Sunday, April 28, 2013

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.....

Good Sunday morning! I hope this Sunday finds you healthy, happy and content with life! It is storming here, but that's okay, I love the sound of the rain on a Sunday morning. Especially when you don't have to get out in it and can just relax in your jammies all day if you choose to! And I choose to!

A fellow blooger issued a challenge last week. The challenge was to list 10 of your "Favorite Things". So on this stormy Sunday morning, I am taking the challenge! Are you ready? 
Okay...here are a few of My Favorite Things....

1.Philosophy's Amazing Grace. LOVE the smell ...clean, light and fresh.


2. Anyone that knows me really well, knows how much I love Jujubees!!


3. My New Orleans Saints!!! Love them...win or lose!



4. My E-reader...I love to read and really enjoy my E-reader, although sometime, there is nothing like holding a book and turning the pages!




5. Louisiana Life Magazine



6. Hydrangeas - they remind me of my MawMaw so much!


7. My man....James Taylor!



8.Our brand new camper...just got it yesterday!!



9 My great nieces and nephews...love these kids so so much!



10. And my most favorite person in my world.....my sweet Joshua


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

THE VOICE AND ELEGANT ALMOND BARS

Don't you just love THE VOICE? We sure do...never miss it! Of course it helps to have Blake, Adam and Usher sitting there with me in my living room! Mercy! There is some awesome talent on there this year. I still like to watch American Idol, but THE VOICE is my fav!!!

I remember back in my high school days, I used to love to sit on the front steps and play my guitar with my BFF MaryBeth...we were inseparable! And we played a mighty fierce guitar. Ahhh the good ole days! Life was so simple back then, although we thought it was hard. Looking back, it was easy peasy! I miss those days. But now my days are filled with different joys..my children and my grandchild...they are music to my soul, the best kind of music ever! We had a wonderful Easter weekend....quiet time spent here at home. Good food, great family, more memories to fill our memory banks. Love it! And at the end of the day...this little face fills me with so much love.....

I love the way he puts those arms behind his head when he sleeps!

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week...rain is in our forecast for the next couple of days.
Have to have some rain if we want the rainbows right?

Speaking of rainbows...I cannot wait to curl up in bed tonight and read my
latest Kindle download....
If you have never visited her blog...you MUST! and if you haven't
ordered her new book...DO IT...you won't be sorry!

ELEGANT ALMOND BARS
 


Cookie Base
1
pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2
cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2
teaspoon almond extract
1
egg 
 
Filling
1
can (8 oz) or 1 package (7 oz) almond paste, crumbled into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4
cup sugar
1/4
cup butter or margarine, melted
2
eggs
1/2
cup sliced almonds 
 
Topping
2
oz white chocolate baking bar, coarsely chopped (1/3 cup)
2
tablespoons shortening
1/4
cup sliced almonds
  1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown.
  2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste, sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Add 2 eggs; beat until well blended (mixture may be slightly lumpy).
  3. Spread almond paste mixture over partially baked base. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup almonds. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until filling is set (filling will puff up during baking). Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  4. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, melt white chocolate and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour and spread over cooled bars. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup almonds. Let stand about 30 minutes or until topping is set. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
Makes 32 bars