Homemade Granola

I haven't done a recipe for you in a LONG TIME! Largely because I haven't cooked a normal meal in a LONG TIME! But today, as you kick back and snack on your holiday treats, I bring you the healthy stuff. :)

I adore granola. Granola bars, granola bites, granola cereal, just plain granola...yes please! And when Lynne taught me to like yogurt, she did so through a delightful parfait bathed in fresh fruit and heaps of granola. I struggle to eat yogurt without granola because it gets to be too creepy a texture for me. I need the crunch and the interruption of granola to get through the yogurt.

But I'm also cheap, and granola is expensive. Ryan and I were buying a bag every week to the tune of five or more dollars, and I couldn't justify it anymore! Plus when I accidentally looked at the nutrition information one day, I realized not all granola is healthy! A lot of it tastes so good because it is loaded with sugar.

So....I set out to make my own in hopes that I could find something that was good and yet a little more cost effective and a little less pricey. I found this post, which offered a "build your own" granola bar, and I liked that. I liked being able to swap in and out the things I like, and changing up the taste as needed!

Below is the recipe I used, with the options listed, and my choice for each one in bold.

Homemade Granola

4 cups oats 
1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon (pumpkin pie spice, cloves, or whatever spice you love)
1 cup raw walnuts (pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
1 cup slivered almonds (coconut, more oats, another nut or seed choice)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (other dried fruit choice)
1 pinch of salt
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (canola oil or butter)
1/4 cup maple syrup (honey, brown sugar, agave or other sweetener)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (other flavored extract)

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Combine the three wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients; mix well. Spread out on large cookie sheet {with sides} and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Stir and store in airtight container.

A Few Tips:

* I won't lie: if you don't have this stuff on hand, it can be kind of pricey to get all the ingredients to start. Nuts and coconut oil are not cheap. But if you have some of it on hand already, buying some more won't be too bad, and most of my bags of ingredients lasted long enough to make two batches at least. Some made more.

* The raw walnuts and the slivered almonds were among the cheaper raw nuts at the store. {I love salt as much as the next girl but they say to use raw ones for a healthier option.} I LOVE pecans in granola but could not afford them the day we were making our purchases.

* I HATE RAISINS - and most dried fruit, actually. It kind of freaks me out. So I got an all-natural version of dried cranberries, and they were pretty good! You have to be careful with dried fruit too, because some of THOSE are covered in sugar as well, making them taste delicious but defeating your get-healthy purposes.

* I used cinnamon because it's my favorite, but if I were making this in the fall, I would think pumpkin pie spice would be just heavenly.

* I melted some coconut oil for our granola, because I bought a jar of it to use in some of my other DIY projects, and because I know it's good for you. A jar really does last for a while, so it makes the price tag worth it, in my opinion.

* I used maple syrup in ours because honey seemed too messy to deal with and my father-in-law makes his own maple syrup, so I get it for free!

* This granola recipe isn't super crunchy like what you buy in the store. The original post said if you add more of the fat {butter or oil}, it will get crunchier, but it will also add calories. So pick your poison!

* We really like this granola and it makes the house smell delicious when it bakes!

Weekend Dates

I know, I know. It's Wednesday and I'm just now getting around to talking about the weekend! I just like to keep you guessing. :)

Ryan and I had a couple fun dates this weekend! I had him ALL to myself this weekend, which is one of my favorite things, because I'm selfish that way.

Friday night, we thought we'd go see the lights in our park here in Marion, because it was CRAZY warm, and we could walk the whole thing. We walked it in light coats, no gloves, and no hats, actually. It was the perfect night for it. We did get Starbucks before we went so we could enjoy that while we walked...maybe that kept us a little warmer.

Now that I see this picture, I see that Ryan sneaked his hat on at some point and I didn't even pay attention. Well don't I look like a liar now!

It was such a fun night. Leisurely and wonderful.

Saturday we had the whole day together again, and we went to Indianapolis to meet up with our former neighbors who just bought their first home down there. It is a lovely home, and their housewarming was combined with a birthday party for their daughter who is ONE!

And then we hit the big city for some more SHOPPING! In short sleeves!

It was Christmas shopping, round 2 - since our Christmases are about to begin. We interrupted it a few times for some fun.

And before we came home, we had dinner at Applebees! A shout out to the {grown-up} burper at the table next to us!

Thanks, Ryan, for a fun weekend! I loved our adventures!

Christmas Card 2015

Before I show you our Christmas card from this year, I wanted to tell you that our newest podcast is up! This week we're talking Christmas traditions and wrestling...and no, the two are not related. Click below the picture to hear...hope you enjoy this one!

 Click here to listen

I love mail.

