Brownies

What have I done?  I hadn't gotten my return plane ticket yet for a variety of reasons.  The hubby and I were talking today and I was looking at prices.  For the next week they are a decent price, and then they get really high over Christmas.  January 5th had the lowest price, and the hubby said, "why don't you just stay?  Take advantage of being able to hang out with your family for an extended period."  So, I now have a return ticket for January 5th.  On the one hand, yay!  Family time!  Niece snuggles!  On the other hand, massive guilt for leaving my husband alone for Thanksgiving, Christmas, AND New Year's.  I know it was his idea, and believe me, he wouldn't have said it if he didn't mean it, but I've been having really mixed emotions all day.  And I miss my puppies.  Oh, and I have no Christmas socks or earrings because I didn't pack any.  And Pedro only has his tux and his Thanksgiving shirt, so I can't dress him appropriately for the season.  (Also, yes, I know those last 2 things are completely inane, but this is how my brain works when I get weirded out and feel guilty about something)  I'm feeling very selfish at the moment.

OK, moving on.  Did you know that today was National Brownie Day?  Me either, until a few minutes ago, but I made brownies today!  It was cold in the house today and we had a box of brownie mix in the cupboard, so I figured I'd use the oven, warm up the house, and get chocolate all in one go.  Tonight's shoes are inspired by this happy coincidence:

I like them all.  Brownies are yummy.  I still have guilt.  Good night.

Brownies

I've been doing some baking experimenting.  The hubby often craves something sweet, but since he's diabetic he no longer eats sugar or flour.  Sugar free frozen yogurt is a good option sometimes, but it jacks up his tummy, so it's not good on a regular basis.  The other night I decided to try and bake something with what we had in the house.  The result was sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan brownies.  Or, "soulless brownies," as the hubby calls them.  The first batch was OK, but the 2nd batch that I made last night is actually pretty good.  I used bananas, almond milk, natural peanut butter, cocoa powder, oatmeal, quinoa flour (quinoa flour is one of the few alternative carbs we've found that doesn't screw up his blood sugar), and a little bit of Splenda.  Like I said, they're actually pretty good, and the hubby decided they are so good he no longer has to call them soulless.  Go me and the health food!  Here are some shoes in honor of my tiny kitchen accomplishment.

My brownies didn't have shoes on them.  Or frosting.  But these are adorable.

Vintage brown shoes from the 50s.  With an apron and some pearls and wearing these shoes I can whip up a batch of brownies in no time!

I'd like these better with a different heel.  These would be brownies with caramel.

Oooh, brown velvet!  Fun.

More brown velvet and bows.  Apparently I'm enjoying a theme tonight.

I love riding boots right now.  I'm not sure how I feel about gray and brown together, but I won't hold that against the boots.

And just because they're adorable, and the PB needs something for when we bake brownies someday. 

Ugh, I feel crappy today.  Allergies are kicking my patootie, but my stomach has been weird all day and I keep having sweats/chills and I'm all achy.  I think it's time to go to bed.