Apple bliss bars

I made this slice yesterday and it was so good.
i have had it in my recipe folder for a while now and cannot remember where it originally came from but wanted to share it.

Apple Bliss Bar.

crust:

11/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup margarine

21/2 cups chopped apples

1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

3 eggs

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup nuts(optional)

Mix together flour,sugar and marg until crumbly then press into an ungreased 9X13 inch pan

Sprinkle chopped apples over crust then sugar mix over apples

Bake in moderate oven for 30mins.

mix together all topping ingredients

Remove from oven and pour topping over apples.

Return to oven for 20 Min's more

What i did different.

I used a large tin of pie apples so reduced the sugar in the base and also reduced the amount sprinkled only by a few tablespoons but i think it could be halved or even omitted.

i also changed the baking times due to the apples already being cooked.

i baked the base on it's own for 5-10 Min's then added the apples and sugar  and topping,
then baked it for a further  20mins  not 30.
I don't think the extra sugar in needed on tinned apples.

I didn't add nuts as i want the kids to be able to take it for lunch but i will be making it will nuts as i think the crunch would be nice

I also think adding almond meal to the base would be nice and plan on doing that too lol

adding sultanas to the apples or even the nuts at that stage would also be nice.

i love when a recipe is versatile to suit what you have in your pantry and this seems like it would be just that

chocolate freckle slice

whilst reading Mel's blog
i found a link to a chocolate freckle slice and it looked so yum i just knew the kids would love it not to mention the chocolate craving mother lol.
so we tried it at the beginning of the week and are heading out to a friends for afternoon tea so we decided this would be great.

I burnt it but of course that means i had to eat that bit, it isnt too bad just a bit too dark and still tastes ok.

Byrons 8th Birthday

Happy birthday to my gorgeous big 8 yr old boy.
I think he has had a good day.
it started with presents, a set of Nagori Drums http://http//www.oxfamshop.org.au/viewproduct/81623 from us, this was the compromise for a drum set
a "real" game footy from Ainsley.
a 5 in one activity table(think, table tennis etc) from the grandparents, both sides, which i manged to set up most of before 8am swimming lessons.
Then off to swimming lessons and then hungry jacks for breakfast.
i had planned on taking him to the movies but he decided he wanted to stay at home and play pool with the neighbour.
Dad came home at 12.30 and he got another gift( something dad could give him and be part of the excitement as dad started work at 4) it was a pop up , 3 in one soccer goal, cricket wicket and footy target.
All his gifts were loved.
then we had a quick tidy up and got the play room ready for 8 kids to sleep in, it is matress city down there.
Off to Teeball training via our 1st pick up for the nights party.
home in just enough time to get changed meet our guests and go out to the greyhounds.
All the kids had so much fun--it is great taking kids somewhere they have never been they were all so well behaved.
Home to matress city and the new pj's, which are a hit thank goodness they all fit haha
A bit of playing around and then the start of a movie which lasted about 15 mins till spotlight over shone the movie and they started hiding anywhere they could
once that got a tad rowdy i intervened with Cadoo http://http//www.hasbro.com/cranium/en_US/shop/details.cfm?guid=93CB8FCA-6D40-1014-8BF0-9EFBF894F9D4&product_id=21354&src=endeca

we played teams so i had to play as there was an odd number.
i think this is one of the best games i have played, it suits the WHOLE family even the littlies can play to a certain extend in a team.
and the best part it is so cheap target have it for $12.95 and on sale last week for $6.50 hence me having 2 in my gift cupboard and already gifted 2 haha.
Now they are all tucked into bed watching a movie.
i think it is time i went to bed as it will be an early morning.
but i just had to share a photo of the pj's in action.
Ainlsey was already asleep when we got home so she is not in it but all the others are.
i will also get a few more photo's of the gifts and kids tomorrow as i forgot the camera tonight.
Oh and the cake, well after an all you can eat buffet i didnt think they would need cake so we are going to do that in the morning before they go home.
But not one person went back for 2nd dessert as they were itching to get outside and run along side the track.

cookies and giggles

Yesterday afternoon the boys went to the footy with friends and the friends daughter stayed with Ainsley and I.

it was so nice to have an older girl for Ainsley to play with with no boys to interupt the girly giggles, and to be a girl that ainsley knows well but doesnt get one on one time with.

They had so much fun.

we baked some cookies, played with dolls made a slide with a blow up materess and my fabric stash lol

Milly got me a cookie and this is the one i got.

Just to put it in comparrison to what the girls got to eat.