Lemony Fresh.

Don't worry.  You are not hallucinating.  This is real.  I am actually posting.  Unbelievable, I know.

I was on such a roll a couple of weekends ago when I had two posts in two days!  I really thought I could keep it up, but obviously it didn't go so well.  I had a group project for my Management class that absolutely took over my life.  Luckily however, it is over and it actually went very very well.  So, thank goodness.  And thank you for the patience.  Only three more weeks of class and I will be free.  And only five more weeks until the trip to Ireland.  Mmmm.  It's so close.

Thanks for the beautiful picture Nat Geo.

Okay before I go any further, I have to tell you what is happening in the other room right now.  My ears are being enchanted by beautiful music that is being made in my living room.  Kaston, Nick (My Politic), Steph Barrak, and Eva Walsh are standing around singing and playing wonderful instruments.  Fiddle, banjo, guitar, harmony.  Yes, please.  I wish you could hear it.  It's so lovely.  I'm completely jealous of their talent, but also so incredibly thankful that I get to sit around and listen to it.  Why I didn't run in and make a video to document this is beyond me.  And yes I gave you links to their myspace pages so go listen to them right now!  Do it!

Okay back to food.  Since I have been completely neglecting this blog, I have recipes and pictures that have been piling up.  There are so many!  So, what do I choose?  Well actually, it's easy.  I always abide by the classic rule: Dessert first.  So how about creamy lemon crumb bars?  Yes? Okay, good.  I actually decided to make these today as a little treat for the musical guests.  I have to pay my keep in some way so that I can sit around and enjoy their tunes.

I'm going to jump right in and give you the recipe, with probably far too many pictures.  Oh well right?

Lemony fresh.

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup oats
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cups lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon

1. Cut lemons

2. Squeeze the daylights out of them.

2 dead lemons = 1/2 cup lemon juice.

3. Mix sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest until creamy.  Set aside.

I decided to throw in a bit of fresh thyme.  Lemon + Thyme = Yum.

4. Combine oats, brown sugar, and softened butter.  Mix.  Then add flour, baking powder, and salt.  Mix.

5. Press half of oat/flour mixture into bottom of pan.  Then pour lemon mixture over the top and spread evenly.

6. Add the rest of the oat/flour mixture to the top.

7. Preheat oven to 350, bake 20-25 minutes.  Then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

8. Eat!

9. Eat more!

 Look at that.  Less than 10 steps and 2 of them include eating the sweet treats!  That's my kind of recipe.

Listen, I can't make any promises.  However, I will try my very best to be better about posting.  So don't be upset when I leave you for a while, I will always be back with something yummy for your tummy.  (Too cheesy?)