Gooey Pumpkin Bars

I may never make a pumpkin pie again. Just had to share this with everyone.

Gooey Pumpkin Bars

CAKE  (Bottom):                                                                  
1 -16.5-oz box yellow cake/
     extra moist pudding in the mix
1/3 c. Plain flour
1/3  c. Sugar
1 egg
1 stick butter, melted (8 Tbsp)

Pumpkin FILLING:
1- 8-oz package cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1- 15-oz can of pumpkin puree
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 16-ounce box confectioners'
 sugar (3-3/4 - 4 cups)
1 stick butter, melted

It is very smart to gather all the ingredients first.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan. I used a Pyrex dish and reduced the temperature to 325.

In the large mixing bowl of an electric mixer, add the plain flour and sugar, use a wire wisk to combine together. Add cake mix and whisk some more. Add the egg, and butter and combine with mixer. It will crumble and be dough like. Press into your greased pan. Set aside.

Now make the filling, in the same large mixing bowl that you used for the cake bottom.  Beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth.
Add the 3 eggs, one at a time beating until combined. Now add the pumpkin puree and vanilla beating until well mixed.

Dump in confectioner's sugar and beat until combined.  Add the melted butter, and beat well.

Finally, add the cinnamon and nutmeg, if using, (my family loves it without spice) and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling on top of  the prepared cake dough and bake for 40- 50 minutes, in a preheated 350 degree oven. Watch closely as the center should not set completely.

Place on a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Cut into squares and top each piece with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy! Refrigerate left overs.

Over 500 Year Old Angel Oak Tree Near Charleston Is A Must See

Angel Oak Tree Image courtesy of AngelOakTree.com

If you are visiting Charleston, SC we have found something that you must check out while you are there. It's called Angel Oak Tree and it is thought to be 400-500 years old and some people even think it may be as much as 1,500 years old. It is a Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana). The tree was severely damaged from Hurricane Hugo in 1989 but did recover. We are not sure if recent Hurricane Matthew did any damage. Please call before you visit. See Google Map below so you can plan your trip.


It is open 9-5 Monday through Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. Their Gift shop closes at 4:30.
For more information, call 843-559-3496 or visit their website at: http://www.angeloaktree.com/
Also there is more information on this tree here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Oak

Suggestions for Motorists On a Traffic Stop

A traffic stop is one of the most dangerous activities that law enforcement officers perform daily.

More police officers are killed or injured during these encounters than just about any other law enforcement activity. For police officers, there are two types of traffic stops:

(1) high risk
(2) unknown risk

Most traffic stops fall into the “unknown risk” category, although one can quickly become the other.

Officers also know that on occasion, the stop can be stressful for the motorist as well, but that anxiety should decrease as the encounter progresses.

Here are a few of the legal requirements and suggestions on how to make these encounters less stressful and safer for all concerned when the blue lights are turned on for you.

Things you are legally required to do during a traffic stop include:

• Upon request by the officer, you are required to produce for inspection your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance;

• If the officer asks for your driver’s license or identification card and you are a Concealed Weapons Permit holder, carrying a concealed weapon pursuant to the permit, you must present your carry permit. Verbally notify the officer where the weapon is located and listen carefully for further instructions.

Thank You, Sheriff Kenney Boone, for sharing this information.

Florence County Sheriff Office can be reached at 6719 Friendfield Rd, Effingham, SC 29541.
Phone:(843) 665-2121