Monday, December 13, 2010

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!

20 comments:

  1. They look divine... The Cranberry bars.. NOT the zipline... lol.. Swinging by to thank ya for the follow... I'm a new follower ... (=

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  2. Not sure whether to call you brave or silly! LOL It looks like fun, I must admit. And the bars look delicious! We love spring water...Hubs' grandmother (who passed away last year at the age of 103) had natural springs on her property in GA-her father had a water business way back in the late 1800s through the mid or so 1900s. All we drink is spring water- nothing like it!

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  3. I love your blog!
    I want to go on a zip line so bad!!!
    I'm your newest follower! Hope you'll visit my blog!
    http://notsoeasybeinggreen.blogspot.com

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  4. That sounds like an amazing zip-lining experience!!! My husband and I did it on our honeymoon in St. Lucia, but it was not an all day event and was over in about 45 minutes.

    I'm stopping by from Follow Me Back Tuesday as your newest follower! I look forward to reading more of your posts!

    Please stop by and return the follow at www.hollyatnaptime.com

    Thanks!
    Holly

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  5. These look delish!


    Following you from BabyDealsDujour,
    we list all the baby daily deals in real-time. Love to see you on Facebook and
    Twitter
    too.

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  6. Looks so yummy!! Hi there~ I am your newest follower from the Tuesday blog hop! I would love it if you stopped by and returned the love :)

    http://waveoflifesurfstudio.blogspot.com/

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  7. Yum!
    Following you back from the blog hop - thanks for the comment & follow!
    ~Erika
    Musings from a Stay At Home Mom

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  8. Hi,

    What a pretty blog. Im your newest follower. I hope you get a chance to follow me back. Have a great day.

    http://pacifierspumpstheworld.com/

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  9. That looks yummy- I have to try it out. I am your new follower. You can follow me back at http://showmemama.com. Make sure you leave a comment so I know you visited.

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  10. Those bars look delicious! Meeting you through fmbt i'd love to have you visit me at undeservingrace.com!

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  11. OMG! I've always wanted to try Zip lining. I plan on doing it when I go to St. Lucia next year. I think it looks super fun. :) Glad you enjoyed it.

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  12. these look delicious. Thanks for stopping by for FMBT. I'm your newest follower.

    Happy Holiday's,
    Stacy
    www.sjunkie.com

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  13. You're my hero! I'd love to zip line...that's too cool!

    Here returning your Follow Me Back Tuesday Follow...thanks so much for joining us.

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  14. Looks yumm-o! New follower from Wandering Wednesday! You can visit me at http://mymodernguide.blogspot.com/

    Beki :)

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  15. I love this post! Wishing you happiness and many more adventures. Hugs

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  16. i'm following from wandering wednesday! i'd love if you could visit my blog and follow back!

    best,
    april

    www.marineparents.blogspot.com

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  17. Thanks for stopping by my blog! After looking through yours, I'm hungry!

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  18. Hi! I've hopped onto your fabulous blog. Luckily I'd never get Hubby to go down a zip line but he would ADORE those cranberry bars.I have added myself as your newest follower.
    Please drop by and maybe follow me if you fancy a laugh. I'd be delighted to welcome you.
    Friendly wishes from a festive UK
    Carol from www.facing50withhumour.blogspot.com – the blog that gives you laughter lines. (Has that put you off?)

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  19. Those cranberry bars looks amazing! I have just moved to New Hampshire and I'm hoping to zip line this fall during foliage. It looks like so much fun!

    Have a great weekend,
    Candace

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  20. Hi I'm new around these parts. Sorry I can't stay long. I'm on a 40+ years and older hop. (copy/paste day for me today) Trying to say howdy to everyone I can before my Dr. appointment. Hop back. Hook up your Hop. Enter my Giveaway. Need some people to enter. I'd enter myself but that would be weird. LOL Check out Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway. I'll stop again when I have more time.
    Laurie at Grandma Sez So
    http://grandma-sez-so.blogspot.com/2010/12/are-you-over-40-do-you-blog-come-on.html

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