from the kitchen

Above: the (short) life of a brownie.

I had some rare and lovely solo cooking time earlier this week, and ended up at Martha's Super Fudgy Brownie recipe. It's a good one. I'm picky about brownies (I know I'm not alone in this) - and the chewiness factor on these are just to my liking. The particulars of mine (in addition the recipe) are 4 oz each of semisweet and bittersweet, as well as semisweet chocolate chips mixed into the batter at the end. Um...so good. I shared them at a little evening gathering of crafty gals, and saved a few for breakfast for my little ones. Because that's always a good idea - swapping out the oatmeal and yogurt for chocolate and sugar before 7 am. Yikes. But fun.

The kitchen is where I've already been this week, and it's where I'll happily plant myself (and all my helpers) for the next 48 hours. The lists are made, the bread is rising, and my apron is on. Tomorrow promises to be a lovely day and a yummy one, too. The kids have been talking about the gratitudes we share following our Thanksgiving meal blessing. "But how do you choose just one...or even two!?" one of them asked. Exactly. There is so very much to be grateful for.

For those celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow...and for everyone else, too - I'm so grateful for each of you - the time you spend here and the many ways you contribute to my life. Thank you.  I hope your day is full of joy and goodness and many yummy things shared with those you love. 

Comments

[luckybeans]

Come to think of it, I may need a few brownies in my life. Simon's away, so surely we are entitled to chocolate for dinner, right?

[sioux]

hi amanda,
delurking to say how much i love your site. it and you , are inspiring me to be a better stay at home mama. i get a little (ok, a LOT!) frustrated sometimes with the whole thing. and i only have 2 kids! thanks for your lovely site and ideas and graciousness. happy thanksgiving.
love, sioux in nyc

[heather]

the clipboard is out - tis the season! have a very blessed holiday, amanda.

[Melissa]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family ;o)

[Carrie]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Amanda. I am thankful for all that you share with us....

[Gry]

I'd give anything to enjoy a brownie, red wine and crafty chatting with you Amanda!I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[Lisa]

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. It may sound trite, but all the terrific people I've *met* in blogland is something I really am grateful for this year!

[aimeedewar]

How funny--we had a brownie night last night too! Mine were the fudge brownies from Moosewood. And instead of breakfast, I let this be the kids' last snack before bed. Chocolate and sugar right before sleep. Mmm hmm.

[Nikki]

Amanda, Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Love your tablecloth. What other good treats will you bake up for Thanksgiving? I made a rum cake last night, it turned out pretty good-my husband insists that I have to soak it well with the rum(: Thanks for the baking inspiration.

[mary]

Happy Thanksgiving Amanda and family. Thank you for sharing your life and family with us.

[Alison]

Amanda, I've never commented before, but wanted to let you know that I am thankful for your blog - it is a beautiful and inspiring tool in my mama-toolbox, giving me ideas and helping to ground me in this motherhood journey. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[Livia]

Although we in Finland don't celebrate Thanksgiving, it is important to remember how much there is to be grateful for.

I have to say, that as a serious book worm, I really like to see all those books in the right side of your blog. It's very inspirational! (I read English soooo much better than I write it.)

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

[Daphne]

Happy Thanksgiving, Soules!!

[Martina]

So interesting watching Americans get ready for their Thanksgiving. We (Canadians) had ours last month, but it's much more low key.

We're just lying low until December, when Christmas preparation starts in earnest.

Have a great weekend!

[Qalballah]

Ooh yummy recipe. Thankyou. Have a great weekend Soule Family.

[Qalballah]

Uh I meant thanksgiving. I'm sorry I have no idea what day it is...

[aprill]

happy thanksgiving to you and your sweet family!
wishing i had some of those brownies for my breakfast this morning. they were SO good!

[TeenSleuth]

I'm grateful for the inspiration you give me, for the beauty you share here in your photos and words. Thank you!

[elsa]

Hi. I just discovered your site, and as a creative mama-to-be (also in Maine, coincidentally) I am quite grateful. You have a very loving attitude. Wishing you a world of blessings.

[ilse]

Hi Amanda,

Here in belgium we don't celebrate thanksgiving, But that doesn't stop me from thanking you.
I wish you and your family a wonderful and cozy thanksgiving.
And thank you so much for being in my life ( well ofcourse through your blog but, sometimes it realy feels like you are here.)
Many blessing for you.

[kendra]

Have a happy thanksgiving Amanda! Good idea to add the bittersweet chocolate to the brownies, I like mine to be rather dark tasting.

We just ordered the dutch process cocoa from Penzey's and I have to say, it's incredible and made a killer brownie and cake last week, not to mention the hot chocolate!

