Baked Goodness

I hate it that I haven't updated in awhile. I've had a lot going on and nothing going on at the same time. I guess I mean I've had a lot of health stuff going on but nothing cute and fun to blog about. I'll go into all the health stuff after my appointment this coming Wednesday.

So, as I don't have much I can or want to share, I'll just throw some recipes out there. Even though I can't eat a lot of things anymore, I love cooking and especially baking. Whenever a magazine comes in the mail (my mom seriously has dozens of home mags she subscribes to), I always flip straight to the recipes.

Here is a recipe for homemade granola. I'm especially proud of this one because I created it myself! I tinkered with an old recipe of my mom's and I really think it's the best granola ever. I make it for John just about every week. My little brother's birthday was a few weeks ago and the one thing he said he wanted was my granola. Nice, eh? (I also got him a Ghostbusters tee . . . we're so crazy!) He eats it with fruit and yogurt.

The secret to this recipe is there's no corn syrup (which makes it sticky--yuck!) or white sugar . . . the sweetness comes from honey and brown sugar. Brown sugar has way more flavor and goes farther than the white stuff. (The best chocolate chip cookie recipes have more brown sugar than white, BTW.) The granola comes out crunchy, not sticky, even here with all the humidity. But I will warn you, this granola is RICH. John only eats a teacup sized portion with some milk in the morning. If it's too rich for you, you can mix it with Rice Krispies or Special K to lighten it up. But I promise you, you won't want storebought granola ever again after you try this!

 

Autumn’s Granola

4 cups old-fashioned oats
½ cup flaked coconut
½ cup wheat germ
¾ cup chopped pecans*
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3-1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla

Grease a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 250 degrees. Dump oats, coconut, wheat germ, pecans and brown sugar into pan and mix with hands. In a measuring cup, combine oil, honey and vanilla. Drizzle wet ingredients over the oat mixture in the pan. Combine with hands (yep, it’s messy, but thorough) until the granola is evenly coated. If the oats still look dry (they will be light in color if not thoroughly soaked), spray them with Pam until the mixture looks evenly coated.

Slide the pan into the oven (make sure it’s in the middle of the oven or higher so it doesn’t burn) and cook for one hour, stirring once every 15 minutes (set the timer every 15 minutes or it’ll burn!). Once cooked, spread warm granola on wax paper or foil to cool. Make sure to scrape the pan with a wooden spoon to get all the tasty scraps!

*You can substitute walnuts for pecans, or use a combo of the two (very good!). If you want to use almonds, I would use slivered (NOT sliced, those are too thin) almonds and I would not add them until the last 15 minutes of baking. Almonds are not as oily as walnuts or pecans so they burn much faster . . . So keep an eye out! If you’d like to have a special treat, I bet macadamia nuts would taste good too . . . But I would toast those separately and add them AFTER the granola is baked. Macadamia nuts burn even faster than almonds.

 

While I didn't make this next recipe up, it is a "specialty" of mine. Snickerdoodles! I made them for our Primary kids at church and two-thirds of them had never heard--much less eaten--snickerdoodles. What poor, deprived children! If you too are poor and deprived of snickerdoodles, you gotta make these. They are sugar cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar . . . only they have a better texture than plain sugar cookies. They are crispy on the outside and tender and biscuit-y on the inside. Mmmmm . . . I haven't made snickerdoodles for the Primary in over a year and those kids still ask me constantly for them. Just this week one of my old Savannah buds asked me for the recipe, so I thought I'd share it with everyone. This recipe comes from the classic Better Homes and Gardens cookbook . . . not the new one. The new recipe is not as good. Stick to this one . . . it's a crowd pleaser! Sometime I'd like to experiment and mix some real vanilla bean in and make Snickerdoodles with vanilla cinnamon sugar . . . ooohhhh . . .

