In search of the yummiest Chocolate Brownie recipe

Since returning from our little trip to Cambridge, where we ate the World's scrumptious Chocolate Brownies, I have been on a mission to find the yummiest Chocolate Brownie recipe.

I tried a couple of sub-standard ones, until a friend confided her recipe.

The Brownies were so delicious, that I'm going to share the recipe with you all today.  Though I'm sure you all have your own perfectly fantastic version already.

Ingredients

100g Milk Chocolate

200g Dark Chocolate

400g Soft Light Brown Sugar

250g Butter

4 Large Eggs

140g Plain Flour

50g Cocoa Powder

Heat oven to 180c/160c (fan)

Line a baking tray.

Break all the Chocolate into pieces, and put it in a saucepan with the butter and sugar.  Gently melt, stirring occasionally.  When melted, remove from the heat.

Stir the eggs into the Chocolate mixture, one at a time.

Sieve in the Flour and Cocoa Powder.

Give the mixture a really good stir, before tipping it into the baking tray.

Bake for 30mins.  (My baking tray was quite shallow, so I reduced the cooking time by 5mins).

Cool completely before slicing into squares.

Violet actually baked the ones in the above photograph.  So if a 6 year old can make them, anyone can.

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The Colour Run

On Saturday, hubby entered Birmingham's very first Colour Run.

For those of you who have never heard of it.  It's a Fun 5k Run (or walk, or dance) in aid of Save The Children.  Every kilometre there are paint stations where you're pelted with powdered paint.  Each paint station is a different colour.

This is him wearing his pristine T-Shirt before the race.

Nearly at the finish line.

And, afterwards.  

Violet didn't want to go anywhere near him, as he was covered in paint.

Apparently, we're all doing it next year! 

(Only if he wears a tutu and rainbow wig).

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Holiday 2014 - Jersey

We're just back from a wonderful holiday in Jersey.

Beautiful sandy beaches with hardly a soul on them. Bliss!

A lovely day spent at Durrell Wildlife Park , which isn't like any other (dare I say it) Zoo I've been to before.  

Can you see the little baby Gorilla hanging upside down?  Totally gorgeous.

St Aubin's harbour - which brings back wonderful memories for me.  I used to stay here with my mum, dad and brother.

Elizabeth Castle, which we paddled out to - the sea wasn't quite out as we made our way across the causeway.

Could this little girl get any sweeter? 

 I've told her that, under no circumstances, is she allowed to turn 7.

A rare photo of yours truly - check out that tan line!!

I didn't take as many photos as I normally do - I was probably just trying to enjoy myself and soak up all of that wonderful sunshine.

Goodbye Jersey - hope to visit again soon.

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Random mix

Today, I thought I'd share a few random photos from the past few days.

Violet's practiced how to milk a cow.

We visited Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire.

With stunning gardens.

I've been doing a LOT of painting recently.  This is Violet's bedroom all finished. 

As I'm sure you've worked out, she's asked for a Frozen theme.  This is her old mirror, which I've decorated with white paint, sprayed with glitter and added a few snowflakes too.

I finally managed to take some photos of Violet wearing the Queen Elsa Snow Dress I made.

 In the end, I decided not to add the sparkles.

 Violet met a Barn Owl.

And, yesterday we spent the day at Rufford Mill in Nottinghamshire, where my cousin's daughter was  getting married.

For those of you who don't know. The road next to the Mill has a ford. The above photo is of Violet trying to encourage approaching cars to drive through it as fast as they dare, so that they'll splash everyone.  There's always loads of families waiting at the sides of the road waiting to get soaked.  Woe betide the cautious cars who want to drive through slow and steady - those drivers get boo'd.

What have you been up to?

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Moseley Old Hall

 Last Sunday we visited Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire for the very first time.

It's not very big, but is really quaint and charming, with a pretty flower garden, knot garden, as well as a small wooded area.  

Moseley Old Hall is famous for hiding King Charles II after he fled the battle of Worcester in 1651, and Oliver Cromwell.

Isn't the knot garden pretty?

There is supposed to be a resident Peacock, but however hard we searched for him, he proved elusive.  Though we did buy a few of his beautiful tail feathers as a reminder of the lovely day we'd had.

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Cambridge

We're just back from a wonderful couple of days in Cambridge.

I booked this little trip away as a first wedding anniversary treat.

I'd read an article on visiting Cambridge a couple of months previous, in my Good Food magazine, and it recommended staying at Duke House.  The rooms looked beautiful online, so I booked The Gloucester Room.

The hotel did not disappoint.  The room (and ensuite) where immaculately clean and welcoming.  Liz, the proprietor, was lovely.  We all felt extremely well looked after.

Violet said she never wanted to get out of the bed because it felt like a big marshmallow.

King's College.      

Enjoying a punt down the river Cam.

This is the back of Kings College Chapel.

The famous Bridge of Sighs.

We ate a top-notch lunch at a fab pizza restaurant, called Aromi. And, had dinner at Carluccio's restaurant in the evening.

We even tracked down the World's yummiest Chocolate Brownies at a little place called Afternoon Tease.

I can't believe we haven't visited this beautiful place before.

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Teacher gifts 2014

Hello everyone.  

These final weeks of the school term have been so hectic.  I've been in school most days, either helping out or watching concerts, sports day etc.

Before I shoot off back to school, I want to show you the two teacher's gifts I've made.

Pattern: Bucket Bag by michellepatterns.com

Fabrics: Free as a Bird in Dark Red & Blue Moon, from Heather Moore's Up Up and Away collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics.

Dots and Spots in Dark Red & Blue Moon, from Heather Moore's Up Up and Away collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics.

I can highly recommend this pattern. The instructions were very clear, with lots of photographs to help you along the way.  Even a beginner would be comfortable using this pattern. Also, what's great about this pattern, is that the bags you make can be sold as long as you give credit to michellepatterns.  I'll definitely use this pattern again. 

I think I need to have me some fabric labels made - can anyone recommend somewhere?

I hope to be back with you again soon.  Though it might be a bit sporadic due to the Summer Holidays.

Whatever you're doing over the Summer.  I wish you fun.

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