Super stuff for Super Bowl

I made these brownies this weekend from a recipe from my dear friend, Jill.  (You can check her out at her studio, Firefly Yoga and on her blog, Mischief in the Midwest.)  I have several wonderful recipes from her during our time together in Alaska.  We bonded over kids, husbands, houses, margaritas and food.

I brought them to our neighborhood Supper Club where the host called them "Crack."  As in addictive.  And dangerous.  I concur.

So I must share.

Chocolate Mint Brownies
Brownie
1/2 cup butter
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Melt butter and chocolate.  Whisk together sugar and eggs.  Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla, then flour and salt.  Pour in greased 9 in. square pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Cool for 1 hour.

Frosting
1/4 cup soft butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 - 3 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. peppermint (or 1 tsp. if you really like mint)
green food coloring

Mix all and frost cooled brownie.  Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Topping
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. butter
Melt together and pour over chilled brownie and frosting.  Store in refrigerator.    

I also tried my hand at a craft that I found online - mainly because I had a heart shaped wreath that I tried to wire greenery around and it didn't work.  I'm pretty good at making wreaths, but when it's in a shape other than just a circle or a square, I guess you need some talent.  True to myself, I got pissed off and threw it in the trash when I failed.  Then I saw this and dug the wreath form out of the trashcan, grabbed some clothespins, and printed out a cute saying.  Voila!

I am kind of craft challenged, so this was a small success.  I learned how to make my own wreaths from this Martha Stewart book, Handmade Christmas:  The Best of Martha Stewart Living.  I bought it before our wedding in 1995 and that's how I made garlands and wreaths to decorate the farm where I grew up - our reception was there.  They were pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.  This clothespin one isn't so super, but it's done.  And next week is Valentine's Day, so I'm good with it.