Snickerdoodles

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup of butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla
3 tbl. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon (I actually triple the sugar and cinnamon mixture to 9 tbl. sugar and 3 tsp. cinnamon . . . that way I don't run out)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl mix 3 tbl. of sugar and 1 tbl. of cinnamon. Set aside. Next, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla, milk, and eggs and beat well. Add baking soda, cream of tartar, and flour until the dough is well combined and formed.

Make one inch balls with a cookie scoop or spoon. Roll each ball in the mixture of cinnamon sugar.

Place cookies on a parchment paper (or greased) cookie sheet and slightly flatten each ball with the palm of your hand. Bake for 8-10 minutes until light golden.

 

Happy Baking!

Happy V Day!

 

We've had a really good Valentine's week. Last week John surprised me with tickets to see "Cabaret" at the Tivoli Tuesday. I had no idea that show was even coming here so I was a complete surprise. I LOVE musicals and one of my favorite (and in my opinion, one of the best) movie musicals is "Cabaret." The movie version and the stage version are very different so I was really excited to go. I absolutely LOVE going to shows like this. It's such a nice break from just going to the movies. I love getting out and dressing up. John never fails to give me the perfect presents . . . and thus making my gifts to him crap.

In return, I offered to make him a huge breakfast Saturday, since he was traveling to Nashville to take pictures at a wedding. I made him biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon and grits. Can you get any more Southern than that? I was really nervous to make all that at once but miraculously, I managed to serve everything hot at once. Although, I must confess . . . the biscuits were frozen, the gravy was a mix and the grits were instant. Not as impressive anymore, eh? Well, he enjoyed it and he deserved it . . . especially after sitting through "Cabaret" with me. I should've warned him at one point a guy dances in drag . . . lingerie drag. John literally uttered, "UGH!" It's a good thing he didn't go see "The Rocky Horror Show" SCAD put on while we were down there! (My friend Rochelle and I went to see it twice!) I don't think he would've ever recovered.

 

On Friday, Charlie and I made sugar cookies together. I don't know what's gotten into me this year but I just felt like making heart cookies. I mainly made them as a snack John could take to Nashville. I used to love sugar cookies but since I don't eat a lot of desserts anymore, I think my tastes have changed. I had one little heart cookie and had to run and go brush my teeth. It was too stinking sweet! I thought I would never hear myself say that . . . It was a nice little project anyway. I swear, I was rolling out dough, then it started snowing! I felt like I was in a Pillsbury cookie commercial or something. When did I turn into such a cornball?

To add to the corniness, I watched two rom-coms this weekend. I know! What's got into me?! I usually avoid "chick flicks" like the plague. Most of them these days are just idiotic. There are a few I like and watch over and over, but for the most part I avoid them. But these two movies I checked out from the library had good reviews, so I thought I'd try them: "Definitely Maybe" and "Last Chance Harvey." I had avoided "Definitely Maybe" because I think Ryan Reynolds is annoying. But I was pleasantly surprised . . . he was really good in the movie. It was a different sort of rom-com. It actually held my interest and wasn't as predictable (although, the last 45 minutes, you pretty much know exactly what's going to happen) as those other movies are. The acting was really excellent in that one. "Last Chance Harvey" didn't have as much of a plot. It was a lot of talking but I found that I got a bigger romantic payoff than I did with "Definitely Maybe." I don't know, I have a weakness for Emma Thompson. She's just amazing . . . as is Dustin Hoffman. They made a pretty simple movie really fun and interesting to watch because they're such pros. Another miracle . . . I watched 2 romantic comedies in one weekend and they were both pretty good!

 

Rollin'!

 

John sharing his bounty . . . what a good dad. :)

New Look and Diagnosis-sis-sees-sis (whatever the plural is for "diagnosis")

I finally got around to updating the look of the blog! It's such a pain but I'm happy with it now. Sorry there are no pictures for this post . . . feeling kinda lazy.

My dad is doing really well after his prostate surgery. He got good news this week that he probably won't have to have any radiation. There is still a chance he may have to in a few weeks but overall, things went really well and he is doing much better. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!

