Hey, Hey, Hey! Godspeed dear Amy

Winter 1995 

 Stuarts Draft, VA 

Back Row:  Bryant, Tonia, Amy

Front Row:  Teresa

3-11-2019 I just found out this morning about Amy. I can’t believe it took me this long to realize I had not heard from Amy in a while, knowing she had been battling non hodgkins lymphoma. To say my bad just doesn’t cut it.

Amy was a significant influence in my life and I am grateful for her friendship through the years. Thank you, Amy’s parents & sister, for raising such a strong and giving soul. Amy was brave, feisty, smart, adventurous, caring, and an amazing cook. Amy showed up.

If a picture says a thousand words, Amy’s pictures through the years spoke her love. Amy traveled - sometimes with folks and sometimes solo. Somewhere in our storage there are dozens of postcards from Amy from the time she went across the United States & back in her Saturn. Solo.

Amy's Salsa Recipe found on 76th page of 1993 Vaughn Family Reunion Family Cookbook

About twenty years or so ago, Amy shared her salsa recipe with me. I sent “Amy’s Salsa” recipe in for my husband’s 1993 family reunion cookbook. I remember one time Amy was visiting us I showed it to her, and she was glad to see it in there. If you’re a salsa fan, try Amy’s recipe (with fresh ingredients, preferably homegrown, like Amy did).

There’s an Amy-shaped empty spot in our lives now. Knowing Amy has gone to be with the Lord gives comfort. And I imagine time will ease the sorrow. I’m sending thoughts & prayers to Amy’s sister & nephews & parents. I am so very sorry for your loss.

for Lisa & Sandra - a custom goat milk soap order favorite

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Lavender Peppermint Goat Milk Soap Recipe

7.9 oz lye

10 oz filtered water

10.2 oz goat milk

4 oz almond oil

16 oz olive oil

16 oz organic palm oil

17.4 oz organic coconut oil

20 grams castor oil

24 grams raw organic cocoa butter

56 grams shea butter

8 grams grapefruit seed extract

5 grams Vitamin E oil

2 ounces Lavender Essential Oil

1.2 ounces Peppermint Essential Oil

Note:  Often when I make this soap, I split the base up and leave a portion plain unscented and the other portion scented with pure essential oils.  I mark my molds ahead of time, to keep things less confusing.  I also tend to use 4" square molds for most essential oil soaps, and tend to use round molds for plain unscented soaps.

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE & Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water/goat milk mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.  Some folks add a smidgeon of goat milk at trace, and still call the end product goat milk soap.  We are blessed with dairy goats that keep us in goat milk a plenty.  I've used all goat milk in place of water, and find the end product very rich, and need to use more essential oil to balance out the scent.  So after trial & error I opt for close to 1/2 filtered water and 1/2 goat milk.  I go ahead and mix the goat milk & water together & then add lye.  It reacts immediately - starts saponifying the goat milk fat.  I just keep stirring and don't worry about it.  If this bothers you, wait 'til after the lye/water mix and the oils are blended well, then add the goat milk.  

I add the Pure Essential Oils at trace.

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Exodus 3:8a  And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;

Proverbs 27:27  And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

for Bryant and Sandra - a universally popular vegan soap recipe

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Orange Cedarwood w/Moroccan Clay Vegan Soap

25.7 oz filtered water

9.8 oz lye

24 oz olive oil

23.8 oz organic palm oil

19.3 oz organic coconut oil

1.4 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

.6 oz shea butter

15 grams grapefruit seed extract

1 ounce Moroccan Clay **(see note below)**

Pure Essential Oils:

1.7 oz Orange Essential Oil

.3 oz Tangerine Essential Oil 

1 oz Cedarwood Essential Oil

**Note:  I've made this soap two different ways.  My preferred method is, after the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Moroccan Clay to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.  This makes a uniform, consistently colored soap.

 

Another option is to add the clay after trace, to a portion of the base, then swirl this in.** 

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

I add the Pure Essential Oils at trace.

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Matthew 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

2 Corinthians 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Kings 6:18  And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.


