annie blog

Rocky Road Fudge
This is the gift that I made for all of the assorted teachers/therapists/aids/helpers of my boys. When I added up how many gifts I wanted to give, well, I figured out that I was going to have to make something. Truthfully, I would rather give gift cards — not out of laziness — but because I think that gift recipients would find them more pleasing. You know, everyone doesn’t like fudge. But, seeing as how I’m not wealthy, this was my option. And it is really good. The bonus is that you get a real arm workout — candy makers must have arms of steel.

Makes about 2 1/2 pounds

11.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (a whole bag of Ghiradelli)
5 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (a little less than half a bag)
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate , cut into small chunks
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon table salt
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini-marshmallows
1 cup cocktail peanuts, salted
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Cut 12-inch length extra-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil; fold edges back to form 7 1/2-inch width. With folded sides facing down, fit foil securely into bottom and up sides of 8-inch-square baking pan, allowing excess to overhang pan sides. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Pulse chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate in a food processor until the chocolate is uniformly processed into little round pieces about the size of small popcorn kernels. Then, transfer the processed chocolate into the top of a double boiler and stir in the baking soda and salt until evenly distributed. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set bowl over 4-quart saucepan containing 2 cups simmering water. Stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is almost fully melted and few small pieces remain, 2 to 4 minutes.

3. Remove bowl from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows, peanuts, and chocolate chips. Transfer fudge to prepared pan and spread in even layer with spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Remove fudge from pan using foil and cut into squares.

Yield: 64 pieces

Rocky Road Fudge
This is the gift that I made for all of the assorted teachers/therapists/aids/helpers of my boys. When I added up how many gifts I wanted to give, well, I figured out that I was going to have to make something. Truthfully, I would rather give gift cards — not out of laziness — but because I think that gift recipients would find them more pleasing. You know, everyone doesn’t like fudge. But, seeing as how I’m not wealthy, this was my option. And it is really good. The bonus is that you get a real arm workout — candy makers must have arms of steel.

Makes about 2 1/2 pounds

11.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (a whole bag of Ghiradelli)
5 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (a little less than half a bag)
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate , cut into small chunks
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon table salt
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini-marshmallows
1 cup cocktail peanuts, salted
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Cut 12-inch length extra-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil; fold edges back to form 7 1/2-inch width. With folded sides facing down, fit foil securely into bottom and up sides of 8-inch-square baking pan, allowing excess to overhang pan sides. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Pulse chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate in a food processor until the chocolate is uniformly processed into little round pieces about the size of small popcorn kernels. Then, transfer the processed chocolate into the top of a double boiler and stir in the baking soda and salt until evenly distributed. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set bowl over 4-quart saucepan containing 2 cups simmering water. Stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is almost fully melted and few small pieces remain, 2 to 4 minutes.

3. Remove bowl from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows, peanuts, and chocolate chips. Transfer fudge to prepared pan and spread in even layer with spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Remove fudge from pan using foil and cut into squares.

Yield: 64 pieces

What Christmas Means to Me
Lots of people have been talking about Christmas music on blogs lately. I have to say that my all-time favorite Christmas song, as far as popular music goes, is What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder. I love this song. I was reminded of it last night while shopping at Old Navy. And, no, I didn’t remember it because it was playing but because lots of other terrible should-never-have-been-recorded songs were playing. Click here to get a listen.

What Christmas Means to Me
Lots of people have been talking about Christmas music on blogs lately. I have to say that my all-time favorite Christmas song, as far as popular music goes, is What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder. I love this song. I was reminded of it last night while shopping at Old Navy. And, no, I didn’t remember it because it was playing but because lots of other terrible should-never-have-been-recorded songs were playing. Click here to get a listen.

What Christmas Means to Me
Lots of people have been talking about Christmas music on blogs lately. I have to say that my all-time favorite Christmas song, as far as popular music goes, is What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder. I love this song. I was reminded of it last night while shopping at Old Navy. And, no, I didn’t remember it because it was playing but because lots of other terrible should-never-have-been-recorded songs were playing. Click here to get a listen.

If You Need to Laugh Today…
please go visit barlowfarms and view the video clip that I’ll be showing at my youngest son’s rehearsal dinner someday.

I chose to laugh instead of cry…but for a minute there it was a close one.

If You Need to Laugh Today…
please go visit barlowfarms and view the video clip that I’ll be showing at my youngest son’s rehearsal dinner someday.

I chose to laugh instead of cry…but for a minute there it was a close one.

If You Need to Laugh Today…
please go visit barlowfarms and view the video clip that I’ll be showing at my youngest son’s rehearsal dinner someday.

I chose to laugh instead of cry…but for a minute there it was a close one.

I’m Drowning
Not really drowning but it sure feels like it. Yesterday was a blur. Church, shopping, lunch, meltdown (not mine), doing stuff in the kitchen, snow play, getting ready, back to church, reception, coming home. This house is a disaster. And, I’m sort of a disaster, too. This morning found me trying to get all the cashews out of a container of trail mix for one son’s lunch, locating jeans for all amidst the chaos, feeding children assorted breakfasts, realizing I left the van door open and the keys in the lock of the door — on the outside, and generally looking around wondering where to begin.

All right. I’m done with the computer today. I’ve drunk my second cup of ambition and I’m going to tackle all of this. I’m assuming that I’ll surface somewhere later.

Have a good Monday, everybody.

I’m Drowning
Not really drowning but it sure feels like it. Yesterday was a blur. Church, shopping, lunch, meltdown (not mine), doing stuff in the kitchen, snow play, getting ready, back to church, reception, coming home. This house is a disaster. And, I’m sort of a disaster, too. This morning found me trying to get all the cashews out of a container of trail mix for one son’s lunch, locating jeans for all amidst the chaos, feeding children assorted breakfasts, realizing I left the van door open and the keys in the lock of the door — on the outside, and generally looking around wondering where to begin.

All right. I’m done with the computer today. I’ve drunk my second cup of ambition and I’m going to tackle all of this. I’m assuming that I’ll surface somewhere later.

Have a good Monday, everybody.