Fudge Brownies with Frosting
I’m not what you’d call the World’s Most Social Person.
Like…not even close.
The older I get, the more I enjoy just being at home. With my books and my television and my husband and kid, who are content with a snuggle and a cookie from time to time.
See? Easy.
The other night my son went to sleep over with his Gram for the weekend, and my husband and I were faced with a free night. The world was our oyster and he told me he’d EVEN take me to see American Reunion if I wanted. Or out of town!!
I smiled and asked if we could pick up Arby’s and come home to watch Undercover Boss on the couch in our sweat pants. It’s like Al Bundy lives in my soul or something, I swear.
Surprisingly, that same anti-socialness makes working on the Internets hard for me at times.
There is just…so much.
Instagram. Facebook. Pinterest. Twitter. And a zillion awesome food, craft, design, fashion, humor blogs out there with amazing content who manage to promote their sites and keep up with every form of social media that exists.
Seriously, I think my Google + account has cobwebs on it. Are people still hanging out there? I don’t even know.
Sometimes it’s almost too much for me to wrap my brain around. There are things coming from all directions and I don’t even know where to look. And then when I DO look (ahem, Pinterest) I find fifty sites I didn’t know existed that prove that I am not NEARLY creative as I thought I was.
I guess what I’m trying to say is this — the internet can be overwhelming and as women, we tend to compare ourselves. New sites like Pinterest make it even harder. Gorgeous weddings, beautifully decorated kitchens, organized laundry rooms, and crafts for every season.
My life is not like that. Sometimes I am tired, sometimes overwhelmed, sometimes I look at all the cool stuff on the internet and compare myself and throw a pity party.
My desserts aren’t really served on cute doilys and I never give my son milk out of cute tiny milk bottles with adorable striped straws. It makes pretty pictures though, and pretty pictures get “pinned” and lots of “pins” equals blog traffic.
When I started my blog over two years ago, it was because I thought I had something to contribute — honesty. So this is me being honest. There are days I feel overwhelmed, days I hate the internet, days I feel inferior, and days my house is a mess and I sit in the recliner with a blanket and watch Real Housewives of Orange County reruns on On Demand.
It’s fine. Dirty laundry never goes anywhere. It’s still right there when you’re ready for it.
And just like laundry, so is the internet. The world doesn’t stop if a blogger takes her son to the park instead of writing a new post. Sometimes us bloggers fill ourselves with such self importance and let our Facebook “like” numbers and sweet emails and comments inflate our egos.
I love blogging. I love my readers. I love that the internet has allowed me to work from home and have amazing opportunities and still pick my son up from school. I am so very grateful for that.
But please know that at least once a week, I contemplate drop kicking my computer. And I’m okay with that.
My very first blog post was my favorite brownie recipe. Over my move from Blogspot to WordPress, the post was lost (probably a good thing, honestly…hopefully none of you ever saw it) and I’ve been meaning to post them again for awhile.
These brownies are perfect. Thick, chewy, fudgy but not TOO fudgy, with a thick layer of fudge like frosting. Jon David prefers them over cake for his birthday (the kid is picky, so that is saying a lot) and I make them for almost every holiday and pot luck. Give them a try, I promise you’ll love them!!
Fudge Brownies with Frosting
From The Cake Mix Doctor Returns
INGREDIENTS
- 2 packages (roughly 20 oz each) brownie mix — I always use Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge 19.9 oz boxes
- 12 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Frosting:
- 1 1/2 sticks butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 5 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325. Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil. Spray bottom with bakers spray (the kind with flour in it) OR butter then flour bottom of foil lined pan. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, place both brownie mixes, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs and vanilla. Mix with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly.
3. Bake for about 45 – 50 minutes, until edges look set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs but not batter. Cool for at least 20 minutes, then frost.
4. Make Frosting: Melt butter in a medium sized saucepan over low heat. Whisk in cocoa powder and milk. Cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens and JUST begins to boil. Remove pan from heat and slowly add the powdered sugar, whisking until smooth. Pour over brownies and spread quickly. Let set before cutting brownies.
