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Coconut Granola

Saturday, May 31


Today, I have a recipe for you! For a multitude of reasons, I've decided to stop using Between Three Kitchens as my recipe blog, and I'm switching back over to here. Mainly because I was the only person using that blog (despite the fact that there are three four of us attached to it, and also because any time I've linked to a post on B3K over on this blog, it didn't seem as though many of my readers were going over there. So scratch that! I'll save you the extra step; let's make some granola right here in this kitchen! This feels more like home anyway.

I've actually posted a recipe for granola before, but that's not the one I've been using for the last two years. (Whew, didn't I tell you that the recipe page needs an update?!) If you compare that recipe to the one below, you'll find that they're actually pretty similar, because let's face it, granola is granola. If you want the science behind granola, then definitely take a peek at that post, otherwise, just go ahead and make this one!


You'll need a scale for this recipe. I apologize if you don't own a kitchen scale (you should totally get on that - here's mine!)... I've never actually gone through and measured this particular recipe with measuring cups because weighing it is so simple and leaves me with so many less dishes to clean! Just two bowls and a spatula.

Also, you may notice that there are almonds in the photo but not in the recipe... that's because I had a handful of almonds to use up so I just tossed them in there. Feel free to do the same! If you do throw in some nuts, and you find that your mixture is too dry after adding the wet ingredients, just add more coconut oil a tablespoonful at a time, until it just sticks together. If you want to add raisins, craisins, or dried cherries, toss those in once the granola has cooled - dried fruit puffs up and dries out in the oven, so definitely don't bake it with the granola!

Coconut Granola

15 ounces rolled oats
3 ounces shredded coconut
6 ounces all-purpose flour
4 ounces brown sugar
pinch of salt
6 ounces coconut oil
6 ounces honey

- Preheat the oven to 300ºF.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the coconut oil and honey in a small bowl, and heat in 30 second increments until coconut oil is fully melted. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula (or your hands!) until fully combined.
- Spread the granola mixture across a rimmed sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden. Make sure to stir it around every ten minutes. The granola hardens as it cools, so the biggest 'done' factor you're looking for is the color!
- Store in an airtight container and it will keep for weeks... I can't say how many, exactly, because mine never lasts that long!



Enjoy!

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Fun Finds Friday #62

Friday, May 30


I always love looking at National Geographic photos.



These bear macaroons are the cutest!!!!



A whole slew of fun maps.


+ I am totally making some chocolate covered strawberries to dip in whipped coconut cream tonight.
+ Megan's travel post about Greece makes me want to go there so bad.
+ How do you feel about a restaurant registry? I love the idea!
+ Have you ever noticed this minor repeating detail in Pixar movies? Not me!
+ Traffic at the world's craziest intersection. I can't even.


Happy Friday!

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Dress for Devon

Wednesday, May 28




dress: eShakti / scarf: Target / shoes: fair trade shop in Savannah, GA / bracelets: Loft

This week is the Devon Horse Show, which I've gathered is a big deal around here when it comes to horse competitions. Although I rode horses growing up, I've never followed the competitive end of it, so I don't know much about it. I was more interested in the country fair part of the event, so that's why a friend and I decided to check it out yesterday. The event was a lot smaller than I anticipated, but that's probably also because we went during the week - I'm sure it was much more crowded during the weekend and on Memorial Day. We didn't end up spending much time there because it didn't take as long to walk around as I anticipated. But hotdogs were buy one get one free, so we indulged in hot dogs and got to see the Budweiser Clydesdales, which were HUGE and beautiful. Seriously, you need a ladder just to mount them!

When I think of horse shows, I think of dresses and elaborate hats. Well, I don't own any elaborate hats but I do own a few dresses! This is one of my favorites, although I always seem to forget that until I put it on and don't want to take it off for the rest of the day. This year I seem to have gained an inch and a half in my bust, waist, and hips... (I'm blaming a change in birth control but others tell me it's my body preparing for childbirth... but let's not talk about that) and since I got this dress custom fit when I ordered it, I was afraid it wouldn't fit this year - but it does! Just as well as it did last year! Sadly, that's not the case for any of my shorts from the past few years... but let's not talk about that.

Also, you may have noticed that my hair is in a ponytail! The teeniest ponytail that ever was, with the help of many bobby pins... but a ponytail nonetheless! I actually had a larger ponytail before this weekend, but it was disguising a growing mullet, so I trimmed it. Now I'm closer to the bob-look I've been trying to achieve in the midst of growing out my pixie. Getting closer every day!



The perfect dress to twirl in.

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Week in Photos: Week 21

Sunday, May 25



I pass this totem pole every day on my way to work. It's such a beauty!





This is Lloyd's idea of helping me organize my recipes...





Beware of the lemon monsters... they have a soft spot for strawberries.





I made mini keylime tarts at work this week... soooo good!





And meringues, too! I can't wait to make some mint chocolate chip ones!





