I'm thankful for ...

Being born and living in America. I wouldn't choose anywhere else. She's got some big flaws but she's still the best! 

The Grim Reaper Does Lawn Care

Shelby was raking leaves in the yard and she put on Levi's face mask because it was quite chilly. I had to laugh when I looked out and saw her! :)

I'm Thankful For...

I noticed on Facebook that everyone has jumped on the "I'm thankful for" band wagon. What an awesome thing to do. I thought I would do the very same thing here the next few days.

I'm thankful for God, the Savior of my Soul. I can't say enough about the miracles He's brought about in my life. I wouldn't be here to tell you about it if it weren't for Him. 

I'm thankful for a husband that I love and cherish more with each passing year.

I'm thankful for four beautiful, lively children that bring joy and happiness daily to my life.

I'm thankful for an extended family that is caring, fun, concerned, kind and completely crazy sometimes!

Little hunter, big hunter

Dan and Levi went deer hunting this past weekend. It was Levi's first time. They got decked out in their hunter orange and, of course, I had to have some pictures to mark the occasion.

They had fun but alas no deer was killed this year.

I went shopping during this time and received a free t shirt that says "He hunts I shop". I will actually wear it because it's cute. 

Our town turns into deer central for two weeks every fall. I love going to get groceries and seeing all the different attire being worn by the men. I was in the store and passed two men in full camo with painted faces. I almost didn't see them. Just kidding! Not sure what they were hunting without the orange. 

Our local fleet farm advertised Orange Friday (similar to black Friday) the day before hunting season opened. Nice play on words.

Anyway, I posted this picture a few years ago. I passed the local eatery and saw this. It still cracks me up.  

Homemade Granola

One more recipe for you. Today, I made granola from scratch with the help of my sister in law's recipe. Oh goodness, I may never eat anything else.

Here's the recipe:

My New Favorite Granola
6 c. oats
2 c. of large coconut flakes
1 1/2 c sliced almonds (or coarsely chopped)
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. honey
1/3 c. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/3 c. plus 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. sea salt


Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix oats, coconut, nuts and flour in large bowl. Set aside. Add the remaining ingredients in a small sauce pan over low heat until smooth and liquified.  Drizzle half the liquid over the oats and mix well. Drizzle other half. Mix well again. Spread in thin layer over cooking sheet. This might take 2 or three baking sheets. Bake for 40 minutes stirring half way through. The granola will be lightly golden brown. It will get crunchier as it cools.

You can add all kinds of stuff to this recipe. Some suggestions are walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia, pepitas, etc. If you add raisins or dried cherries, do so after the granola cools otherwise they will burn.

I fixed a single batch today because I didn't have enough ingredients for two batches. Next time, I will fix a double batch for sure. I can't seem to keep my kids, not to mention my husband, out of it.

It's good Clark, real good.

SOS

If you are looking for an easy, quick supper, SOS or hamburger gravy is the way to go. I think it got it's name in the service. My dad said they used to fix this for them when he was in the Air Force.

Whenever I need to fix something quick and cheap I think of this and my husband and kids love it.


Hamburger Gravy
2 lbs of hamburger
a quart or so of milk - I used 2 % and throw in a little 1/2 & 1/2
1/4 c flour
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

I fry the hamburger in a deep skillet - like my cast iron skillet. When the hamburger is done I drain off some of the fat and then sprinkle the meat with all the flour. As soon as I've stirred that in, I add the milk and let it simmer until it thickens. Then I season it with the onion powder and salt and pepper. It's ready when the gravy is as thick as you like it.

If you wanted to take the time, you could dice up some onions and cook them with the hamburger and then you could omit the onion powder. There really are LOTS of ways to fix this with many additions.

I serve the gravy over toasted bread (Dan's favorite) or biscuits or mashed potatoes (my favorite).

Wha la, a quick and easy supper.