My girl Beth

This is my girl Beth.  She is actually my niece, but she is more than that to me.  Today she turns 15 years old.  I was 21 years old when she was born, and that feels like so long ago!  She was the flower girl in my wedding and I remember on that day I was stressed and I yelled at her (for what I cannot remember) so then she refused to pose for anymore pictures.  Luckily, the lady that put all my flowers together got back on her good side and more snapping of photos commenced   Here is a picture of Beth with her brother Dean and her father at my wedding.

I think she was just all of 5 years old in that picture, maybe younger.  Dean was 7  I think.  I have loved my girl from the moment she came into this world.  Unfortunately, I never saw much of her while she was growing up and that makes me sad, but I do see her sometimes now when she is visiting with my mother.  In fact, I hope we can see her and Dean this weekend for Ben’s birthday party.  I am still looking for that special gift to give her.  When someone you is younger gift giving is always easy.  Barbie Dolls, clothes, whatever.  When they get older the gifts take some thought

Beth is so amazing.  She was a guard girl last year, she is a flute player now.  She is a baseball player and she participates in many activities.  I am so proud of who she is turning in to.  Of course I am sure she does have her typical teenage moments, but overall she is a sweet, kind, loving young woman who takes such wonderful care of my kids.  She is always playing with them, loving on them and doing things with them.  I know I can always count on her to help me in the kitchen when  he comes to my house and she is good about helping clean up.  She also does a lot of help my mother when she is over at her house.  She is an invaluable resource to our family and we all love her very much. I have enjoyed girl talk with her, roasting marshmallows, hugs, kisses, sharing watermelon, all sorts of memories I will not soon forget.  I am so happy God chose  me to be her aunt.

I hope for the future Beth had the world at her feet.  She is certainly a smart and capable girl.  I know one day she will become something very special.  There really is no stopping her.  I cannot wait to see what she becomes and I look forward to being a part of it.  Love you Bethie girl

Today’s recipe comes to use from foodgawker.com

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

16 ounces Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao), chopped

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

4 eggs

1 1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Melt chopped chocolate with the butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.  Mix eggs, vanilla, and sugar in a medium bowl.  Combine thoroughly.  Set aside.

Sift flour, salt and baking powder together in a small bowl.

Add melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and slowly add dry ingredients.  When combined, add the chocolate chips and stir.

Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until they are firm on the outside (dough loses its sheen).  Leave to cool completely on baking sheets.  Oh and I gave them a little sprinkle of Fleur de Sel.

*I used a little more flour than the recipe calls for because the dough/batter seemed a little more like batter than dough.  I was worried the cookies would turn into one big cookie.  With that being said though, the dough was never like a thick cookie dough it was a little more brownie batter like which seems obvious because they are brownie cookies.

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