Study Construction Done

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aHTl-3q1bALRvMOoEEfF-Wuck1m2ZpOA8se73y45Q0a0YeAZanWULoi-mQ8QMPmQudRrLTbHYnp9rtXlgYbwUcOwQe4NEqWeEKt8GcVYY2yU3CTiFfvGVkTDcC5AzvWI_z3TCNJWWeA/s1600/IMG_5285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aHTl-3q1bALRvMOoEEfF-Wuck1m2ZpOA8se73y45Q0a0YeAZanWULoi-mQ8QMPmQudRrLTbHYnp9rtXlgYbwUcOwQe4NEqWeEKt8GcVYY2yU3CTiFfvGVkTDcC5AzvWI_z3TCNJWWeA/s400/IMG_5285.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The construction portion of the dining room/study is done.  If it seemed like it went quickly, it's because the units were built in Sam's shop where they were sprayed with primer and then brought to the house,  Installation took two days.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKTjZZwFpaza7Hx6KoaC_J0I2_r-tYFhDFP_tUjW4aft1Rbc2N3t1LQrHdlNzZJvutkeO12lp2uA7p4EGM-wJBKgQJUe3aDnd0uUfayfKRhozfdeTSxOZWR-pQgwu52X3zCtTdOwdnRM/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKTjZZwFpaza7Hx6KoaC_J0I2_r-tYFhDFP_tUjW4aft1Rbc2N3t1LQrHdlNzZJvutkeO12lp2uA7p4EGM-wJBKgQJUe3aDnd0uUfayfKRhozfdeTSxOZWR-pQgwu52X3zCtTdOwdnRM/s400/IMG_5233.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam made the frames slightly larger on the outside edges so they could be scribed to the walls.  This side has yet to be done.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2Liy4zGR-dwQeoYegn22tHQvNg46VFDS85GOemnNKCQ8qhBS2cqB1srxk0HpTFSXQqKfzqred-K-FarlI6rxN06FH8IzAI6wFoBu6gdMainnrMPS3AbPROGWt2rKZCA0AmSl20u9k4/s1600/IMG_5235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2Liy4zGR-dwQeoYegn22tHQvNg46VFDS85GOemnNKCQ8qhBS2cqB1srxk0HpTFSXQqKfzqred-K-FarlI6rxN06FH8IzAI6wFoBu6gdMainnrMPS3AbPROGWt2rKZCA0AmSl20u9k4/s400/IMG_5235.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The window casings were replaced with some of the trim that was left over from the living room windows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPtNl73HQWXNra51DVF3vb2G9Fo5TPZ214F3AV8kywzdslhDoErPQ_HF4vaGsUDd-KjUnZtT3mfx0o3B8IGmcAns9c3Ejo5fnbWT6Qst8VHHjtJKWXcUPSOPNgm8CA8KKNJphhl9Dx9I/s1600/IMG_5240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPtNl73HQWXNra51DVF3vb2G9Fo5TPZ214F3AV8kywzdslhDoErPQ_HF4vaGsUDd-KjUnZtT3mfx0o3B8IGmcAns9c3Ejo5fnbWT6Qst8VHHjtJKWXcUPSOPNgm8CA8KKNJphhl9Dx9I/s400/IMG_5240.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a crown molding was attached between the top of the bookcases and the ceiling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y3mnR6rMv5dKGZ2b3vmPa89IC332nZ5xfuLpbg5El6l7NsSteoUuEcrTl18AdlybPJNJQqUW1KGfGKP-fJ5B7kWODK2y-M4zb5iXxsHMPx9yljxX5f0v_bFgnddx-0X36TmRN0Fcy9s/s1600/IMG_5120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Y3mnR6rMv5dKGZ2b3vmPa89IC332nZ5xfuLpbg5El6l7NsSteoUuEcrTl18AdlybPJNJQqUW1KGfGKP-fJ5B7kWODK2y-M4zb5iXxsHMPx9yljxX5f0v_bFgnddx-0X36TmRN0Fcy9s/s640/IMG_5120.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doing a project in an old house always includes the unexpected and it was the closet door that provided the headache on this one.  I never noticed it before but the door was attached to the casing because the door jamb wasn't deep enough to accommodate a normal door.   