And it's possible that during the Christmas season, I practically meet the mailman AT the door to see what treasures he brought that day, because Christmas card season has arrived!!!!

I know a lot of people have given up the card-sending because it's so expensive, but we still like to send them. We can't send to EVERYONE, though, so I thought I would share the card here for you to see! :) It's a Merry Christmas to you from us!

The front of our card. {Click to enlarge}

...and the back!

Since our anniversary is so close to Christmas, we use the card-sending moment to document each season of our marriage, and our letter matches it. Here's this year's letter, if you want to see it!

No matter what comes our way...with you, I am home.

            And that sums up our third complete season of Shafferland, which we just celebrated on December 2. Actually, the 3rd season began away from home, in Chicago, where we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. We did all the Chicago-ey things of visiting the SkyDeck at Willis tower, walking the Magnificent Mile, visiting the Bean, strolling through Lincoln Park Zoo, visiting IKEA for the first time, and having a romantic anniversary dinner at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. And then we came home. 

            At that time, we actually still owned two homes, but on December 11th of last year, 141 days after we agreed to the offer placed on the house, Ryan's Greentown home finally sold, leaving us as one-home owners and greatly rejoicing in this change! It was the perfect way to end a calendar year and begin a marriage year.

            We spent a little extra time in our home in the early part of this year, because in January, I ended up in the emergency room and after a long month of tests, waiting, and  stunning medical miscommunications, I had surgery to remove the gallbladder that has apparently been the culprit of my 15 years of intermittent abdominal pain. I took two weeks of gallternity leave, and Ryan took excellent care of me as I recovered and got back to whatever normal is for me. 

            We continued the adventure we began in 2014 {though we didn't get very far on it this year} of visiting all 92 counties in the state of Indiana. We trudged through snow to visit Huntington County, went home to Howard County, ventured north to Steuben County, and squeezed in a trip to Madison County later in the year...returning to the same state park where we made our relationship official three years ago. We also packed in one last tour right before our 3rd anniversary, crossing Allen County off the list, too! We still have almost 80 counties to go in this adventure, so maybe in the year to come, we can pick up the pace a bit!

            Day trips to counties weren't our only adventures away from home this year. In May, we took our annual birthday trip and drove to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a long weekend away. We drove around in the mountains, hiked 5 miles round trip to a picturesque waterfall, went shopping, had the lovely caricature from the back of our Christmas card made, visited an aquarium, and had all sorts of fun. And then in October, we took our first long vacation since our cruise two years ago. In eight days, we saw seven states and two countries, when we visited Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, Furnace Hills Coffee Roasters, Letchworth State Park, and Niagara Falls. Braeya wasn't too happy with us when we finally came home from that trip. She made us pay for a while.

            As you know, for the first 2 1/2 years of our marriage, we've been double commuters. While we both loved our jobs so much, we were weary of four collective hours on the road each day, pouring our paychecks into our gas tanks, and coming home each night utterly exhausted. Once we only owned one home, we had more freedom to make changes, so our HUGE life change this year was my resignation from WBCL. It was difficult to turn in a resignation letter to a place that so changed the trajectory of my life and also held memories of the beginning of our life as the Shaffers, but we knew we were walking in obedience by making this change. After three months of preparing to leave and training a new producer, I left the station at the end of June, and both of us were eager to see what God had next for our little Shaffer home.

            Actually, our home itself has undergone more change this year. In January, we brought home a new couch, which we named Mo. It converts to a queen size bed and we spent a lot of happy weekends curled up on Mo, resting from busy weeks. {It also came in handy for that gallternity leave and recovery!} We redecorated our master bedroom, relieving Ryan from a three-shades-of-purple sanctuary and transforming it into a beach paradise, minus the beach, of course. And we had a new heating and air system installed, rounding out the changes - hopefully for a long time - on this home of ours.

            We put our house on the market this summer, hoping to move closer to Kokomo and Ryan's work, but so far, God seems to be indicating that our place is here in Marion, and we're learning {to be fair, I'm learning} to be content with our calling for this time. 

            This 3rd season of Shafferland brought so much more with it: a surprise 60th birthday party for Ryan's mom, some speaking engagements for me {one of them was to 350 women - eeek!}, monthiversary celebrations on the second day of each month, venturing into the world of essential oils, photography gigs, hosting game nights and family get-togethers, a new nephew, visits from family, training for a half marathon {that turned into a 5K}, taking a gun safety class and visiting a shooting range, holding our first ever rummage sale, jury duty {that was Ryan's week of fun - he was even elected foreman!} and many other adventures.

