Girlie Update

So, this is Brady.  She's almost 9 months old.  I can't believe it!  She is such a good girl....sleeps great, eats great, and hardly every cries.  She loves her sister to pieces.  Too bad her sister does not return the love quite as much.....yet.  Someday i know they will be great friends.  She is crawling now, and walks along things.  I think she will be walking before we know it.  And probably before we really want her to.  She loves to stand at the back doors and watch the dogs.  She likes to be outside too, but she tries to eat the grass so we have to be careful with that.  Her nickname is Boo-boo.  It started with calling her Brady Boo, and then just turned into Boo-boo.  Sometimes I call her Boo-bah-doo-bah, and once in awhile Sage will call her that, too.  It cracks me up!

I have to post this picture for memories sake.  The day before this, she got her first sunburn.  (Bad mommy!)  It's so funny because it's just her left cheek, and the top of her head.  I felt so bad!  But she recovered just fine, and didn't peel, or anything.

I'm so grateful to have another little munchkin in the house.  I can't remember what life was like without her.  She is such a sweet girl!

Now for her big sister.....

or, otherwise know as "Stinker!"  She is such a little stinker right now.  I'm hoping it is just because she is three, and is busy, busy, busy.  She's in to everything.  Asks a million questions every day.  Loves her dogs, bike, and being outside.  Likes to create mud.  Loves to "do my hair!"  And puts a "B" in front of a lot of her words..  B-mato (tomatoe), B-nanna, B-lax (Just B-lax (relax) while I do your hair, mom.)  She's always saying the funniest things.  When she's excited about something, she says "Hooray!"  When I clap for her and tell her she's done something well, she says "Bravo!"  I don't know where she comes up with this stuff!

She refuses to pose "nicely" for a photo, so we just have to snap away and hope we get something that is kind of ok.  She's currently in Glenns Ferry for a few days, hangin' with her cousins.  I miss her, but I'm glad for a little bit of quiet time.  We'll see her again in a few days up at the cabin for the Memorial Day weekend where I hope to get some good pics of her and her sister.

Orange Brownies

Let me start with giving proper credit for this recipe.  It is actually a Paula Deen recipe, introduced to me by a co-worker, Dorothy Kester.  I would have never tried this recipe just from reading the name of it, but after having the first bite, I was totally hooked!  I'm warning you right now, that they are sinful!  Once you take a bite, you won't be able to stop eating them! On with the recipe......

Orange Brownies

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
2 c granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 c butter, softened (I make them with 1/2 c shortening, 1/2 c butter)
4 eggs
2 tsp pure orange extract
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 recipe Orange Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 13x9 pan (I prefer them thinner, so I make them in a cookie sheet)

Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl.  Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest.  Using a handheld electric mixer, beat until well blended.  Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set.  Remove from oven, allow to cool and pierce entire cake with a fork.  Spread the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting over completely cooled brownies.  Cut into squares.

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 Tbsp softened butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
2 Tbsp orange zest
2 Tbsp orange juice

In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electic mixer.  Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth.  Beat in the orange zest and juice.  Spread over brownies.

** In case you are wondering, one batch of the frosting is enough to cover the entire cookie sheet of brownies with ample frosting.

YUM YUM YUM!!