The door should be on the same plane as the wall, not the casing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80ZLlvxhTqp8i2hnbiafNtiEJS5fF_RwQa9A2pcbWC9Lo8OxuQe2LX52WlPHJdSPKXIp-a_D4PCFEKplvXe5AgTZ_8urw9jeWJhVY-_gxm0gQa_snnpGdjpEZuYCu3fLfgXwyRqi9-nI/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80ZLlvxhTqp8i2hnbiafNtiEJS5fF_RwQa9A2pcbWC9Lo8OxuQe2LX52WlPHJdSPKXIp-a_D4PCFEKplvXe5AgTZ_8urw9jeWJhVY-_gxm0gQa_snnpGdjpEZuYCu3fLfgXwyRqi9-nI/s400/IMG_5238.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So the casings were ripped off, the entire jamb was removed (along with some plaster) and Sam made a new one in the shop to fit the door.  This required a little bit of plastering before the new casings and salvaged door were installed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This door problem added $300 to the project but now it's done correctly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEKPfzJchxDXJ_oIct1CegxfgFgBdBkvVTPo2ryoGU3EGMrC-2k7bGTwQplHsQSlrwqK-9AaZkKB5OzSidDLwsbKyI-4m2zUzv8h3m7F6zqMTcxvyreuZhvGPuANexxQrQo73G3PA-58/s1600/IMG_5282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEKPfzJchxDXJ_oIct1CegxfgFgBdBkvVTPo2ryoGU3EGMrC-2k7bGTwQplHsQSlrwqK-9AaZkKB5OzSidDLwsbKyI-4m2zUzv8h3m7F6zqMTcxvyreuZhvGPuANexxQrQo73G3PA-58/s400/IMG_5282.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been busy sanding the new plaster, caulking, spackling and priming all the new woodwork the past few days and testing out a few colors for the back of the bookshelves.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4mYijXzFMOWoHwdjIzEKtzwXLSu7-vKHGrTpwwm63C8_mT6-OqFT7_B8NChRZPpqvnDX7qRabwGL6fBXxRy40ZfW1aCceveJpi3RyMmf3FrA2luQ894JJAA58P8PkpgSTVgXV56Va2U/s1600/IMG_5285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4mYijXzFMOWoHwdjIzEKtzwXLSu7-vKHGrTpwwm63C8_mT6-OqFT7_B8NChRZPpqvnDX7qRabwGL6fBXxRy40ZfW1aCceveJpi3RyMmf3FrA2luQ894JJAA58P8PkpgSTVgXV56Va2U/s400/IMG_5285.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The green is Farrow & Ball's Arsenic.  It's a great color with a distinctively vintage feel but I don't think I want it in this room.  I'll consider it for one of the bathrooms...I think.   The other color is BM Whale Gray.   Don't like it either.  Too blue not warm enough.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5bh74FGVgO6YUzp1ME3Dnyp2RGXqI8NAS0rJRr5IjuZ-nsSxTu43osF6qX2W2eMulB2p_ZfcPo2lVa1Rtfd2cJywYf-kBqLXidLeZljQJdqAB6ALI4V6HUSFdBaNrQofMvp9JwEs5ZQ/s1600/IMG_5286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5bh74FGVgO6YUzp1ME3Dnyp2RGXqI8NAS0rJRr5IjuZ-nsSxTu43osF6qX2W2eMulB2p_ZfcPo2lVa1Rtfd2cJywYf-kBqLXidLeZljQJdqAB6ALI4V6HUSFdBaNrQofMvp9JwEs5ZQ/s400/IMG_5286.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I've put the furniture back in place to contemplate the mood or feel I want the room to project.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_6Paq99pwT_l86cZ38MSURslpVOfMKj-y2MhTjWO_8sF1qJ_zlXwrNksNx2cHbQTgrwJFQOfSCiB3qgw9r4bVxyId71xVMNf7qB7RyovsCI0n3L_r8r09CutmD4sJKwEd0vt5AU_S2Q/s1600/IMG_5291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_6Paq99pwT_l86cZ38MSURslpVOfMKj-y2MhTjWO_8sF1qJ_zlXwrNksNx2cHbQTgrwJFQOfSCiB3qgw9r4bVxyId71xVMNf7qB7RyovsCI0n3L_r8r09CutmD4sJKwEd0vt5AU_S2Q/s400/IMG_5291.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The new-old door and casings are all primed and ready to be painted.  I'm also waiting for the new doorknob which will be bronze with a white porcelain knob.