musingsofahappyhousewife: No, I haven't stopped baking!

This month started out so bright and full of purpose! I was going to make something every day for the month of February out of my Southern Living cookbook and blog it. I was going to be the Julie in "Julie and Julia!"

The first week started out great but I went way over on my grocery budget for the week. The second week I went grocery shopping, spent way over again and decided on my way home from Kroger's that I might have to stop this baking and blogging every day. It was getting way too expensive and I figured out that I typically made my menu for the week according to my budget (since I've been doing this for years!) Since I would go through the cookbook and decide what to make from it, it blew my budget way out of whack!

So, I was going to cook for the second week and blog it and tell all you fans (hahaha!) that I was going to have to quit this earlier than expected. That was tuesday night. But wednesday, I woke up sick and was sick all day. Thursday V got sick so I took care of her and H (who had been sick since Sunday). Friday, same thing and Saturday. I pretty much didn't cook at all!

The rest is pretty much history. I blogged about how I missed so many days blogging but never included why I didn't do any of the cooking. So, here you have it! I haven't forgotten about it. I just ran out of money! :)

My dear mother-in-law sent me a message the other day- "where's the recipes? I'm hungry!!" :) I decided then and there I needed to bake something so today I did! I was waiting for Chad to come home with V (she was out with a group from church) and H was sleeping. So, I dug out another Southern Living cookbook (desserts only!) and found these lemon bars. I LOVE lemon!!!! And I have made many different recipes for lemon bars and I made this conclusion after tasting them.... I will never make another lemon bar recipe again!!! This is THE ONE! DELICIOUS!! I wonder what you will conclude after making them? :)

Lemon Bars

Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until blended.

Pat this in a greased 9x13 and bake.

While that is baking, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and butter.

Doesn't that just look so lemony and good! (I tasted it and it IS lemony and good!)

Yes, I know you aren't supposed to eat raw eggs but I just had to!

Pour in the pan and bake for 20-25 min. or until set.

They should look like this and you will say yummmmmmmy.

Lemon Bars
2 c. flour
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 t. vanilla
2 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 t. lemon zest
1/4 c. plus 2 T. lemon juice
2 T. butter, melted
1/4 powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 4 ingred.; beat at medium speed until blended. Pat mixture in a greased 13x9. Bake for 15-18 minutes or til golden brown.
Combine 2 c. sugar and cornstarch. Add eggs and next 3 ingredients; beat well. Pour mixture over crust.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set. Let cool completely. Chill well.
Sift 1/4 c. powdered sugar over top. Cut into bars.

Enjoy!

Ok, after reading this and typing it, I just realized I only added egg yolks! What was I thinking???? How did I get that after reading 5 eggs, lightly beaten??? Was I focusing on the "yellow" lemony lemon bars. Anyhoo, maybe that's why they were so good? :)

Ok, you didn't think I was just going to finish this without pics of my incredibly precious family?!?

Yesterday, while V and I were at the animal shelter and mall, H and daddy planted flowers.

He is just the best daddy!

This is H's little flower pot she planted all by herself! (ok, mostly!) :)

You would never guess this is in the church parking lot after church today! Why oh why, are kids attracted to dirt and rocks when they look so pretty and dressed up?