Autumn-Spice Granola

Stace's Autumn-Spice Granola

-4 cups rolled oats
-1 cup almonds
-1 cup pecans
-1 cup raisins
-1.5 tbsp almond butter
-3 tbsp honey
-4 tbsp pumpkin puree
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
-1 tsp vanilla powder
-1/2 tsp salt


Preheat over to 300 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir together oats & nuts.

In a small bowl, melt honey & almond butter together. Then add pumpkin puree & spices.

Slowly pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture.

Spread mixture onto a baking sheet.

Bake (center oven rack) for about 40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent burning, until granola is crumbly and golden.

1. Remove from oven and stir in the raisins.
2. When the mixture is cool, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or refrigerate for 1 month.

Today

Well, it's Super Bowl Sunday and my only plans include reading a Tim Keller book, snuggling with Sneaker and cooking some pan-fried, crispy chicken. Christopher is away this week with Cuddle Magic touring the Midwest. Tomorrow's my 33rd birthday (that number feels strange) and, somewhat funnily, I have jury duty.

Katie Reynolds stopped over this afternoon to drop off a framed print of her photograph called the "Jolly Roger." She had a really great show at the American Sardine Bar last month that Christopher & I were able to attend. I've been really struck by Katie's work capturing vintage signs. Her double exposures make you feel like you're in this alternate reality and I love staring into those little "worlds" that she creates.

For now, I've propped it on our living room bookshelf, front and center.

It's starting to get dark (5pm) and I took this photo to capture the fact that I finally (after maybe 2 years) lit this beautiful candle that our neighbors gave to us after watching their cat Noodle while they were away. Their daughter Eliana takes piano lessons with me and is always asking me when I'll light it. I thought that burning it would ruin its beautiful etchings. However, I now see that I was wrong. It's even more beautiful now that it's melted a little.

I've been struggling a lot with my skin lately. Actually, I've been struggling for an entire 7 (perhaps 8) years now and it's only been tolerable at a few certain points. I don't really have much to say about it except that it's really hard living like this. My heart feels so heavy so often. Just typing that out feels moderately therapeutic. It's difficult having a health condition that's mysterious and not really understood by anyone (including me).

Anyway, I think it's time to start cooking some dinner. Go Eagles?

A beautiful gift.

Over the past year, my piano students have started giving "Mini Recitals" at our house. It's a chance for the kids to invite their friends & family to the studio and to perform just for them. I could talk ALL DAY about how wonderful it is and about all of the benefits that I've seen. But that's really not what this post is about!

This post is all about the beautiful gifts that I was given this past weekend after hosting one of these said recitals for my student David, age 5. His mom Anu is so lovely & warm and, truly, a kindred spirit. She handpicked the loveliest little gifts that speak right to my heart!

I felt so inspired by their beauty that had to take a few photos:

Not only the orchid, but also a cat-themed calendar (PERFECTION), some tea and a handmade card from David...

And, because he's so stinkin' cute, here's a picture of David after the recital. He's holding his recital program. He performed 11 songs and nailed it! <3

Gah, I feel so loved. And I am SO proud and happy that he already has one successful Solo Recital under his belt... at age 5!! 

I've found such joy and motivation from teaching piano, especially over the last year or two, after coming through some extremely difficult times. I hope that it continues and that I'll continue to grow as a teacher. 

Photos from today

It's been a long time since I've felt well enough to take my camera with me on a walk. I'm so thankful for this morning. I woke up feeling generally okay (compared to my normal) and so I decided to take a walk before breakfast.

Here's a few of those photos from this morning, taken in the Woodlands Cemetery.