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W8TxYQ6-Yzl-sc5o4UYIVIM-HGQKB-wMXD8zIgckBzFhEzfx3HhDu4h4Ig-LUuBXCTz7OM1ig6GqRarAtUEW9C50RFTXP-mtxr4UEIhdkgaD-v9UQK1ghd5-Cvk92ND0sqxZ8_XIv8M/s1600/IMG_5299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W8TxYQ6-Yzl-sc5o4UYIVIM-HGQKB-wMXD8zIgckBzFhEzfx3HhDu4h4Ig-LUuBXCTz7OM1ig6GqRarAtUEW9C50RFTXP-mtxr4UEIhdkgaD-v9UQK1ghd5-Cvk92ND0sqxZ8_XIv8M/s400/IMG_5299.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the trimmed edge of the seagrass rug.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBd2KS_pS8uItb_QUNYpLmTmXfT1UA1XJA3wfRavZygkmuCNnlkvxwT91bvAGdF7a1gTtyPuhmmhJVcb4xbW8D4k1QtrVfgN9gcUmjPIQLW6LJdLWfb8T8czr9DoEKBqQLBUgTay_Kkk/s1600/IMG_5327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBd2KS_pS8uItb_QUNYpLmTmXfT1UA1XJA3wfRavZygkmuCNnlkvxwT91bvAGdF7a1gTtyPuhmmhJVcb4xbW8D4k1QtrVfgN9gcUmjPIQLW6LJdLWfb8T8czr9DoEKBqQLBUgTay_Kkk/s400/IMG_5327.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">And finally, here's the chaise pour le petit derriere.  I'm going to have a cushion made at some point but I kind of like having some plants here.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBAMjTxhsmH-KlRS1Cn1er4xIhmdLHYCOeb69Y3V6BLoUG0CvBNmn84nssHehKhKPIDDmkqC1N0uG4F0o14kUMXwwPTWW9BuSofM07MZtz00O32ReFgWqGABm1HZFG1F-J6n9T5ZuYyI/s1600/IMG_5302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBAMjTxhsmH-KlRS1Cn1er4xIhmdLHYCOeb69Y3V6BLoUG0CvBNmn84nssHehKhKPIDDmkqC1N0uG4F0o14kUMXwwPTWW9BuSofM07MZtz00O32ReFgWqGABm1HZFG1F-J6n9T5ZuYyI/s400/IMG_5302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm really pleased with how this is looking so far.  I have a lot of work to do so I better get back to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>

Study Construction Done

The construction portion of the dining room/study is done.  If it seemed like it went quickly, it's because the units were built in Sam...

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Expectations (Again)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLlz-lG7ZW6aE80gbanBGod90xUxyZccUGlrd-wDZjkhEV3tFru4DnnTqULZr8Vw-iLOSBlaOI7hHHk39u4eSa0jM0BhnxexMhXPMKaz-uUKt72wv6Tsy6kLys_KzCyX5ia0wAPnGBfM/s1600/evan_sklar.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLlz-lG7ZW6aE80gbanBGod90xUxyZccUGlrd-wDZjkhEV3tFru4DnnTqULZr8Vw-iLOSBlaOI7hHHk39u4eSa0jM0BhnxexMhXPMKaz-uUKt72wv6Tsy6kLys_KzCyX5ia0wAPnGBfM/s400/evan_sklar.bmp" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you weren't following last summer, I was fantasizing relentlessly about how I was going to set up my future front porch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then I came home to find this....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz4lfFJR0dpeCqeZHcAKyqDFqzkkSwthBVF2tajqIMGLDVvhSTmmWLpuwH7qsPJSog_dhZkaUnlk-jgV4MpxHr-hrbX2qEjeH2wcP-tc6kobnv379pQ5-hNm_-TxrHpIiLScR6llKpQ4/s1600/real+porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz4lfFJR0dpeCqeZHcAKyqDFqzkkSwthBVF2tajqIMGLDVvhSTmmWLpuwH7qsPJSog_dhZkaUnlk-jgV4MpxHr-hrbX2qEjeH2wcP-tc6kobnv379pQ5-hNm_-TxrHpIiLScR6llKpQ4/s400/real+porch.