Homemade Granola Bars

My kids love granola bars as a quick snack, but I find that they are expensive and not very healthy for them.  A couple of years ago, I found a recipe online (sorry...I can't remember where~~I have since started writing the website down when I print out a recipe!) for granola bars that my kids really like to eat and is quite simple to make. 

Ingredients

• 6 cups old fashioned oats (we actually use about 5 to 5 1/2 cups because we like it a bit more moist)
• 2/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky~whatever you prefer)
• chocolate chips (I've found if you use mini chips, they melt and you don't end up with actual chips in your bars.  Still just as yummy!)

Mix the oats with the chocolate chips (as many or as little as you desire!)  Heat the corn syrup and brown sugar until boiling. 

Boil for one minute, remove from heat and add peanut butter.  Pour mixture over oats and stir until completely mixed. 

Pat mixture into a 9 x 13 pan and let sit until cooled and hardened. I was out of chocolate chips so these bars are just peanut butter.  Try your own variations and see what different tastes you can come up with! 

Cut into bars and enjoy!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

How I Know Child Training Is Never Done

Our 6 year old has recently reminded me that as parents, we must consistantly train our children.  During our opening songs in church on Sunday, she looked up at me and asked "What are we having for lunch?".  I reminded her that we are singing and we'd talk about it later.  She was fine with that answer.  Then later~~during the congregational prayer(!)~~she gets up in my ear and says "Oh, now I get it!  Everyone in Mandie is the same in the first and second movie!!".  (We had spent the previous 2 Friday nights watching the Mandie Movies~~Which are great family movies by the way!!)  She really liked the Mandie movies and apparently her mind had wandered during the prayer to the movies!

As parents, our job of training sometimes seems like it never ends.  Kids need many reminders as they grow.  But as I see our older children grow, I see the fruit of our efforts.  It is all worth it~~even when they talk about movies during prayer!!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Why I Hate Facebook On The First Day Of School!

School starts today at the public school in our town.  Our middlest just got on the bus and is on his way for his first day of fourth grade.  He's looking forward to seeing his friends again.  I'm a bit sad that the summer is over and he won't be home until 3:30 each day.

But, sadly, many don't feel this same way.  Last year on the first day of school, my Facebook page was filled with mommy's who were praising the first day of school, and the days of freedom from their children.  How awful for these children to know that their parents are excited to have them leave the home for a good part of each day.

So I will not be looking at Facebook today.  I don't want to hear how excited you are that your kids are at school.  I'm going to be baking cookies with our other children so that when Spud comes home from school, we can enjoy our time together over cookies and milk. 

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~August 31, 2012
Outside my window... HOT!  Back to the 90's, but this weekend hold the promise of cooler weather.  I am SO ready for fall!
I am thinking...about the class I'm teaching for our homeschool co~op.  I'd like to have the first month planned out before we start in two weeks.
From the learning room...We've not yet started with homeschooling.  I must admit that we don't have all our books in yet!
I am thankful for...our health, and I'm reminded not to take it for granted. 
From the kitchen...generally it would be pizza and movie nite, but we are going to a potluck at church tonight! 
I am wearing...jean skirt and yellow tank top
I am creating...a new quilt for Spud's bed. 
I am going...to try and be more organized this school year.  Since we are officially schooling 3 of our kids at home, it is a must that I be on top of things!
I am reading... Bible and the book "What Jesus Demands From The World" by John Piper
I am praying...for our dear neighbor who was just diagnosed with cancer, and for guidance for hubby and I as we are making decisions
I am hearing...little ones playing together.  What a wonderful sound!
Around the house...couple of loads of laundry, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen must be done
One of my favorite things...the promise of fall after a long, hot summer!
A few plans for the rest of the week...well...since it's the end of the week, our only plan for the weekend is some sprucing up around the outside of the house.  We're hoping the weather cooperates for some outdoor time this long Labor day weekend as well.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Have a great week!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Getting Honest With Your Kids About Finances



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"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender" Proverbs 22:7

When our first few kids were smaller, we were living the American dream.  You know, the one where you own lots of "stuff" all paid for on credit.  When our kids wanted a new toy, we pulled out the credit card.  New clothes, same thing.  Something wonderful we just couldn't live without....yep you guessed it!

Fast forward a child or two, and I now stay home full time with our kiddo's.  That's right...only one income.  We had a huge credit card bill and a house full of stuff we really didn't need or use.   It really hurt when we realized that we were still paying for the $15.99 shirt we bought 16 months ago!  It was ridiculous!

We got smarter about our finances when we attended Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. We got rid of our credit cards and started a budget.  We tried to remember if we don't have the money on hand we don't need it right now.  We were committed to get rid of debt and live within our means.

Our oldest children were not quite as committed.  They were used to the "old" way of buying things and didn't always like that we wouldn't just run out and buy something for them.  We realized how our mistakes in spending left an imprint on them.

Our younger children will not grow with the same thinking about money.  They are very familiar with the words "it's just not in our budget right now".  We are teaching them about self control and living frugally.  They are seeing the "new" parents who really don't want to leave a legacy of debt for our children.

So how did we start implementing these changes in our household?  Really, it was as Dave Ramsey says, baby steps.  First we got honest with our kids about our finances.  While I don't think kids need to know exactly how much money is coming in and going out, I think it is good for them to know about the area's we are struggling in.  It takes the entire family to keep finances in order.  You can't save money on groceries for instance, if someone always wants to order pizza delivery.  We also implemented tithing, saving, and spending with the money our kids make.

Of course, all of this has been bathed in prayer as well.  If you are struggling in finances, pray that God will show you the area's that need to be changed and be willing to change them.  Learn all you can about budgeting and stick to it.  We do sometimes get off budget, but we now see the importance of having one.  Finances can be an area of great delight or great frustration.  I don't want to be frustrated anymore!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"

1 Corinthians 10:31