:: Failed Bread & Homemade Granola ::

Yesterday I spent half my morning attempting to make homemade white bread. 

Well, it was a huge fail!

Like throw it in the garbage kind of fail. Apparently, you can "kill" the yeast if you use too hot of water. Who knew? And yep, I killed the shit out of it. But, I'm not giving up. I will try again soon!

I did however successfully make homemade granola. This recipe was given to me by a friend and neighbor. And it SO good and SO easy.

Recipe : Homemade Granola

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

4 c. old fashioned oats
1 1/2 c. nuts, unsalted (I used sliced almonds)
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
Note : I also added 1/4 c. of flax seed into mine.

Mix together the above dry ingredients.

1/2 c. coconut oil, melted
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 t. vanilla

Carefully melt coconut oil, add honey and brown sugar. Mix well.
Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix well.
Loosely spread over aluminum foil covered pan.
Bake for 21 - 23 minutes stirring halfway through.
Cool completely on pan.
Dried fruit or chocolate chips can be added after cooling.

Store in air tight container.

This is SO good by itself or on top of yogurt!
What do you add to your granola?

:: Welcome Edith & Edna | Katahdin Sheep ::

These girls were my valentine's present last night & I was so excited to get them home! Edith is the one with the white belly and is pretty shy. Edna is the all black one and a bit more friendly. They will love me and my camera before they know it.

:: Winter Vacation : Days Eight & Nine | Rest & Home ::

Friday was our last full day at the cabin and we decided to just stay in and relax all day.
We slept in, Aaron made breakfast, we hung out and watched tv, played pool with the kids, had ice cream before 10am, and simply enjoyed being together.

That night Aaron was making back strap on the grill and it started to storm. The power ended up going out so we had super by the light of a flashlight & a gatorade bottle. We played cards and laughed about how we actually enjoy roughing it.

We had packed everything that we could so we could head out early in the morning. We had originally planned on not getting home until the 8th, but the kids were ready to be in their own beds. So, the next morning we were up and on the road by 7am.
It was a long trek home and Aaron drove the whole way. He's such a trooper!

We laughed at how many times I'd say oh, look at that and be taking photos out of the windshield. So, here's a few highlights. LOL!

Over all, it was an amazing experience. This was the biggest trip we've ever been on. I'd do it all again in a heart beat. Even during the moments the kids were fighting in the back seat. ;)

:: Winter Vacation : Day Seven | Knife Forging ::

Chase had a friend tell him about a place down in Pigeon Forge where you could make your own knife. This, the kids were excited for! Ella was a bit nervous about doing it at first, but ended up loving it.

The entire area ended up being really neat. We checked out the distillery and pottery shop. I could have spent ours in there!

We headed back to the cabin for a little bit of knife throwing (not the ones they had just made) and oh so totally safe. Those were bought by my sneaky husband when I wasn't looking.

And I made him take a picture with me because we both had our new boots on.

Inside to get supper started. Ella had fun helping daddy make fried chicken in the new cast iron.

^^^ (Paybacks baby!) LOL! ^^^

The chicken paired nicely with pepsi and moonshine. ;)

And the kids finished their day with ice cream by the fire place.

Are we seeing a theme here? I need a fireplace!