Spud Brownies

I may be super tired lately, but never too tired to bake something new! I have been eyeing this recipe for a while and figured tonight was the night. These brownies have a chewy texture, very different from regular brownies due to their secret ingredient! Mash potatoes! This recipe is from Taste of Home magazine and has taken first place in local festivals. These brownies are a must bake!

Here's What You Do:
YIELD = 16 Brownies


3/4C Mashed potatoes
1/2C Sugar
1/2C Packed brown sugar
1/2C Canola oil
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
1 TSP Vanilla
1/2C All purpose flour
1/3C Cocoa powder
1/2TSP Baking powder
1/8TSP Salt
Confectioner's sugar to dust

1. In a large bowl, mix together the mash potatoes, both sugars, oil, eggs and vanilla.*(I used box mashed potatoes, all though real mash potatoes have a much better flavor and i suggest using them instead. Also, this recipe does not call to use an electric mixer. I did to make sure all the lumps in the batter were gone.)
2. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder in a medium sized bowl. Gradually add to the potato mixture. Beat until combined.
3. Transfer to a greased 9in. baking pan.
4. Bake at 350 for 21-23 mins or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool on wire rack. Dust with confectioner's sugar and ENJOY!

Guardian: Creepy Hollow #1

Guardian by Rachel Morgan


1. Receive assignment.
2. Save a life. 
3. Sleep.
4. Repeat.

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn’t even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion. 

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it’ll take all Vi’s training to get them out alive.

(A novelette) Please visit Rachel Morgan's SITE!

WHAT I THOUGHT:
I really wish this was a longer story! I was surprised to see it was only 31 pages in my Adobe Digital Editions.
However, it being a novelette does not hinder it in any way.
I rather liked being able to read a short fantasy for a change.
There was just enough of everything packed into the pages of Guardian.
The author, Rachel Morgan, did an excellent job of writing a fun and fast paced story that kept my attention the whole way through!
There are many full length books that didn't entertain me as much as this did!
The characters were real and entertaining and had me laughing several times.

"No way, Hobbits are real?!"
"Hobbits?"
"Yea, Hobbits. Halflings. Small...hairy feet...live in the Shire..."

Rachel writes with vivid detail, making the fae world easy to picture while reading.
I loved her description of the mushrooms in the forest;
"..where giant mushrooms are swelling as they soak up the silvery glow of the moon."
I also enjoyed the balance of action and romance.
The bond that forms between Vi and Nate in their short time since meeting is not over the top. Just the right amount to keep me guessing as to what is going to happen.
I will definitely go read more! The end is a great teaser into what the next installment will bring.
Besides, who wouldn't like a cute, purple eyed faerie girl who can kick some serious butt!


View all my reviews

Set in Stone by Beth Balmanno

Set in Stone by Beth Balmanno

Fifteen year-old Valerie is used to losing things–she lost her dad to his job ages ago and her best friend moved with no warning...and hasn't been heard from since. During a weekend camping trip with her emotionally distant parents, she stumbles upon a hidden, mysterious stone and she finds herself desperate to keep it, to possess it. Two strange and beautiful boys have other plans, however. They follow her home–Leo, warm and seductive, who covets the stone and will stop at nothing to get it; and Noel, dark-haired and wise, who pledges to protect her and keep her safe.

As she delves deeper into the magic of the stone and the Celtic lore that surrounds it, Valerie realizes that she's losing. Again. But this      loss might involve more than a magical stone – 
this time, she just might lose her heart.

Set in Stone is available for purchase on AMAZON! 

Please check out  Beth Balmanno's Site! 

WHAT I THOUGHT: 

Whew! This book sent me through a heap of emotions and I just couldn't stop reading.
I found the premise so fresh and new. The story line was unpredictable for me which I loved! There were no moments when I thought to my self, "...and now this happens." The story kept moving at a great pace with just the right amount of development throughout.
I was immediately pulled into the mythology involved with this story. It is so well integrated with real life.
Set in Stone follows Valerie a 15 year old who has yet to come into her own. She has a faltering relationship with her mom and her dad is consumed with business. The story opens with a family camping trip that Val is none too excited to be apart of. Little does she know it is this trip that will change her life.
Her character is so real and I related with so much of what she was feeling and experiencing at that age. Her first love and loss. Every time she smiled in the book I smiled right along with her.
It was hard for me to remember that this book was aimed for a younger age (I am in my mid 20's) Set in Stone could be enjoyable for any age not just young adults.
It was so nice to see Val gain her strength at the end of the book. I really felt like I had journeyed with her.
Oh! And I loved the characters of Noel and Leo as well. I would be interested to know how Balmanno came up with their concept! It was great that despite the fact they are Gods, they can also be realized as human as well.
This book was just so great! I can not wait to read the sequel!!


View all my reviews

After Midnight Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Well I can't sleep... to the kitchen I go!! I am making the trip to visit my grandma tomorrow and thought it would be nice for her to have some homemade treats! My friend, Astrid (author of The Mosswoods) sent me this recipe she tried out the other day. They are great! I really do prefer chocolate chips in oatmeal cookies rather than raisins, but you can do either! ENJOY ^^

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
Yield = 3 dozen

3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature (I used salted)

1 cup (210 grams) packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup (105 grams) all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups (260 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats (I used only 21/2)

1 cup dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins or 1 cup white or dark chocolate chips

1. In large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and smooth (about 2 - 3 minutes). 

2. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. 

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat until incorporated. 

4. Stir in the oats, and chocolate chips (or addition of your choice).

5. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. (about a tbsp full)

6. Then wet your hand and flatten the cookies slightly with your fingers so they are about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick. 

7. Bake the cookies for about 12 - 15 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges but still soft and a little wet in the centers.

8. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

** I also added 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the mix for a little added flavor **