Valentines brownie excuse.

It is true any excuse will do when it comes to brownie making over here and today of all days is the Perfect with a capitol “P” for making the perfect chewy Brownie!

In case any of you are wondering about my stance when it comes to Valentines day, I see it as pretty simple, I don’t need an excuse to love my man, and yes I think that Valentines day makes a commercial overpriced killing on pesticide ridden roses and blood chocolate, and made to make those without a lover feel depressed–Geez am I ever a Debbie Downer!

However given the right combination of Fair Trade Chocolate and flour this confection can be yours in a flash and Valentines day is the prefect excuse to do it!

Today was a Pro-D day for the kiddies and so the house filled with friends and I decided that the perfect rainy day activity for the girls{the boys had no interest except to be called when it was eating time} and since today is Valentines day, and I do so love my life we decided to decorate them in the spirit of love and all that is right and good in the world–chocolate being the perfect food!

The recipe for the perfect Chewy Brownie

8 tblsp unsalted butter
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1-1/2 cups sugar
Scant 1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) flour
2 Tbs. natural cocoa (not Dutch-processed)

I used a baking sheet and cut parchment paper to fit the bottom, and then buttered the sides. This gave me a thinner brownie which was prefect for using my heart shaped cookie cutter on.

In a double boiler over simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate. Remove the pan from the heat; cool slightly. Stir in the sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, stirring each time until blended. Add the flour and cocoa; beat until incorporated and the mixture is smooth, 30 to 60 seconds. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top is uniformly colored with no indentation and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out almost clean, with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, 35 to 45 min.

Set the pan on a rack until cool enough to handle. Run a paring knife around the inside edge of the pan and then invert the pan onto a flat surface and peel off the parchment. Flip the baked brownie back onto the rack to cool completely. Cut into squares, or use any shape cookie cutter you want for a unique piece of yummy-ness!

Have a beautiful Valentines day whatever you decide to do, and whoever you are with-even if you are alone-today is the day to love ourselves, so go ahead make a bath of these brownies and eat them in the tub!

 

Finding Inspiration…..

Some of the places that I have found inspiration for my studio…..

I just love this desk it would look perfect in my space–too bad it belongs to someone else!

I love this old printing press box used for beads-yes I think I could use one of these!

I also paid a visit to one of my favorite Blogs of all time Heather Bullard for some inspiration-below are a bunch of photos from her Blog that made me swoon!

I am sure I could find a place for this lovely desk–somewhere in the studio!

I am in love with this set of apothecary drawers from an Etsy seller, but unfortunately they do not ship to Canada….

These too…..

And I can just see this tea pot sitting on my desk waiting for me…..

And perhaps this haunting image on my wall from another favorite Etsy artist  Swan Bones

Lastly I love this image of Susan’s studio space at her Blog Old Grey Mare, where she has tons of great photos of her studio, she is not a jeweler but her space is jam packed full of drawers and corners of tins and baskets*sigh* I do love me some organized clutter!

Today I continue painting though, the putting together will come next week sometime and I will have my camera handy rest assured!

Building a jewelry studio-part 1

Here is a little of what has been distracting me from my blog these days, it is good I promise…..

This past week I have been busy choosing paint colors, moving furniture, planning a new look for my web-site and blog–big stuff!

The painting part is for my new studio and I am excited to be committing to yet more space for my craft!

I also thought it would be fun to do a before and after post on the process and share it here.

SO…..Here are some of my before photos of the studio:

And yet another corner…

And this little area which is perfect for soldering and creating-it just feels so cozy!

I also happened upon this gem while out with a dear friend yesterday, and I am thrilled with it, as it is the perfect item for holding tools and metals etc. Plus it has that old world charm that I adore!

Lastly, I had a hit of inspiration from another small built in shelf that I was not sure what to do with–it is now painted a deep burgundy and will become a special alter for my finished pieces of jewelry to sit in and charge.  I will write more on this soon, I promise…….

Well, that is it for now, I gotta run the walls are calling me to paint them, and interestingly enough the name of the paint I chose is called Stone Temple which I feel is the perfect name for the studio/ temple I am building to create in.

You see I believe that our intent is a big part of our manifestation, and so this space will now become my  temple!