A Fine Saturday For Bluebird Bars

     It was supposed to storm over the weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I have a friend that even cancelled the family photographs that I was supposed to take because we agreed to listen to the weather man. We were tricked into believing that the sky would be filled with big, round, and gray rolling storm clouds. It was a tad cool, nevertheless, the sun came out to play all day. So what did this mean? A rescheduled photo shoot and some extra time on my hands to play in the dirt. A few pictures of what has been growing as well.

I find that the colors are simply beautiful and it seems that PINK is in this season.

My Favorite- The Hovering Flower

     I've been attempting to landscape the back yard but the dog is driving me mad. I planted a new plot of flowers, a peony, dark sweet potato vines, and pansies; she dug them up. It is so bothersome to put up fencing just to keep her out, but hey, everybody can't have their cake and eat it too. Just a real quick story- other than the flowers she digs up, I've been having trouble growing grass where she digs along the fence line (to escape) and in the middle of the yard (for moles I suspect). Cayenne pepper only lasted until it would rain, that actually kept her out for a bit. I'll tell you a little secret, something I recently found while scouring the internet for answers. It may sound gross but when I mow I clean the yard up, the good, bad, and stinky. Now, I scatter her poop where she digs or just under the dirt where grass hasn't had a chance to grow yet. I haven't had her dig for 3 or more weeks. Unfortunately she's moved on to better places like my flower garden. Though, it is REALLY nice to have a greener yard again I must say. 

My Newest Addition

     I'm also in the process of having a back patio poured. This beauty above will be one of the first to enjoy sitting under the shaded area. I'm so excited, I even ordered a canopy tent and can't wait to put it up. There is nothing but a pile of rocks at the moment from what the hired hand broke up. 
     So, after all the work outside was complete the children were rounded up. Baths were taken and the adventure drained kids whined until bedtime. I managed to whip up a new recipe in the meantime. 
     My love's little girl thought I called them "bluebird" bars instead of ordinary "blueberry" bars, so, since I whipped this recipe up they are officially called "Bluebird Bars" in her honor.

Blueberry bliss in every bite!

Better than melt in your mouth blueberry muffins!

     I know the pictures aren't the best. That's what I get for sporting a fancy camera without proper lighting. Despite the lighting, these Bluebird Bars were sprinkled with power sugar the next morning and it was a delightful treat as our breakfast. 

It was easy to make. 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease your pan and set aside
3. Mix your drys in a bowl and set aside
4. Mix wet ingredients, blend everything well and add in eggs last, one at a time until it is well incorporated
5. Then add dry ingredients about 1 cup at a time, mix well
6. Spread batter on greased pan leaving about 1 cup aside
7. Spoon/spread blueberry filling all over
8. Dal-lop spoonfuls of remaining batter over filling  
9. Bake for about 30 minutes until top is golden brown
10. Cool completely before dusting with power sugar

   When making the filling I added the sugar, Watkin's Vanilla Extract, and tapioca to the berries then stirred until it thickened. I let it cool a bit before spooning it on the batter. I wanted to make sure it was going to be thick enough and not be too hot for spreading on the batter. 


What's in the batter mix:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Watkin's Vanilla Extract
• 1 (15-ounce) can blueberries in light syrup
• powdered sugar, for desired dusting

Filling: 

• 1 (15 oz) can of blueberries in light syrup
•  2 tbls tapioca
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Watkin's Vanilla Extract

      I hope everyone understands the strength it takes to not stuff my face with the food I prepare. As a fitness freak and woman of the kitchen I'm my own worst enemy! Occasionally I break but I ALWAYS, ALWAYS pick myself up immediately. It's way too easy to say, "I'll start over tomorrow" and continue gorging because it is easily repeated the day after. Those who are interested in actually eating while dieting check out my blog, The Clean Diet With Slim. Until then, I have some cramming to do and time to spend with my son.

~Don't forget, wine belongs in the kitchen with the cooks!