Like it was yesterday...

A little over a year ago Adam was so excited to give me a Christmas present, I, too was excited because I was pretty positive that my gift was going to be small, and sparkly, and was going to come in a little box. Much to my surprise my that December morning when Adam finally unveiled what my Christmas gift was I was much less than enthusiastic. In fact it was nearly impossible for me to fake excitement - a ride in a hot air balloon? Really? REALLY?

All I wanted was an engagement ring.

Obviously I didn't know how our ride through the Park City sky was going to end.

The ride lasted about 40 minutes, as we were coming down to land Adam asked our pilot to record us in the balloon together. After some confusion Adam tells me to "look over there" and on the ground about 500ft below us was a sign saying "will you marry me?"

I melted.

I watch this video almost weekly, it's so amazing and I'm so glad that Adam was able to have the pilot get this footage of us in the balloon, (even with my objections, "this is so dumb and awkward, why don't we just take some still photos?" I believe were my exact words).

Watching this brings back so many of those feelings that I felt in that moment and reminds me why I'm sitting next to this big guy right now on our couch, in our home watching a
football game.

I love him.

I seriously don't know what came over me...

I've been trying to eat healthy...er in the last week

and have been successful...ish until about 5 minutes ago when

I felt my body stand up from my desk

walk across the office to a plate of warm, just pulled out of the toaster oven

chocolate chip cookies

I proceeded to take one

and devour it.

Normally this wouldn't be so bad but...

I repeated the process

3 times.

i suck

stupid chocolate chip cookies.

Stupid delicious Pillsbury chocolate chip cookies.

i hate you.

Count your many blessings...

Husband just informed me that the xbox is broken.
Let the celebration begin.

Fudgy Brownies

No joke best brownie recipe ever. ever. They're suppper rich, and super perfect. Crispy top layer, crunchy edges, soft, fudgy, gooey middle. You'll never make a box brownie again after you try these bad boys.

Fudgy Brownies

Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
8 oz good quality semisweet chocolate
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
5 lg. eggs
1/3 c. unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 c. flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 metal baking pan by lining it with foil and spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Melt butter and chocolate over low heat; stirring till smooth. Add one cup of sugar to hot chocolate mixture. Remove from heat and cool till lukewarm. Whisk in remaining one cup of sugar and vanilla. Whisk in eggs one at a time. Stir in salt and cocoa powder. Last add flour until it disappears (don't over mix) spread dough into the prepared pan and bake 25-35 min, or until a toothpick comes out clean (for me this was at about 28minutes - just fyi) cool the brownies to room temperature and remove from pan by holding foil edges. Cut and enjoy!

Brownie Trifle

Brownies - Check
Caramel - Check
Chocolate Mousse - Check
Cool Whip - Check
Heath bars - Check
Gaining weight one bite at a time - Double Check

You guys I'm sorry for doing this to you but I have to post this recipe. It sucks it's so good. I have the leftovers sitting in my fridge right now, and seriously they won't leave me alone. I keep picking at them but it's just that good. The brownies...and that mousse its just so...laced with caramel and crunchy heath...crap I need another bite. Ok I have a serious problem.Whatever you do don't make this recipe with good intentions.This dessert is not one to be trifled with...(haha I'm hilarious). This recipe is pretty simple.

 

 

Brownie Trifle

 

Ingredients:  

1 9x13 pan of prepared brownies; cooled and cut into 1'' squares (I have a killer homemade brownie recipe.)

1 (3.9oz) package instant chocolate pudding

1/2 cup water

1 (14oz can) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 pint heavy whipping cream (for the mousse)

1 (12 oz) container Cool Whip (for the topping)

3 crunched up Heath candy bars

1/2 jar caramel ice cream topping

Start by pouring heavy whipping cream into a medium sized mixing bowl. Whip, with a hand mixer until soft peaks form and the consistency is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Set aside. Now in a big bowl whisk together the chocolate pudding powder, 1/2 cup water, and can of sweeten condensed milk. The mixture will be sort of goopy and thick. Gently fold in the whipped cream to the chocolate pudding mixture this will make a "sort of" mousse type mixture, fold until no streaks of white remain. Be very careful when folding not to deflate the cream. Feel free to lick the bowl, whisk, counter, any "accidentally" mousse covered fingers or other appendages. Don't feel guilty. Now comes the layering process. In the bottom of your trifle bowl, or any other tall glass bowl (Preferably one that will show off how pretty this dessert is) layer in 1/2 of your brownie cubes. Then drizzle with caramel and sprinkle on 1/3 of the heath pieces. Now add 1/2 of the mousse, it's going to be sort of thick so grab your spatula and spread it out over the brownies. Don't worry if the process gets a little messy, it happens to the best of us. Now add 1/2 the 12oz container of cool whip and spread over the mousse. And start the process over again...Brownies, caramel, heath, mousse, cool whip. On your last layer top it off with a sprinkle of heath pieces. Cover the beautiful thing up with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 8 hours. Good luck containing your excitement! Enjoy!

 

New Years Eve

Winco pizza + two glasses of Martinelli's = Best way to ring in the new year ever

Twenty10

If it's fair to say - I'd say that 2010 was my best year. My favorite year. Ever. I'm sure that with time 2010 might loose its #1 spot due to change and unknown future events - but for now I like 2010 most. Amazing things happened - and if it's ok with you I'd like to take a second to remember.

I started out the year like this

In January I got a sweet job

In February I found Kansas

In March I got my picture taken

In April I had the best day ever


In May I got a new ride


In June I got a new job


In July my husband was 13 years old

In August we visited Mickey

In September he cooked his first meal

In October we turned into zombies

In November we had some family time

In December we were beach bums

Bring it on 2011 - I'm ready for you.
I have a feeling it's going to be a good one.