'DEW ON THE TIP OF A LEAF' ~ STREUSEL-TOPPED KEY LIME SQUARES

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time

like dew on the tip of a leaf."

~ Rabindranath Tagore

Lady's Mantle

(Alchemilla mollis)

Gardener's Note: Lady's mantle, a gracious hardy garden companion whose mounds of scalloped foliage with airy chartreuse blossoms drape over the ground like a mantle, are 'a must' perennial for zones 3-7. Legend tells us that perhaps Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, chose Lady's Mantle as an adornment or that the lobes of the leaves were very similar to the scalloped edges of the mantle or cloak that she wore. Many herbalists regard lady's mantle as 'women's medicine', treating a variety of female issues. With a preference for light or partial shade, lady's mantle is perfect for woodland or cottage gardens, sprawling ground cover and delightful informal edging. Covered in fine hairs, its fuzzy leaves capture raindrops and dew that bead up and shine like sparkling jewels. The airy flowers make fabulous fillers in fresh or dried arrangements.

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STREUSEL-TOPPED KEY LIME SQUARES

~ Tangy and tart perfect ending for warm days (COOKING LIGHT)

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1/4 cup softened butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. grated lime rind

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. lemon extract

1 cup AP flour

cooking spray

2/3 cup granulated sugar

3 Tbsp. AP flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup fresh key lime juice

(Persian limes are fine but not as tart)

3 large eggs

1 Tbsp. powdered sugar

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place first 5 ingredients in medium bowl; beat with mixer at medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes). Lightly spoon 1 cup flour into dry measuring cup; level with knife. Gradually add 1 cup flour to butter mixture, beating at low speed until mixture resembles coarse meal. Gently press two-thirds of mixture (about 1 1/3 cups) into bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining 2.3 cup flour mixture aside. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until just beginning to brown.
• Combine 2/3 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. flour, baking powder and 1/8 tsp. salt in medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add lime juice and eggs, stirring with whisk until smooth. Pour mixture over crust. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove pan from oven (do not turn oven off), sprinkle remaining 2.3 cup flour mixture evenly over egg mixture. Bake and additional 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove from oven; cool in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle evenly with powdered sugar. (16 small square servings)

Perky kitchen door 'greeters'