The Things We Do For Love

Like jumping 100 feet out of a tree and zipping 1400 feet across a river at 40 miles an hour. When my husband suggested we go zip lining on our vacation, I...who doesn't do roller coasters, sky-diving, or any other sort of life threatening activity said, sure....ah No, I don't think so. Then he showed me the video and I was sold.

Most fun I think I've ever had!

Tree Top Soaring in Colorado is an all day adventure of 24 ziplines through beautiful Ponderosa Pine and Aspen Forests and Across the Animus River. It is an amazing day. Mid-morning we are served a delicious gourmet snack of Soaring Cranberry Bars and Fresh Natural Spring Water that comes pouring right out of the spring into beautiful clear pitchers. Such fun. My husband has been talking about those Cranberry Bars ever since and the owners graciously shared the recipe.

Yum! Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

Since Christmas time is cranberry season I've decided to surprise Rick with a batch of homemade Soaring Cranberry Bars but cannot find Plain Dried Dates anywhere. I've found sugar frosted dried dates and fresh dates, but no plain, simple dried dates, so I borrowed Mom's dehydrator and purchased fresh dates, sliced them in half and am patiently waiting for them to dry.

Tick tock, tick tock...:-)

He'll be a very happy man! Here's the recipe...Enjoy!

Soaring Cranberry Bars
Yields 24

1 C dried cranberries                                1/2 C sugar
2 T sugar                                                  1/2 C brown sugar
2 C all purpose flour                                 1 C melted unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. baking soda                                 1 1/4 C dried dates, chopped
2 C dried oats (Quaker Oat Brand)              3/4 C pecans, chopped
                                                                1 1/2 C caramel sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 13 x 9 baking pan
Mix together cranberries and sugar. Set aside
In mixing bowl combine, flour, baking soda, dried oats, sugar and brown sugar.
Add melted butter and mix until crumble like texture. Reserve 1 cup of this for the topping.
Press the flour-oats mix onto the bottom of the baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle the cranberry-sugar mix, dates and pecan over the baked bottom.
Pour caramel over top.
Take the 1 cup reserved topping mix and place over the filling and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before cutting.

Enjoy, and think of Soaring! Love, love, love these!