Oyster Crackers

Oyster crackers are small, buttery crackers that are lightly salted. They are believed to have been given their name due to the fact that they were eaten with oyster stew and soups. The oyster cracker tastes similar to a saltine cracker....oh wait..hold on..not that oyster cracker..Oyster Cracker! The Oyster Cracker is a rather ugly fish that feeds on oysters, crabs, shrimp and small fish. Another name for this fish is the Toadfish. It is one ugly fish! It is scaleless, quite slimy and has a mouth full of sharp teeth. With very powerful jaws, it pays to be very careful around this fish. It has been known to clamp down on fingers and not let go, initiating a very, very painful wound. I was careful today, no injuries resulted to me or my catch of the Oyster Cracker! I actually caught this one in the net so I had no need to unhook it or cut the line, the usual method of releasing it. After a few photos, he went on his merry way and I went back to catching minnows for the Night Heron.

I have to share with you the magnificent sunset of this evening. The horizon was not fiery red nor was there many spectacular cloud formations..the sun was just a huge red ball. It is rare to find it without some accompanying redness in the sky but tonight it was just the sun slipping down quickly behind the trees. I almost missed it as I brought some Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars to my brother. He and I sat on his front porch just talking up a storm until he mentioned how red the sun was. Grabbing my hug from him I hurried home to grab my camera. Ezzy and I almost did not make it to the pier in time to get a picture as you can see! The picture does not show the true redness of the actual sun, it was a very deep tomato red. Absolutely gorgeous!

Now speaking of Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars! This recipe is very simple and "simply" delicious!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 12x14 inch bake pan.

Dough-

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 teaspoon almond extract (may substitute vanilla)

1 egg (beaten)

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1 cup nuts (chopped)

Topping-

2 packages of cream cheese (2 at 8oz each)

2 eggs (beaten)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 cups strawberry preserves

In a large bowl, mix together the first seven ingredients until crumbly and a dough starts to form. Reserve about 1 1/2 cups for topping. Press remaining dough into the prepared pan and bake for twenty minutes.

While this is baking, blend together the cream cheese, 2 eggs and granulated sugar. Once the bottom layer is finished baking, evenly spread the strawberry preserves over it and then top with the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle reserved dough crumbles over this and place back in the oven for thirty-five minutes or until edges start to turn golden. Let cool completely before slicing into squares. Refrigerate leftovers!