Christmas traditions, Friends and Sharing

Today I made my famous Cranberry & Caramel Date Bars. I have made them for several years and I have quite a few family members who expect them around Christmas time! They are actually very easy to make and they are really yummy if you like cranberries!
Here is the recipe:

Cranberry & Caramel Date Bars

Makes 24 bars.

1-1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
2 + 1/3 cup flour
2 cups oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups dates, chopped
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1 cup (1 jar) caramel ice cream topping (fat free is fine)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cranberries and 2 Tbsp sugar; set aside. In bowl combine 2 cups flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar and baking soda. Add margarine and mix well. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture. Press remainder firmly on the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan. Bake 15 minutes until slightly golden.

Sprinkle dates, walnuts and cranberry mixture over the crust. Mix caramel topping with 1/3 cup flour. Spread over the top. Top with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until light brown.

Cool and then cut into bars.

I also finally have the house decorated the way I want it to look for Christmas. This is my first year decorating this house and thank goodness most of what I already had seemed to fit in with our new house. I just bought a few things to give it a new look and I must say I really like it! I will be trying to get some photos posted up soon.

Now on to some other news:Friends...
I have a couple of friends I especially want to say thank you too!!!
Carrie...you are just so sweet & I am so very glad we met each other! Thank you so much for my goodies that arrived in the mail today!!! You are the best!!!
Rachel...you too are just so sweet! This week literally!!! Those wonderfully yummy chocolate goodies you gave us were sooo good!!! (We ate them before I thought about taking a photo!:)) Thank you Rachel!!!

Sharing...
I wanted to share my first pub in Paper Crafts magazine. I get so excited seeing my creations in print! It might be silly, but it makes me happy!!! They returned my creation to me along with 2 copies of the Jan/Feb 2009 issue! There are some fabulous card ideas in there. I am still shocked that I had a card pubbed by them. I am so not a card maker! LOL!!!
And now for my first blog give away....
Leave me some love and I'll send one of you a copy of the Paper Crafts Jan/Feb issue!!!

10 comments

  1. Thanks for the recipe! Those look so yummy, I love cranberries! Also, congrats on PC Pub! I love seeing your stuff in print too! LoL. I will look for it at the store today! Hugs to you.

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  2. Ok that recipe looks great! I might have to try it! Congrats on the pub your card is wonderful!

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  3. Oh my goodness I luv cranberries and your recipe looks so YUMMY...Thank You ! Congrats on the recieved raks and Pub....your work always is inspiring....now that I think about it Congrats on Magistical Memories as well...lots of great things happening for you...Im very happy for you and you are deserving !!!!!
    Hugs, Norma

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  4. Congrats on the pub! That's awesome! :) Those bars look delicious, I am going to have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Oh, and Congrats for making the Magistical Memories team, they were sure smart to snag you up! it sounds like you are having a fabulous Christmas season! TTYS!
    Rae

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  5. That's a great card-- I love it! (I think you are a cardmaker! ;) )
    Congratulations on the publication-- it's always very exciting!
    I put my decorations up too this week-- but not as many as past years. Not sure why, just didn't want the extra clutter.
    Can't wait to see some pictures of yours.

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  6. Huge congrats girl - that card is fantastic!!!!

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  7. Juliana! How can you say you aren't a cardmaker! You so are! Congrats girl that is fab! And those squares OMG! They look to die for! You are making me hungry! LOL

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  8. Wow, those look GOOD, girl! Thanks for the recipe!! Big congrats on your pub - you totally deserve to have your work recognized!!

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  9. Yum!!!! I'm sooo going to make those bars! Congrats on your pub. I'm sure it's the first of many! I love your card and knew it looked familiar. We're on the same page in the issue!

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  10. Hey there girl!! I missed your post about the pub, so I just wanted to say congratulations!!!!! I love, love, love your work so I am not surprised!! :)

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Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa

HUGS!
JULIANA

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