Author: Carrie

Raspberry Almond Cream Cheese Bars

Carrie3 Comments

Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
2 c. flour
2/3 c. sliced almonds
1 small jar of raspberry jam
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, sugar, salt and vanilla in a bowl.  Add the flour and mix well. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture in a separate bowl.

2.  In an ungreased 9×9 non-stick pan, pat the cookie mixture evenly on the bottom of the pan.  Cook crust for 10-15 minutes and set aside.

3.  In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk.  Mix together until well blended and smooth in texture.  Poor this mixture over cookie crust.

4.  Mix the raspberry jam up in the jar with a tiny bit of warm water until it becomes slightly syrupy in texture. Spread raspberry jam over cream cheese mixture.

5. Add sliced almonds to the reserved 1 c. cookie mixture until combined. Crumble this over the cream cheese/raspberry swirl layer.  Cook in the oven for 25- 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Hurricane Sandy

Carrie2 Comments

On Sunday and Monday, my house became Fort Todd.  It became a refuge for 5 residents of Stone Harbor, just one of the barrier island communities of New Jersey.  I made sure that my guests felt like my home was their home away from home while we were waiting out the storm.  As it turns out, I was able to be a great host as we were fortunate enough not to lose electricity until late Monday night.  I was able to make a spread of comfort at each meal.  I must say that mealtime really brings people together to appreciate each other.

I feel blessed to report that our small community of the 7 mile island was fortunate enough to survive the storm with only a few bumps and bruises.  Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky as we were.  My heart goes out to those who do not have homes to go back to and to those whose businesses were pulled out from under them.

I inspected the bakery this morning and found it to be in near perfect condition.  You can see all the reed grass piled up outside the door, but somehow the water managed to stay outside.  My dad piped silicone around the door frame to keep out the water but I never thought that would be enough to stop nature from taking its course.  I’m not quite sure what act of God left the bakery almost untouched, but I certainly made sure to thank Him for his protection.

There have been horrifying pictures all over the news this week of destruction and devastation.  In all of this tragedy, I realize that we must enjoy the life we have created because you never know how it will change overnight.

Top Three…

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Favorite new shows of the season:

1. Emily Owens, M.D.

This show starts Mamie Gummer, who just happens to be the great Meryl Streep’s daughter.  Mamie resembles her mother’s looks and had inherited her wonderful acting skills as well.  Prior to this show, I have seen her on episodes of The Good Wife and also as a cast member of Off the Map.  She shines in this role of a slightly socially awkward doctor who has a crush on a coworker who went to med school with her.  When she tells him that she likes him more than a friend, she finds out that he does not feel the same way.  She now has to come to terms with that fact that he is always going to be a friend to her.  I’m sure she’s not the only one who has been in this situation!

2. Nashville

Hayden Panettiere serves up a great role as the young country startlet who is overtaking the veteran  star’s place on the country charts.  This show sizzles with scandal.  Hayden’s singing isn’t too bad either.  Her songs from the show are even being featured on the country stations and can be found on iTunes.  I think she has found her career as a true country star.

3. Arrow

This show is an adaptation of the comic book.  It reminds me of the Batman series.  A wealthy young man decides to become a vigilante to make his city a better place for everyone.  He was shipwrecked on an island where he seems to gain his strength and endurance.  He has a list of people that he got from his father of who he needs to take down.  One by one, he will turn his city back into to its original state with the help of the DA/former girlfriend played by Katie Cassidy, who I first saw in the recent version of Melrose Place.  I certainly wouldn’t mind it if he saved me because he is one handsome hero.