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.

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!

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!

My Daughter is growing up!

Happy 20th Birthday Mander Pander!

Love you very much!

Leelanau Camping trip Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We Stayed at Lake Leelanau RV Resort This is the view from our campsite. It was really nice having this site as we could watch everyone pulling their boats in and out. We could also let the kids fish off the doc without any worries and we could relax.

The weekend was kind of cool. We had to wear sweatshirts most of the time. But, that is okay, we had a blast. Too bad Amanda had to work or she could have went too.
On Sunday we rented a pontoon boat. A pontoon boat is something we would like to invest in some day. Maybe someday! We had so much fun on it. The boys and Tom fished when we stopped and I would drive us all over. I even parked it without hitting the doc. Pretty good for the first time. This day was so much fun.

Yep, there I am!

Shawn and Tom

Mason being silly with all the life vests!

I will publish other post as to what we did over the weekend. If you know me on facebook, you probably have seen the pictures. I write this blog so my kids and family and friends have something to look at and know what is going on. Also, some day everyone will be happy that I did this after I have gone to heaven then they will have something to go to so they can reflect on the memories.

Michigan Donor Family Ceremony Spring 2011.wmv

Become a donor!

Fishing and Exploring

Shawn wanted to go fishing last night so I took him over to the gravel pits that is located by our house. Not sure how long ago it was a gravel pit, but now it is a nice little lake area that runs into the Grand River which runs into Lake Michigan eventually.

Shawn decided to take his shoes and socks off so he could go into the water. It was cold he said.

A lot of people will take their boats out there and go fishing, boating, ski-dooing, water skiing and sometimes we take our lab over there so she can play in the water and fetch sticks that we throw out for her.

My handsome boy!

No luck catching any fish last night but it was a very nice time out by the water feeling the gentle breeze and watching the water move. The birds were out flying around and chirping. Geese flying overhead.

Nothing like nature and being able to enjoy it!



There was a frog in an area where the water puddled up in deep crevice areas and every time we walked by it would jump in the water or dive down in the water. Shawn decided that he wanted to try to catch it.

Twenty minutes later of exploring and and did not catch the frog, but he sure did have fun trying to catch it.

Here is the frog that Shawn could not catch. It was peeking up out of the water.

Even though Shawn did not catch any fish or frogs, he was able to have a good time.

God Bless The Broken Road

I have watched these two beautiful young ladies grow up over the years. I have known them since before they were born. Their Mama (a great friend of mine) was pregnant with them at my first wedding. I call them my twin nieces. Even though we are not blood related there is a special bond with them and the family. I love these two girls and just wanted to share something that they put together and hope that you may enjoy it too.

A little Fun~Tom sure can shake it!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

The baby Robins are doing great!

There are four of them. If you like the pictures you can see a few different ones on my other blog Shelly Vandlen Photography.

Or you can go to my Facebook page.
I am having fun watching these little ones develop every day!

A Great Woman!

Great Grandma Odette

She was cute, short, funny.

I remember always going to her house and she always had a puzzle set up so we could all help put it together when we stopped by. She made homemade rugs out of like what people make quilts with I believe.

One time we went for supper and she had made pea soup. Boy, did I not want to eat. We sat at the table and Mom made me eat the soup. At that time, I hated peas. Well, every time G. Grandma and Mom went to the kitchen as they cleaned up, I would hide the peas under the table cloth. Yes, Grandma made her soup with a cream and whole peas. It wasn't all mushed up like I see down here. Well, I really got the look from Mom when she went to clear off the table cloth. Oh well, fun times!

This is Great Grandma with her son Philip Odette. He was my Mom's Dad. Grandpa and I shared the exact same birthday. Doesn't Granny look so cute with her little chunky cheeks sticking out in this picture?

Here's a picture of my cousins with Great Grandma O.
Johnny, Tina, Sheila and Great Grandma.

I remember that tree in Great Grandma's yard. You can see it in the background of this picture.
We use to hang on it and swing from it!
Granny had a bird in a cage at her house too. I little parakeet and she would let the door open on its cage. That bird would get out and fly around. I sure did not like that. I didn't like it flying past my head. Oh what memories!

The house that Granny lived at is not there anymore. It was taken down for a business to go up.
Loved that old Mustard color house!

Mother's Day

If Roses grow in Heaven,

Lord please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother's arms

And tell her they're from me.

Tell her I love and miss her,

and when she turns to smile,

place a kiss upon her cheek

and hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

but there's an ache within my heart

that will never go away.

I know Mom is not here on this earth to celebrate Mother's day this year. She is rejoicing in Heaven with our heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus!

I couple weeks ago, I noticed that the Mother's day cards were starting to get on display for everyone to look and purchase for their Mom. I thought, oh, have to get one for Mom, then, I am like, wait a minute-Minus one this year. That is okay because I know where she is. I know that her life is better now and that she is living in Glory Land.

Mom's song!

6TH Grade Chicago Trip, May 3, 2011

Chicago view from the bus.
Statue by the Science Museum.

Waiting to get into the Museum.

A little excited to get out of the bus!

US 505 Submarine

They had to build around this to get it to be part of the museum.

Old Horse drawn Fire Engine.

Tornado


View from Lincoln Park Zoo

Shawn and Alan

After our DQ stop in Indiana on way home.

This is our whole group that stayed together during the trip.

Everyone was good and we all had a great time.

Spencer, Ivan, Sue

Alan, Andrew, Shawn and Me.

Funny how Shawn and I almost have the same look.

This Chicago trip was really nice. We had four Charter buses to take us there and back. The ride was nice, the driver was excellent. Wish we had time to see a few more things at the museum and the Zoo was nice to be outside. Wish the Zoo had some more animals, but maybe it was too early yet.

Years ago, when I went with Amanda's class, there were Polar bears and other animals. Only a select few animals this year. Still was a nice trip though.

Shelly's Annual Easter Egg Hunt

This is me and how I prepare the eggs. LOL
I found some! They are so cute when they get all excited and hunt for the eggs!

This group finished hunting the eggs and are now waiting to find the golden eggs that have 5 bucks in them. I made them keep waiting a bit because they are so anxious. I love torturing them that way. Little bit excited for the egg!

Searching for the goldens!

Lining up for the egg toss. Whoa! I am not catching that one! It landed and didn't even break.

Renee got yoked. Guess the yoke is on her. Good job Rick!

All tied up for the leg race.

Waiting to start the leg race.

They're off!

Have you know that Renee and I won again this year! HA! HA!


To end the day off sitting around the fire pit with friends.

We had a beautiful fire going.

The whole day was a blast! Everyone had a good time. The hunt was good, food and beverages were good, time with friends and family was great!