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had looked at scores of Greek Revival porches and never really realized they were barely wide enough to put a chair on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My expectations got in the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvW7akj3tZCDB2eTtr1ED_2LHMr82UBmgEPmaqFahX2cINhDHMFma51mJ6x51H61EIYXmOqabeuQh-Syf6Y7jxfRUTlPBHZlTbvqICih4_s8dBtJQNP_wkydRWGLTy5UWkUzBDFx6Dgk/s1600/porch+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvW7akj3tZCDB2eTtr1ED_2LHMr82UBmgEPmaqFahX2cINhDHMFma51mJ6x51H61EIYXmOqabeuQh-Syf6Y7jxfRUTlPBHZlTbvqICih4_s8dBtJQNP_wkydRWGLTy5UWkUzBDFx6Dgk/s400/porch+after.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Well, that all worked out okay in the end.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I love my skinny little porch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd0BXdaimc5UXn8aaCT5jInOUfgm12yo9z7D79AEC0JKP6n3HMqCIrnHrwYyb-_ykf-iW4nH_gnLyulTFM0lZhWwZHAarh9-dKOtBRkXeI9oWgx4yoMNy5Hz2sAup9-31XiYLcZIblDA/s1600/window_seat_cozy.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd0BXdaimc5UXn8aaCT5jInOUfgm12yo9z7D79AEC0JKP6n3HMqCIrnHrwYyb-_ykf-iW4nH_gnLyulTFM0lZhWwZHAarh9-dKOtBRkXeI9oWgx4yoMNy5Hz2sAup9-31XiYLcZIblDA/s320/window_seat_cozy.bmp" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then just a week or two ago, I proclaimed I'd be installing some bookshelves and a window seat in between.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, ladies and gentleman of blogland, I bring you the latest design trend...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8gF-iK28FmrTsroGo39Xs0JKOwmnoQOeSOncFRAe49rBsXTLqdqqU-NxKVxMKVivfJfwDHcaC4zUe13HtFODFwfdLNbduN8jLaxGV1J1lC3uGxiuBjquqb6tI8mUCJiqOLMpyx_uBqI/s1600/ledge1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8gF-iK28FmrTsroGo39Xs0JKOwmnoQOeSOncFRAe49rBsXTLqdqqU-NxKVxMKVivfJfwDHcaC4zUe13HtFODFwfdLNbduN8jLaxGV1J1lC3uGxiuBjquqb6tI8mUCJiqOLMpyx_uBqI/s400/ledge1.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The window ledge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The silver lining is I won't have a big pillow budget.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

Expectations (Again)

If you weren't following last summer, I was fantasizing relentlessly about how I was going to set up my future front porch. And then I c...

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German Chocolate Bars | Pecan & Coconut Cookie Bar with Brownie Bites | Dad's Birthday Package

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPHWt6h8PVxFhaQavEjVGBpi0rmb0FcnoRSA-p_qb2Ykef5hd5NSOzBtgCcWWnBibutRy1sMctVPki2pV5QhF3nWrg6PZnX86ioGSM_AUr86hJcunbWqgbk4gj9WWs1INxdwx4ICWq08b/s1600/IMG_7798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6fUEZVr_M3-q0cDeKaC2hfL604TapVOnKxwAaxHnc_mLNwjz37D3Rda1sRbdgX9vs2KNptNpVw7dAXKPhEgynojieFpvtyEVQt4ro2-a53_DQC-F5ZBBfiEmazcmytonz5wNHNV-i07f/s1600/IMG_7788_3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6fUEZVr_M3-q0cDeKaC2hfL604TapVOnKxwAaxHnc_mLNwjz37D3Rda1sRbdgX9vs2KNptNpVw7dAXKPhEgynojieFpvtyEVQt4ro2-a53_DQC-F5ZBBfiEmazcmytonz5wNHNV-i07f/s640/IMG_7788_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Chocolate Bars for my Dad's Birthday</td></tr></tbody></table><br />German Chocolate Bars | Pecan, Coconut & Chocolate Bars<br /><br />My Dad loves anything chocolate - his favorite being German Chocolate Cake.  The icing of German Chocolate Cake is a pecan and coconut caramel icing.  