On June 14, Elvis Presley graduated from high school (1953), Turkey appointed its first female head of state (1993), and the first Henley Regatta was held (1839).
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of an American national flag, and in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 Flag Day.
On June 14, 1846, California declared independence from Mexico.
On June 14, Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811), Margaret Bourke-White (1906), Pierre Salinger (1925) and Burl Ives (1909) would have celebrated their birthdays. Boy George (1961) and Donald Trump (1946) were born on June 14, too. Can you imagine all of them together at a birthday party?
On June 14, 2008, The Perfect Pantry turned two!
And in so many ways, my second blog year was perfect.
Two guest bloggers joined The Perfect Pantry: Arlo, who writes from the very urban, multi-cultural Ottawa, Canada; and Peter, who writes from the mountain region of Minas Gerais, in the interior of Brazil. Their voices, their stories, and their own perfect pantries have been a joy to share. Thank you for welcoming both Arlo and Peter.
Also, I became a mother of two -- two blogs, that is. Through the Adopt-a-Blogger program, I adopted Rebecca, whose From Argentina with Love has just been named best new blog of the year by FN Dish. And then I adopted Sandie, whose even newer blog, Inn Cuisine, took shape before my eyes. Both blogs feature travelers' tales and wonderful recipes. If you've been blogging for a while and would like to share what you've learned, there are many bloggers looking for mentors; it's fun, easy, and rewarding to adopt a blogger.
A two-year blogiversary celebration calls for something sweet. Something made with chocolate, just like last year. Something made from items I have on hand.
Something ooey and gooey, made for you, because you are the most important ingredient in The Perfect Pantry.
It's been a perfectly wonderful blog year, because you've been here to share it.
Thank you, times two.
CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE-CHIP BROWNIES
From Martha Stewart's Quick Cook, this recipe makes 16 two-inch brownies. To freeze, wrap the brownies in plastic wrap, and thaw them in the wrapping.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter + *1 tsp
2 1-oz squares unsweetened chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch-square glass pan (use the *1 tsp butter for this), or spray it with baking spray.
Melt the stick of butter and unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler (or in a microwave); remove from heat and stir well. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter-chocolate with the sugar, flour nuts, baking powder and vanilla. Stir well with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and mix thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overcook. The brownies should be moist and chewy. Cool thoroughly before cutting into 2-inch squares.
Also in The Perfect Pantry:
Outrageous brownies
White chocolate brownies
Chocolate truffles
Chocolate-banana ravioli
Chocolate refrigerator cake
Happy Blog B-Day to The Perfect Pantry! We thank you for being here to share all your wonderful knowledge with us. Our pantry, our minds and our dishes have been further enriched because of your blog. Thank You Lydia!!
Posted by: White On Rice Couple | June 15, 2008 at 02:19 AM
Happy Blog birthday. Crack open a bottle of champers.
Posted by: barbara | June 15, 2008 at 03:50 AM
Happy Blog Birthday!! You've made it much wonderful place! Oh those brownies . . .. just a little double chocolate hehe what a deal.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | June 15, 2008 at 04:45 AM
Happy Blogiversary!
And you are celebrating with such great company...
Not to mention the browies...Yum!
Posted by: katie | June 15, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Lydia, happy blog birthday. It's always a huge pleasure coming around here. I love this space and learn so much here. Not to menion your wonderful gently ways are soothing. I am glad I found you and look forward to getting to know you more! Here's to many more!
Posted by: Meeta | June 15, 2008 at 05:12 AM
What great news to end the week end! Happy blog-birthday-anniversary Lydia:)
All the best & keep it up!Looking forward to reading more & more & yummier & yummiest:)
Posted by: Stella | June 15, 2008 at 07:42 AM
HAPPY BLOGSDAY LYDIA!!!
Posted by: Laura | June 15, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Happy Birthday, Perfect Pantry! You are only a two-year old, but have so much to teach me. I wish you and your mommy Lydia the very best!
Posted by: Nupur | June 15, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Congratulations Lydia!!! Two years and still going strong. These brownies are a great way to mark the occasion. Also love that first pic, very cool.
I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend. Quite miserable here - cold, dark, windy, wet. Wish I had some of those brownies and a hot choc right now...
nora
Posted by: Nora | June 15, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Congrats, Lydia! Here's to many more wonderful years!
Posted by: Michelle | June 15, 2008 at 08:56 AM
I remember you talking about your idea for The Perfect Pantry over one of our 3-hour coffees at Pastiche in Providence like it was yesterday!! Tempus fugit. Congratulations and thanks for letting me be a part of the community you've created.
Um abração.
Posted by: Peter | June 15, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Happy blog birthday to you! Your blog is one that I've consistently loved from the first time I found it.
Posted by: Kalyn | June 15, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Happy blogaversary!
That photo is to cute~ perfect for your pantry.
Posted by: sandi @ the whistlestop cafe | June 15, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Happy Blog Birthday and excuse me while I go make the brownies to celebrate (they sound so yummy).
Posted by: Mrs. L | June 15, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Congratulations! I've learned a lot these past two years about new things and about things I thought I knew.
Thanks,
Ted
Posted by: rupert | June 15, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Happy Birthday! Your blog is one of my daily stops... keep up the good work!
