slacking off: a story with recipes and pictures by Hope

Friday: cleaned house, washed dishes, and played Scrabble online while the kids played out in the yard then watched movies.

Brownie Sundaes a la Walls

Preheat oven to 350F. Mixing well after each adddition, stir together in a bowl:

1 cup white sugar
6 heaping tsp cocoa
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour

n.b. this recipe doesn't require baking soda. That's why it's not listed in the ingredients. I didn't forget. Just trust me.


Spread batter into greased or non-stick 9" square pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until edges are crispy-crunchy and a fork comes out clean from the centre. While it's still piping hot, put a brownie into the bottom of a bowl and cover with a scoop of vanilla ice cream the drizzle the whole sh'bang with chocolate syrup or fudge sauce. You can add other crap to make your sundaes more decorative (like nuts or whipping cream or sprinkles) but really, THESE brownies with ice cream and chocolate sauce are all you need. P. S. If eaten on a long weekend, these brownies have no calories*. P.S.S. You can make and cool these brownies for eating anytime - even without the ice cream and sauce they are to die for. If packed in your childrens' lunches, they will get better grades** and love you more***.

*not based on a scientific understanding of calories
**if you use extortion: "You better study or no brownies in your lunch tomorrow!"
***based on personal expereince, thre are increased hugs, compliments, and PDAs



Saturday: took the kids to Salto and unleashed them on the gymnastics equipment. Three of four were quite content to flip around on the trampolines and tumbling floor, but Wil somehow managed to put himself in a position where he was fending off throngs of little kids who wouldn't leave him alone for all the tea in China... later we had some of the hubby's friends and their kids and new girlfriends and such over for Cuban chicken, warm brownie sundaes (recipe above), and Pear Ciders.








Sunday: slept in very late, watched some movies, did some housework, had Mom over for a photography lesson, played real Scrabble over coCOnut chicken curry with my Mom and my cousin Debra, then stayed up late surfing youtube and liveleak for interesting vids with the boys.









Monday: went to Crankpots to paint pottery, had an afternoon nap with a book, had Tammy and her girls over for Cajun-style shrimp and fruit punch with red dye that made poor Kayley's head spin, and took pictures of a garlic clove on my table, then played Scrabble online and apologized to the Psychotic Faerie for slacking off on her baby pictures before kicking my husband's butt at Backgammon and going to bed (relatively) early... so really, the only thing on my list of things to do while slacking off that didn't get accomplished were the taxes and the marshmallow roast. Woot woot! (Payback for slacking off all weekend is I have to hit 3 clients tonight PLUS finish an album before I go to bed... Yikes!) It was totally worth it though. Totally.