Independence Day Treats - a little inspiration

When Independence Day rolls around, I think we've all made a flag cake with berries for the stars & stripes, or dyed our pancakes red & blue, or decorated sugar cookies, or made cupcakes...

Sometimes it can feel redundant. Most times, I'm looking for something new to jazz up our festivities.

This year, I found a couple of things I think you might like - a little inspiration...




These skewers are adorable! Perfect for little hands at an Independence Day party. You can find them (and more!) at Sisters Stuff.




It's an oldy-but-goody, and it sure looks beautiful. I like to add granola to my fruit & yogurt parfaits. Theses are great for an Independence Day breakfast or snack. Much lighter than pancakes! (Though I do love me some pancakes!)





This one is adorable! What a great way to display breakfast muffins or cupcakes or mini-cheesecakes - anything, really.

The big splash is the topper, for me. Love another way to display a flag at the buffet table.


Finally, our traditional dessert while we watch the fireworks on Independence Day - Indoor S'mores.

They're AMAZING! :)

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Enjoy!

Homemade Granola

**This ended up being a yummy snack, and pardon the picture, but I even tried it as a cereal and added some raisins. Yum!**

Granola

4 cups Quick Quaker oats ( I used half old fashioned, half quick)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 sliced almonds

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts chopped

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, coconut, almonds, pecans or walnuts. Set aside. In a saucepan, stir together water, oil, honey and peanut butter; bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add 1 tsp vanilla. Add to the oat mixture and stir well. Spread out onto large baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you don't stir well throughout baking, the outer edges can start burning.