Posted by: Ann | June 15, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Happy anniversary/birthday to my favorite blog and favorite blogger! Lydia, thanks for all you do - I'm looking forward to many more wonderful entries.
Posted by: Judy | June 15, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Happy Blog Birthday....there seems to be a lot of us who started in June.
Posted by: peabody | June 15, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Happy, Happy Blogsday! So glad you're here with so many great things happening on your blog. I always enjoy visiting your blog and seeing what you have to offer us. Looking forward to many more wonderful posts.
Best,
Paz
Posted by: Paz | June 16, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Happy blogday! I have enjoyed reading your blog for a while now. Hopefully, you will continue for another 2 years and beyond.
Posted by: Helen | June 16, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Congratulations! As one of the staples of my food blog reading list, here's hoping for many more years! :-)
Posted by: Mike | June 16, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Happy 2 years Perfect Pantry! It has been so good to have "met" everyone this past year and to join in as a guest blogger. Both Lydia's posts and the readers' comments have been informative and inspiring. Best wishes for the third year Perfect Pantry!!
Posted by: Arlo | June 16, 2008 at 10:48 AM
felicidades! and many happy returns. Brownies are just the thing for a birthday, for a non-birthday, for everything!
Posted by: lolobstersquad | June 16, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Brownies are a wonderful way to celebrate, happy second birthday!
Posted by: brilynn | June 16, 2008 at 11:22 AM
What a wonderful event to celebrate! I love the blog, and it just makes my day...sometimes it makes my dinner, too! Love, Candy
Posted by: Candy | June 16, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Congrats Lydia. I am so happy to have found your intelligent and inspirational blog.Here's to many more years!
Posted by: Aimee | June 16, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Chip chip Hooray! A very important date it's true, you are in good company. Lydia your blog is a great dose of information, humor and good food. You always make learning fun. Here is too much brownie face!
Posted by: Callipygia | June 16, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Happy 2nd blogiversary, blogmom! Here's wishing you and The Perfect Pantry all the best as you head into your junior year!
Posted by: Sandie | June 16, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Happy blog birthday to one of my all time favourite blogs. Do you know, I've never cooked a brownie, so I'm going to do this, if I form an addiction, my finger will be pointed at you!
Posted by: neil | June 16, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Thank you all for your blogsday good wishes. If it weren't for you, The Perfect Pantry would be just a room full of stuff.
Peter, I too remember that conversation over coffee. You must have thought I was nuts!
Posted by: Lydia | June 16, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Lydia - many happy returns! Perfect Pantry is a joy to read, and you indeed deserve a spot alongside all those great moments in history! What do you suppose Elvis Presley's pantry looked like all those years ago?
Posted by: T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types | June 16, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Thank you for the magic pantry -- ever unfolding with new items, new thoughts, ideas and stories!
Posted by: Susan G | June 16, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Bonne Anniversaire, Lydia! The Perfect Pantry is the best-behaved two-year old I've ever seen. Keep up your wonderful work for a long, long time.
Posted by: Marilyn (Simmer Till Done) | June 16, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Happy Blogday! (Belated.) I love your blog and look forward to many more delightful and informative posts!
Sorry about the multiple comments on the latest post!
Posted by: sher | June 17, 2008 at 12:47 AM
My dear, dear friend, happy blog birthday!! Here's to many more years to come.
xx
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | June 17, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Dear readers, thank you so much for blogsday wishes! I hope you'll enjoy Year Three.
TW, I'm guessing lots of peanut butter, bananas, Wonder Bread, and something cold to wash it down...
Posted by: Lydia | June 17, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Happy 2nd blogoversary, Lydia! And thanks for being my (super helpful and wonderful) blog mom! Many happy years to come!
xo!
Posted by: Rebecca | June 17, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Oh happy blirthday!
Lots of hugs.
j
Posted by: jasmine | June 18, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Those brownies sound fabulous.
Happy Blog Birthday!!
Posted by: George@CulinaryTravels | June 20, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Land, I'm late for this party! Is there still cake left? Happy Blog Birthday, Lydia. "Meeting" you is truly one of the great pleasures of my own blogging experience. Someday, someday, it shall occur in person too. (Two?)
Posted by: Alanna @ A Veggie Venture | June 21, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Sorry I am a little late but a happy belated blog birthday all the same! Here's wishing you many many good years ahead!
Posted by: noobcook | June 23, 2008 at 04:05 AM
Rebecca, it's been such fun to watch your blog grow -- I'm so proud of you!
Jasmine, George, Noobcook: Thanks so much for your birthday wishes. I love your blogs.
Alanna, you have been so helpful and supportive, and I'm looking forward to the day we actually meet. I might actually bake a cake for that occasion....
Posted by: Lydia | June 23, 2008 at 07:14 AM
happy blogversary~is there such a word?
Posted by: Nasihah | June 26, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Nasihah, I don't know if there is, but thank you so much for stopping by with your good wishes!
Posted by: Lydia | June 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
I can't believe I totally missed your blogsday! But, I made it here in the end, and that's what really counts (or at least I hope so). Congratulations on your two years, they've been great for us too!
Posted by: ann | July 03, 2008 at 08:44 AM