The Sleeper Wall

I am very PLEASED to announce, we have started Phase 2 of our backyard project. We are now officially done ripping things out, and it is time to start putting them back!! Building a retaining wall in our side yard was the first step in the process. 

Once we had it all down to a level (as seen here in my previous post), we dug out a trench for the foundation of the wall. 

Rich and I measured, designed and drew up the wall on our own. We also picked out and ordered all the materials. Our amazing friend Benny the carpenter helped us with the building process. Luckily we did a good job on the planning phase, because it all came together nicely! Once our materials arrived, we were ready to start building. Here are a couple of pictures from the process:

The Midpoint

Here are some shots of the finished project:

Benny used his carpentry skills to finish it off. Looks much better than we could have done ourselves! We are so thankful to have his help!! We also put the shed back. 
Here are some before and after pictures:

Before

After!

Step by Step, we are definitely getting there! Can't wait to sit out back and BBQ!!

Calling All Choc-O-Holics!

With everything that has been going on lately, I completely forgot to post up this fabulous brownie recipe. I came across it a few months ago, and it quickly became one of our favorites. This is a great recipe to make when you are craving something rich and chocolatey. These are by far the BEST brownies I have ever had. Warning: they may ruin brownies for you forever!


Nutella Brownies


Ingredients

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

4 eggs
1 cup flour
3/4  cup cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1cup Nutella
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  In a medium bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.  Then set the bowl aside.

2. On low heat, melt the butter sticks in a small pot.  Then add the vanilla and sugar while stirring the mixture until well combined. Remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool.  I poured the butter/sugar mixture into a medium bowl to cool.

3. Once the butter/sugar mixture is completely cooled add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix each time.

4. Add the cocoa/flour mixture to the egg mixture gradually, until completely mixed together.

Heat a Nutella container in the microwave for a bout 40 seconds.  You want the nutella to have a runny consistency which will allow the nutella to pour easily.  Add the nutella to the batter and mix well.  Lastly add the chocolate chips and fold into the batter.

5. Pour your batter into a buttered rectangular pan… I use parchment paper instead of butter. This makes it easier to take your brownies out after they bake and cool.  Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool completely.  

These brownies are really fudgy, so I usually put them in the fridge for 2-4 hours before serving. It helps them set so they don't fall apart when you eat them.