Expectations

Have you ever had something in your life that you were excited about and when it finally came, it ended up being...not what you expected?

It seems that has been the case for me lately.  It has had me wondering though.  Are my expectations too high?  Should I plan for things to only be ho-hum, so I won't be disappointed?  I don't know which is worse, planning for something exicting and being disappointed, or not even having the excitement in the planning. 

One thing I thought of today was this.  When it comes to eternity and spending it in heaven with Jesus Christ, I can have high expectations and get excited and I know I won't be disappointed.  Quite the opposite actually.  I don't think I can even plan for just how wonderful it will be.  

So tell me, what should I do?  What do you do?  Do you plan for something exciting and just accept it when it doesn't go according to plan?  Do you set low expectations so you won't be disappointed?  I need a little help with this one.

Out of the ashes

Today was a (pause while I think of the right word)  different, interesting, no, maybe the best word to use would be blessed.  Today was a day of blessings.  I had to work today and due to different circumstances I happened to be working out on the floor with customers.  I work for a local christian book store, which is a blessing in itself.  Most days at work are just sort of average, if you know what I mean.  But today...today was different.  There was a certain spirit in the air.  Maybe it was the beautiful weather, I'm not sure.  No wait, I am sure.  Today was the kind of day that you just "knew" the Lord had sent each and every person through our doors for a purpose.

It started with a woman.  She seemed a bit bewildered, like she was just waiting for someone to rescue her.  Although at first glance one might not have noticed.  Once we discovered her it was as if she just dropped all of the "baggage" she had right there on the floor.  A long breath just released.  You know what I mean.  Its like finding a place of refuge in the midst of turmoil.

You see, this woman was in our store today to buy a Bible.  A Bible she needed because she did not have one and she needed to be close to the Lord.  To read his words.  She shared with us that just 3 weeks ago she lost her home and all she owned in a house fire.  Everything.  Up in smoke.  She is very thankful to have gotten out alive.  But once the smoke clears and the dust settles, you realize you have nothing.  Nothing.

But there, right in the middle of the store, she found a safe haven, a refuge, a solace, a warm hug.  Tears were shed and not just hers.  There were customers shopping right at that moment that the Lord knew she needed.  Other women to help her grasp the loss she was grieving.  To let her know that it's okay to grieve for "things" we have lost.  I'm sure she appreciated her home, was thankful for all that God had given her.  I'm sure she didn't need to have it all taken away to realize her gratitude.  God had allowed it all to be taken away in an instant.  Yet, who did she turn to?  God.

I don't really know where I am going with this except maybe to say that I am so thankful that I had the priveledge of being part of the joy that was shared.  Thankful that I am blessed enough to work in a place where at any time of the day we can stop what we are doing and lift a fellow sister up in prayer to the Lord. Blessed to know that despite some of the difficult days at work, we really do have the best customers in the world.  People who weren't afraid to come over when they heard a woman sobbing, giving up their time to help someone with a need.

What are the words to that song?  I believe it is:  "Out of the ashes, beauty will rise." 

Just Popping In

I have had such a splendid weekend celebrating Easter.  The weather was perfect for part of the weekend and I just love getting outside and getting the winter "stink" blown off me.  We had a very nice easter dinner with family and extended family from out of town.

With all of the beauty taking place outside and this Easter celebration I am reminded of Christ's love and goodness to me.  I just wanted to share one of my favorite verses with you today.  I hope it's a good reminder to you as it is to me.

Waiting for Spring

I don't know about you, but this gal is ready for some spring.  A couple of years ago while in the middle of a debilitating battle of anxiety, I learned to really just enjoy life during whatever "season" I'm in.  An appreciation of life...sort of.  Well, this winter has proved challenging to me.  Normally I enjoy the winter, but for some reason I am more than ready to see winter go away.

I am trying to decide if it is truly the weather, or more the "season" of life I am in right now.  Don't get me wrong, my life is great.  Just busy.  And not busy by somes standards, just busy by my own standards.  Quite frankly I don't like it.  It is only temporary.  This too shall pass.

Sometimes life feels a little stale.  I don't want to complain about that.  Really.  I just think sometimes we are ready for a little change.  Excitement.  Life.  Color.  So, I'm hoping that maybe when spring finally rolls in it will bring with it some of these things.

More than anything I hope it brings a fresh perspective.  One reason I love the change of seasons is that in some ways I feel like I get a fresh start with each new season.  That's what I'm hoping for this spring.  How about you?  Are you ready for spring?