I decided to try to incorporate chocolate, pecan and coconut into a 'mail-able' cookie bar to send to him for his birthday.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br />I had some fudge brownies around the house (that I needed to get rid of before I finished them off!) so I used that to crumble into the bar, but I think I will use semi-sweet chocolate chips next time.  So, this recipe shows the chocolate chip version, but feel free to be creative and incorporate any sort of chocolate you have.<br /><br />This recipe is based around The Barefoot Contessa's Pecan Bars.  I used her shortbread cookie crust and the caramel for the pecans, but added toasted coconut and chocolate.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsIVocfquX0GjcFnV0p7cafapRNPL_f2q-1zvRbDmUKaKyVhGh7s__KiHSUcM7xKL-2At88ifcUJj0UGW3_H20aVCU-X3OmVLZVqpzO1LUKfkl-WeBHgNDtc8Ky8Dw07KqDv840NCWOFw/s1600/IMG_7645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsIVocfquX0GjcFnV0p7cafapRNPL_f2q-1zvRbDmUKaKyVhGh7s__KiHSUcM7xKL-2At88ifcUJj0UGW3_H20aVCU-X3OmVLZVqpzO1LUKfkl-WeBHgNDtc8Ky8Dw07KqDv840NCWOFw/s400/IMG_7645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Cream the butter and sugar.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NRLiGXdyPkbBWtWdL_ix-GpCkMkEvS6km14-VbPdL63zcIKUWj57to55E4UU3iKiKZ_yvLnVHihRJYJIwE_bf-gOBrZqDU-ozCYDWpJVZ3yRAW8OnEiVkCkuBikoUIJOkgbmxf4dEB3A/s1600/IMG_7651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NRLiGXdyPkbBWtWdL_ix-GpCkMkEvS6km14-VbPdL63zcIKUWj57to55E4UU3iKiKZ_yvLnVHihRJYJIwE_bf-gOBrZqDU-ozCYDWpJVZ3yRAW8OnEiVkCkuBikoUIJOkgbmxf4dEB3A/s400/IMG_7651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Add egg.*<br />I was making a 1/3 batch... 1/3 of the pan.  The entire recipe calls for 3 eggs and makes 24 bars.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPAkCH-lF3ks4mABdy9ew7HZyh9IpySoH1sUj6Po4QH_-OwdItznzRBjqyJx3Dp2ssHNm2H-6CdPsJMUOyvN8S3EUiUHvL8Ce0yWlflw_YorNrkrwkIJhDklK7SoO_r82m20AOaFzL3zY/s1600/IMG_7662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPAkCH-lF3ks4mABdy9ew7HZyh9IpySoH1sUj6Po4QH_-OwdItznzRBjqyJx3Dp2ssHNm2H-6CdPsJMUOyvN8S3EUiUHvL8Ce0yWlflw_YorNrkrwkIJhDklK7SoO_r82m20AOaFzL3zY/s400/IMG_7662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Add dry ingredients.  Don't over mix at this point - just combine.  You don't want to begin to develop the glutens in the flour... it will become bread-like.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4K7PhBiRBAAvC4SnoqmE03bx3D-QdgHlOJYvUTdcWHVapytTG9wIlgUHK6E6BTco7ca5IjhtaCg39fGU4T07KCO0Z1ODSyMsSs-JoPW_r_mibPdTgn6b2ueIZ1D31-hNaDB8_A_nOzpn/s1600/IMG_7666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4K7PhBiRBAAvC4SnoqmE03bx3D-QdgHlOJYvUTdcWHVapytTG9wIlgUHK6E6BTco7ca5IjhtaCg39fGU4T07KCO0Z1ODSyMsSs-JoPW_r_mibPdTgn6b2ueIZ1D31-hNaDB8_A_nOzpn/s400/IMG_7666.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Press into an ungreased pan. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIx4cQh9L5kWlhyl06O4JjZxdk0tOBNlr8cuqe7mIXS8TWfl2J_deUwy9_A71-Gx0EIoCXbommWjrq1fFzRiXQFo-cIUg0xJibMBIHBX00mrf_W4LocCnTokHCF9ta99zCG7Qyv_-VPaJ/s1600/IMG_7669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIx4cQh9L5kWlhyl06O4JjZxdk0tOBNlr8cuqe7mIXS8TWfl2J_deUwy9_A71-Gx0EIoCXbommWjrq1fFzRiXQFo-cIUg0xJibMBIHBX00mrf_W4LocCnTokHCF9ta99zCG7Qyv_-VPaJ/s400/IMG_7669.