She truly is a lap dog…

If I’m on the computer, she’s right there with me.  She’s good for posture.

Those who know me know my preference to pencils (real, not mecanical) over pens.

I found the most perfect addition to my collection of things that were made just for me…

I love you twin lens pencil sharpener… 

It sharpens like a dream. You can even adjust how sharp you want the point, brilliant!

I hate my tomato plants, and they hate me…

One thing that is growing, my peppers! I’m going to dry a batch this weekend.

My jalapenos are turning red. I have never had a red jalapeno… I think it might be time to try one.

We went to Salem on Sunday to hang out with some friends, and take a few photos of her wonderful round baby belly.

It was a marvelous day…

I was a second shooter at a wedding also… busy weekend.

I liked using my brain again… I should most certainly use it more often.

It was finally granola baking weather…

It’s one of those things you don’t do in the summer because of that excruciating thought of having your oven on for any length of time. It’s finally past that point, mostly.

I make it in my turkey roasting pan. It’s way easier to stir if you bake it in something with higher sides. Trust me, you’ll end up flipping granola all over you kitchen

I just mix everything right in the pan.

• 2lb can of oats (not the quick kind) Actually I have never used the quick, maybe you can…
• 2 cups chopped nuts
• 2 tblsp cinnamon

I never seem to make it the same way twice, these are more guidelines.

In a medium saucepan:

• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup of apple cider or some sort of juice. I sometimes thaw a couple cups of frozen blueberries and throw them in instead of using dried fruit.
• 2 tblsp vanilla

Heat the liquid until the sugar cooks in.  Pre heat the oven to 300.  Pour liquid over dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time, mixing completely each time. Put in the oven….

Cooking times vary. I usually stir every 15 minutes for an hour. And then every ten minutes after that. Don’t cook it until it’s dry, that means it will more than likely taste burnt. I will continue to dry out  when it cools. You can always stick it back in the oven if you need to.  I usually take it out when it becomes a lot easier to stir. Vague I know…

• If you’re using frozen blueberries it takes a little longer to cook.
• If you’re going to add coconut, add it 3/4 of the way through baking or it falls to the bottom and burns.
• Add dried fruit about 3/4 of the way through baking also.
• It’s good heated up… throw it in the microwave for a minute.

My granola container once belonged to my grandma. I love it. It fits a batch perfectly…

Happy Tuesday Loves!  I think everyone should try to have a picnic this week.

A really good meal in a cool spot on a beautiful day with someone who makes it all that much better…