Sunday, November 21, 2010

On the Road to Happiness…

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Good morning, my friends!

Just about to head off to the craft fair that’s been occupying ALL of my time preparing for this week!

Sorry I haven’t been a very good visitor lately…I’ll get back to normal after Thanksgiving! 

Just a couple of things to share with you today…

First, a little card:

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A wonderful vintage image from Crafty Secrets’ “Vintage Photos” Creative Scraps…I love this cute little couple! 

Of course this reminded me of another cute couple…

Dow & Velda with cool car

My grandparents, Dow and Velda, absolutely loved taking vacations.  I have so many photos of them on trips together all over the world.

They were always together.  I rarely remember one of them doing anything where the other wasn’t very close by…whether cooking, doing the dishes, reading the paper…or just taking a relaxing drive, they were side by side…

Julie in car with Grammie & Grandad, Nov. 1963

I love this photo!  They came for a little visit when I was about two years old…they lived in Phoenix, we were in southern California at that time…a fairly quick trip.

When it was time for them to go, Mom says I wanted to go with them, so they put me in the car, drove me around the parking lot of our apartment complex a few times, then dropped me back off with my parents…apparently that was enough to keep me happy!

These next pictures are so sweet of them…while not in a car, they’re awfully fun…and they’re together…

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Not sure where this is taken, but it’s probably in Canada…they visited there often, as Dow’s family lived there at the time…

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Don’t you just love the ‘50’s?  Dresses were just what you wore…even while taking a joy ride out on a lake!

Okay, now for a little treat!

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 TWIXY SHORTBREAD BARS

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 can dulce de leche
3/4 cup whipping cream
6 Tbsp. light-color corn syrup
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 tsp. vanilla

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In a large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add sugar and 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla; beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer; stir in any remaining flour.  Cover and chill for 30 to 60 minutes or until dough is easy to handle.

Line a 13x9” baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.  Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared baking pan.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned.  Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Spread dulce de leche in a an even layer atop cooled crust.  In a medium saucepan, heat whipping cream, 6 Tbsp. butter, and corn syrup to boiling over medium heat, stirring to dissolve syrup.  Remove from heat.  Add chocolate and vanilla to saucepan.  Do not stir.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Stir until smooth.  Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature to cool slightly.  Slowly pour chocolate mixture over dulce de leche layer, spreading evenly.  Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours or until chocolate layer is set.

Use the foil to lift uncut bars out of pan.  Cut into bars.  Makes 48 bars.

(Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens “Christmas Baking” magazine)

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YUM.  If the title of a recipe has the word “shortbread” in it, I just have to try it!  These are simply decadent. 

Well, I’m off to the Craft Fair—wish me luck!  I’ll show you my little booth next time…until then, I hope you have a most wonderful weekend!

Julie


15 comments:

  1. Hi Julie, wonderful photos of your grandparents... my parents also were always together, I love that!... your recipe sounds really yummy! Have fun at the crafts fair!... xoxo Julie Marie PS Love that they drove you around in their car since you wanted to go with them!

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  2. Julie, such a cute card,-I love your color choise- and your blings in the corners.
    Hope your show is great, and that you sells alot,dear.My tour next week-end........
    Happy week-end, and xo-Dorthe

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  3. Good luck at the show!! The recipe looks yummy.

    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  4. I adore shortbread too. Great pics of your grandparents. I had to wear a dress or skirt to school until my junior year of high school. And then it had to be slacks, no jeans or shorts. (San Luis High School, class of 1970!) We've come a long way! Mimi

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  5. Julie,
    That is a great picture/story of your traveling grandparents and your desire to go with them! What a fun memory to hold! I love the card and I cannot wait to try that recipe. I adore shortbread. I am just nuts about it. This looks like shortbread plus!!!
    Hugs,
    Suz

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  6. I agree! wearing dresses even on the lake! Love it! MUST try that recipe!!!
    have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  7. Sweet pictures!who says we can't wear dresses to the lake. I think we should make a pact to wear a dress next time we go to the lake :) are you in? Can't wait to see your booth!happy thanksgiving friend!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  8. Have a wonderful time at the craft fair!

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  9. Julie ~ lovely share
    and you are one busy gal
    finding time to make yummy sweet treats
    i never saw my Gram in anything but a dress!
    those were the days
    a simpler time
    thanks for the memories :)
    anxious to see pictures of your booth
    have a great time

    ~victoria~

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  10. hi sweet julie,

    have a great time at the craft fair!

    as always, loving the pics, stories, and recipes!

    xo
    elyse

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  11. Hope you had success at the Fair my friend...those bars look like heaven...I have sooooo many recipes I just want to try...I really really need a way to organize them all!

    Your cards are in the mail. xoxoxoo

    Happy Thanksgiving week. xo

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  12. Love that vintage card! I think it's so warm and fuzzy that you share such wonderful pics and stories of your family. TFS
    I'm afraid to try this recipe, it's so decadent, I may become addicted to it. YUM
    Hope you have fun and sell everything.
    Hugs

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  13. Julie, I hope you did well at the Craft Fair. Somehow I know you did. Love the newest card and those squares, wowser, wowser!! They look soooooooo scrummy!! I can almost taste them. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week with your family. Love and hugs to all! xxoo

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  14. I always love your old pictures and stories! Have a GREAT craft affair and a wonderful Thanksgiving.
    We are headed south... very, very south.
    Let's stay in touch.
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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