Weekend fun

We packed up some turkey sandwiches and

potato salad and headed up to Fountain Hills

to spend the day on Sunday. We played some

Frisbee golf and just enjoyed the absolutely

perfect weather!

Music and wine

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Saturday night on the patio.

I so enjoy listening to Taylor play

the guitar - he's really getting good.

Weekend flowers

Fresh flowers from Trader Joes.

The weather is supposed to be

beautiful today. We are packing up

some lunch and heading to downtown

Tempe for the afternoon.

Desert in bloom

One of the best things about living in

the desert is the spring time. Not only is

the weather gorgeous, but the desert

comes to life with beautiful wildflowers.

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Even the prickly cactus have big,

vibrant blooms.

Check out the bee in the flower - cool.

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The color is incredible!

I thoroughly enjoyed my hike at
South Mountain this morning.
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Happy Friday!

Lemony goodness

Mixed up a batch of Barefoot Contessa

Lemon Bars.

Lemon Bars

For the Crust:

1/2 lb. unsalted butter at room temp.

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups all purpose flour

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

For the filling:

6 large eggs at room temp.

3 cups granulated sugar (ugh)

2 Tbl. grated lemon zest

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup all purpose flour

Confectioners sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until

light, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with

the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and

salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter

until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured

board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough and press

into a 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish, building up about a

1/2 inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 min., until very lightly browned.

Let cool on a wire rack. Leave oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest,

lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to

35 min., until the filling is set. Let cool to room temp.

Cut into triangles or squares and dust with powdered sugar.

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Warning: Try not to eat too many,

they may be a bit fattening...!

Lemon tree

Isn't this a beautiful sight?

My lemon tree is full of big, juicy lemons

and covered with fragrant blossoms.
It smells sooo good and makes me happy.
Perhaps I should make some lemon bars..
Hmmmm..
I think Barefoot Contessa has an easy
recipe - I will take a look.

Afternoon garden project

We planted a little garden today.

Darryl built the above ground garden

box for me. Thank you honey!

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A few tomato plants, basil, strawberries,

green pepper, a few varieties of lettuce,

chives, lemon thyme & dill.

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We will give it plenty of water, love

and attention - we hope it grows well.

Even Harley seems happy about it.