Lemon Bars

I love baking!

Most of my "creations" are the result of finding a solid recipe and keeping it around to be used over and over (although I am starting to play around with recipes more than I used to). But today I am proud to share with you one of the first recipes I've ever made uniquely "mine."

A few years ago, I discovered the dessert delight known as the lemon bar and I was immediately a fan. There's just something about the flavor of lemon that is refreshing in a dessert!

Freshly washed lemons, ready to be grated and squeezed

The first time I made lemon bars, I followed a Taste of Home recipe. They were good, but when I bit into them, I immediately knew the recipe could be altered to taste even better.

So I did some tweaking and added and changed some ingredients until the recipe was distinctly different and achieved the taste I wanted.

And here is the result! There's one key ingredient that makes this recipe uniquely different from other traditional ones. See if you can find it.

Liz's Lemon Bars

Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Filling:

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

4 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

6 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest

Additional confectioners' sugar

Cut the flour, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles fine or small crumbs. Pat into an 8 X 13 pan greased with baking spray (the new nonstick spray that contains flour--it works like a dream for baked goods and it's a lot less messy than shortening and flour!). Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

To prepare filling, beat eggs and add sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat until frothy.

Pour filling over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Let sit for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars. Dust cut bars with additional confectioners' sugar.

Cut crust mixture, ready to be pressed into the pan

Freshly grated lemon zest

Did you find it? The vanilla extract is my "secret" ingredient! I've looked at several other lemon bar recipes and vanilla is not included in them. But I'm a huge fan of vanilla and think it makes a big difference in this recipe.

I also recently tried changing the recipe somewhat to make it gluten-free, as a birthday gift for my friend Wendy. They weren't quite the same as the regular version, but still turned out well. So here's that recipe:

Gluten-free Lemon Bars

Crust:

2 cups multi-purpose gluten-free flour

1 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Filling:

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. gluten-free baking powder

6 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest

Prepare the recipe the same way as listed above, but use olive oil or vegetable oil to grease the pan instead of the baking spray.

Enjoy! :)

Happy Fall!

We switched over to fall at approximately 11:09 last night, so this is the first full day of the new season. I hope you had to chance to catch a glimpse of the "harvest moon" last night. It was gorgeous!

Unfortunately, although the calendar says it is fall, it certainly doesn't feel like it around here. We're still pushing 90-degree temperatures. But I know the cooler temperatures will be here soon. (I *LOVE* the 60 and 70-degree temperatures of fall!)

I enjoy the changing of the seasons each time they roll around, but fall brings a special excitement with it. I can't wait for the leaves to start changing! God's creation puts on quite a beautiful show here in East Tennessee during the fall season!

And of course, there are plenty of other perks to autumn: pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, lovely autumn-scented candles, hot apple cider, bonfires, relaxing by the fireplace... so much to enjoy! :)

I hope you have a great first full day of fall and enjoy the entire season to the max!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park before the leaves peaked in fall 2008

Road trip

Our first day of vacation started dark and early. Katherine and I had agreed that I would meet at her house at 7:30 that morning, so I loaded up at 6:30 so I would have time to stop by Starbucks and grab some coffee on the way.

I loaded my remaining luggage into the car and turned my GPS on, ready to plug in Katherine's family's new address. As I turned the device on, it flashed a message up at me that said, "No maps available." "That's weird," I thought. I then realized with horror that when the map upgrade I'd tried to download before the trip had failed right at the end, it had cleared everything from my GPS. I had an atlas and had an idea of which interstates we needed to take--and Katherine has a GPS--so I wasn't worried about that. The problem was: I didn't know how to get to Katherine's new house. So our trip started off with me calling Katherine to get directions to their house.

I knew packing lightly didn't fit into my vocabulary (that's the problem with wanting to be prepared for practically anything--you tend to carry around too much stuff), but as we started loading everything into the car, I was embarrassed to realize just how much stuff we had--most of it mine. *laugh* I have got to learn to pack only the essentials when I'm traveling!

I trust technology--but not completely. ;) We followed the GPS, but kept the atlas handy.

Katherine took the first driving shift and we traded out in Spartansburg, SC.

Driving through North Carolina

Katherine behind the wheel

We drove for a while along I-26 and then Katherine's GPS directed us to get off the interstate. I didn't think anything about it at first. It directed us through a small town that reminded me a great deal of my parents' tiny hometown of LaGrange, Ga. Actually a lot of southeastern South Carolina reminded me of southern Georgia. Rural, relaxed and sprinkled with small towns. The highway continued to direct us down a two-lane highway (very similar to Highway 11E in East Tennessee) and then Katherine and I gradually began to realize that her GPS had directed us along a country route. It took longer, but it was pretty. We drove through lots of small farming communities and beautiful countryside.

One good thing about the longer, country route--it took us directly to Savannah, instead of bypassing it. We wanted to stop there and at least drive through the historic district, so that worked out perfectly. We stopped and took a bathroom break, then walked around the Savannah Visitor's Center quickly. The building is gorgeous. It's a restored, former train station and the architecture and design is beautiful. The Savannah College of Art and Design was across the parking lot. By that point though, our trip had already taken us several hours, so we didn't stick around too long. I would love to go back at some point though and spend a least a few days there.