Makes a very large pan of rich and PERFECT brownies every time!!
I have no doubt you’ll love these brownies as much as we do. They’re definitely my favorite!!
Have a very happy Monday!!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I realize you could be doing more important things with your time. Like watching the news or washing socks. I hope you stay awhile. Much more fun than socks, I promise. 
I have been reading you for a long, long time….I remember the brownies and I have to say this version is better..this is one of your very very best posts. Thanks.
Crazy, it seems like these thoughts are hitting a lot of bloggers this week. I am new to the blogging world, and I got overwhelmed, and posted about it a few days ago. Social Media is insane. So are these brownies. Insanely awesome looking. Anything with that much frosting has to be amazing.
I know what you mean about the big-bad internet. It’s easy to start comparing yourself to the other bloggers out there and start up a big ol’ sulk-fest. I’ve done it!
I’ve decided that I just have to remind myself that I’m blogging for me. My site is for me to share yummy things with my readers and if I can’t make an asparagus cake like Rosie at Sweetapolita, that’s just going to be ok. I bet she can’t make my Grandma’s rolls like me! (Actually, she probably can. She’s amazing.)
Glad to hear that you are human, too. I was starting to wonder. ;)
Love your blog!
Erin at Lemon-Sugar
You are the best Kristan and I love your honesty! Being a mom, wife, woman, etc. is hard enough without all of the social pressures we put on ourselves. Pinterest is so fun, I agree, but it’s easy to feel like you aren’t enough. Thanks for the refreshing post, and also for the out of this world brownie recipe. :) xoxo
These look amazing!
I’m pretty much the same as you with the anti-social-ness/ocity(?) :-P.
Just makes me admire you more that you’re honest.
Love your outlook on the social media and the “numbers” of blogging. As long as you’re doing what you love, what else matters? Your hilarious posts do help though :)
I also love that these brownies basically have as much frosting as brownie. You seem to understand my deep-seated need for embarrassing amounts of frosting in my life.
Well, I feel like a jerk. I’m sorry you feel this way, because I’ve been lurking on your blog and trying your recipes without posting comments for a while now. I seriously love your stuff, and you are that woman that I compare MY baking to, and feel inferior…so, you can feel better now. Also, I don’t pin recipes. Cutsie little craft things that I will never remember what they are, by just their name? sure. But recipes go into my favorites folder…because I actually use those. lol
Don’t feel like a jerk!! I love what I do. But like everyone, I have bad days and get overwhelmed and compare myself. I’d just hate to be that person who people compare themselves to and feel badly as a result. Never feel inferior!!!
Thank you so much for reading!!! :)
These look amazing! I can’t wait to make these :) I can honestly say that your blog is fantastic and hands down my favorite! You inspired me to blog and get creative! although mine is caveman style and my mom is basically the only reader I have Lol still! I barely find time for it so kudos to you because I dream of drop kicking my computer at least once a day!
This looks way too easy and delicious! A must to be made.
I understand your need drop kick the computer sometimes. I just took Spring Break off with the family and felt bad for not having posts ready to go. I honestly don’t know HOW you manage 2 blogs now as well as all the other projects that you have AND take care of your house and family. Kudos to you!
Beautiful post… not even counting the amazing looking brownies!!! We all need a little reality check and a little perspecitive from time to time, thanks! XX
I LOVE READING ALL YOUR POSTS!! Having said that, this very post sums up pretty much my life at the moment…minus the real kid and add 2 fur kids!! And I don’t have an income!! :(( I pretty much stay in my PJs all day and have my cellphone, tablet, laptop & remote control within reach. I find no energy nor interest in going anywhere except within the house an a daily trip to the driveway to pick up the newspaper so that my neighbor knows that I’m still alive!! But you know what, I LOVE IT!! I love staying home with my hubby, surfing the webs for inspiration and switching channels so that my fingers feel useful. Just know that you always put a smile on my face and I shall try out that lovely brownies recipe soon!! <3
I have those days too and I just eat cookies to make me feel better:) Your posts and recipes are always amazing! Love you and your blog! And these brownies, oh my goodness! I need one now!
