Speech and Language Issues

There are phrases that drive me crazy, so to speak. That is one of them... "so to speak"!

Just what exactly does that mean? It is part of a group of phrases that I refer to as pseudointelligent gibberish, if you will.

There is another one...."if you will". Suppose I won't? Count how many times you will hear some talking head on television use the phrase "if you will". It takes up time but communicates nothing.

These phrases are dropped when people are trying to sound more learned than they are, I believe.

Having said that, it drives me a little crazy. Oh no, there is another one...."Having said that"....I mean, you were talking, so who exactly would have said that, if not you?

If you will, so to speak, and having said that, I think I will just try to come up with something useful to say.

Take good care out there...

Peace and love,

Tony

Ridiculous Brownies

My favorite brownies...ENJOY with someone you love!

Ridiculous Brownies

Ingredients

1 pkg Duncan Hines Brownie mix

2 pkgs (3oz) cream cheese

5 tbsp margarine or butter

1/3 cup sugar

5 eggs

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

¾ tsp vanilla

1/3 cup oil

¼ cup water

1. Beat softened cream cheese and margarine together. Add sugar, 2 eggs, flour and vanilla. Finish beating till smooth and set aside.

2. Mix brownie mix together with 3 eggs, 1/3 cup oil and ¼ cup water. Mix by hand for 50 strokes. Pour most of the brownie mix (reserve 5 tbsp) in greased 9x13 pan.

3. Pour cream cheese mix over brownie layer. Then spoon the reserved brownie mix randomly over the cream cheese mixture. Pull knife through to make swirled appearance.

4. Bake at 340 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool and frost.

Frosting Ingredients

4 ½ tbsp margarine

3 tbsp cocoa

2 ¼ cup powdered sugar

3 tbsp milk

1 ½ tsp vanilla

1. Melt the margarine in saucepan. Stir in 3 tbsp cocoa till dissolved. Remove from heat

2. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla stirring constantly.

3. Stir till smooth- may add more milk if necessary.

4. Frost Brownies- let cool till firm.