Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars and Surviving Vacation

I tried a Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bar recipe I found at Smitten Kitten for some friends I had over a couple of weeks ago and they just loved them, I promised them I'd share the recipe.  But between kids on summer vacation, our vacation, and niece number 15 being born I've been running just a wee bit behind.

Honestly I'm not going to miss my home away from home, while it was fun; I spent most of my time clicking my ruby slippers together and chanting, "There is no place like home."  I was looking forward to packing this house up and putting it into deep storage in the garage.

There was lots of fun to go with all the whining (from yours truly).  We found this little spot on the lake  and named it "Vulture Island".  On it we saw about a dozen Vultures and one huge Bald Eagle, must have been some good eating over there.  We stayed clear of the birds so we didn't end up on the menu.

I'll miss watching the kids pluck huge fish monsters out of the lake; well maybe that is a bit of a stretch.  They all caught some and we decided to free them rather than having one bite fish tacos for dinner.

I'll miss watching the kids tear it up on the tube, not to mention some pretty epic wipeouts from the big kids.  

This photo sums up just how much my nephew was enjoying himself.  The day before he fell asleep in a chair it was so adorable but I couldn't find the camera.  Who puts me in charge of these things anyways?

Some things I'm not gonna miss at all; such as my friend the "S.S. Relief".  That's not something you see everyday, huh.

I'm pretty sure I won't miss the seven loads of laundry we brought home or the sunburns either.  I think camping is like giving birth; it's hard as hell, but you forget about it soon enough and eventually you are ready to do it again.

As for those lovely Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars, I made the recipe per her directions and I added the juice and zest from one lemon to the crumb mixture.  Also I baked mine for only about 30 minutes, but I know all ovens vary.

You can get the recipe here, hope you are having tons of fun this summer.

Enjoy,

Gina

The Queen will be sitting on her "Throne" for a while - please no tears friends

Not that throne, let's get our minds out of the twa-let for a moment.  The Queen is tired and ready for a little vacation so she will be sitting her royal rear-end in a glammed up throne a.k.a. lawn chair.  Don't be jealous because I'm getting to go on this glamorous vacation called camping.

I know exactly what you are thinking, "Damn girl you must be a blogging baller to afford such a swanky va-kay".  Matter of fact I've made so much blogging, I was able to upgrade our site from the one that had the dumpster on it with the bear proof lid to one only a mile away from the lake.

Actually instead of the blog the girls and me were thinking about starting up another business; dog coats.  Mr. Rusty is sporting the Marine Biologist look according to my daughters.  What do you guys think?

Please don't shed any tears for me, it's always been a secret fantasy of mine to go without a shower for so long that a swarm of flies form a regal crown around my head; why on earth would anyone rather be wading their toes in the Italian Riviera, not me.

It's been a life-long dream to sleep in a bedroom that is co-habited by bears and every insect known to man.  I can just imagine how drafty and unbearable it would be to sleep in an Irish castle with a turreted bedroom and servants.

Besides who would want the hot Brazilian butler bringing them breakfast in bed when you could wake up and enjoy your cold breakfast that the raccoons wouldn't even touch the night before.

You have never lived until you've experienced the unforgettable aroma of an outhouse.  I'm quite sure strolling the streets of Paris and inserting my nose in the flower stands I pass on the street would pale in comparison.

Please no tears friends; I will be shedding plenty for you.

Instead I thought I would leave you with some recipes you might want to try.

I'm going to miss breakfast like this, sniff, sniff:

Strawberry Lemonade Waffles

Or lovely lunches like this:

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Dinner I'll miss you:

Pork Tamales w Red Chile Sauce

Desserts - How could I choose just one?

Spiced Eclairs w Pumpkin Cheesecake my old friend, I love you.

Maybe I will bring some of these Pastry Hearts for good measure. What if I meet a bear and need a bribe to save my life?

I just wanted to say thank you for your continual support of this project called a blog/therapy session.  You guys are the best and I can't wait to see what all of you have been cooking; if I ever make it out of the woods alive.

Gina