In article >,
Lou Decruss > wrote:

> On Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:12:46 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
> > wrote:
>
> >--
> >-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
> ><http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amytaylor>
> >December 27, 2008, 7:30 a.m.: "I have fixed my roof, I have mended my
> >fences;
> >now let the winter winds blow."
> >God rest your soul, Amy. You fought harder and more gracefully than
> >anyone
> >I've ever known.
>
> Sorry about your friend Barb. She looks so happy with her kids. I'm
> sure she's missed by many.
>
> Lou

Thank you. The rains fall on the just and the unjust alike. Amy left a
remarkable legacy of grace and love expressed. Her family is
devastated. I ache for her mom and rejoice that Amy is no longer in
pain and she is safe from the winter winds.

Tonight we (her mom's friends) were supposed to gather to make 700
sandwiches for Amy's dead spread after tomorrow's memorial service.
Then the sandwiches got outsourced to a caterer and desserts (finger
food only) were solicited. I baked another batch of Scandinavian Almond
Bars for the event. I think this was the fourth batch of these I baked
this holiday season. I'm a sucker for almond anything. :-)

Scandinavian Almond Bars

? 1/2 cup butter
? 1 cup sugar
? 1 egg
? 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
? 1-2/3 cups flour (1-3/4 won't hurt)
? 2 teaspoons baking powder
? 1/2 teaspoon salt
? 1/2 cup sliced almonds coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter and sugar, add egg and
flavoring, then combine and add dry ingredients. Don't overcream the
butter and sugar.

Divide into four (5.25 ounces each if you're weighing) portions, form
each into a 12" long roll. Place 2 rolls 4-5" apart on a greased cookie
sheet. Flatten to 3" wide (pat). (I also use a stockinetted rolling
pin.) Repeat with the other two.

Brush with milk, sprinkle with almonds and pat them into the dough a
bit; bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are browned. Immediately run a
thin metal spatula under the long bar to loosen it from the pan. If it
cools without first doing that, you're screwed; that sucker will stick
and make your life miserable. Trust me. Slice diagonally into 1" wide
pieces. Cool on wire rack then drizzle with glaze made from 1 cup
powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp almond extract, and 3-4 tsp milk to desired
consistency. A pinch of salt won't hurt it, either.

I use insulated baking sheets. If you don't, you're on your own.
I probably use closer to a cup of almonds, maybe 1/4 cup on each 'bar.'

Makes 48

NOTE: I cut those pieces in half to make 88-96 smaller pieces and,
after drizzling the glaze, sprinkle some clear edible glitter on them.
It's a nice effect.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
<http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amytaylor>
December 27, 2008, 7:30 a.m.: "I have fixed my roof, I have mended my
fences; now let the winter winds blow."
God rest your soul, Amy. You fought harder and more gracefully than
anyone I've ever known.