Down on the Farm

Ryan’s super-secret date kicked off late this morning around 11 a.m. With a shared love for animals, Ryan knew planning a date to Green Meadows farm to pet many different farm animals and pick out a pumpkin would be right up my alley!

After buying admission tickets we were given super awesome neon green stickers to wear on our tour of the farm.

Super Cool Stickers

While waiting for additional group members we had fun entertaining ourselves!

Ryan and His Piggy

Farmer Julie

On the Farm

First up was milking a cow. Did you know cows eat approximately 20 pounds of food each day!? That’s a whole lotta hay.

Me and Ellie the Cow

Thirsty?

I loved petting all the different animals and holding a duckling and a lil’ baby chick!

Baaaaa

Ryan and His Favorite... the Goooooat

Baby Chickie

Baby Duck!

I don't know who's cuter!

It was tough ranglin’ a duck, but we both managed to catch one.

Quack, Quack

Donald, is that you?

(How cute is the little girl at the bottom left of that picture?)

The ostrich was huge (they apparently have a brain the size of a pea!) and made me a little nervous.

Eek!

Our day down on the farm was wonderful. We picked up our pumpkins and stopped by Whole Foods for a yummy (and a little too filling) lunch. Now part two of Ryan’s secret date is about to begin (with a scavanger hunt!!!), so I’m off to get ready.

Happy Weekend!

Runner’s Fuel: Homemade Granola

Before (and after) setting out on a morning five mile run with Sadie, I fueled up on homemade nutty apricot granola.

My Runnin' Buddy

I actually made the granola with the intention of using it as a topping on yogurt or oatmeal throughout the week, but considering the amount I already ate this morning and how delicious it is, I don’t know if it’ll make it to Monday.

I began by chopping dried apricots  until I had a full quarter cup of the fruit.

Sliced Apricot

Overflowing 1/4 c. Apricot

You can easily use a combination of any type of dried fruits: raisins, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, pineapple…

I love all kinds of nutsand conveniently had slivered almonds and walnuts onhand so I added a quarter cup of each to the bowl with the apricots.

Slivered Almonds

Chopped Walnuts

Fruit and Nuts

I poured one and one third cups of overflowing old fashioned oats (not the quick-cooking kind) in with the dried fruit and nuts.

Oats, Apricots, Nuts

To moisten the oat mixture and add sweetness, I combined a quarter cup of honey with three tablespoons of melted butter and drizzled the liquid over the oats, tossing to coat the mixture.

The Sweetness of Honey

Honey Butter

Coated Oat Mixture

After tasting the granola, I decided it needed a little extra oomph and added a liberal amount of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to the mix.

I spread the granola on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray and baked it at 350 for 12 minutes. I then stirred the mixture and baked it for an additional eight minutes (or until lightly browned).

Nutty Apricot Granola

Cinnamon and Spice and Everything Nice

When I took the granola out of the oven it didn’t have the crunchy consistency  that I associate with granola, so I put it in some Tupperware and stuck it in the fridge to harden. Perfect!

 

The spices and nuts really took the granola to the next level. I think I’ll go have some more… Yeah, it’s definitely not going to make it to Monday!