Instant Brownie in a Cup

For those times when all you really want is a bite of chocolate... and there's absolutely none in the house. Or for when you don't feel like baking any entire tin of brownies... because you just feel like having one. I present- the Instant Brownie in a Cup!

I actually got this recipe from SP reader vanity cake when I posted on the Instant Chocolate Cake I made awhile ago. It's fast, easy, and you probably already have all the ingredients in your house. Enjoy!


Ingredients: 
2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs water
Few drops vanilla extract
A dash salt
A pinch instant coffee powder (I use a few drips from the morning's leftover coffee instead)
3 Tbs granulated sugar
2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbs all purpose flour


In a big coffee mug, mix water, oil, salt, vanilla and coffee, if using. Whisk well. Add cocoa powder, whisk well. Add sugar, whisk well. Add flour, whisk well. Microwave for 60-75 seconds: 60 seconds for a molten bottom, 75 for uniformly done. I always do 60. Enjoy with a spoon and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or colorful sprinkles like me. Careful, brownie will be hot.

Recipe from Chow.com

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To the Weekend!

Happy Friday! Where are these weeks going?! We've got another crazy busy weekend and week ahead of us- full of lots and lots of work, friendship outings, church activities, etc... but I'm so very grateful for them. It's those busy times that help you appreciate the quiet right?

See you back here next week with some more recipes, mountain living escapades, and other crazy things.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Image via Don't Call Me Betty

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Listening to...

Two songs I've been listening to a lot lately...

First, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell's Fighter from their new album Love Has Come For You:




The other song I've been loving lately is the cover that Lennon & Maisy Stella's characters did on Nashville of the Lumineer's Ho Hey. Those little girls are flat out talented and I love their folksy voices. If you don't watch that show, I'd also recommend checking out this video and this one of other characters singing- the songs on that show are so good.

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Babysitting Baby Ducks

A few weeks ago I had the joy of babysitting some baby ducks. They're adorable. They peck at your feet (it doesn't hurt), and the best part- they follow you around like you're Mother Goose err.... Duck.

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Mountain Living

Here's what mountain living has looked like as of late...

Photos from my instagram. You can follow along @Silverpencils

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Coconut Pineapple Cake

Oh my- this cake is delicious! I normally don't take desserts that involve zero amounts of chocolate seriously... but this Coconut Pineapple Cake has me reconsidering. First of all- it's refrigerated. So coming in from a hot, sunny day to a cold, refreshing cake is wonderful in itself. Secondly- the fruit is surprisingly subtle. The pineapple blends really nice with the yellow cake. And finally, it's soooooo easy to make! Which makes me like it even more :)

I saw my husband's aunt post the recipe from Texas Recipes on facebook. They call it Pina Colada Cake- but it's the same thing. The recipe is below:

Ingredients: 

1 yellow cake mix 

1 LARGE can crushed pineapple, drained 

2-14 oz. cans sweetened condensed milk 

8 oz. Whipped Topping 

2/3 cup coconut 

Prepare cake mix as directed on the back of package. Mix 1/2 can of pineapple into batter. Bake according to package directions. With a fork, poke holes in warm cake at 1-inch intervals. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over cake. 

 Allow cake to cool. (I accidentally skipped this step but it still turned out delicious)

 Spread whipped topping over the cake. Sprinkle with remaining pineapple and coconut. Refrigerate. And enjoy!!

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To the Weekend!

Happy Friday my friends! This week went by super fast, and thankfully it was a productive one. I have some new ideas I'm rolling out next week, as well as some recipes and real weddings I want to get up on here.

I hope your weekend is full of lots of love! And Happy Mother's Day to all you hard workin' mamas out there!

See you back here on Monday!

Image via Hello Ancolie

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Road Trip

More photos from our road trip. Locations include Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, & Colorado

Photos from my instagram. You can follow me @Silverpencils

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What I'm Reading...

Ditching the Bible I've had for the last 10 years was a little hard for me- graffitied with my notes, underlining, and highlighting, I was hesitant to shove it all on a bookshelf in favor of one completely barren- especially since I already had a study Bible, but since both my husband and pastor recommended it, I figured I could give it a shot. Worst case scenario- I could always go back to my other Bible right?

But no need for that- because the study notes in the MacArthur Study Bible are sooooooooooo helpful. My knowledge and understanding of God's word has increased tremendously in the short amount of time since I've had it and I'm so grateful that it was recommended to me. If you don't have a Bible, you need a new one, or if you're looking to increase your knowledge- get it! As you can see above, I've decorated mine with Japanese Washi Tape to distinguish mine from my husband's :)

I've also started reading The Gospel According to Jesus. Talk about convicting. MacArthur dives into what authentic faith really means and backs everything up with Scripture. It's life changing and I want to give a copy to everyone I know :)

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3 Years in Jackson Hole

What was only ever supposed to be a 1 year adventure has officially turned into a 3 year blessing as of today. A collection of what 3 years in Jackson has looked like...

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