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This was my creative way of creating a smaller baking sheet... I wish I had my tart pans - they would have been perfect, but alas, they are in boxes!  One thing catering taught me : make due with what you have... be creative.<br /><br />Bake for 15 minutes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41y6aEFgsNsJxDsUCBljzIJxD_Vkuk5_f6pN_N-K3OCTuquibfKIxlFRqK6Ag9eeyc5ifbYPq-WoaS8FuofzT5ef-TrMxbmO-ZYJi_sGAVKHmfqoC7eWXM7NIvQgr_tTtMymDp2zuEC_Q/s1600/IMG_7670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41y6aEFgsNsJxDsUCBljzIJxD_Vkuk5_f6pN_N-K3OCTuquibfKIxlFRqK6Ag9eeyc5ifbYPq-WoaS8FuofzT5ef-TrMxbmO-ZYJi_sGAVKHmfqoC7eWXM7NIvQgr_tTtMymDp2zuEC_Q/s400/IMG_7670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Topping :<br /><br />Make caramel topping by melting butter, corn syrup and brown sugar together. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteGizrhq4tmR9twivpfspwQqW6NUR-GUEmbXeG3cRSeO2CGrKG-ByODz9xgueJ3vYWH6Y0ekGBfssfYAxIsqohNQylMQpKMDE8mJTk52EzxdegdFLkCIwf-Vk4ixOQhE1mt1CTS-IUmG6/s1600/IMG_7673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteGizrhq4tmR9twivpfspwQqW6NUR-GUEmbXeG3cRSeO2CGrKG-ByODz9xgueJ3vYWH6Y0ekGBfssfYAxIsqohNQylMQpKMDE8mJTk52EzxdegdFLkCIwf-Vk4ixOQhE1mt1CTS-IUmG6/s400/IMG_7673.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Cook for 3 minutes, remove from heat and add pecans...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotETRhprCVAvYv26vBae0wmJ6OzFRdESkwX2G5fatfdr0qIEmwzVTmMG_R6WLZLEIJgFXDCzhE25OSmMjE6mwQV7H878MwdyGNk5fQVdxnX-W9r2oOFQoHIxROONqFfhAn0O6xw8-jGos/s1600/IMG_7674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotETRhprCVAvYv26vBae0wmJ6OzFRdESkwX2G5fatfdr0qIEmwzVTmMG_R6WLZLEIJgFXDCzhE25OSmMjE6mwQV7H878MwdyGNk5fQVdxnX-W9r2oOFQoHIxROONqFfhAn0O6xw8-jGos/s400/IMG_7674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I toasted half my coconut for 3 minutes to give it a little flavor.  I kept the other half untoasted for the moisture. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PqV9rlA-OJnk17u_BtzXlwWNU8cLe1POAo7E131JKrv5YlfGD0OF0AQu10p7pXY1fNrWxeX0mgIPAqpJ1Xs80QkmVSsCj0WPm5OznuNLWaoLmvpbv7OIoDqVpDs85bMxWJ13lfWoIehL/s1600/IMG_7675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PqV9rlA-OJnk17u_BtzXlwWNU8cLe1POAo7E131JKrv5YlfGD0OF0AQu10p7pXY1fNrWxeX0mgIPAqpJ1Xs80QkmVSsCj0WPm5OznuNLWaoLmvpbv7OIoDqVpDs85bMxWJ13lfWoIehL/s400/IMG_7675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Add coconut to mixture.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtdsAfqyCAM9o8N-2h3P4Nj340NFYXQ2WYkNePmthDHnVlWVaeBSP4EBIRllYcl3pHbHuMlQuf0IO2AcWXxltqEtTDnqBxg2Dk33E4LBn_ShT7dnL4D8IiP4CoQgfvBlRJjgosVAI9Is1/s1600/IMG_7676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtdsAfqyCAM9o8N-2h3P4Nj340NFYXQ2WYkNePmthDHnVlWVaeBSP4EBIRllYcl3pHbHuMlQuf0IO2AcWXxltqEtTDnqBxg2Dk33E4LBn_ShT7dnL4D8IiP4CoQgfvBlRJjgosVAI9Is1/s400/IMG_7676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Cookie crust is baked and ready for brownie crumbs (or chocolate chips - whatever you have!).