A Friday Night

I just wanted to show you what a typical Friday night might look like around our house.  I happen to love Friday nights.  It seems to be the only night of the week we can stay up as late as we want.  Here it is 10:45 and guess what?  I'm the only one up.  Andy fell asleep long ago and I made the boys go to bed just after 10.  So, here I sit.  Me and my computer (and you).

I love it when we make no plans and can just stay home. 

We worked on a puzzle, had ice cream, watched a movie and played games.  Even the dog got a treat.  My house is a disaster, but hey, this is life.  Right?

Bathroom Reveal

Well, several months back my husband and I decided to re-do our bathroom.  It was time.  See for yourself.

The floor was dirty and disgusting and beyond the point that you could clean it.  The color of the tiles and the tub, can you say ugly?  The sink was scratched and dirty.  Don't get me started on the heater.  I've mentioned it here.  Let's not go there today, okay?

We tried to work with it and made a few minor adjustments.

It helped, but not with the floor problem.  Underneath one of the rugs we were missing floor tiles, so needless to say, when the time was right we tore it apart.

Sadly, we said good-bye to the old cast iron turqoisey-aqua tub, tiles and floor.  Okay, it wasn't sad.  However, living without a bathroom is never pleasant.  Especially if it's the "girls" bathroom of the home and during construction all girls have to use the "boys" bathroom.  Use your imagination on that one.

So, after several months, it is finally completed.  Can I get a woo-hoo?!!!!  Andy worked on this when his time allowed.  I certainly wish it went faster, but he did the best he could. 

I am very happy with how it turned out.  Instead of replacing the drywall where the old tile was, we decided to use a bead-board to cover over it.

It's so fresh and clean.  I would still like to add to this wall a picture of some sort and possibly a towel rack.  It's just so nice and crisp that I'm not in a big hurry to put holes in the wall.

Here is my sparkly white brand new tub.

I've already had the privelege of a good soak.  I'm enjoying it immensely.

I love taking showers now.  No more sharing the boys shower.

We had quite a time trying to find a vanity that would work in this space.  We actually wanted a smaller one in length than what was previously there.  It did not allow a lot of space between the toilet and vanity.  Andy finally found a used one on Craigslist.  It wasn't exactly what I was looking for but the price was right.

We just topped it with a one-piece granite top from Lowe's.

This shows you just how much space we have now between the vanity and sink.

Much better.  And oh, did you notice the new heater?  No more rust and pee stains.  Hallelujah.  I decided to add a little more storage space and was quite pleased when I found this at my favorite little primitive shop in town.  And, for only $25.

While the bathroom was under construction, we had the mirror resting in the hallway.  Well, with 2 boys running around you can imagine what happened.  It broke.  It turned out to be ok.  We ended up having to cut it to fit with the new size vanity.  Andy built a frame for it, and we painted it to match the vanity and storage cabinet.

I think it looks great.  We just recycled the old light, but unfortunately had to replace the glass shades because somebody (I won't mention who) managed to break one.  That turned out to be the biggest fiasco of the whole project.  I won't tell you how many trips I took to Lowe's and Home Depot to finally find some that would fit.

One more before and after. 




Before

After

So, what do you think?  Did we do okay?

I'm back!!!

Yay!  I am so excited to tell you that I am back.  Back here at learning as we go.  There are a couple of factors to my decision to return here.  First one being, I had too much trouble getting my new blog working on blogger and didn't really care for blogging at wordpress.  Because of that I sort of lost the desire to continue blogging.  But the truth is, I've missed blogging.  Which leads me to my second reason...I miss writing.  Or is this talking?  Journaling?  Typing random thoughts?  Whatever it is I have missed it.  And for whatever reason this feels like home.  This little special blog of mine. 
So, here I am.  I'm back and hopefully here to stay.  There will be posts coming, so please, if I haven't lost you yet, come on back.  Soon.  I think I've officially lost it.  : )

Saying goodbye, and starting a new adventure.

Hello to anyone who happens to be popping in at learning as we go.  I've a bit of an announcement to share with you.  I've decided to stop blogging.  Wait, before you leave you must know that I'm starting a new blog.  I am really excited about it.  It's a blog I feel a little more comfortable with and because of that I will probably be a little better about posting.

If you know me at all, then you know how much I love to make my house a home, and how much I love to decorate and all things that pertain to simplifying life and home.  It's a bit of a work in progress, so I hope that you will bear with me as I get it up and going.  The blog that is.  I am so excited about it, and I can't wait to really get started.

