Home
bookstore
book review
sample chapter
freelance writer
desert rose blog
aprons
artistic journey
collage
creative inspiration
recipes
daily meditation
the craft of writing
in the news
e-zine subscription
contact
voter registration

Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines















Cranberry


Bliss


Bars






Better than the original!






After tasting and completely losing my heart to these awesome bars - I knew I had to work on a recipe at home because seasonal availability just wasn't going to work out.











Cake Layer:


1 1/2 c (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

1 1/2 c light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 t vanilla extract

1 t ginger

1/4 t salt

2 c all-purpose flour

1 t baking soda

1 small box instant cheesecake pudding (vanilla can be substituted)

1 c chopped, toasted pecans

6 ounces white chocolate chips

Juice of one orange .... Or 4 T orange juice .... Or the zest of 1 orange (whatever is easy or available, I've tried all 3 options with good results; 'sometimes' I go crazy and add both the zest and the juice of one orange.)


Frosting:




2 blocks of cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 - 2 c powdered sugar (You can add more to achieve desired thickness, start w/ 1/2 c)

3 T of lemon juice or the juice of 1 lemon

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 c butter (1 stick)

1 c dried cranberries, chopped and tossed with sugar


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees




2. Make cake layer. Beat butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, orange juice or zest, vanilla, ginger and salt and beat well.

Gradually mix in flour, baking soda and box of instant pudding.

Mix in by hand the white chocolate chips and pecans. (Batter may be a little stiff. I will sometimes grease a piece of wax paper to help in smoothing the batter out in the pan.)

Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Depending on your oven, it can take 30 minutes more or less to bake. I start checking it around 20 minutes into the baking process. It's done when the cake is light brown on the edges.

Allow cake layer to cool completely.

Using a jelly roll pan will reduce baking time to approx. 20 minutes.


3. Make frosting by combining softened cream cheese, 1 1/2 - 2 c powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and butter with an electric mixer until smooth. When cake has cooled spread frosting over cake layer and sprinkle generously with sugared cranberries.


Ooh la la.















Weekly Meditation




We will open the book.


Its pages are blank.


We are going to put words on them ourselves.


The book is called Opportunity


and its first chapter is New Year's Day.


~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce







Bridget Blanton | Create Your Badge







Follow RU2020 on Twitter






Historical Fiction Novel




It is 1884. Kate O'Reilly stares resolutely into the wind on deck of the Golden Vanity, as the shoreline of her beloved Ireland disappears behind a veil of mist... Accompany Kate from the rugged Irish shoreline, through Chicago and on to the verdant mountain valley of Santa Ynez, California where she finds love, happiness and meaning for her life.









Thinking about iLasik Surgery?




Tired of hassling with contact lenses?


Achieve Visual Freedom with iLasik!


Trust your vision care


to Dr. Blanton of Inland Eye Institute


a premiere Lasik Surgeon/Cornea Specialist


who has trained Lasik Surgeons worldwide.


The vision professionals at Inland Eye Lasik


are committed to providing outstanding customer service


There's no better time than now


to enhance your life with iLasik!


Affordable payment options available.


Serving Southern California


and the Inland Empire.


http://inlandeye.com


Stop by our web-site to view Patient Testimonials


3257 E Guasti Rd Ste 210 Ontario Calif. 91761


Phone: 909-937-9230






anti-age in the modern age




Aging gracefully with a little help


from Dr. Vidor of Inland Aesthetic Institute.


A full range of Cosmetic services:


body contouring & skin tightening with


the Exilis Laser, Botox and


dermal fillers: Juvederm and Sculptra.


Treat yourself to a Relaxing Facial!


Learn about the Obagi skin products,


Latisse Lash Lengthener and Glo Minerals Cosmetics


Restore & Rejuvenate.


You're worth it!


http://www.inlandeye.com







We now offer fractional CO2 Resurfacing with the DEKA Smartxide Laser




Smartxide is an innovative system


that gives the surgeon precise control


of all laser parameters allowing for an outstanding result


with minimal downtime.


Treatment can be performed on any area of the face


to remove fine lines and wrinkles,


as well as tighten and improve skin tone and texture.


For info on this non-surgical rejuvenation procedure -


Contact: Inland Aesthetic Institute,


3257 E Guasti Rd Ste 210 Ontario Calif. 91761


Phone: 909-937-9230


http://inlandeye.com/







Weekly Recipe







Black Bean Tacos


Fresh, Fast Food for busy days!


Rave Reviews from vegetarians and non-vegetarians


click photo to get recipe








Article of the week







Stop by the Desert Rose Blog

Before you're on your way






The Apron Fabric Flower Tutorial





Click on the photo above to access the Apron Flower Tutorial






Subscribe in a reader






Subscribe to our e-zine to receive project ideas, recipes and inspirational articles

Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you A Life Well Lived.








If you pick up an image or an article from me ... please include a link back ... merci beaucoup!