A Follow-up, A Project, and A Recipe

First of all I want to thank everyone for their very kind comments on my post, Tuesday Randomness.  You were all so encouraging.  Looking back at it I sounded more negative in that post than I intended that day.  But, you know, sometimes it's good just to get things off my chest.  If I can put into words what I am thinking & feeling (and find out I'm not as alone in those thoughts as I sometimes think), it helps me to move on.


A few things I was reminded of as I read your comments...

• I am blessed!  And, I shouldn't question or envy the way that God has chosen to bless someone else.  He blesses us all in different ways, gives different gifts to his different children.  I am blind to the ways God has blessed me if I'm focused on someone else's blessings.  
• In that same train of thought....I need to be thankful for all I have.  A couple of you mentioned the woodwork in my home.  And, I do love older homes for that very reason.  I love the character.  But, it's a tradeoff - the house won't be perfect.  Instead of looking at the imperfections (and this applies to every area of life...not just my house) I need to be grateful for what I have.
• I should worry less about what other people think.  I let embarrassment over my home keep me isolated sometimes.  I rarely invite people over.  And, one of my passions is hospitality.  One of the best things I read on this topic of showing hospitality was at Antique Mommy. It was called "No One Drops In For Coffee Anymore".  I loved it!
  

Today I wanted to share a couple pictures with you and get your opinion.  Our neighbors recently moved & they were loading some things to take to Goodwill.  I saw this piece and something about it appealed to me.

They said I could have it if I wanted it.  It definitely needs work.  But it's sturdy & I love the feet on it.  So, do I add this to my summer 'to do' list?  I was thinking of sanding it down & painting it white.  What do you think?

 Also, the last few days have been nice & cool.  Temps are in the mid to upper 70's.  It's been sunny, but breezy.  Such a nice contrast to the extreme heat & humidity we were experiencing.  I figured it was perfect weather for baking...something a don't do a lot of it the heat. 


So, I pulled out my recipe for Chess Bars.  Very buttery, very decadent, very yummy.

They are crispy on the outside & gooey on the inside.  They are definitely a temptation as I am getting serious about weight loss.  Nonetheless, my family enjoys having baked goods around.  And, I feel better about them eating home-baked treats than packaged stuff.

Chess Bars

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups packed light brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

4 large eggs

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

10x sugar for dusting top (optional)

Heat oven 300 degrees. Butter 9x13 pan (or 2 small square pans).  Dust with flour.  Combine butter & sugar until smooth.  Add eggs. Combine dry ingredients and add to mixture.  Bake 1 hour.

Easy & awesome!