I think that you really do offer honesty, and I appreciate that so much! I was just telling my husband yesterday how much I enjoy reading your blog because it sounds so much more like me than the “perfect” moms and food bloggers out there. I really think a Twinkie is ok sometimes. :)
yes, I SO knew these were going to be ever bit delightful as I thought they would be. I can’t wait to make them!
I’m right there with you and the whole internet, there is so much going on and some people seem to always be “on” and do it all so gracefully. Me I’m more of a talker, so don’t get me on the phone or come over and think the conversation will only be 5 minutes :) and I also want to drop kick my computer at the very least once a week. I don’t like to compare, so I tend to stay in my own little world on the social media end, I’m WAY more social in person, but I do find that less social people tend to really come out of their shell with social networking. good question about google+ my is certainly getting no use. Are we NOT supposed to sit around and eat cookies all day???? well I only inhaled a dozen today, so that’s ok, right :)
Seeing blogs like yours is the reason why I’ve hesitated starting my own blog. I LOVE to create, especially cooking and baking, but everything else just looks totally awesome and I’m not sure I can compete. I know, silly, but my blog has had a “coming soon” announcement for three months because I want to come up with a first post that will actually compare to some I’ve been seeing lately, so you are SO not alone!
But I’d also like to offer some advice that I heard a while ago: There may be people who you believe to be better than you in some ways, but nobody can ever be a better Kristan than you :) I love your blog for your sense of humour, honesty, and the awesome, simple recipes. Damn you for being so good…. lol
I love how honest you are! But can I say how glad I am to hear that your house sounds like mine and you really aren’t an awesome baking robot queen! I think as women it is very easy to compare ourselves to all the other great ones out there, but God made each of us unique and special!!! We all have our own special talents and we need to remember that when looking at other people. It is easy to “fake” an awesome life when blogging…we don’t see the problems or struggles when reading most things online. Thank you for the great post about continuing to do it just because we love it and that it is totally ok to take breaks.
Now this brownie sounds intense and down right amazing! Loving the fudge layer on top!!!!
This is such a sweet and honest post. It’s nice to hear that there are at least a few popular bloggers out there who have their feet on the ground and know how to connect with their audience in an intimate but honest way. I feel like this all the time – like I’m drowning in a sea of social media, blogs, recipes and fancy pictures that I just can’t compete with. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post, I’m sure you’ve just connected with hundreds – if not thousands! – of other bloggers out there who feel just like this.
Brownies were my first blog post, too! Yours look amazing and I bet the fudge topping is fantastic!
Who would have ever thought that you sometimes feel inadequate, thank you for being so honest! A friend told me a funny joke and it has stuck with me about the “numbers”…Two people were sitting at a funeral, being the only ones there, they turned to each other and said “where is everyone? She had over 5000 friends on facebook! Anyway, you are fantastic and I love all your recipes and wish I were your neighbor! :)
You are such a breathe of fresh air. Love your honesty and your recipe! By the way, we ALL feel this way sometimes. Google +ing and pinning you this morning. ;)
I literally just started blogging and have been comparing myself way too much to others. I love your blog and your recipes. You are one I really admire and think you are very creative. Plus anyone can relate to you. I truly appreciate your honesty today.
Great brwonie recipe aside, this is one of your best. It’s like you got into our heads and said it for us. Thank you.
Drop kick your computer? Umm, you better not! Or maybe do it and then you can say it was an accident and jess can buy you a new one instead of going” out of town” ;)
SO yeah, I have just figured out a way to get you a new computer. SEE? Without the internet I could have never given you that completely do-able new-computer-scheme.
Honestly, though…we all feel the same way you do. I have decided that pinterest is from the Mean-Girl Devil…just wagging all the new beautiful ideas in your face all day log, chanting “you didn’t make this, you didn’t make this” in a sing-songy voice.
have I said too much? typical.
These look amazing and I’m with ya, throwing my computer seems normal for me too. I tend to curse it out and have to walk away, lol. ;)
You just cannot beat a good brownie! Yum!
