In the (New) Beginning

Now that I am in a new city, a new life started with David, and trying to find a job, it's been a little disorienting/overwhelming. The few familiar things I have in my life that have made these transitions easier are cooking and the things David and I get to do together. Don't get me wrong, David is loving all the delicious meals my time investment has created. So, I thought I would share one of those recipes.

Usually, David doesn't like to snack on things, but if he does he particularly enjoys my homemade granola. I found this recipe on the internet but it was so long ago I don't remember where.
Granola

• 2 c oats
• 1 tsp cinnamon, ground
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2/3 c raisins
• 3 tbsp and 1 tsp oil
• ¼ c honey
• ¼ c packed brown sugar (dark)
• 2/3 c almonds
• ¼ c maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Oil baking sheet.
2. Toast almonds in the oven for 8-10 minutes (I prefer doing it for 9 minutes).

3. Toss together oats, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

4. In another bowl, mix honey, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk together until mixed.

5. Pour liquid into oat mix and stir until combined.

6. Pull out almonds when they’re done and put into a dish. Mix with almonds to warm them.

7. Pour oat mix onto the baking sheet evenly. You can squeeze clumps in your fist for texture but I don’t find this necessary.

8. Bake for 20 minutes, you can bake for 10 then stir it around then bake for another 10 minutes but I also didn’t find this necessary.

9. When it’s done take out and pour on the almonds and raisin mix. 

10. Let cool then break up the granola into bits and store in an airtight container.

YUM! It usually doesn't last very long in our kitchen, because David devours it quickly, but we've made it a staple in the kitchen because it's so darn good.

While fall is in full swing and winter is just around the corner, David and I have been enjoying the changing of the leaves. Recently, we drove to visit our families and the drive provided David many subjects to photograph while I drove. Lots of interesting lighting on clouds, and valleys of trees with all different colors. It was a great trip and an even better visit, and we were both sad to leave. One thing that we both look forward to is the upcoming holidays so we can visit our families more often and for longer periods of time (hopefully).

While visiting our families we were talking about different recipes and recipe books that his parents have, or that I have made, etc. What I realized from that is how very different growing up was for us, especially cuisine-wise. While I was more likely to have pasta or steak and potatoes at home, he was having dishes like picadillo, pancit, or Ćevapčići. I feel that he got to experience a much wider range of dishes since his families are Filipino and Serbian.

Since getting married I've been lucky enough to not only try some of these dishes but also make them. It's been a culinary adventure! While some of the more exotic ones (for me) are exciting, I've also done more familiar dishes like Chicken Parmigiana. Both of those I will post later for your enjoyment, and maybe, just maybe, for you to try it yourself! 

I do miss being closer to my family, but one thing that they have done to make it easier is receiving letters from my sisters. We prefer to write them and send them via 'snail' mail because it's SO much more exciting getting a letter in the mailbox than an email in your inbox. Plus, the phone calls are pretty awesome too. So, while transitioning to a new place and a new life with my spouse, my family has done a ton for me and continues to do a ton for me by keeping in touch. In short, I wanted to say THANK YOU for everything you have done and continue to do.