Isaiah 41:19  I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:


Psalms 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Job 33:6  Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

Psalms 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Isaiah 29:16  Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Isaiah 45:9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Isaiah 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Jeremiah 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

for Lisa and Jill

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.  

Vegan Extra Conditioning Soap

539 grams filtered water

197 grams lye

398 grams organic palm oil

458 grams organic coconut oil

11 oz castor oil

3.9 oz jojoba oil

2 oz sweet almond oil

2.9 oz raw organic cocoa butter

2.2 oz shea butter

5 grams grapefruit seed extract

5 grams Vitamin E oil

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE & Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

I add the Pure Essential Oils at trace. 

I split this recipe as follows:

for Lisa S.

2/3 of base

21 grams Pure Lavender Essential Oil

for Jill 

1/3 of base

4 ml (or 1 dram) Pure Citronella Essential Oil

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Psalms 19:12  Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Psalms 51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalms 119:9  (BETH) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Ephesians 6:7  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

for Paulette, Emily & Betsy

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.  For the longest time, this was my absolute favorite.  Enjoy!

COBBLESTONE SOAP RECIPE
Takes a while, but worth it:  a wonderfully mild base, with subtle hints of peppermint, tea tree and lavender.  First I make the elements:

> Rhassoul Clay, Myrrh & Peppermint Vegan Soap
> Rhassoul Clay Tea Tree Vegan Soap
> Lavender Vegan Soap

I don't generally wait for the elements to cure for 3 weeks - just a few days.  Then I cut them however I like (I've used small heart shape cookie cutters, or just a knife, or even sometimes used a grater).  I really like the way this soap looks, smells & feels. Once I've got the elements ready, I make the base.

Cobblestone Soap Base

25.7 oz filtered water

9.9 oz lye

1 lb 6.8 oz olive oil

1 lb 7.2 oz organic palm oil

1 lb 4.4 oz organic coconut oil

1 oz sweet almond oil

1 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

1 oz shea butter

4 grams grapefruit seed extract

6 grams Vitamin E oil

Note:  After the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Rhassoul Clay & Myrrh to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE and Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

Mixed into base at trace, generous chunks of:

• Rhassoul Clay Tea Tree Soap
• Rhassoul Clay & Myrrh Peppermint Soap
• Lavender Vegan Soap

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Paulette likes "logs" to slice off bars as needed for herself and her family.  When I deliver a big block of soap to someone, I still give them a label & wrap their soap.  I also offer to email extra labels for them to print (and edit) as needed.

Matthew 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Luke 11:42  But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

a personal favorite with Peppermint and Myrrh

Disclaimer:  Follow standard cold process soap procedure (not to be attempted by non-soapmakers).  When making soap you are working with sodium hydroxide, or lye, which is a caustic, dangerous chemical.  Wear protective skin, eye & respiratory equipment & work in a well-ventilated area.  Author is not responsible for any damage or injuries.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Rhassoul Clay, Myrrh & Peppermint Vegan Soap

25.6 oz filtered water

9.9 oz lye

23 oz olive oil

18.5 oz organic palm oil

24.5 oz organic coconut oil

2.6 oz almond oil

1.6 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

.7 oz shea butter

13 grams grapefruit seed extract

29 grams Rhassoul Clay

29 grams Myrrh powder

1 oz Peppermint Essential Oil

Note:  After the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Rhassoul Clay & Myrrh to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

I add the Pure Peppermint Essential Oil at trace. 

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Genesis 37:25  And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

Genesis 43:11  And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

Matthew 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

for Lou

Disclaimer:  

Follow standard cold process soap procedure (not to be attempted by non-soapmakers).  When making soap you are working with sodium hydroxide, or lye, which is a caustic, dangerous chemical.  Wear protective skin, eye & respiratory equipment & work in a well-ventilated area.  Author is not responsible for any damage or injuries.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Lou's Vegan Lavender Soap

25.7 oz Lou's well water

9.9 oz lye

1 lb 7.8 oz olive oil

1 lb 7.8 oz organic palm oil

1 lb 4.6 oz organic coconut oil

1 oz sweet almond oil (?)

