Thursday, February 13, 2014

Fun Mail

Munching on a apple.


Excited to watch the ripples.

He loves bubbles!

We have been making lots, perhaps too many homemade granola bars. Way less processed than what you buy in the store. The kids love to help make these and they are super quick to make.  

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats ( We run ours through the blender)
1 cup crispy rice cereal ( we put extra in....still delicious)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
I also throw in a little flaxseed and chia seeds  and Steve and the kids gobble them up. 

 In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. boil 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients.

Pour into pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn't small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together.  Recipe taken from here


Our first daffodil finally bloomed.....and then Hailey picked it.

The kids were thrilled to get valentines letters from Nana in the mail.


They even got stickers.

And a little spending money.