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2 Tablespoons vegie oil
4 cups pecan halves
1 1/2 cups water
3 cups granulated sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla (divided)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preheat over to 325o. Line 2 baking sheets with foil; brush foil lightly with oil.
Combine pecans, water and sugar in a saucepan. Stirring occasionally, bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
Remove nuts with a slotted spoon; spread then on baking sheets in a single layer. Nuts should not touch one another. Bake for 25 minutes or until they turn a deep toasty brown.
Remove pans from oven, let nuts cool slightly. Leave oven turned to 325o.
Push nuts into a mound in the center of each baking sheet, making sure the nuts are not stuck together.
Drizzle 1Tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla over each mound; toss to coat evenly. In a small bowl mix together salt, cinnamon, and pepper. Sprinkle mixture over nuts, half for each baking sheet. Toss until nuts are evenly coated.
Spread nuts in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes or until browned and crisp.
Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10days.

Thanks Susan and Dell

I took a week off and Erin and I went to Boulder to stay with Susan and Dell. Susan's preschool has week long summer sessions called Summer Play, and this is the second year Erin has gotten to be Susan's guest. From 9:00 to noon the kids just play...and Erin LOVES it. There are lots of things to do,,,painting, swings, crafts, kiddie pools, snack time, tricycles, a doll bath (like a bubble bath with dolls to scrub)etc., just 4 mornings of fun. And I get to drop her off and then scout around Boulder for my favorite shopping places. I spent one morning watching Sasha School shop for supplies for her class and then had lunch with her and two other women who teach with her at Fort Lupton. Interesting to hear "teacher talk" rather than hospital talk! Susan and I went to the movie "UP", went to yard sales one morning etc. Erin got time at the park, we both got to sleep in every day, read Susan's books, watch Susan's movies and I just didn't have to go to work for a whole week. We drove home on Thursday after preschool, kiddie pool time with the "granddaughter next door", Amaya, and a quick visit to the Denver Zoo. I'm already ready for another week off!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Seven Layer Brownie Bars

One box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker brownie mix with Hershey syrup
1/3 c butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 c cocount flakes
1 c Heath toffee bits
1 c dark chocolate chips
1 c chopped pecans
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

grease bottom of 13x9 pan
heat overn to 350

In large bowl, stir brownie mix,Hershey syrup from mix,butter and egg until well blended.
Press into pan and bake 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and top brownies with coconut, toffee chips,chocolate chips and pecans
Drizzle evenly with condensed milk. Bake 40 to 45 minutes longer, or until edges are bubbly and center is set. Cool completely..about two hours. cut into 9 rows by 4 rows
makes 36 bars.