Granola Recipes

http://www.vocalpoint.com/ is worth a look!  It has info on new products out, coupons etc... It just takes a minute to sign up.  I found the recipes below for all sorts of granola.  Granola is one of those things that looks HARDER than it really is to make.  Give it a try!
*My site also includes some other granola recipes, if you are looking for more. Just type in "granola" in the search box to check the archives.
Make Your Own Granola

http://www.vocalpoint.com//_500002045/Articles/Make_your_own_granola&memberid=
GRANOLA BASE

3 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp salt

½ tsp cinnamon (you can add more or less, depending on what you like)

1/3 cup honey (you could also use maple syrup, if that's what's on hand)

1/3 cup canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

*Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray and set it aside.

*Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix the remaining liquid ingredients in a glass measuring cup. Heat the liquid mixture for one minute and stir its contents, then pour over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Thinly and evenly spread the granola on the baking sheet. Pop the pan in the oven and set the timer for 20 minutes, or until the granola is a light golden brown.

*Enhance the base granola after baking by mixing in different combinations of dried fruits, nuts or seeds:

TROPICAL GRANOLA

¼ cup macadamia nuts

½ cup dried pineapple

¼ cup flaked coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

½ cup dried papaya

½ cup banana chips

HARVEST BLEND

1 cup dried apples

½ cup halved walnuts

¼ cup pumpkin seeds (salted and roasted)

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

½ cup dried cranberries

FRUITY GRANOLA

½ cup dried apple chips

½ cup banana chips

½ cup dried papaya

½ cup raisins

½ cup dates

CHEWY GRANOLA BARS

2 cups of quick oatmeal

¾ cup wheat germ

2/3 cup brown sugar

½ cup honey

2 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. Kosher salt

4 tbsp. butter

*Brown the oatmeal and wheat germ in a large, dry frying pan on medium heat. In a separate pan, combine the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove from stove and mix with the dry ingredients.

*Once the dry and liquid ingredients are mixed, stir in your favorite mix-ins, including chocolate chips or dried fruit.

*Spray the bottom of an 11x13 pan with non-stick baking spray, or line with wax paper. Firmly press the mixture into a glass-pan, as if you’re making Rice Krispie treats. Let cool at room temperature. After three hours, cut into bar-shaped treats, package in wax paper or snack-size bags and store in an air-tight container.

Valentine cards

Below are some FAST last minute Valentine card ideas I found at the link below...
THE SWEETEST VALENTINE'S CARD:

http://yourwisdom.yahoo.com/your-home/valentines-cards-handmade-heart-article-acid.html
This homemade Valentine card is simply sweet to put together. Put some sugar (or salt) in a plastic sandwich bag with a few drops of red food coloring. Using white or pink cardstock, draw a heart shape, fill it in with thin glue, then pour the colored sugar over it. Allow the glue to dry and tap lightly to shake off the excess. If you're feeling especially creative, experiment with using more than one color. Make the red colored heart on pink cardstock and when completely dry, add a thin line of glue around the heart and sprinkle with white sugar to outline it.

*Since the card will have to be handled gently after applying the sugar, complete the inside and any writing on the front of the card first.
                                                                                           


STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION:

Doesn't everyone love conversation hearts? Here's a way to share them with your Valentine without worrying about diets or dental bills. Using a paper punch you can purchase at any craft store or online, cut out small heart shapes in various bright colors. Carefully write appropriate sayings on each heart to convey a personal message meant for your Valentine alone. Fold a piece of cardstock and glue the paper conversation hearts to the front of the card in random fashion, or arrange the hearts to look like the petals of a flower, or in the shape of a heart.



HEART OF MANY COLORS:

One of my favorite coloring activities as a kid was to color a paper with every bright crayon in the box, then cover it with black crayon that you could etch into to reveal the colors underneath. Bring back this simple, time-tested craft in a similar manner for Valentine's Day. Cut out a heart shape then color it completely with a psychedelic look of several random bright colors, everything except red. Take a dark red crayon and cover the other colors, pressing hard to get a thick layer. With a dull pencil or orange stick, carve your own initials and those of your Valentine, or some other appropriate sentiment.

What about the inside of the card? If you're at a loss for words, use someone else's! There are many free sites where you can copy romantic phrases or short poems that are appropriate for the mood of the day. One site with a large number to choose from is PoemsForFree.com. If you have nice handwriting, make it personal by penning it yourself; otherwise, type the phrase and print out in a pretty font befitting the occasion.  

Michaels printable coupon (Sun. 2/13/11- Sat. 2/19/11)

Click on the link below for Michaels printable coupons:
http://www.michaels.com/021311-ShopLocal-US/021311-ShopLocal-US,default,pg.html

AC MOORE printable coupon (Good Sun. 2/13/11- Sat. 2/19/11)

Click on the link below for a 50% off coupon to AC MOORE.
http://www.acmoore.com/images/upload/week7_11couponse.pdf