Toasted Nut Granola

It's snowing out there. I'm trying to make the most of it. I have a squirmy little toddler and we go outside everyday. We go to take the compost out, we go feed the chickens their treats, we even just go to the woods to walk around and find animal tracks.

I think its worth the possibly fussy minute and thirty seconds it takes to get her all adorably bundled up if it means I can show my girl the beautiful place we are a part of. It also serves as a game changer. I've come to see that if My Little Flower is looking glum or even acting out, a quick trip to the tree line is enough fresh air to "reset" both of our patience levels and mindsets.

                                          We all need these woods and they serve us well.

Here is the one thing. This snow, though beautiful and still, is mad-cramping my style. I'm trying here, but my enthusiasm is melting because the ice won't.
My-Way-Too-Awesome-To-Be-Called-Mother-In-Law Mother in law is pretty much the only soul I know who shares this problem, but my chickens are miserable. I know that sounds so lame to people who don't have chickens, however we love those feathered losers and feel bad for them when they sit and pout all day.

My poor Gretchen, dreaming of green grass and mud baths

           

On top of that, I pulled a muscle trying to do a snow angel of death, my husband is going to figure out soon that I start my car 30 minutes in advance so I don't have to scrape snow (big trouble mister), and my skin is so pale that I fear I'll soon become transparent.

I am longing for the day when Lila can walk through the grass in her little bare feet and play beside the garden. I often catch myself daydreaming of the moment when I'll look out over the yard and see Lila Mae playing in the garden and my sweet flock pecking at green grass and taking mud baths. Hopefully my girl and I will have matching tan lines from wearing toms all the time and we'll have "Lake Hair" 24/7.

Until then, I'll settle for toasting up my life as best as I can. I'll continue to go outside and love it for the wonderful creation it is.
I'll watch the winter sun rise silently each morning I'll drink hot coffee all day. I'll keep a fire going inside to stay warm and I'll munch on homemade toasted nut granola. It doesn't seem like much, but it's enough for me.
Thanks for reading

Love, Darla



Toasted Nut Granola

(inspired by Joythebaker's toasted almond granola)

Your ingredient list is up to you, so give and take as you please.

4 cups oats
1 cup raw pecan peices
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw almond slices
1/4 cup milled flax seeds
1/4 cup Chia seeds
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                                                                                      1 cup dried cranberries 

Set your oven to 325 and prepare two baking sheets by covering them in parchment paper.

Simply mix all of the dry ingredients together (except for cranberries). In a small sauce pan, melt your coconut oil, honey and brown sugar together until it boils. lower the heat and add your vanilla extract.

 Pour the warm mixture over your dry ingredients and incorporate well. Lay out the granola on your baking sheet in two batches that you will bake separately. Bake for 10 minutes, toss in the cranberries and mix well, then bake for another 10 minutes being careful not to burn it. Maybe you could just set a timer. It's not a sign of weakness. Ahem...Lisa ;)

Serve with cold almond milk, yogurt, or just eat it as is. Stay toasty! (did you see what I did there)