Yell O!
My nephew is moving into his college dorm today…and the fact that I just typed those words is blowing my mind. It seems like yesterday that he was obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. Now he is staring Psyche 101 in the face.

For all of my disbelief and other emotions, what I am most surprised about feeling is jealousy. Or maybe that’s too strong of a word.

See, my nephew is starting the same college that my sister and attended (he has good taste). And, the college years were some of the best years of my life. I would love to go back to those carefree days. I learned so much during those four years—mostly about life in general instead of academics. My parent’s advice to both my sister and I before we started college was “Don’t let your education interfere with your education” and I took that to heart. Sometimes to the extreme! I mean I did actually graduate, just not with a 4.0.

Of course the old adage You can’t go home again rings true especially in this instance. If I went back knowing what I know now, my experience would be totally different. However, that doesn’t stop me from reliving those good times (and the bad) and wanting just a little taste of that life again. So, I’m heading back for Homecoming in November. Save me a spot at Rennie’s!

In the meantime, I am looking forward to experiencing college life through my nephew’s eyes. I also plan to make sure he remembers us back here at home (I always had a problem remembering to call…) You should know that there will be regular care packages which will always include his favorite granola. I have posted it before because I make him a huge batch every Christmas. But, now it will serve as a reminder of home and of how proud we are of the man he has become. Good luck Noodle! And Go Ducks!

Granola
Adapted from Alton Brown and The Food Network
Yields 6 servings

I have found the best way to get nice, big chunks in my granola is to use 1/2 natural maple syrup, and 1/2 commercial syrup (such as Log Cabin). But, if you are a purist, go ahead and use only the pure maple syrup. You just won’t get the nice, big chunks in your granola. 

Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashews (I use pecans.)
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoon Log Cabin syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins or other dried fruit

Directions
Preheat oven to 250 ºF.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, Log Cabin syrup, oil, and salt. Thoroughly combine both the oat and the maple syrup mixtures. Spread the granola out evenly onto 2 sheet pans.

Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven, and allow to cool. Break up the granola into bite-sized pieces. Add the raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

This stores best in a glass jar or container.