The value of our time...

"Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness." ~Jean De La Bruyere

Do you tire of hearing the I'm so busy, I don't have enough time routine? We are all probably guilty of it on occasion, or perhaps more than just on an intermittent basis, but here is an evidential fact coming in the next sentence. We all have the same twenty four hours each day to decide how and where to spend it. Frequently, it is in the choices we make that we find our bliss or our frustration in having lost or wasted precious time. It is a gift to use wisely. I know, it is easy to say or to think it, but perhaps it is in the attempt of valuing our time that a happy medium is found. Those who choose to add a Watkins element to their valuable time, be it as a customer or a partner in building a business, find they enjoy benefits such as peace of mind, saving money or adding another income stream to their budget. It is a win-win scenario. Take a look, it's not a time waster! Click Here!

Here's an idea for you the next time you are determined to prepare homemade pastries for a family function. Instead of assembling plenty of pies when you are feeding a crowd, try these bars for the same deliciousness of pie, but easier to make bars!

Caramel Apple Bars
5 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups butter flavored shortening
3 eggs
1/4 cup cold water
2 T. plus 1 1/2 tsp. white vinegar
Filling
10-1/2 cups sliced peeled tart apples (about 12 medium)
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp. Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Watkins Nutmeg
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup butter, cubes
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Watkins Caramel Extract
In a large bowl, combine the flour,sugar and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, water and vinegar; gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so that one portion is slightly larger than the other; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

Roll out larger portion of dough between two sheets of waxed paper into a 17 x 12 in rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 15 in x 10 in x 1 inch pan. Press pastry onto the bottom and up the sides of pan; trim pastry even with top edges of pan.

In large bowl, combine the apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Stir in cream. In a Dutch oven,melt butter. Add apple mixture; cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until apples are slightly tender. Stir in walnuts and remaining extracts. Spoon into crust.

Roll out remaining pastry; place over filling. Trim and seal edges. Cut slits in top. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack Cut into bars.