His favorite spot, now that it's warm enough for us to keep the windows open all the time.





I went to a different Trader Joe's this week... it was SO nice. Much less crowded, so much more selection.





The makings of chicken cordon bleu.





Well, it tasted a heck of a lot better than it looked, trust me. Attractive plating is not my forte.





Red, white, and blue for Memorial Day.





And repeat.





That is one delicious looking stack of mint chocolate shortbread cookies, if I do say so myself.





The rainbow after the epic thunderstorm!





...did you see the double rainbow the first time? I didn't.





Over here we call those cat cubbies. Anyone need a cat sitter?





These cupcakes remind me of pink lemonade. Or soft serve ice cream.





Lloyd likes to let it all hang out.





I love this.





If it fits, Lloyd sits.





Giant Easter bunny, courtesy of my parents. Seriously huge, seriously delicious. (Thanks, Mom & Dad!)





Lloyd is taking a cue from the rest of us and spending this weekend relaxing. Oh wait, he does that all the time.



Have a great weekend!!

I have two more days off... plenty of time to work up a new blog layout, do some crafty things, clean the apartment, and relax. Oh, and watch more episodes of Revenge.... I'm addicted!

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Fun Finds Friday #61

Friday, May 23


Marina Gonella was one of the artist renting studio space at that place I visited in Miami.
I really enjoyed her simple, soothing, collaged landscapes.




A really neat take on fashion design illustrations.




Origami is so cool!!


+ I always enjoy reading birthday reflections.
+ I haven't downloaded it, but I really like the look of this new app.
+ This is what tears look like under a microscope. Who knew we had so many different ones?!
+ Loving the Ace & Jig clothing line... it's like real-life anime character clothes!
+ I'm looking forward to the film Boyhood.

Happy Friday!!! Enjoy your long weekend, if you're lucky enough to have one. My four-day weekend just started :) No work until Wednesday!

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Zebra Casual

Wednesday, May 21


shorts & top: Anthropologie / shoes: from a fair-trade shop in Savannah, GA

Sometimes I'm too lazy to set up the tripod and sometimes outfits are too simple to warrant the effort. In the process of (for lack of a better word) revamping my wardrobe, I've come to realize that simple can be a good thing when it comes to clothes. I finally have a closet full of items that I'm happy to wear, that fit well, and that can (for the most part) all be paired together. This shirt was a very nice addition, and is a different interpretation of the stripes I usually seem to gravitate towards. And these denim shorts are the best summer basic, in my opinion, although Shawn begs to differ. (He says they're for 12-year old girls...) When I was growing up I wore a lot of jeans and t-shirts and over the past few years I've tried to grow out of it and develop a (again, for lack of a better word) fancier style. But sometimes jeans and a simple top are all you need. The addition of fun shoes helps too!

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Road Trip, Part 2: Miami

Tuesday, May 20

(If you missed part one of the Miami road trip photos, it's right over here.)








Sam's mom lives within walking distance of a historic bar. You wouldn't even know there's a bar there unless you look really really hard. The history is all over the walls and it's still owned and run by the same family that opened it, so we got to hear the whole story from the bartender. I made a feline friend outside, too.








We had breakfast by the marina (pineapple juice and eggs benedict!) and then ventured into downtown Miami. Apparently, i-95 ends and turns into Rt 1! Crazy. I don't really think about roads ending (other than dead ends).










Sam showed me a cluster of artists' studios where they work and display their art (here's a peek) and you can come in and chat with them if they're around. I loved the mosaic entryway! There were some pretty neat artists in there, but most of them were on lunch break, so we just peeked into all the studios.






And that concludes the road trip photos! It was amazing, although I miss my friend dearly now that she's so far away (!) but I can't wait to go down there again - hopefully with Shawn next time, if I can convince him to fly ;)

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Week in Photos: Week 20

Monday, May 19



Parked my car and noticed this dandelion. The landscaping crew came the next day and cut it down.





I love these guys so much.





He was skeptical at first, then realized what the big 'monster' actually does, and promptly settled in.





Five minutes of brushing. Lloyd is one furry furball.







I guess it was a cupcake kinda week.





I'm loving my new ice cubes!






...not as much as Lloyd loves his catnip beaver though, apparently.





The littlest lemon!





I'm still loving my Graze Box subscription... it gets better every week!





Turkey tacos! You wouldn't even know that it's not beef.





Lloyd loves doing his Mr. Burns impression.





Newly red hair and eye makeup for a day out with my siblings- I rarely get a chance to get dolled up!





I usually take the train downtown but my this time we decided to drive in. Philadelphia skyline!





Driving towards city hall. Philly gets a lot of shit from other cities, but I think it's a beautiful city.





Took the siblings to Tria; my brother recently turned 21 so now we can finally all drink together!





Like true Frenchmen, we also indulged in lots of cheese, including one of our grandfather's favorites.





I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

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