So, look for me at www.thisprimitivehome.blogspot.com.  Say hello and let me know you've stopped by.  I'm starting the blog with the December Photo Project.  What fun.

Just want to say goodbye from learning as we go and thank you for all of your support and reading through some of my "thoughts."  I'm far from done sharing, just done sharing here...I think.  : )  It's really not a good-bye, just a sideways good-bye.  See ya.

I've been a little busy.

You will pardon my lack of blogging as of late.  Some of it comes down to a sort of writers block, some to lack of things to say but mainly to lack of time.  I am not someone who can handle too many things at once, so the more important things take precedence over blogging.

We were out of town last weekend for a trip to the beach.  It was wonderful except for the $80 ticket my husband got for speeding through Delaware.  Though it was a little annoying she was actually generous and only charged him with a lesser speed than the actual.  *Note to self:  send in the payment.*  Ugh!

Was on my way to one of my cleaning jobs last week and I got hit by a deer.  Yep, you read that right, I got hit by a deer.  I was braking to avoid hitting one, when a second ran out and ran right into the back of my car.  I am so glad it didn't do any damage.  Only damage was to my emotions.  What a nerve-racking moment.  Do you ever wonder why silly things like those happen?  Strange.

Anyway, I've done a few small projects around my home that I've shown on my blog.  Well, we just embarked on a big project just last week.  We are knee deep in renovating my bathroom.  Who knew that one small room could create such havoc.  But I must say it is worth it.  My bathroom has been a mess since we moved into this house.  Clean, but a mess.  Mainly the floor.  The tiles were coming loose and the grout was looking a little...gross.

I will show you what we started with.  The first picture shows what the room looked like when we bought the house.  I must disclose to you that the tub (which is hard to see) was actually the turquoisey minty color.  Though very clean and in relatively good condition, the color was just not my thing.

I decided to put a band-aid on it until it was time to renovate, so here is the most recent photo of our bathroom.

As you can see, I did my best to work with what was there.  I removed the wallpaper and freshened up the walls and vanity with paint.  I placed those two rugs on the floor to hide the loose floor tiles.  What you can't see in this picture is the pee stained rusted out floor heater right by the toilet.  It was nas. Tee.  Nasty.  (Did I just write the word toilet on my blog?)

Anyway, since the majority of this renovation would fall on my husband it was up to him when he wanted to get started.  Well, he wanted to get started and I was in full agreement.  So, we are down to one bathroom.  One woman sharing a bathroom with 3 boys and a dog.  It's proving to be a challenge at times, but we'll get through it.  (No, my dog doesn't use the bathroom to do her business, her food and water bowl is in there.)
Not to mention the fact that my washer and dryer are also in that bathroom. 

Well, here is what my bathroom looks like now.

Nice huh?  Well, you will see I like to keep my rooms decorated during renovating.  ; )  Why not?  Makes me like to go in there.

I will keep you posted as to how things are going.  Aside from the toilet lid getting busted everything has been going smoothly.  I only hope it continues that way.  I can't wait to get to the putting it back together part.  Soon.

Guest posting today!

Happy Monday morning.  It happens to be an absolutely beautiful (perfect) day here!  I love Monday's.  There's just something about getting a chance to start over with a new week.  And we get to do that 52 times a year.  Just remembering the quote from "Anne of Green Gables." 

**Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."

Love that.  I hope you'll use your Monday as a fresh start.  And don't worry, if you blow it, you always get a fresh start tomorrow, or the next Monday!!

***Today I have the priveledge of guest posting on my dear friend Bevy's blog.  I feel so honored.  I hope you'll pop on over and read what I have to say about anxiety.  Anxiety can be a dark topic, but nevertheless it's a real issue for me.  I hope you'll feel encouraged.  Say Hi to Bevy and be entered to win a giveaway!!!

To read my guest post go here. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

A little home improvement

I just wanted to show you what I've been up to as of late.

Last Saturday I had a whole day all to myself so I took advantage of that time and decided to paint my kitchen cabinets.  It's only phase one of the whole kitchen makeover, but so far I'm pleased with the results.

To get a real appreciation I'll show you a picture of what the kitchen looked like before.  This is what it looked like when we bought the house.

This next picture shows what it looked like after we took out the prison bars and painted the walls.

