The Happy Woman Store

One of my favorite features in the monthly issue of ‘O’ magazine is the two page spread entitled “Breathing Spaces”. The photo is always stunning and, maybe because it covers two whole pages, or maybe because the photographer has somehow managed to capture the complete stillness of a landscape, I find myself taking a deep breath and transporting myself to this place for just a few seconds. Here are some “breath worthy” photos for you, taken along the Empire Bluffs Trail in Empire, MI. I hope they can transport you to a place of peace and serenity, if only for a moment or two.

Did I say Creamy Apple Bars cause I really meant DREAMY Apple bars. And, I got the recipe from the most unlikely of sources: our food coop newsletter. Usually those recipes are chock full of tofu and straw, but this time sour cream, cream cheese! And, it’s sweet, but not too sweet.

CRUST:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups oats, uncooked
1 cup flour, all purpose
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice

FILLING:
1 pkg 8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tblsp flour, all purpose
1 egg
2 cups apples, unpeeled and shredded.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add all remaining crust ingredients and continue beating until well mixed.

Press half the crust mixure onto bottom of ungreased 13 x 9 baking pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until light golden brown.

Meanwhile, combine all filling ingredients in large bowl, mix well. Pou filling over partially baked crust. Crumble remaining crust mixture over filling and press down lightly.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until top is golden brown and center is set. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.