            It's definitely been a full year. We're grateful, as we look back to one year ago, that things are so different today. Though going down to one income has been an adjustment, we're grateful for the calmness we've begun to know, having me home each day and able to be a homemaker and pursue writing. {I finished a new book manuscript already, so I'm excited to see where that journey takes us.} Ryan is still driving back and forth to his PTA job in Kokomo and has added a side home health care job to try out that atmosphere and see how it compares to working full time in a hospital. We're excited to begin our fourth season of life together, to begin recording and sharing a podcast about life {we actually already have three episodes under our belt!}, to serve God together in our church, and to wait for His further direction on what He wants from us as a couple.

            A busy, fulfilling year. A year of change. But a year that has made us realize that no matter where we are, no matter what chaos upends us, when we're together, we're home.

Pausing to Reflect

I thought I'd stop the Christmas rush for a day, because this weekend marked a significant moment in Shafferland.

One year ago:

If you've been reading here at the old blogaroo for at least that long, you know what a long, excruciating ordeal it was to sell the house that Ryan owned before we got married. We owned it for a full two years after we got married, and in that time, we spent a year waiting on a family who promised to buy it and then didn't...and then we had to clean it all up again and start over. A new family came who desperately wanted the house and placed an offer, and it took 141 long, ridiculous days of hoop-jumping and paperwork and delays that according to our Realtor, never should have happened.

We were exhausted. Our buyers were exhausted. Our Realtor was exhausted. And no doubt you were exhausted because every now and then I had to vent about it here and you had to read.

But just a year ago, we handed over the keys and walked away from this house that had been both a blessing and a burden.

We drive by it now and then, and it seems like the new family has settled in well and is really enjoying the chance to call it home. We are thrilled for them - and not just because they relieved us from owning two homes. We know this was a blessing they needed in their lives, and we're happy they have it.

But looking at that picture again, and remembering life as two-home owners caused me to sit for a moment and think about all the beauty that came from that house sale. Not just the financial relief of no longer owning two homes. Not just the time-relief of no longer maintaining two properties. {Although...certainly both of those!!!!} The chance to breathe. The chance to dare to imagine a life with freedom in it. The chance to imagine a life where we didn't have to work so hard to keep up with a surplus house.

It was because of this sale that I was able to leave work and stay home. And while leaving work was hard, there has been a peace settle over our life and our marriage because I'm able to focus on home.

Because this house sold...I don't have to dread this winter {which, granted, so far has been filled with warmer days than we had this SUMMER!} because I don't have to commute in any forthcoming snow.

Because this house sold...I finished a book manuscript.

Because this house sold...I was able to say yes to some speaking engagements in 2016, and hopefully I can say yes to more!

Because this house sold...I was able to begin the process of cleaning out this home of ours, to simplify, to downsize, to make life easier.

Because this house sold...I've been able to take on tasks for Ryan so his evenings and weekends are easier and he can rest.

Because this house sold...we are free to be ready for whatever God has next.

This day that happened a year ago was the first domino in a line of beautiful happenings for us. I'm grateful for it. I don't take it for granted. I haven't forgotten the immense weight that fell from us when we drove away from signing paperwork that night, knowing we were just ONE home owners.

The waiting to get to that point was long and arduous and filled with moments that were not our finest. {Usually more on my end than Ryan's. He's far more patient than I.} We cried over that house and got angry over that house and prayed over that house and read Scripture over that house...and finally handed over that house.

And today, we celebrate the beauty that has come in the freedom. 

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday night, Hallmark aired the movie based on the Karen Kingsbury book, The Bridge, and my friend Sandee had invited me to watch it with her and some of her friends and family. Ryan assured me he could represent us in watching the Colts game and told me to go watch and have a good time. So I did! I enjoyed the movie {though not waiting a year to see the end of it} - and it was extra fun to see my book on the coffee table in the host's home!!

* Monday morning was fine - and then I looked up while I worked on our podcast and noticed it had suddenly gotten foggy. That's odd! It's odd for fog to settle as far in town as where we live, so I can only imagine what it was like out in the country! I spent the day polishing our "new" dining room table and chairs - and I thought they turned out quite shiny and lovely!

* Tuesday's task was addressing Christmas cards - a huge job, but definitely easier when I had an entire day to do it! Ryan and I got a new gift from his mom - a coffee Christmas rug. How perfect is this!?!?!? Not perfect was the help we received while working out. Bench press that, Braeya!! LOL!

* Wednesday I mailed my cards, and I ended up sitting in the Walgreen's parking lot with a washcloth, sealing them all in the front seat of the car. I'm so classy!! Ryan asked if I would buy him some gum - and I had to make a big deal out of it because as you may or may not know, I hate EVERYTHING about gum. {I'm so weird.} That night Ryan FINALLY got the alternator off his truck. He's been working on it for about a month but kept running into issues. He was pretty happy it was done.

