The scent of wisteria.....

I have never seen my wisteria so full of blooms!  I keep the windows and back door open so that the scent will waft in, and it's the best freakin air freshner ever.  

 

I took a photo while looking up at the underside..... 

 

The construction of each and every flower......amazing.

 

There are a LOT of bees.  They are busy though, and even though I was hanging out trying to get photos, they ignored me.  I do worry the dogs will snap at one and have their head swell up.  Which is why we keep liquid Benadryl on hand.

 

I really can't explain how big this plant is.  I planted it 26 years ago.  The main stem is probably 7 or 8 inches in diameter.  The other side of our fence is probably 20 feet, and it hangs almost to the ground on the other side.  

This was taken a couple of days earlier before it really opened up!
 

Love, 365 

 

Recipe for Millionaire Brownie Bars......

 

Recipe from: Bake from Scratch, March/April 2026 magazine 

Brownies:

4 oz (113g) 60-70% cacao bittersweet chocolate, chopped 

6 Tbsp (84g) unsalted butter, cubed

3/4 cup (98g) confectioners sugar

6 Tbsp (84g) firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp (79g) all purpose flour

1 1/2 Tbsp (8g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp baking powder

2 large eggs, lightly beaten and room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

CARAMEL:

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp (195g) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup (110g) heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup (84g) light corn syrup

1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, cubed

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

GANACHE:

6 oz (170g) 60-70% cacao bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp (135g) heavy whipping cream

1Tbsp (21g) light corn syrup

1 1/2 Tbsp (21g) unsalted butter, cubed

GARNISH: flaked sea salt

Preheat oven to 325 (F). Line a 9" square baking pan with foil, letting excess extend over sides of pan, spray foil with cooking spray.  

FOR BROWNIE: In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate and butter over simmering water, whisking occasionally until melted and smooth.  (I did this in the microwave) Turn off heat and whisk in confectioners sugar and brown sugar until well combined, 1-2 minutes.  (Mixture won't be completely smooth)  Remove from heat; let cool for 3 minutes.  

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, kosher salt, and baking powder.  

Gradually add eggs to chocolate mixture, whisking until combined.  Whisk in vanilla.  Fold in flour mixture just until combined.  Spread batter into prepared pan. 

Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, or an instant read thermometer inserted in center registers 200 F, 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

FOR THE CARAMEL: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together condensed milk, brown sugar, cream, corn syrup, butter, and kosher salt.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently, until thickened, smooth, and shiny and an instant read thermometer registers 234 F for soft ball stage, about 12 minutes.  Remove from heat, a nd whisk in vanilla.  Pour hot caramel onto cooled brownie, spreading smooth.  Let cool completely. 

FOR GANACHE: In a medium bowl, add chocolate.  In a medium saucepan, heat cream and corn syrup over medium-low heat until steaming.  (Do not boil.)

Pour hot cream mixture onto chocolate; let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.  Starting in center of bowl, slowly stir in small circles with a rubber spatula until well combined.  Stir in butter until melted and combined.  Pour ganache onto cooled caramel, spreading smooth.  Garnish with sea salt, if desired.  Refrigerate until ganache is set, about 30 minutes.  

Using excess foil as handles, remove from pan, and cut into bars.  Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  

 

As I mentioned, it isn't a difficult recipe, but you do have to let each layer cool completely before pouring on the next layer.  I hope you enjoy it!

Love, 365 

 

Oh, the brownies.........

 

My eldest son has made it to town!  We got together yesterday, early afternoon ~ hung out, gave the kids sandwiches, played some games and had enchiladas I made for dinner.  But before they came I decided I was going to make one of the recipes in my new Baked from Scratch magazine.  These brownies were one, and Romeo immediately drooled over the photo.  It was really not that difficult, you just had to wait for the brownie layer on the bottom to cool before you poured the caramel layer, and let that cool before pouring on the ganache layer.  Then a nice little sprinkle of sea salt on top.  Oh my.....they are decadent and delicious!  It's hard to stay away.....

Today they asked me to go with them to a museum, but I had to ponder and order the flowers we need at church for our Easter service.  I am given carte blanche to design how the flowers are to be arranged on our kouvouklion/epitaphio.  It's kind of a big deal, even though the flowers are only on it for 8 hours.  Once the service is over, the flowers are removed and each parishioner takes 1, or 2 (or even more if there are lots) flowers home.  I had a budget of $1,500.  Given that flowers have gone up quite a bit from last year, I had to really go over what flowers are available and make sure not to go over.  I did better this year, and only spent $1052.  I also bought more from Costco than in the previous 2 years.  Now I have to hope that the flowers are not delayed in transit, because they are due to arrive 3-4 days before the big day.  

This is my third year chairing this event.  It is both fun and stressful.  I like doing it, but maybe someone else wants to do it for next year.  I'll ask.....but I bet the answer is a resounding NO!  Ha ha

As when any visitors from out of town come, I feel compelled to clean like mad.  One day I did 3/4 of the downstairs, and the other quarter the next day.  I feel so old.  Doing all of that was so exhausting.  I used to be able to clean the entire house in one day.  Hey, I even cleaned the refrigerator!   One of the jobs I really hate. I was even polishing the granite, vacuuming, and putting various little things away the morning before they came over.  

Everyone was tired after they left last night, even the pups have been lazy all day.

Well, I'm going to go chill!  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Love, 365 

 

Finally done with the embroidered jacket!......

 

 

Yay!  Finally done.  I thought about taking it over to my friend, but since I have a haircut on the 10th, I figured I would save the gas and take it then.  It's just I was so excited to finish!   I do have another project waiting in the wings which I plan on starting on Wednesday.  

Tomorrow, koulouria.  733 cookies.  Surprisingly it will not take all day or anthing like that.  We'll have 2 ovens, a large mixer, practically unlimited baking sheets.  Getting the dough ready shouldn't take long.   Hopefully I will have at least 5 or so volunteers to twist the cookies into their distinctive shape.  

 

In early January we trimmed the wisteria, with plans to trim a bit more, but too late!  We have been having record breaking warm weather, and trees are leafing out, and so is the wisteria.  There are buds all over it.  Last year we had a terrible wind storm that ruined all the buds, drying them out until they crumbled like dust.  I certainly hope that doesn't happen this year, because the scent and the beauty of the flowers is so incredible.  Fingers crossed!

And so, I guess I will laze about for the rest of the day, since tomorrow will be so busy.  I hope you get a lazy day this week too.

Love, 365