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

1.2 oz shea butter

4 grams grapefruit seed extract

6 grams Vitamin E oil

1.7 oz lavender essential oil

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE and Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.  

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.  

I add the Pure Lavender Essential Oil at trace.

I have used this recipe as is, and other times included 1 ounce finely ground dried lavender buds.  Some folks like scratchy texture, some like creamy smooth.  Lou likes creamy smooth.  Yes, you can use filtered water in place of Lou's well water.  

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.  Lou likes nice big chunks, to slice off bars as needed for herself and her family.  When I deliver a big block of soap to someone, I still give them a label & wrap their soap.  I also offer to email extra labels for them to print (and edit) as needed.

1 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

For Raven

Disclaimer:  

Follow standard cold process soap procedure (not to be attempted by non-soapmakers).  When making soap you are working with sodium hydroxide, or lye, which is a caustic, dangerous chemical.  Wear protective skin, eye & respiratory equipment & work in a well-ventilated area.  Author is not responsible for any damage or injuries.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Rhassoul Clay Tea Tree Vegan Soap

25.6 oz filtered water

9.9 oz lye

25.6 oz olive oil

22 oz organic palm oil

20.9 oz organic coconut oil

1 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

1 oz shea butter

9 grams grapefruit seed extract

5 grams Vitamin E oil

55 grams Rhassoul Clay

13 grams Tea Tree Essential Oil

Note:  After the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Rhassoul Clay to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE and Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.  

I restir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.  

I add the Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil at trace.

I have split this recipe up and left 1/3 plain unscented, and the other 2/3 Tea Tree because some of us are allergic to Tea Tree oil, but love the Rhassoul Clay vegan soap.  When I split a recipe this way, I make sure the molds are different shapes and very clearly labeled, so I don't get confused.

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Ecclesiastes 1:9  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

1 Thessalonians 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Matthew 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Freezing & Dehydrating Fresh Local Strawberries

We are so spoiled in our area, by the fabulous strawberries available in Reynolds, GA, at The Strawberry Patch/Taylor County Orchards.  This year has been a really good year, and we've been able to put up a lot of strawberries.  My husband says it would be less expensive if we bought a hundred strawberry plants and grew them ourselves.  He's probably right.  But the folks at The Strawberry Patch know what they're doing, and as long as we can afford the gas to get there, and those wonderful buckets of strawberry goodness, I'd like to keep them in business ;)

I've put up a couple of cases of strawberry jam & strawberry syrup.  I've also dried a couple quarts of strawberries (for granola or for just snacking - dried strawberries are delicious!), and frozen many quarts of strawberries.  My husband makes a lot of smoothies, so the frozen strawberries come in handy!



Years ago, a very nice lady in Stuarts Draft, VA, Gayle Weaver, told me how to freeze strawberries.

1. Rinse strawberries.
2. Remove caps.
3. Dip in lemon juice.
4. Place individual strawberries (whole or half, depending on size preferred) on freezer-paper lined cookie sheet.
5. Freeze.
6. Once the fruit is frozen, remove from freezer paper and put in freezer bag (be sure to label & date).
7. Repeat until you've frozen all you need.

This procedure works great for any frozen fruit (bananas, blueberries, figs, peaches, strawberries, etc.).

The dehydrating procedure is pretty simple, too.  I am so thankful to Claudya Muller, for sharing her wonderful dehydrator with us!

1. Rinse fruit.
2. Remove caps.
3. Dip in lemon juice (I do this with all fruit I'm freezing or dehydrating, to help preserve color).
4. Slice in half, and lay cut side up on dehydrator trays.  Or if you prefer smaller pieces use egg slicer (see photo).  
5. My dehydrator book says to dry strawberries at 115 degrees F. for 12 to 18 hours.  The fruit setting on my dehydrator is 135 degrees F. for 6 to 12 hours.  Go figure.  I opt  for the higher temperature for a few hours, then reduce to the lower temperatures until the fruit is dry and crisp.
6. Once fruit is dry, put in container (I use ziplocs) and label/date.  

