Spencer's Lemon Bars

Sometimes, Spencer comes with me to the grocery store.  He pushes the buggy while I run around matching coupons with sales and tracking down the things on our list.  And trying to stay out of his way so the back of my ankles don't get run into.  :)

A few weeks ago, we were on the baking aisle. { Surprise, surprise. I practically live there. } I returned to the cart with a bag of flour, and Spencer was standing there with his arms outstretched holding a box.  He asked, "Maybe one day will you make these for me?" Bless his sweet heart, the man wants lemon bars.  And the reality is, control-freak-me usually makes what I want.

So if the man wants lemon bars, lemon bars he will get.  And not from a box.

I've no idea where I got this recipe.  It's been on a piece of paper in my blue pantry folder for years.  Crust like a shortbread cookie paired with a delightfully tangy topping.  When I made them, Spencer wouldn't let me take them to work.  That's the sign of a sure-fire winner in this house!

Spencer's Lemon Bars

makes 18 bars

Ingredients

• Crust
• 1 cup { 2 sticks } cold butter
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
• Topping
• 1 1/2 cup plain white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest

Equipment

• Whisk
• Pastry blender
• Medium and large mixing bowls
• 9"x13" baking pan

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Begin preparing crust.  Whisk flour and confectioner's sugar together in a medium bowl.

• Cut in butter { using a pastry blender or knife and fork } until coarse and crumbly.

{ Cutting the butter into tablespoons will help it blend more easily. }

{ It will still be very dry, so don't worry! }

• Pour mixture into a 9" x 13" pan.

• Press mixture evenly into bottom of pan.

• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

• While crust is baking, prepare topping.  Start by mixing sugar, flour and baking powder in a large bowl.  Then add slightly beaten eggs, lemon juice and lemon zest.

• Mix well and pour over warm baked crust.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• When cool, cut into bars and dust with confectioner's sugar.

• Keep refrigerated.  Serve cool and enjoy!

Dancing in the Minefields

Two years ago tomorrow, it was a Friday.  A quiet boy with a sweet smile in our IT department came up to my office to ask me on a date.  He asked for Saturday night, but I already had plans. Then he asked for Sunday, but I was busy then as well.  So he said, "How about tonight?" and we went out for parmesan chicken pizza on Halloween.

Then, a year ago today, he knelt to one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I said yes, and we were married May.

Today, we're dancing in the minefields and I couldn't be happier.

Well, "I do" are the two most famous last words,

the beginning of the end.

But to lose your life for another I’ve heard

is a good place to begin.

'Cause the only way to find your life

is to lay your own life down.

And I believe it’s an easy price

for the life that we have found.

And we’re dancing in the minefields;

we’re sailing in the storm.

This is harder than we dreamed

but I believe that’s what the Promise is for.

So when I lose my way... find me.

When I lose love’s chains... bind me.

At the end of all my faith to the end of all my days,

when I forget my name... remind me.

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man,

so there’s nothing left to fear.

I’ll walk with you in the shadow lands

'till the shadows disappear.

'Cause He promised not to leave us

and His promises are true.

So in the face of this chaos, baby,

I can dance with you.

Let’s go dancing in the minefields…

"Dancing in the Minefields" by Andrew Peterson

{ Fair warning.  Have Kleenex handy. }