<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I found blueberries leftover from our Labor Day picnic shoved back into the recesses of my refrigerator. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/fresh-bbs.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3497" alt="fresh bbs" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/fresh-bbs.jpg?w=225" width="225" height="300" /></a></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I couldn’t let them go to waste. </span></span></span>

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;"> </span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">So I dug out my recipe box. </span></span></span>

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;"> <a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/recipe1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3498" alt="recipe" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/recipe1.jpg?w=112" width="112" height="150" /></a></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Yep, that’s the bear firecrackers you see in the basket on the table. We're ready if Mr. Bear 2013 comes again.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The overstuffed recipe notebook and file box hold some very old recipes</span></span></span>.  I</span></span></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> leafed through cobblers, pies, and coffee cakes among the vintage recipes. Some handwritten from family and friends that are now in Heaven. Nothing appealed to me until I found a recipe that called Lemony Raisin Bars and wondered what it would taste like with blueberries. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I thought why not!</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I mixed the base/crust. Yummy oats and walnuts. <a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/bb-dough.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3499" alt="bb dough" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/bb-dough.jpg?w=112" width="112" height="150" /></a></span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Then mashed the mixture into a 9x12 pan.</span></span></span>

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;"> <a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/ready-to-bake.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3500" alt="ready to bake" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/ready-to-bake.jpg?w=112" width="112" height="150" /></a></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Next, I prepared the sauce—heated condensed milk and lemon juice. Also yummy but less healthy, I realize. </span></span></span>

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;"> <a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/mixing-sauce.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3501" alt="mixing sauce" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/mixing-sauce.jpg?w=112" width="112" height="150" /></a></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I stirred the sauce over the blueberries.  </span></span></span>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/bb-in-sauce.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3502" alt="bb in sauce" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/bb-in-sauce.jpg?w=143" width="143" height="150" /></a><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;">Then p</span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">oured the blueberry sauce over the crust, topped with remaining oats and walnut mixture, and baked for thirty minutes at 375 degrees. </span></span></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;"> <a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/finished.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-3503" alt="finished" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/finished.jpg?w=150" width="150" height="150" /></a></span><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Je l’ai!</strong> </span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">A lovely blueberry dessert that is somewhat healthy and tastes delicious topped with homemade ice cream. </span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Here’s the full <em>original recipe</em> if you want to try it:</span></span></span>
<p align="center"><b><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Lemony Raisin Bars</span></span></span></b></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;" align="center"><b>Ingredients:</b></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;" align="center">2 cups raisins (I use Craisins or the blueberries did turn out good)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;" align="center">1 can (14-oz.) sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)</p>
1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

1 cup butter or margarine

1-1/3 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1/1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups oats

1 cup chopped walnuts

<b>Directions:</b>

HEAT oven to 375 F

1. In saucepan, COMBINE raisins/Craisins [do not combine blueberries they’ll cook up soft], sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and lemon rind.

COOK and stir over medium heat just until bubbly. Cool slightly.

2. In bowl, COMBINE butter, brown sugar, and vanilla; beat well. ADD flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well. Stir in oats and walnuts.

3. RESERVE 3/4 cups of the combined oat mixture for topping.

4. PRESS remaining mixture into 13x9-inch greased pan.

5. SPREAD raisin/Craisins/blueberry mixture to within 1/2 inch of edges.

6. SPRINKLE with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:medium;">Now, if you find fresh blueberries hiding in your refrigerator, you have options!</span>

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