Katherine and I drove through the historic area and then hopped back on the interstate, where we encountered bumper-to-bumper traffic for a good 30 minutes or so. It was around 5:30, so I'm not sure if that was commuter traffic headed out of Savannah or if there was some kind of accident. At any rate, we weren't going anywhere faster than a snail's pace.

We eventually moved beyond the traffic jam and continued down I-95 in southeastern Georgia. I love driving through that area. The landscape is dotted with the occasional Low Country-style, gorgeous homes and small towns, criss-crossed by dozens of small rivers, creeks and swamps. And in a way, I have a little bit of a claim on the area. My dad joined the Navy out of high school and served 8 years, working on nuclear submarines. For the last two years of his military career, he was stationed at the Kings Bay Naval Base in Kingsland/St. Mary's, Georgia. We moved there when I was almost 2 years old and left shortly after I turned 4.

Kingsland is about 45 minutes away from Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, and although I was very young and don't really remember it, we used to go to the beach from time to time. So in a way, I have a connection with Amelia Island that goes back to my early childhood. We drove by the exits for Kingsland on the way down and I was surprised to notice as we drove by that the small, mostly military town now has a welcome center. Kingsland is moving up in the world...

Anyway, back to our journey. :) We finally arrived at Amelia Island and checked into out hotel around 8:30, about 12 hours after our trek began. But before we checked in, we drove out to the ocean for a quick peek.

One of my favorite things about approaching the ocean is looking ahead toward the water and catching that first glimpse of "the end of the road"--that point where the road ends and the ocean stretches out endlessly ahead. It sends a small thrill through me each time.

Katherine and I parked the car and stepped out into a heavenly sea breeze. We both inhaled deeply and smiled and squealed a little with delight as the wind blew our hair and we turned to look at the beautiful, mysterious ocean and the pretty white sand.



After sticking our feet in the ocean and letting the waves wash over them for a few minutes, we reluctantly walked back to the car and drove to the hotel, full of excitement and ideas for heading back to the beach the next morning.

We stayed at Residence Inn Amelia Island, only a few blocks away from one of the beach access points. It is a very nice hotel. Thanks to a nice discount my uncle secured for us at the hotel (he's a pastor and a member of his congregation works there), we stayed in a two-bedroom suite, complete with a full kitchen and separate bathrooms attached to each of the bedrooms (it was really nice to not have to take turns in the shower or getting ready!).

After unloading our stuff, we took a quick dip in the hotel's hot tub before settling in for the night and heading to bed.

Well, this is more than enough detail about our trip down to the beach! I'll start sharing about our adventures on the island in upcoming posts. :)

Long-awaited vacation

I'm typing this blog post while lounging on a couch (with my feet stretched out irreverently on the lounge chair a few feet away) in my vacation suite, only three blocks away from the beach.

That's right. I, Liz Overton, am at the beach. *happy sigh*

My friend Katherine and I traveled 9+ hours to lovely Amelia Island, home of Fernandina Beach, Florida. We arrived too late tonight to head to the beach, but did drive by, stick our feet in and inhale the sea breeze.

I haven't been to the beach in 12 years, despite the fact that I LOVE the ocean. (When I was about 11-12 years old, I was dead-set on being a marine biologist when I grew up. That dream didn't last long, but I still love the ocean and ocean animals.) And I haven't been outside of East Tennessee in years, let alone on a "real" vacation. So I am beside myself with excitement to be here!

I will post more about our road trip adventure down here, including pictures, tomorrow. But for now, we're here safe and sound, ready to hit the beach in the morning!

Faith to believe he can do what we ask

I'm currently reading through the book of Acts, and my bible study this morning found me in chapter 12. Although I've read and heard the story of Peter's escape from prison via angelic intervention many times, a few things jumped out at me today that made me stop and think.

I'll give a quick summary of the story just so you'll know where I'm coming from. As the chapter opens, the persecution of the early church is in full force and King Herod had just arrested several members of the church. He even had James, the brother of John and one of the 12 disciples, beheaded. Herod saw that this pleased the Jews (and would therefore help him earn and keep their support), so he kept up the arrests and had Peter seized and thrown into prison.

Not only did Herod throw Peter in prison to have him await trial, he also assigned four-soldier squads to guard him at all times. Peter even had to sleep between two soldiers, while bound with two chains, as the other two soldiers guarded the prison door.

But as Peter sat in prison, the early church prayed earnestly for him. (We'll come back to this later.)

The night before his trial was set to begin, an angel of the Lord appeared, struck Peter on the side and woke him up. The chains fell off Peter's wrists and the angel basically told him to get dressed quickly and follow him out of the prison. Peter had no clue what was going on and thought he was having a vision, instead of actually being set free from prison.