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWMrhbVNAOGMTyU14sYfviR1c_GfboINPBJ0v4p6FyuK8ZGnCVrau0BBBK0WbTHCo219_tCGb6E9wPqm3bU8ZbisiOK1Bn0JPN4aPtDX187byYXc-ihimq0OOSiNncLdmVKRxWggZKIEV/s1600/IMG_7678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWMrhbVNAOGMTyU14sYfviR1c_GfboINPBJ0v4p6FyuK8ZGnCVrau0BBBK0WbTHCo219_tCGb6E9wPqm3bU8ZbisiOK1Bn0JPN4aPtDX187byYXc-ihimq0OOSiNncLdmVKRxWggZKIEV/s400/IMG_7678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Crumble on brownies - maybe more than I've pictured for extra chocolate impact.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNicZ5kkboUbMe3zoSTJ3B1A1iNOmZq_dROkVsCfThnXFXXmIThfGNoEN7v0r4IbhIQyF1ewGZ9yZFCxm0lvtqQ26b8WcwXodq4uxwB1weaitOjfkXPfjwuHZZ40WelE0JELSrCl7qjcI/s1600/IMG_7680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNicZ5kkboUbMe3zoSTJ3B1A1iNOmZq_dROkVsCfThnXFXXmIThfGNoEN7v0r4IbhIQyF1ewGZ9yZFCxm0lvtqQ26b8WcwXodq4uxwB1weaitOjfkXPfjwuHZZ40WelE0JELSrCl7qjcI/s400/IMG_7680.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Top with pecan mixture.<br /><br /><br />Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top has set. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYgEypjkJytdCYOoH7BVT4FCh4kVVJdWpL3LnfJy8xt4TH7ba3bLj20g7NjR_yezOIkQaKysE8N_1lqGA7F5DgBzDJvATXhYwc8uT3RDrQL7DFIV4esFXEHd_Ode9QphUROxSwFmTk7h6/s1600/IMG_7755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYgEypjkJytdCYOoH7BVT4FCh4kVVJdWpL3LnfJy8xt4TH7ba3bLj20g7NjR_yezOIkQaKysE8N_1lqGA7F5DgBzDJvATXhYwc8uT3RDrQL7DFIV4esFXEHd_Ode9QphUROxSwFmTk7h6/s400/IMG_7755.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Let it cool in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.  Remove it from the pan with a spatula - easier than you think.  It comes right out - must be all of the butter in the crust...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPoKr4WU1B4DIaUMYENFvuMxrDDSs9k54W1nBWd6-Piq_KBvtwwAJweL87uzcmFpxGsGa2_6O49ZafezIqYZCCNkgza9eLKkZ_F2mWBDmjP9FgW6j26EJMNqz4q0XrszIbqsKC1t9z_KY/s1600/IMG_7758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPoKr4WU1B4DIaUMYENFvuMxrDDSs9k54W1nBWd6-Piq_KBvtwwAJweL87uzcmFpxGsGa2_6O49ZafezIqYZCCNkgza9eLKkZ_F2mWBDmjP9FgW6j26EJMNqz4q0XrszIbqsKC1t9z_KY/s400/IMG_7758.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Trim the edges for nice square bars... and for sampling of the edges.<br /><br />Cut in half.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeob7BoYPv04geq7ptDmCMcMEiDst1i2Roj1yRtPN3PCDfK6KAKRe68u1dKgadDSOGPXAq3ShEKtRaczBQyuMG90_Z3Xf05YSjLKmm35xVcWf_m9yfK-ip0uBgs6eboScqw2tcAn2gA-VC/s1600/IMG_7759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeob7BoYPv04geq7ptDmCMcMEiDst1i2Roj1yRtPN3PCDfK6KAKRe68u1dKgadDSOGPXAq3ShEKtRaczBQyuMG90_Z3Xf05YSjLKmm35xVcWf_m9yfK-ip0uBgs6eboScqw2tcAn2gA-VC/s400/IMG_7759.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And into squares.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadj41raJ40bVlgw-D5X316fNPsBlwdT72Fhz4tI7Gk_MvfVAY2q5Ab2D1kjXPriirsXpBxB9DbjLboC8E17D57H0CFHsCbKteaCwMqSAzsPKpckVkIC37EozpN3x4Ttt0uTxVL3surWlY/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadj41raJ40bVlgw-D5X316fNPsBlwdT72Fhz4tI7Gk_MvfVAY2q5Ab2D1kjXPriirsXpBxB9DbjLboC8E17D57H0CFHsCbKteaCwMqSAzsPKpckVkIC37EozpN3x4Ttt0uTxVL3surWlY/s400/IMG_7761.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>To package (for gifts), you'll need a roll of parchment paper and baking twine.  I save this red and white twine from some takeout baked goods...<br /><br />Mike thought I was nuts.  "You're saving string?"  "Yes, I'm saving string - it is cute string."