As for me and my marathon sinus infection, I finally got to see an ENT. Can someone please explain to me why it takes so much time to get an appointment for a specialist? Obviously, if you have to see a specialist, it's serious. So why is the soonest appointment I could get two weeks away from when I needed it? ANYWAY . . .

Dr. Fowler (my ENT) examined my nose and was surprised to find something. I wish I could tell you what it was but he had an outburst of medical jargon. So, apparently something was wrong with the inside of my nose. He showed me my CT scan and pointed out some abnormalities in my sinus. There were a couple of areas that could be cysts but nothing major. He said the abnormalties could be causing the infection but he didn't want to jump into surgery just yet. So he put me on a month of antibiotics to try to kill it. He's also made me do a blood test to check my thyroid because of the extreme fatigue I've had. My dad has Graves' Disease so it would make sense that I could be having thyroid trouble . . . only, my dad has hyperthryroidism, meaning, he CAN'T sleep because he's so jumpy.

All in all, it felt good to finally have a little more information. Mostly I feel Dr. Fowler just played it safe, which is good. He was ruling out other possibilities before we get really serious. I know it's a good thing but at the same time, part of me just wants it all over with. True, $10 of antibiotics beats the price of surgery but I'm sick of being sick. I've felt like I've had the flu for over two months now and it's getting really old. I mean, I took 2 weeks of steroids and that didn't even get rid of it. I doubt some antibiotics will. So right now it's just about playing the waiting game and being patient. At least I'm doing something that may help, unlike the 2 week waiting game just trying to get in with the ENT. I guess all I can do is make the best of it and try to find out what I'm supposed to learn from this. I know patience is the biggie but it also has taught me to be grateful for what I have (or had). I'll get back to you when I figure out the rest of it!

Mom and Charlie Pictures

Okay, first I have to say, my blog needs a major overhaul. It's 60 degrees outside and there are snowflakes on my blog. Although it's totally possible that we'll have another snow day or an ice storm, I'm done with the snowflakes. I'm also done with bald Charlie on the header. I have a few options to replace it but I'm just too lazy right now.

Going along with the lazy theme of this post, here are some pictures I've been dying to post since October. John took us on a little "photo shoot" (after much nagging) and I'm in love with these pictures. I'm very blessed to have such a talented hubby. And he's cute, too! : )






I am in love with this last picture. I was so excited that John captured Charlie's "Harrison Ford smile." My brother Ethan named it that. It's like a half-smile/smirk that totally reminds me of Harrison Ford. I'm so glad I have a picture of it!

More Purses and a Card

I'm sure all of you are getting sick of looking at these purses, so here's a card for a change! I made this for my friend Sarah yesterday. She FINALLY got to close on her house today and I'm so excited for them. It's been a rough year for them and they totally deserve it. I just wish they didn't have to move so far away . . . true, it's only a half hour away, but when you don't have a car during the day, that can be very far! I know Charlie will miss his buddy Aspen in Nursery . . . so sad! Anyway, I found this old ad online . . . it's really weird how obsessed I am with these vintage ads. I'm a pretty strong feminist about a lot of things, but I get such a kick out of these 50s ads where women worship appliances. I'm so weird, I know. Notice I made the oven shiny with rhinestone knobs . . . hee!


So this "Practical Landscaping" purse is probably my favorite (after my Shakespeare one). I made this one for my mom. She wanted one, which totally shocked me. My mom is not into fashion or purses AT ALL. So, when she wanted a purse, I took it as a huge compliment . . . she even carries it around, so that makes me feel good! I think this is the most "chic" looking purse I've made. I love the colors and I just think it looks sophisticated . . . not cutesy crafty.

 

Here's Aunt Hilda with her bird purse I made her for Christmas. Isn't she the cutest lady? She was so excited about it. This purse I made from a bird watching book from the 60s. I love the old books the best!