I love this post and think we all feel that way sometimes! Who can keep up with everything?! I especially don’t know how you do it with a son, I feel like if I had any kids I’d never get a blog post up.
These brownies look delicious. And I am with you about blogging and the Internet.
I kind of love you right now. Your honesty is refreshing, especially coming from a seasoned blogger. I am so very new at this, and I often wonder how bloggers find the time for everything.
And, these brownies look absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to try them.
I feel the exact same way Kristan. I’m totally overwhelmed with all that is ‘out there’ that I feel the need to promote my blog. I feel like without doing those things, I won’t succeed…which is dumb. And it’s especially overwhelming to me right now, knowing I have a little on on the way and I can’t contemplate how I’m going to juggle everything. But, you know what? You are so right. The internet can live without you for a day if you just want to spend some quality time with you family. Amen. Thank you for reminding me of that. I just need to take some deep breathes when things get overwhelming…and have a brownie. They look amazing, by the way. Dense and delicious…just like I like them. :D
You are beloved by a lot of us! I don’t do facebook, twitter, I don’t have a pintrest account or a blog. I cannot live my life comparing it to others bests or highs. I would never want to leave my bed.
You are a highlight to my blog reading. Really you are. You are unique and crazy funny.
Just keep doing what you are doing.
Really.
Thanks for your honesty. It seems there’s been a lot on the internet lately about women making other women feel inferior and comparing themselves to other women’s accomplishments, whether it be in the kitchen, the craft room or wherever. I’ve pulled back from Pinterest and from blogging too. When I first started blogging, I thought, “Hey, I could make a little money from doing this.” But it just never happened because I wasn’t willing to put into it what it needed for that to happen. I don’t check in with the different blogs I used to every single day. I admire other women’s creativity; I simply can’t try to keep up any longer. Thanks again for admitting that you feel the same way too sometimes!
It’s unbelievable how quickly things move on the internet, I’m always amazed at how some people seem to constantly be on top of it! But you seem to be too Kristan! :) And these brownies look amazing, I’m definitely going to have to try this recipe.
I just recently “discovered” you on this wild frontier that is the internet, and you are such a welcome bright spot. You make me laugh out loud, so thank you for that (as well as all the fabulous recipes)!
I have resisted being on Facebook because it seems like such a time suck and I don’t want to revisit that “Junior High” mentality vortex that I’ve seen others get caught up in. But then I think…..am I missing out on some major stuff since it seems like EVERYBODY else is doing it? I’ll probably succumb eventually.
Thanks for sharing how you feel with us.
i often feel the same wasy, honesty is the best policy and i’m happy with my somewhat small numbers on twitter, facebook, etc. those people are my “real” fans and supporters, i don’t have inflated numbers, love your bloga nd have for a while! anne
These brownies look marvelous and it is nice to know your not the “perfect” we picture you here from the couch with piles of laundry . I SO LOVE YOUR BLOG !
I just started reading your blog a month or so ago and love your honesty! I really enjoy your blog and the recipes, but am thrilled to know you’d rather do something with your son than worry about us “fans.” Your family is going to be there for you long after these blog readers have moved on, so enjoy your hubby and son! Don’t get me wrong….I don’t want your posts to stop, but I commend you for having your head/heart in the right place. Keep on cooking, girl!
Every time you speak I just nod. You have a way with words. I always thought you could actually write for a magazine or something. There’s not many like you. Anyway, thanks for saying out loud, I thought the compare and berate disease was mine alone. Now I’m thinking it’s a girl thing. In case you’re ever thinking otherwise, you’re amazing!
I absolutely love your blog! I came across it a few months ago through pinterest. I look forward to getting the feed emails all week. You crack me up! Your ideas are awesome!
Jaren
mwah! mwahmwahmwahmwahmwah!!! Ok, so I feel that way about you on any given day but you hit the nail on the head today. How did you know I needed to read this?!?
