Killer Chocolate Recipe

I meant to post this recipe before Valentine's Day, but it didn't happen. You'll have to make up your own excuse to make it. This recipe is REALLY good, REALLy easy, and everyone likes it.
Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Torte
1 package brownie mix (9x13 size)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups whipped topping
1 tsp chocolate sprinkles

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Spread batter in a greased and floured 9" round pan. Bake at 350 for 38-40 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate; cool completely. In a bowl stir the chocolate and butter until smooth. Spread over brownie layer; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Just before serving top with whipped topping and decorate with sprinkles.

Projects

These are a few of the projects I worked on for gifts this past winter. I couldn't post them when I wanted to because the recipients hadn't opened them yet. I am enjoying cutting vinyl with my cricut, and have a million projects I want to do.

Merry Christmas!

This morning we didn't open presents until 8:30am. This is a personal "late" record for our family. Usually we MAKE the kids wait until at least 7:00am. Now that they are older they value their sleep a little more. Ryan was the last one up, and Ron, Kelsey and I ate our traditional "monkey bread" breakfast without him. Sorry Ryan, it smelled too good-but we did save you some! We had a very mellow and relaxing Christmas Day. Lucy (who is continuing to feel much better) and Dory even joined us for a while.

Crazy Cat Lady Gift

My friend Alice made me this WONDERFUL cat Santa decoration! I LOVE it, and would love to leave it out all year. I am considering doing just that! I must be developing quite a reputation because this is the second "cat" gift I have received this season. A close friend brought a cat calendar over earlier this month. It's nice to have friends who listen to me talk about my cat trauma-Lucy getting hepatic lipidosis and needing a stomach tube, and Fluffy, who had to be put to sleep 2 weeks ago due to a liver problem.

Our Tree and Stockings!

Just a picture of our tree and Christmas stockings!

Paula's Book Club Christmas Party

Here we are with little Saint Nic

Sarah set a beautiful table, with beautiful party favors.

My favorite Christmas party every year is my bookclub party. We have a plan we follow every year. Everyone brings an appetizer to share, and certain people have favorites that they MUST bring! Like HOME MADE MARSHMELLOWS. After eating (more than we should!) we play an ornament game. Everyone brings an ornament every year. As soon as we get to Sarah's, we put our ornament in a gift bag. All the bags are the same, so we can't originally tell who brought the ornament. We draw numbers, and person #1 chooses the bag they want. #2 gets to choose a new bag or steal from #1, and so on. #1 gets the final say, and each ornament can be touched only 3 times. The 3rd person gets to keep it. After the ornament game, we exchange gifts, and finish off with chocolate fondue. YUM! This year we learned interesting things about office supplies.

Michelle's Wedding

We just returned from my youngest sister Michelle's wedding. She was married Saturday the 6th in the Seattle Washington Temple. It was a quick, fast, busy trip, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Michelle was absolutely beautiful and so happy to finally marry Neal. I was deeply hurt that she didn't ask me to be her flower girl-she was my flower girl. HA HA. I was able to be one of Michelle's escorts in the bride room (along with my sister Sue) and help her get dressed in her wedding dress. It was a very special and amazing experience, and totally unexpected. The reception was gorgeous and a lot of fun. Kelsey and I helped with food, and Ron and Ryan were general labor and manned the gift table. It was fun to see family and friends and celebrate Michelle's special day.








Ryan and Kelsey with their Great-Grandparents and Great-Great-Grammy Miller.

Our family at the Seattle Temple.

My brother Andy, dressed up and out in public!!