Cherry Pie Bars

My contribution to the big Valentines Party this year was a Cherry Pie Bar cake.
Since it was too hot to bake it in the morning, I did the baking the night before.

If it looks odd, that's because a part is not evenly sprinkled with chocolate. That's for the chocolate "haters".
When I picked up the tray there was only a few pieces left.

I definitely will keep that in my repertoire, but I would go a little lighter on the almond extract next time. It has a tendency to be a little overpowering.

Ingredients:
1 cup of butter softened (2 sticks)
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp almond extract
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cans of cherry pie filling (don't use one; it is best with two)

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 350°F 
In a mixing bowl, cream your butter, sugar. Add eggs and extract, beat well to mix. Add flour and salt, mixing well.
Spread half of the batter in a greased 9x13 pan, spoon the pie filling over the batter, randomly drop tablespoons remaining batter over the pie filling.
Bake for 35 min or until a toothpick comes out clean

If you wish to add a glaze mix 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tsp almond extract (take rather 1/4 tsp here), 2 tsp milk and drizzle on bars after they are cooled.

Melt some semi sweet chocolate chips and add it to the drizzle you like the combination cherry/chocolate. 

Messengers of Spring in the Desert

While driving through the last miles towards our final destination I saw the first spring desert flowers.

The Yuma area in Arizona gets more precipitation than the desert around El Centro, CA.

Here it is greener and there are more flowers. But there are the same as at our spot.

Some years they are plentiful other years there are none.

Lots of Pale Yellow Brittle Bush along the I-8.

Bright Yellow Desert Sunflowers

White Desert Chicory

Pink Desert Sand Verbena 

Desert Lilies

The first view of the LTVA, now it was just over the bridge and off the ramp!

Sure One HAPPY DOG! 

And the temperatures for the next 2 weeks are looking great! Up twards the upper 80ies (32 °C)!

WE DON'T WANT TO COMPLAIN about that!

Vistas Driving Westwards

Driving can be boring, but I spent the time taking a lot of photos.

That's how I see the world passing by.

After weeks of urban living 

we finally reach the wide open spaces of the west.

Taken on our last three days of our journey west.

The White House, Floresville, Texas
(A famous whore house of the past)

San Antonio, Texas

I-10, Texas

I-10 approaching El Paso, Texas

Morning Rush Hour

Artful overpasses 

Modern Architecture

part of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, 

I-10 New Mexico

Stein, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Distant view of Yuma, Arizona 

All American Canal, California

Imperial Dunes, California

The Myth of the "Green Flash"

It's nearly time for us to pull down our tents and move on.

Although we could NOT sit outside and enjoy the fireplace because of the cold, we DID have some great sunsets.

I was told, by our host Sherry, that their guests use 

to sit at the beach front and wait to cheer 

the "green flash" that sometimes occurs when the sun sets.

I would have loved to see that phenomenon.

I couldn't figure out when exactly this occurs.

I am guessing: It happens
the moment the sun touches the horizon, or
when she sinks behind it
It must have something to do with the season.
Maybe, it happens in the summer only
when there is a lot more humidity in the air
Or, it has something to do with the amount of the drinks you consummate at "happy hour". (Laugh)

Here is my collection. Same spot, different days.

Have your pick!

AND finally:
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 GREEN FLASH!

LOL
No, really, it can happen: see this article