Thank you so much for sharing. It DOES make a difference to read your frustrations, apathy, whatevs.
ps: when (and if) you feel like hanging out on Google+ I’ve written a series just for creative bloggers. People say it’s weird – and it might be at first – but after you get used to it, it’s pretty cool. :)
Ever since I discovered your blog just a few short months ago, I have been in love. The recipes are so great, but even better, I LOVE what you write and how you write it. Whenever I’m in a sour mood, I go to your site. If there’s a new posting, I get tingles. If not, I re-read old posts for a pick-me-up. Every morning, yours is the first site I check. You are awesome. Love your friend’s site too – cookies & cups – and together you guys make me smile. So you should never ever feel inferior! But yeah, sometimes the internet and all that stuff makes me feel like there’s a huge weight on my shoulders and I’ll never figure it all out because there’s just SO MUCH. See – we all feel that way sometimes! Thank you for writing such a fabulous blog and putting smiles on our faces.
I love your honesty. :) I think that your writing is my favorite thing about your blog, and even though there may be days when you want to dropkick your computer…yeah, you still pretty much rock. Life’s too short to have everything be doily-covered.
Also, um, I would totally take these brownies over a birthday cake any day. YUM.
Preach it yo. I am just a tiny little blurb on the internets and I find myself saying no to a bazillion things all of the time. And I know I should really be dreaming up an insane dessert but sometimes I just want to sit down with my Oreos and gummy bears and have at it. Okay let’s talk brownies because I don’t have a go-to. I’m uber excited to try these. Yes I said internets and uber.
I love this post! I feel so overwhelmed too. I have about 20 tutorials photographed and saved on my back up hard drive, and I can’t make myself edit and write those posts in a timely manner….I want it to still be fun, even if my blog suffers for taking time for me too.
Kristan!
How much can I relate to this post~like on ALL levels.
You’re lucky I don’t have your number down there in Arkansas!
I feel certain I”d have to call and chat a while!
I’d tell you ALL the many ways I can relate to ALL that you said.
I’d tell you~
*How sometimes I wish my life wasn’t so out there.
*How much it BLOWS my mind the talent so many girls have~crafting and cooking!
*How deflated I feel every time FOODGAWKER rejects my FOOD photos for “clarity and lack of light.”
*How I really can’t afford nor WILL I spend thousands of dollars on a camera lens that could be my ticket in the door to FOODGAWKER. {why does it matter so much?}
*How clumsy I feel trying to photograph FOOD and set it up just perfectly.
*How down~hearted I feel every time I choose to stay IN and BAKE because it’s SUNNY here in the Northwest…{you know…so I can get good pictures} when what I really yearn to be doing is walking and playing in THE SUNSHINE!
*How crazy I feel spending so much time BAKING so things can get PINNED when I really really really need to be SEWING for my new business.
*How I TOTALLY don’t get how some bloggers have SO MUCH TIME to chat in chat rooms~
*How inferior I feel when I pop in a chat room and don’t have a CLUE what bloggers are discussing about SEO and all kinds of technical things that me feel like I am way on the bottom of the totem pole when it comes being THE BEST BLOGGER I can be.
*How really when it comes right down to it I don’t GIVE A RATS ASS about knowing any more than I already do about this whole blogging thing.
*How it utterly and totally amazes me {like BLOWS my MIND} that bloggers out there are SO DESPERATE for BLOG TRAFFIC! I don’t get it! What’s the BIG deal?
*How fast life is spinning.
*How PRECIOUS every day is.
*How grateful I am for friendships that have come about all in the name of BLOGGING.
*How much my blog means to me and how amaZed I am that the readers of my blog bless my life in all the ways that they do.
Thank you Kristan.
I think you’re a ONE IN A MILLION!
Maybe one day I’ll get to HUG you.
Maybe one day ALL that you GIVE in only the way THAT YOU can GIVE it will come back to YOU a million times over!
Thank you for the SMILES that you bless us with!
You know how I feel about your humor.
It is beyond anything else out there~except maybe ELLEN! ;)
ELLEN would love you!
Surely she reads this blog!
I’ll text her today and ask~ ;)
Hugs and LOVE from Bainbridge!
xoxoxoxoxo
Teresa you brighten my day as always :)
I stopped doing chat rooms a long time ago and I honestly feel so much “lighter”. Those rooms only open the door for gossip and comparing one another (even if we just do it in our mind). I’d rather just have a select friend or two that I really have a quality relationship with than spread myself thin with fifty people.
