Really? and Chocolate

I planned to read only my Bible the first 35 days of my 35th year. Although I've read it more than anything else, I have been given a few books that I knew I was to begin reading that run parallel to the words in Scripture I am reading. And I've read a few magazines, but the Athleta catalog doesn't count.

I have focused on reading from the Gospels and this morning began to read about John's encounters and story of Jesus. When I read in chapter 1 of John the Baptist answering the Pharisees question of how he was I imagined what it must have felt like to be there when he said this: "but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize."

Can you imagine what it would be like to be int he very presence of God and have not a clue? Really, Jesus is here and I can't even pick him out of the crowd.

I feel like that some days.I feel like I'm in that crowd and I don't even know he's there. I know that I am always being held in the hands of God. I know this in my head and in the depth of my heart, but some days on the surface, or below the surface I don't. Some days I feel like I'm a million miles away and I have a fear that I'll not work my way back to the warmth and comfort I have felt and feel so often there. This morning is not one of those some days. This morning is a morning where I feel His warmth. I love that.

Maybe I'm feeling a little extra warm because I sipped my favorite coffee while reading the Scriptures and my home smells of fresh baked brownies. It's National Chocolate Day, so naturally I baked brownies for breakfast. I am not sure how you will choose to celebrate this holiday, but I certainly hope you do something. At the very least, you should bake these brownies. They are my new favorite, I've written about them before. They are perfect to bring to a friend, have for yourself or breakfast and they ship well. If you ship them, just don't cut them, rather send in a big block and allow the lucky recipient to cut t hem. They don't last long enough to freeze, but I'm guessing they'd freeze well too.

Salty Brownies (from Food and Wine)

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I use 3 oz)

1/4 C + 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder (I use 1/4 C)

2 C sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 t vanilla (I use a splash)

1 C flour

1/2 t Maldon sea salt (I use much more than this)

Method:

1) 350 degree preheat

2) to a 9x9 baking dish, line w/ foil and grease

3) In a large sauce pan melt butter and unsweetened chocolate on low, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder. Then whisk in the sugar 1/2 of a cup at a time. (I add a pinch of kosher or whatever kind of salt you bake/cook with too.) Followed by the eggs, 1 at at time, then the vanilla and flour.

4) Pour the batter into the baking dish and sprinkle the top with the sea salt.

5) Bake for 35ish minutes

6) Cool in the pan for an hour (make coffee and call a friend or pop popcorn for packing and address the box to a friend), then place in fridge until they are firm about another hour. Lift from the pan in the foil, cut and finally make the decision to share or horde.

I have not tried this yet, but I have Via from Starbucks to add to a batch and I used Alaea salt this morning. They are also really yummy hot and gooey. That's how my kids like them and I'm certain that if they are served warm they would be delicious over vanilla bean ice cream.

I'm off to have a brownie and refill my coffee mug ~ Happy National Chocolate Day!