I read somewhere that as a precaution, put all dried fruit in freezer for two weeks, just in case they might have critters.  Yuk.  I happily do so, just in case.

Strawberry Syrup

4 pounds fresh local strawberries
1-1/2 pounds turbinado sugar
2 ounces lemon juice

Get your honkin' boiling water canning pot boiling.  Wash your canning jars & lids.  I recommend new canning jars & canning lids for best results.  After washing, I put my sterile canning jars into the oven - laying down on their sides - at 225 degrees F.  They stay there 'til I'm ready to fill 'em.  Yes, most of the time I do remember to use hot pads to take them out ;)

Rinse strawberries in cool water.  Remove caps.  Weigh out four pounds.  Puree with lemon juice.  Put liquids in large stainless steel pot (I use my 4-1/2 quart Revere Ware soup pot).  Add sugar.  Stir thoroughly.  Bring to boil - boil for five minutes.

Remember to use your hot pads to protect your fingers & hands when working with hot stuff!

Ladle extremely hot strawberry syrup carefully into extremely hot sterile canning jars (I leave just over 1/4" head space since this is in the jam/jelly/syrup category), wipe rims, add two-part canning lids.  Very carefully put in canning rack that's hovering over boiling water in honkin' boiling water canning pot.  Once rack is full, carefully lower into the boiling water.  Make sure there's at least a couple of inches of water over the jar lids.  Put canning lid pot on.  Once the water returns to a good boil, set timer for 20 minutes.  Turn off heat & remove lid.

My Ball Blue Book says to use a jar lifter to remove the jars from the canner and set them on a towel to cool.

I have had successful results using my long handled wooden spoons to get my canning rack handles above the boiling water & lifting the rack so that it can sit on the rim of the canner for a moment.  Then, with my hands & fingers protected in my hot pads, I carry the full canning rack of extremely hot jars over to my towel-covered area & lift jars one by one onto the towel.  Then I place another clean dry towel over the jars.  Then the glorious sounds:  pop, pop, pop.  Those are the lids sealing.  I love those sounds!

I let the jars sit overnight (or 12 hours at least).  I put labels on every jar with name of product (strawberry syrup), date, ingredients and a note in bold reminding folks "please refrigerate after opening".  I make sure that note is loud and clear!  And jars that have lids that didn't seem to seal properly go in fridge and are used within a day or two.  The rest go in the cardboard box with dividers that the canning jars came in, with labels on the outside of the box (I just print extra ingredient labels & tape those on the box).  I generally give some of these for gifts, but we try to keep some for us to flavor plain yogurt or pancakes or whatever through the year.

A Favorite Basic Natural & Delicious Granola

After hunting around for ages for a simple & flexible granola recipe... after trial & error came up with this:

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.

7 cups oats

1/2 to 1 cup turbinado sugar (if you are using honey - go lighter... and mix in with melted butter, then add to dry ingredients - honey will make your granola less crunchy)

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup nuts

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1 cup melted butter

and some extras I've been including lately:  chia seeds, wheat germ, wheat bran... to taste

In large Pyrex bowl measure ingredients & add one at a time, mixing after each addition. Bake for one hour - stirring every fifteen minutes.

Cool completely.

Store in airtight container. If it's going to be around longer than a few days, you might want to store in airtight container in fridge. It usually doesn't last long for us.

Variations:

Maple Walnut

Add 2 to 3 teaspoons maple flavoring to melted butter, and replace pecans with walnuts.

Fruit & Nut

After baking for one hour, add 1/2 to 1 cup dried fruit of choice. Don't bake the dried fruit - add to bowl after baking!

I like Craisins, Raisins, Banana Chips.

Other dried fruits you can have fun trying: blueberries, dates, pineapple, apricots, etc.

Now, for a great tip from a very nice older Mennonite lady - you can put the cooled down granola into dry sterile hot canning jars & put dry sterile canning lids on those - dry, not wet. When the hot jars & lids cool, they will seal.

So you can store on shelf unopened for some time.

If the granola is not cool, or if the jars and / or lids are wet,

there will be condensation which is not good.

Great for gifts!