Friday, June 19, 2015

Neapolitan Brownie Ice Cream Cones


Nope. Look again. That's not ice cream. 

Those are scoops of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate brownies - perfectly poised atop an ice cream cone with more brownie baked inside.

Earlier this year, I discovered an easy recipe for strawberry brownies. (By the way, they are delicious.) All you have to do to make flavored "brownies" is just add two eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil to any cake mix. Who knew? Obviously not me. But I do now. And with that, I was inspired to make these Neapolitan Brownie Ice Cream Cones

They look so cute in a cluster, and would make a perfect summer party treat. BONUS: they won't melt.

You can find the complete tutorial featured on Handmade Charlotte.

Go ahead. Treat yourself to a triple-scoop of brownies. This weekend is Summer Solstice - the official start of summer. I can't think of a better way to celebrate!


Saturday, June 6, 2015

A Couple of Dirty Dennelers


Eric and his brother, Charles, rode in the 10th Annual Dirty Kanza Half-Pint last weekend in Emporia. Let me tell you, there's a reason why they call it the Dirty Kanza.

In a normal year, those riders would have bicycled 100 miles over dusty, gravely back roads in the Flint Hills. But this year, we've had rain, rain and more rain. The course was an absolute muddy mess, and almost-down-right unrideable at times. Eric said they carried their bikes for miles and miles during several parts.

We were able to meet up with them at the half-way point in Cottonwood Falls and replenish their supplies, help them scrap off the top layer of mud, and encourage them to hop back on their bikes and finish the race. 

I'm proud to say, that these two crossed the finish line in 9:33:41. Pretty remarkable, since only 357 of the 600 riders even finished at all. Charles came in 99th place and Eric was 100th.

It's too soon to say if they'll sign up again next year. The mud is still pretty fresh on their minds.