Cranberry Almond Granola

Cranberry Almond Granola

I've been in a baking mood lately, which is not typical for me. I've made banana bread, apple bread and this granola. I thought it turned out pretty good, so I thought I'd share the recipe.

Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup oat bran
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 cup raw whole almonds
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (I used light, it's what I had)
1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbs canola oil
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup cranberries (I used a little more)

Preheat oven to 300. Whisk together oats, oat bran, flax seed, wheat germ, almonds and salt. Set aside. In a medium saucepan bring honey, brown sugar, vanilla, canola oil, and water just to a bubble over medium low heat. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture, toss until oats are moist. Spread onto 2 rimmed 11x17 baking sheets. (I should have sprayed mine with non-stick spray) Bake at 300 for 20 minutes stirring twice. I added the cranberries after the last stir for the last 7 minutes of baking. Cool completely, store in sealed container up to 2 weeks or freeze.

Messy Maggie

Maggie loves feeding herself and typically does a really good job, yogurt's tricky! She is a delight and growing so fast. Now that Max is in school I'm enjoying time with my girl, it's been special spending time just the two of us.

Nana

Here are a few pictures from my mom's visit this fall. We experienced a lot of things together and I'm glad she was able to be a part of our lives for a few weeks!

Big Decision

This week I made the most difficult parenting decision I've had to make so far. I started homeschooling Max this fall. The main reason was for the purpose of training him and developing his character according to the biblical values our family embraces and protecting him from the influence of the world as he grows stronger in his understanding of truth. Also maybe a little because I wasn't ready to let go of the sweet times together. However, over the last few weeks I've sensed something lacking. Max wasn't thriving like I felt he should, he was lonely and bored. Our circumstance; a small apartment, lack of friends his age and some health issues I'm dealing with, were just making it difficult to meet an energetic five year old's needs. So, we made the decision to put Max in school. I still value homeschool and hope that one day God will lead us back to the opportunity to homeschool our children. However, right now I know God is asking me to lay down what I want for me for what is best for Max. I have seen God's hand in this decision, the ground work he laid, the peace he's given me and I have no doubts. I know that this is another opportunity for me to trust, boldly.

Max's first day was Monday. My mom and I took Max to school and met his teacher, another blessing that mom could be here for that. We were pleased with his classroom and teacher and feel like he will thrive in his new environment. So far Max is really enjoying his school experience!

Max on his first day of school with a pumpkin for his teacher.

Max and Nana going to his new school

Glenn Livingston Elementary School