That's about how it has stayed since we moved in.  It's not that I hated the blue, it just wasn't the color I chose, nor would it really be a color I would choose.  And after living here for over two years, the paint was beginning to chip and the cabinets were getting a little on the dirty side.  So, I decided it was time to change.  And with no one around it was the perfect opportunity.

Part of the reason it took me so long to paint them was because I struggled with what color I wanted.  My dream was to paint them black.  Oh I love that, but with black appliances I thought that would be way to much.  I also thought about doing a colonial burgundy, but again I wasn't sure if it would be too dark.  So, I opted for a colonial green.  Green isn't one of my favorite colors, but it's definitely one that I'm okay with.  Better than the blue anyway.

So, here's how they turned out.

Since I took the photos, I've already changed out the curtains and added some decorations to the cabinet sides at the window.  I'll show an prettier picture when the kitchen is cleaned up and ready. 

Well, like I said, it's just phase one.  We want to install a new backsplash.  I'm thinking brick.  Also, we want to install a new counter top.  We have a portable dishwasher (you can kind of see it in the photo above) but I would like to have one installed when we replace the counters.  All of this takes time and money.  Both a precious thing these days.

So, what do you think?  Should I have gone with black or burgundy?

Once upon a time

Once upon a time there was a prince and a princess.  On a certain day in the merry month of September this happy couple discussed who would take the "good" chariot.  The prince decided to let the princess have it and she was ever so grateful. 

He on the other hand would suffer because of this decision.  You see, the chariot that the prince had to take was considerably older and didn't have the special features of the princess' chariot.  One such feature it was lacking was that of a reminder when the prince would leave his lights on.  **Who knew a chariot had lights.  ; ]

On this merry day, the prince drove his chariot to work and left the lights on.  Because of this the chariot had a dead battery.  However, the prince will not discover this until about 6 pm when it is time to leave.

The princess, being the sweet woman she was, was preparing for her prince a lovely dinner.  Her happy children whistling tunes while setting the family dinner table.  In concern for her prince she placed a call only to discover his battery was dead.

**Okay, so part of that paragraph may not be entirely true.**  Side note, this is the fourth time the prince has had a dead battery.  **Another side note, the prince received a birthday gift from the princess' mother containing a device that would jump start the prince's chariot without using another chariot.  Did the prince have it with him on this merry day?**  No.

So, the prince had to go find help for his chariot.  When he calls his precious princess he then informs her that not only was his battery dead, but now his keys were locked inside his chariot.

The princess realizes the predicament her prince is in and must abruptly end her dinner, leaving the half eaten plates and food on the counter.  She heads to her chariot with her children in tow.  And of course, the extra keys to the prince's chariot, oh, and the special device to jump the battery.

The children had homework that night and school the next day and the princess realizes that the children can not go along.  So, she turns to her mother for help.  Dropping the keys and device with the princess' mom, the decision is made that she would go save the prince and the princess would take care of the children.

**Side note, the princess mom has a gps, but it is in the chariot that is being repaired at the mechanics.**

So, she heads off into the night to save the prince.  But by this time, the prince had hitched a ride in a co-workers chariot to his home to wait for help.  A short time later, the princess checks in with the prince and learns that he is now with the princess' mom and heading to revive his chariot.

Ah, all is well, or so she thinks.  The princess had just sat down at the table to reload on her dinner and help her children with their homework when the prince calls.  He needed help because they were lost.  The princess being the sweet wife she is digs up a map (on google) and becomes her prince's gps, guiding them along to their destination.

However, what the princess doesn't realize is that the destination on the map was incorrect.  And so, for thirty minutes she sends them in the complete opposite direction.  Once the error was discovered, the prince and the princess' mom refueled her chariot and headed back in the direction of the prince's chariot.

It seemed that all was well at this point.  And it was, however, by now it was after 9 pm.  The prince would arrive to find his chariot.  Get it started and drive home.  He will arrive at 10:15.

Upon entering his castle, the prince falls to the couch in exhaustion, where he will sleep the entire night. 

And they lived happily ever after...

The moral of the story is, make sure you have an extra set of keys hidden somewhere on your chariot.  And, if you turn on your chariot lights, please remember to turn them off.  If you receive a gift from your prince/princess' mom, always have it with you.  And make sure you always have a map in the glove box of your chariot. 

**This story may or may not have been true.  It may or may not have happened to me and my husband.  He may or may not have woken the next morning and in a series of events managed to lose his keys and throw them away all within five minutes.  We may or may not live happily ever after!!!