After the angel walked him out of the prison and down a city street, he left Peter. Then Peter suddenly realized what was happening. It wasn't all a dream or a vision--God had answered his prayers and those lifted up by the church on his behalf. He had just walked away from a heavily guarded prison cell without any interference. He was a free man again! Herod's expectations, and those of the Jews who hated the early church and were no doubt looking forward to seeing Peter executed, had been thwarted.

So Peter went to a home of one of the members of the early church, where a group of Christians were actually gathered at that very moment, praying for him. And they were so shocked to see him outside the door that they accused the servant girl who answered it of being "out of [her] mind" (NIV). When they all finally saw him, they couldn't believe it.

There are a number of different lessons that can be drawn from this story, but the one that jumped out at me today is: where was the faith to believe that God hears and answers prayer?

The church had clearly been praying for Peter--hard--and I imagine Peter said a prayer or two of his own.

Yet I think the Scripture implies everyone expected Peter's death to be imminent. James had just been martyred and I think even Peter himself expected to meet the same fate. I don't think it's a stretch at all to believe that Peter sat in that prison cell thinking he had met his end. Why else would he be so shocked when God rescued him? And why would the church be so amazed to see him out of prison alive and well?

As I read that story this morning, I thought, "Where was their faith? Here they were, praying earnestly for Peter's life to be spared, and when it actually happens they're shocked. God had performed all kinds of miracles for the early church, so why were they amazed when he answered their prayers?"

Those thoughts quickly reminded me of the countless times I've prayed earnestly for something I knew to be in line with God's will and then been just as amazed when he answered my requests--usually above and beyond what I had asked.

God keeps his promises and assures us that he will meet our needs, protect us and answer our prayers, so where is our faith to believe that he will do what he says he'll do? Our circumstances don't dictate the outcome of the situations we find ourselves in--God does (and I'm preaching to myself here).

"'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.'" - Mark 11:22-24

In John 15, Jesus says that if we abide in Christ (he is the vine and we are the branches) and remain in his love, "then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" (verse 16).

And just as most of us wouldn't have any problem approaching our earthly Father with a simple request if we needed something, we can approach our heavenly Father, who loves us far more than our earthly parents ever could, with even more confidence that he is eager to fulfill our requests and meet our needs.

For example, if I needed to have some work done on my car, I would not hesitate to go to my dad and ask if I could borrow one of my parents' vehicles while my car is in the shop, fully expecting him to quickly agree to let me use the older minivan. (I've made such a request more than once.)

If I have that much confidence in approaching my earthly father--who, while he is loving, is still human and make mistakes--then why does it seem so hard sometimes to go to God confidently in prayer? God is eagerly waiting to meet my needs and even the desires he has placed in my heart, if I'll only ask and trust him. The answer may not come right away, but that doesn't mean my faith that he heard my prayer and will answer it in his timing and in his perfect way should decrease.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews 4:16

My prayer today is like that of the man with a demon-possessed son in Mark 9:24: "Lord, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!" Lord, increase my faith to trust you completely in all things and take you at your word!

May we approach his throne with confidence out of an awareness of his grace and an intimate relationship with Him and be filled to overflowing with testimonies of God's goodness and faithfulness!

I'm still alive....

Wow! I can't believe it's been more than two months since I last posted anything here! Despite what my shameful negligence as a blogger would insinuate, I am still alive and well and still enjoy writing.

It's been a crazy summer, but things are beginning to return to "normal" again (whatever that is). And with that, I'm beginning to miss blogging enough to make time for it again.

I don't pretend to have anything earth-shattering to share here or a large following by any means, I've just always enjoyed writing and it helps me process things. I would write here even if no one ever read it. But if you do happen to stop by every once in a while, stay tuned... more posts are coming.

Sweet memory

A few weeks ago, I decided to look through our big box of old family photos, just for fun, while I was watching a TV show with my family. That's always an entertaining activity. It's amusing to look back over all the old funny pictures and crazy hairstyles of the past, exclaim over how young we all look, and smile in fond remembrance about some of my favorite memories, depicted in a picture.

This picture falls under the latter category.

I'm not sure that I've ever noticed this picture before, but I found it that night and I love it.

It's a picture of my brother Andrew, my grandmother Violet Martin (my mom's mom) and me. I'm not sure exactly when it was taken, but my guess is that it was the summer of 1991. I would have only recently turned 4 years old and Andrew would be almost 3.

I've always loved to read and before I could read on my own, I enjoyed being read to. This is one of those moments. I'm not sure what we were reading, but I do remember that I enjoyed reading with my grandmother--or Me Maw, as we called her.

Obviously, at that age she would have to read to us. Reading aloud would often make my grandmother sleepy, so a couple of years later, when I could read on my own, I came up with a plan to keep my grandmother awake and still finish the book. We would tag team it. She would read a page, and then I would read a page, and so on. It usually worked. I still remember how proud I was of my "reading plan," especially when we pulled it off.

Me Maw went to be with the Lord suddenly on the morning of January 30, 2000, when I was only 12. Unfortunately, as you can tell from this picture, her size contributed to health problems that took her from us at too young of an age (she was only 59). But even though I didn't get to make as many memories with her as I would have liked, I still cherish the ones I do have. And this picture captures many of them perfectly. :)