Ho Hum Photo, Granola Love...Oh Yes, and the Menu for The Week

So I took this photograph when my good friend Lisa came to visit me a few weeks ago. We went into the city (Boston) and walked the Public Gardens. I had my wide-ish angled lens on and stopped to take a pic of the few flowers that were blooming. When I first took this shot, I thought, "Wow, I'm a super photographer!" But now, I'm kinda, "eh" about it. Maybe I'm not that impressed anymore because it looks like a Microsoft computer "wallpaper." Anywho....if you'd like to critique the photo, by all means.

Onto granola love.....I've been on a quest for make-your-own fiber/granola/snack/whateveryouwannacallthem bars. I'm tired of paying an arm and leg for packaged ones and only getting like five or six in a box. Plus the packaging is just ridiculous and the cardboard cuts on my fingers. Wah, wah, wah.

I digress.....so I found this recipe to try. I did do some modifications:

• Brown rice crispies instead of regular rice crispies
• Agave nectar instead of brown rice syrup
• I used dried blueberries as my dried fruit ingredient
• Used peanut butter as my nut butter
• Added mini chocolate chips - they melted so the chocolate was mixed into the whole thing.

Verdict: I tried the "batter" before it set and was a little hesitant. But then once they set (and I keep them in the fridge), I thought they were pretty tasty. My husband liked them, too. It was my first attempt. I'll make some changes next time or if you have some other wonderful recipe to share on making bars, please post!

And of course my menu for the week. I'm making lots of warm, comfy food this week because we're getting nothing but rain and cool weather.

Monday - I went to a board dinner so no cookin' for mama!

Tuesday - Working on it right now as I write this blog (and the aroma is AMAZING!!!). Chicken, Chorizo Tortilla Stoup (no I didn't miss-spell that, it's like a soup and a stew). And of course I'm modifying (this is becoming my new favorite word): used black beans instead of kidney and added corn...and there's no way in hell I'm "broiling" the cheese.

Wednesday - Totally cheating for dinner....Trader Joes bagged Penne Pepperonata and I'm adding farm Italian Sausage.

Thursday - Green & Red Pork Roast - I'm crockpottin' this one, baby!

Friday - I'm either going to make Grilled Peaches over Arugula with some marinated chicken or Arugula Pesto on pizza with tomatoes and fresh mozzarela.

Weekend - is always a crap shoot

Off to eat the Stoup. Ciao for now.