The basement is 'empty'

Note that as of Mar 17, 2009 I discovered the 'fake $5' is actually just an older note.

Here it is guys, the 'empty' basement. Maybe I should've taken a video of it 'full'.



It's a gorgeous day today, bright, sunny and just the perfect temperature. I went for my haircut, the hairdresser had been on vacation to London, England for the past week. I'm so paranoid about getting change from my $20 bills since I got passed that counterfeit $5. The newer design bills are easier to check quickly than the older bills, you don't really want to look too 'obvious' at every cash register.

It's hamburger day today, and check out this new brownie recipe that K found on the internet. We love it and it's so simple. L just substitutes chocolate chips for the nuts as K doesn't like them with nuts.


ULTIMATE FUDGY & NUTTY BROWNIES


Fudgy brownies are made even more decadent with the addition of chocolate chips and the crunch of nuts.


Preparation time: 25 min Baking time: 25 min
Yield: 25 brownies

1/2 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter
2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 8-inch square baking pan. Set aside.

Melt butter and chocolate in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth (4 to 7 minutes). Remove from heat.

Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add flour, baking powder and salt; mix just until all ingredients are moistened and brownie mixture is smooth. Stir in pecans.

Spread brownie mixture into prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 to 33 minutes or until brownies just begin to pull away from sides of pan. (DO NOT OVER-BAKE.) Cool completely.

TIP: To substitute unsweetened cocoa for unsweetened baking chocolate, use 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter for each ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate.

TIP: Reduce baking temperature by 25°F if using dark or nonstick baking pan.

TIP: To prepare brownies in 13x9-inch baking pan, double all ingredients. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until brownies just begin to pull away from sides of pan.

TIP: For the tenderest brownies, stir brownie mixture until smooth; do not over-mix.





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Taking K to the orthodontist for another tightening of the braces. L is working today. She's going to paint a little table for me this week, so I'll get some paint and lacquer. It's made of MDF? glued wood fragments and will look good painted, maybe yellow? IKEA is doing a lot of colour furniture this year so we'll be in fashion. With all this moving stuff about you uncover things that you either give away or decide to use!

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I did some groceries in the rain today, I didn't see why that should stop me getting things done! Maybe I can even get my walk done in a little while. M and K made a trip to the recycling depot. I realized there is a Goodwill donation centre in the area open 7 days a week for most of the day, always something to keep in mind, especially as I stare at all the boxes in the living and dining room.

We have a busy week ahead, orthodontist, dentist, hairdresser, car maintenance...it never ends.

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Ok, so now the house is starting to look overcrowded and disgusting upstairs. I don't know how I can look at stacked cardboard boxes in the dining room for 2 months. M is really good at cramming things in.

My friend and I ended up going to The Bluestone Bistro instead of Indian. She's bent on using up her discount coupon book and this seemed to be the best choice. We had a delicious spicy corn chowder and a southwestern style chicken sandwich with melted cheese and avocado. Yum. The restaurant has such a nice decor since the fire they had a few years ago. Inspiring (since we're doing our basement).

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I've had the busiest day. It must be time to start saying 'no'. Went for a 2 hour walk and coffee with a friend, then rushed off with the kids to a quick restaurant lunch with some relatives. Then the kids went off to a tennis lesson. Then K and I took L and a friend to a movie to meet another friend. Fortunately one of the moms will bring them home. Luckily M had some time to start bringing stuff up from the basement. The house is just looking a bit more 'full', not as overcrowded as I thought it might. But then, M's a good packer.

I even managed to clean the toilets and swiffer (sweep) the house. The dusting will have to wait. I'm totally exhausted. The charity truck came and took another 12 bags of donations and I put 2 old bar stools out on the road and they were 'taken' within hours.

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