 

 

 

And finally, my purse I take everywhere. It's the perfect size for me . . . plus, it's polka dots, black, white and red . . . very me. :)

I had one other purse I made, but I accidently deleted the photos AFTER I had already given it away! Hopefully I can take some new pictures of it . . .

"American Music" Purse

 

When my brother saw my Shakespeare purse, he goes, "Hey, do you think you could show me how to make one for Lauren (his girlfriend) for Christmas?" Those of you who know Ethan realize that's code for, "Will you make it for me?"

I LOVE this purse. I think it's the perfect purse for a hip young 19 year old. She plays guitar, so I used a multi-colored pick shaped button for the close. I chose a muted green for the inside. I just love this one. I wish I was cool enough to carry it! I think I should just stick to Shakespeare, though. :)


I did something really cool with this book. As you can tell, it was an Annie Lebowitz (most overrated photographer EVER . . . but the book does make a cute purse) photography book with a wrapped cover. The entire cover was one photograph. Problem was, the spine was only one inch. You can't exactly fit much into a 1 inch purse! So, I ripped the spine out completely and trimmed the cardboard on both sides to make room for a wider bottom. I cut a new 2.5 inch spine from pressed cardboard (I just cut it from the back of an old sketchpad--that's the best cardboard to use), hot glued it to the cover, and voila! A perfect sized book for a purse. I was so excited it worked because now I'm not limited to just textbooks or dictionaries for making a decent sized purse. And don't worry . . . if you make a little rip in the cover, it's no biggie. I've done that, and it's easily fixed with Alene's craft glue. Just fill in the crack, wipe off the extra and cover it with some masking tape to dry overnight. If it still shows, just mark it with a marker and it's fine.

 

 

 

Keep checking back . . . I've got tons more purse pics to share!

Book Purses

I'm happy to report that my dad's skin cancer surgery went perfectly. They didn't have to cut into any muscle, which is huge. My dad's head is covered in gauze, but he is cheerfully driving my mother insane. So, all is normal in the Evans' front. His prostate surgery is on the 26th, so if you could remember him (and my mom!) in your prayers around that time, we'd all appreciate it.



I've found an excellent distraction from what I should be doing. I should be writing my new screenplay. I am . . . just not as faithfully as I should. I'm reluctant because once I'm in, I can't get out. It kind of consumes me and I'm not ready to be consumed quite yet!

Enter book purses. (chorus of angels) I LOVE THESE THINGS!

I found an article in "Country Living" about how to make a purse out of a book. I literally ran upstairs and started tearing through all my books (I've got tons!) to see which one would make the cutest purse. I made a great choice, don't you think?


Here's the inside:



This craft is addictive, man. I love making stuff (as you know from all the project pictures that I post all the time) but at the same time, I don't like clutter. I don't like crafting just to craft. It has to have some purpose. This project combines two of my favorite things AND it's very cute. Every single purse is unique. Older books make the best covers. I love that these old books that, let's face it, no one is going to read, get new life as an adorable purse. And finally, believe it or not, these things are cheap to make. Really cheap. The materials required are things that pretty much everyone has around the house (with the exception of purse handles). Even if you had to start from scratch, it would cost around $15 to make, probably even cheaper.

I'm addicted to making these things. If I don't get too burned out on making them, I'm planning to sell them at Hodgepodge (a huge craft fair on Signal) in October. I think people will buy them. John has even talked about making me a website. I always get too carried away with stuff, but who knows? I'm just having fun making them. I've made 6 so far and I think I'm getting better the more I make. I've got tons of pictures, so I think I'll just start posting a few at a time. By the way, the "Tom Sawyer" one at the top was for my 10 year old niece's birthday.

If you're interested in making your own book purse, here's the "Country Living" article. If you really are interested in making one, let me know and I can give you some tips. I do it a little differently just so they're more sturdy. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty rough on purses, so I had to make mine pretty strong. They are really sturdy purses, believe it or not. When you think about it, a dictionary or big text book is heavier than a purse. A book is designed to hold more weight than a purse does. Anyway, happy crafting!