Brownie

Some weeks back, I went to Hard Rock Cafe and once again rekindle my love for brownies. Personally, I feel that they served one of the best tasting brownies in town.

I have baked brownies many times. Some days, I will managed to get the most perfect baked brownies and some days, I will overbaked it despite using the same recipe! Thus when I came to know that a brownie class is available, I quickly check with hubby. Luckily, despite the late sign up, I was lucky to find myself into the last seat.

Going for baking class is a treat for me as I need to time my class with hubby's busy travel schedules. Very often, friends will tell me to leave my kids home alone but since I am staying on 16th floor with no window grills. I seriously can't go with a peace of mind.

Attending classes is more like a break away from my routine. I like this much more than going shopping. Weird isn’t it? I guess when you reached a certain age and especially being a stay home mom, shopping becomes not as enjoyable as it used to be.

Though the teacher wasn't able to tell me exactly what I wanted to know but somehow, I gathered that baking brownies must be precise in timing.

So if you are like me, could not be consistent in the brownie texture, then it is better to jot down the pan size and the baking timing.

Since hubby loved the little sample that I brought home that day, I decided to bake him a batch as a welcome home treat. I have also done a tub of chocolate ice cream to go with it. Now will it be chocolate over dose?

As the teacher is still teaching this module, I won't be sharing this recipe but I did have one brownie recipe that I strongly recommend.

Chocolate Cheese Brownie

Two weeks ago, ES and I were talking about raising kids with special needs. I really appreciated her sharing.

As much as I tried to listen to the doctor's advices to set boundaries, to set routine for my son, it is highly stressful getting him to follow it.

While my daughter was tested negative from learning disability but somehow, we still find something amiss. Her learning development seems to be slower than many kids. Grasping concept seems to be tough for her. Thus, it is a great achievement for her and for us if she attains good results.

ES was suggesting that I get a second opinion and she also shared with me a book that she read and benefited from it.

So I have been reading for the last weeks. Grasping the concepts and meaning of every words in this book.

I realised that there were so many things I had done wrong with my son. Then again, I question how possible will it be, given the circumstance that I faced on a daily basis?

Well, I am not giving myself excuses for my failing but I just don't know how to put these words into action.

After my breakdown, I sensed son is trying to change and these past days, he also mellowed down with his demands. As for me, I am also stepping back and giving him that breathing space. I guess both of us really needed that.

Accordingly to that book, we need to create happy synergy so that the kid will be able to do well and that is what I am trying to achieve now.

Since both hubby and son love everything with chocolate, I decided that this will be the perfect timing to bake a batch of Chocolate Cheese Brownies for them.

AK highly recommended me to try this and I find no excuses not to. Especially I can please both the men in my life.

Guess what, all gave A+ for it! Even my girl who don't fancy chocolate as much as us, asked for more. Now everyone is happy.

Cream Cheese Brownie / Chocolate Brownie

I have been busy babysitting my friend's two girls, Samy and Andrea since Thurs. Preparing dinner and delivery it to their home. Thankfully, hubby is around the weekend to keep the kids occupied.

On Sat, we had a mini picnic by the river bay. Though it drizzled, the kids had fun buidling a "tent" with the umbrellas that we standby.

The mood was not dampened because we ended it with fireworks (National Day Parade Rehearsal).

I remembered when I was young, we used to watched it on my granny's roof top. It was really a good experience for the kids and we were very close to the action rather than at a distance.

The impact of the fireworks was really beautiful. The kids had fun.

On Sun, hubby brought them to the reservoir for a walk. There they saw plenty of "cool" monkeys who were obviously oblivious of mankind.

Kids being kids, they love to try out new things all the time and have been pestering me to bake something with them.

We decided to bake some brownies, so Samy in charge of weighing out the ingredients, Andrea helped out with the sifting of flours and my son, did the greasing of the tins.

Our results of our Cream Cheese Brownie by Amy Beh and Chocolate Brownie (using Del's recipe).

Another two more days to go and then I will be busy again, preparing my son for this forthcoming quarterly test.