I really hope I meet you in person one of these days!!
I go through a lot of those feeling with my blog – probably on a daily basis. It’s too easy to compare yourself to others and wonder what you are doing wrong when everything is just a click away. I’ve been trying to make a concious effort to just be me, and to be ok with that!!
These brownies? I need them!! There is nothing better than a basic brownie, in my book!!
Hey, dear. I’m reaching out and giving you a hug. My introverted self has been pushing hard lately. The brownies look lovely, and I’m glad you’re here. xo
“I think Al Bundy lives in my soul…” You are my hero. I know I can always count on your for a laugh, especially on Monday. Thank you times a million! :)
Kristan, I love you.
I think I say that every time I come here, but it’s true.
I have all of these things I want to write, but maybe I’ll just say, “ditto what Teresa said.” ;) Does that count?
My opinion is….it’s ok to take a break. I’ve been stepping back more lately. I’ve made myself say no to things…and that’s REALLY hard for me. Kiddo has 5 years left in this house before he leave for college….FIVE!!! I can’t miss them because I’m up to my elbows in icing. And guess what? I don’t think people mind if blog posts are spread out a bit….heck, there are SO many AMAZING blogs out there, I can’t keep up anymore! Maybe we should choose numbers and only post once a month?
PS….I totally forgot about Google+…and feel so much better that your account has cobwebs, too.
PPS…I want a brownie.
I have always wondered “Who actaully uses thoes little milk bottles???”
Well I have always read your blog, and it’s the content that matters, otherwise I wouldn’t read it anymore! Great post, I can’t wait to whip up these brownies!
Amen, sister. I’m just joining the ranks of “full time food blogger” thanks to being laid off, and it is scary as. I’ve had some sort of “corporate” job since I was 15. It makes me feel better to know you have days like this too. I totally spent one day last week curled up on the couch, wondering if I was being a fool for considering this my new “job”.
I love that you speak your mind, Kristan, and I love even more that you make brownies like this for me to drool over. But most of all, I just love you, my friend. We don’t talk enough, and I just hope you know that I think of you often.
Sweet Kristen,
We were so separated at birth! I say “if you don’t feel like it, don’t do it” within reason. You don’t have to blog every day, we would miss your wit but will live, I certainly have days when I want to snuggle on the couch and eat nilla wafers instead of laundry. At times, I can get away with it. I do not like to leave my house unless I absolutely have to ie; the cupboard is bare!
Please know that we love you and enjoy your blog so much but that you can only do what you can do!!
I can so relate on most days! These brownies look excellent. Can’t wait to try them.
I believe you have expressed what every blogger feels from time to time and you said it beautifully. I think that with everything out there on the internet, including all of our blogs, we need to remember that it is just a blog after all. No matter how hard we work at it, how many followers we have, or how much money we earn (if any from it) it is important to keep it all in perspective. Blogging shouldn’t be competitive, it should be about sharing when you feel you have something that others may like to see or read about. If you only have 1 reader at least you connected and hopefully something worthwhile occurred during that connection.
The brownies…wonderful!
Kristan – I’m right there with ya honey. But the part about ‘Al Bundy living in your soul’? I sorta spat lemon water all over my computer.
Love ya!
I am so right there with you! I am a bit anti-social in my real life – I’d rather be home with the family than out on the town for the most part. The social aspect of the internet can be really hard for me. Pinterest – which I find inspiring – is probably the exception to this. Thanks for saying what so many of us feel!
I think just about any blogger could share this same sentiment. It’s a tough “job”… tough to turn off and tough to not stress about where you are compared to others. It’s even harder now than it ever was as we are all stretched so completely thing if we choose to do all the things that supposedly make us successful.
I’ve decided to throw all that bunk out the window and just focus on what I enjoy – and when I lose readers, it makes me sad, but not too much because all in all I’m happy and that’s what ultimately matters, right?
As always, I love reading your posts. And once again you inspire me and speak to me like an old friend. I would much rather stay home and be comfy and snuggly and happy.
