A Cold Saturday

All day today, it has been cold. Yesterday, I came home to find a chicken, who expired from the cold and (possibly) egg duct issues. I also found each of the four eggs frozen, split down the middle and hard all the way through. While I admit that being able to peel a frozen egg and admire the inside parts is interesting in a science project kind of way, it was disheartening to find so much loss in livestock in one day's time. One less hen means seven less eggs per week, which is no small loss. Today dawned equally cold and bright, making the outside world appear far friendlier than it truly is. The dogs were not eager to spend much time outdoors, and the rabbit bottles spend more time frozen than thawed, even on the sunny porch. For myself, I piled on the layers, poured a hot cup of coffee and wandered upstairs to work on a few sewing projects. I started an apron the other evening, and finished it today. It is lively, covered with chickens, eggs and dancing pots with bright red ties and a sparkly button on the pocket. I think I may need to make more--what fun to dive into my fabric stash! I also started making some market bags for future gifts out of canvas-like upholstry fabric scored from some garage sale or other, and some clearanced chintz found the other night at Farm & Home. Once it warmed up (to a whole 3 degrees), I decided it would be a good idea to run the car for a bit and headed over to the Grain Bin, a bulk food store and bakery about 8 miles up the road. The day called for chocolate, and I managed to come home with all the things needed to make a batch of One Bowl Brownies. They are simply sinful (and no, you can't stop at one!)
One Bowl Brownies (from the Chocolate! cookbook)
4 squares unsweetened Bakers chocolate
1 1/2 sticks of butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup flour
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, or more chocolate chips, or dried fruit--or a combination of all of these!
Put butter and chocolate squares in a large, microwave safe bowl. Heat in the nuker for about two minutes, stir to melt chocolate completely. Add sugar, stir well. Add in eggs, flour, vanilla. Stir until well mixed. Fold in nuts, chips, fruit or whatever you decide to toss in (or leave out if you like naked brownies). Pour into a foil-lined and greased square cake pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 30 to 35 minutes until firmish in middle. Cool in pan on rack, pull out of pan by foil. Remove foil liner, cut and eat. Yum. P.S.--This is a great recipe to make to thank someone for services rendered, or to beg a favor after they eat them.