Oatmeal Raisin Bars

As my pregnancy progresses I'm trying to increase certain types of food into my daily diet, but in a creative way.  I've just started having cravings for sweet treats but I don't want to grab chocolate or cookies so I searched for something with a bit more nutritional value that would still satisfy my craving.

That is when I  came across a recipe for Sour Cream Raisin Bars by Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice.
I followed her recipe almost exactly so I won't repeat it all, be sure to click through and check out her recipe.  The only thing I changed was using a little less white sugar.  Instead of 1 1/2 C I only used 1 C.  After eating these I would decrease it even more or perhaps skip the white sugar all together...I will experiment.

There are a few steps to these bars and that almost deterred me but I was so curious how the sour cream was going to taste in this type of recipe so I made them and it was totally worth it!
Besides I got to use my new pastry blender!

There are three layers to these bars.  The bottom crust, which is my favorite part!  Then the sour cream and raisin layer which gets cooked on the stove then layered on top of the bottom crust.  

The top layer is a loose crumb. 

After they bake they do need some time in the refrigerator to "congeal."  I was so anxious to taste them and did try them warm...it wasn't so good! Once they were chilled though they were very good!! 

An Apron or Laundry?

I never wore an apron...maybe as a kid...I vaguely remember a little chef outfit.  But as an adult I never bothered.  However, the more I got into cooking and baking the more clothes I was ruining so I thought I'd give the apron idea a try.  I am here to tell you it's a pretty neat thing!

According to Wikipedia there was a decline in apron wearing during the 60's when washing machines and clothes became cheaper.  I can see how that could happen but I also know (from experience) that some stains do not come out in the washing machine!  If you take a close look at one of my aprons you can imagine what my clothes would look like if I wasn't wearing the apron! (I have a terrible habit of wiping my hands on my clothes.)

The apron is coming back though.  I'm sure you've all seen the gifty types with fun sayings for Dad at the BBQ or Mom favoring a glass of wine over cooking.  I have four aprons, two of which are "fancy."

This first one even has matching pot holders...very fancy!!

The apron below is actually from Italy.  It is customized with my name.  As you can imagine I do not wear this one...it's so fancy that it's just for decoration!

The one thing that all my aprons have in common, which I think is essential is a pocket!  I suppose originally the pocket was meant to hold eggs or produce gathered from outside before starting the cooking or baking.  I tend to keep a dishtowel in mine for drying my hands.  

So what do you prefer...wearing an apron or doing laundry?  Have you joined the apron renaissance? 

What do you look for in a good apron?