Is there any room in your heart for me?

I have to say that my husband is in France right now and he took my camera with him.  So, I've been making do with some old photos to go with my new posts.  I hope you don't mind.

This post is not a cry for help.  I'm not sad and pathetic even though it may sound like that.  I actually have complete peace and I am very excited to see what the future holds.  These are just thoughts goin through my mind and feelings in my heart.

*****

Over the summer our family made a huge change in our lives.  We moved to a new church and decided to put our kids in a new school.  I will post more about that later.

It feels as though we are starting all over again.  In many ways it's been easy but in other ways it's been hard.  One of them being the struggle to meet new people.  I feel as though I am on the outside looking in. 

It seems they all already have their friendships established.  Like they've known each other for years.  They seem genuinely interested in talking to me and meeting me, but is that where it stops?  Their lives are full of family, church, school and the like.  They are busy, like me.  Could they have any more room in their lives for another friend?  Is there any room in their hearts for me?

This has been weighing on my mind a lot lately.  I guess it's natural for a girl woman to feel this way.  We all want to fit in.  Want to be liked.  It's hard to be the one left out.

I know in time I will find my place.  And I know it will take time.  I just want a bucket full of friends.  Not a lot just a bucket-full.  ; ]

My version of a bucket full of friends!!  :)

 
But more than that I would like one to be mine.  Just mine.  Okay, I'm scaring myself a little bit, but I think you know what I mean.  That one that knows the real me.  The one I can cry with, laugh (really laugh, you know, the pee your pants kind) with, go on play dates with and even "couple dates."

Sure, I still have friends from my old church, but things are different now.  I don't see them anymore.  I'm not looking to replace them, just add to my bucket.  So, if I'm willing to add new friends to my life does that mean that others are too?  If I still have room in my heart for another friend or two, does that mean they have a little room in their heart for me too?

Be

I came across this song this morning.  Selah is one of my absolute favorite christian artists.

I couldn't help but notice how appropriate it is to my previous post about the apostle Paul.  It's truly touching.  I hope you enjoy.

Happy Monday!!

Powerful Words

I just love Sunday's don't you?  We are truly blessed to live in an area where there are many many great churches.  Real churches.  I happen to think that my family attends one of the best around.

I was really touched this morning not only in the sermon, but also in the music worship.  So many talented people!!  Makes me jealous, but glad that I can be spiritually fed through them.

Our Pastor has been speaking and just today finished in the book of Acts.  We've been learning about the apostle Paul and his journey and sacrifice for Jesus Christ.  I think the following verse sums up Paul's life.

Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ

and to die is gain.



Wow!!  I have always been able to understand the "to die is gain,"  but to get to the "for me to live is Christ" that is the hard part.

Our lives are not to be about us.  They are to be all about Him.  Oh I already know this, but still fail.  Miserably.  This verse and message today struck a cord with me.  How does one get to that point in their life?  The point where we are fully living for Christ?  Like the apostle Paul.

I guess we can look to I Corinthians 15:31b for help.

I die daily.



Simply put.  It's dying to ourselves.  Simply put, but hard to do.

The Help

Happy Saturday Night.

Well, with my husband out of town the country and the boys tucked in their beds, it seems I couldn't come up with anything better to do, so I watched a movie.  Just flippin through the channels I came across the movie "The Help."

There are few "words" in the movie.  **I don't know why they have to put language in movies.  Drives me nuts.**  Despite this I must say I have throughly enjoyed the movie. 

The movie is so well done.  One minute you're crying and the next laughing.  Anything I can say wouldn't do it justice.  This is not a christian movie.  There was no Bible lesson, no teaching, preaching or scripture reading.  There was however one BIG valuable lesson to be learned.  And that is LOVE.

Can't say anymore.  Just go see it.

Why blog?

This is a question I have found myself asking now for quite some time.  Why do I blog?  Why do you blog?  Why does anyone blog?  I'm not really sure yet why I do.  I hope if you are reading this and you have a blog that you know why you blog.

Is it because I want people to know me and see how I live?  No, I don't think so.  If you haven't noticed I haven't even posted a photo of myself on this here blog.  (ahem Bevy, I see you noticed.)  Anyway, I am a very private sort of person.  It's not that I want to keep secrets from people, more that I don't think people really care what is going on in my life or others for that matter.  I don't even have a facebook account.  Do people really care what others are doing every moment of the day?  Or, is it just plain nosiness?  I don't know, just sending out the question.

