Day 204 - O'Henry Bars

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 Congratulations, Cindy B.!!

 Cindy B. said... "I am a follower."   September 4, 2011 4:32 PM 

 You are 365's 200th Day giveaway winner!!

I've been feeling the need to rescue lately.
No, not puppies or kittens.  Been there done that.
And that " cute little itty bitty kitten" turned into a mean ungrateful son of a monkey's uncle.
Ok,I admit that he's not nearly as bad as he used to be, but sometimes...

Rescue.
As in rescuing... My three children.
Not that any of them are in any immediate danger, but just from general day to day activities and mental or physical anguish.
Rescue, it's what I do.
Something that I've always done been good at, something I pride myself on.
Yeah. That was sarcastic.
Um, I believe it would be called enabling, actually.
Do other people feel this way or is it because I'm an only child and learned how to do it early in life?
There were attempts to rescue my parents' marriage, my mother when she was sick from her chemotherapy treatments, and my daughter when she had to have 6 surgeries including 2 major hip reconstructions, just to name a few.

After discussing it tonight with Mr. 365, I realized that it's a definite control issue and my fear of my baby boy growing up. He's started his freshman year of high school and I guess I've freaked out about it.
Outwardly, no one would know, but Mr. 365 is onto me and sometimes I find myself becoming so anxious that I feel like I'm going to blow.
My real fear: that these next four years are going to fly, he goes away to school, then WHAT?
I didn't feel this way when the girls started high school.
What does a SAHM (stay at home mom) do when your shuttle service is no longer needed, there are no school lunches to make, parent meetings to go to, or sporting events to attend?
I've placed my identity in my children and have forgotten who I really am.
From Day 1, (marriage day 1, not blog day 1) my passion has been my husband and then our children.
It is ALL, and the only thing I ever really wanted in life as far back as I can remember.
To be a wife and mother.
My ultimate dream job.
I know deep in my heart my job will never truly be finished even when they leave our nest and soar onto exciting new things, but their physical presence will be greatly missed.
And yes, when one door closes, another door opens.
My door will open and as I step over that threshold who knows what will be on the other side.
A new beginning, a new passion and a new identity.
And maybe eventually a new name...
Grandma.

Eeeks!  Did I just say that??!!  I just made myself feel really old!  ;-)

My grandmother made these bars a lot when I was young and my mother would make them during the holidays.

O'Henry Bars
2/3 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light Karo syrup (corn syrup)
3 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups oatmeal, uncooked
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Lightly grease a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Cream butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.
Add Karo syrup and vanilla, combining thoroughly.

Add oatmeal.
Press evenly into prepared baking dish.

Bake for 15 minutes.
While bars are baking, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips in a small bowl over a small saucepan containing an inch of simmering water.

Remove bars from oven and place into oven to cool for 10 minutes.
When cooled, pour melted chocolate mix over top and spread to edges.
Store in refrigerator.

I rate everything I bake on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best and these O'Henry Bars earned 3 rolling pins.
They brought back a lot of good memories, but just didn't taste the same as when Grandma made them.
Everything always tasted better when Grandma made it anyway.
These are easy to make and the combination of oats, peanut butter and chocolate taste really good together.
They'd make a great bar to bring to a potluck or cookout where there are going to be plenty of children.
Thank you all for reading.  I am grateful that you took the time to read.
Happy baking!