Cream Cheese Brownies

Brownies are one of my favorite desserts. They're sort of a cross between a cookie and cake, chocolaty, rich and gooey. What's not to love?  I always keep some mixes on hand to make up in a hurry. This version takes a mix and adds a little cream cheese to make them extra moist and creamy.

 I like Betty Crocker's  Triple Chunk brownie mix - it has chocolate chunks in the mix, but you can use your own favorite brand.

Mix according to package directions.

In a separate bowl stir 8 oz. softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.

Pour brownie batter into greased 9x9 pan, reserving about 1 cup of batter. Then pour cream cheese mixture on top and spread.

 Drop the remaining batter by spoonfuls onto cream cheese.

 Draw a knife through the batters to make swirls.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool completely!

I was able to release the entire baked brownie onto a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares.

Yum! Super easy and super delicious.

Cream Cheese Brownies 

1 brownie mix 

8 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Prepare mix according to package directions.

In a separate bowl stir 8 oz. softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Pour brownie batter into greased 9x9 pan, reserving about 1 cup of batter. Then pour cream cheese mixture on top and spread. Drop the remaining batter by spoonfuls onto cream cheese. Draw a knife through the batters to make swirls. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool completely! Makes 16 brownies.

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Spring in Utah

While in Utah this week I spent a lovely day visiting 

Red Butte Gardens ( www.redbuttegarden.org ) with my mom. I've been to the gardens before, but not in springtime. What a treat! The hillsides and pathways were a sea of daffodils. All kinds of early spring bulbs and perrenials were in bloom. The weather was perfect, mild and sunny.

But Spring in Utah can be fickle- this morning it snowed.

Happy May Day!

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Wow Us Wednesday

Vintage Hanky Sachet Tutorial

I've been making these sachets for a couple of years now. Not too many ladies use pretty hankies any more,  preferring the cleanliness of a throw away tissue. But I love the charm of these dainty linens and decided to repurpose them into lovely lavender filled sachets.They are a favorite of many of  the customers in my antique store so I thought I'd share with you how I make them.

I find that a small to medium sized handkerchief  works best. Iron it smooth.

 Fold over two opposite corners so they overlap slightly, roughly into thirds. Press.

 Fold up the bottom corner and press, then fold up the bottom again 1/3 of the way. Press.

 Now you have an envelope shaped packet.

 Sometimes I stitch the sides closed, but even easier is to insert a strip of "Stitch Witchery" along each side and press and fuse the sides together. That way there are no stitches showing.

I buy French lavender buds from a wholesale source.  they have such a lovely soothing fragrance!

I make a separate pouch out of muslin the same size as my envelope , fill it with the lavender and insert it into the hankie envelope. This keeps the lavender from spilling out.

Lastly, I fold the top down and sew it closed with a pretty button or ribbon.  

These make lovely gifts for bridesmaids, housewarming, etc. Be sure to make one or two for yourself!

If interested I sell them for $8 each. Just email me at chateau.interiors@gmail.com.

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Beautiful Brown Transferware

My mother's favorite color is brown. Growing up, my bedroom was decorated in browns and golds. Pretty unusual for a little girl and I did not like it. My favorite color was blue. It took me years to appreciate the warmth and richness in browns. Recently I started collecting brown transferware. I don't have much yet and the pieces are all different patterns. I literally have cupboards full of  blue and white transferware, which will always be my first love. But now I think that brown is lovely too!

P.S. I found all of these goodies at thrift stores, not more than a few dollars each!
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Painted Table

When  Kathy invited me to a garage sale a couple of weeks ago I found a pair of these charming end tables. As you can see  the finish was in pretty bad shape but the tables were solid and sturdy, definitely worth saving. I have to admit, I'm not completely sold on the idea of the painted furniture craze that is going on. If a piece has a beautiful finish I'd leave it alone. I've stripped and refinished many a poorly painted piece of furniture over the years! However, if the furniture is in really bad shape or was inexpensive go ahead and have some fun. I only paid $17 for this. 

 My local Ace Hardware store was having it's annual free paint day. Did you know they do that? It's awesome! Print out a coupon and you get a free quart of interior paint in the color of your choice. I got up early on Saturday morning so I could be one of the first in line. I chose a soft turquoise called Coventry Gardens.

 One coat of paint and little distressing and it's already looking better.

 I also did a little antiquing with some Minwax stain and then added a French graphic from The Graphics Fairy. I never get tired of browsing her blog for ideas!

Lastly, I sealed it all with a clear matte spray  finish.

Very sweet, don't you think?

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Show and Tell Friday

Shopping Out of Season

When shopping for produce we are always advised to purchase fruits and vegetables that are fresh and in season. We should buy strawberries in the Spring and pumpkins in the Fall. However, when it comes to thrift shopping and antiquing I often find the opposite to be true.  Look for items that have been pushed aside and may be overlooked by shoppers because they are "not fresh". These are a few items I found last weekend on an Easter excursion to California. The most I paid for any single item was $3.00.

While the shop windows had displays of bunnies and Spring flowers I managed to find turkeys and pumpkins! Plus a lovely Burberry throw, two transferware creamers in earth tones, a bread peel and a pewter plate.

Loving this glass turkey candy dish!

I'll put my treasures away until Autumn and enjoy them when the weather changes. What have you bought out of season?

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