another recipe...granola

a jar for me, a bag for lindsey in boston, and a bag for hannah in indiana

earlier this week, lindsey reported that she had bought some granola

 at the store, and she said it tasted like cardboard!

she proposed a swap..some homemade granola for 

a handcrafted lino stamp. I said, "it's a deal!"

Here's the recipe I've been using for 35 years. When you make your own, you know exactly what goes into it. I use mostly organic ingredients. 

2 lbs. rolled oats

1/4 lb. sesame seeds

1/2 lb. wheat germ

1/4 lb.  hulled sunflower seeds

1 lb. chopped nuts, your choice

1 cup honey or maple syrup

1 cup oil

1 tsp vanilla

HEAT oil, sweetener, and vanilla until well mixed.

STIR liquid mixture with other ingredients. Mixture will be fairly dry.

PLACE mixture in a greased baking pan and broil (or bake) at 500 degrees, STIRRING FREQUENTLY, until golden brown. Watch carefully, it can burn quickly.

Sometimes I add 1/2 lb. raisins/currants or dried cranberries after I've cooked the granola.

Non fat yogurt, granola and fresh fruit is my go-to breakfast of choice.  Enjoy!

P.S. Melanie asked about the "#" symbol I had used in the original post....I have changed the "#" for clarification to "lb" or pound. Call me old fashioned!

bygone loveliness

This was my Great Aunt Addie's book.

Its front page, written in lovely script reads,

"Miss A. D. Billings. Merry Christmas 1896, Frederick W. Swan".

Published by F. Warne and Co., the cover is embossed 

and the page edges are gilded.

(Warne and Co. also published my beloved Beatrix Potter's books).

Did you know that snowdrops represent a friend in need, and hope, too?

The crocus, cheerfulness, and hope as well.

Buttercups represent both riches, and memories of childhood.

Lily of the valley, the return to happiness.

These past few days have been steeped in blossoms, 

sunshine and unusual warmth.

It's been a bit intoxicating!

from the cupboard

i bought this design, printed on white fabric ages and ages ago.

and i embroidered it and quilted it ages ago.

this morning, i added a folded turquoise frame and 

am binding it with a leafy motif cotton.

(thinking about drawing my own design next time)

not sure if i call this procrastinating or completing...

hmmm...

passing along some fun

i was playing in the kitchen today!

• maya*made has another fun idea. read about "fix it friday" here.
• i've never had so much fun doing homework. seriously. i signed up, and jane has got me thinking big.
• good tv over at m. heart's blog.
• lovely geninne offers up a free embroidery pattern.

what have you found that you'd like to pass along?

trying something new...sharing recipes

*

Gram Lowry's Applesauce Cake

2 cups sifted flour

1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar*
1 egg
1 cup apple sauce
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
3 Tbsp vinegar

1 cup seedless raisins

*recipe calls for light brown sugar, i used what i had on hand...dark brown sugar, tasted fine.

• Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
• Cream shortening until soft and smooth.
• Add sugar gradually, creaming until light and fluffy.
• Add egg and beat until very light
• Combine applesauce, lemon rind, and vinegar and add alternately with dry ingredients, beating well after each addition. 
• Stir in raisins.
• Turn into greased 8x8x2 inch pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees (moderate oven) for 45 minutes.
• Cool.
• Frost with your choice OR dust with confectioner's sugar.

good tidings

i love to wake up at our "bit of earth", brew a cup of tea

and stroll outside.

this morning there's still snow on the hills across the valley,

and a bit of mist in the hollows.

but you can see the faint blush of budding trees.

the urgency and the promise of renewal.

just when us winter weary new englanders need it most. 

here's a view of the muddy, corduroy-ed road that 

becomes a bit of a challenge to drive on,

 especially around midday when the sun really warms things up.

batman and i will be enjoying a bit of a retreat up here.

unplugged and away until monday.

sending all of you wishes for 

peace, quiet reflection and joy in the light and love of the season.

a spring spring

here's the little spring, bubbling up in our yard.

it's right at the base of this lilac,

look at the stream it has produced.

the waterfall at the neighbor's and

 the stream that runs under our driveway

are gushing.

what a wild time we've had!

If there is magic on this planet,

it is contained in water.

-Loren Eiseley

and thanks for all the kind and gentle comments yesterday.

p.s. wishing you a foolish day!