Black bean brownies

-I got my ears pierced over Easter. My mom and sister went with me. I stalled for about an hour, not because I was afraid of the pain, but because I wasn't sure if I was ready for the life change. I am NOW an earrings wearer. I'm still muddling around in that new identity. After the lady at Claire's did it, I guess I was kind of shellshocked, and she kept saying, "You're making me nervous. You're making me nervous" and she gave me a sucker. A coworker asked if I got to hold the Claire-bear. I didn't. Also, my paranoia is coming out and I think that my ears may be infected, despite my having followed the directions to a T. My ear may fall off, resulting in a face nub, which is worse than any other.

-Easter was awesome. Alex and my dad went camping in Arkansas and got rained out. Mom, Leah, and I ran around the North Dallas area for two days and then we had an Easter lunch with some of our neighbors. It was a super fun weekend.

-The Re-Opening of Dog Park will happen on Monday. One of our crafty little neighbors Jesse (who incidentally successfully completed the cinnamon challenge) built the temporary fence. I'm thinking about purchasing some balloons and grilling hotdogs.

- Al and I traveled to Norman, Oklahoma to visit his sister who is a freshman at OU. It was really fun to see campus and meet her buddies. I have decided that I do not enjoy the name Norman for a town. It's like naming a town Robert or Edward. Weird. We saw the movie "Knowing" with a balding Nicholas Cage. It was slightly bizarre until the ending and then it went off the charts. I did not enjoy it.

- I offically officially accepted the job at Genesis Women's Shelter this week. The director called me and we talked business. When she told me my salary, I audibly gasped (apparently) because it was way more than what Alex and I were expecting. When I ran upstairs to tell Alex, his reaction was to fall on the bed and say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" If Alex gets into the fulltime MBA program at UTD, he could totally quit Frito Lay and get a part time job. Beth as the breadwinner, here we come!

- SO, since we are shortly going to be poorer than we are currently, we've started clipping coupons. My neighbor, Sarah, turned me onto this website (www.thegrocerygame.com). You have to clip coupons. You pick a store (we picked Kroger) and then the website gives you a list of what is on sale at Kroger and the coupons that correspond to it. Kroger doubles and triples some coupons so we get some stuff for FREE! This week we're getting free toilet paper, sausage, frozen veggies, and brownies. It's a pretty sweet deal. You pay $10 for 8 weeks. If you're interested or have any questions about it, let me know.

-AND, finally, I must share with you a new recipe that Sarah gave me and I've just tried. Ready?
BLACK BEAN BROWNIES. I know it sounds gross but you seriously need to try this. I've made about 9 people try it and they've all been amazed at delicious they are. Here's the recipe: SERIOUSLY. Try it.

Ingredients:
1 16 oz can of black beans
1 box of brownie mix (I've only tried the fudge brownies so far)

Method:
1. Open the can of beans. Rinse them off in a strainer.
2. Put the beans back into the can.
3. Fill the can up with water.
4. Puree that in a food processor or blender (the beans and the water). There will be small lumps but it's okay.
5. Mix the black beans/water into the brownie mix and bake according to the box (I would put them in a 9x13 pan).

You do NOT add oil or eggs. Only the black bean and water puree. I know it sounds gross but it's really good.