Fickle October Weather

My journal/writer's notebook is a continual work in progress. It is a keeper of my thoughts, new ideas to think about, recording of memorable events and even some sad times. I have written down hopes, dreams and even my To Do List. I usually have several journals going at a time. Recently I was rereading some pages and came across a poem I had written, rather appropriate for today. I borrowed the first line I sit by the window from a poem called Wind Song by Mimi Brodsky for inspiration. This is my poem...

Rain

I sit by the window

and watch the raindrops fall.

DRIP DRIP

SPLASH SPLASH

Across my window pane.

I sit by the window

and wish the rain would stop.

Grey skies

rumbles of thunder

flashes of light

move across the sky.

Rain, rain

pools and puddles

I think I'll finish my book

and enjoy my inside day.

How true this is for me since I am reading furiously to finish the book Driftless by David Rhodes with book group meeting tomorrow.

The following recipe I make every year to serve on November 1.

Tombstone Brownies

Ingredients:

1 package brownie mix

1 6 oz. package chocolate chips

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup margarine or butter

1 package candy orange mini pumpkins

3/4 cup coconut tinted green

black and grey sprinkles (baking section-look little pebbles)

plastic grave markers that say RIP Over The hill (baking section @Joan Etc. or Michaels

Directions:

• Line a 13x9 baking pan with foil, extending foil beyond edges of the pan, grease foil
• Prepare brownie according to direction, spread in pan and bake at 350 about 25 minutes
• Cool pan on wire rack
• Frost with prepared chocolate frosting or try this homemade frosting which is really yummy at end of this recipe
• Starting at shorter end of pan space RIP markers three across and work way down pan making about 12-15 total rows
• Sprinkle a little tinted green coconut in front of plastic marker
• On top of coconut place a little pumpkin
• Sprinkle grey/black sprinkles over whole pan

Fudge Frosting

• In a medium saucepan combine butter or margarine with chocolate chips, sugar, milk and salt
• Bring to a boil stirring constantly and simmer 3 minutes
• Remove from heat and add powdered sugar and vanilla
• Beat in saucepan till smooth may have to add a few TB of milk as needed
• An added 3 TB. of Kahlua really heats up the flavor