Here a granola recipe I found years ago. If I could remember where I found it, I would post it...but if my memory returns...I will give credit.

Honey-Oat Granola Bars

4 C. quick-cooking oats

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 c. Chopped salted peanuts or almonds

1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. sunflower seeds (pumpkin are good too)

3/4 c. butter, melted

2/3 c. honey

1 t. vanilla

In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, slat, peanuts, chocolate chips and seeds.  Stir in the butter, honey and vanilla until combined (mixture will be crumbly).  Press into a greased parchment paper lines 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until browned and bubbly.  Cook for 15 minutes and cut into squares.  Cook completely before removing from pan.

Poor Man Brownies

I'm looking through the Weiser 2nd Ward cookbook.  It was published in 1995.  My Grandma and Aunt have some of their go to recipes listed.  But as I look at the names I see faces of people that I know and have heard stories of for years.  As I see the names I am reminded of how many times I was told that they were excellent cooks, as they were the ones who took care of us at girls camp and different church activities.  Oh the memories that come with names.....
Here's a good one from Grandma Youngberg

Poor Man Brownies

1/2 c butter
1/2 c crisco
4 T. cocoa
1 c. water
2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
2 eggs
1T. vanilla
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. buttermilk

In a pan add butter, crisco, cocoa and water and stir until boiling. In a bowl combine  sugar, flour and mixture from pan.  Mix well and then add eggs,vanilla, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. Pour into large cooking sheet.  Bake 20 minutes at 350.  While baking make frosting.
Frosting
Bring to boil :
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. cocoa
1/3 c. milk
remove from heat and add:
1 t. vanilla
1 lb powdered sugar
Spread on brownies while hot.  Chopped nuts can be added if desired.

Hot Dog Casserole

I am working at a new school in the lunch room.  The amazing thing about this school is that they have asked that all the food be cooked from scratch.  As this is the way I was taught to cook, it is right up my alley.  Here is a recipe that my family loves (I think its ok) but I'm going to see if we can make it for the kids.  As what kid doesn't love spaghetti noodles or hot dogs.

Spaghetti Casserole

1/3 c chopped green pepper (opt.)
1/3 c chopped onion
1/4 c butter
3 T. flour
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 c. water
1 c. evaporated milk
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 c. grated American Cheese (or 1 c. grated cheddar cheese)
1 lb. sliced hot dogs
1 1/2 c. cooked spaghetti

Cook 3/4 c dry spaghetti, whi  ch has been broken up into 1 1/2 inch pieces.  Saute green pepper and onion in butter until tender.  Remove from heat.  Stir in flour, oregano, salt and pepper.  Cook and stir for 1 minute over low heat.  Add water, evaporated milk, worcestershire sauce and cheese.  Stir over low heat until thick.  Stir in sliced hot dogs and cooked spaghetti.  Pour into 1 1/2 quart baking dish.  Bake at 350* for 20 minutes.  Cover with buttered bread cubes and bake until bread cubes are golden brown, about 10 minutes.  Serves 4-6. 

I Love This Time of Year

I seem to "make it" through winter. Work through spring. Laugh through the summer and relax come fall. Now, those that know me may think that the word relax is a bit far fetched for who I become this time of year. If anything I have to step up the pace...but there is something about the cooling off and the ripening of my labors that calms me.

For the past couple of weeks I have been able to serve my dinner from the garden. There is something so amazing about walking outside and looking around and seeing abundance everywhere. Now, I am no amazing gardener, but I plant seeds and they produce. Today I checked out the green peppers and found that they were exploding. So, after dinner and bedtime stories, I chopped and measured, and away for the winter they go. I am such a farmers wife. I would never have thought that growing up, but I love seeing the "fruits of my labors." There is nothing as astonishing to me as seeing the beautiful colored fruits in bottles lined up on my shelves. Now that is satisfaction...which causes me to relax knowing that I am prepared.

I also love this time of year because of school. Yes, it is nice having the house quiet down (I'm still waiting for that to take place). But I love the big smile that comes home from school. The first day of school Caleb walked in the door and his eyes were big and his smile wide as he said, "I love school". He loves being with his friends, but most of all he loves his teachers and all that they give to him. Their creativity, energy, and probably even there structure. Now, just one more week and Cameron will start....I'm hoping the smiles will be there for him too. I really do love this time of year!

A Step Back In Time

It seems like every time I talk to Debbie on the phone she tells me that I need to "post it on your blog". So, after her never ending persistence, here it goes.

I just finished a week long vacation at Dad's house. I say Dad's house, because Mom took G'ma out of town during my trip home. You see G'ma has been living with my folks for 13 plus years now, and G'ma has a hard time tollerating the youth and enormity of our family. So, while the cat was away the mice did play. We spent most of our afternoons at the Payette Public Pool, a place of fond memories. The kids and myself have all come away with nice tans. Caleb ventured away from his life jacket on our last excursion, and Cameron actually allowed himself to float in the "big" pool (with his lifejacket) by himeself. Paris just enjoyed the water.

On our last day Debbie showed up and challenged me to jump off the high dive just for "old time sakes." Always up for the challenge...I bravely walked to the board. As I climbed the latter I noticed the rusting of the diving board's caging. The wood had erroded as well...was this really safe? I started my journey to the tip of the board. Do I run and jump or walk to the edge and "walk off"? My mind was racing...I must look foolish. How can I keep myself from looking like a complete idiot? I decided to mix all techniques. I put a quick step to my walk and jumped slightly off the end. I made it. It was so much fun that after Debbie took her turn, I tried a dive off the low dive. Oh, what great memories...of the past and now the present.These are the days.

7:30:00 PM
by craneydays