Tuesday:) Toni’s Taking Brownies To Those Handsome Firemen

Firefighting — one of the few professions left that still makes house calls. ~Author Unknown

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You know how your Facebook page comes up with memory photos from years gone by? Well, the other day, this photo popped up. It was a McKinney firefighter calendar that I had purchased in 2011. I was promoting the sale of the calendar. It was just to support a worthy charitable cause, of course. 

Well, it reminded me that I hadn’t made cookies or brownies for my local fire stations lately. So, I made a couple batches of brownies to share with our guys and girls in blue. Then, I always share with friends and neighbors too. If you’re going to bake, bake big, I always say.

 

Everyone says I make the best brownies. My secret is, I sprinkle about a cup or more of semi sweet chocolate chips on top of the batter and/or I top with mini marshmallows, mix a bit and sprinkle with chips. 

I stopped at Station #2, and Captain Turner answered the knock at the back door. The truck bay doors were open, so I just went in the back way. I’m a regular visitor. The Captain smiled and asked, “What’s the occasion?” I responded, “Just want to say thanks for all you guys do.”

Then, off to Station #5. 

Here’s the neat part. Firefighter Eddington answered the door, said thank you and asked, “Aren’t you the lady that brings us Christmas ornaments and cookies all the time?” I assured him that I was, and apologized for not being by this Christmas. I told him that I was in Chicago visiting my new granddaughter. (Dang! I forgot to take my pictures of the baby. Next time.) A good excuse to come back again soon.

I really appreciate our fire fighters and police officers. It takes a very special type of person to be willing to sacrifice their life for a stranger. If a few cookies or brownies can say thank you and bring a smile to their faces, it’s more than worth the small effort.

Here’s one of my silly brownie mix faces to make you smile. 

Saturday:) Starting A Sweet New Year With Old Traditions

“HopeSmiles from the threshold of the year to come, 

Whispering ‘it will be happier’…” 

― Alfred Tennyson

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New Year’s Eve, a time for old traditions and new resolutions. I’m visiting my mom and sister for the holidays. They have an unwritten long standing tradition of making tacos for holidays. Forget the turkey, ham, sweet potatoes and pies. We have homemade tacos. Yep! Nothing beats homemade tacos. A good way to ring out the old year. And…time to start the new year, start a new diet, and start eating right. Nah! Never mind. Too many tacos and brownies, too little will power.

Mom and I are going down to the community room for their New Year’s Eve party tonight. She asked me to make brownies for the pot luck. Of course, I had to make my traditional brownie face. I couldn’t find a single bowl to mix in. Mom doesn’t bake anymore, so I used a large sauce pan. Still works.

I cut up some large marshmallows, layered into the batter and topped with chocolate chips. They turned out magnificently. (Remember: Always play with your food. I always do.)

Yum! Looks good! Happy New Year!

Forget Black Friday:) It’s Black Russian Friday

Black Friday: Because only in America, people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have. ~Unknown quotes  

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It’s true, after contemplating about all the things I have to be thankful for yesterday, I had trouble thinking that I needed to get in my car and go shopping. I’ll admit, I was tempted by all the online bargains that filled my email inbox this morning. As tempting as they were, I refrained from making any purchases. I could use a new pair of walking shoes, as mine are more then well worn and falling apart. But, I can wait. Now, is that self control, or what?

Instead, I had a leisurely morning, a long walk, a nice lunch of leftovers, visited my neighbor’s cat while she was out of town, checked on Bella, my doggie buddy after Mr. Mike had to take her for an emergency vet visit, then an evening stroll, capturing the sunset. These are the things that make me happier than Black Friday sales. 

The best part though is…IT’S BLACK RUSSIAN BLACK FRIDAY! Cheers!

 

Amazing evening sky. This beats any shopping spree.