Diana's Homemade Granola

 Here it is, the middle of January already! We are waiting for our "First Big Snow Event" of the season. The first thing I did this morning was to make a fresh batch of granola since we were almost out! Yogurt and granola have become a breakfast staple around here, especially for Susanna who leaves for school before the crack of dawn. 

I thought you would enjoy this recipe as well, since I already gave you the instructions for the wonderful homemade yogurt. By the way, something I have noticed the last few times we have made yogurt:  Dannon gives the best results.  I am not sure why this is, but it seems that the yogurt made from the more expensive Greek yogurts do not have as creamy of a texture

Diana's Granola

Mix together in a large mixing bowl:

3 cups of rolled oats

1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup nuts

(you can also add wheat germ. flax seed or whatever you like at this point)

Melt together in a small saucepan:

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 T. water

1/4 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

Combine the two mixtures in the bowl until well combined and then spread it all on a large cookie sheet. I bake the granola at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes or until it is a nice golden brown. You need to be careful to set your timer for ten minutes and then stir it every ten minutes or it will burn and not taste good at all. So I stay right in the kitchen so that I don't miss the timer! After it is baked, you may add any dried fruit you like.  Let the granola cool on the sheet and then store it in an airtight container.  I always double the recipe and use two cookie sheets since it is a bit of trouble to make in the first place. I hope you enjoy this recipe and make it your own by adding the kind of nuts and fruits that your family likes.

With spring right around the corner, I made a batch of honeysuckle soap with calendula petals from the herb garden. My house smells so good!! We have not had a bit of Mrs. Dunwoody"s wisdom lately, so here is some for you to enjoy:

Cough suppressant:
Mix apple cider vinegar and honey to taste in a small glass jar. Take a tablespoon as often as needed.

Natural Soother for Coughs:
Infuse honey, cloves and lemon in hot water as a natural remedy for coughs and sore throats.  Sucking a whole clove will quiet tickles in the throat.

Heartburn:
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and sip it while eating. Another remedy is to add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to half glass of water and drink.

Thanks for reading!
Diana