[cloth.paper.string]

those brownies are my favorite -- making room in the freezer this week for the stocks and ice creams and such i happened upon a little tin wrapped bit with three of those exact brownies inside. what a treat. you might wonder how such deliciousness made it to the freezer in the first place... i guess i do have the ability to exercise a teensy bit of self control...

warm thanksgiving wishes to you and yours too, amanda!

[Veronica TM]

and i have to say, this little space you created here and share with me, with us, is one of the every day gifts that i am thankful for.
happy thanksgiving, soules!

[Kim]

Happy Thanksgiving Amanda! Your kitchen looks so warm and cozy. I am very thankful for your willingness to share your beautiful family and creativity with us - you are an inspiration to many!

[Carrie]

Ooo, Lorna Sass' cookbook. .. one of my favorites! There's a muffin recipe in there with a surprise bit of jam in the middle. . . yummy and super kid friendly.
We've got our Tree of Gratitude going a la Beauty that Moves. (http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/2007/11/tradition.html) I love all of the inspiration out here in blog land.

[Dee]

and thank you to you, for sharing a little of your life with us
Dee
x

[Renee]

Don't feel too bad about the brownies. Yesterday i bought a carton of ice cream, which happens about three times a year in this house, so guess what my kids had to have for breakfast? ROFL.

Your thanksgiving table is lovely.

[Katherine]

Mmmmm... Have a fun day in the kitchen with your helpers. Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Thanks to you and your family for all the joy and inspiration you share through your blog.

[Katherine]

Mmmmm... Have a fun day in the kitchen with your helpers. Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Thanks to you and your family for all the joy and inspiration you share through your blog.

[Kelly]

yum + happy thanksgiving!

[yesenia]

I have been reading your blog for months now and this is my first time posting a comment. In the spirit of giving thanks...I want to thank you Amanda for that little space in time I take to slow down, read your blog, smile and remind myself how good life is! Gracias

[shari]

happy thanksgiving amanda! wishing you a delicious celebration. xo

[Kristy]

I love the ethos of thanksgiving.I'm trying to think of a way we could incorporate it into our holidays over here in th UK.
I really hope you have a beautiful day.xxx

[m]

Our Thanksgiving has long since passed, but I am thankful for your blog and all you share of your family life with us strangers. Have a wonderful day tomorrow. Many blessings.

[Christina Hedrick]

Those brownies look yummy!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Have a peaceful day :)

[Jane Hurst]

Hi,

I have to say the pictures look so familiar. Just last night I made brownies too! Same everything (eggs, measuring cups and spoons) but I used a kitchenaid to mix. I was researching a great recipe and have recently switched from the martha one you used to allrecipes.com deep dish brownies omiting the extra egg and the baking powder as all the comments suggested. AMAZING. you take such lovely photograps of your life. Thank you. I love reading your blog.

[Caroline]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Finding your blog was a true blessing in inspiration! Thank you so much for posting so often and beautifully!

[julie]

The brownies look and sound delicious! Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

[ani]

as soon as i saw the wine, brownies and popcorn...i knew i was in love. :)

happy thanksgiving to you and your family.

[kristin]

sending the warmth and happiness back at ya!
enjoy the goodness!

[Anne]

Warm wishes to you and your family. I love that you have a clipboard out.

[Bluebirdbaby]

A Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! Enjoy tomorrow :)

[Krystal]

I am thankful for your blog.

[Briana]

Endearing post - the short life of a brownie. lol. Just noticed the colors in this post are right in line with the colors of your book cover. Very sweet and calming. Love it.

[andrea]

Thanks Amanda for your blog. You'd be surprised to know how much inspiration you spread around. I have just printed off that delicious looking recipe in the hopes of using it one day. Your earlier blog and picture of the homemade books had me scurrying off to rearrange the pencils and make some little books! Thank You.

[Mary Beth]

Great post, again. I too am grateful for your inspiring daily posts! Are those fall leaf placecards? Great idea--might have to do that over here too. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Louise]

Great photos! Thanks for the link to the brownie recipe. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in New Zealand but I think a day where we reflect on what we are thankful for is a very good idea indeed. Thank you for your blog. I am always inspired by your words and pictures.

[abbyjane]

Happy Thanksgiving, Amanda. And thank you, too, for adding so much to my life. I find myself thinking about mothering, and about living a creative life, every time I visit here. And I am so glad you get me thinking.

[Tava]

Happy Thanksgiving Soule Mama, Soule kids, and Soule Papa!

[julie]

Thanks for all your great posts. I look forward to them.