Pecan Bars and The Military Diet

 
Today I'm in the kitchen making these delicious bites!
 
 
My husband loves turtles (above) but I'm getting sick of making those each year and decided to try something new.  Shhh, he doesn't know that yet.
 
  I found this recipe and thought I'd try it.  Doesn't it look delicious?

Ingredients

3 Cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons butter melted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9X13 pan WELL!

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 1/2 cup of sugar and salt.  Cut in 1 cup of butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.  Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the prepared pan and press in firmly.

Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.

While the crust is baking, prepare the filling.  In a large bowl mix together the eggs, corn syrup, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 tablespoons butter and vanilla until smooth.  Stir in the chopped pecans.  Spread the filing evenly over the crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set.  Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars.

 
 
I'm hoping they taste as good as they smell in the oven.
 
*********************************************
 
I started something that I've never done this week! 
 
 
I've been on the 3 day diet for the past 2 days. It's called "The Military Diet"
 Visit this link for the details.
 

Not such a good idea when I'm having to do all this baking for Christmas.  However, my husband and I both decided to do it to get our Thanksgiving weight off before we go into Christmas.  It took some convincing for him to do it especially since he has never dieted before. 
 
 
 
We weigh in tomorrow so that should be interesting.  I'll let you know how we did.  It's been pretty brutal but we have managed.  I keep telling myself it will be worth it.  He keeps telling me that I tricked him into it, ha ha.  No caffeine for 2 days has been the brutal part.  HOWEVER....get this....you get a cup of vanilla ice cream each night.  Woo Hoo!

 

I've also been busy making some changes to my website and blog.  You will notice my new "follow me" buttons to the right.  Aren't they cute?   I'd love for you to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.  It's a great way to see what I'm working on daily as well as a way for you to be inspired for your home with DIY projects, ideas, etc.  
 Just click them and they will take you to each site, so easy!

 

 
I'm taking a few weeks off to be with family over the holidays.  Thank you for following me this year on my blog.  I sure appreciate all of you that comment and all that I bump into that say they follow my blog religiously.  It means so much to me to have this support and I appreciate YOU so much.
 
 
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see before and after pictures and my Design Portfolio.
 
 P.S.  12/20/12 - We both lost 5 POUNDS on the MILITARY DIET! 

Holiday Recipes YOU will LOVE!

 
 
I'm in the baking mode and have been busy this week baking up a storm!  My good friend Sue came over Saturday and we made all kinds of goodies with my girls. My kitchen looked like a cookie factory!  It's a fun tradition we do every year and makes us get in the Christmas spirit.
 
 
 We had tons and tons of cookies and plated them all up and gave them away.
 
Source: Duncan Hines
 I did not make these beauties but am going to give them a try!
 
Aren't these ornament cupcakes from "Duncan Hines" and the above nutcrackers adorable.
 Great school/classroom Christmas party ideas.
 
Source:  Duncan Hines
 
Gingerbread boys would make some school kids giddy!  I've got to try this too!
 
 Shortbread cookies are my all time favorite cookie.  They are buttery and literally melt in your mouth!
Love the bell shapes and flowers we made this weekend.  This recipe is the absolute best and everyone that puts one in their mouth just about falls over with their deliciousness.
 
The ones we made this past weekend are already all gone!
 
Mom's "Easy" shortbread recipe
 
Blend together:
4 sticks butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cornstarch
 
Add:
4 cups of flour
 
Kneed well and roll out 1/4 inch thick.  Cut into desired designs.  Don't use large cookie cutters, the cookies are filling.
 
Bake at 275 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
 
Sprinkle with icing sugar!
 
I'm going to make another batch this week and decorate them like below!
Red door cookies with gold hardware... 
Black ones will be cute too!
 
I'm in love with these!  I'll post pictures when I'm done :)
 
My husband loves pecan pie so I'm making this recipe I found on Pinterest.
 
 He is going to love these  Pecan Pie Bars
 
My good friend Terri got me hooked on this wonderful trail mix.  Honey roasted peanuts, craisins and white chocolate chips.  This is what I made for my neighbors last year and will do the same this year. It's Christmasy, colorful and addicting as well as absolutely delicious! 
 
 Easy to make:  equal parts of all three ingredients.
 
Happy baking Ya'll
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio with lots of before and after photo's.
Follow me on Pinterest and on Facebook