Good Morning.... Maple Granola!!

A batch of yummy granola is in the oven as I write. I am so addicted to this granola I thought it would be a good idea to share the recipe with you. It is perfect on plain yogurt with frozen raspberries.....or to enjoy your favorite way.
This recipe makes a big batch, lovely to share with your best friends.
Here we go....

Ingredients:
3 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup of raw wheat germ
1/2 cup of ground flax seeds
1 cup of walnuts (or more!)
1/2 cup of raw sesame seeds
1/2 cup of raw pumpkin seeds
1 tsp. of salt
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1/3 cup of canola oil
3/4 cup of maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 to 2 cups of your favorite dried fruit.

A special note....I love to get artistic with this recipe, you can follow it loosely and add or subtract things that you like or don't like. My favorite part is the way the wheat germ and flax coat the nuts and makes them sweet and crunchy.

Directions:
~Preheat the oven to 300 or 325.
~In a large bowl combine all of the dry ingredients (except for the fruit).
~Combine the oil and maple syrup in a sauce pan heating it up very slightly and add the vanilla.
Stirring until it is all combined together and quite liquid.
~Combine the syrup mixture to the Oat mixture.
~Spread out in baking pan/ pans.
~Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until the granola is golden. Stirring occasionally for even cooking.
During the last 15 minutes of cooking stir more often to prevent scorching the granola.
~When the granola comes out of the oven it will not be crunchy until it cools. Transfer it into a bowl to cool.
~Now add the dried fruit of your choice (craisins and dried cherries!).
~Enjoy!!

Here are some ideas for additions: raw almonds, craisins, dried cherries, dried coconut, agave, olive oil, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, dried pineapple, sesame seeds.

Before and After photos.

Thrift Store Finds

Before I began metalsmithing I was an passionate about mid-century modern design. Everything form furniture and housewares to vintage jewelry and toys. I hunted and gathered all of the coolest things I could find at flea markets and estate sales to sell in my shop Decades Ago~Go which was located in Ybor City, FL. This was my creative outlet.... I loved displaying all of my treasures and helping my customers find just what they were looking for.
Recently I discovered a great thrift store near me in Ardmore, PA (it is called Pennywise Thrift Shop). It is chock full of wonderful things....here is a look at my latest finds.
A Russel Wright American Modern double decker serving dish.
Lucite Kitty Cat from the 70's (I think!).....and a green depression glass small footed dish.

Beautiful Etsy front page by glasfaden

Thank you Devi.
ps....the earrings sold!

Two Worlds Collide

I cried myself to sleep on Wednesday night after finishing The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. What a captivating story. Narrated by Death, it is a story of a young girl living in Nazi Germany. One of the themes in the book is the power of words.... How they changed a young girl's life and a nation of people.

When I woke up the next morning I had an order to finish, lots of tiny discs with letters stamped on them. Before shipping them of, I strung them together and noticed how beautiful they were together. It made me think.....how about making a bracelet with powerful positive words and phrases. So many discs that only the one wearing it knows its meaning.
The power of words.....turns into thoughts.....turns into action.