My Next 30 Years

And just like that my 20's are over.  I can only hope my thirties don't fly by as quickly as my twenties did, but that seems unlikely.  In honor of the occasion, here's my song of the day and the recipe for my yearly birthday dessert (I'm not one for cake).

"I think I'll take a moment to celebrate my age, the ending of an era and the turning of a page.  Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here, Lord have mercy on my next thirty years!"

The recipe for these amazing treats is from one of my mom's good friends, Mildred Youkers.

Fudge Filled Squares

Crust & Topping Ingredients: 
1 cup butter
1.5 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2.5 cups quick rolled oats

Filling Ingredients:
1 (12 oz) pkg chocolate chips (I prefer bittersweet or dark)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until smooth and light.  Blend in egg and vanilla.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix well.
3. Stir in oats and press half of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13" pan.  Reserve the remaining mixture for the topping.
4. Mix together the chocolate, milk, butter, and salt in a saucepan over low heat.  Stir until smooth.
5. Stir in the nuts and vanilla.
6. Spread the filling evenly over the base mixture.  Sprinkle the reserved base mixture evenly over the chocolate layer and press lightly.
7.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
8. Cool and cut into squares.

The calorie count in these gems is not for the faint of heart (it's over the 500 calorie mark), but if you're only going to eat them once a year then I figure it's ok.  ENJOY!