Life Explained

Wow, it's been a while since I've come to visit! How are you? Things here are absolutely crazy!!!

We found a little kitten in the bushes between our church and the business next to it. The animal shelter was closed and now it's lost somewhere out side our house. I hope we find it before Chicken Nugget...

Alex has figured out how to ride Christina's "motorcycle!" WOOHOOO, Buddy!!! (It's really the tricycle, but she calls it a motorcycle). He is so fun to watch!

Christina's little brain is amazing! She can solve simple riddles, which really surprised me; but, she did awesome!!! Go, Stina Wina!

Mercedes has been playing with the next door neighbors a lot and having so much fun. I'm glad they get a long so well because they're really good kids. She also asked Mikki to curl her hair yesterday, and Mikki so graciously obliged. We'll see how it turns out today...

Jake had two finals this week. Yeah, two classes are finished! He just has three more to go this summer, and then on to the next ones... Hooray for finals!!!

Do you ever feel like you're spread so thin you're not making any progress? I'm telling ya', that is how I feel. It can be really discouraging at times, but keep plugging along and do the best you can.

Presiden't Monson said, "When you are on the Lord's errand, you are entitled to the Lord's help." Don't give up and you will see miracles happen!

Love to you all!!!

Good Things to Come

Granola

I've done it. I have finely done it! I found the granola recipe I've been searching for! I've tried making a few, and this has been the best! I wanted a recipe that consisted of basic ingredients that I might actually buy. Also, I didn't want a recipe that made 20 cups of granola. Who wants to spend three hours stirring granola while it bakes? Not me. I also wanted something versatile. I think this will work. I don't see why you couldn't substitute molasses or maple syrup for all or part of the honey, and the fruit and/or nuts - which I added - can be what ever you like. The best part was...dun...dun...dun...all my kids loved it! They've been munching on it all day!

Granola

4 c. old fashioned oats

1 c. coconut

nuts, if desired (I used about a half-cup chopped pecans)

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. oil

1/4 c. honey

1 t. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 t. vanilla

1 c. dry fruit, optional

In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut, and nuts if desired; set aside. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, oil, honey and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture; stir to coat. Spread in a large shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. (I only cooked it 15 minutes and stirred it three times). Cool. Add dry fruit. Store in an airtight container.

I've also discovered that during the last five minutes, if your granola is spread real thin, or you have little straggling oats and things, they burn up easily. So, for the last few minutes, push everything together to help prevent burning.