Flea Markets!

I just LOVE flea markets! Yesterday we went and I found a Franklin Covey all leather organizer for $10, it was in near perfect condition and it retails for $119! I also found Coupon Mom's book for 2 bucks! How cool is that?? My husband found the complete guitar hero band for $50, it retails $399 new and $199 used! so he saved $150! It works fine! For many years I didn't go to flea markets, I thought it was just a bunch of junk, who wants other people's trash?? Well 4 kids' later and only one income, I have changed my way of thinking and to be honest, even if we were rich, I would still go to flea markets! Oh, I forgot, Scott (my dh) bought a Kodak photo printer that hooks up to your camera (the dock) or computer at the flea market for only $5! I wouldn't have bought it thinking there's no way that thing would work, he said he would take the chance. Well he brought it home and it works perfectly! Now we can print photos out on our little machine :-)

So I hope each of you find a little flea market to go to, you never no what "treasure" awaits for you!

Vicky

A couple of things...

If you get my updates by email, please check your spam folder. For some reason it goes to spam sometimes and sometimes not. I think it has something to do with pictures within the post, not sure.

Anyway, I also wanted to let you know that I'm going to put my blog on a schedule, yes I know how bizarre that sounds :-) For those of you that don't know me, I'm blessed to have 4 amazing boys'! I didn't realize blogging takes ALOT of time! Time is something that I feel should be given to my family! As much fun as a blog is, I must remember the most important things in life: kids' are only young once and there's no dress rehearsal for life, you only get one shot at it! So I will only be posting food tutorial's 3 times a week. I would like to do book and product reviews 2 times a week and eventually giveaways weekly.

So enough rambling for today!


Vicky

Fudgy Brownie Pie

Ok, so maybe not the most attractive dessert you've ever seen, but it sure is chocolaty and yummy!!

I've never had anything sweet cause me so much grief with Evan (my 3 yr old!). He now has baby's illness (coxsackie virus) and is feeling bad. Well he saw me go into the kitchen to bake and immediately wants to help me. I told him no, b/c he's sick. Well he started to chant mean mommy, mean mommy! WOW! I didn't see that one coming! I always knew he really enjoyed baking, but apparently he wants to do it sick or not! I have 2 rules in my kitchen RULE #1 You must have clean hands to help! and yes I do want to feel their recently washed hands :-)
RULE #2 You must not be sick, no fever or snotty noses please!

Anyway, he must've got sidetracked b/c he was fine by the time it came out of the oven and all was peaceful at the Hadley house once again. Hmm? Maybe it was the sweet heavenly aroma of chocolate cooking in the oven that acted like a natural tranquilizer for him? LOL!! Whatever it was I'm thankful!

Now on to the recipe,
Ingredients you will need:
Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler, OR do like I did and use a bowl inside a cooker filled with water, same concept :)

Next add beaten eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and nuts if you're using them
Spoon into unbaked pie shell, OR just pour into greased glass or ceramic pie dish. This is the one I used, my wonderful Father-in-law bought it for me a couple years ago at Cracker Barrell, I just love it!
Bake till set, about 25 minutes, cool on wire rack. We have trouble letting things cool around here :)
Cut into pie shape. Top with Cool Whip and finely chopped nuts, if using. Or serve each slice with Cool whip on top, yummaroo!

*Fudgy Brownie Pie:

-1 whole stick butter (8 Tbls)
-2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
-2 large eggs *who ever buys small eggs? oh excuse me sir, but I would like to purchase some extra small eggs? you never hear that one! LOL!!*
-1 cup granulated sugar
-2 Tbls self-rising flour
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional, OR walnuts (which is my favorite nut!)
-1 (9") unbaked pie shell

-Whipped cream optional

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine butter and chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over low heat. Melt over simmering water, stirring frequently, until blended. Remove from heat. cool slightly.
3. Whisk eggs in a small bowl until blended. Add the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, vanilla extract and nuts in order listed to chocolate mixture, mixing well after each addition. Spoon into unbaked pie shell (or just regular greased pie pan).
4. Bake until set, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
5. Cut pie into 8 equal portions. Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and finely chopped nuts, if desired.

Aprons...

Today I actually managed to sew two aprons today! I haven't had a chance to sew in many months now. Justin (aka pickle) played in his crib while I sewed the cutest little aprons! One for a boy and one for a girl. In the next week or two I'm going to be doing a free giveaway for toddler aprons. I think Evan wants to keep the Toy Story apron for himself, LOL! I guess I'll be doing another Toy Story one tomorrow for him!

I have the cutest fabric to sew myself an apron! I need to make my aunt several aprons I promised her, so Jane if you're reading this, your aprons will be made shortly!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful evening and enjoying summer with the kids'!



Vicky

Chicken, Chicken

Since the baby is still feeling bad, I thought I would direct you all to an incredible website, southernplate.com I made this last week and it's great! If you're new to southernplate, then boy do you have a treat ahead of you :)

link:

http://www.southernplate.com/2009/09/mamas-chicken-poulet-or-chicken-chicken.html

I never did get around to trying out that new chocolate recipe, I'm easily sidetracked! When the kids' get sick I'm a tad frazzled! Hopefully baby will feel well enough for me to do some baking tonight or tomorrow!

I would love to hear if any of you are baking something yummy! I'm working on my blog trying to get a comment thing working, I don't think it is yet! Oh, these computers!! Or as my dh (dear husband) would say, not the computers, but the people working them, LOL! He's a computer expert and me, well let's just say I know how to do my blog, that's incredible for me :-)

Britax Stroller giveaway, link below

Born 2 Impress is having an incredible giveaway, a Britax stroller! All our kids' have used Britax at one point or another, they are the best car seats out there, in my opinion! Here is the link if you want to sign up for the giveaway

http://kidzborn2impress.blogspot.com

MMMM, fresh blueberries!

Well, it looks like the Blueberry Buckle thing I made yesterday got all thumbs up from the kids', even little pickle ate it and he's feeling bad! I had actually forgotten what a taste difference using fresh blueberries made! Like I said yesterday, the kids always eat fresh fruit and between 3 kids (baby's just now starting to eat fresh fruits) fruit doesn't last long around here! So my post today is to encourage you to go buy some fresh blueberries and eat half of them raw and bake something with the other half :)