Snowed In & a Treat!

It's a snowday here in St. Louis! We got about 8 inches last night. The girls have been having a good time running around...

The chase is on!

Nose in the snow, looking for the treat I tossed out there!

Notice how Marley color coordinates with the fence. Such a fashionista!

A snow day wouldn't be complete without some homemade goodies! I've started Weight Watchers, in an effort to lose a few pounds before our trip in May (don't want to sink the ship!). This recipe for Whole Wheat Brownies comes from Everyday Food and by my calculations is 4 points.

I noticed too late that it calls for unsweetened apple sauce. To cut down on sweetness, I cut the brown sugar to 1/2 cup. They are very cake-like and turned out great!

 

Whole Wheat Brownies

Makes 16

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour (spooned and leveled)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish; line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

In a large bowl, stir together sugar, applesauce, and egg. Place butter and 6 ounces chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water; stir until melted. Stir chocolate mixture into sugar mixture. Stir in flour mixture. Pour into pan and top with 2 ounces chocolate.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Use parchment to lift cake from pan and cut into 16 squares. (Store in an airtight container, up to 5 days.)

::2011 Projects::

TGIF!

I don't know about you, but this full week back to work after nearly two weeks of vacation was a long one. I just tried heating up my dinner in the pantry...that's never a good sign!

Last weekend, I quietly put up the 2011 project list for around the pad. So, to really hold myself accountable, I'm calling it out right now!

*Editor's Note: This is a short list of projects -- mostly consisting of painting and decorating. I fully intend to add to the list throughout the year. Heck, I'll probably add to it every day.

To start us off:

Our Master Bedroom

I've already recovered the bench at the end of the bed. There will be more recovering and maybe even some painting this weekend! We are also talking about putting up a chair rail...you'll just have to wait and see!

Once our bedroom is finished, we'll tackle:

 The Master Bathroom

Again, this is mostly painting (gotta get rid of those hideous cabinets!) We'll also look into changing the sinks and counter top.

Then, we'll start making our way downstairs. But, we won't get too far before we hit the next project:

Finish the Stairs

This is where we left them last spring. If you recall, I came home one day from work to find that Mr. VB had ripped the carpet off of the stairs. Much taping and painting ensued. Not to mention having to fill in where the stairs didn't actually meet up with the wall. We have never been happy with the colors we chose. So, more painting is in store! Glidden is going to love us.

Certainly, after all this painting, it will be time to head to the:

Laundry Room

I'm thinking stripes. And baskets. I love baskets. {Mr. VB, on the other hand, hates them}

Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to spruce this space up:

The Kitchen Pantry

 

Whoever said the pantry can't be super cute? Not me. I've seen some adorable ones out there...and I totally intend to copy them.

*Yet Another Editor's Note: From this photo, it would appear that we live on an assortment of vinegars and olive oil. Which we drink from martini glasses. This is not far from the truth.