I started blogging back in February and am proud to say that I actually have 6, yes count them, 6 followers. I think I have a few friends who “subscribe” but I haven’t tracked them down yet. I check EVERY day to see if anyone is actually reading or if I’m just talking to myself. Mostly it’s the second one and although it makes me feel lonely it’s also OK. One thing I can honestly admit is that you have inspired me from the beginning. I was reading your blog for months before I started blogging and loved your humor, your honesty and your yummy food!! I get frustrated and overwhelmed and I don’t even really have an audience – I can only imagine how you feel. But what’s encouraging for me is that you feel it too. Thank goodness.
Btw….can’t wait to try the brownies! Yum!!
Martha Stewart has 600 employees and a staff of 29 at her Bedford Farm enclave. (How do I know? She personally told me.) If I had 600 employees and a staff of 29 at one of my many homes I too would achieve perfection. Instead of being perfect I chose to kick off my shoes, put on my slippers and neon pink, soft as chasmere fleece bathrobe, lock my door, turn off the phone, close the computer and bask in the bliss of solitute. Just me, the doggie, a good book or trashy TV, some cinnamon bread and a big cup of cocoa. Heaven.
Always appreciate your honesty…and your delicious recipes! I WILL be making these soon. Thanks for blessing us with your talent! <3
I love reading your blog. I love your honesty. I am the mom of two young boys and they don’t want to drink milk out of cute bottles with striped straws. They want to put their mouth under the faucet to drink water and try to sneak a drink of milk from the gallon jug.
We, us readers, enjoy sharing your easy/creative/fun posts…and we also enjoy hearing about your frustrations. It reminds us that we are all human.
You help to put a smile on my face each morning! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Thank you for this post. It touched me and made me feel better…it’s been one of those days ;)
What amazing brownies! I’ve nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award – http://www.yummyinspirations.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/breakfast-in-jar-versatile-blogger.html
The sad truth that there is always somebody out there better than you at anything. And the Internet makes the pool of people for us to compare ourselves to even bigger. But we all have people who think that we are terrific… and the Internet can make that pool bigger too.
I check your blog religiously, not for your fantastic-looking recipes, but for your wonderful and genuine humor. Keep up the good work and don’t let the world get to you!!!
Kristan, you are one of the most creative (not to mention hilarious) people I know, so I appreciate your honesty about being overwhelmed…I feel that way all. the. time. Just know that you are awesome, and one of the sweetest & most genuine people I’ve met in this adventure of blogging! (And that I share your anti-socialness and I’d totally invite you to come over and watch bad TV with our yoga pants on while eating way too many cupcakes and fruit roll-ups.) ;-)
I feel ya, Kritan. I truly do.
I feel so guilty for taking a day off from the computer. I try to relax, but I end up dreaming up new dessert combos, and feeling guilty for going one day without baking. And then, I’m like “Is this my life? Do I realy want this?”
I just try to take a break, let my REAL life take up more time than my internet life and deal.
I’m trying to leave my iPhone at home sometimes. I’m trying to start the day without checking my email every now and then. Just a little step back is the breath of fresh air I need.
But, to get rid of the guilt, I’m out of ideas.
I feel inferior to YOU who posts at least 3 desserts a week! I could never do that! You’re doing wonderful! :)
Annnnd I spelled your name wrong. KriStan. I’m so inferior ;)
It’s so good to hear other bloggers say the same thing that I feel a lot of the time. I feel if I go one day (one hour? one minute?) without being near the computer and tweeting/instagramming/facebooking or whatnot, everyone will forget about me and no one will come to my blog and then I won’t make any money and then how will I buy that supercute new pan that Wilton makes that I have to have???? So, yeah. It’s good to know that other people, feel that way too. And I think pulling up a chair and some brownies with Tamra and Alexis is a good way to spend the day. :)
I’m not a baker, well, maybe, but I’m not a food blogger for sure. But I do sew, and sewing blogs are also freaking crazy. There are people who post three or four projects a week and I convince myself that they can’t have children…then they change their bio and I find out they have five kids, and it breaks me down so bad. I only have three, and one of those is a step-child who isn’t home every other week…and I have spent three days trying to even START my ironing for my latest project! I just can’t match the output and be a decent mom…but other people can, and boy, do I notice!
