Wicked Chocolate Caramel Bars

We're going fishing on Saturday. 

I can't wait.

It's been forever.

 In fact I think the last time we went, we only had two kids.

And Grace is nine now.

And we're going with two of my favorite people.

Bobbie and Earl.

They're like second parents to us,

and grandparents to our kids.

They're not rich, 

they don't shower my kids with fancy things.

They don't have a fancy house,

and they live out in the middle of nowhere

with nothing to do 

but

 climb trees, 

pick blueberries, 

pick pears,

 pick up sticks,

 run around,

 sit and visit

and just feel like you are home.

It's one of my favorite places.

Bobbie and Earl are special to me,

They've held our hand through some terrible times, 

and they share our joys as well. 

They accept  everyone for who they are, not what they may or may not have.

And boy can Bobbie cook!

That's where Bobbie and I have a real bond.

The first time I made jelly about 9-10 years ago, I took a jar to Bobbie, next thing I know, she's cleaning out her shed finding me more jars. Not because she wants me to make her more jelly (though they would be happy to accept it) but because the jars will get used again. She's like that. When she found out we didn't have a crock pot, she gave us one of hers (she had 4 or 5) We still use it, I know now why people have more than one. When I'm cooking something and it's not doing like it should, I call Bobbie. She's from that generation that cooked, every day, every meal, went through hard times and had to make the most with what they had. I've learned so much from her. 

We don't get together as much as we should, but Bobbie and I got talking, and decided we need to go fishing again. We started talking about when, finally settled on a weekend we were both free, and hoped for good weather. As of this morning the weather looks good so this is going to happen!

We're just going to go for the day, so packing will be easy, but what to take to eat?

I found this recipe over at The Wicked Noodle and it's moving  to one of my top five favorites,

it's that good!

Wicked Chocolate Caramel Bars

1 1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

3/4 cup homemade or store bought caramel sauce

3 Tablespoon flour

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together butter and brown sugar. Add 2 cups of flour, baking soda and salt, mix well. Add the oats and mix again. Your dough will be thick.

Press half the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Mix the 3 tablespoon of flour with the caramel sauce until thoroughly combined (microwave your sauce to make it easily mixable if you need to.) Pour caramel mixture over the chocolate chips.

Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over chocolate and caramel. Lightly press down. 

Bake for another 15 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting.  

They should travel well.

I sure hope these make it to Saturday....