Family Funnies

We were talking about being able to ride a bike with no hands.

Kirby (to Daddy): Can you ride with no hands?

Daddy: I would have to practice again because it’s very hard to do with my bike (being a BMX).

Kirby: When your bike was softer could you do it?

Shucks...

I guess it didn’t work.  Anyone know how to put an audio clip (MP3) on blogger?

Benjamin on the radio!

Benjamin went on a field trip yesterday to the radio station in Olds.  The kids recorded messages that will be played throughout the next year.  I’m so proud of him!!! 

Hoping this works....

 

Random Recipes-granola

I’ve got this in the oven right now & thought I may as well type it out for you in between the “stirrings”J.   I’ve been trying to make more things myself...so much cheaper & so much healthier!   Last week I started making my own yogurt...mmmmm & granola.  It’s been devoured so I’m making another batch!  This is a recipe that my mom used to make which I believe comes from the More With Less cookbook.

Chunky Granola

Oven temp: 350

Cooking time: 10-15 min.

Makes 2 ½ qts. (I make 2 batches at a time...one batch is only lasting us about a week.)

6 c. Oatmeal

½ c. Sunflower seed or nuts (We like slivered almonds)

½ c. Coconut

½ c. Wheat germ

½ c. Powdered milk

2/3 c. Honey

2/3 c. Oil

1 tsp. Vanilla

Ø  Put oatmeal in an ungreased 9x13 pan & bake for 10 min.  (I like a slightly larger pan...makes it a lot easier to stir.  If you do 2 batches, unless you have a really big pan you’re better off doing 2 separate pans or it’s just too hard to stir.)

Ø  Stir in the next 4 ingredients

Ø  Add the last 3 ingredients & mix well

Ø  Bake for 10-15 min, stirring every 3-5 min until it’s uniformly golden

Ø  Do not overbake

Ø  Let cool in pan undisturbed, then break into chunks (I’ve never found it makes very good chunks & we prefer it more broken up, so I keep stirring it as it cools & then put it in a container.)

Ø  Option: add raisins, dates or dried fruit

Random Recipes-no bake granola bars

I had been wanting to make my own granola bars for a while so I went looking & combined 2 or 3 recipes to make my own.  The kids love them & it’s a lot cheaper than buying them!  I love how simple these are because you don’t have to bake them. 

        No-Bake Granola Bars
          (Makes 2 – 9x13 pans)

          Ingredients

          5 c. rice krispies

          5 c. oatmeal

          1 ½ c. brown sugar

          1 ½ c. corn syrup

          1 ½ c. peanut butter

          2 tsp. vanilla

          2 c. your choice of add-ins (see optional for ideas)

Optional: Currants, raisins, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, mini chocolate chips, sliced almonds, coconut, pumpkin seeds (I add a maximum of ¼ - ½ c. of any of these…just combine the ones you like.)

          Method

Ä Mix 1^st 2 ingredients in a large bowl

Ä Bring brown sugar & syrup to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring constantly

Ä Remove from heat

Ä Stir in peanut butter & vanilla until well blended

Ä Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture

Ä Stir until coated

Ä Let stand 10 minutes

Ä Stir in add-ins

Ä Press into pans

Ä Cool in pans on wire racks

NOTE: They freeze great!  Let them cool, cut them & then just transfer them to a freezable container with wax paper between the layers.