Guess what was cookin’ in my oven this mornin’?
GRANOLA!
Here’s the recipe:
2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, All Rights Reserved
Prep Time: 25 min Inactive Prep Time: 3 hr 0 min Cook Time: 40 min Level:
Easy Serves:
12 to 16 bars Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.
***We left out the dates and just added more cranberries and apricots. YUM!
REST…this week I am really trying to rest in the Lord. Rest in the plan He has for us. Rest in the waiting for our child. Resting should come easy while you are waiting…right? I have to be honest though, and say that I am not resting well. Another of my confessions. When we came in to our adoption the one question we asked our agency was “Where is the most need?” Their answer–Ethiopia. So…there we went. We felt called to go where there was most need. We now sit on a waitlist with lots of families without much movement, so it’s easy to feel like where we are there isn’t the need we thought. I spoke with a local Christian adoption center today who told me they really need families to adopt African American and special need children. This is just where I am today–questioning and wondering if the Lord wants us to take a turn. Until He shows us—we will sit here and wait. I think back to such WOW reminders of Him showing us Africa and feeling certain this was His will. I know He had led us thus far…so I will continue to wait on Him…
Matthew 11:28 says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The ONE thing I am most sure of is our work in Zambia with Wiphan. I long to go over and see the children there. But because we always have to purchase our tickets early, and we are now planning a May and July trip—I am uncertain if I could even plan to go as I don’t know where we will be in our adoption process. It’s likely we could still be waiting, and if I knew that we would be I could go over and be with our children there and love on them like my heart longs to do. But…He has me waiting here for now—so today I will try to find rest in Matthew 11:28. For those of you also in waiting or a time of uncertainty…won’t you seek to find rest with me that the Lord gives rest. Let us take His yoke and learn from Him…for He is gentle and humble in heart…and He promises that we will find rest for our souls. Take this doubt Lord and help us to trust in You…for your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.
by admin
I have wondered the same thing about the African American program. I prayed about it and didn’t hear a no, but a not now. So we wait right along with you and I have peace and know that my son is in Ethiopia no matter how hard it is to be patient right now.
I made these last summer and my guys gobbled them up in no time! I added a lil bee pollen and flaxseed and they didnt even know:)
Hey, I am typing my first comment on a blog. I read yours and Melissa’s everyday so here goes. I know how hard it is to wait and wait for what God has for us. I am not a good person to wait. I am a planner. I like everything planned. I am feeling the need to wait and listen to what God is telling me in all area’s of my life. I am not adopting but I am waiting with you on what God wants for me.
THANK YOU SHELLEY for your comment and words of encouragement! REALLY what I needed tonight! Yes, I’m not good at waiting either…it means SO MUCH to know others are walking the path of waiting on Him with me. Thankful you are here in Atlanta—it will be sweet to meet you one day…maybe at an airport with my little one FINALLY in my arms!!!!!
AFter losing our referral I questioned too..it is natural…BUT looking at LL…I know I was suppose to get to Ethiopia…And, with the number of orphans in Ethiopia..your son/daughter needs you to hang on…i promise things will pick up soon…I remember the frustrations..I really felt them when we hit the 6 month mark of waiting…praying your child is revealed soon 🙂 kj
YUM! Will be searching the market shelves to see if I can find all these ingredients in Hong Kong!
Love & Blessings,
Kim
Your strength will rise as you wait upon the Lord!
I so admire your heart! Praying you get to “meet” your baby soon!