Chicken Scratch

I found this recipe scribbled on a piece of paper, barely legible. I don't remember where I copied it from but decided to try it since I needed something fast for a treat for the kids.

Dutch Triple Fudge Brownies

1 small box cook 'n serve chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1 box chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food)
1 bag chocolate chips

Cook pudding using the milk and according to directions. Blend in cake mix. Spread in a 9x13 pan and sprinkle with the chocolate chips (and nuts if desired). Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°. Easy peasy and oh so good!

*I wonder if you could just make it with regular instant chocolate pudding or if the cooked pudding makes a difference. Maybe I'll try that sometime. It would save even more time.

Transformation

This is little sister, Jill's boring master bedroom BEFORE:







Bring in big sister Marilyn and she turns it into THIS:



Jill is renting so you know how that goes. No painting. Luckily the wall color was already a nice neutral tone so it went nicely with the new decor.

Jill fell in love with the color in the 2 side table lamps. As far as she knew that's all that was going into that room because it was all done in secret, a While You Were Out kind of thing.

Marilyn took some of Jill's existing thrift store finds and gave them some TLC.



Of course she made the bedskirt and all but 2 of those pillows on that bed. She made the window valances and the picture frame shelves.

Oh yeah, and she made the headboard too. Maybe someday she'll provide us with a tute on how she did it. I have a door headboard in my master bedroom too, but now I think I'm going to order me some tin and add to it.


Such talent our sister has.

I've been planning a While You Were Out for my girls' room for awhile. Helping put Jill's room together has lit a fire under me to get going faster on it.

A Favorite

These homemade cookies are really easy to mix up in a hurry, and not made from a box.

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
handful of oatmeal
chocolate chips (about half a bag)

Blend together the shortening and sugars, then add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add a mixture of the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Mix til well blended. Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips. Drop scoops on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes. It's closer to 10 for my oven. Don't overbake. They're perfect when their flaky and crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. The recipe makes about 3 1/2 dozen.

In Love

I love this idea so much!
Wish I could claim it as mine but I can't.
Here is the link with the instructions.
I think it turned out so cute.
I {heart} it. ☺



There are also instructions on how to do a valentines topiary.