Tuesdays At The Table - Vanilla Granola

Happy Tuesday, lovely ladies! I hope you all had a fun and fantastic long weekend!

I've fallen in love with granola lately. I try something new every time I pass by Whole Foods big vats of granola. Their vanilla granola is the best! After a little digging, I found a really similar recipe.

I hope you like it as much as I do!

Vanilla Granola

6 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup sesame seeds
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a large bowl, toss oats, walnuts, coconut and sesame seeds. In a saucepan over medium heat, cook oil, honey, brown sugar, water and vanilla until well mixed. Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat evenly. Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pans. Bake at 275 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container.

Even though the recipe calls for coconut, I didn't use it (I'm not fond of coconut) and it still came out really well.

What's cooking in your kitchen? Don't forget to stop by and say "hi" to Andrea!

Musical Monday - Daylight

Happy Labor Day, ladies! I hope you're enjoying the long weekend by relaxing, hanging out with friends & family and enjoying the end of summer.

I heard this song on a Bacardi commercial (yep, go ahead and make fun of me!) and kinda liked it. It's so peppy... Have you heard it too?

OK, resume your goofing off! :-)

If The Shoe Fits

I can't believe that it's Labor Day weekend! Fall, cooler weather, shorter days and apple picking are on the way while warm, breezy days, capris and sandals are on the way out.

Where did summer go?!?!

On the bright side - starting to change over my wardrobe mean I get to indulge myself in a new pair of shoes. What? You don't buy a new pair of shoes each fall? I guess it's a habit left over from getting ready to go back to school.

I can't decide which ones to buy.

Spectator pumps. So cute and love that they are kinda retro, the black and white contrast and that they are Mary Janes (kinda).

Cute bowed pumps. Adorable. I love the bow, the slightly chunkier heel and the scalloped edges.

Which ones do you think I should buy?

I Miss Road-trips...And These Guys!

I've always loved being in the car; especially if I'm the one driving! I was a lucky kid who got to travel far and wide (the perks of being the oldest grand kid...heeheehee). Don't worry. The joy of driving wasn't discovered until my teen years. I promise!

But, for over a year - road trips weren't going towards an amusement park, party or a vacation. Instead, it was to see JC and "the guys". I won't even tell you how many trips I made up there...

I miss the drive up (all *ahem* six to six and a half hours of it)...

The tolls

The cows

The rural road...OK, it is pretty.

The ability to lose all radio stations except for one Spanish station, one french station, one on Canadian weather and something that played show-tunes and The Muppets. (You wish that I was exaggerating...oh, wait...that's me that wishes I was exaggerating.)

THE GUYS!! (Left to right are: G, Tony, JC and Joe)

Fine. I miss the open road, but I miss these camo-clad dorks in hero's clothing even more.

They're in Afghanistan, but that doesn't stop them from acting goofy....

...and dancing. (Ellie's hubby- Trebor)

Or making faces at people. (G [left], and a guy I've never met)

Smiling despite living 40 men to a tent. (Tony)

Smiling through a whole lot of body armor. (JC)

I can't wait for them to come home and road-trips to commence. :-)

Tuesdays At The Table - Chicken Cordon Bleu

Welcome to September! I can't believe how fast the summer went by...

Now that the lazy days of summer are behind us (OK, realistically - we're still in for some pretty great weather), the kiddos are going back to school, and the oven can go on again - it can mean some heartier food.

One of my fall and winter favorites is Chicken Cordon Bleu. So easy! Deceptively easy! :-)

Remember to drop by and say "Hi" to Andrea!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
6 slices Swiss cheese
6 slices ham
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
3-4 tablespoons of butter

Pound out chicken breast until it's about a half inch think all around. Place a slice of cheese and ham into the center, leaving a half inch border. Fold (or roll) the chicken until all internal contents are hidden. Secure edges tightly with toothpicks to minimize oozing. Combine flour and paprika, then dredge each chicken breast. Shake off excess flour.

Heat a skillet to medium and melt butter. Cook each side of the chicken for 3-5 minutes then transfer to a baking pan and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

I know you're asking yourself why you do both stove top and oven cooking. Maybe you prefer not to...and that's fine! I like the outside of the chicken to firm up; it reduces oozing while baking and gives the chicken a little more crunch. :-)

What's cooking in your kitchen this week?

Musical Monday - Life Is Beautiful

Happy Monday, my lovelies! After a long week (I worked 63 hours...ICK!), I happily stayed in the house and enjoyed the windy, rainy remnants of Tropical Storm Bill.

I watched some of the coverage of Ted Kennedy's burial, etc... He's such a political icon, especially if you're from the fabulous state (if I do say so myself) of Massachusetts. However, 14 and a half straight hours of Teddy's life was just a little over the top for my taste.

I'm curious...how much coverage was he given in other parts of the country?

I heard the following song during the trailer for "My Sister's Keeper", and just loved it. I've never heard of this group before, but am going to keep an ear out for them now. :-)

Have a fabulous day!

We Have A Wiener ...Or, Um Winner of the 100th Follower Giveaway

Thank you all so much for all your comments, give away entries and for sharing some of your favorite quotes. You are all awesome!

A huge WELCOME to my new followers! I've already swung by to visit some of you...and I'll be by to check in on the rest of you real soon (probably this weekend if we really get the rain from Tropical Storm Bill that is predicted).

There's not a darn thing I can do about it; but it would be nice if you all didn't disappear until my next giveaway...mmmkay?

And, without further ado:

The winner is CASEY!! Congrats, my dear! When you have a minute, just email me your address.

Don't worry gang, there will be another giveaway soon. Promise!