Because You Asked

Because I have had several friends ask for the recipe of my Homemade granola bars....I'm posting it for them and you today.  They are a great addition to a packed lunch or an after school treat.  Something I don't always have the time to do...but this week I did.  Enjoy!

 

Granola Bars

Bring to boil:

1 1/4 cup corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

 

Then add:

1 cup heaping creamy peanut butter

 

After peanut butter melts into mixture, add:

2 cups mini marshmallows

 

Remove from heat & add:

4 cups oatmeal

3 cups Rice Krisipies

 

Grease 9 X 13 (or larger pan if you want them thin) and put 1/2 of granola mixture in pan.  Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips (I skip this step...because I'm such a "health nut" ha ha ha) Put the rest of the mixture on top and press until flat.  {like Rice Krispie Treats} Sprinkle with mini M & M's or mini chocolate chips on top. 

 Speaking of after school I found these pictures when I uploaded the granola bar picture.  This is Donovan & Suzy as we are all waiting for the last of our kids to come home on the first day of school.  Donovan is like a little kid when it comes to this mega phone.  He hooked up his iPhone to the mega phone by some "cord" and had Justin Beiber playing when Isabella walked up the drive. 

Mainly because our kids all think Justin is......well.....not their type of music.  As a middle schooler Isabella was tormented by her dad playing music and talking on the mega phone as she walked from the bus stop.   {Don't worry-the bus and the other kids getting off the bus were long gone} William and I may have been break dancing in the drive as she walked up.  Just for a fun embarrassing factor.  It doesn't take much to get her "feathers" ruffled. 

Didn't realize Donovan got this picture.  But this is my {apology for embarrassing her} welcome home  hug.

Ahhhh....I love her.  She reminds me of myself when I was in 7th grade.  Only I got embarrassed by my parents big brown maxi van that had lots of rust and a loud muffler.   HA HA HA.  I remember asking my mom to drop me off down the block from school.  :) I'm pretty sure it's pretty common for this age to embarrass easily...right?

news and notes

 Just some randomness for your Saturday evening enjoyment.....

 Last night I made pizza~and I have to say it was better than any delivery or otherwise.  I got the recipe from my friend Jen, and when I started this supper I was worried it wouldn't be as good as hers.  But it was!  Loved it.  We were trying to cheer ourselves up since we had to stay home with a sick boy and miss our Christmas Party with our age group from church.  Did I mention my sister was planning on coming to spend the night so we could stay out as late as we wanted??  Anyways....I didn't get supper in the oven until a little late in the evening, & I cracked up at William's anticipation of our meal.  {See above photo.}  We let him and Isabella put their own toppings on, which only added to his enthusiasm of it!  While Jack was busy on the couch with the flu and Suzy was playing with dolls.
Here is the recipe......

Jen's Pizza Dough
1 T. yeast
1 1/4 c. warm water
1 T. sugar
4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. oil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let set for 5-10 min.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Knead for 5 min. and let rise until double.  Spray pizza pan with cooking spray, then sprinkle with cornmeal.  Roll out (with rolling pin) and place on pizza pan.  Let rise 15-20 minutes.  Pre-bake at 400 for 7-10 min. Top with desired toppings and finish baking until done.  

 In other news and notes...hubby spent today doing this.  Something I've been whining suggesting for about for a year to have done.  An outlet in our kitchen island.  Now I can flip pancakes with out actually leaving my seat at breakfast, & free up some counter space when I've got a crock pot brewing.  Ahhh...the things that bring me joy.  Disturbing I realize. 

And I spent the day doing this.  For a friend.  Actually the one who makes the awesome pizza.  :)

Also finished up buying & wrapping Christmas gifts with the help of Isabella.  And now I shall fall into bed into a deep sleep ~appreciating the fact that no one has thrown up for a good 36 hours now.    

do you smell what i smell?

 I found this recipe in a magazine for "Christmas Scent"  And I must say I do love it.  So when the kids constantly say they are hungry especially my youngest I tell them they can have a clementine.  I have them peel it right into the pan. 

Here is the recipe....

5 cinnamon sticks

1 Tbs. cloves

1 Tbs. allspice

2 rinds of orange

3 bay leaves

Simmer on stove.  Mmmm...I smell Christmas coming.