A Perfectly Proportioned Piece of Paradise

Did you know actual scientific studies have been conducted on the topic of chocolate and depression? Now, no one had to convince me of a link (I mean, the only thing that made me feel good every day [pre-meds] was - you guessed it - CHOCOLATE), but there's always the guilt factor canceling out a bit of the bliss. Unless, of course, you're like me, and you search for a recipe that can be cut down to guiltless proportions. That's right, folks. I found a triple chocolate brownie recipe that was easily quartered. It takes 20 minutes to make and bake and fits in a loaf pan. (Cue the Hallelujah Chorus.) Here it is:

1/4 c. unsalted butter

1/2 c. sugar, rounded (i.e. heaping)

1/3 c. cocoa powder

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. baking powder

1 t. vanilla

1 egg

1/3 c. flour, rounded

1/2 c. chocolate chips

(I use mostly semi-sweet with some milk chocolate thrown in for good measure).

Optional: 1/4 c. chopped nuts

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a loaf pan.

1) In a microwave-safe bowl, or in a saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter.

2) Add the sugar, stirring to combine. Remove from heat.

3) Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla.

4) Whisk in the egg, stirring until smooth.

5) Add the flour, chips, and optional nuts, again stirring until smooth.

6) Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.

7) Bake the brownies for 15 - 20 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. The brownies should feel set on the edges, and barely set in the center. (I bake mine for 15 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave them in there for another 5). Excellent with milk and/or cream cheese frosting. (Cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar.) Enjoy!!! Original recipe: King Arthur Flour Brownie Bites

Yosemite!

Last Thursday night we got a call from Shaine and Kevin, inviting us to join them at a campsite in Yosemite. After much seesawing (Athey/Klimas: we apologize for the drama) we ended up going for it. Five hours later we arrived at Hodgdon Meadows. (And I have to say, I finally get at least one reason for the corkboard up by the campsite entrance, and I'm VERY grateful for it! S&K, thank you for the note/directions.) We had a great time lounging around the campfire, headed to bed around midnight, and slept soundly (ha!) in the freezing temperatures.

Saturday morning chef Kevin supplie

d a delicious breakfast, and we all rolled out to the valley. Having never been to Yosemite, may I just say "WOW."

A glimpse of Yosemite Valley:

Everybody marveling at Yosemite Falls:

Yosemite Falls

(and curious onlookers staring at Robb as he lay on the ground for this shot):

Awwwwww.....aren't they cute??? ;-)

El Capitan...

...and the bus.

(Bottom left corner.)

All in all, a fun, relaxing day of sightseeing, "hiking" (aka walking), and wondering at the masses of people in attendance.

Looking Back: Robb Becomes a Proud Papa

I mean...owner...of a 1975 VW Bus. A Westfalia, or "Westie", complete with pop-top camper, two fold out beds, a sink, a stove, and an icebox/fridge, he/she/it (a name has yet to be chosen) sleeps four comfortably and puts some major sparkle in the proud papa's eyes. We flew out to Phoenix this past Valentine's weekend, and spent three days driving it back to San Jose. The Grand Canyon was gorgeous (Robb's first visit), Hoover Dam at midnight was movie-set surreal (a first for both of us), and Death Valley was interesting (my first time there).

Miraculously enough, we made it home safely, and I have to say that, while I may not love the bus unequivocally, I do think it's pretty freaking awesome. If Robb hangs onto it long enough to be able to fix it up entirely (we're talking YEARS, mostly because it'll take that long to save the money for the minor body work and major paint job that need to be done), it will be absolutely amazing. For now, I'll just squint and pretend to be able to ignore the green-faded-to-blue curtains clashing with the orange-black-green plaid. :-)