Dessert!

It's been forever since I've posted anything on here. Hopefully I'll find some time soon to update on what is going on in my life, but until then here's some yummy-ness: 

I had this stuff lying around and it seemed like a good idea to pair these two things together. The other day I was grocery shopping and seeing that the Ghirardelli brownie mixes were on sale, I picked up a dark chocolate one. Since I had tried another mousse recipe a little while ago, I also discovered I had ingredients to make some! So, even though I cheated and used a boxed brownie mix I have high hopes for this brownie-mousse combination! Here's what I did:

Make sure to follow the instructions for "thicker" brownies on the back of the box. Two tablespoons of water instead of a 1/4 cup, same amount of oil (1/2 cup) and two eggs instead of one.

Mousse Recipe
As I said above, I had tried a different mousse recipe earlier. I came up with this using the previous recipe to guide me proportion-wise.

1/4 Cup Granulated Cane Sugar (Normal white sugar to most everyone. When you buy your sugar at the store make sure it isn't made from beets. Most of the "cheaper" sugar is made from beets and not sugar cane. I prefer the stuff from sugar cane)
2 Cups Whipping Cream
1/2 Cup Bailey's Irish Cream
1/4 Dark Chocolate Chips, finely chopped

Add the sugar, whipping cream, and Bailey's together in a mixing bowl. Use a mixer on medium high speed (I use my whisk attachment) and beat the mixture until it reaches peaking consistency. Then add the chocolate and mix until evenly distributed. Chill for at least an hour.

Once both your brownies and mousse have chilled, cut brownies into generous squares, place on a dessert plate, dollop some mousse on top, drizzle with some chocolate sauce and enjoy!

Collection

I thought I would post a small collection of my poetry here. I haven't been on here in a long time--mostly because of school, stress and this summer a lack of an internet connection at camp. Anyways, enjoy.

Life's Melody

Winding lilting melody

Beautiful in it's own right

But, who hears? Nobody.

It's looking for the light

Smooth, river-like and true

It cuts to my inner being

Of its origin I have no clue

But, to its beauty I cling

Dread. I can feel it coming

Silence's power is strong

This melody is its plaything

Weeping, the music is gone

Never

I am a great mystery
Does that frustrate you?
Does it make you blistery?
Ha. You'll never have a clue

I have a driving force
You try to break it from me
You're brutal and show no remorse
I find my strength on bended knee

I will always be undefined
I cannot, will not be boxed
Maybe that's 'cause I have a mind
Ha. You try---I mock.

*laugh*

Searching

A black hole resides within my being
A place that destroys my want to sing
The world 'round me--bleak and stark
I'm searching for a candle to chase away the dark

I have a facade, it's nearly perfect
Straining--you can't and won't infect
A large net, so carefully knit
I'm searching for a person, see past it?

Faithless stabs at determination
Sometimes an overactive imagination
Thought chains always end, "You fool!"
I'm searching for love--it's too cruel

I pray and my heart is washed
The Devil comes. He says, "That's posh."
Perhaps I'll unearth a clue
I'm searching for God, where are you?

Finding it is my primal wish
Too afraid, I always miss

I'm Searching.

My Prayer

Father my strength is fading
My heart is in need of saving
My want to want is strong
And I long for my heart to long

With sin that eats me alive
Toward the fervor of my past I strive
Facing the hands of time
Blindly looking for a sign

Unconditional love--a hard concept
A gift I struggle to accept
Asking for faith to take the plunge
Yet content to live life in grunge

I want to live my life for You
Bring others to You by what I do
My prayer is to be a witness
To Your calling may I answer "Yes."

Untitled

As I drive from work I drift.
Feet and hands move without
     my direction.
Off to dream-land I go.
I met someone today who took
     the path I didn't want to follow.

While I move through intersections
     I determinedly make my wish--
A man to fold me in his arms.
A kiss hello and a lunch date to
     talk about nothing meaningful.

Tears sprang to my eyes as I realized--
No matter how hard I wished,
     he would never be.
I pulled myself away from that dream-land
     and the fuzzy road came into focus.

Sometimes you pursue the path you never
     intended to follow. 

I

Following the recent trend of making lists...

I---

am a child of God.

am here for a reason.

want to be loved for who I am.

want to find someone that makes me want to change for the better.

want to be appreciated.

want to be motivated.

want to do my best.

want what is best for my friends.

want to make everything better for you.

wish I weren't so confused.

hope I am doing the right thing.

desperately want my heart to be in the right place.

want to be crazy and out there.

want to stray away from the stereotypes.

am an individual.

love sugar.

love coffee too.

love to write.

have complex emotions.

know more about you than you think I do.

need to spend more time in prayer than I do.

value friendship, as it is irreplaceable.

am really picky.

love to cook.

wish i were more artistic.

love to sing. It is an expression of my soul.

think that music conveys emotion man cannot put into words.

have a broken heart.

am scared of you.

value your opinion.

talk a lot.

avoid my surroundings by burying myself in a book.

love long trips.

like to play Guesstures ;-)

wish for the the impossible.

worry too much.

want to know what you're thinking.

love to laugh.

am a person.

am all about clearance and sales.

miss my family.

am mostly misunderstood.

am glad I have friends that care.

love you.

am  me.

Fridays

I am in love...

...with music.

Music is a way for me to express my soul without having to use words. A wise guy once said this: "Music is moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to gaiety, and life to everything. It is the essence of order and leads to all that is just and beautiful." -Plato

Fridays are the day I get to make music. They are the day I get to relax and look forward to spend time with God. On Fridays I have time to spend time with my close friends and listen to what is going on in their lives.  


♥Leise

A List and a Tribute

I was sitting in class this morning and decided that what my teacher was saying was not important or it was leaden, monotonous and wearisome. I'm not sure which. I pulled my notebook from my bag and began to write. A lot of random things splattered across my paper; I thought I would share a couple with you.

I have these hopes (and somtimes "goals" would be more appropriate) for the future. They are not important. They are not the kind that determine a life path. They are the little things that will sprinkle a bit of spice as I get older.

-Always have fresh flowers in my house
-Be spontaneous--surprise my loved ones
-Learn to do something new every year
-Keep up with my challenge course training
-Keep some clothes I have now to hand down to my children. They are bound to be "vintage" someday.
-Never be a tourist

I'm sure I'll add to this list as I think of things. Suggestions are welcome.


A tribute to "Elizabeth"
I don't think girls (should) ever grow out of loving stuffed animals. They are soft, cuddly, listen really well and have great shoulders to cry on.

That's all for now
♥ Leise

Woman's Last Stand

I thought this was an awesome reply to Dodge's Super Bowl commercial this year.
I hope you find it as amusing as I did.




Leise

Art

So many choices, yet there are
     none at all.
The goal is too daunting and
     the way so tall.
Praying for God's will to be
     worked in my life.
And trying to avoid choices that
     lead to strife.
Not knowing if I'm right or wrong,
But I'm praying my faith will remain
     strong.
Jesus take my life and lead my heart;
Make my life a beautiful piece of art.