Do I blog because I have something really important to say that everyone needs to hear?  No, that can't be it either, because I really don't have much that is worthy of hearing.  I really am just learning life as I go.  You would think at the age of ....nevermind let's just say at my age I should have a lot more figured out by now.

I once saw on another persons blog something about how she was trying to pick up traffic on her blog.  I found myself asking why?  I'm not really sure I want to "grow" my blog, if you know what I mean.  Because with a bigger audience becomes more pressure right?  And as a working mother, wife, sister, daughter and on the list goes, I certainly don't need any added pressure.  So, if that is the case than why blog?

I guess the real reason I started this blog was for my boys.  I am not a very talkative person...usually.  What I mean by that is, I don't tend to share my feelings outwardly.  I am not very affectionate either.  Don't tend to give a lot of hugs and kisses.  Wow, I just aired a lot of my dirty laundry on the world-wide-web.  Oh wait, nobody reads my blog anyway.  Shew!!  I'm good.  : ]

Anyway, back to the topic of discussion here.  I guess my hope is that someday my boys will want to read this blog and in doing so will see inside of my heart those things I was never able/willing to share.  Good and bad.  And know how I felt and what I was thinking.

So, while my blog may grow I will still be here spilling out my thoughts.  And while no one cares, I'll still do it.  For them.  After all, they are pretty much the reason I do everything I do.

So, tell me why you blog.

What's in a name?

I am going to try to revive this 'ol blog of mine.  I have had so many things going on in my head, but just couldn't get them on "paper."  I know what you're thinking, "this is a post about how a person "fits" their name, or why they were given a name."  Well, I'm sorry to say you are incorrect.  This is just something I haven't been able to let go, so I thought it must be worthy of a post.  We'll see.

Anyway, I overheard a conversation last week between a father and his son.  It was slightly disheartning.  I don't know this particular family very well yet, and may be a little presumptuous in my thoughts.  I'll give a quick version.  This boy made a comment about someone calling him a name, and his father said something to the affect of "I'm glad I don't call you that."  The son went on to say to his father that he did call him a name.  Mind you, this is not even a word I use, let alone call my child it.  Well, the step-mom went on to tell him what the word means, but we all know the father never intended that to be the purpose behind the name.  To end the conversation (or atleast what portion I heard) his father went on to say that his son was too sensitive and needed to stop taking him to heart.

That's the part that got me.  Here is this boy basically asking his dad not to call him a certain name, and his father tells him to stop being sensitive.  Let me ask, is it okay to call someone a name as long as it doesn't hurt their feelings?  This is a conversation I had with my husband last week.  I have been told that I am too sensitive to other peoples thoughts and opinions.  Another question, do I need to stop being sensitive and feeling hurt, so that the other person can have the freedom to state their thoughts?

As someone who is sensitive and hurt rather easily, I tend to bite my tongue when I sometimes so desperately want to say something.  Something I know could/would hurt someone else.  I can't imagine deliberately bringing pain to another individual.  And then, telling them to stop being sensitive to my hurtful words. 

I just wish people understood the power of words.  Both good and bad.  They can have a lasting impression on someone, and I'll add, if said enough those words could start to be believed.

Maybe we do need to be less sensitive, not to give others "freedom of speech" but because we as christians aren't to fear others, only God.  In other words, it's only important what God thinks of me and not others.  Right?  Then why do we take it to heart?

Maybe the kids have it right.  "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

A recipe: Homemade Granola

A few years ago a friend of mine made this granola for a morning MOPS meeting.  It was so delicious and she graciously shared her recipe with me.  Well, lately I've been getting a hankerin for some granola.  Here is what you need:

Homemade Granola

4 cups Old Fashioned Oats

2 cups coconut

1 cup sliced nuts

3/4 cup oil

1/2 cup honey



Stir together the oats, coconut and nuts.  (I used about 3/4c sliced almonds and 1/4c sunflower seeds.  Just use your favorite, or what you have on hand.)

Mix together the oil and honey.  This can be a little tricky because the honey does not incorporate well with the oil, but it doesn't matter.  Trust me, if I can make it work, you can!!

Next, you pour the wet ingredients over the dry and mix together till coated well.

Spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Stir and return to oven for 15 more minutes.

There you have it.  Homemade Granola!!  *You can change the cooking time based on how brown you like yours.  Just remember to stir every so often.

Enjoy!!