Swimming Lessons

Posted on by Mandy

E.B. has a new after school activity.  In an effort to keep him active this fall and winter, I signed him up for swimming lessons.  When he started getting really brave in the bathtub by holding his breath and going underwater (without holding his nose), I knew he was ready.  So, when the school sent home the notice saying it was time to sign up, I went directly to the pool and got him registered.  I was so excited when I came home to tell him about it.  I thought he would be thrilled.  Instead?  He pitched a fit because he wanted to take karate.

However, we stuck to our guns and made him attend one lesson this past week.  I promised him on the way there that if he absolutely hated it, we wouldn’t come back.  Thankfully, they have a 2 week trial period.

swimming lessons 2

As soon as we entered the huge natatorium, his first words were, “Holy cowwww!!!!!!”.  This Olympic sized swimming pool definitely put the summer recreational association’s pool that we are members of to shame.  He quickly found his instructor and proceeded to test out the water.

Final verdict?  He loves it.  LOVES IT!  Even if he decided he doesn’t want to swim competitively once he learns, I’m glad he is getting this experience.

Stupid Warning Labels

Posted on by Mandy

keyboard
Talk about hazardous working conditions!  It sure makes it hard for me to get my work done with this staring me in the face each time I begin to type.  I discovered this stupid warning label on the keyboard of my computer at work.  I keep forgetting to consult the back of it to see exactly what dire danger I am in.

Best Brownie Recipe Ever

Posted on by Mandy

best brownie recipe

I wouldn’t exactly call it stress, but I have to be on top of my game all week long with my new job.  Come Saturday, I’m pretty much useless, but there is cleaning and laundry to be done.  I finished all of that and decided to tackle something a little de-stressing.  I am not a cook/baker by any means, but there was no chocolate in the house and my son has been begging me to make him brownies for a couple of weeks now.  Today presented the perfect opportunity, so we whipped up a batch of Mrs. Betty’s Brownies….only the very best brownie recipe ever-ever-ever!

Mrs. Betty goes to my church and she always brings these brownies whenever we have church functions requiring food.  I always make sure I grab a brownie before they are gone because they go very, very quickly!  Mrs. Betty is also the mother to a very, very dear friend of mine, “M”.  “M” and I went through the youth group years together and had a blast.  She is also so pretty it should be illegal!! 

Mrs. Betty shared this recipe in our church’s centennial cookbook, and I am so glad she did.  The cookbook is just chocked full of fabulous recipes by the ladies and men of my church (some of them gone on to meet the Lord) that I hold very dear to my heart.  I’ll try to share a few recipes as we make them.

Mrs. Betty’s Brownies

2/3 c. butter or margarine

2 c. chocolate chips

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. water

2 tsp. vanilla

4 eggs

1 1/2 c. plain flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Combine butter, sugar, and water in a pan.  Bring to a boil and add chocolate chips and vanilla.  Reduce heat and stir until chips melt.  In a bowl, mix dry ingredients and eggs.  Pour in the chocolate mixture and mix well.  Pour into buttered 13 x 9 pan and bake at 325 for 50 minutes or until done.

* My tips….don’t even attempt to mix this by hand.  And….my brownies were done in about 35-40 minutes, so oven temps will vary.  Enjoy!