Pumpkin Chocolate Brownie

I was browsing on the Yummly app one afternoon and came across a pumpkin chocolate muffin which intrigued me because I know how yummy chocolate zucchini cake is. So, I did some more searching around and found this Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Brownie that I wanted to try. Lucky me I had some pumpkin in the fridge that needed to be used! A super easy, super delicious, and not so naughty brownie.

So here is the recipe with a few changes of my own, after reading a few other similar recipes:

(adapted from this recipe)

You'll Need:

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 1/2 cup white (or plain, all purpose flour, pastry, spelt, or even oat flour)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2c brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (or canned pumpkin or pureed sweet potato) 
• 3 tbsp oil (You can omit, but be warned: the brownies will be gummy) 
• 2 tbsp milk of choice 
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional) 

How To:

1. Make your own fresh pumpkin puree, further instructions here. 
2. Combine dry ingredients, and mix very well. 
3. Combine wet ingredients, then mix into dry.
4. Pour into a greased pan (it will fill up half an 8×8).
5. If you have left over pumpkin puree, put a few spoonfuls on the top and swirl it around.
6. Cook for about 23 minutes at 330 F (170 C) or until a tooth pick comes out clean when you poke the middle.

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DIY Craft Table

Just wanted to share the craft table I put together for my sister and I, last September, in my parents' basement.

Here's is the mess and clutter it was before (don't mind the bad photo taken by an old BlackBerry and it's the only photo I have because I lost my camera with the before shots last year *tear*):

I'm sure some of you maybe have seen this brilliant craft table circulating Pinterest and DIY blogs. I got the idea from the Ivy Cottage Blog (which is no longer available) but here is one of the images from the post. 

I just loved how the 'legs' were shelves and it's a great way to store all your crafty knick knacks. 

I bought the shelves from Walmart and the table top from Home Depot. The teal colour on one of the backs of the shelves was just some poster paper painted with the same paint we used to re-paint the end tables on the entertainment side of the room. I decided to use it there to help create a flow between the two sides.

For the table top, I put a few rubber bumper pads underneath to prevent the top from sliding off the shelves. Alternatively, you could screw it down, but I decided not to in case we decide to move it or change it to a bigger table top. A special thanks to my sister, Tiff, for taking the photos while I'm on the other side of the globe.

Here are a few more ideas, and different versions of the craft table:

http://homemakerchic.com/tag/diy-craft-table/
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