I am neck deep in about a dozen different projects at the moment. Nothing too top secret, just the average "finish the living room, finish a huge amount of projects and photos to grace the Michael Miller website, finish the free patterns for the blog and new strike offs arriving today" sort of busy. All good fun sorts of busy. Not to mention that Ethan has a new set of dinosaurs that need help breaking in. One is munching on my arm at the moment.
Speaking of munching, have you ever made your own granola? SO yummy, quick and fun. Give it a try and I don't think you'll ever go back to the boxed variety. Here is my totally made up recipe that actually turned out pretty good.
1 cup brown sugar)
1 cup honey, you could do corn syrup
1 stick butter
.5 tsp cinnamon
.5 tsp nutmeg
Bring the first ingredients to a boil
Poor over roughly 6 cups oatmeal. Stir it all together and then sprinkle 1 tsp vanilla over the top. (Spring for the real stuff, it makes a huge difference!) Stir it all together again and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Break it up a bit and bake for about 5-10 minutes longer. Store in an air tight container.
This is the kind of recipe that tickles my fancy because you absolutely don't have to follow it. Use it as a guideline and play with your favorite ingredients. Next time we'll use a combination of craisins and almond slices. Mmmm.. Also-depending on how crunchy you like your granola will change how much oatmeal to use. This mixture is still a bit chewy, if you want it really crispy, add more oats.
This is also the perfect way to eat pomegranate. I am usually a bit of a chicken to down the seeds, but I don't even notice them next to the granola. Enjoy!
OH! And for those of you that have emailed me so kindly over the last few months wanting outfits and I had to sadly decline due to time constraints, one of my lovely past customers is reselling 2 of her daughters sets that I did last year. Check them out!
Very yummy, Sandi....now this is something I can eat with my wheat allergy....we're BIG into Oats in our house! I love homemade granola.....have fun with the strike offs.
Posted by: Laurie | January 08, 2008 at 01:22 PM
ohh, Sandi! That sounds yummmy. I want some. Can I have some?
Thanks for all of your encouragement and enthusiasm in the last few days! You are awesome! Can't wait till we get to meet. I am leaning toward going to Portland. I am open to letting you and Tanya talk me into it!
Posted by: melissa@yummygoods | January 08, 2008 at 02:39 PM
I was just on the Michael Miller website today looking to see if your line was out. My best friend and I are anxiously awaiting the debut! We love, love, love it! BTW...the granola is making my stomach growl! Looking forward to those tutorials too. Take Care.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 08, 2008 at 04:43 PM
OH YUM! That looks and sounds so wonderful! I love all the new stuff you've done w/your blog!
I love the stuff you do w/your kids! You're such a great mom!!!
Posted by: Missy | January 08, 2008 at 05:16 PM
love the new look! Super yummy.
Posted by: Laura Gunn | January 09, 2008 at 03:05 AM
Oh, that looks so good. I think I even have most of those on hand. Hmmm - sewing or baking... decisions, decisions LOL I guess for now I'll just have to be satsified with my store bought cereal.
BTW - I'm another who has issues swallowing pomegranate seeds. I love the fruit but they're such a mess to each. I think I'll try again soon, though.
Posted by: Lisa | January 09, 2008 at 09:30 AM
HOORAY!!! The granola I buy at a health food store is just a bit too much $$$ right now so I thought I would try Honey Bunches of Oats.....not enough honey in my opinion (I'm trying really hard to get off of the kiddos cereal....no really!) so I was thinking of buying some boxed granola today. But now, I will make this! Thanks so much for this recipe! I think I will leave the nutmeg out of mine.
Can't wait to get my hands on some of your fabulous fabric!
Dani
Posted by: Dani | January 10, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Okay, I'm a few days late -- but that's my life these days. :) I made the granola tonight and my house smells fabulous. The recipe is great, super easy, super tasty, my husband has already eaten a few bowls of it... BUT -- how did you keep it from sticking to the pan??? I admit, I let it sit for a while. Do you use parchment paper or any oil on the pan??? Or perhaps, you don't get sidetracked as easily...?!?
Posted by: Dawn | January 14, 2008 at 10:58 PM
I didn't use any spray or anything, but I did take it off the pan right when it came out the second time. It was a little sticky then, so I imagine if you let it sit for a bit it would be pretty hard! I bet a silpat mat would do the trick!
:)
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 15, 2008 at 12:28 AM
oh yum. must have this! it looks so yummy! i LOVE your photograhy too!!
Posted by: martha schuster | January 17, 2008 at 10:37 PM