Sunday, July 17, 2011

Fresh Raspberry Bars


FRESH RASPBERRY BARS
1 cup unsalted butter
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
½ tsp. kosher salt
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
Softened butter for brushing sides of foil
¾ cup seedless raspberry jam or preserves
1 pint (2 cups) fresh raspberries
8 oz. package cream cheese softened (the recipe said ½- 8 0z pkg.)
4 oz. goat cheese or 4 oz. cream cheese
½ cup granulated sugar
1 TBSP. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 TBSP. finely shredded lemon peel (zest)
2 TBSP. freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ tsp. vanilla
Powdered Sugar (if desire)

*Preheat oven to 350` F. Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with a 24-inch long sheet of aluminum foil, leaving extra foil over ends for easier removal of bars later. Set aside. In a large bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until it just begins to blend and soften slightly, about 30 seconds.
*Add Brown sugar and salt; beat on low speed until incorporated, 30 seconds to 1 minute. “You’re not trying to cream it; you’re just mixing it in.” With mixer off, add 2 cups of flour. Beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase speed to medium, mix until ingredients from an even, cohesive dough. Don’t under mix as this will make it too crumbly. You can never over mix it. Has to be able to stick and hold together.
*Break dough into small chunks and distribute in prepared pan; with your fingers press dough into an even layer. Bake 20 minutes or until dough has begun to puff and is just set. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes.
*Lightly brush exposed sides of foil with softened butter to keep filling from sticking. Spread jam evenly over crust. (Now, I skipped the foil and this process. I just baked in a glass dish without foil-did spread the jam).
*Sprinkle evenly with fresh raspberries.
*With a lemon zester, remove peel from lemon, making sure to avoid bitter white pith. (For the most flavor, you will want to do this right before baking.
*In a large bowl beat cream cheese and goat cheese with an electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds. Mix in granulated sugar and 1 TBSP flour until blended. With mixer running, add egg, egg yolk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
*Pour custard batter evenly over berries. Tilt pan back and forth to distribute evenly. Bake at 350` for 25-30 minutes or until barely set. Transfer to wire rack until completely cool, about 1 hour; cover and transfer to refrigerator. Chill 2 hours. Top will crack slightly as it cools.
*If foiled pan, use foil to lift the bars from the pan. With a knife or metal spatula, support the sides of the bars while you gently peel the foil downward and away from sides of bars.
*Cut into bars, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desire. These bars are good without the powdered sugar.

Fun at Ted and Faith's

Kara sitting by the pool.
Mitch in the pool.


Shawn under the boat in the pool.


Faith's fountain spraying in the pool.



Harley keeping an eye on the kids in the pool.


Tom helping hook up Tv for watching by the pool.


Ted playing with the torpedo with Shawn in the pool.


The kids went and found a frog over by our old house-by the creek.


There's a frog in the bucket dear Liza, dear Liza. There's a frog in the bucket and really wants out!


I think you can get the idea of what went on over at Faith and Ted's house by what I posted under the pictures. LOL

There was a lot of pool time. Weather is perfect for it.

We cooked out and had burgers and hot dogs on the grill, and other yummy food.

The TV was the hit of the night for Faith. Cracked us up. She would not give up the remote!


We had a great time visiting with friends.


Monday, July 11, 2011

Pure Michigan: Mackinac Island



This is so funny!

Around here we have Pure Michigan billboards. Pure Michigan State signs. Pure Michigan radio commercials with the voice of Tim Allen as the narrator. I love those commercials and signs.

Well, I came across this on YouTube and it cracked me up so I thought I would share!

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Beach Time

Wednesday we ventured over to Grand Haven Michigan to have a little beach time. There was a lot of people there but it did not seem over crowded.

As we arrived you could see a fog up the channel out towards the lighthouse.

After an hour or so of being out there the fog dissipated.

The fog looked really cool coming off the shore.

My lovely kiddos!
Mason, Mitch, Shawn, and Amanda


Mitch getting buried and Mason looking on.


Amanda burring Mitch.


Amanda played a joke on Mitch and it was so funny!

All of us have such a great sense of humor.

I buried Shawn while the other boys were in the water. This is him getting out of it.


What a nice relaxing time at the beach. Fun had by all!



Fun times

Our July 4Th party was a big hit. Everyone that came had a great time and everyone mingled amongst each other pretty good. Was a great group of people.

I like to hold this party every year. The little kids look forward to it and so do the big kids. :)

We had games in the yard, food, swimming, badminton, and we didn't get to the volleyball time.

Everyone brought a dish that they like to make and all of it was so yummy!

It is nice that Tom's whole Coast Guard shop came too. Sad part is that we get to know these people for a year to four years and then they leave. But on a good note, it gives them a place to go when they are far away from family and friends. It is nice getting to know new people.

Hope you all had a great July 4Th. I know we did!