Homemade Granola

In my quest for higher education I have been enjoying learning so many new things.  One of the greatest of those "things" is getting to know all the amazing people who are working so hard to get an education to better themselves and their position in life.  Several of these are people my own age.. older men and women who are working and pushing through school to help their families.  Ones who are sacrificing all they can, who pull up their bootstraps, straighten their backs and dig in with all they've got.  One of these great women is Joyce Little.  With children at home and a husband also in school she sacrifices and pushes to plan for things better in the future.  She always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude that reminds me that I can do it.  She's a real inspiration to me.  (Thanks Joyce)  This recipe for homemade granola is from Joyce.  She had this as a snack one day and so willingly shared as we studied.  Having a hard time studying I made her promise to bring me the recipe... here it is for all of us with her blessing..

Homemade Granola

In a saucepan combine and melt until syrup:

3/4  cup butter (do not use margarine)

2/3 cup brown sugar

4 TBS honey

2 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl combine:

6 cups rolled oats

3 cups goodies ( fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.. ) 

        note: apple slices do not do well in this recipe

Pour syrup over oat mixture and stir until fully covered.  Spread on a greased cookie sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for 25 minutes stirring once halfway through.

Let cool on cookie sheet then break apart and store in an airtight container. 

(M&M’s or chocolate chips can be added after granola is cool.)

Sugar Cookie Bouquets

The Bakery where I worked part time last summer/fall was always looking for ways to promote their business and come up with new ways to use their baked goods, especially at holiday time. Over Christmas I helped out and was officially named "Sugar Cookie Girl" as my job was hand piping sugar cookies. It seemed like we never had enough and I think we did a record year in the sugar cookie department, at least it felt like it. So, with the popularity of their cookies I was wondering why they didn't sell cookie bouquets. Good question. With Valentines day coming up, the question once again arises "Why don't we sell cookie bouquets?" We have an official Sugar Cookie Girl, lets see what we can do.. Here are the test products ready for display. I've been making these for teachers and friends for years so it is really a fun project for me. We'll see how they do at the bakery... By the way, anyone who wants a step by step demo on my blog of how to make these say "I". If I have enough people I'll see what I can do.


just a note: when I took them into the bakery for the owner to see, a customer quickly ordered one for her anniversary this friday and another 8 or 9 for clients for Valentines. I think these bouquets will do just fine...