Notes on Things (and Things of Note)

• 31 doesn't feel any different than 30, I'm not even sure that 30 was all that special to begin with!
• The Giant Dipper is, hands down, my favorite roller coaster.  Always has been, always will be.
• Roller coasters have a machine smell that nothing else smells like (and I love that smell)
• Home-made carrot cake should ALWAYS follow hikes through redwoods.  They go together extremely well.
• Carrot Cake should always be home made.  Never again will I buy a slice from Safeway.
• I'm not as good at laser tag as I remember being... although I'm not sure I was ever good in an arena.  Puzzle Fighter is still one of my fortes.
• Being able to drive 20 minutes from the Pacific Ocean into a Redwood Forest is something that I take for granted too often.  This should be remedied (by more beach days followed by camping trips).  California is truly a magical place, I need to spend more time in her beauty.
• California adventures I plan on doing this spring/summer:
• Take the ferry to, and explore, Angel Island (this is actually happening next weekend)
• Tour Alcatraz (I've only ever boated by, never stepped foot on)
• Walk over the Golden Gate Bridge (it's free, so really? why not)
• Watch the sun set from the top of Mt. Tamalpais
• Hike through Muir Woods (I think the last time I was in there was 6th grade)
• Eat clam chowder at Bodega Bay
• Take Ryan to Panther Rock Beach
• Attend an Art Murmur in Oakland
• I should really knit more things.  Or at least finish something that I start.
• I got a new iPod for my birfdae!  32 GB, bring it!  Also got this super cutesy owl case (which I lurve <3):
• Got some awesome schwag for Burning Man from my friends as well... some home-made (yay for crocheted arm warm warmers and a bike seat cover!), some store bought (feather hair extenders and purple make up), all equally thoughtful <3
• Hmmm... maybe it's time to start thinking more about Burning Man?  Meh, not yet.
• It is time to start planning this year's river float!  Weeee!  Hopefully it doesn't randomly snow over Memorial Day making the water fuh-reezing this year!  Yikes! 

Lemon Bars - B-Day Girl Request

Ok, I know I promised these a few weeks ago... and I have no excuses as to why it took so long for me to get back in here to post the recipe!  I didn't make any changes, so don't expect these to be healthy in any way.   Some birthdays are just meant to be celebrated without having to think about calories!  And anyways, we were dancing - so they sort of just cancel each other out (right?).  That said, I went right ahead and decided on Paula Deen's version of Lemon Bars because honestly?  It's Paula Deen.  They had to come out delicious.  And delicous, they certainly were!  Yum!

Lemon Bars (makes 16 bars)

316 Cal; 13g fat (7.7g sat, 0.7g poly, 3.5g mono); 48g Carbs (0.5g fiber); 3.7g protein; 83.4mg Cholesterol

Ingredients
• Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar), plus more for dusting
• Pinch salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing

• Filling:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan with a small pad of butter.
2. Make the crust by combining the flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter to make a crumbly mixture. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. You may need to dip your fingers into a little flour or confectioners' sugar to keep the dough from sticking to your fingers. Bake for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, to make the filling, mix the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, and lemon juice. Pour this over the baked crust and bake for 25 minutes longer. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired, when the bars are done.  

 Happy Birthday, Jessa!