Warning -

...what I'm about to share may be dangerous to some readers....

Last week Deanna and I tried a new brownie recipe from my Hershey's cookbook. These were seriously the best brownies ever! Chocolatey, chewy, very addictive - they didn't last very long!
I thought I'd share the recipe:

Quick & Easy Fudgey Brownies

4 bars (4 oz) Unsweetened Baking Chocolate broken into pieces (I used semi-sweet, as that's what I had on hand)
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts (Optional - I didn't use them. They would be good with nuts, though)
Quick & Easy Chocolate Frosting (recipe to follow)

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan. In large microwave safe bowl, place chocolate and butter. Microwave at High 1.5 - 2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. (NOTE: I never melt chocolate in the microwave, I just put the bowl over a pan of boiling water on the stove. It's just as quick, and less danger of the chocolate seizing. Right, Sherri?)
Add sugar, mix until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Add flour and nuts, stir until well blended. Spread into prepared pan.
Bake 30-35 minutes until wooden pick inserted in centre comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. Frost with Quick and Easy Chocolate frosting, if desired. (Trust me, you desire...)

Quick & Easy Chocolate Frosting.

3 bars unsweetened baking chocolate, broken into pieces
1 cup miniature marshmallows (I only had colored ones, so I used those. Tasted fine...)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened.
1/3 cup milk
2 1/2 cups icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In medium saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate, stirring constantly. Add marshmallows, stir frequently until melted. (Mixture will be very thick and will pull away from sides of pan). Spoon mixture into small mixer bowl; beat in butter. Add milk gradually, beating until smooth. Add icing sugar and vanilla; beat to desired consistency. Makes about 2 1/4 cups frosting.

YUM! YUM! YUM!!
Now invite someone over for coffee..... before you eat them all yourself.

Birdbrain!

Do you see that robin sitting in the hedge outside my dining room window? He thinks he belongs inside. He has been trying for a week to get into the house.

He started with the patio door, but has apparently given up on that route.
You can almost see his gears turning - why can I not get through that opening?

He tries...

...and tries....

...and tries....

He certainly is persistent.

Not very smart, but persistent.

He might have better luck if he just rang the doorbell.

Spring!

It has been a glorious weekend! I really hope spring is here to stay.
The kids have been outside for the majority of the time - they even have sunburns!
Natalie picked up some new skills this weekend too:

She can pump herself on the swings now!

Today we went to buy her a new (used) bike. Imagine her delight when we found a My Little Pony bike on Kijiji! Including a My Little Pony helmet! I think she was a little disappointed that she couldn't immediately race around the block with the other girls, but considering this is her first bike, she's doing alright.

Balance takes concentration, even with training wheels!

She took her Care Bear for a ride too.

Off she goes, slow but steady! Give her a week and she'll be a pro!