* Thursday I had a HUGE treat: I got to watch our friends Nate and Jenna's kiddos for a little bit. They are adorable and we had a good little time. Apparently our house was the coolest because we had all the cartoon channels. :)

* I started wrapping gifts on Friday - and it was fun to do with Christmas movies playing in the background! It was SO WARM on Friday that we walked the light display in the park without even wearing hats or gloves - or very warm coats! It was the most fun date. I'm so glad we had a good night to go. {The first two years we went, it was snowing when we arrived, and we had to drive it!}

* Yesterday we got to SLEEP IN and eat breakfast at home - which was so lovely! We went to a birthday party for a friend's kiddo who turned one, and then we set out to finish as much of our Christmas shopping as we could! It was a good all-day date day! And can I tell you how much fun that is to do when it's almost seventy degrees IN DECEMBER?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?

The Saturday Six

One.

You all know my undying love for all things Little House...so you'll understand why this post, featuring a Little House inspired photo shoot, made me absolutely swoon. {Sorry there isn't a teaser picture for you - her images can't be copied. I have a rule about not featuring something on the Six if I can't use a photo, but it's too good not to share, so go see!}

Two.

Wow - watch this!!!! 

 Three.

Source

It's not very often that I link to something on this actual blog on the Six, but since we're breaking ALL the rules this week, let's do that! Earlier this week, someone asked me about the counter tops Ryan and I overhauled a couple of years ago, and she wanted to know how we did it. Since some of you might be new here since then, I thought I'd send you back to that post, in case making over your kitchen is on your 2016 list, and you don't have money for all new counter tops! So here you go!

Four.

Source

One of my Facebook friends linked to this blog this week, and I had SO MUCH FUN looking through all her posts! So many great ideas - especially for those of you who move often or rent and have limitations on your decorating. Loved it!!

Five.

Source

Maria asked if Ryan could make a list of good gift ideas for guys, and we somehow lost track of that project and will have to table it for next year. But in the meantime...I found this idea list! I know a few of them would get nods from Ryan, so I think it's a good list!! 

Six.

Source

And one more gift list for you!! I have tried several of the things on this list and agree with her suggestions. The only one that did not work for me was the nail polish she recommends. I don't think you'll ever be able to separate me from my Shellac. But if it works for you - great!! But these are fun! {And those Wood Wick candles - SWOON!!!}  

Christmas in Shafferland 2015

Wanna peek into our toned-down Christmas this year?

The first year we were married, I didn't have much time to decorate, and it nearly gave me a panic attack to not put up EVERY SINGLE TREE I owned. The last two years I've gone all out and used every decoration in the tubs.

This year? I needed a simple Christmas. We have only 2 trees up {and one is so tiny it barely counts}...but I am so in love with the warm touches to our home! I love the way the things we have tell the story of us and our Christmases. I love that this is our fourth Christmas together and therefore we have actual traditions established. These things make me smile.

We actually do not have a tree in our living room this year. {GASP.} We rearranged the entire room, and this left us without room for a tree. Crazy! But it's okay because we put the tree {you remember Firby!} in the dining room, right in the archway that leads into the living room, and you can see it fully from both rooms. It's lovely.

So really, in the living room, our decorations are simple. Our stockings, of course...

{Braeya has a stocking too - but it's toward the other end and you can't see it in this picture.}

We have these little wooden signs I made a few years ago and just love {for reasons I do not know}.

And possibly my favorite thing: our annual Christmas pictures. For the last two years, my friend Amy gave me Hallmark's annual frame, which says Christmas and has the year on it...and I put our official Christmas photo in it. It bugged me that I didn't have our first one {and I couldn't find one online, though I searched hard!} so I made an improvised version. It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.

And of course, we can't leave the room without a little of this!

Our Firby tree lives in the dining room, and we just loved the way he turned out! All the ornaments on this tree are from the story of our life together {supplemented with plain gold balls}.

{...you get the idea...}

We also have these stocking pins attached to the tree skirt. They're too heavy for our actual stockings, which are a very fine knit. But I love these!

 We can't forget our Pinterest-inspired tree topper!

And some other fun scenes from the dining room:

{My grandparents' Bible - which is also featured on the front of my Advent book!}

Our new dining room table with its little Christmas-y runner.

 Of course there has to be a chalkboard!

A couple of touches in the bathroom...

Another of my faves...this darling little Nativity I found several years ago while visiting my sister in Kansas, alongside a framed copy of each Christmas card we've sent.

The "tree" in our bedroom - just a little shout-out to the Colts, in honor of Ryan and how well he puts up with all the ribbon and such throughout the rest of the house!

And since we really don't have room in our house for a tree in the kitchen, I took my ornaments and hung them on the cabinets instead!

So there you have it! Thanks for touring our little home!! :) Hope you enjoyed it!