Granola

This is such an easy, yummy granola recipe - I thought I'd share it. I got it from the Healthy Cooking/Taste of Home (Feb-March 2010).

Ultimate Fruity Granola

5 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup sliced or slivered almonds
1/2 cup sunflower kernels
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 T canola oil
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup dried banana chips
1/2 cup dried apricot, halved

1. In a large bowl, combine oats, almonds, sunflower kernels, and flax. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, salt and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved and mixture is heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in the vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat.

2. Transfer to a 15x10x1 inch baking pan(or two smaller pans) coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 8 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Stir in dried fruits. Store in an airtight container.

***I added coconut to the oat mixture. I didn't have any of the listed dried fruits - I had raisins so I added them instead. I like to put it on my yogurt. Matthew likes to eat it plain - as a snack - or sprinkled on his yogurt, too.

Hope you like it!

Getting his money's worth

My poor husband! He loves this shirt - and he wears it out in public - and often to the office. He wears everything 'til he can't wear it anymore. I would show you his shoes - where the sole is coming apart on both shoes - but, of course, he is wearing them - every day. He bought new shoes over Christmas but warned me from the get go not to pressure him to wear them any time soon. I suspect he won't wear them any time soon. I just shrug and shake my head :o) He makes me laugh!

Strawberry marshmallows

I decided to try out this recipe for strawberry marshmallows before high humidity weather starts up down here(which is any time now). It wasn't too overpowering - I did sneak a little taste. My official taste tester liked them, too!

Jail time

That is what having a cold is like!

Matthew says, "I think I would feel better if Grandma and Grandpa came to visit me". :o)

Happy St. Patrick's Day, minus a few bites

As you can see, we are in the "let's-see-how-much-I-can-shove-in-my-mouth-before-Mom-finds-me" phase. :o)

Crockpot applesauce

So, remind me of why I've been buying applsauce when I can make it so easily at home?? I had a bunch of Granny Smith apples that I wanted to use up and found this recipe. I used apple pie spice instead of cinnamon. I also didn't add as much water. Next time, I probably won't add any. I also used less sugar. It only took 4 hours on low on my crockpot, too - with the perfect consistency - no need to mash.

All that to say - it is yummy! I may be putting some on my yogurt in the morning :o)

The usual...............

Rainbow cake!!

Is this not the funnest cake ever?!?! I am going to have to do this at some point!!! You have got to see this!

size 5

Yeah, that's not me - but Matthew's diapers. I held out as long as I could - but the past couple of days have confirmed the need to move on up. If it weren't for the fact that there are fewer diapers in a box for the same amount of $$, I would be celebrating the fact that Matthew has indeed had another growth spurt.