Hippie Granola

As you know, I'm generally overwhelmingly excited about everything, but I've been feeling sort of broken down lately and in an effort to locate my misplaced enthusiasm, I've decided to fire up this blog. Many of you I talk to on a regular basis, but for those of you that haven't heard from me since I was sleeping on your couch last year, here is a quick and dirty rundown of what has happened since I returned home one year ago.

Last January/February I went to Thailand with my best friend in the whole world, Samantha. We met up with our friend Robin first in Cambodia and then traveled with her to the tiny town of Sanglaburi where she was teaching art. It was an amazing trip that changed my perceptions of the world and my place in it.


I spent the better part of the Spring planning and then constructing a 7 foot tall x 7 foot wide Rice Krispie Treat Sculpture for an exhibition at the 2006 Three Rivers Arts Festival. It nearly killed me. Literally! I cracked my head open during it's construction.


I took a job this past summer with a modern dance company, no not dancing thank you very much, I'm the marketing director. I know, I can't believe someone made me the director of anything either. I didn't plan on going back to full time work but after the head wound health insurance seemed nice a novel idea.

Also, I have a dog now. Her name is Nona and she has been the source of some frustration lately as she recently crossed the dozen pair mark. For those of you without dogs, that's shoes we're talking. Nona was a well intentioned surprise gift and it's too late to give her back; I know, I tried...twice. But I love her so much and though it's a challenge, I'm learning all kinds of things about myself and who needs material things anyways?


I turned 26 this past September. I was crowned the Queen of Penn (Avenue) and Main (Street) on my special day and because of it had to ride on a float in the Bloomfield Halloween Parade.


It was a Christmas themed float...

Anyhow, on to dinner. Tonight I made homeade granola. I know this totally confirms my hippie status, but it's ridiculously easy and so delicious!

Hippie Granola

Oats - rolled, 4 cups
Oil - canola, sunflower etc. 1/2 cup
Honey - 3/4 cup or as sweet as you like
Cinnamon - 1/2 t
Salt - 1/2 t
Fruit and Nuts - 1-2 cups
Coconut - if you like, shredded 1/2 cup

This is a great way to use up dried fruit and nuts you have laying around. Tonight I threw in two kinds of raisins, cranberries, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. You just mix everything together in a bowl except the fruit and bake it on cookie sheets until it gets brown. You have to check it frequently so it doesn't burn and flip it after about 10 minutes. After it's done, mix in the fruit and let cool, or don't. It's really really good while it's still warm with soymilk! Hey...there's my enthusiasm! I knew it would be right under my nose.