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72LpcQ30cBr2IiFv2Yc5Lk6MLVIT5r0Q0VgAWWH-zdxdABGwbjw34B8RBiZ0ZPl0mtPPzw0jR_FTYfNfZHcurPe-1ebrm73qzBWkexws5QrOUdKRawn3ZT_zCz_vDU65IbnLEB44zrt_Y/s1600/IMG_7782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72LpcQ30cBr2IiFv2Yc5Lk6MLVIT5r0Q0VgAWWH-zdxdABGwbjw34B8RBiZ0ZPl0mtPPzw0jR_FTYfNfZHcurPe-1ebrm73qzBWkexws5QrOUdKRawn3ZT_zCz_vDU65IbnLEB44zrt_Y/s400/IMG_7782.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Wrap it up like a package.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6fUEZVr_M3-q0cDeKaC2hfL604TapVOnKxwAaxHnc_mLNwjz37D3Rda1sRbdgX9vs2KNptNpVw7dAXKPhEgynojieFpvtyEVQt4ro2-a53_DQC-F5ZBBfiEmazcmytonz5wNHNV-i07f/s1600/IMG_7788_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6fUEZVr_M3-q0cDeKaC2hfL604TapVOnKxwAaxHnc_mLNwjz37D3Rda1sRbdgX9vs2KNptNpVw7dAXKPhEgynojieFpvtyEVQt4ro2-a53_DQC-F5ZBBfiEmazcmytonz5wNHNV-i07f/s1600/IMG_7788_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6fUEZVr_M3-q0cDeKaC2hfL604TapVOnKxwAaxHnc_mLNwjz37D3Rda1sRbdgX9vs2KNptNpVw7dAXKPhEgynojieFpvtyEVQt4ro2-a53_DQC-F5ZBBfiEmazcmytonz5wNHNV-i07f/s320/IMG_7788_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>German Chocolate Bars | Recipe Card <br /><br />Shortbread Cookie Crust*<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*I love shortbread crusts, my mom's cheesecake uses this sort of crust instead of graham cracker - it is so good and more special than graham cracker.</i></span><br />1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature <br />3/4 cup granulated sugar <br />3 extra-large eggs <br />3/4 teaspoon vanilla <br />4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour <br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder <br /><br />Topping <br />1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pound unsalted butter <br />1 cup corn syrup <br />3 cups light brown sugar, packed <br />1 1/2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped<br />2 cups of coconut (toasted, if you like)<br />1 cup of chocolate chips<br /><span class="nocoupons" style="display: none;">2nocoupons</span> <br /><br />For the crust, combine sugar and butter in a mixer until light, about 3 minutes.  Add eggs and vanilla, combine.  Add flour, salt & baking powder - stir just until combined.<br /><br />Press the dough into a baking sheet.  It helps to sort of make a raised edge around the sides.  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.<br /><br />For the topping, melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.  Add honey and brown sugar.  Cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes, then raise the heat and cook for 2-3 more minutes, boiling.  Remove from heat, add pecans and coconut.<br /><br />On the crust, sprinkled the chocolate chips.  Pour over the pecan topping, spreading evenly.   Bake for 25 minutes.  Let it set out, then cool in the refrigerator to make it easier to cut.  Cut it into large squares when it has cooled.

German Chocolate Bars | Pecan & Coconut Cookie Bar with Brownie Bites | Dad's Birthday Package

German Chocolate Bars for my Dad's Birthday German Chocolate Bars | Pecan, Coconut & Chocolate Bars My Dad loves anything chocolate ...

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