of my teenage daughter. Her thumbs, free of their ubiquitous texting keypad, quietly dangled by her side. Her computer and its omnipresent Facebook page were completely out of sight. I had almost forgotten what she looked like without all these adolescent accoutrements. As we sat down together on the burgundy leather sofa in our living room, I realized this fleeting state of electronic dislocation was my chance to hatch a plan I had been formu- lating for the past several weeks. Carpe diem...(read the rest of article here)

Day#6 ~ HE WILL WALK WITH YOU | Carey Bailey

As a little girl, I loved baby dolls. Loved them! I played school, adoption agency, daycare operator and babysitter all day. I felt like I was born to be a mama. Therefore, I was a bit anxious when the ages, 22, 25, 28 and 32 came and went and there were no babies. Have you ever desired something so much and feared never getting it? That was me.

My day finally came at the age of 34. I soon realized that God knew what He was doing when He had me wait. To my shock, it wasn’t as easy as playing with dolls. I was surprised that it wasn’t the dream world I imagined it would be! I felt like life became a gigantic prayer...(read the rest of article here)

Day#7 ~ WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW | Rhonda Shrock

I always knew I wanted to be a mother.  As a girl, I played house with my dollies, shushing them when they cried and kissing their plastic heads.

Looking back at that girl, I realize now that there was a lot she didn't know.  This morning over my fresh-ground coffee, this mother of 22-1/2 years scratched out a list of 10 things she didn't know then that she knows now...(read the rest of article here)

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing My Stubborn Heart • Bethany House Publishers; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
by Becky Wade

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Sensational CBA Debut in Contemporary Romance!

This summer author Becky Wade makes her CBA debut with a fun -- and funny -- contemporary romance. Amidst the light-hearted banter and laugh-out-loud moments is a compelling spiritual journey of one woman's choice to listen to God and wait on him. Filled with humor and authentic romance, My Stubborn Heart is shaping up to be the hit of the summer.

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When Kate's grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Yet, she discovers a different kind of project upon meeting the man hired to renovate the house. ;Matt Jarreau is attractive and clearly wounded -- hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Kate can't help but set her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

If you would like to read the first chapter of My Stubborn Heart, go HERE.

Bear With Me Please

Please Bear with me as I try to Play CatchUp again this week.  I was away all last week so now I have lots to catch up on and I do hope to get new posts on my blog Soon.  The emails are taking over though. 

On the Road Again

Got to get my girl home today because tomorrow she is.......

and she is.....

Head 'Em Up Move 'Em Out

Today, since I'm on the road still I'm going to direct you to a post on Wardrobe tips....
Here is just a teaser for ya in hopes you'll hop on over to The Modest Mom blog

Here are some wardrobe tips I have learned through the years! 

1. Stick with essential items first! If you are on a tight budget, then several versatile denim skirts and a khaki skirt is the best bang for your buck.
2. Figure out what colors look best on you....(read the rest of the article here.)