Your photos and blog name initially caught my eye when I first stumbled upon Confessions, but I find myself coming back because of YOU and your writing style. (okay, and I love your sweets too..so creative!) You seem like a gal anyone would feel comfortable hanging out with and have such a witty way with your stories. Great post and thanks for being so real. I always leave here with a smile and positive feeling about having a perfectly regular life. Thanks for that!!
Thank you for this honest post! I think all bloggers (and likely all women!) fall into the comparison trap and it’s a tough one to dig out of. I go through waves with my blog…sometimes I feel like I’m on top of the world, and then other times, when I get like 2 comments on a post I was sure would be a hit, I feel like a failure. I guess that’s the push and pull of the world! Always enjoy your blog though :)
And yes, those cute milk containers with the striped straws really annoy me. No one actually drinks milk like that.
I think you’re fantastic. Your posts, photos, and recipes. And honestly, I do compare myself to you (and the 20+ other blogs I follow), but not in a bad way. I guess it’s not comparing – but aspiring. You’re recipes and writing are inspiring me to be a better blogger and are helping me to find my own voice. Keep doing a fantastic job! You’re always such an absolute joy to read and your recipes are always a joy to make and eat! Thank you for posting!
Oh wow those looks outstanding! And I am with you on staying home. I may still only be in my late 20s, but I am so happy on the couch with a book and my cat snuggled up next to me more and more these days. Maybe it’s just grad school wearing me out…
I needed this post today. I made two batches of donuts over the weekend that weren’t good and it left me wondering what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I think I need to make these brownies to help me feel better.
I love fudgy brownies, and a thick layer of frosting is always good!
The internet is so overwhelming. And somehow being shy in real life translates to be shy in social media as well :(
1. Thank you for your frankness and honesty; it is why we’re all in love with you. Everyone else feels these things, too; they’re just in denial or lying. :)
2. I’m having two Serbian women over for dinner tomorrow night, and they requested that I make an “American” meal; I had it planned except for the dessert. This post sealed the deal; thanks for saving my rear.
3. I’m in bed, about to fall asleep, and I SWEAR my stomach started rumbling ridiculously loud when I read this post. I am definitely not legitimately hungry, but those photos, oh, yum.
Happy Wednesday.
xxx,
j
Ditto.
Something in me just shuts down with all the noise and stuff. Over-stimulation throws a breaker for me every single time.
A-freak’n-men sister…is that blasphmey? Seriously though. I always love seeing all these gorgeous, creative posts but I hate them at the same time. I truely enjoy when my fav bloggers post something along the lines of “I’m not perfect” but I need a reminder – even you woman. So thanks for the reminder :) Can’t wait to try out these brownies!
I just wanted you to know that I love your blog! You blog is one of the most wittiest and entertaining blogs that I follow. Your posts make me smile – keep up the great work !
I love the base brownie recipe but would love to incorporate raspberries. Any suggestions for amounts or fresh berries? would you swirl in any jam?
Thank you!!!
I can relate so much to this post.
Thank you so much for making me realize that even the baking goddesses, such as your self, feel inferior sometimes.
Hilarious that you hid from your family friends, I have definitely pretended to be asleep when someone knocks on my door at uni.
I totally get what you mean about being un-sociable. But being an un-sociable teenager at university is somehow not acceptable :(
I love the way you write and lovelovelove your blog!
I made these brownies for this last weekend for camping. They are delicious! Kids loved them, friends loved them, I loved them………….my husband (aka Mr. Picky) scraped the frosting off and said they were okay, but let’s ignore him. If I went with what he ate I’d never get to make anything new :) Thanks for a great recipe! Good luck with your pregnancy!
I am eating these as I write this and they really are the best! Thank you so much!
Can this recipe be halved for an 8×8 pan without weird results? Not that I don’t want more than that…I just want them RIGHT NOW and I’ve got the stuff for half. :D
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